On December 22, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) announced the first update since 1991 to the Lead and Copper
Rule. This update aims to further protect children and communities
from exposure to lead in drinking water.
Lead and copper typically enter drinking water from the
corrosion of lead and copper pipes. While EPA has restricted the
lead content allowed in plumbing materials used in new construction
and replacement of existing materials, many communities are still
served by lead service lines (LSLs). The recently announced
revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule seek to accelerate the
implementation of lead-free infrastructure and to improve risk
communication to consumers. Although the update does not lower the
lead action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb), the rule contains
the following key changes:
