U.S. cities are charged with replacing dangerous lead pipes and improving drinking water quality within the next 13 years.
President Biden announced a 10-year deadline (starting three years from now) for U.S. cities to replace lead pipes in an effort to ensure safe drinking water, according to a report by Matthew Daly and Michael Phillis for the Associated Press. The rule replaces a less stringent standard set by the previous administration that did not require replacing lead pipes.
According to the EPA, the changes mandated by the new rule could prevent up to 900,000 infants from having low birth weight and avoid up to 1,500 premature deaths per year.
The new rule limits lead to levels of 10 parts per billion, down from 15 parts per billion previously. The rule also calls for cities to notify the public if higher levels of lead are found and to provide ways to limit lead exposure.
The cost of replacing lead pipes can be extremely high. In addition to $15 billion allocated to the issue in the 2021 infrastructure law, the administration is making another $2.6 billion available for drinking water infrastructure.
FULL STORY: Biden sets 10-year deadline to replace lead pipes, ensuring safe drinking water
Study: Fracking Chemical Disclosures Prompt More Cautious Behavior
Because toxic chemicals used in fracking can contaminate local water supplies, residents in states that require companies to disclose their materials are more likely to increase their bottled water consumption.
Comment: EPA Cuts will Send Atlanta Back to Eye-burning Ozone, Lung-damaging Smog, and Raw Sewage in the Chattahoochee River
A veteran political journalist takes stock of the hard-earned ground Georgia stands to lose with slashed environmental protection.
El Paso Wastewater Purification Facility Breaks Ground
As water supplies become strained and technology advances, cities look to wastewater as a viable source of drinking water.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service