Frequent and transparent communication is key to keeping our communities informed and safe from lead in pipes and plumbing. AWWA provides resources to help utilities communicate with customers about lead while managing regulatory requirements, including those in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Lead & Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR).
Learn more from our Lead Communications Guide and Toolkit, which includes adaptable outreach documents and samples from water sector communication experts. View video interviews with water utility experts from Halifax Water, City of Newark and Green Bay Water.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) first established the Lead and Copper Rule in 1991 to reduce exposure to lead and copper in water. These contaminants primarily enter drinking water through corrosion of service lines, fixtures, or plumbing. The EPA has revised this rule multiple times since 1991 and published the LCRR on January 15, 2021. The requirements listed in the LCRR go into effect in October 2024, including:
AWWA's animated whiteboard explainer helps consumers understand how to protect their households from the risk of lead in drinking water. The three-minute animation advises consumers to work with a plumber to identify sources of lead and whenever possible, to "get the lead out." Some older homes have lead service lines or plumbing fixtures, fittings and solder that contain lead.