Drinking Water Lead and Copper Program
Texas Drinking Water Watch
Use this searchable database of analytical results, schedules and violations to learn more about the quality of your drinking water and your public water system's compliance with state and federal regulations.
2015 Systems and Instructions
Public water systems scheduled to sample in 2014, required number of tap sample sites and instructions for labeling and submitting tap water samples to the laboratory:
- 2015 6M1 List
- Sample during January 1 through June 30, 2015 6M1 2015 PWS Instructions - 2015 6M2 List - Sample during July 1 through Decemeber 31, 2015 6M2 2015 PWS Instructions
- 2015 REDUCED List - Sample during June 1 through September 30, 2015 REDUCED 2015 PWS Instructions
- PWS homeowner instructions - English
- PWS homeowner instructions - Spanish
Tap Water Lead and Copper Forms
PWSs are requires to use these forms to help them with Lead and Copper Rule Sampling. All sampling site addresses should be reviewed prior to sampling and updated if needed.
- Form 20467
: Sample Site Selection and Materials for sampling pool - Form 20697 : Changing addresses from previously approved sampling pool
- Form 20683 : The Sample Submission, accompanies sample bottles to the laboratory for analyzing.
- Form 20680a : Lead Consumer Notice, CWS PWS to report and certify customer lead results after the PWS receives the analytical results back from the laboratory.
- Form 20680b : Lead Consumer Notice, NTNC PWS to report and certify customer lead results after the PWS receives the analytical results back from the laboratory.
Forms for PWSs Exceeding Action Levels for Lead and Copper
Action levels for lead/copper are based on a 90th percentile calculation. The action level for lead is 0.015 mg/L and 1.3 mg/L for copper. If a PWS exceeds either of the action levels, the PWS is required to sample for water quality parameters, source water sampling, and tap water lead/copper sampling as part of a corrosion control study. Lead action level exceedances also requires Lead Public Education (LPE) to be delivered and posted.
- Form 20495 : Corrosion Control Study
- Form 20681a : Lead Public Education document for CWS PWSs
- Form 20681b : Lead Public Education document for NTNC PWS - Businesses
- Form 20681c : Lead Public Education document for NTNC PWS - Schools
Laboratory Information for Lead and Copper Sampling
The information provided is to assist PWSs in finding a laboratory to perform the lead and copper analysis under the TCEQ National Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP). It is also for NELAP accredited laboratories assisting PWSs with lead and copper analysis.
- Laboratories must deliver and accept only one liter unpreserved laboratory-grade bottles. (30 TAC §290.117(h)(1))
- PWSs sample from interior taps using cold water, first-draw samples. First-draw samples are defined as water that has been standing in the plumbing for at least six hours. It is recommended that water not be allowed to stand in plumbing for more than 18 hours prior to collecting the sample. (30 TAC §290.117(h)(1))
- First-draw tap samples should be received at the laboratory within 14 days after collection date. (30 TAC §290.117(h)(2)(E))
- Laboratories cannot accept bottles for analysis without TCEQ Form 20683 - Tap Sample Submission Form signed by the PWS representative. This form has the necessary information on it to determine first-draw samples and sampling sites or addresses.
- TCEQ NELAP Accreditation Program : Laboratories accredited by the State of Texas under NELAP.
- For information on acceptable sampling methods under the Lead and Copper Rule, please see Accepted Sampling Methods
- Electronic Sampling Requirements: Contact the TCEQ Lead Copper Program Coordinator for electronic sampling requirements.
Water Quality Parameter Testing
All PWSs with a population over 50,000, new PWSs, and PWSs who have exceeded the action levels are requires to sample for water quality parameters (WQP). WQPs consist of pH, alkalinity, conductivity, calcium, and an inhibitor such as orthophosphate, if added. These are sampled in the field and are analyzed at TCEQ-approved laboratories.
TCEQ approved laboratories are not necessarily the same as the TCEQ NELAP accreditied laboratories and have different approval requirements. Contact the TCEQ Laboratory Approval Coordinator for information.
- Form 20679 : Reporting WQP analytical and field results.
Additional Lead and Copper Rule Information
Additional information is available on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website including health effects, guidance for public water systems, and regulations.
Lead and Copper Regulations
Contacts
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Lead and Copper Program
PO Box 13087, MC - 155
Austin, TX 78711-3087
Phone: 512-239-4691 Fax: 512-239-6050
Acronyms
CWS - community water system
EPA - Environmental Protection Agency
LPE - lead public education
NELAP - National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program
NTNC non-transient non-community water system
PWS - public water system
TCEQ - Texas commission on Environmental Quality
WQP - water quality parameters