What is The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI)?
Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) are new actions from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen federal lead protection. In particular, LCRI:
Speeds up the timeline for water utilities to replace lead pipes in their systems.
Lowers the amount of lead that can be present in water.
Strengthens the actions communities must take to protect people if their water has too much lead. This includes better communication with residents and giving out filters that are certified to reduce lead.
Finalized in October 2024, these changes are an important step to protect kids from lead. By making these changes, communities will be better able to find and fix lead pipes, protecting millions of Americans, especially children, from harmful health effects.
The Protect Kids from Lead Coalition, along with dozens of members of Congress, endorsed a letter in support of the LCRI in September 2024 and looks forward to the EPA’s next steps in implementing the new rule. Careful development of LCRI guidance materials will be crucial to ensuring the rule is as protective as possible for children.