Lead And Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) – What They Mean For Water Utilities

By Ian Robinson and Sheela Lal

The EPA recently proposed the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) on November 30, 2023, introducing significant requirements for water systems. While the LCRI won't take immediate effect due to the EPA's rule-making process, water utilities can gain insights for compliance, especially in relation to the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) effective in October 2024. Notably, the LCRI mandates a 10-year lead service line replacement for all water systems, differing from the LCRR, which requires replacement only in case of trigger level exceedance.

Water systems must plan for system-wide replacement, including known lead service lines, GRR, or unknown service lines. Predictive modeling, such as BlueConduit's approach, can help reduce uncertainties and aid in compliance. By October 2024, water systems must submit lead service line inventories, with the LCRI eventually requiring identification of every service line material. Water systems should consider verification strategies for unknown pipes, and the LCRI emphasizes the development of SOPs for non-lead material validation processes. While the LCRI components are not yet finalized, they offer valuable insights for water utilities preparing to meet LCRR requirements.