AMWA Highlights LCRI Concerns Ahead Of Final White House Review
On Wednesday, August 21, AMWA held a meeting with the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) to highlight concerns and final recommendations for alterations to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for lead and copper, also known as the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI).
OIRA review is the last opportunity for stakeholders like AMWA to provide input to regulators on proposed rulemakings before final promulgation. During OIRA review, the office assesses the rule for consistency, cost-benefit-analysis, and interagency coordination concerns. During this time, OIRA also can meet with stakeholders to hear their views on the rule. If OIRA identifies any issues or concerns with the rule, it works with the agency to address them. This could involve making changes to the rule, providing additional analysis, or clarifying the rule’s provisions.
The meeting follows months of AMWA’s response to the changes to the rule proposed by EPA. On February 5, AMWA submitted comments to EPA regarding the LCRI. The letter comprises nearly 130 pages of comments and recommendations, along with additional appendices detailing prior AMWA responses to Lead and Copper Rule changes.
As the association has demonstrated in its comments and other press, AMWA members highlighted concerns about the potential implications of the proposed rule on private property access, funding challenges, and the substantial public notification requirements, which may disrupt ongoing lead service line replacement programs.
EPA has asserted its plans to promulgate this rule before the October 16, 2024 compliance date for the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR). AMWA highlighted the major issues that could arise if the agency does not finalize the LCRI ahead of this deadline.
Source: Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA)