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NEMWI's Safe Drinking Water Research and Policy Program Holds Congressional Briefing on Lead and Safe Drinking Water
The Northeast-Midwest Institute's Safe Drinking Water Research and Policy Program held a Congressional Briefing last Wednesday in the House Cannon Office Building examining the ongoing water crisis in Flint, Michigan and other lead emergencies throughout the country. The briefing explained the current weaknesses in the Lead and Copper Rule, concerns surrounding growth of legionella in premise plumbing, and the importance of strengthening this and other drinking water regulations to improve public health protection.
Remarks at the briefing were given by Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-5), and the panel of speakers included:
- Elin Betanzo, PE, Director, Safe Drinking Water Research and Policy Program, Northeast-Midwest Institute
- William Rhoads, PhD, Virginia Tech
- Erik D. Olson, Director, Health Program, Natural Resources Defense Council
- Gary A. Brown, Director, Detroit Water and Sewerage Department
To view the presentation or listen to a recording of the full briefing, please visit the NEMWI's website
here.
Director of the Safe Drinking Water Research and Policy Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute, or
Matthew McKenna
,
Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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NEMWI's Expert Elin Betanzo Comments on EPA's Proposed Rule on Use of Lead Free Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder and Flux for Drinking Water
The Northeast-Midwest Institute has prepared comments on the Environmental Protection Agency's Federal Register notice on the proposed rule Use of Lead Free Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder and Flux for Drinking Water. This regulation is intended to codify and clarify requirements under the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act of 2011 (RLDWA) and the Community Fire Safety Act of 2013 (CFSA) which revise the definition of "lead free" to lead content at .25 percent of the wetted perimeter of a pipe, fitting or fixture.
This rule is an essential companion to the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), which establishes requirements for lead sampling at customers' taps and treatment requirements for reducing lead levels when high lead is measured at customers' taps. While corrosion control is effective for reducing lead exposure at the tap, any time lead contacts drinking water there is a risk of lead exposure. This proposed rule is critical for creating a baseline of preventative public health protection as residents replace their household water infrastructure over time.
In this era of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) home improvements, the average citizen is purchasing and installing their own plumbing materials more than ever anticipated during the original lead ban in 1986. In this DIY culture, it is absolutely critical that if lead free and leaded plumbing products are sold in the same stores and on the same shelves that they are clearly and explicitly marked so there is no question of which product is appropriate for which application.
The Northeast-Midwest Institute recommends EPA make the following changes in finalizing the proposed rule:
- Eliminate exemptions for pipes, fittings, and fixtures that are compatible with potable water system.
- Maintain requirements to meet third party standards.
- Require third party certification for all manufacturers of pipes, fittings, and fixtures.
NEMWI's comments in full can be found here. The public comment period for this rule ends on May 17, and comments can be submitted here.
Director of the Safe Drinking Water Research and Policy Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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This Week on Capitol Hill
While the House is in recess this week, the Senate will likely take up several confirmation votes that could include former Congresswoman Heather Wilson as Secretary of the Air Force,
Scott Gottlieb as the head of the Food and Drug Administration, and Robert Lighthizer as the U.S. Trade Representative. Additionally, the following hearings will take place this week:
Tuesday, May 9th
Wednesday, May 10th
Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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NEMWI: Strengthening the Region that Sustains the Nation
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