Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Lcri Adoption topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
State water board proposes adopting federal lead-and-copper rule improvements; seeks public input through June 22
Summary
State Water Resources Control Board staff proposed incorporating the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) into California regulations and sought public comment on implementation guidance and AB 1096 reporting procedures, aiming to secure EPA primacy ahead of the Nov. 1, 2027 compliance date.
The State Water Resources Control Board's Division of Drinking Water presented a proposal to adopt the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) into California's regulations and asked stakeholders for input during a May workshop and a public comment period running through June 22, 2026. Staff said the goal is to obtain primacy from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency so California can implement the LCRI before the federal compliance date of Nov. 1, 2027.
Why it matters: The LCRI tightens protections for lead and copper in drinking water by lowering the lead action level and expanding sampling and service-line inventory requirements. Staff emphasized the public-health rationale, saying even low lead exposures carry risks for pregnant people and young children.
What staff propose: Staff told participants the Board plans to adopt the federal LCRI language into a new chapter (17.6) of the California Code of Regulations through the state's rulemaking process under Health & Safety Code section 116365.03. The proposed state text largely mirrors the federal rule but includes non-substantive changes so the provisions can be implemented in the California regulatory framework. Staff noted that state-adopted rules cannot be materially more stringent than the federal LCRI.
Key dates and next steps: The Board's tentative schedule shared at the workshop calls for: the public comment period from May 27 to June 22; presentation of the proposed regulations to the Board in August; subsequent filing with the Office of Administrative Law; and pursuing EPA primacy so the State can take primary enforcement responsibility by Nov. 1, 2027.
Public input and parallel legislation: Staff are simultaneously developing an AB 1096 policy manual to standardize how water systems report school and childcare sampling, outreach, and reasons for refusal. AB 1096 (enacted 2025) requires the Board's website to publish sampling results and refusal reasons by June 30, 2028. During the workshop staff invited comments on the draft manual and potential additional grounds a facility could use to decline sampling.
Quotes from the workshop: "La Junta Estatal de Agua propone adoptar las mejorías federales de plomo y cobre," a presenter said, describing the Board's intention to incorporate federal requirements into California rules. Nick Blair, who identified himself as a senior policy advisor with the California water agency, said his organization "supports the intent" of the rules but urged clearer coordination and funding for implementation.
What remains unresolved: Staff signaled that the Board will coordinate with EPA to secure primacy, but specific details on funding, enforcement sequencing, and certain operational guidance (for example, precisely which family child-care homes will be covered) remain to be decided through the comment process.
Next procedural step: Written comments on the proposed approach are due by June 22, 2026; slides and a recording of the workshop will be posted on the Board's website within days.
