The Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday it will defend the Biden administration’s aggressive rule for reducing lead in drinking water against a court challenge, though public health advocates worry officials could still weaken it. The rule gave cities and towns a 10-year deadline to replace all of their lead pipes and was the strongest overhaul of lead-in-water standards in roughly three decades. Litigation against the rule was on pause so the Trump administration could decide whether it supported the policy. On Tuesday, the agency said it would defend the tough standards.

Other EPA news:

• WaterWorld: EPA announces $9 million in grants to protect drinking water from natural hazards and cybersecurity threats
• Inside Climate News: Environmental groups, EPA spar in court over Trump’s cancellation of resiliency funding
• The New York Times: E.P.A. moves to cancel $7 billion in grants for solar energy