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Lead and Copper Rule

Lead and Copper Rule

Lead and Copper Rule

The purpose of the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) is to protect public health by minimizing lead and copper levels in drinking water. Lead and copper enter drinking water mainly from corrosion of lead and copper containing plumbing materials. The rule establishes action levels (AL) for lead and copper based on a 90th percentile level of tap water samples. An action level exceedance is not a violation but triggers other requirements to minimize exposure to lead and copper in drinking water, including water quality parameter monitoring, corrosion control treatment, source water monitoring/treatment, public education, and lead service line replacement. All community water supplies and nontransient noncommunity water supplies are subject to the LCR requirements.

Learn About Lead in Drinking Water

Public Information About Community Water Supplies

several white and blue sampling bottles
depiction of homes with service lines and water main
street signs of Front St and Ridge St intersecting
person filling up sampling bottle with faucet

Compliance Sampling Instructions

Samples MUST be collected according to very specific instructions. Water supplies may use the following instructions to inform operators and/or homeowners on proper sample collection.

Sites WITHOUT Lead Service Lines

Sites WITH Lead Service Lines

sampling bottles numbered 1-5

Emergency Service Line Repair Sampling Instructions

Water supplies may use the following instructions to collect samples after an emergency repair on a service line that contains lead or galvanized iron pipe that was previously connected to lead.

EGLE staff member reviewing forms

Lead and Copper Report and Consumer Notice Certificate

All lead and copper samples must be reported to EGLE. Water supplies must use one of the following forms to report the results and all associated tiering criteria and sample location information.

Lead and Copper Report Form

Consumer Notice Template

several water quality parameter sample bottles

Water Quality Parameter (WQP) Tap Reporting

Most WQP samples results are reported on a water supply’s Monthly Operational Report (MOR).  Water supplies may also use the following WQP report template to submit sampling results to EGLE. Choose the appropriate template based on whether or not your system has corrosion control treatment.

Distribution System Materials Inventory (DSMI)

Michigan water supplies must maintain an inventory of service line materials in their distribution systems. By January 1, 2020, public water supplies were required to submit a Preliminary DSMI. Water supplies must develop and maintain a Complete DSMI (CDSMI) and submit it to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) by October 16, 2024.

Interim DSMI Steps. Preliminary DSMI Completely January 1, 2020. Minimum Service Line Verification. Guidance for the Complete DSMI. Complete DSMI Due January 1, 2025.

depiction of plastic, lead, copper lines on the street
construction worker for service line replacement
depiction of plastic, lead, copper lines on the street
orange construction sign that says "UTILITY WORK AHEAD"

Building Owner/Operator Service Line Material Notification

Water supplies must notify the owners and occupants of premises served by a lead service line (LSL), a galvanized previously connected to lead (GPCL) service line, or a service line of unknown lead status.

General Information

 

Service Line Material Notification Templates

two construction workers working on service line replacement

Service Line Replacement Information

Water supplies with lead or galvanized previously connected to lead (GPCL) service lines shall annually provide the department a summary of service line repairs or replacements. This form must be submitted by March 31st every year.

construction for emergency service line repair

Emergency Service Line Repair Requirements

Partial LSL replacements are banned, except as a result of an emergency repair, to prevent the risk of increased lead exposure after partial LSL replacements. If an emergency repair is necessary, certain notification and sampling requirements are necessary. The following document has been developed to help water supplies follow those requirements.

Mi Lead Safe

Visit Mi Lead Safe for information on exposure to lead in drinking water, the latest drinking water test results, and more.

Lead and Copper in Drinking Water

Visit EGLE's Lead and Copper in Drinking Water for other reference materials for water supplies and the public.

EPA Lead and Copper Rule

Visit the EPA for more information on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule, including the final rules and the Quick Reference Guide.

University of Michigan

View the University of Michigan's "What Changed with Michigan's 2018 Lead and Copper Rule".