Regulatory Background
Lead and Copper Rule (LCR)
On June 7, 1991, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) issued the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) to protect public health and minimize lead and copper in drinking water. The State Water Resources Control Board, through the Division of Drinking Water (DDW), enforces the federal LCR through the California Lead and Copper Rule (CA LCR). The CA LCR requires water systems to monitor lead and copper levels at consumers’ taps and implement treatment techniques triggered by certain action level exceedances.
Action Levels and Treatment Techniques
Ninety percent of tap samples for a water system must measure at or below the action level (AL) of 0.015 milligrams per liter (mg/L) for lead and 1.3 mg/L for copper for compliance under the LCR. The AL for lead may decrease under implementation of the LCRI. AL exceedances are not a violation of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, but instead serve as a trigger for water systems to perform a treatment technique. These treatment techniques include corrosion control treatment (CCT), source water treatment, lead service line replacement (LSLR), and public education and notification.
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)
On January 15, 2021, US EPA issued revisions to the federal LCR. US EPA’s new Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) aim to update six key areas of the LCR:
- Identifying sites with significant sources of lead
- Strengthening CCT requirements
- Closing LSLR loopholes
- Increasing tap sampling reliability
- Improving risk communication
- Public education and requiring lead sampling at schools and childcare facilities
On January 20, 2021, the LCRR was identified as an agency action requiring review. Consequently, US EPA delayed the effective and compliance dates of the LCRR, while engaging with stakeholders for input on changes to the LCRR.
Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI)
On December 17, 2021, following engagement activities, US EPA committed to revise the LCRR and propose the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) by October 2024. The LCRI aims to improve three key areas of the LCRR:
- Replacing all lead and galvanized requiring replacement service lines
- Reducing complexity for public health protection
- Increasing transparency and public information
Some portions of the LCRR may be delayed beyond the October 2024 compliance date due to the LCRI. However, US EPA maintains the October 16, 2024, compliance date for the initial lead service line inventory (LSLI). Water systems are to keep their current tap sampling plans until the LCRR comes into effect on October 16, 2024.
More Information: US EPA LCRR Review and LCRI Fact Sheet
Historical Timeline
Below are significant historical events associated with the development of drinking water regulations for lead and copper.
1940 to 1950 – There is a higher risk of lead exposure in drinking water in the World War II decade with increased lead pipe use due to plumbing material shortages.
1974, Dec 16 – President Ford signs the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) into law to protect public health and the quality of drinking water in the U.S.
1985, Jan 14 – California Senate adds section 300.6 to the Health and Safety Code to ban the use of lead solder and lead pipe in public water systems after 1985.
1986, Jun 19 – US Congress amends the SDWA to require the use of “lead-free” pipes, solder or flux in public water systems providing water for human consumption.
1991, Jun 7 – US EPA establishes the Lead and Copper Rule requiring public water systems to monitor and minimize lead and copper in drinking water with corrosion control treatment.
2000, Jan 12 – US EPA publishes the LCR Minor Revisions to address implementation and streamline monitoring and reporting.
2007, Oct 10 – US EPA issues Short-Term Revisions to the LCR to enhance monitoring, treatment, lead service line replacement, customer awareness, and public education.
2011, Jan 4 – The Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act of 2011 lowers the allowable maximum lead content of plumbing materials, establishes a method for calculating lead content, and creates exemptions for non-potable-only plumbing products.
2014, Apr 25 – The City of Flint, Michigan changes their municipal water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River. The change causes water distribution pipes to corrode and leach lead and other contaminants into the drinking water.
2016, Feb – US EPA writes to states about the need to enhance the implementation and enforcement of drinking water regulations and clarifies tap sampling procedures for the LCR in response to the Flint Water Crisis.
2016, Sep 27 – California passes Senate Bill 1398 to add Health and Safety Code Section 116885 to require public water systems to submit an inventory and replacement timeline for lead service lines.
2017, Sep 11 – California passes Senate Bill 427 to amend Health and Safety Code 116885 to require community water systems to submit a utility-side lead service line inventory by July 1, 2018, and a lead service line replacement schedule by July 1, 2020.
2021, Jan 15 – US EPA publishes the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions to strengthen the LCR and better protect communities and children in elementary schools and childcare facilities from the impacts of lead exposure.
2021, Jan 20 – President Biden issues Executive Order 13990 and identifies the LCRR as an agency action requiring review. The US EPA delays the LCRR effective and compliance dates.
2021, Dec 17 – US EPA publishes Docket No. EPA-HQ-OW-2021-0255 in the federal register and commits to revise the LCRR with the proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements by October 2024.
2023, Nov 30 – US EPA announces the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements to strengthen public health protections, reduce complexity, and streamline implementation.
2024, Oct 16 – Water systems must comply with the lead service line inventory requirements under the LCRR by this date.
Contact Us
Email:
Please submit questions and inventory workplans to the LCRR Unit at DDW-LSLReports@Waterboards.ca.gov
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