IDAHO, USA — Water providers across the country, and Idaho, are checking their lines for lead pipes. It is part of a survey and push to get rid of the lines that could add toxic chemicals to drinking water.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) monitors drinking water for lead, and is in the process of conducting a lead service line inventory, since it's unknown how many lead pipes are still in use in Idaho.
"The EPA is asking for a roster of all of the service lines that are within a public water system," Matthew McGlynn, a drinking water analyst for the DEQ said. "So, what are the pipes underground made out of, and if they're made out of lead - they want that identified."
Congress banned lead pipes from new developments in 1986, a law Idaho adopted three years later.
McGlynn said the inventories, which are due Oct. 16, will provide a better picture of where lead water lines are in the state. This is a crucial first step toward getting rid of lead pipes from water systems.
On Oct. 8, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements which requires water systems across the country to replace lead pipes within 10 years. The law also mandates that water systems sample at schools, testing is currently voluntary. It also reduces the action level for lead in drinking water. Those provisions will take effect in late 2027.
"Until then, we are still operating under the original lead copper rule, but systems are required to fill out this inventory and then update it annually thereafter until there are no more lead service lines within that system," McGlynn said. "If some systems have lead lines, they may already be replacing them. Many systems don't have any lead service lines and will not be required to continuously submit a service line inventory."
The EPA said the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements will help protect Americans from toxic lead exposure which can cause health issues, most especially in children.
Alongside the rule, the EPA also announced almost $25 million in infrastructure funding for Idaho that will be used for clean drinking water grants to remove lead pipes.