According to the Clean Water Act, what is the acceptable level of lead in water?

The Clean Water Act establishes regulations to protect water quality and public health, including setting standards for contaminants such as lead. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the action level for lead in drinking water is set at 15 parts per billion (ppb). This threshold means that if more than 10% of the samples collected from a water system exceed this level, the water system is required to take action to reduce lead levels. This is a critical measure to mitigate the risks associated with lead exposure, which can have serious health implications, particularly for children and pregnant women. The other levels provided, such as 10 ppb, 20 ppb, and 25 ppb, do not align with the established regulatory standards set forth by the Clean Water Act.