Lead rule may force Nebraska to replace 97K pipes - Lincoln Journal Star

Lead rule may force Nebraska to replace 97K pipes

Water utilities across Nebraska would be responsible for replacing tens of thousands of lead pipes over the next decade under a rule proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency last week.

The update to the lead and copper pipe rule pushed by President Joe Biden aims to reduce lead in drinking water and curb public health crises that have stemmed from the aging infrastructure.

"Lead in drinking water is a generational public health issue, and EPA's proposal will accelerate progress toward President' Biden's goal of replacing lead pipe across America once and for all," EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a news release.

Across the country, that means nearly 9.2 million lead service lines would need to be replaced within 10 years after the rule is finalized at a potential cost of $625 billion.

In Nebraska, that means an estimated 53,230 lead pipes must be replaced, according to the seventh Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment published in April.

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The environmental nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council estimates the number of lead pipes remaining in the Cornhusker State is significantly larger, potentially reaching as many as 97,000.

An inventory on the number of lead pipes in communities across the state is due to the EPA by October 2024.

EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox said the proposed rule was built on lessons learned from several cities across the U.S., including Newark, New Jersey; Benton Harbor, Michigan; and Green Bay, Wisconsin.

"EPA's proposed Lead and Copper rule is grounded in the best available science and successful practices utilized by drinking water systems to protect children and adults from lead in drinking water," Fox said. "Our proposed rule applies the lessons learned to scale these successes to every corner of the country."

Lead pipes were typically used to connect water mains to homes and businesses until 1986 when they were banned by the EPA after it was determined lead can leach into tap water and "severely harm" adults and children.

Utility companies have never been required to remove or replace those pipes with non-lead alternatives, however, even as the EPA has implemented and overhauled rules regulating the quality of drinking water.

The EPA has planned a public information and listening session on the proposed rules, which it plans to finalize in October 2024.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed a sweeping new rule that would require the replacement of lead water pipe infrastructure in cities nationwide within the next 10 years.

Top Journal Star photos for December 2023

Hana Sindi, from Lincoln, holds a sign and chants alongside fellow protestors on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 during a Justice for Palestine march on the pedestrian bridge at Pinnacle Bank Arena. “I support Palestinian liberation and freedom from illegal occupation,” Sindi said.

Nebraska's Rienk Mast (right) attempts to block a shot by Creighton’s Trey Alexander on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 during the first half of a game at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Nebraska's Merritt Beason (13) and Bekka Allick (5) celebrate after a block against Missouri in the second set during a second-round NCAA Tournament match on Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center.

Nebraska’s bench erupts as Alexis Markowski is fouled making a basket against Georgia Tech on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, during the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Bride-to-be Taylor Schulz peruses the wedding dresses on sale at the former location of Dream Dress Express and Tip Top Tux on Saturday in Lincoln.

Pius X's Ava Markowski (40) and Millard North's Izzie Galligan (22) fall to the floor as they chase down a loose ball in the first quarter at Lincoln Pius X High School, on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.

Bia Espinoza, owner of Susa's Sweets & Balloons, stands at her pop up shop located inside Union Bank Place on Thursday.

Nebraska's Allison Weidner (left) joins her teammates on the bench as they celebrate a point against Florida Atlantic in the third quarter on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Amanda Docter of Lincoln uses a torch to heat the beginnings of a handmade glass ornament, or "glaskolben," while studio manager Matt Losee watches on Monday during a holiday workshop at Lincoln Hot Glass.

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The first snow of winter falls over the Nebraska State Capitol on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023 in downtown Lincoln.

Nebraska players, including Quinton Newsome (6), emerge from the tunnel before the game on Friday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Tamon Lynum (left) watches as Iowa players, from left, Tory Taylor (9), Luke Lachey (85), and Steven Stilianos (86) lift kicker Marshall Meeder (92) to celebrate Meeder's game-winning field goal on Friday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Jaylen Lloyd (right) celebrates his second quarter touchdown against Iowa with teammate Chubba Purdy on Friday at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Nouredin Nouili (63) embraces his family, including mother Melanie Ragaller (left) and sister Luna Ragaller (right), during the Senior Day activities before the Iowa game on Friday at Memorial Stadium.

Robert and Stefanie Kirkland from Lincoln sport turkey costumes during the 5K portion of the YMCA of Lincoln Turkey Trot on Thursday in downtown Lincoln.

Nebraska's Keisei Tominaga celebrates after scoring from beyond the arc in the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena, on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com.

On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS