Sens. Jim Jeffords and Paul Sarbanes and Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton and Henry A. Waxman introduce legislation to overhaul and strengthen the federal rules governing lead testing and standards in the nation's public water systems.

The legislation comes in response to reports of elevated lead levels in the drinking water systems of Washington, DC and Boston and the weaknesses these incidents have identified in current regulations concerning public notification, testing methodology and corrective actions.

The Lead-Free Drinking Water Act of 2005 would place new responsibilities on the Environmental Protection Agency and public water systems nationwide to ensure that our nation's public health is not compromised by lead in our drinking water.