Lead and Copper Rule Revisions Necessitate Strong Water and Wastewater Partnerships

In January, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule, which was originally set in 1991. The Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) will develop more proactive assessments and solutions from the EPA and public water agencies toward lead in drinking water.

In a contributed article for Water Environment & Technology, Emily Tummons, Black & Veatch process engineer and corrosion control specialist; Leon Downing, Black & Veatch principal process engineer and innovation leader; Jaime Fleming, laboratory manager and regulatory specialist; and Brian Shoener, process engineer, declare the LCRR is relates to “One Water.” That’s the premise that integrated and holistic water resource management — the value of all water regardless of history — must be considered when drafting plans and making investment decisions.

The experts also discuss how water and wastewater partnerships will ensure smooth implementation of policy changes.

”Adopting a ‘One Water’ mentality will help communities achieve regulatory compliance without shifting unaddressed problems to other operations,” write Tummons, Downing, Fleming and Shoener. “Understanding the interrelated issues and keeping lines of communication open between drinking water treatment facility and water resource recovery facility (WRRF) operators will be essential to stay ahead of treatment effects.”

The LCRR decision represents efforts to identify and remove lead materials and sources of lead from entering distribution systems, better control corrosion to reduce lead in drinking water, use testing and education to protect children at schools and in childcare facilities, and inform communities.

According to the article, significant takeaways to consider regarding the new rule include required testing in elementary schools and daycare facilities, material mapping for service lines and increased corrosion control treatment.

“Even with the proposed extended compliance date for the LCRR, utilities that start looking more closely for lead issues now will be in positions to implement any improvements necessary to achieve regulatory compliance and better protect their communities,” the Black & Veatch experts write. “Starting now can increase both the relatively short response time and the quality of response.”