West Virginia Lead and Copper Guide for Compliance
Navigate West Virginia's Lead and Copper Rule requirements with confidence. From service line inventories to sampling protocols and public education, Juno Maps helps WV water systems stay compliant with DHHR, DEP, and EPA deadlines.
West Virginia Lead and Copper Rule for Drinking Water
The federal Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on June 7, 1991, under the Safe Drinking Water Act, sets nationwide standards to control lead and copper in drinking water by preventing corrosion in plumbing materials. In West Virginia, the rule is implemented through the Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), Office of Environmental Health Services (OEHS), in partnership with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
The state enforces key federal updates, including the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) and the 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), which require every Community Water System (CWS) and Non-Transient Non-Community Water System (NTNCWS) to identify, monitor, and replace lead service lines to safeguard public health.
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West Virginia LCR – Key Points
Critical requirements under West Virginia's Lead and Copper Rule that all CWS and NTNCWS must understand.
Action Levels (ALs)
Lead – 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb); Copper – 1.3 mg/L based on the 90th percentile sample values.
Treatment Focus
Emphasizing Corrosion Control Treatment (CCT) and Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) to prevent metals from leaching into drinking water.
Service Line Inventories
Identifying and categorizing all service lines (Lead, Galvanized Requiring Replacement (GRR), Non-Lead, or Unknown).
Public Education
If lead exceeds 15 ppb, systems must provide public education within 60 days, and notify customers of individual results within 30 days.
Sampling Protocols
First-draw samples at high-risk residential taps (Tier 1 sites) must be taken.
Monitoring
The upcoming Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) will require both first- and fifth-liter sampling at sites with lead service lines.
Compliance Elements of the West Virginia Lead and Copper Rule
West Virginia public water systems must meet federal U.S. EPA Lead and Copper Rule requirements as implemented by the West Virginia Department of Health (Bureau for Public Health, OEHS) and the WV DEP. The rule requires utilities to control the corrosion of lead and copper so these metals don't enter drinking water from water service lines, lead pipe, solder, fittings, or the distribution system.
Sampling and Monitoring
- •Collect first-draw one-liter samples from Tier 1 taps.
- •If the lead action level is exceeded, utilities must perform Water Quality Parameter (WQP) testing and optimize corrosion control treatment (CCT).
- •Starting January 2028, systems must conduct semi-annual lead and copper sampling for at least two consecutive monitoring periods.
- •Additional fifth-liter sampling at homes with lead or galvanized service lines to pinpoint contamination sources.
Service Line Inventories
- •All public water systems must have completed and submitted a full lead service line inventory by October 16, 2024.
- •Each water service line must be classified as Lead, Galvanized Requiring Replacement (GRR), Non-Lead, or Unknown.
- •A Baseline Inventory is due by November 1, 2027.
Action After Exceedance
- •If the lead action level of 15 ppb is exceeded, systems must issue a Tier 1 public notice within 24 hours.
- •Customers must be notified of lead testing results within 30 days.
- •Water quality parameter (WQP) monitoring.
- •Corrosion control treatment.
Schools and Child Care Facilities
By November 1, 2027, all systems must identify and report the schools and licensed child care facilities they serve, ensuring proactive testing and protection against lead in drinking water for children and staff.
Important Dates
Key milestones for West Virginia Lead and Copper Rule compliance.
June 7, 1991
LCR published by the EPA, with West Virginia adopting it the same year.
January 15, 2021
EPA promulgated the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR).
October 16, 2024
Deadline to submit the initial service line inventory.
October 30, 2024
The EPA published the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI).
November 1, 2027
The LCRI compliance deadline, including the submission of the Baseline Inventory.
Preparing for Compliance
To prepare for full compliance with the LCR and the LCRI, all West Virginia Community Water Systems (CWS) and Non-Transient Non-Community Water Systems (NTNCWS) must take proactive steps to meet both federal EPA mandates and state-specific requirements.
Recommended Activities:
Use official West Virginia DEP templates, such as the Lead Service Line Inventory Spreadsheet (2024), to classify every water service line as Lead, Galvanized Requiring Replacement (GRR), Non-Lead, or Unknown (October 16, 2024).
Plan and prioritize Tier 1 sampling locations, particularly residences built before 1988, when the federal ban on lead solder and lead pipes took effect. Prepare for first-draw sampling in these high-risk areas and document corresponding water meters and service connections.
Develop public education and notification materials aligned with DHHR/OEHS requirements. Be prepared to issue both individual consumer notices (within 30 days of sampling) and Tier 1 public notifications if the lead action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) is exceeded.
Identify all schools and licensed childcare facilities served by the system and submit this list to the DHHR SWIFT Portal by November 1, 2027.
Prepare Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) updates each year by July 1, detailing progress on lead service line replacement, sampling results, and where the public can access the system’s inventory of all service lines.
Maintain and update the service line inventory annually. By November 1, 2027, water systems must submit a Baseline Lead Service Line Inventory that includes updates on connectors and verified lead-free replacements.
Resume semi-annual monitoring for systems with lead or galvanized service lines beginning January 2028, for at least two consecutive monitoring periods.
Verify corrosion control treatment (CCT) performance by December 31, 2027, ensuring systems are maintaining EPA- and state-defined operational parameters such as pH and alkalinity. For systems with known or suspected lead service lines, collect additional first- and fifth-liter samples to pinpoint sources of lead and copper within the distribution system.
Juno Maps Solutions
Purpose-built tools and services to help West Virginia 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 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 DHHR/OEHS 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.
Learn more about our LCR services
Funding Options and Opportunities
West Virginia water utilities can access several state and federal programs to meet Lead and Copper Rule requirements and fund lead service line replacement efforts.
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
Low-interest loans and grants through the WV DEP’s WIFA for lead pipe replacement and corrosion control.
Lead Elimination Assistance Program (LEAP)
EPA Region 3 grants to remove lead service lines and improve public education.
Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Funding
Infrastructure law grants for lead inventory and replacement projects.
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA)
EPA financing for large-scale water infrastructure upgrades.
Technical Support
WV Rural Water Association and University of Maryland EFC assist utilities with funding and compliance.
These programs strengthen water quality and reduce lead exposure across West Virginia. Juno Maps streamlines compliance by digitizing service line data, mapping lead pipe locations, and generating DEP- and EPA-ready reports to support funding and replacement efforts.
Get Your Questions Answered
Common questions about the Lead and Copper Rule and West Virginia compliance requirements.
What is the new Lead and Copper Rule?
What does the rule mean for West Virginia public water systems?
What is the action level for lead in drinking water?
What causes exposure to lead and copper in drinking water?
Why do water utilities have to develop an inventory?
What can homeowners do to reduce the risks of lead exposure?
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.