The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule on October 8 requiring the replacement of lead pipes in schools within the next 10 years. These pipes, which contribute to lead contamination in drinking water, pose significant health risks, particularly to young children.
Why it matters: Lead exposure, especially in children, can cause long-term health issues, including cognitive delays, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and behavioral challenges. The EPA’s new mandate aims to protect school-age children and infants from these risks by requiring water systems to address lead contamination. [Education Week, subscription model]
Key details:
- The rule will cost between $1.5 billion and $2 billion annually, with federal funding support through programs like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- For each year the rule is in effect, the EPA estimates it will prevent ADHD in up to 2,600 children and protect the cognitive development of thousands more. [K-12 Dive]
- Schools and child care centers are required to have their water tested for lead within the next five years.
What’s next: Water systems across the country will prioritize schools in lead pipe removal projects, but the rule does not mandate schools to replace internal water fixtures, which are also sources of lead contamination.
The big picture: Lead contamination in water systems has been an ongoing issue, highlighted by crises like Flint, Michigan. Many school districts lack the resources to test for or remediate lead, despite widespread acknowledgment of the dangers.
Between the lines: While the new rule tackles lead service lines leading to schools, it doesn’t address lead-tainted water fountains and internal plumbing, leaving gaps in complete lead remediation.
