Drinking Water Quality: Taking the Lead and Copper Rule to Task
2006
Evaluating the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Enforcement
Sample size: 4613
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Scott Fields
Primary Institution: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Hypothesis
How well does the EPA enforce its 1991 Lead and Copper Rule?
Conclusion
The GAO found that the EPA lacks sufficient data to support claims of reduced lead levels in drinking water.
Supporting Evidence
- The GAO reported that the EPA has no data to support claims of reduced lead levels in drinking water for about 30% of systems.
- The Lead and Copper Rule requires testing from individual homes, complicating enforcement.
- In Washington, 73% of homes tested had lead levels above the action level.
Takeaway
The EPA is supposed to check for lead in drinking water, but they don't have enough information to prove it's safe.
Methodology
The GAO evaluated the EPA's enforcement of the Lead and Copper Rule based on data from water systems.
Limitations
The EPA lacks data for about 30% of medium and large municipal systems and 72% of water systems regarding lead reporting.
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