EPAFinal Rule

Lead and Copper Rule Improvements; Strengthening Protections for Communities With Lead Service Lines

EnvironmentHealthcare

Summary

This final rule strengthens drinking water protections by requiring water systems to replace lead service lines within ten years. It lowers the lead action level from 15 parts per billion to 10 parts per billion and mandates improved tap water sampling methods to better identify communities at risk of lead exposure.

Key Points

  • 1Requires replacement of all lead service lines nationwide within 10 years
  • 2Lowers the lead action level from 15 ppb to 10 ppb
  • 3Mandates first-draw and fifth-liter sampling at the tap for more accurate results
  • 4Requires water systems to publicly inventory all lead service lines
  • 5Estimated to prevent thousands of cases of childhood lead exposure annually

Key Dates

Published

October 8, 2024

Effective

January 15, 2025

Related Executive Orders

View on The Executive Order Digest

This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.