TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — The Biden administration said Wednesday it was delaying the effective date of a policy intended to prevent lead pollution of drinking water, continuing a decades-old debate over how to remove a serious health hazard to children.

The Environmental Protection Agency said it was suspending a regulatory rewrite completed by the Trump administration in December, which is being challenged in court by numerous states and advocacy groups.

The agency hasn’t decided whether to seek changes but wants to review the revised rule, take public input and consult with affected parties, a spokeswoman said.

Critics contend the new measure is weak and gives public utilities too long to replace aging, lead-tainted pipes such as those that contaminated drinking water in Flint, Michigan.

“It is essential that EPA takes the time now to review this important rule to ensure that we are protecting current and future generations,” said Radhika Fox, acting assistant administrator for water.

The overhaul had been scheduled to take effect March 16. Instead, the date was pushed to June 17 to allow comments on an additional proposed delay until Dec. 16.

Also, the agency wants to bump the compliance deadline to Sept. 16, 2024, giving drinking water systems three years to meet the new requirements.

The regulatory update was completed six years after Flint became a national symbol of the longstanding threat from lead, which can disrupt children’s brain development, causing learning and behavior problems. Adults also can suffer nervous system and kidney damage.

Residents of the majority-black city and advocacy groups say systemic racism affected decisions that caused the contamination and the slow government response.