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Background: Federal Regulation of Lead in Drinking Water
For our introduction to lead and drinking water, click here.
The Federal Government regulates lead in drinking water, primarily through the Lead and Copper Rule.
Lead and Copper Rule
Adopted as part of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) in 1991 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR)'s purpose is to protect public health by minimizing lead and copper exposure at the tap.
The LCR requires water systems to monitor the drinking water they provide and control for corrosion. Because lead can get into drinking water at various points throughout the system, as
Harmful Algal Outbreaks and Drinking Water
In summer 2014 the residents in and around Toledo, Ohio were told not to drink, cook, or bathe with the water from their faucets. A massive growth of toxic blue-green algae got into Toledo's drinking water intake and the system had to be flushed. This toxic algae is mainly caused by nutrient pollution from farming activities with a little help from runoff from municipal wastewater systems and a boost from climate change. The rapid and large growth of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is known as a "Harmful Algal Bloom"(HAB). The drinking water disruption in Toledo drew increased attention to