EPA has been aggressive in reducing the risk of exposure to lead in drinking water and has been hosting virtual meetings starting April 2021. The Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) revisions mainly discuss issues of Lead in drinking water faced by the people from cities to towns.
As part of the first action plan, ten communities were selected for the virtual roundtable discussion. The roundtables in June 2021 were spread across cities like Pittsburgh, Newark, Washington, Milwaukee, Chicago, Malden, Memphis, Newburg, Benton Harbor-Highland Park(together), and Flint -Detroit (together). The roundtables will have local public water utilities, environmental organizations, and public officials.
While seeking public inputs from communities to measure the risk of exposure to lead and copper, EPA has extended the effective date of the Revised Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) from March 16, 2021, until June 17, 2021. The major objective of this extension is to review the rule in detail and consistent with the public health purposes of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The second action plan is proposed to be extended to a later date until December 2021 and also proposed a new deadline for revised LCR compliance to September 2024. The proposed extension will give additional time to ensure that drinking water systems will have the whole three years to take action to assure regulatory compliance as per the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Major changes as per the new LCR are:
Organizations in the business of water transfer and plumbing materials such as pipes and taps are affected by this revised regulation. Lead or copper release to water and water bodies due to corrosion is the biggest concern to these industries.
Do you want to know how does the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) affect your business in the US? Talk to our global compliance specialist today!
