Dear Water System Representative,

In August 2023, the federal Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) were adopted into the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations (Regulation 11), which will be published shortly. The LCRR modifies the current Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), impacting all community and non-transient, non-community water systems. As a result, new requirements under the LCRR will apply to your water system. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (department) is sending this communication to notify water systems of upcoming changes under the LCRR. Water systems must begin complying with the LCRR on October 16, 2024.

The LCRR has various new requirements for water systems, including the need to inventory the materials of service lines connected to the distribution system. The service line inventory is the backbone for many other requirements of the LCRR. Water systems must begin working on their service line inventory as soon as possible; completing the inventory will require significant resources. Accurate identification of service line materials is essential to reducing lead exposure in communities across Colorado. The initial service line inventory is due to the department by October 16, 2024.

Please refer to this guidance document to learn more about the service line inventory requirement and funding and resources for completing the inventory.

Other key changes under the LCRR include, but are not limited to:

• Compliance with a new lead “trigger level” set at 10 parts per billion (ppb).
• Tap sampling requirements that target lead service lines.
• Testing water for lead in schools and childcare facilities.
• Strengthened corrosion control treatment, lead service line replacement, and public education requirements.

Please note that these key requirements (e.g., lead trigger level and sampling changes) may be revised under another new rule, the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). The EPA plans to finalize the LCRI by October 2024. The department is awaiting more information about the LCRI in late 2023 or early 2024. Therefore, the department will provide communication and resources related to these requirements once more is known about the LCRI. The requirement to complete an initial service line inventory by October 16, 2024, will remain the same under the LCRI.

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cdphe.colorado.gov/water-quality