On October 8th, the Biden-Harris Administration issued a final rule requiring drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) also require more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold requiring communities to take action to protect people from lead exposure in water. In addition, the final rule improves communication within communities so that families are better informed about the risk of lead in drinking water, the location of lead pipes, and plans for replacing them. This final rule is part of the President’s commitment to replace every lead pipe in the country within a decade, making sure that all communities can turn on the tap and drink clean water. 

The City of Sand Springs has initiated a program to identify all unknown water service lines by City personnel through visual inspections. That program should be completed within three years. Water customers will receive notices in November 2024 indicating whether their property has a water service line that is made of galvanized material that may have absorbed lead or an unknown material.

 Background

The United States EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) issued updates in October to the Final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements program. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) strengthens nationwide requirements to protect the public from lead in drinking water. These advancements are commonsense, achievable, and built on actions taken by states and cities.

• The LCRI requires water systems to replace lead service lines within 10 years. 
• The final rule establishes additional requirements to better protect communities from lead in drinking water including requirements to locate legacy lead pipes, improve tap sampling, lower the lead action level, strengthen public health protection through filter requirements, and improve communication.

Where lead service lines are present, they represent the greatest source of exposure to lead in drinking water. 

• Water systems will be required to replace lead service lines under their control within 10 years. 
• In limited circumstances, additional time for systems with a high proportion of lead service lines will be provided to complete service line replacement. 
• Systems must create a service line replacement plan and make it publicly available. 
• Lead service line replacement removes the greatest lead in drinking water risk to many communities.

There is no safe level of lead exposure. In drinking water, the primary source of lead is from pipes, which can present a risk to the health of children and adults. EPA is committed to using every tool available to protect all Americans from lead in drinking water. As part of a whole of government plan to deliver clean drinking water, and  replace lead pipes, EPA proposed then finalized the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) to strengthen the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). First promulgated in 1991, the LCR regulates lead and copper in public drinking water systems.

The City will continue to identify service line materials through the visual inspection program and notify customers as required. 

 For more information, visit the City of Sand Springs Web site at www.sandspringsok.org/watertreatment or call 918-246-2588. Visit EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/lead or contact your health care provider for more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead.