EPA Publishes Final Lead and Copper Rule Requirements

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), which mandates full replacement of all lead service lines across the country within 10 years. The Rule’s other requirements include the removal of the lead trigger level and reduction of the lead action level to 0.010 mg/L.

According to the rule, when a water system has access—whether legal or physical—to conduct a full replacement of lead or galvanized requiring replacement (GRR) service lines, it is considered to have control over the service line and must replace it under the LCRI. This can include lead service lines on a homeowner’s property.

All Community Water Systems (CWS) and Non-Transient Non-Community Water Systems (NTNCWS) across the U.S. that have lead or GRR service lines are required to comply. A CWS is a public water system that serves at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. A NTNCWS is a public water system that is not a CWS but regularly serves at least 25 of the same people for over six months per year.

The LCRI is scheduled to take effect on December 29, 2024. The EPA allows a three-year period for compliance with the LCRI. In the interim, the water systems should continue complying with the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) initial inventory requirements. MHI will to continue to monitor for potential updates to this rule under the new administration.