EPA Public-Private Partnership Advances Gold Standard Science to Protect Water Resources

EPA Public-Private Partnership Advances Gold Standard Science to Protect Water Resources

March 13, 2026

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is renewing a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) initiated under the first Trump Administration with eight associations representing the aluminum, cobalt, copper, lead, zinc, and nickel industries. This agreement will help ensure that the agency's actions related to metals and aquatic life are informed by the best available gold standard science and data.

"EPA is committed to working with industry partners to share resources, data, and expertise to advance gold standard science that supports economic growth and environmental protection," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer. "This collaborative and commonsense approach ensures that we consider the latest scientific developments as we work to protect water resources and Power the Great American Comeback."

Since 2017, the CRADA with metals stakeholders has been an effective partnership that leverages expert knowledge and resources of scientists both inside and outside EPA to gather and analyze the latest information on metals toxicity and their potential effects on aquatic life. EPA uses this information when developing recommendations that states can adopt to protect water quality under the Clean Water Act. Not only has this partnership saved taxpayer dollars, but it also supported key agency recommendations, including the 2018 aquatic life criteria for aluminum.

EPA anticipates that the renewed agreement will help generate new data and simplified models that better reflect metal toxicity to fish and other aquatic life. This information will be available for external peer review and the agency's draft recommendations will be available for public comment. States, Tribes and territories can consider using final criteria in their water quality standards or developing their own site-specific metals criteria based on local water conditions. The metals CRADA will continue to provide a transparent mechanism for EPA collaboration with technical experts from industry to develop a commonsense modeling approach for metals water quality criteria that protect aquatic life.

"Renewing the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the signatory metal associations is important for successful collaboration to ensure that water quality standards for metals are based on the best available science. In 2018, through the support of the original CRADA, revised aquatic water quality criteria for aluminum were developed that use sound science to provide environmental protection during a time of significant industry growth. We look forward to continued cooperation with EPA in these efforts," said the Aluminum Association.

"The Cobalt Institute welcomes the renewal of this CRADA, which has demonstrated how rigorous, collaborative science can benefit both environmental protection and the responsible development of critical minerals that are essential to a strong American economy," said Cobalt Institute Director General Dinah McLeod.

"NiPERA welcomes the continued collaboration with the U.S. EPA to develop the next generation of aquatic life criteria for nickel. This effort reflects a shared commitment to sound science and to criteria that are both protective of America's aquatic resources and practical for implementation by industry, states, Tribes, and territories," said NiPERA Inc. Executive Director Christian E. Schlekat. "Nickel is a critical mineral and raw material used in corrosion-resistant stainless steel, advanced alloys, and rechargeable EV batteries. Updated criteria will help ensure that the growing use of nickel in these applications in the United States proceeds in a way that protects the nation's aquatic ecosystems."

"It's encouraging to see EPA recognize and use the expertise of the metals associations. Collectively, we've been advancing the science around metals bioavailability for decades, and we're pleased to share our data and technical knowledge with EPA. It's great to see that research applied to inform EPA's improved recommendations for water quality protection," said International Zinc Association Senior Manager Adam Ryan.

"The International Lead Association is proud to continue its collaboration with the EPA through this CRADA renewal. It is dedicated to ensuring that the EPA's regulatory actions for aquatic life criteria are grounded in the most robust scientific data available. This partnership represents our commitment to the sustainable production and use of lead, demonstrating how a responsible industry can work together with regulators to protect our environment while supporting the vital role lead plays in the current world," International Lead Association Director of Environmental Science M. Jasim Chowdhury.

"On behalf of the copper industry, the International Copper Association, and the Copper Development Association, we look forward to continued collaboration with our EPA partners to support and advance the best available science evaluating safe levels of copper in water," said Copper Development Association Deputy Director, EHS & Recycling, Copper Development Association, Erin Smith and International Copper Association Vice President, Science and Regulatory Affairs Louise Assem.

Learn more about EPA's metals CRADA to support aquatic life criteria development.