Updates to NHDES’ Assistance in Complying with USEPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) will strengthen current rules to protect children and communities from the risks of lead exposure by identifying and removing potential sources of lead from drinking water. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau (DWGB) is committed to providing technical and financial assistance to public water systems (PWSs), schools and child care facilities to achieve this goal.
The LCRR requirements apply to community and non-transient, non-community public water systems (PWSs). The initial requirements of LCRR focus on developing an inventory of all service line materials, developing a replacement plan, and updating the sampling plan. The inventory and replacement plans are due to NHDES by October 16, 2024, and sampling plans must be updated by January 1, 2025.
NHDES is continuing its efforts to assist PWSs to comply with LCRR through the creation of a Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) template, providing consultants to assist PWSs with up to 1,700 service connections, offering grants to large PWSs, and facilitating sampling for lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. Below is an update on where DWGB lead service line initiatives currently stand:
- LSLI Template – The NHDES LSLI template is the required method for submitting inventory data and is available on the NHDES Lead and Copper webpage. Please note any updates to the template will be described in the “Introduction” tab. NHDES requires one template to be completed per PWS.
- Consultants – DWGB contracted four consultants to assist PWSs with up to 1,700 service connections to comply with LCRR. Consultants will help their assigned PWS by collecting, reviewing and assembling their data and submitting the information to NHDES. There is no cost to the water systems for this consulting service. If you have questions or need more information, visit the NHDES Lead and Copper webpage to see if a consultant has been assigned to your PWS. Please note that new water systems are responsible for complying with LCRR as part of the design review process and will not be assigned one of the NHDES consultants.
- Funding – Federal grants are available through the Large PWS Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement Plan (LSLI/R) Grant Program to assist communities with over 1,700 service connections in complying with LCRR. There is no deadline for the grant submittal; however, the deadline to complete inventories and replacement plans is October 16, 2024. This is a 100% grant with no required matching funds. Drinking Water State Revolving Fund low interest loans are available for lead service line replacements. Principal forgiveness ranges from 50 to 100% depending on the PWS affordability index. Submit a final application any time by visiting the Drinking Water Infrastructure Project: Final Application page.
- Lead in Schools and Child Care Facilities – In addition to the LCRR requirements for PWSs, all public and nonpublic schools and licensed childcare facilities served by a public well or municipal PWS are required to sample for lead in drinking water at outlets where water is available for consumption by children. Once enrolled in the NH Get the Lead Out program, all school facilities will receive technical assistance and reminders about upcoming sampling rounds. Public schools and licensed child care facilities will receive free lab analyses. Three rounds of testing must be completed by June 30, 2024, and facilities should currently be completing Round 2 of testing. Remediation grant opportunities are anticipated later this fall. For more information, please visit gettheleadoutNH.org or email info@gettheleadoutnh.org. To register, visit the Get the Lead Out of Drinking Water Form.
NHDES will distribute more information as it becomes available. For more information, please visit the NHDES Lead and Copper webpage or contact Heather Baron at heather.l.baron@des.nh.gov or (603) 271-5927.