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Understanding the Lead and Copper Rule

EPA established the Lead arid Copper Rule (LCR) in 1991 to protect public health and
reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. The most common sources of lead in
drinking water are lead pipes and brass or bronze faucets and fixtures.

MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL GOAL

The Lead and Copper Rule established a
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) of
zero for lead. The MCLG is zero because there
is no level of exposure to lead that is without
risk, The Safe Drinking Water Act requires
that EPA establish a treatment technique for
contaminants like lead and copper that
prevents known or anticipated health effects to
the extent feasible.

Since implementation, the Lead
and Copper Rule action level
exceedances have decreased by
over 90%

TREATMENT TECHNIQUE

Lead is not naturally found in water. Lead
from lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures can
dissolve into water or sometimes can enter as
flakes or small particles. To keep lead from
entering the water, EPA requires some
systems, including those that are having
difficulty controlling lead, to treat water using
certain chemicals that keep the lead in place
by reducing corrosion. This treatment is called
corrosion control. When corrosion control
alone is not sufficient to control lead exposure,
EPA requires systems to educate the public
about risks of lead in drinking water and to
replace lead service lines.

OFFICE OF GROUND WATER
W AND DRINKING WATER


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EPA OGWDW | Understanding the Lead and Copper Rule

EPA October 2019

ERA'S LEAD ACTION LEVEL

The lead action level is a measure of the
effectiveness of the corrosion control treatment
in water systems. The action level is not a
standard for establishing a safe level of lead in a
home.

To check if corrosion control is working, EPA
requires water systems to test for lead at the
tap in certain homes, including those with lead
service lines. Systems compare sample results
from homes to EPA's action level of 0.015 mg/L
(15 ppb). If 10 percent of the samples from
these homes have water concentrations that are
greater than the action level, then the system
must perform actions such as public education
and lead service line replacement.

LCR VIOLATIONS

Exceeding the action level is not a violation.
Violations can be assessed if a system does not
perform certain required actions (e.g., public
education or lead service line replacement) after
the action level is exceeded. Other violations
may also be assessed under the rule. For
example, if samples are collected improperly,
samples are not reported, or if treatment is
done incorrectly.

IMPLEMENTATION AND NEXT STEPS

Implementation of the LCR over the past twenty-
five years has resulted in major improvements in
public health. The number of the nation's large
drinking water systems that have exceeded the
LCR action level has decreased by over 90 percent
since the initial implementation of the rule. Based
on June 2019 SDWIS data, about 97 percent of
the systems have not reported an action level
exceedance in the last 3 years.

EPA is continuing to work with primacy agencies to
ensure that the LCR is being properly
implemented.

EPA has recently released the proposed rule for
public comment. To learn more visit:

www.eDa.aov/safewater/lcrDroposal.

j=j] For more information, visit: epa.gov/safewater

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