Buyer's Guide: Service Line Inventory System For LCRR Compliance And Beyond

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA's) Lead and Copper Rule Revision (LCRR) went into effect in 2021 and includesa requirement for utilities to submit a service line inventory for all services including the public and private side of the line byOctober 2024. In a recent development on November 30, 2023, the EPA also published the proposed Lead and Copper RuleImprovements (LCRI). LCRI strengthens the nations water supply by taking actions to reduce lead levels and is expected tobe finalized and implemented by October 16, 2024.

LCRR/LCRI requirements apply to all water utilities regardless of size, with some minor differences for smaller utilities.However, all utilities must submit a service line materials inventory of both sides of the line (utility and privately-owned),including residential, commercial, and fire service and irrigation lines. Utilities now face a decision on how best to create a system for developing and managing the inventory information. Andthat’s not all utilities might need to do to meet full compliance in October 2024 and maintain future compliance, if applicable.

In this Buyer's Guide, we will talk through: 

• What does a service line inventory system need to look like to meet LCRR/LCRI compliance? 
• A comparison of the different types of inventory systems
• Why buying a system might be the best option
• Looking beyond 2024 to maintain LCRR/LCRI compliance