Trump administration to stand by tough Biden-era mandates to replace lead pipes

The Trump administration announced Friday it will support a stringent Biden-era rule requiring most U.S. cities and towns to replace harmful lead drinking water pipes within 10 years, marking a significant departure from its usual deregulatory approach to environmental policies.

In a filing with the federal appeals court in Washington, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it would defend what it called “the strongest overhaul of lead-in-water standards in three decades” against a legal challenge from a utility industry association.

“After intensive stakeholder involvement, EPA concluded that the only way to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act’s mandate to prevent anticipated adverse health effects ‘to the extent feasible’ is to require replacement of lead service lines,” the agency stated in its court filing.

The decision stands in stark contrast to the administration’s typical stance on environmental regulations. On the same day, the EPA repealed tight restrictions on mercury and other toxic emissions from coal plants, continuing its broader pattern of rolling back pollution controls.

Lead, a potent neurotoxin once common in pipes and paints, can severely impact public health, particularly for children. Even low levels of lead exposure can stunt development, lower IQ scores, and cause behavioral problems in children, while adults may experience increased blood pressure and kidney problems.

The Biden administration finalized its lead rule in 2024, significantly tightening standards by lowering the action level from 15 parts per billion to 10. Under the new regulations, water systems detecting lead above this threshold must inform consumers, take immediate action to reduce contamination, and replace lead service lines.

When announcing the rule, the Biden administration estimated it would protect up to 900,000 infants from having low birth weight and prevent up to 1,500 premature deaths annually from heart disease.

The American Water Works Association (AWWA), representing water utilities, has challenged the rule in court. The industry group argues the EPA lacks authority to regulate portions of water pipes on private property and therefore cannot require water systems to replace them entirely. The association also contends the 10-year deadline isn’t feasible due to labor shortages and competing infrastructure priorities.

In response, the EPA countered that utilities can be required to replace entire lead pipes because they maintain sufficient control over the infrastructure. The agency also cited data analysis from dozens of water utilities showing that the vast majority could complete replacements within the 10-year timeframe or less.

The original lead and copper rule for drinking water was implemented more than 30 years ago. While it has significantly reduced lead in water supplies, critics argue it allowed cities to move too slowly when elevated levels were detected.

Lead pipes are most prevalent in older, industrial regions, including major cities like Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee. The revised rule also changes how lead measurements are taken, potentially expanding the number of communities found in violation of the standards.

The EPA’s approach to drinking water issues has been more nuanced than its stance on other environmental matters. Earlier this year, the agency announced plans to partially roll back Biden-era rules on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” in drinking water. That proposal maintained tough limits for some common PFAS while reconsidering standards for others and extending compliance deadlines.

Both lead pipes and PFAS pose costly challenges for water systems. The Biden administration initially estimated approximately 9 million lead pipes provide water to homes and businesses nationwide. The Trump administration has since revised that figure to roughly 4 million, citing methodological changes including the assumption that communities not submitting data do not have lead pipes.

Environmental advocates like Erik Olson, senior director at the Natural Resources Defense Council, welcomed the EPA’s defense of the lead pipe rule, stating: “People power and years of lead-contaminated communities fighting to clean up tap water have made it a third rail to oppose rules to protect our health from the scourge of toxic lead.”

As the legal challenge proceeds, the outcome will determine the pace and scope of one of the most significant public health infrastructure initiatives in recent U.S. history.