Lead and Copper Rule Implementation Tools

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

Register for Upcoming Lead Service Line Replacement Webinars

Announcements

January 17, 2025 - EPA announces the release of the Tier 2 and Tier 3 Public Notification Templates to support water systems in the implementation of the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.  These templates are intended to support public water systems in the event that a violation occurs requiring a Tier 2 or a Tier 3 PN.

October 15, 2024  – EPA announces the release of the State Implementation Guidance for Lead and Coper Rule Revisions (LCRR) Retained Elements, and the Tier 1 Public Notice for Lead Action Level Exceedance Template SOP for State Implementation Programs in the implementation of the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions

October 8, 2024 - EPA’s recently issued Lead and Copper Rule Revisions Compliance Advisory. This Compliance Advisory describes how the EPA intends to monitor compliance and enforce the key provisions of the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions that will remain in place after the issuance of the final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements in October 2024.

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Leaders in Reducing Lead in Drinking Water

Learn more about communities nationwide who are leaders in lead reduction

 LCRR Frequently Asked Questions

LCRR FAQs for Water Systems 

These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) address the provisions of the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) that EPA has proposed to retain starting on the October 16, 2024 compliance date. These requirements include the initial service line inventory , notifications to persons served of known or potential lead service line, Tier 1 public notification of a lead action level exceedance, and associated reporting requirements. 

LCRR Implementation Fact Sheet

2021 LCRR Implementation Fact Sheet

EPA's 2021 LCRR Implementation Fact Sheet describes the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) requirements that public water systems must comply with starting on October 16, 2024 as outlined in the Lead and Copper Improvement (LCRI) proposal. These requirements include the initial service line inventory, notification to persons served of known or potential lead service line, Tier 1 public notification of a lead action level exceedance, and associated reporting requirements.

Notification of Known or Potential Service Line Containing Lead

Fact Sheet on Notification of a Known or Potential Service Line Containing Lead

This fact sheet summarizes the EPA's requirements for notification to persons served of known or potential service lines containing lead required under the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.  

Templates for the Notification of Known or Potential Service Lines Containing Lead

This document provides templates that water systems can use to develop the required notices to all persons served at the service connection with a lead, galvanized requiring replacement (GRR), or lead status unknown service lines, required under the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.   

Tier 1 Public Notification

Tier 1 Public Notification Template following a Lead Action Level Exceedance

The 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions require water systems to issue a Tier 1 Public Notification (PN) when there is an exceedance of the lead action level no later than 24 hours after the systems learns of an exceedance. This document provides a template that water systems can use to develop a Tier 1 PN for a lead action level exceedance.   

Lead Action Level Exceedance (ALE) Tier 1 Public Notice (PN) Fact Sheet

This fact sheet summarizes EPA’s requirements following a lead action level exceedance for timing, content, and delivery of a Tier 1 Public Notice.

Tier 2 and Tier 3 Public Notification

Tier 2 and Tier 3 Public Notification Templates

EPA's Tier 2 and Tier 3 Public Notification (PN) templates support water systems to provide notice in the event that a violation occurs  requiring a Tier 2 or Tier 3 PN. These include the following violations: (1) failure to develop initial inventory for service line materials and/or make publicly accessible, (2) failure to report initial inventory to the state, and (3) failure to certify notification to consumers served by known or potential service line containing lead. 

Service Line Inventory Development

Lead and Copper Rule Revisions Service Line Initial Inventory Guidance

EPA's Guidance for Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory supports water systems with their efforts to develop initial inventories and provides states with needed information for oversight and reporting to EPA. The guidance provides essential information to help water systems comply with the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions requirement to prepare and maintain an inventory of service line materials by October 16, 2024. 

Small Entity Compliance Guide

EPA's Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory: Small Entity  Compliance Guide supports water systems, particularly small water systems, in complying with the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) initial inventory requirements. EPA's Small Entity Compliance Guide explains the initial inventory relate actions small community and non-transient non-community water systems are required to take under the LCRR. 

Fact Sheet for Developing a Service Line Inventory

EPA's Fact Sheet for Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory can help water systems quickly identify the key 2021 LCRR initial inventory requirements, including inventory elements, planning, records review , investigations, public accessibility, and information for non-lead systems. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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:

Public Education Posters

Corrosion Control Treatment

Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment Evaluation Technical Recommendations

This document 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.

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.

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

LCRR Frequently Asked Questions

LCRR FAQs for Water Systems 

These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) address the provisions of the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) that EPA has proposed to retain starting on the October 16, 2024 compliance date. These requirements include the initial service line inventory , notifications to persons served of known or potential lead service line, Tier 1 public notification of a lead action level exceedance, and associated reporting requirements. 

Resources for Lead Service Line Replacement

This page includes potential funding options, case studies, best practices and other lead service line replacement resources.

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.

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. 

State Implementation Guidance

State Implementation Guidance for Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) Retained Elements

This document provides a "how to" approach for EPA Regions and States implementing the retained elements of the final regulation. This guidance manual contains an explanation of the rule requirements. It also contains guidance on violation determination and data reporting.

Tier 1 Public Notice for Lead Action Level Exceedances Template SOP for State Implementation Programs

The Tier 1 SOP Template for States provides guidance and support for states in developing their SOPs for the Tier 1 public notification process for a lead action level exceedance. Additionally, it provides guidance in the event that the water systems and states fail to provide 24-hour notice of a lead action level exceedance.  

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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Drinking Water Requirements for States and Public Water Systems

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Last updated on January 22, 2025