Water Quality

Lead

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AWWA and it’s members are committed to protecting public health through the reduction of exposure to lead in drinking water.

Here you will find insights on corrosion control and other lead management issues, the latest legislative and regulatory developments, and public outreach tools to help you speak with consumers and other key stakeholders. Both resources prepared by AWWA's members and others such as the U.S. EPA are available.

The Latest

Final Lead & Copper Rule Improvements Announced

The U.S. Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) announced its final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) on October 8, 2024.  Among the key requirements in the final LCRI are:

  • All systems to fully replace all lead and galvanized requiring replacement services lines
  • All systems to determine materials of all service lines
  • Addition of lead connectors to service line inventory
  • Prohibits partial lead and galvanized requiring replacement service line replacement
  • Communication with consumers and provision of filters
  • The lead trigger level was eliminated, lead action level was lowered to 10 µg/L
  • Systems exceeding the lead action level multiple times to provide filters
  • Notification of compliance monitoring site households of lead and copper monitoring results within 3 business days
  • Changes to compliance monitoring for lead will apply to all systems on the same schedule regardless of system size or current sampling schedule.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: There are still elements of the existing Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) with which water systems must comply by the October 16, 2024, deadline. Further explanation of the October 16th compliance deadline is available in a fact sheet distributed by EPA in April 2024.

About

AWWA Public Statement

AWWA released the following public statement about the LCRI:

“The release of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) is another important step in our nation’s efforts to reduce exposure to lead from all sources. AWWA is committed to the complete replacement of lead service lines nationwide — in their entirety — as quickly as feasible. We see this as an achievable goal and an opportunity for water utilities to strengthen public trust with the households they serve. …

“As we review the technical details of the lengthy rule, we anticipate there will be challenges to overcome. For example, in many communities, lead service lines are partly on private property and owned by the property owner rather than the utility. The new rule requires water utilities to replace service lines under their ‘control.’ We share EPA’s desire to remove lead service lines in their entirety. However, this portion of the rule needs further explanation to assure water utilities are operating within their legal authority.”

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POLICY

AWWA Policy Statements

AWWA’s policy statements are brief statements on protecting and improving water supply, water quality, management, and the interests of the public and the environment. They are written by consensus, subject to review and comment by AWWA committees, councils, and members. Because they represent AWWA’s position on these matters, they are approved by the AWWA Executive Committee of the board of directors.

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Technical Committee Engagement

AWWA members are recognized globally for their industry expertise and their generosity in sharing that expertise for a better world through better water. AWWA members participate in committee activities, developing conference programs, writing technical manuals, developing standards, creating educational content and contributing to AWWA publications. Committee members primarily interact through conference calls, emails, and face to face meetings at conferences and events.

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The following committees are active in addressing lead issues:

Inorganic Contaminants Research Committee

Inorganics Committee

Distribution System Water Quality

Lead & Copper Subcommittee

Premise Plumbing

Asset Management

Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring

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