Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

In December 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requested comment on the proposed the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), which informed the revisions to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for lead and copper. After consideration of public comment on the LCRI, and consistent with the provisions set forth under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the EPA is finalizing revisions to the NPDWR for lead and copper. In this rule, the agency is finalizing requirements for drinking water systems to replace lead and certain galvanized service lines. The final rule also removes the lead trigger level, reduces the lead action level to 0.010 mg/L, and strengthens tap sampling procedures to improve public health protection and simplify implementation relative to the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR). Further, this final rule strengthens corrosion control treatment, public education and consumer awareness, requirements for small systems, and sampling in schools and child care facilities. The final rule will significantly reduce the adverse human health impacts of exposure to toxic lead in drinking water.

DATES:

Effective date: This final rule is effective on December 30, 2024.

Judicial review: For judicial review purposes, this final rule is promulgated as of October 30, 2024.

Compliance dates: The compliance date for the revisions to 40 CFR part 141, subpart I, is set forth in § 141.80(a). The compliance date for the revisions to 40 CFR 141.2 and 141.31 is November 1, 2027. The compliance date for the changes made to 40 CFR part 141, subpart O, is set forth in § 141.152(a). The compliance date for the changes to 40 CFR part 141, subpart Q (§ 141.202 and appendices A and B) is November 1, 2027.

ADDRESSES:

The EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0801. All documents in the docket are listed on the https://www.regulations.gov website. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., Confidential Business Information or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available electronically through https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael Goldberg, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Standards and Risk Management Division (Mail Code 4607M), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-564-1379; email address: .

Federal Register here.