Headed for the president's signature, the legislation blocks a federal rule requiring replacement hydrants to be lead-free.
Members of Congress today gave final approval to a bipartisan measure aimed at blocking a federal rule for fire hydrants.
The Senate unanimously passed Senate bill S1779, identical to House legislation previously passed unanimously, according to the offices of U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Bob Casey, D-Pa.
It deals with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency measure approved in October that added hydrants to its list of water infrastructure that needs to be replaced with lead-free alternatives under the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act.
If left alone, the policy would go into effect in January and would require lead-free equipment only for hydrants being replaced for age or malfunction.
The legislation heads to President Barack Obama for his signature.
Local officials said the federal rule would be costly for municipalities and water authorities and was not beneficial to residents.
Municipal groups applauded Congress’ approval of the Community Fire Safety Act of 2013, including the Pennsylvania Municipal League, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors and Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, according to a release from Toomey and Casey’s offices.
“The notion that people drink from fire hydrants often enough to warrant this kind of regulation is ridiculous and in no way justifies the cost of replacing hydrants in every city and town in the country,” Toomey said in a statement.
Casey stated, “Passing this bill will help municipalities replace aging fire hydrants and prevent the EPA from moving forward with this unworkable regulation.”