Lawmakers Seek to Remove Lead from Tap Water

Lawmakers Seek to Remove Lead from Tap Water

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday introduced a bill 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 of Representatives, 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.

"It is time to get the lead out of the pipes, out of the water and out of our families and out of our lives," said Vermont Sen. James Jeffords, a bill co-sponsor and an independent member of the Environment and Public Works Committee.

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