Lead and Copper Rule Improvements

Archived News Release: December 28, 2023 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its proposal for further revising the Lead and Copper Rule – the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI).

The proposed rule includes extensive changes to current requirements as well as technical corrections following the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) rulemaking.

Proposed changes of note include:

Clarifies that lead connectors are not lead service lines for purposes of lead service line replacement requirements.
Adds lead connectors to lead service line inventory.
All lead service lines are to be fully replaced (including on customer property) within 10 years. Systems are expected to replace at least 10% of their lead service lines each year (3-year rolling average) with a maximum threshold of 10,000 annual service line replacements for systems with atypically high numbers of lead service lines (LSL) and galvanized requiring replacement (GRR) service lines.
The lead action level will be reduced to 10 µg/L from the current 15 µg/L.
Both first liter and fifth liter compliance monitoring samples will be analyzed for lead at sites with lead service lines. Compliance calculations will incorporate the higher of the two observed lead concentrations.
If a water system has three or more lead action level exceedances within five years, the system must increase public education efforts and provide drinking water filters that remove lead to all consumers.
Clarifies verification of service line materials and updating of lead service line inventory.
Changes to required components of the Lead Service Line Replacement Plan, including approach to determining replacement rate.
Proposes new standard of "reasonable effort” for attempting to engage customers in full lead service line replacement.

EPA anticipates finalizing the LCRI before the LCRR compliance begins (Oct. 16, 2024).

What do the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements mean for Ann Arbor?

Ann Arbor is well situated to meet all proposed lead and copper regulations, including the new service line inventory and replacement deadline. For progress updates on these activities, check out our Water Service Line Material Dashboard. If you haven’t had your water meter replaced yet, please do so to allow us to inventory your water service line material during the same visit. Scheduling instructions can be found on our Water Meter Upgrades website.

The most recent data from Ann Arbor homes indicates that the lead level in our drinking water is well below the established and proposed action levels. The City of Ann Arbor has no known homes with lead service lines, but some of our customers do have lead components to their internal plumbing. Homes with copper plumbing installed before 1988 are most likely to have lead solder. Faucets, fittings, or valves sold before 2014 may have a higher lead content than newer plumbing materials. Water that sits in contact with lead containing plumbing materials in a home may contain higher amounts of lead as plumbing components leach into the water. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by running your water until it is cold before using it for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you can have your water tested. The City of Ann Arbor also offers one free lead and copper test per household that you can sign up for by visiting www.a2gov.org/LCR.

Ann Arbor has 123,851 residents, spans 28.97 square miles and is frequently recognized as a foremost place to live, learn, work, thrive and visit. To keep up with City of Ann Arbor information, subscribe for email updates, and follow the city on Twitter and Facebook. The city's mission is to deliver exceptional services that sustain and enhance a vibrant, safe and diverse community.