Lead pipe rules, funding and program updates
What changed in federal and state lead service line rules and funding, and what we added. Newest first. Know of a new or changed program? Tell us.
November 2, 2026
Federal appeals court still weighing the lead pipe rule
The D.C. Circuit heard arguments on September 30, 2026 in American Water Works Association v. EPA, the challenge to the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements. No decision yet; the rule remains in effect. More
November 2, 2026
New on this site: lead pipes by county and federal funding by state
County pages total lead, galvanized and unknown lines for every water system in 312 counties. The funding page compares each state's FY2026 federal lead line money with its lead line count. More
November 2, 2026
Water systems over the new 10 ppb lead action level
We listed every system whose latest 90th-percentile lead result is above 10 ppb, the action level that takes effect in November 2027. More
May 2026
EPA releases FY2026 lead service line money
EPA allotted $2.875 billion in fiscal year 2026 lead service line funding, the last year of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's $15 billion. At least 49% must be grants or forgivable loans. More
January 1, 2026
Iowa sellers must disclose lead service lines
Iowa's seller disclosure statement now asks whether the home has a lead service line. More
November 25, 2025
FY2025 lead line funding released after delays
EPA released fiscal year 2025 allotments, now based on utility service line inventories, shifting money sharply between states. More
September 19, 2025
New Jersey adds tenant lead disclosure
P.L. 2025, c. 144 requires landlords to give tenants a lead in drinking water disclosure once state rules are published and bars landlords from blocking replacement. More
October 30, 2024
EPA publishes the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements
Most water systems must replace all lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines within 10 years of November 1, 2027, and the action level drops to 10 ppb. More
October 16, 2024
Service line inventories due
Every community water system had to file its first service line inventory and start notifying customers with lead, galvanized or unknown lines. More
Coming up
- November 1, 2027: Lead and Copper Rule Improvements compliance date; the 10 ppb action level takes effect.
- December 31, 2037: deadline for most systems to replace all lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines.
- 2031: New Jersey's deadline to replace every lead service line.