NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedSeptember 10, 2026Miami-Dade County
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cites thousands of public water systems for missing lead pipe inventories
Photo: WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed
More than 1,300 public water systems have been cited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for missing an October 2024 deadline to submit inventories of lead service lines. Roughly 6,300 water systems nationwide have still not submitted the required lists, which are critical for communities to begin replacing lead pipes under upcoming federal deadlines.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Main FeedWhy It Matters
Residents served by water systems with missing pipe inventories remain unaware of whether their drinking water infrastructure contains lead, a neurotoxin, while facing a 2027 deadline for utilities to begin replacing lead pipes at a cost of $8,000 to $15,000 per line.
Key Facts
- More than 1,300 public water systems have been cited by the EPA for missing the October 2024 deadline to submit lead service line inventories.
- Roughly 6,300 water systems serving 3.8 million Americans have still not submitted required lists of lead service lines.
- About 84% of water systems with missing inventories provide drinking water to fewer than 500 people.
- Around 3,500 water systems reported they do not know what their service lines are made of, accounting for one in five service lines nationwide.
- Starting in 2027, utilities are required to replace 10% of their lead water pipes each year.
- Lines made of unidentified materials will be included in the annual 10% replacement quota.
- Replacing a single service line typically costs between $8,000 and $15,000.
- Buffalo reported 45% of its service lines are made of lead, and Fredonia reported 28%.
- Lead pipes were banned under the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act in 1986.
- Most funding for identifying and replacing lead pipes comes from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law.
Who's Mentioned
PersonPatrick Schwer“Chicago water quality director”OrganizationU.S. Environmental Protection Agency“Enforcing lead service line inventory deadlines and issuing enforcement orders”locationBuffalo“New York city reporting 45% of its service lines are made of lead”PersonErica Galante-Johnson“Lead policy analyst with the Environmental Policy Innovation Center”PersonJoshua Klainberg“Senior vice president with the New York League of Conservation Voters”PersonRob Hayes“Senior director with Environmental Advocates of New York”locationFredonia“New York village reporting 28% lead service lines”PersonKathryn Pilgrim“Resident of Dunkirk, New York, concerned about lead in her drinking water”PersonDonald Trump“Current presidential administration enforcing lead pipe inventory regulations”locationDunkirk“New York city behind schedule on its lead pipe inventory”locationChicago“City with the most lead lines in the country working to identify unknown pipes”