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Lead and Copper Rule Revisions and Lead and Copper Rule Improvements

The Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) compliance date was October 16, 2024. All community and non-transient non-community public water systems are currently required to comply with the LCRR. PWSs will be required to comply with the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) starting November 1, 2027. On this page, find current and upcoming compliance activities and requirements for public water systems.

On this page: 

Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI)

The Initial Lead Service Line Inventory was due October 16, 2024. All LSLI Submissions and updates are required to be submitted through the SWIFT Submittals online portal. Register for your SWIFT Submittals account, update your LSLI, and prepare for the Baseline Inventory due November 1, 2027. 

Step 1: Register or log in to your SWIFT Submittals account

Step 2: Complete and update your Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI)

Any LSLIs submitted using Excel Form 20943 must be reviewed for errors in the SWIFT Submittals portal. Fixing upload errors now will make your Baseline Inventory submission easier. 

UPDATE Batch Upload Instructions

UPDATE Quick Tips

UPDATE SWIFT Submittals FAQ

If your LSLI has not been completed:

    • Complete Step 1
    • Navigate to the Update Service Line(s) section in the left-hand menu of the SWIFT Submittals portal
    • Add service lines 
      • To add individual service lines, click the Add New Service Line button 
      • To add multiple service lines at once, click the Batch Uploads button 
    • Refer to the Batch Upload Instructions above 

If you submitted your LSLI using Form 20943:

    • Complete Step 1
    • Navigate to the Update Service Line(s) section from the left-hand menu of the SWIFT Submittals portal 
    • Click the Batch Uploads button
    • There may be a file uploaded by "TCEQ LCMT User" 
    • Refer to the Batch Upload Instructions above to review upload errors, import, and Submit to State

If you submitted your LSLI in the SWIFT Submittals online portal:

    • Keep your LSLI updated

Step 3: Prepare for your LCRI Baseline Inventory 

The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) requires a Baseline Inventory submission by November 1, 2027. The Baseline Inventory template is not available yet but is expected to be available in the SWIFT Submittals portal around November 2026.

Need help? 

LSLI Customer Notifications 

Notify customers with lead service lines (LSLs), galvanized lines requiring replacement (GRR), or service lines of unknown material within 30 days of submitting the LSL Inventory. Visit the Consumer Notifications webpage for more information. 

NEWTier 1 Lead Action Level Exceedance Public Notification  

If your PWS has a lead action level exceedance, notify your consumers within 24 hours. Visit the Consumer Notifications webpage for more information.   

LCRI Replacement plans 

Please check back here for upcoming guidance on reporting replacement plans. 

Additional Resources 

  • EPA’s Guidance for Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory is available on the EPA LCRR webpage    

  • The Association of Safe Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) has a free webinar series   on LCRR and service line inventories, with monthly presentations as well as past recordings 

Service Line Disturbance Guidance

According to EPA's Guidance for Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory , EPA recommends "alerting the customer that such disturbance can potentially cause temporarily elevated lead levels in drinking water and providing them with information about how to reduce lead levels, such as flushing".

To assist PWSs that wish to voluntarily notify their customers of a service line disturbance, TCEQ is providing example language for a service line disturbance event. Notice of service line disturbance is not required by the LCRR and does not need certification of delivery to the TCEQ. 

Water line disturbances can occur during normal operations, emergency repairs, and/or planned service line investigations. The information below may be used when communicating with customers where a disturbance of a lead service line, galvanized requiring replacement service line, or service line of unknown materials occurs. This information can be modified to fit the purpose of the PWS.

Lead is a common metal found in the environment. Drinking water is one possible source of lead exposure. We are focused on protecting the health of every household in our community; however, lead from service lines and lead plumbing and fixtures can dissolve or break off into water and end up at the faucet during infrastructure work.


Health Effects of Lead

There is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney or nervous system problems.


Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Exposure to Lead in Your Water

Below are recommended actions that you as a customer may take, separately or in combination, if you are concerned about lead in your drinking water. This list also includes where you may find more information and is not intended to be a complete list or to imply that all actions equally reduce lead from drinking water.

      • Obtain an NSF 42 and 53 certified home water filter. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead and particulate reduction. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, visit EPA’s website at: How to ID Filters Certified to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water
      • Clean your sink aerators. Regularly remove and clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
      • Use cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula. Lead is dissolved more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead.
      • Run your water before use. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes.
      • Identify and replace plumbing fixtures that may contain lead or copper pipes with lead solder.
      • Have your water tested. Contact us to have your water tested and to learn more about the lead levels in your drinking water.
      • Get Your Child Tested to Determine Lead Levels in His or Her Blood. A family doctor or pediatrician can perform a blood test for lead and provide information about the health effects of lead. State, city, or county departments of health can also provide information about how you can have your child's blood tested for lead. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that public health actions be initiated when the level of lead in a child’s blood is 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or more.


Resources


Funding Opportunities

There are many funding options Public Water Systems (PWS’s) can apply for to fund LCRR related inventory development and line replacement, regardless of size or population. These include but are not limited to funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Texas Water Infrastructure Coordination Committee (TWICC), and the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). EPA has more funding information found here: Funding for Lead Service Line Replacement | US EPA . You may also contact the TWDB at (512) 463-0991, or email at Financial_Assistance@twdb.texas.gov.

Do you need assistance applying for funding? Complete the technical assistance request form and an EPA representative will contact you: Water Technical Assistance Request Form | US EPA

TWDB has now released the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) funding solicitation: DWSRF - Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Program | Texas Water Development Board

Schools and Child Care Programs

Community water systems that supply drinking water to schools or child care facilities will be required to comply with new LCRI requirements by November 1, 2027, including submitting a list of all such facilities in your service area.

Your public water system may be waived from some of these requirements if the schools and child care facilities in your service area participate in TCEQ's FREE voluntary lead testing program. The program helps eligible participants conduct voluntary sampling and analysis of drinking water. The program's sampling requirements are consistent with those of the LCRI.

NEW Your water system may begin creating a list of schools and child care facilities that you serve within your service area. The list must be submitted to TCEQ by November 1, 2027. You may use the following resources to help build that list:

School administrators or child care providers are not currently required to take action under LCRI. See TCEQ’s Lead Testing in School and Child Care Program for more information and to enroll today.

Contact Information

LCRR@tceq.texas.gov

(512) 239-1061