EPA Releases New Guidance to Reduce Lead Exposure in Drinking Water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released on August 21 guidance to help drinking water systems that are working to keep their communities safe from lead.

This guidance advances the EPA’s commitment to clear and plain language communication while sharing information, definitions, and useful examples to help water systems comply with lead pipe replacement requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule.

The EPA is releasing two documents, Access Tips and Service Line Inventory Tips, to provide practical information to help water systems and states implement the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). In April 2026, the EPA sought the public’s input on these two Tips documents and EPA considered the comments received in the development of these final resources.

The EPA is taking on lead in drinking water holistically, including prioritizing collaboration, practical implementation, and communication. The Agency recently published a revamped lead website.

NGWA has an information brief, Lead Presence in Well Systems.