Pennsylvania Lead and Copper Guide for Compliance
Navigate Pennsylvania's Lead and Copper Rule requirements with confidence. From service line inventories to sampling protocols and public education, Juno Maps helps PA water systems stay compliant with PA DEP and EPA deadlines.
Pennsylvania Lead and Copper Rule for Drinking Water
The federal Lead and Copper Rule (LCR, 1991) is a U.S. EPA treatment-technique regulation that limits lead and copper in drinking water by controlling corrosion in plumbing and service lines that may contain lead. Pennsylvania implements the rule through 25 Pa. Code Chapter 109, Subchapter K (Lead and Copper), administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP), Bureau of Safe Drinking Water.
Subchapter K sets rule requirements for optimal corrosion control treatment, public education, lead service line replacement, and customer notice when systems exceed a lead or copper action level.
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Pennsylvania LCR Key Points
Critical requirements under Pennsylvania's Lead and Copper Rule that all community and nontransient noncommunity water systems must understand.
Action Levels
Lead – 15 ppb; Copper – 1.3 mg/L. Exceeding either triggers public education, corrosion control optimization, and possible lead service line replacement.
Treatment Technique (Not an MCL)
Systems must control corrosion through optimal corrosion control treatment (OCCT) and regular water quality monitoring.
Service Line Inventory
All community and nontransient noncommunity systems must track service line materials—Lead, GRR, Non-Lead, or Unknown—using the PA DEP SLI spreadsheet via DWELR.
Enhanced Sampling
From 2028, systems will collect first- and fifth-liter samples at sites with lead or galvanized lines to pinpoint contamination sources.
Public Education
If the lead action level is exceeded, systems must notify customers within 60 days and provide educational materials on reducing lead exposure.
Compliance Elements of the Pennsylvania Lead and Copper Rule
Sampling and Monitoring
- •Lead and copper samples must be first-draw, one-liter samples collected at Tier 1 sites (typically single-family homes with lead plumbing or lead service lines).
- •DEP determines monitoring schedules (semiannual, annual, or triennial) based on system size and historical performance.
- •If a system exceeds the lead or copper action level, it must perform water quality parameter (WQP) monitoring (e.g., pH, alkalinity, orthophosphate) and verify optimal corrosion control treatment (OCCT).
- •Starting in 2028, systems must collect both first- and fifth-liter samples at homes with lead or galvanized service lines to identify where lead enters the tap water.
Service Line Inventory & Replacement
- •All systems must use the PA DEP Lead Service Line Inventory (SLI) spreadsheet and submit through the DWELR portal.
- •Each service line must be classified as Lead, Galvanized Requiring Replacement (GRR), Non-Lead, or Unknown. Any "Unknown" line must be treated as lead until verified.
- •Systems that exceed the lead action level of 15 ppb must develop a Lead Service Line Replacement Program, replacing at least 3% of known or suspected lead lines per year unless the system qualifies for reduced requirements after OCCT success.
- •Partial replacements (replacing only a portion of a lead line) must be documented and accompanied by public notification due to potential temporary increases in lead levels.
Public Education & Reporting
- •Systems exceeding the lead action level must deliver public education materials within 60 days of receiving monitoring results.
- •Systems must send a Consumer Notice of Lead Tap Water Results to each customer whose home was sampled, within 30 days of receiving results.
- •All systems must submit monitoring results, public education documentation, and Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) updates to the PA DEP Bureau of Safe Drinking Water.
Schools and Child Care Facilities
Systems must identify all schools and licensed child care centers they serve and maintain sampling data for these sites as part of the baseline inventory due in 2027.
Important Dates
Key milestones for Pennsylvania Lead and Copper Rule compliance.
June 7, 1991
EPA published the original LCR (treatment technique for safe drinking water).
January 15, 2021
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) finalize service line inventory requirements.
August 16, 2024
PA DEP opens DWELR for SLI online submission (PA SLI spreadsheet required).
October 16, 2024
DEP initial SLI deadline for water systems and nontransient noncommunity systems (CWS/NTNCWS).
October 30, 2024
Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) finalized by EPA; increased sampling, accelerated service line replacement.
Looking ahead (2027–2028)
Federal LCRI milestones include baseline inventory and semi-annual monitoring starting January 2028 for at least two periods.
Preparing for Compliance
To prepare for compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR, 2021), and the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI, 2024), Pennsylvania water suppliers should take proactive steps now. The rule applies to all community and nontransient noncommunity water systems, requiring updated inventories, enhanced monitoring, and stronger public communication protocols.
Recommended Activities:
Use the PA DEP SLI spreadsheet and submit through DWELR. Classify every service line as Lead, GRR, Non-Lead, or Unknown, and treat all unknowns as lead until verified. Update your inventory regularly as materials are confirmed.
Identify and map Tier 1 sites for lead and copper tap sampling. Prepare for first- and fifth-liter sampling at locations with lead or galvanized requiring replacement (GRR) lines, as required under the EPA’s 2024 LCRI.
Confirm your system’s designated corrosion control method and verify water quality parameters (WQPs) such as pH, alkalinity, and inhibitor dose. If the lead action level (15 ppb) is exceeded, conduct WQP monitoring and adjust treatment to minimize corrosion.
Systems that exceed the lead action level must establish a replacement program. The LCRI will phase in national goals for cumulative replacement rates of lead and galvanized lines, encouraging utilities to plan full removal strategies and customer coordination.
Deliver Public Education materials within 60 days of exceeding the lead action level and issue Consumer Tap Notices within 30 days to sampled customers. Use DEP templates and include information on health impacts, water filters, and ways to reduce exposure.
Include service line inventory updates, sampling results, and lead risk reduction information in your CCR (due by July 1). Submit all monitoring results, education materials, and OCCT documentation to the PA DEP Bureau of Safe Drinking Water.
Participate in ODW and 120Water webinars and LCRI planning assistance sessions. These sessions provide guidance on 2027–2028 compliance requirements, including paired sampling procedures, replacement scheduling, and public outreach expectations.
Access PA DEP’s compliance guides, webinars, and small water system support materials to stay aligned with current state and federal requirements.
Juno Maps Solutions
Purpose-built tools and services to help Pennsylvania water systems manage lead and copper compliance from inventory through replacement.
Custom Geospatial Software
Tailored solutions that overlay property data, infrastructure layers, and compliance requirements to accelerate inventory and replacement planning.
Paper Plans to Digital Maps
We digitize legacy records, including paper maps, as-builts, and service cards, into spatially accurate datasets you can act on.
Water Service Line Management
Manage lead and copper compliance activities with tools designed to track service line materials, categorize unknowns, and generate PA DEP-ready reports.
Juno Maps Simplifies Compliance
Complying with the Lead and Copper Rule is complex, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Juno Maps simplifies the process by transforming static records and fragmented data into actionable geospatial intelligence. Our platform helps you:
- Build accurate service line inventories that meet PA DEP and EPA reporting requirements.
- Visualize risk areas and prioritize replacements using historical data, property records, and GIS layers.
- Generate custom reports and outreach tools that streamline public communication and recordkeeping.
From corrosion control planning to inventory management and public engagement, Juno Maps empowers utilities with the clarity and control they need to stay compliant and proactive.
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Funding Options and Opportunities
Pennsylvania water systems have access to multiple funding sources to support compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR, 2021) and Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI, 2024), particularly for lead service line replacement (LSLR), inventory development, and corrosion control projects.
PENNVEST + PA DEP DWSRF
The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), administered by PENNVEST and the PA DEP, provides low-interest loans and principal forgiveness for lead pipe replacement, service line inventories, and corrosion control projects.
Commonwealth Funding
In October 2025, Pennsylvania announced $547 million for drinking water and wastewater upgrades, including major investments in lead service line replacement and small system assistance to meet LCRI compliance.
EPA WIFIA Program
The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program offers low-cost, long-term financing for large-scale water infrastructure projects, including lead service line replacement, distribution system improvements, and water quality upgrades.
Navigating these programs can be complex, but Juno Maps provides expert support to help you evaluate eligible opportunities and organize the necessary documentation.
Get Your Questions Answered
Common questions about the Lead and Copper Rule and Pennsylvania compliance requirements.
What is the Lead and Copper Rule, and what changed under LCRR/LCRI?
Which water systems are covered by Pennsylvania’s Lead and Copper Rule requirements?
How do public water systems identify and track service lines containing lead?
What are the action levels and how are they evaluated?
How are customers notified about lead tap water results?
What steps are required to replace lead service lines in Pennsylvania?
Essential Resources for Lead Service Line Compliance
Get expert guidance on EPA requirements, reporting tools, and inventory best practices to help utilities stay compliant and efficient.