Sourced news
What the press and the agencies published.
We pull public reporting on the problem, the public testing doors, and the industry around them.
Every item links to the original report.
This desk is not an official grade and not a household result.
The problem
The problem
2026-04-01
Jackson met the Lead and Copper Rule while some taps still showed lead
Clarion Ledger
2026 reporting found Jackson in federal lead-and-copper compliance for the first time in recent history, while a Clarion Ledger test still found lead at four of 16 taps, all below 15 ppb.
The problem
2025-09-22
Chicago still has unused lead-pipe loans while notices lag
WBEZ
City officials said millions in federal and city loans for lead-pipe replacement remain unused, and they planned to spend faster in 2026 while notice work stayed behind.
The problem
2024-04-26
10 years after Flint, the fight to replace lead pipes across the U.S. continues : Short Wave
npr.org
10 years after Flint, the fight to replace lead pipes across the U.S.
A public door
A public door
2026-06-29
EPA published a school and child-care list guide for 2027 testing
U.S. EPA
Community water systems must compile eligible school and child-care lists by November 1, 2027, so those taps can be sampled under the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements.
A public door
2026-01-20
EPA selected more than $35 million in WIIN lead-reduction projects
U.S. EPA
On January 20, 2026, EPA announced projects that will replace lead service lines or fixtures in six communities, including school and child-care taps.
A public door
2025-07-14
Residents can check a Chicago address for a lead service line
WBEZ
WBEZ mapped Chicago’s April 2025 inventory so a person can look up a confirmed or suspected lead line and ask the city for a free testing kit.
A public door
2025-06-13
States received $26 million to test school and child-care taps
U.S. EPA
EPA allotted $26.2 million for voluntary lead testing and reduction at schools and licensed child care, a public door that does not cover a private kitchen.
Industry
Industry
2026-09-14
The push to remove lead pipes is on. Thousands of water systems still don’t know where theirs are
Chronicle-Tribune
The push to remove lead pipes is on.
Industry
2026-09-10
The push to remove lead pipes is on. Thousands of water systems still don’t know where theirs are
AP News
The push to remove lead pipes is on.
Industry
2026-08-23
Skokie OKs 15% water bill hikes, lead line replacement linked to infamous water main break
Chicago Tribune
Skokie OKs 15% water bill hikes, lead line replacement linked to infamous water main break Chicago Tribune
Industry
2026-06-30
Jackson recorded no citywide boil-water notice in spring 2026
JXN Water
JXN Water’s quarter ended June 30, 2026 reported 64 localized precautionary boil-water notices and no citywide notice, plus a plan to replace about 13,000 galvanized service lines.
Industry
2026-04-15
EPA asked utilities for comments on LCRI inventory tips
U.S. EPA
EPA sought public input through April 30, 2026 on draft access and service-line inventory tips for the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements.
Industry
2026-04-01
Illinois systems must send the next lead-line notice in 2026
Cook County TAP
Cook County TAP lists the next Illinois systemwide service-line notice window as May 15 through December 31, 2026.
Industry
2026-03-08
Illinois orders 21 communities to remove forever chemicals from drinking water by 2029. But who will pay?
Chicago Tribune
Illinois orders 21 communities to remove forever chemicals from drinking water by 2029.
Industry
2023-01-12
Reproductive Justice Includes Access to Safe Drinking Water
YES! Magazine
Reproductive Justice Includes Access to Safe Drinking Water YES!
Industry
2022-09-21
Revealed: the ‘shocking’ levels of toxic lead in Chicago tap water
The Guardian
Revealed: the ‘shocking’ levels of toxic lead in Chicago tap water The Guardian
Industry
2022-08-26
Some Cities Could Be Left Behind on Lead Pipe Replacements
WTTW News
Some Cities Could Be Left Behind on Lead Pipe Replacements WTTW News