EPA Annouced Final Rule for Lead and Copper Rule Improvements

New rule requires drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years.

From EPA Groundwater and Drinking Water Lead and Copper Rule Improvements Website:

Rule Summary

On October 8th, the Biden-Harris Administration issued a final rule requiring drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) also require more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold requiring communities to take action to protect people from lead exposure in water. In addition, the final rule improves communication within communities so that families are better informed about the risk of lead in drinking water, the location of lead pipes, and plans for replacing them. This final rule is part of the President’s commitment to replace every lead pipe in the country within a decade, making sure that all communities can turn on the tap and drink clean water.

Final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements. Fact Sheet: General Information (pdf) (163.87 KB)

Final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements. Fact Sheet: General Information One-Pager (pdf) (118.82 KB)

Pre-Publication Version. Federal Register Notice: National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for Lead and Copper: Improvements (LCRI) (pdf) (3.7 MB)

Press Release: Biden-Harris Administration Issues Final Rule Requiring Replacement of Lead Pipes Within 10 Years, Announces Funding to Provide Clean Water to Schools and Homes

Fact Sheet: Biden-?Harris Administration Issues Final Rule to Replace Lead Pipes Within a Decade, Announces New Funding to Deliver Clean Drinking Water

The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements establish achievable, common-sense practices which have been implemented by several states and cities. The public health and economic benefits of the final rule are estimated to be up to 13 times greater than the costs, and together with new funding announced today under Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, water systems will be able to accelerate removal of lead pipes and create good-paying local jobs in the process.

Lead Funding

Learn about $2.6 billion from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)

Apply for $35 million from the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN)

Questions and Answers

For questions about the LCRI and minimizing lead exposure please consult LCRI Questions and Answers.

Webinars

EPA will be conducting informational webinars for the general public in October and for drinking water utilities and professionals in November to provide information about the agency’s final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). Please check back here at EPA’s LCRI website for more information about the webinars and how to register to attend.

Background

Lead in drinking water irreparably harms the health of children and adults and disproportionately impacts lower-income communities and communities of color. Legacy lead pipes, which have delivered drinking water to homes for decades, have exposed generations of Americans to toxic lead and will continue to do so until they are removed.

There is no safe level of lead exposure. In drinking water, the primary source of lead is from pipes, which can present a risk to the health of children and adults. EPA is committed to using every tool available to protect all Americans from lead in drinking water. As part of a whole of government plan to deliver clean drinking water, and replace lead pipes, EPA proposed then finalized the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) to strengthen the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). First promulgated in 1991, the LCR regulates lead and copper in public drinking water systems.