Lead and Copper Rule at the Federal and State Levels

Introduction

Regulations are created to protect the health and welfare of the public. The United States EPA develops the regulations at a federal level and each state’s EPA has the ability to make regulations pertaining to their state. The criteria for a state’s individual regulation are that it must be at least as strict as the federal regulation. The purpose of this paper is to examine the general requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule (with attention on the lead aspect) mandated to protect drinking water on the federal and state level.

Federal Regulation

The Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) was created June 7, 1991 and is found in 40 CFR 141 (USEPA, 2011). This section discuses the monitoring measures to test for the presence of lead, public notification requirements, and the action level (AL) established by the LCR. The section concludes with requirements that must be met if the AL is exceeded: water quality parameter monitoring, public education, corrosion control treatment, source water monitoring and /or treatment, and the replacement of lead service lines.

Monitoring

Monitoring is required for all community water systems (CWS) and non-transient non-community water systems (NTNCWSs). The USEPA (2011) establishes monitoring sites at homes and businesses that are at high risk of lead contamination as determined in 40 CFR 141.86(a). Water systems are required to monitor the sites every six months.

Public Notification

Two public notification clauses exist in the LCR. First is the Lead Consumer Notice, according to 40 CFR 141.86(g), lead testing results must be sent to consumers of the water supply within 30 days regardless of whether the AL was exceeded. Second is the Consumer Confidence Report, 40 CFR 141.154 sta...

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... discussed within the scope of this paper but can be found in parts 3745-81-80 to 3745-81-90 of the Administrative Code (OEPA, n.d).

Conclusion

Regulations are created to protect the health and welfare of the public. The LCR was created to protect people from lead exposure from drinking water. While the USEPA creates the original regulation, states are tasked with establishing individual plans of action to help municipalities protect public health and welfare and be in compliance with mandated regulations.

Works Cited

OEPA, (n.d.). Division of Drinking and Ground Waters Rules and Laws. Ohio Environmental Protection Agency website. Retrieved from http://www.epa.ohio.gov/ddagw/rules.aspx

USEPA, (2011). Water: Lead & Copper Rule. United States Environmental Protection Agency website. Retrieved from http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/lcr/index.cfm