EPA Notifications for Lead Action Level Exceedances
EPA requires water systems to test for lead at the tap in certain homes and compare the sample results to EPA’s action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb). If more than 10 percent of the samples from these homes have lead concentrations that are greater than the action level, then the system must notify the people they serve and perform follow-up actions.
EPA is required by the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide information to the public in cases when the water system and state, territory, or Tribe have not provided the notice to the people they serve. EPA’s notice includes important information to protect public health, including potential health effects and what actions people can take to reduce their exposure.