Like Drinking From A Fire Hose: Public And Private Utilities Are Left With An Unlikely Hydrant Dilemma

EPA Guidance on Hydrants

A recent administrative decision by the EPA is causing concern among water utilities and could cause an immediate shortage of fire hydrants across the country. On Oct. 22, 2013, the EPA issued guidance about the implementation of the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act, portions of which will take effect on Jan. 4, 2014. A novel interpretation from the EPA that classifies water from fire mains and hydrants as "drinking water" and, therefore, requires all mains and hydrants to be free from lead, leaves most commercially available fire hydrants illegal for installation after Jan. 4, 2014.

Opposition

In a Nov. 7, 2013, letter to EPA, four water organizations (American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies and National Rural Water Association) stated objections to the recent agency interpretation and observed that this is the first time EPA "provided any indication