A homeowner's efforts to ensure her tap water is lead-free have been hindered by uncertainty about the material used in a pipe connecting her house to the city water supply. She had replaced suspected lead pipes and installed a kitchen filter, but the composition of the pipe under her front yard remains unknown. This uncertainty is not unique, as many public water systems lack inventories of their pipes.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited over 1,300 public water systems for failing to meet a deadline related to this issue. Further details about the affected water systems and the EPA's actions are available.

More information can be found through the Associated Press report.