Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)
On December 16, 2021, EPA finalized the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), which further strengthen the protections against lead in drinking water. The LCRR has a number of new requirements for water systems. In December 2023, the EPA proposed the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) which modify the 2021 LCRR. While the LCRI does not change the October 16, 2024 deadline for initial service line inventory submittals, it may delay other requirements of the LCRR. We will continue to provide updates once the LCRI is finalized.
We have created forms and guidance below to assist water systems with complying with the upcoming LCRR requirements.
Please be aware that water systems must continue to comply with the current LCR requirements until the LCRR goes into effect on October 16, 2024.
Technical assistance and hands-on support for service line inventory (SLI) and lead service line replacement planning (LSLRP) activities is available to systems serving populations up to 15,000 from the department’s dedicated SLI/LSLRP technical support contractors, WSP in partnership with Sunrise Engineering. Please see our answers to frequently asked questions. To request assistance, please complete a Service Agreement or email Colorado@LeadRemoval.info with questions.
Grants to support eligible water systems serving greater than or equal to (≥) 7,500 people with their service line inventory and lead service line replacement planning are available (Note: physical replacement of service lines is not an eligible expense). Systems must demonstrate an ability to proceed within 30 days of contract execution. Please see the Water Quality Grants webpage.
Additional Information:
- Getting Ready for the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.
- WQCD stakeholder engagement related to LCRR Rulemaking.
- EPA Lead and Copper Rule Revisions Page.
- Lead service line inventories and replacement.
- Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement Plan Requirements/FAQ.
- Initial Service Line Inventory Policy.
- Single Service Line Inventory Guidance.
- Customer Outreach Guide for service line identification.
- EPA Guidance for Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory.
- Forms:
- Non-Lead Service Line Inventory form required to be completed by community and NTNC water systems with all verified non-lead service lines.
- Service Line Inventory form required to be completed by community and NTNC systems with one or more lead, "galvanized requiring replacement", or unknown service lines.
- Lead Service Line Replacement Plan form required to be completed by systems with lead, "galvanized requiring replacement", and/or lead status unknown service lines.
- Lead testing in schools and child care facilities:
- Note: lead sampling in schools and child care facilities will likely be delayed until October 2027. This includes compiling and submitting a list of schools and child care facilities supplied by the system.
- Systems should compile a list of schools and child care facilities they supply closer to when the information will be applied to ensure they have the most up-to-date information.
- More information will be available in 2025.
- Lead testing in schools and child care facilities: mandatory state program vs. LCRR requirements.
- Test and Fix Water For Kids webpage - mandatory lead sampling for schools and child care programs (HB22-1358).
- EPA 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities.
- Note: lead sampling in schools and child care facilities will likely be delayed until October 2027. This includes compiling and submitting a list of schools and child care facilities supplied by the system.
Lead and Copper Rule (LCR)
- Sample site locations and materials survey
- Sample collection and results
- Action level exceedance
- Consumer notice of lead tap water results
- Request reduction from 6-month to annual monitoring.
Tools
Guidance
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ).
- Materials evaluation and sample pool guidance.
- Adding or updating sample sites on portal.
- Lead and copper sample collection instructions.
- Lead and copper source water and OCCT guidance and FAQ.
- Lead and Copper Corrosion Bench-Scale Testing Guidance Manual.
- Calculating chemical feed rate.
- Calculating chemical dose - calibration column.
- EPA lead and copper rule guidance, templates and announcements.
- EPA guidance manual for selecting lead and copper control strategies.
Program communication
- Aqua Talk newsletter.
- Reporting sample results email November, 2016.
- Additional samples email November, 2016.
- Consumer notice email November, 2016.
- Monitoring requirements email October, 2016.
- Clarification of invalidation email.
- Outreach to systems about sample sites and materials July, 2016.
- Message to laboratories and systems about lead and copper sampling guidance.
- EPA lead and copper letter to Colorado.
- Colorado lead and copper response to EPA.