Water Systems Should Begin Preparing For October 2024 Lead & Copper Rule Deadline

Water systems should begin preparing now for the October 16, 2024 deadline to submit a lead service line inventory. The new requirement was established in recent updates to the federal Lead & Copper Rule as part of the broader effort to eliminate drinking water service lines made of lead. All public water systems, whether municipal or investor-owned, large or small, must develop an inventory of their service line materials and develop a plan to replace certain service lines.

The Lead & Copper Rule was first promulgated in 1991, and generally requires the managers of water systems to develop and maintain effective corrosion prevention techniques to prevent the leaching of lead and copper into drinking water supplies. The LCR requires regular monitoring and additional requirements are triggered if lead or copper are detected at certain levels.