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Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI)

Water being poured into a clear glass.

Rule background

In October 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for Lead and Copper: Improvements (LCRI). The LCRI builds on the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) and the pre-2021 Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), initially published in 1991. Beginning November 1, 2027, water systems must comply with the LCRI.

The final rule will help reduce the adverse human health impacts from exposure to lead in drinking water. The lower the level of exposure to lead, the lower the risk of health effects. 

Exposure to lead can cause serious human health impacts in children and adults. For more information on lead in drinking water, please visit our lead in drinking water webpage.

The LCRI requires water systems to replace lead and galvanized requiring replacement (GRR) service lines, reduces the lead action level to 0.010 mg/L, and strengthens tap sampling procedures, corrosion control treatment, consumer awareness, and sampling in schools and child care facilities.

Stakeholder engagement

The Water Quality Control Division will host virtual meetings to discuss the adoption of EPA’s LCRI under the Water Quality Control Commission’s Regulation No. 11. The division will share our proposal and request feedback on what areas of the rule need more guidance or compliance tools. Currently, the division is not seeking feedback on changes to the federal regulatory requirements.

How to get involved

 

Beginning in Sept. 2025, the division will meet with participants through virtual meetings. We are offering two meeting types:

  • Stakeholder meetings. These meetings will focus on informing participants and gathering feedback about the draft regulation.
  • Workgroup meetings. These meetings will concentrate on specific topics within the draft regulation. We will address questions and concerns through smaller group discussions.

At the end of these meetings, the Water Quality Control Commission will consider the division’s proposal for Regulation No. 11 through a rulemaking hearing scheduled for Aug. 2026.

 

 

After the meetings conclude, a copy of the meeting recording, presentation, and other meeting materials will be stored in this public folder.

Stakeholder meeting schedule

Workgroup meeting schedule

 


 

 

For questions about the LCRR, please contact:

For questions or comments related to the engagement process or this webpage, please contact:
WQCD communications | cdphe.commentswqcd@state.co.us.