The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements are Here!

On October 8, 2024 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a new Lead and Copper Rule, termed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). Highlights include:

Water systems’ Action Level for lead in drinking water is now 10 parts per billion (ppb, also known as micrograms per liter, μg/L); formerly 15 ppb.
U.S. drinking water systems (utilities) must identify and replace any lead service lines in their system within 10 years.
- The previous Lead and Copper Revisions rule requires water systems to complete inventories of all lead service lines in their district in October 2024; the LCRI requires utilities to keep these inventories updated.
- In most cases, utilities are required to perform a full replacement of the lead service line, that is, both the public and private sections of the pipe.
Water sampling of household taps by utilities must now include a first draw (1st liter) and a 5th liter flush sample for sites with a lead service line, and the higher value must be used to determine the system’s compliance with the Action Level.
There are additional requirements for systems that have had multiple exceedances of the Action Level, including provision to consumers of filters certified to reduce lead.
The Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) that each utility issues annually must now include more information about lead in drinking water, the consumer’s service line, and lead-reducing actions within the water system.

The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included $26 billion that can be used to address lead in drinking water, including $15 billion that was specifically for removing legacy lead pipes. EPA provides a website that identifies available funding sources as well as Water Technical Assistance programs to help disadvantaged communities access funding.