What’s New with Lead and Copper Rule (LCR)?

What Public Water Utilities need to know about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI)

EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) published 10/30/2024

• The LCRI takes effect in 2027, giving utilities and the States 3 years to plan for compliance.
• Until then, water systems must continue to comply with the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) and the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revision (LCRR) requirements including annual updates to the Lead Service Line Inventory and Public Notices.

What’s New?

• All systems with at least one Unknown, Lead, or Galvanized Requiring Replacement (GRR) line must create a replacement plan.
• A baseline Inventory is required to be completed within 3 years.
• Must verify Unknowns and replace all Lead and GRR within 10 years.
• Systems must validate the accuracy of their methods to categorize non-lead service lines in their inventory. Validation is required for all systems on a 10-year replacement schedule AND those reporting NO LEAD or GRR.
• Operational Updates:
  • Sampling changes
  • Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) and public communications changes
  • Corrosion control requirements
  • Annual submittal of LSLI and public notices
  • Requirements if an LSL or GRR is “disturbed” (including by other projects)
  • Childcare and school communication and sampling updates

The good news is that grant and loan funding is available through the Indiana Finance Authority’s State Revolving Loan Fund Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (IFA-SRF BIL) Funds through 2026! Contact Theresa Criss-Hartwig for more information on how to apply for these funds.