The Post reports today that the Environmental Protection Agency is considering changes to the Lead and Copper Rule, the federal standard which establishes how much lead and copper is safely permissible in water supplies and what actions are to be taken if those levels are exceeded. If adopted, the changes would force water utilities to conduct stricter testing, provide clearer notice to the public as to threats in drinking water, turn over test results to homeowners, and notify state and federal regulators as to any changes in water treatment.

Environmental activists and water-quality specialists have already expressed skepticism of the proposal, noting that it would not go far enough in addressing problems such as those that have plagued D.C. Paul Schwartz of Clean Water Action was quoted as saying that:

It’s basically revisions at the margins. EPA refuses to acknowledge this is a national problem even when confronted with the evidence. The fact is EPA has not taken enforcement action upon utilities for their failure to adhere to the current rule.