Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) Overview and Requirements

LCR – The Basics Lead Action Level (AL) O.015 mg/L or 15 parts per billion (ppb) Based on 90th percentile of samples taken Exceeding the AL is not a violation of the LCR Not performing required follow-up actions is a violation of the LCR Sample sites for community water systems Locations where lead is most likely to be present

LCR – The Basics Number of Sample Sites Based on Population System Size (# People Served) # of Sites (Standard Monitoring) (Reduced Monitoring) >100,000 100 50 10,001 to 100,000 60 30 3,301 to 10,000 40 20 501 to 3,300 10 101 to 500 5 <= 100

LCR – The Basics Sampling frequency based on monitoring results Initial Monitoring – 2 six months periods January – June and July – December Annual (July – September) If Lead Action Level (AL) not exceeded during Initial Monitoring Triannual (Every 3 Years) If Lead AL not exceeded during 3 consecutive years of annual monitoring If at any time the lead AL is exceeded, the system returns to Initial Monitoring

LCR Data Summary 2011 - 2015 28 public water systems exceeded the lead AL 4 have returned to compliance Remainder need to complete additional monitoring and follow up 4 Medium systems (3,301 – 50,000 pop.) 24 Small systems (< 3,300 pop.)

Requirements when Lead AL is Exceeded 1. Public Education Within 60 days Provide public education material to each customer Must contain mandatory EPA language Includes instructions on how to reduce lead exposure from drinking water DHEC has prepared a new public education fill-in-the-blank template

Requirements when Lead AL is Exceeded 2. Water Quality Parameters (WQPs) Within 30 days 2 tap samples from each WQP sample site 2 samples from each entry point to the distribution system Number of WQP sites based on population

Number of WQP Sites System Size # Of Sites For (# People Served) WQPs >100,000 25 10,001 to 100,000 10 3,301 to 10,000 3 501 to 3,300 2 101 to 500 1 <=100 1

Required Water Quality Parameters pH Alkalinity Orthophosphate (if added) Silica (if added) Calcium Conductivity Water Temperature

Requirements when Lead AL is Exceeded 3. Source Water Monitoring Within 6 months One sample at every entry point to the distribution system Bottles will be provided by the DHEC contract lab for sample collection

Requirements when Lead AL is Exceeded 4. Optimum Corrosion Control Treatment (OCCT) Within 6 months Complete OCCT Desktop Evaluation DHEC Form 2134 Recommend OCCT Based on Desktop Evaluation 5. Notification of results Must provide individual result to homeowners

LCR Update New EPA Guidance Do not remove aerators for sample collection Do not conduct pre-stagnation flushing Use wide-mouth sample bottles Water systems should post material inventory on their website (i.e. lead service line locations) Post LCR sample results on website

LCR Update Some Proposed Changes to LCR (NDWAC) Locate and replace all lead service lines Conduct additional WQP monitoring Expand educational outreach Water systems analyze customer samples upon request Separate copper requirements from those for lead

Proper Sample Collection Do: Use faucet that is routinely used Use cold water faucet only Ensure there has been no water usage for at least 6 hours Collect first flush sample Do not: Use a faucet downstream of a home treatment unit Flush systems prior to stagnation period Collect a sample from an outside faucet Remove the aerator prior to sample collection

Contact Information Doug Kinard SCDHEC - Bureau of Water 2600 Bull Street Columbia, SC 29201 Phone (803) 898-3543 email: Doug.Kinard@dhec.sc.gov