Lead
Lead
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.
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.
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.”
Read More
Resources
Corrosion Control Online Classes
With the announcements of upcoming Lead & Copper Rule Revisions, water utilities need targeted and credible resources to help craft the best lead reduction plan for their specific community, including strategies for corrosion control. This training guides participants through a decision process that experience has shown to be successful in developing corrosion control strategies.
Courses Now Available
- Corrosion Control Theory and Treatment Options (EL285)
- Assessing Need for a Corrosion Control Evaluation (EL286)
- Performing a Corrosion Control Evaluation (EL287)
Trending in an Instant: A Risk Communications Guide for Water Utilities
As part of its long-standing efforts to proactively inform and prepare utility leaders, AWWA has created Trending in an Instant: A Risk Communication Guide for Water Utilities to enhance your ability to communicate effectively when your utility is in the spotlight.
Technical Resources
Reports
Manuals
AWWA Standards
M12 Simplified Procedures for Water Examination
This manual provide 30 common lab tests for process control in drinking water production.
Get the Manual
M58 Internal Corrosion Control in Distribution Systems
This manual provides an explanation of the factors that influence corrosion, assesses corrosion-related impacts, and discusses the development of a strategy to implement and maintain effective corrosion control in the water distribution system.
Get the Manual
M68 Water Quality in Distribution Systems
This manual will help drinking water utilities and professionals understand the factors that affect water quality, ways to address them and best practices for optimizing distribution system water quality.
Get the Manual
ANSI/AWWA B506 Zinc Orthophosphate
This standard describes zinc orthophosphate (ZOP) corrosion inhibitor in dry and liquid forms for use in the treatment of potable water, wastewater, or reclaimed water.
Get the Standard
ANSI/AWWA C810 Replacement and Flushing of Lead Service Lines
This standard describes essential procedures for the replacement of lead water service lines and flushing following replacement. This standard also describes procedures for partial replacement and repair situations where complete lead service line replacement is not possible or practical.
Get the Standard
ANSI/AWWA G200 Distribution Systems Operation and Management
This standard describes critical requirements for the operation and management of potable water distribution systems, including maintenance of water quality, system management programs, and operation and maintenance of facilities, and verification.
Get the Standard
Events With a Focus on Lead
See All Events
Final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements: What Could This Mean for Water Systems?
November 13, 2024
Online
Get Started Now: The LCRI Funding Blueprint – FREE Webinar, Sponsored and Presented by Brita
November 14, 2024
Online
Water Quality Technology
Discover the latest science, research, and engineering and solutions to fight drinking water contamination.
November 17-21, 2024
Schaumburg, IL
Annual Conference & Expo
The world of water is finite. Find new ways to protect and conserve.
June 8-11, 2025
Denver, CO
External Resources
USEPA Final Revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule
Lead Service Line Collaborative Online Toolkit
USEPA Resources to Support Lead Service Line Replacement
USEPA Lead & Copper Rule Long-Term Revisions
USEPA Section 1417 of SDWA: Use of Lead Free Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder and Flux for Drinking Water
USEPA: Webinar on Regulations Implementing Section 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act
USEPA 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water Toolkit
Lead and Copper Corrosion: An Overview of WRF Research
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.
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.
Inorganic Contaminants Research Committee
Inorganics Committee
Distribution System Water Quality
Lead & Copper Subcommittee
Premise Plumbing
Asset Management
Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring