Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the LCRR on December 16, 2021.

The revised rule details additional public health protection measures and applies to community and nontransient noncommunity public water systems. These systems must come into compliance by October 16, 2024.

Under the revised rule systems must develop and submit a Lead Service Line Inventory for both the utility owned service lines and the customer service lines. Service lines must be categorized as lead, galvanized requiring replacement, lead status unknown, or non-lead.

We encourage you to start collecting this data now because it will be a time-intensive project for your water system. Funding may be available in the future on a first come, first serve basis. If you need help starting your inventory, please contact the TCEQ Financial, Managerial, and Technical Assistance Program.

Below are some other highlights of the revisions:

• Lead trigger level added.
• Change in tiering system with an increased emphasis on lead service lines for sample site selection.
• Change in sample collection procedures.
• Find-and-Fix approach if an individual sample exceeds the lead action level.
• Increase in public education requirements.
• Lead testing at schools and childcare facilities for community public water systems.

EPA announced an additional update to strengthen key elements of the Lead and Copper Rule called Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). According to EPA, this new rulemaking is expected before October 16, 2024.

For more information, see the resources below:

• TCEQ Revised Lead and Copper Rule Webpage
• EPA Revised Lead and Copper Rule Webpage
• Next Steps for the Lead and Copper Rule
• EPA’s Reference Guide for Public Water Systems
• Federal Register

If you have questions, please email LCRR@tceq.texas.gov or call 512-239-4691.

For future LCRR updates, webinars, guidance documents, and notices please sign up for GovDelivery notifications.

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EPA’s Technical Assistance Webinar Series: Providing Process Control Technical Assistance to Small Mechanical Wastewater Treatment Plants

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a series of webinars on technical assistance for small wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) operators in October 2022. Recordings of each session are now available.

Providing Process Control Technical Assistance to Small Mechanical WWTPs

• Part 1: Introduction - Provides an introduction and overview of the training material.
• Part 2: Wastewater Treatment Plant Walkthrough - Provides background and an overview of WWTP process units such as the equalization basin, aeration tank, clarifier, and more.
• Part 3: Tools and Equipment - Focuses on the tools and equipment used to diagnose and troubleshoot WWTP operation issues.
• Part 4: Troubleshooting - Focuses on sampling, measurement, and analysis techniques that can be used to troubleshoot WWTP issues.

Previous Webinars

Visit EPA’s Technical Assistance Webinar Series: Improving CWA-NPDES Permit Compliance webpage for information on additional webinar recordings.

Additional Free Wastewater Operator Training

Water Sector Workforce Webinars EPA hosted a series of webinars highlighting ways in which many organizations across the water sector are implementing programs to help utilities as they address their own workforce challenges.

WaterOperator.org This program aggregates the best web resources for small system operators in a free, user-friendly location. This is supported by the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with funding from the EPA.