In 1991, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published a regulation to control lead and copper in drinking water. This regulation is known as the Lead and Copper Rule or LCR.
This initial rule requires public water systems to monitor lead and copper concentrations at customer taps. If sample results are in excess of 15 parts per billion of lead or 1.3 parts per million of copper in more than 10% of the customer taps, the utility must take additional steps to evaluate and control corrosion.
SAWS has been collecting LCR samples throughout its system since 1991. Over 99% of samples have measured concentrations below regulatory limits.
Minor updates have been made to the LCR over the years, but the first major update was published in December 2021 called the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions or LCRR.
As part of the required rule, a public water system must have the initial service line inventory submitted to TCEQ by October 16, 2024.
Another update called the Lead and Copper Rule Improvement (LCRI) is pending publication with EPA and is anticipated to further expand the breadth of the program.