October 8, 2024
Washington, D.C. – Today Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) CEO Tom Dobbins released the following statement in response to U.S. EPA’s release of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) final regulation:
"AMWA supports ongoing utility efforts to replace lead service lines, and the association agrees with EPA’s goal of fully eliminating lead service lines nationwide. However, many local water systems will face significant challenges in meeting several requirements that are at the core of the final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) released by the administration today. These include a ten-year national replacement deadline, new rules related to the distribution of filters, and substantial public notification mandates.
"In February AMWA submitted detailed comments on the proposed LCRI that highlighted some of these local-level challenges – including cost, work crew and supply availability, and private property access. AMWA is currently evaluating the extent to which each of these issues was addressed in the final regulation, but the association remains concerned that the ability of thousands of community water systems to comply with the rule could depend on factors beyond their control.
"What is clear is that Congress needs to continue the funding levels of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for water for the foreseeable future in order to address lead service line replacement and the many other challenges facing water systems at this time. It took 100 years to construct the nation’s water distribution infrastructure, so replacing all 9 million lead service lines still in use will represent a challenging endeavor.
"AMWA has been involved with the Lead and Copper Rule since its inception in 1991, and the association recognizes that addressing lead service lines is one of many challenges – from PFAS to low-income water affordability assistance to aging infrastructure repair and replacement – competing for the resources of the nation’s community water systems. AMWA has consistently called for a Lead and Copper Rule that is achievable, practical, and enforceable, and the association looks forward to dissecting the details of the final LCRI and working with our members to identify their best opportunities to meet its requirements."