Below are resources to help states and water utilities implement the Lead and Copper Rule. 

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On This Page

• Water Quality and Tap Monitoring 
• Providing Public Education
• Corrosion Control Treatment
• Lead Service Line Replacement
• State Implementation Guidance
• Small Systems
• Simultaneous Compliance

Leaders in Reducing Lead in Drinking Water

Learn more about communities nationwide who are leaders in lead reduction

Water Quality and Tap Monitoring 

Lead and Copper Monitoring and Reporting Guidance for Public Water Systems

This guidance provides a comprehensive discussion of the monitoring and monitoring-related reporting requirements of the LCR. It incorporates the 2000 and 2007 Revisions to the Rule.

• Revised Lead and Copper Monitoring and Reporting Guidance for Public Water Systems (PDF)(124 pp, 1.6 MB, About PDF) EPA 816-R-10-004, March 2010 

Memorandum: Lead and Copper Rule - Clarification of Requirements for Collecting Samples and Calculating Compliance

This memo reiterates and clarifies elements of the LCR associated with the collection of samples. It also clarifies the calculation of lead 90th percentile for compliance.

• Memorandum: Lead and Copper Rule - Clarification of Requirements for Collecting Samples and Calculating Compliance - November 23, 2004 (PDF)(116 pp, 594 K, About PDF) EPA 816-R-02-009, February 2002

How to Determine Compliance with Optimal Water Quality Parameters as Revised by the Lead and Copper Rule Minor Revisions

This guidance describes how PWSs and states determine compliance with optimal water quality parameters. It reflects the 2000 Revisions to the rule.

• How to Determine Compliance with Optimal Water Quality Parameters as Revised by the Lead and Copper Rule Minor Revisions (PDF)(43 pp, 188 K, About PDF) EPA 815-R-99-019, February 2001

Providing Public Education

Implementing the Lead Public Education Provisions of the Lead and Copper Rule: A Guide for Community Water Systems

The PE guidance details the new PE requirements for CWSs. This includes:

• Details regarding who must receive PE materials and the time frame for distribution of the PE materials.
• Suggestions on how to have a more effective PE program.
• Sample templates for water bills, brochures, posters and letters in English and Spanish for different situations in which PE is required.
• Implementing the Lead Public Education Provisions of the Lead and Copper Rule: A Guide for Community Water Systems (PDF)(114 pp, 6.1 MB, About PDF) EPA 816-R-08-007, June 2008

Lead and Copper Rule: Public Education and Consumer Notification Requirements for Non-Transient non-Community Water Systems Fact Sheet

The fact sheet summarizes all of the PE and consumer notification requirements for a non-transient non-community water systems (NTNCWS). It provides NTNCWS with concise information on what they need to do after a lead action level exceedance. It includes consumer notification requirements that are not dependent on a lead action level exceedance.

• Lead and Copper Rule: Public Education and Consumer Notification Requirements for Non-Transient non-Community Water Systems Fact Sheet (PDF)(4 pp, 262 K, About PDF) EPA 816-F-08-20, June 2008

Implementing the Lead Public Education Provisions of the Lead and Copper Rule: A Guide for Non-Transient Non-Community Water Systems

The guidance details the new PE requirements for NTNCWS, such as:

• Details regarding who must receive PE materials and the time frame for distribution of the PE materials.
• Suggestions on how to have a more effective PE program.
• Sample templates for water bills, brochures, posters and letters in English and Spanish for different situations in which PE is required.
• Implementing the Lead Public Education Provisions of the Lead and Copper Rule: A Guide for Non-Transient Non-Community Water Systems (PDF)(80 pp, 563 K, About PDF) EPA 816-R-08-008, June 2008

Public Education Posters

• Public Education Posters

Corrosion Control Treatment

Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment Evaluation Technical Recommendations (Final Draft)

This document and supplimental templates provide technical recommendations that both systems and primacy agencies can use to comply with LCR corrosion control treatment requirements and effective evaluation and designation of optimal corrosion control treatment (OCCT).

• Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment Evaluation Technical Recommendations

Final Revised Guidance Manual for Selecting Lead and Copper Control Strategies

This manual is intended for PWSs and states. It assists with selecting treatment strategies for controlling lead and copper in drinking water.

• Final Revised Guidance Manual for Selecting Lead and Copper Control Strategies (PDF)(52 pp, 629 K, About PDF) EPA 816-R-03-001, March 2003

Appendix A supplements the Final Revised Guidance Manual for Selecting Lead and Copper Control Strategies

• Appendix A: Questionnaire to Collect Data to Update the Guidance Manual for Selecting Lead and Copper Control Strategies

Lead Service Line Replacement

Notification and Reporting Requirements for Partial Lead and Service Line Replacement under the Lead and Copper Rule

This guidance provides a discussion of the LCR requirements related to lead service line replacement. It reflects the 2000 Revisions to the Rule.

• Notification and Reporting Requirements for Partial Lead and Service Line Replacement under the Lead and Copper Rule (PDF)(26 pp, 1.4 MB, About PDF) EPA 815-R-99-022, April 2000​

Leaders in Lead Service Line Replacement Map

This interactive website allows you to explore communities across the country and learn about their programs to replace lead in drinking water systems. 

• Learn more about communities nationwide who are leaders in lead reduction

State Implementation Guidance

Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) 2007 Short-Term Regulatory Revisions and Clarifications State Implementation Guidance

This document provides a "how to" approach for EPA Regions, tribes, and states that will implement the final regulation. It contains an explanation of the rule requirements. It also contains guidance for preparing state primacy revision applications. The implementation guidance also covers monitoring requirements, violation determination, and data reporting.

• Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) 2007 Short-Term Regulatory Revisions and Clarifications State Implementation Guidance (PDF)(80 pp, 4.6 MB, About PDF) EPA 816-R-08-009
• LCR 2007 Short-Term Regulatory Revisions and Clarifications State Implementation Guidance Appendices
  • A: Primacy Revision Crosswalk
  • B: 2007 Short-Term Revisions Compared to the Lead and Copper Rule
  • C: Lead and Copper Rule Fact Sheet and Revised Quick Reference Guide
  • D: Lead Consumer Notice System Certification Form
  • E: Data Entry Instructions with Examples

State Implementation Guidance for the Lead and Copper Rule Minor Revisions

The purpose of this guidance manual is to provide assistance to EPA, states, and public water systems (PWSs) for the implementation of the LCR Minor Revisions. The guidance contains information on:

• Rule requirements
• Violation determinations,
• State Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) reporting,
• Significant noncompliers definitions,
• State primacy revision application for the LCR Minor Revisions, and
• Other resources and guidance.
• State Implementation Guidance for the Lead and Copper Rule Minor Revisions (PDF)(128 pp, 261K, About PDF) EPA 816-R-01-021, October 2001
• State Implementation Guidance for the Lead and Copper Rule Minor Revisions Appendices
  • A: The Lead and Copper Rule Revisions compared to the 1991 Rule (PDF) (56 pp, 377K)
  • B: LCRMR Reporting Guidance (PDF) (140 pp, 629K)
  • C: SDWIS Reporting and Enforcement Flow Charts (PDF) (113 pp, 301K)
  • D: Implementation Agreement, E: Sample Memorandum of Agreement, and F: Audit Principles (PDF)(22 pp, 630K)​

Small Systems

Monitoring Waivers under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions for Systems Serving 3,300 or Fewer People

This guidance provides information on monitoring waivers for PWSs that serve 3,300 or fewer people. These PWSs must have low lead and/or copper 90th percentile levels and meet plumbing material restrictions.

• Monitoring Waivers Under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions for Systems Serving 3,300 or Fewer People (PDF)(32 pp, 264 K, About PDF) EPA 815-R-99-021, April 2000

Simultaneous Compliance

Microbial and Disinfection Byproduct Rules Simultaneous Compliance Manual

PWSs also have to comply with microbial and disinfection byproduct rules. Chapter Four of this manual focuses on potential LCR issues that can arise when complying with all rules.

• Microbial and Disinfection Byproduct Rules Simultaneous Compliance Manual (PDF)(148 pp, 413 K, About PDF) EPA 815-R-99-015, August 1999 

Simultaneous Compliance Guidance Manual for Stage 2 Rules
This manual discusses the issues that PWSs face as they implement changes to comply with:

• The Stage 2 DBPR, and
• The LT2ESWTR,

while still being required to comply with earlier rules such as:

• The Total Coliform Rule/Revised Total Coliform Rule
• The Lead and Copper Rule.

Some of the changes may have compliance or operational consequences if not properly designed, implemented, and monitored.

• Simultaneous Compliance Guidance Manual for the LT2 and Stage 2 Rules (PDF)(462 pp, 3.4 MB, About PDF) EPA 815-R-07-017, March 2007)

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