The EPA and city officials have often characterized the problem posed by lead pipes as a legacy issue, the result of choices made up to 100 years ago.

Mark Templeton, an attorney at Abrams Environmental Law Clinic at the University of Chicago Law School, said residents should be asking the officials they pay for water service what they're doing today.

"The laws are on the books to protect people's health today, and if there are legacy issues, then those legacy issues need to be dealt with now to protect public health and the environment," said Templeton, one of several attorneys working pro bono on behalf of residents. "There are also choices people are making today regarding corrosion control for the entire system."

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