Lead and Copper Rule: A Quick Reference Guide
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Overview of the Rule
Title
Purpose
General
Description
Utilities
Covered
Lead and Copper Rule (LCR)1, 56 FR 26460 - 26564, June 7, 1991
Protect public health by minimizing lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) levels in drinking water, primarily by reducing
water corrosivity. Pb and Cu enter drinking water mainly from corrosion of Pb and Cu containing plumbing
materials.
Establishes action level (AL) of 0.015 mg/L for Pb and 1.3 mg/L for Cu based on 90 percentile level of tap water
samples. An AL exceedance is not a violation but can trigger other requirements that include water quality
parameter (WQP) monitoring, corrosion control treatment (CCT), source water monitoring/treatment, public
education, and lead service line replacement (LSLR).
All community water systems (CWSs) and non-transient non-community water systems (NTNCWSs) are subject
to the LCR requirements.
Public Health Benefits
Implementation of the
LCR has resulted in:
Reduction in risk of exposure to Pb that can cause damage to brain, red blood cells, and
kidneys, especially for young children and pregnant women.
Reduction in risk of exposure to Cu that can cause stomach and intestinal distress, liver or
kidney damage, and complications of Wilson's disease in genetically predisposed people.
Major Monitoring Provisions
Lead and Copper Tap
1The June 1991 LCR was
revised with the following
Technical Amendments: 56
FR32112, July 15, 1991; 57
FR 28785, June 29, 1992; 59
FR 33860, June 30, 1994.
It was subsequently revised
by: the LCR Minor Revisions
65 FR 1950, January 12,
2000; and the LCR Short-
Term Revisions 72, FR
57782, October 10, 2007.
Applicability
Standard
Reduced
All CWSs and NTNCWSs.
CWSs and NTNCWSs must collect first-draw samples at taps in homes/buildings that are at high risk of
Pb/Cu contamination as identified in 40 CFR 141.86(a).
Number of samples is based on system size (see Table 1).
Systems must conduct monitoring every 6 months unless they qualify for reduced monitoring.
See Table 1 for sample number and Table 2 for criteria.
Water Quality Parameter (WQP)
Applicability
Standard
Reduced
Systems serving > 50,000 people.
Systems serving < 50,000 during monitoring periods in which either AL is exceeded.
WQP samples at taps are collected every 6 months.
WQPs at entry points to distribution system (EPTDS) are collected every 6 months prior to CCT
installation, then every 2 weeks.
See Table 1 for sample number and page 2 for criteria. Does not apply to EPTDS WQP monitoring.
Table 1: Lead and Copper Tap and WQP Tap Monitoring
Size Category
Large
Medium
Small
System Size
> 100K
50,000- 100K
10,001 -50K
3,301 - 10K
501 - 3,300
101 -500
< 100
Number of Pb/Cu Tap Sample Sites1
Standard
100
60
60
40
20
10
5
Reduced
50
30
30
20
10
5
5
Number of WQP Tap Sample Sites2
Standard
25
10
10
3
2
1
1
Reduced
10
7
7
3
2
1
1
1 With written State approval, PWSs can collect < 5 samples if all taps used for human consumption are sampled.
Two WQP tap samples are collected at each site.
Table 2: Criteria for Reduced Pb/Cu Tap Monitoring
Annual
Triennial
Every 9 years
1. PWS serves £ 50,000 people and is £ both ALs for 2 consecutive 6-month monitoring periods; or
2. Any PWS that meets optimal WQPs (OWQPs) and is & Pb AL for 2 consecutive 6-month monitoring periods.
1. PWS serves & 50,000 people and is & both ALs for 3 consecutive years of monitoring; or
2. Any PWS that meets OWQP specifications and is < Pb AL for 3 consecutive years of monitoring; or
3. Any PWS with 90th percentile Pb and Cu levels < 0.005 mg/L and < 0.65 mg/L, respectively, for 2
consecutive 6-month monitoring periods (i.e., accelerated reduced Pb/Cu tap monitoring).
PWS serves & 3,300 people and meets monitoring waiver criteria found at 40 CFR 141.86(g).
Lead Consumer Notice
Within 30 days of learning the results, all systems must provide individual Pb tap results to people who receive water from sites
that were sampled, regardless of whether the results exceed the Pb AL, as required by 40 CFR 141.85(d).
Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
All CWSs, irrespective of their lead levels, must provide educational statements about lead in drinking water in their CCRs as
required by 40 CFR 141.154.
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Treatment Technique and Sampling Requirements if the AL is Exceeded3
For additional information
on the LCR, call the Safe
Drinking Water Hotline at
1-800-426-4791; visit the
EPA web site at
www.epa.gov/safewater/
Icrmr/implement.html or
contact your State drinking
water representative.
3 Based on 90th percentile level. Multiple number of valid samples by 0. 9 (e.g. , W samples x 0.9 = 9; thus, use 9th highest Pb and
Cu test result to compare to AL). For 5 samples, average 4th and 5th highest results. For < 5 samples, use highest result.
Water Quality Parameter (WQP)
Applicability
Parameters
Frequency
Reduced Tap
Monitoring
Refer to page 1.
^ pH, alkalinity, calcium (initial only, unless calcium carbonate stabilization is used), conductivity (initial
monitoring only), orthophosphate (if inhibitor is phosphate-based)', silica (if inhibitor is silicate-based),
and temperature (initial monitoring only).
^- Systems installing CCT, must conduct follow-up monitoring for 2 consecutive 6-month periods.
^- WQP tap monitoring is conducted semi-annually, EPTDS monitoring increases to every 2 weeks.
^- After follow-up monitoring, State sets OWQP specifications that define optimal CCT.
^- Collect reduced number of sites (see Table 1 ) if meet OWQPs for 2 consecutive 6-month periods.
^ Collect reduced number of sites at reduced frequency if meet OWQPs for:
- 6 consecutive 6-month monitoring periods can monitor annually;
- 3 consecutive years of annual monitoring can monitor triennially.
Public Education (PE)
Applicability
Purpose
Delivery
Method
Timing
^- Systems that exceed the Pb AL (not required if only the Cu AL is exceeded) .
^- Educates consumers about lead health effects, sources, and steps to minimize exposure.
^ CWSs: deliver materials to bill-paying customers and post lead information on water bills, work in
concert with local health agencies to reach at-risk populations (children, pregnant woman), deliver to
other organizations serving "at-risk" populations, provide press releases, include new outreach activities
from list in 40 CFR 141.85(a)(2)(vi), and post to Web site (CWSs serving> 100,000 only).
^- NTNCWSs: posting and distribution to all consumers (can be electronic with State permission). Can
apply to CWSs such as hospitals and prisons where population cannot make improvements.
^ Within 60 days after the end of monitoring period in which Pb AL was exceeded if not already delivering
PE.4
^ Repeat annually except: water bill inserts - quarterly; press releases - 2x/year, and web posting -
continuous.
^- Can discontinue whenever < Pb AL but must recommence if subsequently exceed Pb AL.
4Sfate may allow extension in some situations. Also, State may require approval of message content prior to delivery.
Source Water Monitoring and Source Water Treatment (SOWT)
Applicability
Purpose
Timing
Standard
Reduced
^- Systems that exceed Pb or Cu AL.
^- Determine contribution from source water to total tap water Pb and Cu levels and need for SOWT.
^ One set of samples at each EPTDS is due within 6 months of first AL exceedance.
^ System has 24 months to install any required SOWT.
^ State sets maximum permissible levels (MPLs) for Pb and Cu in source water based on initial and follow-
up source water monitoring.
^- Ground water PWSs monitor during 3-year compliance periods; surface water PWSs monitor annually.
^- Monitor every 9 years if MPLs are not exceeded during 3 consecutive compliance periods for ground
water PWSs or 3 consecutive years for surface water PWSs.
Corrosion Control Treatment (CCT)
Applicability
Study
Treatment
OWQPs
^- All large systems except those meeting requirements of 40 CFR 1 41 .81 (b)(2) or (b)(3).
^ Medium and small systems that exceed either AL; may stop CCT steps if & both ALs for 2 consecutive 6-
month periods but must recommence CCT if subsequently exceed either AL.
^- All large systems except as noted above.
^- If State requires study for small or medium systems, it must be completed within 18 months.
^ Once State determines type of CCT to be installed, PWS has 24 months to install.
^ Systems installing CCT must conduct 2 consecutive 6-months of follow-up monitoring.
^- After follow-up Pb/Cu tap and WQP monitoring, State sets OWQPs. Refer to WQP section above.
Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR)
Applicability
Monitoring
Replacement
^- Systems that continue to exceed the Pb AL after installing CCT and/or SOWT.
^- Can discontinue LSLR whenever < Pb AL in tap samples for 2 consecutive 6 month monitoring periods;
must recommence if subsequently exceed.
^ Optional: Sample from LSL to determine if line must be replaced. If all samples are & 0.015 mg/L, line is
considered "replaced through testing"; must reconsider these lines if Pb AL is subsequently exceeded.
^ Required: Sample from any LSLs not completely replaced to determine impact on Pb levels.
^- Must replace at least 7% of LSLs annually; State can require accelerated schedule.
^- If only portion of LSL is replaced, PWS must:
- Notify customers at least 45 days prior to replacement about potential for increased Pb levels.
- Collect samples within 72 hours of replacement and provide results within 3 days of receipt.
Office of Water (4606)
EPA8I6-D-07-007
www.e pa.gov/safewate r
December 2007
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