On December 16, 2021, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the development of regulatory updates to the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR). This new proposed rule, Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), was announced on the same day the LCRR went into effect.
The LCRR were published on June 16, 2021, and previously were paused for regulatory review by the Biden Administration. Now that the LCRR is in effect, the development of the LCRI aims to strengthen this framework. 
The EPA is focused on addressing the individuals and communities that have been disproportionately impacted by lead in their drinking water and is seeking input from these communities. The LCRI would aid in the progression of the EPA’s goal to remove 100% of lead service lines to protect public health.
In this announcement, the EPA is also delaying the compliance date from January 16, 2024 to October 16, 2024. This delay will ensure that drinking water systems are given sufficient time to take action to ensure compliance with the LCRR. By this date, drinking water systems will be required to:
- Provide a publicly available lead service line inventory
- Identify the most impacted areas in the water system
- Develop lead service line replacement plan
- Strengthen corrosion treatment
- Establish a new trigger level of 10 ppb
- Improve drinking water sampling
- Improve risk communication
- Test drinking water in schools and daycare facilities
Over five years, the EPA will allocate a total of $15 billion in dedicated funding for lead service line replacements. Additionally, the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund will be allocated, $11.7 billion of which can be utilized for lead service line replacement projects.
Walden can help your utility get lead out of your drinking water system and maintain compliance under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. If you need assistance keeping your community’s drinking water safe, please contact Walden today at 516-980-5508!
Walden presented this topic in more detail in:
Revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) for Drinking Water.
Lead and Copper Rule Updates Still Expected in 2020
Paused: EPA Lead and Copper Rule Revisions