Laws & Regulations
-
If a company has several legal entities, does each entity have to become a certified firm?
Answer: Yes, if the corporate structure is such that the parent company is not liable for actions of the separate legal entities. Question Number: 23002-18225 Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining to lead .
-
Are there any American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) standards that EPA considers “documented methodologies”?
Answer: Yes. ASTM Standards are voluntary consensus standards developed after careful review by technical committees which generally include EPA and HUD staff. ASTM Standards relating to lead often reference EPA and HUD documents, just as EPA and HUD documents often reference appropriate ASTM Standards. Although EPA did not specifically list…
-
I am the owner of my renovation firm, but I am not a certified renovator. May I be the "attesting individual" named on the RRP firm certification application?
Yes. The attesting individual need not be a certified renovator. Question Number: 23002-18047 Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining to lead .
-
What RRP requirements apply to a comprehensive renovation project involving the removal and replacement of all interior painted surfaces from target housing or a child-occupied facility?
A project that involves the removal and replacement of all interior painted surfaces but leaves all exterior painted surfaces intact is considered a renovation for RRP purposes. Therefore, all requirements of the RRP Rule apply including, but not limited to, those for firm and renovator certification, containment, waste disposal, cleaning…
-
What do I do if I need to mail a paper Electronic Signature Agreement (ESA) due to Identity Proofing failure or opting out of the online process?
A paper ESA will be sent to the email address provided on your application. A copy of this form can also be found in your CDX Inbox. Print this form, sign it, and mail it to: EPA Lead Data Processing Center c/o CGI Federal 12601 Fair Lakes Circle Fairfax, VA…
-
What is a “whole house gut rehabilitation project” for Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule purposes? If target housing has, at some point after 1978, been gut-rehabbed, would the RRP Rule apply to subsequent renovations on the property?
The phrase “gut rehabilitation” may have different meanings across the construction industry. EPA, however, used the phrase “whole house gut rehabilitation” in a very limited sense to describe only those activities that demolish and rebuild a structure to a point where it is effectively new construction. At a minimum, these…
-
Where can I get more information on lead in drinking water?
Answer: For more information, visit https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water or contact us online at https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/forms/online-form-epas-office-ground-water-and-drinking-water . You may also contact by email at safewater@epa.gov . Your state or local public health department will also be able to provide information about lead. Question (23002-32409) Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining…
-
I am looking at a water report for my public water system. Under the contaminant heading for lead and copper there is a column heading titled 90th percentile. What does this column mean?
Answer: The Consumer Confidence Report must include the 90 th percentile concentration of the most recent round(s) of sampling for lead and copper. If the “90 th percentile” level is above the action level, this is called an action level exceedance. The action level is the concentration of a contaminant…
-
Why do water systems add phosphate to drinking water? What are the health effects of drinking water containing phosphates?
Answer: Public water systems (PWSs) commonly add phosphates to drinking water to prevent the release of metals in drinking water. Orthophosphate is most commonly used for lead and copper control. Polyphosphates sequester iron and manganese to prevent discolored water but are not effective to control lead and copper. Blended phosphates…
-
A water system is on reduced monitoring for lead and copper. If this system adds new or revised treatment, must the system resume lead and copper sampling as a new system?
Answer: The state may require a system to resume sampling and collect the number of samples specified for standard monitoring or take other appropriate steps such as increased water quality parameter monitoring or re-evaluation of its corrosion control treatment (40 CFR 141.86(d)(4)(vii)). Question (23002-32405) Find a printable PDF copy of…
-
What are the public education requirements for non-transient, non-community water systems (NTNCWSs) that have exceeded the lead action level?
Answer: When there is a lead action level exceedance, non-transient, non-community water systems (NTNCWSs) must post informational posters on lead in drinking water in public places or common areas in buildings they serve. NTNCWSs must also distribute informational pamphlets and/or brochures on lead in drinking water to each person they…
-
What do you mean when you say the action level has been exceeded for a drinking water system?
Answer: The lead action level is a measure of the effectiveness of the corrosion control treatment in water systems. The action level is not a standard for establishing a safe level of lead in a home. To check if corrosion control is working, EPA requires water systems to test for…
-
Is there a guidance document that outlines sampling techniques for testing lead in public drinking water systems?
Answer: Sampling techniques for testing lead in drinking water are outlined in EPA's approved methods for compliance monitoring of lead in drinking water. In addition, EPA has several guidance documents associated with Lead and Copper Rule water quality and tap monitoring on our website here: https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/lead-and-copper-rule-implementation-tools#WQ . This guidance does…
-
Are non-transient, non-community water systems (NTNCWSs) required to monitor for lead and copper?
Answer: All community water systems (CWSs) and NTNCWSs must collect lead and copper tap samples. The frequency of the monitoring and number of samples to be collected and analyzed is based primarily on the number of people served and tap water monitoring results. For an outline of monitoring requirements (e.g…
-
Can one still sell lead solder under the Lead Ban?
Answer: Section 1417(a)(3) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) prohibits the sale of solder and flux that is not lead-free unless the solder or flux bears a prominent label stating that it is illegal to use the solder or flux in the installation or repair of any plumbing providing…
-
Is my water system required to provide me with the results when they test for lead?
Answer: Yes. Water systems must provide a water quality report (often referred to as consumer confidence report) every year to their consumers. This report must include the 90th percentile concentration of the most recent round(s) of sampling performed by the water system for lead and copper among households sampled by…
-
How can I tell if my water contains lead?
Answer: To determine if your water has lead, have your water tested. Please see the answer to Question (23002-32382) for more information on testing. Since you cannot see, taste, or smell lead dissolved in water, testing is the only sure way of telling whether lead is present in your drinking…
-
Is there anything else I can do beyond flushing my tap or buying bottled water?
Answer: Yes, find “Important Steps You Can Take to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water” if you are concerned about lead in their drinking water. The list is not intended to be exhaustive or to imply that all actions equally reduce lead from drinking water. EPA recommends you also contact your…
-
What is the water system doing about lead in drinking water?
Answer: In accordance with the Lead and Copper Rule, your water system is required to test water collected from a number of households in your community for levels of lead and copper. Depending upon the number of people served by your water system and the levels of lead and copper…
-
The drinking water I receive from a public water system has an unfamiliar odor and a slight discoloration. I am concerned that this is an indication of lead in my drinking water. What can I do to determine if lead is in my drinking water?
Answer: You cannot see, taste, or smell lead in drinking water. To determine if lead is in your drinking water, contact your local water supplier and ask for a copy of your Consumer Confidence Report. This report lists the levels of contaminants that have been detected in the water, including…