New Study Shows How Federal, State and Local Governments Can Provide Immediate Relief to Communities Impacted by Lead Service Lines

The study, commissioned by Brita ®, demonstrates the health and economic benefits of point-of-use water filter systems while long-term solutions are being implemented under the new Lead and Copper Rule Improvements

A new study from Corona Environmental Consulting, a consulting firm dedicated to finding solutions to complex water treatment process issues, expands on previous EPA cost-benefit analysis to show that point-of-use (POU) filtration systems are an immediate, effective lead reduction strategy to address potential widespread public water system contamination across the United States. With benefits greatly outweighing the costs, this information is critical for municipalities updating infrastructure under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Improvement (LCRI).

The study, commissioned by Brita® — a leader in at-home water filtration products for more than 30 years — estimates that the use of POU filtration systems, such as the Brita Elite™ Filter, which is certified to reduce lead contamination in tap water by up to 99%, could provide a 6x potential increase in total benefits realized (above EPA estimates) and a total benefit-to-cost ratio of between 7:1 and 20:1 for municipalities implementing more comprehensive solutions while lead service line (LSL) replacement work is underway. These findings are critical because the order in which community water systems (CWSs) identify and select LSLs for replacement may result in unavoidable inequities in public health protection among consumers if other mitigation strategies are not put in place.

“Many municipality leaders face tough decisions with limited resources when it comes to addressing infrastructure updates. Unfortunately, lead service lines — and the resulting lead exposure — are generally inequitably distributed within communities and throughout the country and these inequities can persist if other mitigation strategies are not put in place,” said Chad Seidel, president of Corona Environmental Consulting. “POU treatment devices can mitigate lead, before lead pipes are removed, to help everybody get equivalent protection, whether they're the first house to have their lead pipe removed or the last.”

“We believe equitable access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right and the LCRI is a monumental step in that direction,” said Dan Tudesco, Brita’s Head of Community Water Systems. “As communities embark on a decade-plus journey towards a lead line-free future, Brita is committed to partner with municipalities on cost effective and trusted lead filtering solution for their residents. We are committed to helping solve municipal challenges to ensure that all communities — regardless of their location and demographics — have the necessary access to safer drinking water in their homes.”

The LCRI announcement on October 8 requires water systems, with limited exceptions, to replace lead service lines in their inventory within 10 years starting in 2027. Lead contamination in drinking water presents serious health risks such as kidney function, immune system, high blood pressure and hypertension, pregnancy complications like premature birth or miscarriage. Lead poisoning is particularly dangerous for young children who can experience impacts as severe as loss of IQ points, which can have significant life-long impacts for individuals and their families. While water systems work over the next decade plus to replace lead lines, POU solutions are essential for these communities since they are proven to significantly reduce exposure to lead contamination and improve the safety of drinking water at a fraction of the cost of single-use plastic water bottles. The new research shows that the expanded use of POUs in more households may result in additional health and economic benefits of $1.8 million to $281.6 million, a 6x increase over a prior EPA estimate.

“Brita applauds the EPA for addressing this challenge head-on through the LCRI, which improves tap sampling, lowers the lead action level, and ensures residents have better access to immediate filtration solutions as lead pipe identification and removal activities proceed, among other critical protections,” said Tudesco. “Brita has worked with hundreds of communities to provide lead-reducing filtration solutions, and we have seen firsthand the importance of empowering residents to take proactive steps to reduce their risk. We support this rule and look forward to its implementation.”

For more information about Brita’s commitment to making water better for people and the planet, visit Brita.com. For more information about partnering with Brita on water solutions for your city, visit brita.com/muni.

About Brita | Brita® markets a variety of products, including water pitchers, faucet filters and reusable filter bottles, with the goal of making water better for people and the planet. By providing a variety of water filtration resources, Brita enables consumers to choose better water today for a better future together. For more information, go to Brita.com.

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