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Drinking Water Requirements for States and Public Water Systems

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Lead and Copper Rule Implementation Tools

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

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

Implementation Tools

Water Quality and Tap Monitoring
Revised 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
Lead and Copper Rule Public Education & Other Public Information Requirements for Community Water Systems Fact Sheet The fact sheet summarizes the public education (PE) and other public information notification requirements the revised LCR. It provides community water systems (CWSs) with 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 & Other Public Information Requirements for Community Water Systems Fact Sheet (PDF)(5 pp, 563 K, About PDF) EPA 816-F-08-019, June 2008 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 This document provides technical recommendations that both systems and primacy agencies can use to comply with LCR CCT requirements and effective evaluation and designation of optimal corrosion control treatment (OCCT). Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment Evaluation Technical Recommendations(140 pp, 2290 K, About PDF) 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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