Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) for Drinking Water
Rule, Revisions, and Improvements
The purpose of the federal Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), Revisions (LCRR), and Improvements (LCRI) is to protect public health by reducing lead and copper levels in drinking water. Lead and copper can enter drinking water through disturbance or corrosion of lead and copper plumbing materials. Public water systems are required to monitor and take various actions to minimize lead and copper levels at consumers' taps.
Announcements
Lead and Copper Tap Sampling
- Water systems are to keep their current tap sampling plans until the LCRI comes into effect on November 1, 2027.
- A 90th Percentile Lead Action Level Exceedance (ALE) requires Tier 1 public notification to all consumers within 24 hours of discovery, consultation with DDW, and reporting to US EPA.
Initial Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI)
- Inventories were required from all community and non-transient non-community water systems by October 16, 2024.
- Late initial inventories should be emailed to DDW-LCR@waterboards.ca.gov or submitted on the LSLI Portal for review and approval.
- Updated inventories should be emailed to DDW-LCR@waterboards.ca.gov for review and approval.
Initial LSLI Public Notifications
- Systems that submitted late or have not yet submitted an inventory must provide Tier 2 and Tier 3 public notification to all customers for failure to meet the inventory requirement.
- Systems with lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or unknown service lines must notify persons served by those lines within 30 days of completing the inventory and annually thereafter.
Regulatory Background
Learn about the Lead and Copper Rule, Revisions, and Improvements and its history.
Learn More About the Rule
Resources for Water Systems
Access resources for lead service line inventories, public notification, and LCRR compliance.
View Guidance and Templates
Public Health Information
Learn about lead exposure, lead poisoning prevention, and other topics on consumer safety.
Learn About Health ImpactsContact Us
Please send all lead and copper related communications and inquiries to the DDW LCR Unit:
Technical Assistance
Help with service line inventory development and funding for service line replacement is available to community water systems and nonprofit non-community systems:
- LSL Inventory Technical Assistance Request Form
- LSL Replacement Funding Program Application packages (see appendix R)
For more information, please visit the Division of Financial Assistance Lead Service Line Replacement Funding Program page or contact DFA-LSLR@waterboards.ca.gov.
Translation Services
To request services in any language, click on “Request Language Services” to open the language access form.
The form is available in English, Español (Spanish), Tagalog, 中文 (Simplified Chinese), 한국인 (Korean), Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese), ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi).
