Lead and Copper Rule Compliance Help for Primacy Agencies

On this page:

• State Implementation Guidance
• Lead and Copper Sampling
• Optimal Water Quality Parameters 
• Small Systems
• Lead Service Line Replacement
• Simultaneous Compliance
• Treatment

State Implementation Guidance

Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) 2007 Short-Term Regulatory Revisions and Clarifications State Implementation Guidance

This document provides a "how to" approach for EPA Regions, tribes, and states that will implement the final regulation. It contains an explanation of the rule requirements. It also contains guidance for preparing state primacy revision applications. The implementation guidance also covers monitoring requirements, violation determination, and data reporting.

• Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) 2007 Short-Term Regulatory Revisions and Clarifications State Implementation Guidance (PDF)(80 pp, 4.6 MB, About PDF) EPA 816-R-08-009
• LCR 2007 Short-Term Regulatory Revisions and Clarifications State Implementation Guidance Appendices
  • A: Primacy Revision Crosswalk
  • B: 2007 Short-Term Revisions Compared to the Lead and Copper Rule
  • C: Lead and Copper Rule Fact Sheet and Revised Quick Reference Guide
  • D: Lead Consumer Notice System Certification Form
  • E: Data Entry Instructions with Examples

State Implementation Guidance for the Lead and Copper Rule Minor Revisions

The purpose of this guidance manual is to provide assistance to EPA, states, and public water systems (PWSs) for the implementation of the LCR Minor Revisions. The guidance contains information on:

• Rule requirements
• Violation determinations,
• State Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) reporting,
• Significant noncompliers definitions,
• State primacy revision application for the LCR Minor Revisions, and
• Other resources and guidance.
• State Implementation Guidance for the Lead and Copper Rule Minor Revisions (PDF)(128 pp, 261K, About PDF) EPA 816-R-01-021, October 2001
• State Implementation Guidance for the Lead and Copper Rule Minor Revisions Appendices
  • A: The Lead and Copper Rule Revisions compared to the 1991 Rule (PDF) (56 pp, 377K)
  • B: LCRMR Reporting Guidance (PDF) (140 pp, 629K)
  • C: SDWIS Reporting and Enforcement Flow Charts (PDF) (113 pp, 301K)
  • D: Implementation Agreement, E: Sample Memorandum of Agreement, and F: Audit Principles (PDF)(22 pp, 630K)​

Lead and Copper Sampling

Lead and Copper Rule - Clarification of Requirements for Collecting Samples and Calculating Compliance

EPA’s review of state programs has identified inconsistencies in how PWSs and states are carrying out the LCR. This memo reminds states and PWSs of the requirements and clarifies key points.

• Lead and Copper Rule - Clarification of Requirements for Collecting Samples and Calculating Compliance

Optimal Water Quality Parameters

How to Determine Compliance with Optimal Water Quality Parameters as Revised by the Lead and Copper Rule Minor Revisions

This guidance describes how PWSs and states determine compliance with optimal water quality parameters. It reflects the 2000 Revisions to the rule.

• How to Determine Compliance with Optimal Water Quality Parameters as Revised by the Lead and Copper Rule Minor Revisions (PDF)(43 pp, 188 K, About PDF) EPA 815-R-99-019, February 2001

Small Systems

Monitoring Waivers under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions for Systems Serving 3,300 or Fewer People

This guidance provides information on monitoring waivers for PWSs that serve 3,300 or fewer people. These PWSs must have low lead and/or copper 90th percentile levels and meet plumbing material restrictions.

• Monitoring Waivers Under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions for Systems Serving 3,300 or Fewer People (PDF)(32 pp, 264 K, About PDF) EPA 815-R-99-021, April 2000

Lead Service Line Replacement

Notification and Reporting Requirements for Partial Lead and Service Line Replacement under the Lead and Copper Rule

This guidance provides a discussion of the LCR requirements related to lead service line replacement. It reflects the 2000 Revisions to the Rule.

• Notification and Reporting Requirements for Partial Lead and Service Line Replacement under the Lead and Copper Rule (PDF)(26 pp, 1.4 MB, About PDF) EPA 815-R-99-022, April 2000

Simultaneous Compliance 

Microbial and DBP Simultaneous Compliance Manual

PWSs also have to comply with microbial and disinfection byproduct rules. Chapter 4 of this manual focuses on potential LCR issues that can arise when complying with all rules.

• M/DBP Simultaneous Compliance Manual (PDF)(148 pp, 413 K, About PDF) EPA 815-R-99-015, August 1999

Simultaneous Compliance Guidance Manual for Stage 2 Rules

This manual discusses the issues that PWSs face as they implement changes to comply with the Stage 2 DBPR and LT2ESWTR while still being required to comply with earlier rules such as the Total Coliform Rule/Revised Total Coliform Rule and the Lead and Copper Rule.

Some of the changes may have compliance or operational consequences if not properly designed, implemented, and monitored.

• Simultaneous Compliance Guidance Manual for the LT2 and Stage 2 Rules (PDF)( 462 pp, 3.4 MB, About PDF) EPA 815-R-07-017, March 2007

Treatment

Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment Evaluation Technical Recommendations

This document provides technical recommendations that both systems and primacy agencies can use to comply with LCR CCT requirements and effective evaluation and designation of optimal corrosion control treatment (OCCT).

• Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment Evaluation Technical Recommendations(140p p, 2290 K, About PDF)

Effect of pH, DIC, Orthophosphate and Sulfate on Drinking Water Cuprosolvency

Field data from various copper monitoring studies and LCR compliance data are often inappropriate. They are misleading for reliably of determining fundamental chemical relationships behind copper corrosion control.

To address this deficiency, a comprehensive solubility model for copper in drinking water has been developed. It is qualitatively and quantitatively consistent with available data for copper dissolution and precipitation.

• Effect of pH, DIC, Orthophosphate and Sulfate on Drinking Water Cuprosolvency (PDF)(107 pp, 759 K, About PDF) EPA 600-R-95-085, June 1995
• Lead and Copper Rule Guidance Manual, Volume II: Corrosion Control TreatmentEPA 811-B-92-002, September 1992

Final Revised Guidance Manual for Selecting Lead and Copper Control Strategies

This manual is intended for PWSs and states. It assists with selecting treatment strategies for controlling lead and copper in drinking water.

• Final Revised Guidance Manual for Selecting Lead and Copper Control Strategies (PDF)(54 pp, 629 K, About PDF) EPA 816-R-03-001, March 2003 

For more information, please see the Lead and Copper Rule page.