The long awaited Lead and Copper Rule Minor Revisions were published in the Federal Register on January 12, 2000, and take effect on April 11, 2000. The minor revisions to the LCR can be organized into seven broad categories:

The LCRMR do not change the action levels of 0.015 mg/L for lead and 1.3 mg/L for copper. The revisions also do not affect the Rule's basic requirements to optimize corrosion control and, if warranted, treat source water, deliver public education, and replace lead service lines. The rule continues to apply to all community and non-transient non-community public water supply systems.

One of the more significant revisions that will impact many public water supplies in Michigan deals with lead/copper tap monitoring. Under the original rules, tap sampling sites were defined as Tier 1, 2, or 3 sites. The regulations did not address sampling from sites other than Tier 1, 2, or 3 sites. Consequently, there were many water systems in Michigan that were exempt from tap monitoring due to the lack of any acceptable, defined sampling locations. Other systems were not able to find a sufficient number of Tier 1, 2, or 3 sites to meet the EPA prescribed minimum number of samples. Under the LCRMR, a system that does not have enough Tier 1, 2, or 3 sites must use representative sites to complete its sampling pool. EPA has defined a representative site as one that uses plumbing materials commonly found at other locations where the system provides water.

Therefore, as the result of the LCRMR, monitoring is now required at those systems which were exempt from original tap sampling. The first six-month set of tap samples is due by December 31, 2000. The second six-month set of tap samples is due by June 30, 2001. Depending on the results of tap sampling, additional monitoring and action by the water supplier may be warranted. Systems that have been monitoring, but at less than EPA's prescribed minimum number of sites, will be required to round out their sampling set to the prescribed minimum number of sites when their next set of samples are due.⁽¹⁾

The flow chart below provides an overview of monitoring requirements for medium and small water systems. Water supplies are urged to contact their district engineer for further details about this very complex drinking water regulation.

⁽¹⁾ This does not apply to those systems sampling under a negotiated modified consecutive system monitoring plan.

LCRMR Flow Chart