Lead and Copper Rule Improvements
What Happened
On October 30, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) is EPA’s latest update to national drinking water regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act. It strengthens requirements for public water systems to reduce lead exposure, primarily by accelerating replacement of lead service lines and improving monitoring and response requirements. EPA’s new rules protect children and communities from the risks of lead exposure by better protecting children at schools and childcare facilities, getting the lead out of our nation’s drinking water, and empowering communities through information.
On May 18, 2026, the Department of Health (department) filed a CR-102 (PDF) with proposed changes to chapter 246-290 WAC to incorporate the federal requirements by text and reference for lead and copper rule revisions.
On July 14, 2026, the department adopted the proposed changes (PDF) to chapter 246-290 WAC. The adopted changes incorporate the federal requirements by text and reference for lead and copper rule revisions and make minor editorial changes and updates to ensure consistency of terms and internal references between federal and state rules.
Adopted Rule Documents
Rulemaking Files
| Document | What's This | Date Filed |
|---|---|---|
| CR-102 - Proposed Rulemaking (PDF) | Announces proposed permanent rulemaking | May 18, 2026 |
| CR-103P - Rulemaking Order with a Permanent Rule Language (PDF) | Announces adopted permanent rulemaking | July 14, 2026 |
Upcoming Requirements
While our policy team is working through the adoption process for the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), we provide the following requirements and tentative deadlines.
July 1, 2026
LSLI Consumer Notice Certification Form 331-776 (Word) for systems with lead, GRR, or unknown service lines (due annually).
December 1, 2026
Consumer notifications for customers served by lead, GRR, or unknown service lines.
- Due annually until the inventory no longer has lead, unknown, and GRR service lines.
- You can find guidance documents and templates under the Notification Requirements section below.
November 1, 2027
EPA's Service Line Inventory and Replacement Requirements (PDF)
- Builds on the initial inventory due October 16, 2024, but must also include information on connectors (lead, non-lead, unknown and no connector present), as well as any updates and new information on the initial inventory.
EPA's Service Line Replacement Plan Due (PDF)
- Required for any water system with at least one lead, GRR, or unknown service lines.
- EPA's Calculating Service Line Replacements (PDF)
EPA's Lead in Schools and Child Care Facilities (PDF)
EPA's Public Education Requirements Begin (PDF)
Lowered Lead Action Levels
- Changes from 0.015 mg/L to 0.010 mg/L.
January 1, 2028
EPA's Tap Monitoring Requirements Site Plan Due (PDF)
- You must submit your updated Tap Sampling Procedures to us.
- EPA's Changes in Tap Monitoring Requirements (PDF)
- Revised tiering criteria for sampling locations.
- Additional fifth liter sample required for systems with lead service lines.
- Some systems return to collecting a standard number of samples semi-annually.
- Systems with lead or GRR.
- Systems that exceeded the revised lead action level of 0.010 mg/L or the copper action level of 1.3 mg/L in their most recent tap sampling period.
For more information on upcoming rule requirements and guidance materials see our Lead and Copper Rule Improvements page.