The Water Quality Association (WQA) is encouraging public comments to the proposed Lead and Copper Rule revisions by Feb. 12, 2020.
The WQA, in support of the Lead and Copper Rule revisions proposed by the U.S. EPA, is encouraging its members to review them and submit public comments by Feb. 12, 2020.
The revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule were designed to improve how communities treat and test for lead in drinking water, as well as how quickly actions are taken when lead is detected, reported the WQA news release.
The proposal pushes for replacing lead water service lines and requires communities to; inventory lead lines; provide corrosion control treatment; follow new improved sampling procedures; monitor schools and child-care centers; and increase communications with residents when their water tests at higher than the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) of lead, reported the news release.
The plan sets a new lead trigger level of 10 ppb, requiring water systems to take actions to mitigate lead levels once that point is reached. The revised rule also would allow community water systems serving less than 10,000 people and all non-transient non-community water systems to use point-of-use devices certified to remove lead in place of corrosion control treatment, according to the news release.
Systems will also provide a certified pitcher to remove lead for up to three months and then conduct a follow-up test.
“The WQA supports the continued efforts to provide communication and useful information to water system customers,” said the WQA in its letter of support of the revisions. “As proposed, providing an annual letter to customers with lead service lines or unknown materials will further promote line replacement. It will also notify customers of their service line and potential options along with replacement, such as certified point-of-use devices to remove lead.”
