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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.

Lead and Copper Tap Sampling Preparation

several white and blue sampling bottles

Tap Sampling Checklist

To avoid missing steps or deadlines, use this checklist to prepare for and conduct lead and copper tap sampling and report results to EGLE.

Lead and Copper Tap Sampling Checklist for Community Water Supplies

depiction of homes with service lines and water main

Sample Site Selection

Site selection criteria were updated in 2018 to place more emphasis on sites with lead service lines. Review the updated Sample Site Collection Criteria to confirm the sites in your sampling pool still meet proper tiering criteria.

street signs of Front St and Ridge St intersecting

Lead and Copper Sampling Plan (Sampling Pool)

Water supplies must submit to EGLE a Sampling Plan that contains a pool of properly tiered lead and copper tap sampling sites.

Sampling plans should now be submitted through MiEHDWIS. You will enter site information directly into the system. Create a Lead and Copper Sample Site Plan activity and you will be tasked with filling out the MiEHDWIS form. For more information on MiEHDWIS, visit Michigan.gov/EGLE-MiEHDWIS.

General Information

Sampling Plan Instructions and Guidance

Sampling Plan Form

Lead and Copper Tap Sampling

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

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.

What to do after an emergency repair on a service line with lead or GPCL materials

Lead and Copper Tap Sample Reporting

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

Preliminary DSMI

The primary focus of the Preliminary DSMI was for water supplies to review their existing records and report what is known and unknown regarding service line materials.

General Information

Forms

construction worker for service line replacement

Minimum Service Line Verification

As an interim step between the Preliminary DSMI and the Complete DSMI, a representative, uniformly random number of service lines must be physically verified to effectively evaluate the accuracy of service line records and/or predict service line materials.

General Information

General Information for Manufactured Communities

Evaluating Minimum Service Line Materials Verification Data and Developing the CDSMI

depiction of plastic, lead, copper lines on the street

Complete DSMI

By October 16, 2024,  water supplies must develop and maintain a Complete DSMI. The Complete DSMI is to characterize, record, and maintain a comprehensive inventory of distribution system materials, including service line materials on both public and private property.

General Information

Forms

Service Line Replacement

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 within 30 days if the home is determined to be served by a lead service line (LSL), presumed to be served by an LSL, or served by a service line where material cannot be determined. 

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.

Related Links

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".