For Immediate Release: 11-30-2021
For more information contact:
Keri Navratil
712-732-8000
navratil@stormlake.org
In this second part of a three-part series on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lead and copper regulations, we will examine the revisions being made to the original Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). On December 22, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the first major update to the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) in nearly thirty years. The revised LCR requires lead and copper testing at daycare facilities and elementary schools in addition to homes establishes new rules on sampling to determine if lead is present in drinking water, and puts a greater onus on water systems to inventory service lines to determine if lead piping is present and assist property owners in taking action to remove the material. There are also expanded requirements for publicly disseminating information about where lead materials exist in the water system.
Homeowner and resident notification are central tenets of the revised rule. If a sample taken from a home has a result in excess of 15 parts per billion (ppb) of lead, the water system is required to inform the occupants of the home within three days. This short timeframe allows the occupants to immediately take steps to reduce lead exposure. If the trigger level of 10 ppb of lead is exceeded the water system must set waterline replacement goals with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Notification of occupants of sample results for lead levels below 15 ppb must occur within thirty days. Information on funding resources that may be able to assist with the removal of the material will also be provided to the building owners by the water system.
This is a very brief overview of the revised LCR. More information will be provided by the water system in the coming months and detailed information about the revised rule is available at: www.epa.gov.
More tips regarding voluntary water conservations measures and tips for reducing water consumption will follow each Tuesday. Ensuring wise use of our water resources is in the best interest of the community.
Being Storm Lake Proud is not one day, one week, one month or one event. Being Storm Lake Proud is a magnificent lifestyle! More information about the City of Storm Lake can be found on the city’s website at www.stormlake.org.
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