Earlier this month, EPA released a series of proposed changes to the Lead and Copper Rule. Here are the major differences you should know about:<\/p>\n
– Lead action level<\/strong>: The lead action level remains unchanged at 15 parts per billion (ppb), and systems testing at or above 15 ppb would be required to replace 3% of lead service lines (LSL) per year, which is down from 7% in the current rule.<\/p>\n – New trigger level<\/strong>: The agency is adding a new trigger at 10 ppb. Water systems testing between 10 and 15 ppb would be required to implement the following planning procedures: (1) evaluate corrosion control, and (2) set a goal for LSL replacements at a pace agreed upon between the community and the regulator.<\/p>\n – LSL replacement procedures<\/strong>: Cities must replace the portion of the LSL on public property within 3 months of a homeowner replacing the portion on private property. For every replacement, partial or full, the city is required to provide a filter and three months of cartridges.<\/p>\n – Inventory<\/strong>: To improve transparency, water systems must make a complete and publicly available inventory of lead service lines, including indicating unknown pipes, within three years of the rule changes.<\/p>\n – Testing<\/strong>: Changes to sampling requirements include mandatory testing at schools and daycares: 20% of schools and 20% of daycares in a community every year.<\/p>\n – Outreach<\/strong>: Systems are required to notify households testing above 15 ppb within 24 hours.<\/p>\n