To the Editor,

Raise your hand if you want lead in your water. No hands? We thought so.

Congress Moves to Repeal Lead Limits Imposed by Biden-Era Rules

Congress is attempting to repeal the Biden administration’s groundbreaking rules that require all the country’s very old lead pipes to be replaced over the next 13 years and to lower the limit of lead in water. 

The repeal, if successful, would in effect prohibit the government from ever requiring lead line replacement in the future, or lowering lead limits. 

The rule is being targeted via the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which gives Congress and incoming administrations 60 legislative days to consider undoing any last-minute rules implemented by a previous administration. 

Already, legislators have introduced a resolution that is the first step in CRA repeals. While the deal is not done and requires congressional approval, repealing the rule through the CRA is filibuster-proof. 

The EPA estimated the stricter standard will prevent up to 900,000 infants from having low birthweight, save about 200,000 IQ points in children and avoid up to 1,500 premature deaths annually from heart disease. However, the water utility and chemical industries lobbied hard against the lead rules, claiming they “are not feasible,” and a water utility industry lobbyist was nominated to help lead the EPA’s water division. 

Polling has found lead replacement rules have a 90 percent approval rating among all Americans.

Yes, we are among that 90 percent and it’s likely you are, too. Wwhy? The new Congress needs to rethink its priorities. No American, especially a baby or child, should be made to suffer from higher lead levels in their drinking water.

Brad Trom, 

Dodge County Concerned Citizens, Blooming Prairie