The Lead And Copper Rule: ArcGIS Helps To Meet Updated Requirements

By Christa Campbell

The Lead and Copper Rule is a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Its purpose is to reduce lead and copper at the tap in drinking water provided by regulated public water systems. On December 22, 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the first major update to the Lead and Copper Rule since it was initially enacted in 1991.

Updates to the rule include the following:

• Using science-based testing protocols to find more sources of lead in drinking water
• Establishing a trigger level to jump-start mitigation earlier and in more communities
• Driving more and complete lead service line replacements
• For the first time, requiring testing in schools and childcare facilities
• Requiring water systems to identify and make public the locations of lead service lines