A major water utility business group sued the Biden administration Friday over a sweeping new rule requiring the removal of lead pipes.
Filed by the American Water Works Association, the petition sets up a legal war over one of the defining public health initiatives of outgoing President Joe Biden. Among other new requirements, EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements set a 10-year deadline for most utilities to replace water pipes made of lead.
Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can leach into tap water and is known to cause serious health problems in children and adults. But complying with EPA’s new rule will be unreasonably costly and unfeasible for many utilities, AWWA said.
“The LCRI poses significant affordability challenges, particularly for households that struggle to pay for essential needs,” David LaFrance, CEO of the group, said in a news release.
