EPA Finalizes New Lead and Copper Rule Improvements

What Public Water Suppliers Need to Know

On October 8, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the finalization of key improvements to the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), which introduces new regulations that will reshape how public water suppliers manage lead service lines. These changes are critical to protecting public health and will become effective in late 2027, three years after their publication. However, certain urgent provisions are effective immediately, stressing the importance of understanding compliance now rather than later.

Key Provisions of the New Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI)

1. Mandatory Replacement of Lead Service Lines: Water systems are required to replace lead service lines (LSLs) within the next decade. With up to 9 million homes and businesses still using lead pipes, this mandate is a critical step toward eliminating the primary source of lead contamination in drinking water. In limited cases, where systems are unable to meet the 10-year timeline, extensions may be granted, but priority remains on expeditious action.
2. Lower Lead Action Levels: One of the most significant changes is the reduction of the lead action level, from 15 µg/L (0.015 mg/L) to 10 µg/L. Water systems that exceed this threshold must take immediate corrective actions, including notifying the public, implementing corrosion control treatments, and expediting lead service line replacement.
3. 24-Hour Tier 1 Public Notification Requirement: Effective October 16, 2024, one important provision from the previous Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) remains in effect—public water systems must issue a Tier 1 public notification within 24 hours if the lead action level of 15 µg/L is exceeded. This immediate communication requirement ensures that communities are quickly informed of any lead-related risks in their drinking water.
4. Enhanced Tap Sampling Protocols: To ensure more accurate detection of lead in water, the LCRI mandates that water systems collect both the first-liter and fifth-liter samples from taps connected to lead service lines, using the higher of the two values for compliance testing. This new approach ensures a more thorough assessment of lead exposure risks and helps target areas most in need of mitigation.
5. Improved Public Transparency and Communication: Water systems must update and make public their lead service line inventories, replacement plans, and sampling results. This increased transparency allows customers to better understand the risks and actions being taken to ensure their water is safe. Additionally, Consumer Confidence Reports will now include more detailed information about lead testing in schools and childcare facilities.

Funding and Support for Compliance

To help public water systems meet these new requirements, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has allocated over $26 billion, including $15 billion specifically for lead service line replacement over the next five years. The EPA has also released an additional $2.6 billion in funding to support ongoing drinking water infrastructure improvements. Half of this funding is reserved for disadvantaged communities, ensuring that the areas most affected by legacy lead pipes receive the resources they need.

For systems needing further support, the EPA’s Get the Lead Out (GLO) Initiative provides technical assistance to identify lead pipes, develop replacement plans, and secure funding. This program ensures that even smaller or under-resourced communities can comply with the LCRI’s new requirements.

Suburban Testing Labs: Your Partner in LCRI Compliance

As experts in the environmental testing industry, Suburban Testing Labs is uniquely positioned to help public water suppliers navigate the complexities of the new Lead and Copper Rule Improvements. With decades of experience in lead and copper testing, we provide accurate sampling, compliance analysis, and reporting services tailored to meet the demands of these new regulations.

Our lab is equipped to handle the new dual-sample protocol—analyzing both first-liter and fifth-liter samples—and we are ready to assist you in your lab testing to support this new program. By working with Suburban Testing Labs, you can ensure compliance with these stricter lead action levels, safeguard public health, and avoid costly penalties.

The EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements represent a critical step forward in protecting public health and ensuring safe drinking water for all. Public water suppliers must act now to prepare for the full implementation of these regulations by 2027 and address immediate requirements like the 24-hour public notification rule. Suburban Testing Labs is here to help you navigate these changes, ensuring that your water system is compliant, transparent, and safe for your community.

For more information on how Suburban Testing Labs can support your compliance efforts, contact us today.

Online Resources

• EPA Website on Lead and Copper Rule Improvements
• Check out this EPA video, which also features an interview with Craig Palmer, CEO of Erie Water Works, discussing the importance of lead service line replacement.
• EPA Final Rule Fact Sheet
• EPA One Pager – Five Key Highlights
• PADEP Lead and Copper Rule Webpage

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