{"id":2318422,"date":"2024-04-26T08:21:32","date_gmt":"2024-04-26T15:21:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/?post_type=blog&p=2318422"},"modified":"2024-04-29T09:38:24","modified_gmt":"2024-04-29T16:38:24","slug":"preparing-for-lead-and-copper-rule-improvements","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-solutions\/water\/preparing-for-lead-and-copper-rule-improvements","title":{"rendered":"Preparing for Lead and Copper Rule Improvements"},"author":3621,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":""},"categories":[23051],"tags":[25891,774462,771662,774472,774482],"industry":[],"product":[679821,36551,36561,42661,36691],"class_list":["post-2318422","blog","type-blog","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-water","tag-arcgis","tag-lcri","tag-lcrr","tag-lead-servie-lines","tag-service-line-inventory","product-field-maps","product-arcgis-online","product-arcgis-pro","product-arcgis-solutions","product-survey123"],"acf":{"authors":[{"ID":3621,"user_firstname":"Christa","user_lastname":"Campbell","nickname":"Christa Campbell","user_nicename":"christacampbell09","display_name":"Christa Campbell","user_email":"CCampbell@esri.com","user_url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/en-us\/industries\/water\/overview","user_registered":"2018-03-02 00:15:16","user_description":"Christa is a water industry professional with 20+ years of success using and promoting technology. She is a passionate GIS advocate, lifelong learner, and collaborator. As the Director of Esri\u2019s Water Industry team, she provides strategic direction, builds awareness of water industry challenges and trends, and inspires organizations to work smarter using GIS-based solutions. \r\nChrista is a certified GIS Professional and holds a graduate degree in Geography.","user_avatar":""}],"short_description":"Water utilities with authoritative data, analytics, and technology solutions are going to successfully navigate improvements to the LCRR. ","flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

In November of 2023, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) released proposed improvements to the Lead and Copper Rule. These improvements are intended to strengthen the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), adding substantial requirements for water systems.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

What’s Being Proposed?<\/h1>\n

The USEPA is proposing revisions to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for lead and copper under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act. These proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) build on the 2021 LCRR and the original 1991 Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). Feedback gathered during stakeholder and public review of the LCRR was used to shape the proposed LCRI. The proposed rule includes significant changes that will have a massive impact on water system resources.<\/p>\n

The proposed LCRI are described in a 213-page document provided by the USEPA (National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for Lead and Copper: Improvements<\/a>). The General Information section of this document identifies six key revisions.<\/p>\n

The USEPA is Proposing:<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Mandatory Full-Service Line Replacement <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Water systems would be required to replace lead service lines and galvanized service lines that are downstream, or at one time were downstream, of a lead service line or a service line of unknown material. Service line replacements would need to be completed within 10 years. Lead connectors would also need to be replaced.<\/p>\n

The mandatory service line replacement would include small system compliance, regardless of their 90th<\/sup> percentile lead level. In addition, the community water systems flexibility threshold would change to those serving 3,300 or fewer people.<\/p>\n

Development of a Service Line Replacement Plan <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Any water provider that has unknown service line material or has identified lead service lines and galvanized requiring replacement service lines within their system must prepare a service line replacement plan. The plan must ensure that lead is replaced within the 10-year timeframe and that the replacements are done equitably.<\/p>\n

A Lower Lead Action Level<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The proposed LCRI would lower the lead action level from 0.015 mg\/L to 0.010 mg\/L. The lower action level will increase corrosion control efforts and extend public education. Systems that exceed the lead action level three or more times in a five-year period would be required to take additional actions to provide public education and make filters available to those impacted.<\/p>\n

Updated Tap Sampling Protocol <\/strong><\/h3>\n

The tap sampling protocol proposed in the LCRI changes how water systems calculate their 90th<\/sup> percentile where lead service lines are identified. Water systems would be required to use the higher value of the first or fifth liter.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Water Quality Parameters for Medium Systems<\/strong><\/h3>\n

States are being asked to set optimal water quality parameters for systems with corrosion control. Systems serving between 10,000 and 50,000 people will be required to demonstrate that they are maintaining optimal corrosion control treatment. If a system is triggered into corrosion control treatment and can replace all lead in the system within five years, the treatment or re-optimized treatment can be deferred.<\/p>\n

Updated Public Education Requirements<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The EPA is proposing new public education requirements for lead and copper. Water systems will need to create more proactive messaging and increase educational content. The goal of these changes is to better inform the public about the impacts of lead in drinking water.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

How Are Water Systems Preparing?<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Water service providers have been working to meet the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions deadline of October 2024. This work is preparing them for what is to come.<\/p>\n

The LCRR include the following:<\/p>\n