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California Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (SWRCB-DDW-26-001E)

Information and Documentation Pertaining to this Emergency Regulatory Action

Rulemaking Information

Sections Affected

The proposed emergency regulations would:

  • Repeal California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Chapter 17.5, Sections 64670 – 64690.80, and create Section 94693, titled “Sunset of Regulations.”
  • Create California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Chapter 17.6, Sections 64700 – 64770.
  • Modify California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Sections 64252, 64254, 64256, 64257, 64258, 64463.1, 64463.4, 64463.7, 64465, 64469, 64481, 64482, 64669.110, 64669.125, and 64814.00.

Rulemaking Status

This emergency rulemaking is in progress.

Inquiries regarding the contents of these regulations may be directed to DDW-LCR@waterboards.ca.gov.

Rulemaking Proceedings

  • Notice of Opportunity to Comment: TBD
  • Written Comment Deadline: TBD
  • Notice of Emergency Action: TBD
  • Date of Scheduled Meeting for Board Approval: TBD
  • Date filed with Office of Administrative Law: TBD
  • Close of the OAL Public Comment Period: TBD
  • Approved by Office of Administrative Law: TBD

Filed with the Secretary of State: TBD

Effective Date: TBD

Rulemaking Documentation

  • Text of Proposed Regulations (coming the week of May 25, 2026)

Staff-Led Workshop

State Water Board staff will hold a staff-led workshop to inform and obtain public input regarding the proposed adoption of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) regulation and the development of a policy handbook implementing Assembly Bill (AB) 1096. For more information on the AB 1096 Policy Handbook, see the AB 1096 Policy Handbook page.

The workshop will take place on Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. through Zoom.

Workshop information along with the video recording and presentation slides are available below:

  • Public Notice of Staff-led Workshop (English | Spanish)
  • Video Recording (coming soon)
  • Presentation slides (coming soon)

Background and Additional Resources

As the latest in a series of regulations to limit exposure to lead and copper through drinking water, the LCRI was finalized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) on October 8, 2024, with a compliance date of November 1, 2027. State Water Board staff propose to adopt the federal LCRI through an emergency rulemaking process into the California Code of Regulations as a new chapter, Chapter 17.6, titled “Control of Lead and Copper”. The new Chapter 17.6 is proposed to become effective and existing Chapter 17.5, titled “Lead and Copper”, is proposed to be repealed simultaneously on November 1, 2027.

For more information on the LCRI, please refer to the resources below:

CA LSLI Dashboard

Thumbnail preview image of the California service line inventory data dashboard. The dashboard summarizes inventory submissions and service line materials using data filters and an interactive map of water systems in California.
California Service Line Inventory Summary

Quick Links

Contact Us

Please send all lead and copper related communications and inquiries to the DDW LCR Unit at DDW-LCR@waterboards.ca.gov.

Technical Assistance

Help with service line inventory development and funding for service line replacement is available to community water systems and nonprofit non-community systems:

For more information, please visit the Division of Financial Assistance Lead Service Line Replacement Funding Program page or contact DFA-LSLR@waterboards.ca.gov.

  Language Access Services

To request services in any language, click on “Request Language Services” to open the language access form.

Request Language Services

The form is available in English, Español (Spanish), Tagalog, 中文 (Simplified Chinese), 한국인 (Korean), Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese), ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi).