Lead and copper enter drinking water primarily through plumbing materials. Exposure to lead and copper may cause health problems ranging from stomach distress to brain damage. In 1991, the EPA published a regulation to control lead and copper in drinking water. This regulation is known as the Lead and Copper Rule (also referred to as the LCR).

The LCR requires systems to monitor drinking water at customer taps. If lead concentrations exceed an action level of 15 parts per billion or copper concentrations exceed an action level of 1.3 parts per million in more than 10% of customer taps sampled, the system must undertake a number of additional actions to control corrosion.

If the action level for lead is exceeded, the system must also inform the public about steps they should take to protect their health, and may have to replace lead service lines under their control.

Delaware Lead Service Line Inventory Template for Drinking Water Utilities

Lead and Copper Rule links:

• Certification form for community water systems
• Certification form for non-community non-transient water systems
• Consumer notice for community water systems (action level exceedance)
• Consumer notice for community water systems (below action level)
• Consumer notice for non-community non-transient water systems
• Sampling plan requirements
• Sampling plan change form
• Lead and copper sampling directions for homeowners
• 90^th percentile calculator

Lead and Copper Rule Revisions links:

• Lead and Copper Rule Revisions Guidance Document
• EPA Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory: Small Entity Compliance Guide
• EPA Fact Sheet for Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory
• EPA Drinking Water Requirements for States and Public Water Systems

Back to the Office of Drinking Water