EPA Knew of DC Lead Risk(in 2002 -EPA higher-ups opted not to act further)

[papau]

EPA Knew of DC Lead Risk(in 2002 -EPA higher-ups opted not to act further)


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61565-2004Mar15.html

Lead Issue Was Debated for Months
By Carol D. Leonnig and D'Vera Cohn
Washington Post Staff Writers Tuesday, March 16, 2004; Page A01


Federal authorities responsible for ensuring the safety of Washington's water knew about the toxic levels of lead and the likely solution more than a year ago but took no action, according to records and interviews.

<snip>EPA officials exchanged memos on the lead problem over the next few months and ultimately decided they would revisit the issue with the Washington Aqueduct, which supplies the water and is owned by the Army Corps of Engineers. According to an EPA briefing paper written in January 2003, regulators discussed the costs associated with controlling lead leaching and objections raised by the Corps of Engineers and the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority.

Regional officials at the EPA also determined that WASA, which distributes the water, was properly informing the public and complying with all regulations. No federal action was needed, according to the briefing paper. <snip>