Washington, DC-Today, we celebrate a significant milestone in environmental justice with the announcement of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new Lead & Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) and the Biden-Harris Administration’s final rule to replace all lead service lines in a decade and the additional $2.6 billion investment in drinking water upgrades and lead pipe replacements made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This pivotal update marks a crucial advancement in our commitment to safeguarding public health, particularly for our most vulnerable populations, including women, child birthing individuals, and children.

These improvements not only enhance water quality standards but also pave the way for enhanced public health education. By prioritizing outreach and resources for communities often overlooked, we are taking a vital step toward a healthier and more equitable future. 

“We celebrate the advancements made with the new Lead & Copper Rule Improvements as a crucial step toward environmental justice. This progress opens doors for greater public health education, especially for women, child birthing individuals, and children in vulnerable communities. Together, we can ensure these rules are implemented effectively, creating a healthier future for all. Let’s build on this momentum and work hand in hand to protect those who need it most.”

—LaTricea D. Adams, MAT, EdS | Founder CEO & President, Young, Gifted & Green

We believe that this progress lays the groundwork for a future where everyone has access to clean, safe drinking water. However, it is crucial that these new rules are implemented with diligence and accountability. Our goal is to ensure that economically burdened communities are supported, not further strained, by these changes.

During the EPA’s LCRI Public Comment Period, Young, Gifted & Green under the leadership of our National Youth Director Dionna Brown (a Flint Native directly impacted by the Flint Water Crisis) supported Black and Latinx GenZ and Millennial Leaders from the across the country to submit nearly 150 public comments:

—No level of lead in drinking water is safe. Even low levels of lead present risk of significant harm, but the current level of remediation should decrease to 5 ppb instead of 10 ppb.

—Require water utility providers  to pay the full costs of removing the entire lead service line and EPA must  enforce the fullest extent of regulatory power.  

—Establish more long-term non-competitive grants specifically earmarked for lead service line replacement as certain  local and state agencies do not have enough funding (especially rural areas).  Additionally, mandate filtering programs for the duration of the lead service line replacement process.

—Mandate testing for lead in all  public  schools and childcare facilities and enforce water filtration with a level of remediation of at least 5 ppb.

—Establish safeguards for renters to ensure there is equitable access to lead service line replacement.

—Develop a national lead service line inventory where all cities and states report their respective inventory and progress as well as include in the EPA EJScreen Tool and the Climate Economic Justice Screening Tool (CJEST).

We will review the new rule with fidelity to assess progress toward our goals and recommendations to fulfill our ultimate goal which is a #LeadFreeUSA.