U.S. lawmakers seek to remove lead from tap water
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
By Reuters
WASHINGTON — U.S. lawmakers introduced a bill Tuesday to eliminate lead in the nation's drinking water supply after high levels of the toxic metal were found in the capital's tap water.
The Lead-Free Drinking Water Act, introduced in the Senate and the House, would require utilities around the country to test their water immediately and sets stricter standards for notifying customers of problems. It also would provide $200 million a year for four years to utilities to help them meet new tougher standards for replacing lead service lines, believed to be a main source of lead in drinking water.