96-7738. Maximum Contaminant Level Goals and National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for Lead and Copper

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 72 (Friday, April 12, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16348-16371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7738]




[[Page 16347]]


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Part IV





Environmental Protection Agency





_______________________________________________________________________



40 CFR Parts 141 and 142



Maximum Contaminant Level Goals and National Primary Drinking Water 
Regulations for Lead and Copper; Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 72 / Friday, April 12, 1996 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 16348]]



ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 141 and 142

[FRL-5449-7]
RIN 2040-AC27


Maximum Contaminant Level Goals and National Primary Drinking 
Water Regulations for Lead and Copper

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: EPA is giving notice that it is considering several minor 
changes to the national primary drinking water regulations for lead and 
copper to improve its implementation. The intended effect of this 
action is to eliminate unnecessary requirements, streamline and reduce 
reporting burden, and promote consistent national implementation. The 
changes proposed in this action do not affect the lead or copper 
maximum contaminant level goals or the basic regulatory requirements.

DATES: Written comments should be postmarked or delivered by hand by 
July 11, 1996. Comments provided electronically will be considered 
timely if they are submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern 
time) July 11, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on the proposed revisions only to the 
Lead and Copper Rule Comment Clerk; Water Docket MC-4101; Environmental 
Protection Agency; 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460. See 
Supplementary Information under the heading ``Submission of Comment 
Information'' for additional details.
    Supporting documents for this proposed rulemaking are available for 
review at EPA's Water Docket; 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460. 
For access to the Docket materials, call [phone] between 9 a.m. 
and 3:30 p.m. for an appointment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Safe Drinking Water Hotline, toll 
free [phone], or Judy Lebowich; Drinking Water Implementation 
Division; Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water; EPA (4604), 401 M 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Submission of Comment Information

    Commenters are requested to submit any references cited in their 
comments. Commenters also are requested to submit an original and 3 
copies of their written comments and enclosures. Commenters who want 
receipt of their comments acknowledged should include a self-addressed, 
stamped envelope. No facsimiles (faxes) will be accepted. The Agency 
would prefer for commenters to type or print comments in ink. 
Commenters should use a separate paragraph for each issue discussed.
    EPA will also accept comments electronically. Comments should be 
addressed to the following Internet address: [e-mail]. 
Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the use 
of special characters and any form of encryption. Electronic comments 
will be transferred into a paper version for the official record. EPA 
will attempt to clarify electronic comments if there is an apparent 
error in transmission.
    EPA is experimenting with electronic commenting, therefore 
commenters may wish to submit both electronic comments and duplicate 
paper comments. This document has also been placed on the Internet for 
public review and downloading at the following location: 
gopher.epa.gov.

A. Background

    In 1991, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated 
maximum contaminant level goals (MCLGs) and national primary drinking 
water regulations (NPDWRs) for lead and copper (``Lead and Copper 
Rule''). (56 FR 26460, June 7, 1991) The goal of the rule is to provide 
maximum human health protection by reducing lead and copper levels at 
consumers' taps to as close to the MCLGs as is feasible. To accomplish 
this goal, the regulations established requirements for community water 
systems (CWSs) and non-transient non-community water systems (NTNCWSs). 
These systems must conduct periodic monitoring and optimize corrosion 
control. In addition, these systems must perform public education when 
the level of lead at the tap exceeds the lead action level, treat 
source water if it is found to contribute significantly to high levels 
of lead or copper at the tap, and replace lead service lines in the 
distribution system if the level of lead at the tap continues to exceed 
the lead action level after optimal corrosion control has been 
installed. Implementation of the rule was phased based on system size. 
Large-size systems (those serving more than 50,000 people) were to 
begin monitoring January 1, 1992. Medium-size systems (those serving 
between 3,301 and 50,000 people) were to begin monitoring July 1, 1992. 
Small-size systems (those serving 3,300 or fewer people) were to begin 
monitoring July 1, 1993.
    Today's action proposes several minor revisions to improve 
implementation of the Lead and Copper Rule. Most of these changes were 
recommended by a work group EPA formed in 1993 composed of Headquarters 
and Regional EPA staff, and several State drinking water officials, to 
identify implementation issues. The proposed changes resulting from 
those recommendations cover the following topics: requirements for 
systems deemed to have optimized corrosion control; accelerated reduced 
monitoring; monitoring waivers for ``all plastic'' systems; selection 
of sample sites under reduced monitoring; systems that have reduced the 
number and frequency of monitoring and that change treatment or water 
source; entry point monitoring for water quality parameters in ground 
water systems; NTNCWS sampling locations and times; public education; 
source water monitoring; holding times for acidified lead and copper 
samples; and reporting requirements for systems and States. In 
addition, EPA is requesting comment on the following paperwork burden 
reduction suggestions that the Agency has not had time to fully assess 
but believes are worth considering and may include in the final rule: 
eliminate the requirement for systems to calculate and report 90th 
percentile values; reduce the frequency of entry point water quality 
parameter monitoring; allow flushing and bottled water instead of 
corrosion control in NTNCWSs; eliminate the requirement for systems to 
justify not recommending specific corrosion control treatment; allow 
alternatives to tap samples to assess the effectiveness of corrosion 
control; and reduce the frequency of State reporting of 90th percentile 
values and treatment milestones.
    Two other revisions proposed today result from legal challenges to 
the 1991 Lead and Copper Rule brought by the American Water Works 
Association (AWWA) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). 
(AWWA et al. v. EPA, Nos. 91-1338, 91-1343 (DC Circuit) First, as a 
result of settlement discussions with AWWA in that litigation, EPA 
agreed to propose regulatory provisions that would authorize States to 
invalidate the results of lead and copper sampling under certain 
circumstances. That issue is discussed in section B.3 below. Second, 
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit held in 
this case that the Agency had failed to provide adequate notice and 
opportunity for public comment regarding the provision in the 
regulations defining the extent to which a public water system (PWS) 
has

[[Page 16349]]

``control'' over lead service lines, for purposes of determining the 
systems's obligation to replace such lines under the rule. The Agency 
is therefore proposing a revised definition of this term for public 
comment.
    NRDC challenged the rule's exclusion of transient, non-community 
water systems (TNCWSs). In AWWA, the court granted the Agency's request 
for a voluntary remand so that the Agency could provide a more detailed 
justification of this exclusion. The Agency is not proposing in this 
rulemaking to alter the current exclusion that exists in the regulation 
for TNCWSs. Based on the information currently available, the Agency 
believes that this exclusion continues to be appropriate in light of 
the fact that the chronic health effects associated with lead in 
drinking water should not be of concern in such systems (e.g., gas 
stations, motels, restaurants, campgrounds, rest stops). EPA is 
currently collecting additional information relevant to this issue that 
will be made available for public review and comment prior to the 
promulgation of a final rule. The Agency solicits comment regarding the 
continued appropriateness of this exclusion, whether modification of 
the current exclusion would be appropriate and, if so, what alternative 
approaches are available for addressing these systems. After 
consideration of the additional information being collected by the 
Agency and public comments, EPA will either retain the current 
exclusion or make appropriate modification. If EPA decides to retain 
the current exclusion, EPA's preamble to the final rule will fully 
explain the Agency's rationale for such a decision.
    In that same ruling, the Court addressed two other NRDC challenges 
to the 1991 rule: (1) the decision to establish a treatment technique 
in lieu of a maximum contaminant level (MCL); and (2) the schedules for 
completing the rule's treatment requirements. The Court upheld the 
Agency's decisions on these two issues as consistent with the Safe 
Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

B. 40 CFR 141, Subpart I--Control of Lead and Copper

1. Requirements for Systems Deemed To Have Optimized Corrosion Control

    Section 141.81(b) specifies three ways by which a water system can 
demonstrate that corrosion control already has been optimized and, 
following such a demonstration, forego the steps of conducting 
treatment studies and installing additional treatment. EPA 
inadvertently omitted requirements for systems making such a 
demonstration under two of the Sec. 141.81(b) provisions and is today 
proposing the modifications discussed below to correct that oversight.
    (a) Water Systems Deemed to Have Optimized Corrosion Control in 
Accordance with Sec. 141.81(b)(2). A water system deemed to have 
optimized corrosion control in accordance with Sec. 141.81(b)(2) has 
demonstrated to the State that it already has completed activities 
equivalent to the corrosion control steps specified in Sec. 141.81(d) 
for large-sized systems or in Sec. 141.81(e) for medium- and small-
sized systems. The rule requires systems that have optimized corrosion 
control pursuant to Sec. 141.81(b)(2) to meet water quality parameters 
specified by the State as reflecting optimal corrosion control 
treatment. This requirement ensures that these systems will continue to 
provide adequate treatment to minimize lead and copper levels at the 
tap. The Agency intended that, once the State designated the optimal 
water quality control parameters, the system would continue monitoring 
in the same manner as those systems that installed corrosion control 
treatment to comply with Sec. 141.81 (d) or (e). This requirement is 
not clear in the current regulations. EPA today proposes to clarify 
this requirement by revising Sec. 141.81(b)(2) to require that systems 
deemed to have optimized corrosion control under that paragraph comply 
with the same continuing monitoring requirements as any system that 
optimizes corrosion control pursuant to Sec. 141.81 (d) or (e) of the 
regulations.
    (b) Water Systems Deemed to Have Optimized Corrosion Control in 
Accordance with Sec. 141.81(b)(3). Under Sec. 141.81(b)(3), systems may 
show they have optimized corrosion control by demonstrating that the 
difference between the 90th percentile lead level measured at the tap 
and the highest source water samples lead concentration is below the 
Practical Quantitation Limit (PQL) for lead (0.005 mg/L) for two 
consecutive 6-month monitoring periods. In these instances, the primary 
source of lead contamination, if any, is the source water and the 
Agency does not believe that systems could produce quantifiable 
improvements in lead levels at the tap through corrosion control when 
corrosion is introducing, at most, minimal amounts of lead. (56 FR 
26480-26481)
    The current rule does not require these water systems with minimal 
lead corrosion to meet the copper action level in order to be deemed to 
have optimized corrosion control. This clearly was not the intent of 
the rule which seeks to minimize the levels of both lead and copper at 
the tap. To correct this problem, EPA proposes to add a criterion to 
Sec. 141.81(b)(3) requiring water systems to meet the copper action 
level to qualify as having optimized corrosion control under the 
provisions of Sec. 141.81(b)(3).
    This requirement would become effective 18 months after 
promulgation. In cases where systems have been deemed as having optimal 
corrosion control under Sec. 141.83(b)(3) based on source water and tap 
water lead samples, the State should review those systems in terms of 
their copper tap sample results from the initial rounds of monitoring 
as well. If a system meets the lead criteria (difference between source 
water and 90th percentile tap water concentrations is below the lead 
PQL), but exceeded the copper action level during initial monitoring, 
the State could direct the system to conduct a new round of sampling 
consistent with Sec. 141.86(a)-(c) for both copper and lead to 
determine current levels before this requirement becomes effective and 
the system is triggered into the corrosion control treatment steps. In 
such cases, the latest round of sampling should be used in determining 
whether the system meets the requirements of Sec. 141.81(b)(3).
    Even though systems meeting the Sec. 141.81(b)(3) criteria are not 
required to install corrosion control treatment, they may be treating 
the water for other water quality considerations, or they may install 
treatment in the future. Changes in treatment such as disinfection for 
microbial contamination can affect the corrosivity of the water in the 
distribution system (56 FR 26486-24867). Thus it is important that 
these systems continue to monitor periodically to ensure that lead and 
copper levels do not increase in the future. EPA therefore proposes to 
further modify Sec. 141.81(b)(3) to require such systems deemed to have 
optimized corrosion control in accordance with Sec. 141.81(b)(3) to 
continue tap water monitoring for lead and copper at least once every 
three calendar years (triennially) using the reduced number of sample 
sites specified in Sec. 141.86(c) and following the requirements of 
Sec. 141.86(d)(4)(iv) regarding the location and timing of such 
sampling. Since some large systems may not have monitored since 1992, 
the Agency proposes that the first round of this triennial monitoring 
occur during the first June-September period that occurs after the 
effective date of the revision, with the exception that systems that 
have monitored pursuant to Sec. 141.86 (d)(3) or (d)(4) during the 
three years prior to the effective date be allowed to

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use those results and continue triennial monitoring based on the date 
of that monitoring.
    EPA believes that, in most instances, this reduced monitoring will 
provide information to help ensure that these systems maintain minimal 
levels of corrosion in the distribution system. The Agency recognizes 
that system-specific circumstances such as changes in the source water, 
or changes in treatment to comply with existing or future regulations, 
may necessitate more frequent monitoring or other appropriate action to 
ensure that such systems maintain minimal corrosion in the distribution 
system. Adequate data and case histories are not available to ensure 
accurate a priori estimates of time and location of problems associated 
with treatment changes in different types of systems. EPA therefore 
proposes to add language to Sec. 141.81(b)(3) giving States flexibility 
to require additional monitoring and/or other action(s) the State deems 
appropriate in these situations.
    Finally, EPA recognizes that the revised requirements in 
Sec. 141.81(b)(3) may result in a few systems being triggered into 
corrosion control treatment. The Agency is proposing that any such 
system comply with the requirements of Sec. 141.81(e) and that any such 
large system adhere to the schedule specified in that paragraph for 
medium-sized systems.

2. Accelerated Reduced Monitoring for Water Systems With Very Low Lead 
and Copper Levels

    (a) Monitoring for Lead and Copper at the Tap. EPA is proposing to 
allow water systems that demonstrate for two consecutive 6-month 
monitoring periods that they have very low lead and copper levels at 
the tap to reduce the frequency of lead and copper tap water monitoring 
to once every three years (triennial monitoring) more rapidly than the 
current regulations permit. Under the current regulations, qualifying 
systems must demonstrate they have maintained optimal corrosion control 
for three consecutive years of monitoring before they are eligible to 
reduce to triennial monitoring.
    Sampling results for the initial two rounds of monitoring submitted 
by large and medium-size systems indicate that over 20% of these 
systems had 90th percentile lead levels less than or equal to 0.005 mg/
L for two consecutive 6-month monitoring periods.1 EPA expects 
similar results for the small-size systems. EPA believes it is 
reasonable to allow systems with lead and copper results significantly 
below the action levels during consecutive monitoring periods to reduce 
the frequency of monitoring for lead and copper at the tap to 
triennially without first going through three years of monitoring.
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    \1\  Based on 90th percentile lead levels for large and medium-
size systems reported to EPA through March 20, 1995 (EPA, 1995a). 
Prior to August 15, 1995, the EPA data system of record was known as 
the Federal Reporting Data System (FRDS). Effective August 15, 1995, 
the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) became the 
official EPA data system of record.
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    EPA proposes to add provisions for accelerated reduced monitoring 
to Sec. 141.86(d)(4) by redesignating paragraph (d)(4)(v) as (d)(4)(vi) 
and adding a new paragraph (d)(4)(v) containing the accelerated reduced 
monitoring provisions. In order to qualify for accelerated reduced 
monitoring, a water system would need to demonstrate to the State that 
its 90th percentile lead level was less than or equal to the PQL for 
lead (i.e., the lead level was less than or equal to 0.005 mg/L) and 
its 90th percentile copper level was less than or equal to one-half the 
copper action level (i.e., the copper level was less than or equal to 
0.65 mg/L) for two consecutive 6-month monitoring periods.
    Because of the high degree of variability in lead and copper levels 
at household taps, EPA believes it is important to establish criteria 
that minimize the risk of allowing systems that are likely to have 
elevated levels of lead or copper at the tap during subsequent 
monitoring periods to accelerate reduced monitoring. The PQL represents 
the lowest level that laboratories can reliably and consistently 
measure within specified limits of precision and accuracy. The Agency 
considered using the PQL as the upper limit for allowing accelerated 
reduced monitoring for both lead and copper. EPA believes the PQL for 
lead, which is one-third of the lead action level, is the appropriate 
lead level to set for accelerated reduced monitoring. EPA believes the 
PQL for copper for these purposes would be unnecessarily restrictive, 
however. The copper PQL is less than one-tenth the copper action level. 
Moreover, unlike the lead action level, the copper action level is the 
same as the copper MCLG. For these reasons, EPA proposes to use one-
half the copper action level as the copper threshold for determining 
eligibility for accelerated reduced monitoring.
    The Agency believes water systems that have met these low levels 
for two consecutive 6-month monitoring periods will still provide 
adequate public health protection if such systems are allowed to 
conduct accelerated reduced monitoring while saving significant 
monitoring costs and minimizing the inconvenience to homeowners in the 
sampling pool.
    (b) Monitoring for Water Quality Parameters at the Tap. EPA is 
proposing that water systems which meet the criteria for accelerated 
reduced monitoring for lead and copper at the tap also be allowed to 
accelerate reduced monitoring for water quality parameters at the tap 
to once every three years more rapidly than currently allowed. Because 
small and medium-size systems that have very low levels of lead and 
copper at the tap are not required to conduct water quality parameter 
monitoring, this proposed change would apply only to large water 
systems. EPA proposes to add provisions for accelerated reduced water 
quality monitoring by redesignating the current Sec. 141.87(e)(2) as 
Sec. 141.87(e)(2)(i) and adding a new Sec. 141.87(e)(2)(ii) containing 
the provisions for accelerated reduced monitoring at the tap. Systems 
eligible for this accelerated reduced monitoring would have to continue 
to monitor for water quality parameters at the entry points to the 
distribution system. The frequency of this monitoring is one sample 
every two weeks, as specified in Sec. 141.87(c).

3. Sample Invalidation

    EPA proposes to add provisions, in a new Sec. 141.86(f), to allow 
States to invalidate samples under four circumstances: (1) if the 
laboratory establishes that improper sample analysis caused erroneous 
results; (2) if the State determines that the sample was taken from a 
site that does not meet the site selection criteria of Sec. 141.86; (3) 
if the sample container is damaged in transit; or (4) if the State has 
substantial reason to believe that the sample was subject to tampering. 
EPA agrees that these circumstances are likely to yield results that 
may not represent the tap water levels of lead and copper from the 
water system's high risk sites and therefore the State should have 
authority to exclude such results.
    Systems will be required to report the results of all samples to 
the State and must provide evidence of documentation for any sample the 
system believes should be invalidated. The proposed Sec. 141.86(f)(3) 
requires States to document all decisions in writing and prohibits 
States from invalidating a sample solely on the grounds that a follow-
up sample is higher or lower than the original sample. In addition, 
Sec. 141.86(f)(4) would require that any replacement sample be taken at 
the same location as

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the invalidated sample or, if that is not possible, then at a location 
other than those already used for sampling during the monitoring 
period. Any replacement samples also must be taken by the end of the 
applicable monitoring period, if possible, or within 20 days of the 
date the State invalidates the sample, whichever date is later.
    Allowing at least a 20-day window to replace invalidated samples 
provides water systems the opportunity to correct what might otherwise 
be a monitoring violation. The Agency recognizes that, in some cases, 
the system may not know before the end of the applicable monitoring 
period that a sample has been invalidated. Some water systems take only 
the required number of samples, and, in such cases, any invalidated 
samples would mean an insufficient number of samples would be available 
for 90th percentile calculations. Absent the opportunity to replace 
invalidated samples, the system would incur a monitoring violation 
under this scenario. EPA believes it is reasonable to allow such 
systems to replace invalidated samples as long as the replacement 
samples are taken in a timely manner. Any replacement samples taken 
after the end of the applicable monitoring period cannot also be used 
to meet the sampling requirements of the subsequent monitoring period.
    A water system would need to replace invalidated samples only if it 
did not have sufficient valid samples to meet minimum sampling 
requirements. EPA encourages systems to take more samples than required 
by the rule and not to wait until the end of the monitoring period to 
complete sampling. In this way, if one or more samples is invalidated, 
the system has a ``cushion'' and should not need to take replacement 
samples. If replacement samples are required, however, the system will 
still have the opportunity to avoid a monitoring violation.
    Adding provisions for sample invalidation necessitates a change to 
the system reporting requirements in Sec. 141.90. EPA proposes to add 
the requirement, as a new Sec. 141.90(a)(1)(ii),2 for a system 
requesting sample invalidation to submit the appropriate documentation 
to the State.
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    \2\ EPA is proposing to eliminate the current requirement at 
Sec. 141.90(a)(1)(ii). See preamble discussion in section B.8.
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4. Monitoring Waivers for ``All Plastic'' Systems

    Small systems that believe they are free of sources of lead and 
copper contamination within the system view the tap water monitoring 
requirements for lead and copper to be excessive. Some States also have 
requested relief from monitoring requirements for such systems from 
both a common sense and a public health standpoint. EPA believes such 
relief makes sense for small systems, so long as the State is satisfied 
that the system is free of faucets, valves, and water meters made of 
brass or bronze containing lead, lead service lines, lead solder pipe 
joints, copper pipes, and other sources of lead and copper 
contamination within the system itself and all buildings, and that 
source waters are not subject to lead or copper contamination.
    Many manufacturers of brass and bronze fittings and fixtures (e.g., 
faucets) are attempting to meet the standard recently established by 
NSF, International for lead leaching from faucets (NSF, 1995) by 
producing faucets that contain low levels of lead or are completely 
free of lead-containing materials. EPA believes the existence of so-
called ``all plastic'' systems will become more common as industry 
practices evolve. This makes it more likely that smaller systems can 
demonstrate that they are free of lead-containing materials. The Agency 
is therefore proposing to give States discretion to waive some of the 
monitoring requirements for small systems where the State has 
determined that, after at least one round of standard tap water 
monitoring for lead and copper performed since the system became ``all 
plastic,'' that the system is free of lead and copper-containing 
materials in the distribution and plumbing systems.
    EPA proposes to provide States this discretion by adding a new 
paragraph (g) to Sec. 141.86. This provision specifies that any small-
size system, in which the distribution system and service lines, and 
all buildings (e.g., residences, schools, commercial buildings), are 
free of lead or copper pipes or service lines, leaded brass or bronze 
fittings or fixtures, lead soldered pipe joints and other sources of 
lead and copper contamination, may apply to the State for a waiver from 
the tap water monitoring requirements of Sec. 141.86(d) once it has 
completed one six-month round of standard tap water monitoring for lead 
and copper since it became free of these materials. The system must 
demonstrate that the 90th percentile lead level for any monitoring 
period since the system became free of lead-containing and copper-
containing materials did not exceed 0.005 mg/L and that the 90th 
percentile copper level did not exceed 0.65 mg/L. The system must also 
support this request with certification regarding the absence of lead 
and copper materials throughout the system, including buildings.
    States would have to notify the system of its determination in 
writing, setting forth the basis of its decision and any conditions of 
the waiver. As a condition of the waiver, the State may require certain 
activities such as monitoring at specific sites or public education. 
Even if a waiver is approved, limited monitoring at a reduced number of 
sites would be required once every nine years. A system would have to 
resume more frequent tap water monitoring if it could no longer certify 
that it was free of materials containing lead or copper and the State 
would have the discretion to require the system to resume more frequent 
tap water monitoring based on changes in treatment, source waters, or 
tap water lead or copper levels.
    In some cases, States or local communities may have plumbing codes 
that prohibit the use of faucets not meeting the NSF, International 
lead leaching standard. Where such codes do not exist, States may 
decide, as a condition of the waiver, to require that systems provide 
consumers with public education materials encouraging the use of 
faucets meeting the standard. Some States may wish to review all 
waivers periodically even in the absence of any changes in treatment or 
materials which would necessitate such a review.
    EPA does not expect any decrease in public health protection if 
States implement the proposed waiver provisions. The Agency believes 
that these waivers will be granted where States have substantive 
documentation or equivalent evidence that the system is truly free of 
lead and copper, e.g., uniform construction and plumbing specifications 
requiring lead-free and copper-free materials. In the circumstances 
under which a waiver would be permitted (very low lead and copper 
levels in tap water monitoring, absence of lead and copper materials in 
the system), the Agency sees no value to requiring States and water 
systems to invest limited resources on a situation that appears to be 
non-existent. EPA believes such resources should be redirected to areas 
of the program where the potential of higher public health risk exists.
    These provisions necessitate two changes to the system reporting 
requirements in Sec. 141.90. The introductory text at Sec. 141.90(a) 
specifies that water systems must provide monitoring data to the State 
within the first 10 days following the end of each applicable 
monitoring period specified in Secs. 141.86, 141.87, and 141.88. EPA

[[Page 16352]]

proposes to revise this paragraph to include a frequency of ``every 9 
years'' to reflect the monitoring frequency of ``all plastic'' systems 
with monitoring waivers. EPA also proposes to include the reporting 
requirements associated with applying for the waiver at a new 
Sec. 141.90(a)(4).\3\
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    \3\ EPA is proposing to eliminate the current reporting 
requirement at Sec. 141.90(a)(4). See preamble discussion in section 
B.5(c).
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5. Sample Site Location

    (a) Systems Unable to Locate Sufficient Tier 1, 2, and 3 Sites. The 
current regulations do not address situations where a water system is 
unable to locate a sufficient number of sites meeting the tiering 
criteria specified in Sec. 141.86(a). This has resulted in some 
confusion regarding whether such systems are required to monitor and, 
if so, how they should select sample sites. The Agency intended that 
all CWSs and NTNCWSs monitor for lead and copper at the tap. EPA 
therefore proposes to revise paragraph 141.86(a)(5) to clarify that any 
CWS with insufficient tier 1, 2, and 3 sites shall complete its 
sampling pool with representative sites throughout the distribution 
system. Likewise, EPA proposes to revise paragraph 141.86(a)(7) to 
clarify that any NTNCWS with insufficient tier 1 and 2 sites shall 
complete its sampling pool with representative sites. EPA's guidance, 
Lead and Copper Rule Guidance Manual; Volume I: Monitoring, contains 
suggestions for selecting sites in these circumstances.
    (b) NTNCWSs Without Enough Taps That Can Provide First-Draw 
Samples. The existing regulations require that lead and copper tap 
samples must ``have stood motionless in the plumbing * * * for at least 
six-hours.'' This is known as a ``first-draw'' sample. In implementing 
the regulations, States have found that some NTNCWSs cannot achieve 
this standing time because they operate 24 hours a day. Such facilities 
may include factories operating on a three-shift basis and other 
facilities that provide drinking water continuously. These systems are 
unable to ensure that water will have stood in the plumbing for at 
least six hours. EPA believes that requiring such systems to sample 
after a standing time that does not exist is unnecessary. The Agency 
therefore proposes to add paragraph Sec. 141.86(b)(5) to allow NTNCWSs 
that do not have enough taps where the water will have stood in the 
plumbing for at least six hours to ask the State, in writing, for 
approval to sample from taps where the water will have stood for less 
than six hours. Such systems will be required to collect first-draw 
samples from as many appropriate taps as possible. Section 141.86(b)(5) 
also will require such systems to identify sampling times and locations 
that would likely result in the longest standing time and to sample at 
times and locations approved by the State for the remaining required 
samples. EPA also proposes to add the corresponding reporting 
requirements in a new paragraph 141.90(a)(2).\4\
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    \4\ EPA is proposing to eliminate the current reporting 
requirement at Sec. 141.90(a)(2). See preamble discussion in section 
B.5(c).
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    The Agency invites comment on an alternative which would allow 
NTNCWSs that do not have enough taps where the water will have stood in 
the plumbing for at least six hours to proceed without up-front State 
approval to sample from taps where the water will have stood less than 
six hours. The system would still be required to sample from taps with 
the longest standing times possible, however, States would not need to 
specify sites prior to monitoring. States would have discretion to 
verify at any time that the proper sample was conducted.
    (c) Sample Site Justifications. Sections 141.86(a)(8) and 
141.90(a)(2) and (3) require any water system that uses non Tier 1 
sites in its sampling pool to send a letter to the State demonstrating 
why it is necessary to use non Tier 1 sites. Sections 141.86(a)(9) and 
141.90(a)(4) require any water systems with lead service lines that 
cannot identify enough sites connected to lead service lines for its 
sampling pool to send a letter to the State demonstrating why it is 
unable to collect 50 percent of the samples from sites served by lead 
service lines. EPA included these requirements to help ensure that 
systems collect samples from high risk sites. The Agency expected these 
to be ``one time'' requirements that would be completed, if necessary, 
prior to the start of initial monitoring.
    Water systems, particularly those not exceeding the lead and copper 
action levels, are finding it necessary to adjust the sampling pool 
every monitoring period because they are experiencing difficultly 
obtaining continued access to the same sites. Changes to the sampling 
pool frequently trigger the need for letters to the State justifying 
the selection of new sampling sites. EPA believes that requiring 
systems to justify the use of other than high risk sites on an ongoing 
basis imposes an unnecessary burden as States can determine whether 
systems are sampling routinely at appropriate sites through other 
mechanisms such as periodic on-site inspections and file reviews. The 
Agency therefore proposes to eliminate these requirements. To 
accomplish this, EPA proposes to: (a) delete the current 
Secs. 141.90(a)(2) through (4); and (b) revise Sec. 141.86(a) by 
deleting paragraph (8) and revising paragraph (9) and redesignating it 
as paragraph (8).
    (d) Selection of Sample Sites Under Reduced Monitoring. Section 
141.86(d)(4) allows systems serving more than 100 people that qualify 
for reduced monitoring to decrease the number of required sample sites 
by fifty percent. Section 141.86 currently does not specify which 
sampling sites should be included in the reduced sampling pool. EPA is 
concerned that, rather than select representative locations, some 
systems might select those sites which yielded the lowest 
concentrations of lead and copper during the previous rounds of tap 
water sampling. EPA proposes to clarify Sec. 141.86(c) so that systems 
shall choose representative sites and States shall have the authority 
to designate which sample sites must be used for reduced monitoring in 
those situations where the State believes that such designation is 
appropriate. The Agency believes this proposed revision minimizes 
additional regulatory burden. The State will not be required to specify 
sampling sites for any system. Rather, the proposed revision allows 
States to specify locations for those systems that they believe may 
attempt to ``game'' the system, thus allowing the State to concentrate 
on water systems that need the extra attention.

6. Optimized Systems That Change Treatment or Source Water

    EPA expects most systems that have optimized corrosion control will 
continue to apply the same chemicals and maintain roughly uniform 
dosage rates in order to maintain suitable passivation or corrosion 
inhibition. Some systems, however, may find it necessary to change 
their treatment to comply with other regulatory requirements or changes 
in source water. For example, more stringent regulations for 
disinfection and disinfection by-products could result in a water 
system switching from one corrosion control treatment (e.g., pH/
alkalinity adjustment) to another (e.g., phosphate-based inhibitor). In 
addition, over time, some systems may find it necessary to switch from 
one source water to another and, as a result, some would have to change 
their corrosion control treatment to account for different water 
chemistry.
    It is important that corrosion control treatment be maintained even 
in the

[[Page 16353]]

face of changes in other aspects of water quality (either because of a 
new source or changes in other treatment). Without properly maintained 
treatment, protective films in the distribution system can be 
solubilized within weeks or even days (Fuge et al., 1992, Colling, et 
al., 1992; Schock et al., 1996) and lead and/or copper can be released 
from the interior surfaces of pipes and other plumbing or distribution 
system materials. This is addressed in the current rule by requirements 
for systems that install treatment to continue to monitor for lead and 
copper as well as various water quality parameters. There is a concern, 
however, that the current rule may not adequately address systems 
deemed to have optimized corrosion control who later make changes in 
their treatment for reasons discussed above. Because these systems 
would be monitoring at a reduced frequency, increases in lead and/or 
copper that may occur within a relatively short time may not be 
detected for up to three years.
    The Agency believes this will be a relatively uncommon problem. 
Further, the Agency recognizes that any increases in lead and/or copper 
levels would be unintended in systems that previously expended 
significant resources demonstrating they had optimized corrosion 
control. Nevertheless, EPA believes that such a contingency should be 
addressed and is proposing to amend Sec. 141.86(d)(4) by adding a new 
paragraph (vii) that would apply to systems that have been on a reduced 
monitoring schedule and either (a) change their source water, or (b) 
change any water quality treatment process, including disinfection, 
disinfection by-product removal, and corrosion control. EPA also 
proposes to add the corresponding reporting requirement in a new 
paragraph at Sec. 141.90(a)(3).\5\ Systems falling into this category 
would have to inform the State of such a change. Adequate data and case 
histories are not available for EPA to ensure accurate a priori 
estimates of time and location of problems associated with treatment 
changes in different types of system. Based on such information, the 
State could require the system to resume standardized lead and copper 
tap water monitoring, or other appropriate steps such as increased 
water quality parameter monitoring or re-evaluation of its corrosion 
control treatment given the potentially different water quality 
considerations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ EPA is proposing to eliminate the current reporting 
requirement at Sec. 141.90(a)(3). See preamble discussion in section 
B.5(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. Entry Point Monitoring for Water Quality Parameters in Ground Water 
Systems

    Sections 141.81 (d) and (e) require monitoring for various water 
quality parameters at entry points to the distribution system in those 
systems that install corrosion control treatment. Based on 
conversations with States since the rule became effective, the Agency 
believes that for some systems that rely on ground water sources, 
monitoring for water quality parameters at each entry point to the 
distribution system may not be necessary. Some ground water systems, 
especially in the western states, can have dozens or even hundreds of 
wells, and monitoring for numerous water quality parameters at all 
entry points can be difficult to coordinate and expensive.
    For example, ground water systems can have distinct hydraulic zones 
where water from the different zones do not mix. In many of these 
cases, it is possible that corrosion control treatment is needed at 
some wells but not all. The Agency believes that there would be little 
value in monitoring at all wells with identical water qualities in the 
same hydraulic zone if the same treatment is being applied. Similarly, 
it would not be reasonable to monitor water quality parameters at all 
wells receiving no treatment, especially if the water from these 
sources is in a distinct hydraulic zone from wells that do receive 
treatment and therefore do not blend with treated water. In these 
cases, it could be sufficient to monitor at a representative number of 
wells to ensure that the treatment being applied is appropriate for the 
current water quality and that treatment conditions are being 
maintained.
    The Agency proposes to amend Sec. 141.87 by adding a new paragraph 
(c)(3) to allow ground water systems that have installed corrosion 
control treatment and are required to monitor for the water quality 
parameters listed in Sec. 141.87(c), to limit their entry point 
monitoring to those locations that are representative of water quality 
conditions throughout the system. For those systems, monitoring for 
water quality parameters would be required at some entry points 
receiving treatment as well as at some points receiving no corrosion 
control treatment if the water from those points mixes with other 
source water in the system that is treated. Systems taking advantage of 
this provision would be required to provide the State the same kinds of 
detailed records regarding chemical additions and water quality at 
those entry points that are monitored, as well as documentation showing 
that those points are in fact representative of water quality 
throughout the system. EPA proposes to add the corresponding reporting 
requirement in a new Sec. 141.90(a)(5).6
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ EPA is proposing to eliminate the current reporting 
requirement at Sec. 141.90(a)(5). See preamble discussion at B.8(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Agency also proposes to revise the summary table at the end of 
Sec. 141.87 to reflect this change as well as the current and proposed 
provisions in Sec. 141.87(e) allowing reduced monitoring for water 
quality parameters at the tap to occur on an annual or triennial 
frequency.

8. Other Changes Pertaining to Tap Water Monitoring for Lead and Copper

    (a) First Draw Certifications. Sections 141.90(a)(1) (ii) and (iii) 
currently contain requirements for water systems to provide a 
certification that each sample collected by the system pursuant to 
Sec. 141.86(d) meets the first-draw specifications in Sec. 141.86(b) 
and that each tap sample collected by residents was taken after the 
water system informed them of the proper sampling procedures. EPA 
included these requirements to help ensure use of the proper sampling 
protocol contained in Sec. 141.86. Most water systems have now 
completed at least two rounds of monitoring for lead and copper at the 
tap and have experience collecting first drawn samples. The Agency 
believes the continued requirement to provide these certifications 
every monitoring period imposes a burden that can no longer be 
justified. EPA therefore proposes to eliminate this requirement by 
deleting these paragraphs.7
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ As discussed in section B.3 above, EPA proposes to replace 
paragraph 141.90(a)(1)(ii) with a new requirement pertaining to 
sample invalidation requests. EPA proposes to reserve paragraph 
141.90(a)(1)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) State Approval for Reduced Monitoring. Section 141.86(d)(4) 
(ii) contains provisions for any water system that maintains the range 
of values for the water quality control parameters reflecting optimal 
corrosion control treatment specified by the State under Sec. 141.82(f) 
during each of two consecutive six-month monitoring periods to request 
State approval to reduce the frequency of monitoring for lead and 
copper at the tap to once per year and to reduce the number of samples 
in accordance with Sec. 141.86(c). Section 141.86(d)(4)(iii) contains 
similar provisions for such water systems to request approval from the 
State to further reduce the frequency of lead and copper tap water 
monitoring to once every three years after

[[Page 16354]]

demonstrating they have maintained optimal corrosion control during 
three consecutive years of monitoring. The Agency believes State 
approval is appropriate in these instances because of the number of 
factors that must be considered when determining eligibility for 
reduced monitoring.
    Based on conversations with States since the rule became effective, 
EPA believes the requirement for systems to explicitly request such 
approval is redundant. States routinely review system eligibility for 
reduced monitoring as part of their regular compliance determination 
and notify those systems that are eligible to begin reduced monitoring. 
Under these circumstances, the Agency believes that asking systems to 
request such a determination adds unnecessary transaction costs. EPA 
therefore is proposing to revise Secs. 141.86(d)(4)(ii) and (iii) to 
remove the requirement that systems explicitly request State approval 
for reduced monitoring and to delete the corresponding system reporting 
requirement at Sec. 141.90(a)(5).
    This revision reduces system burden but would not change the 
State's role. The revised Secs. 141.86(d)(4) (ii) and (iii) will 
continue to require States to review monitoring records and notify the 
system in writing of its determination and to review the determination, 
as appropriate, as new data become available.
    (c) Sampling for Water Systems That Do Not Operate Year Round. 
Water systems sampling once per year or less must take samples in June, 
July, August, or September. This requirement causes problems for some 
NTNCWSs, such as schools and ski resorts, that may not be open, and 
therefore do not serve water, during these months. The intent of the 
rule is that the sampling be done during the warmest months of the 
year. EPA did not intend, however, that seasonal systems sample during 
months when the system is not in operation as the results of such 
sampling would not be representative of the water used for drinking. 
EPA proposes to revise the current Sec. 141.86(d)(4)(iv) to require 
water systems that do not operate between June and September to monitor 
at times most likely to represent their warmest months of operation.
    (d) Holding Time for Acidified Lead and Copper Samples. EPA 
proposes to change Sec. 141.86(b)(2) by decreasing the holding time for 
acidified lead or copper samples from 28 to 16 hours. EPA originally 
required 28 hours for acid to redissolve metals in water samples. The 
Agency has since obtained data 8 to show that 16 hours is 
sufficient to solubilize all metals including lead and copper. In a 
recent methods update rule (59 FR 62456, December 5, 1994) EPA changed 
the holding time for acidified samples to 16 hours but neglected to 
correct the rule at Sec. 141.86(b)(2) to reflect this change. This 
change would reduce the burden on utilities and laboratories to have 
separate acidification holding times for lead and copper, and it 
increases the number of samples that can be analyzed in a day. This 
proposed change does not affect the accuracy or reliability of lead or 
copper determinations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ These data are discussed in conjunction with EPA Methods 
200.8 and 200.9 in the manual, Methods for the Determination of 
Metals in Environmental Samples--Supplement 1. [EPA, 1994]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

9. Public Education

    (a) Public Education Language. The regulations prescribe specific 
language that systems must include in the text of all written materials 
they distribute as a part of their lead public education program. 
Delivery of educational materials by systems that have exceeded the 
lead action level has done much to educate the public on lead in 
drinking water. Some EPA Regions and States have raised concern, 
however, that the required public education material, while appropriate 
for CWSs that serve water to residential customers, may not be 
appropriate for NTNCWSs and even some small CWSs such as prisons and 
hospitals. To address these concerns, EPA is proposing alternative 
language that is more appropriate for such systems.
    EPA proposes to make numbering changes to Sec. 141.85. Paragraph 
(a) will continue to contain the public education language; however, in 
order to add language specific to NTNCWSs, EPA proposes to split 
paragraph (a) into two paragraphs. Paragraph (a)(1) will contain public 
education material for CWSs; paragraph (a)(2) will contain public 
education material for NTNCWSs. The numbers inside paragraphs (a)(1) 
and (a)(2) will be changed accordingly and conforming changes will be 
made in Sec. 141.85(c).
    The new NTNCWS language in paragraph (a)(2) provides more relevant 
and helpful information for persons consuming water in such a system 
than the existing public education language. EPA proposes to replace 
phrases such as ``some homes in the community'' with ``some drinking 
water samples [taken from this facility]'' because a NTNCWS typically 
does not serve water to homes. EPA proposes to delete the reference to 
having water tested for lead because customers of a NTNCWS are unlikely 
to have water tested for lead as they tend to consume the water for 
only a short period of time and have little or no control over the 
water in the distribution system. For similar reasons, EPA proposes 
deleting references to having a plumber check pipes for solder and 
having an electrician check for possible improper grounding. 
Additionally, EPA proposes to replace references to home treatment 
devices with a recommendation that bottled water be consumed if lead 
levels at the tap cannot be reduced. EPA also proposes to change the 
language for flushing taps for NTNCWSs. Persons using taps at such 
water systems likely will not know the nature of the plumbing system as 
would homeowners. For example, reference to lead service lines in the 
CWS notice does not have any added health benefit for NTNCWSs where the 
consumer is unlikely to be aware of the existence of such lines. EPA 
therefore proposes to limit the discussion of flushing to suggesting a 
15-30 second flush, which should clear any water with high lead levels 
that come from the faucet.
    EPA believes that the public education language in 
Sec. 141.85(a)(1) is not appropriate for some types of CWSs, such as 
prisons and hospitals. The notice for CWSs in these institutions is 
inappropriate. Inmates and patients who are not capable of installing 
home treatment devices or having their water tested should not be given 
the CWS public education language. References to ``your home'' and 
``your family's health'' also are inappropriate. Therefore, EPA 
proposes to add Sec. 141.85(c)(7) to allow a CWS to request that the 
State allow it to issue public education materials as if it were an 
NTNCWS if the system is a facility where the population served is not 
capable of, or is prevented from, making improvements to plumbing or 
installing point of use treatment devices and the system provides water 
as part of the covered services and does not directly bill for water 
consumption. EPA believes this is appropriate for certain institutions 
and should be allowed where the State believes it better protects 
public health. The Agency also invites comment on an alternative 
whereby a community water system for which the NTNCWS public education 
would be appropriate would not require up-front approval from the State 
before issuing the public education materials. The system would still 
have to submit certification that it completed its public

[[Page 16355]]

education requirements, including the NTNCWS material that it used.
    EPA recognizes that many public water systems, especially CWSs with 
large populations, have had public education material printed and that 
making changes would be costly. The Agency believes, however, that none 
of the changes to the public education language will be applicable for 
most CWSs and expects them to continue to be able to use already 
printed materials.
    (b) Mailing and Timing of Notices. Water systems that exceed the 
lead action level must perform public education tasks within 60 days of 
the initial exceedance. As part of this activity, CWSs are required to 
include the required materials with the water bill and print an alert 
on the billing statement. EPA's intent in establishing these 
requirements was to provide customers timely notification that the 
system had exceeded the lead action level, information about health 
risks, sources of exposure, and steps the consumer can take to reduce 
exposure. While the Agency believes there is value in requiring notice 
in the water bill and that such an approach saves the cost of a 
separate mailing, the EPA Regions and States responsible for 
implementing the regulations have found that these requirements pose 
unintended problems for many water systems.
    Many water utilities do not bill frequently enough to meet the 60-
day requirement; ninety days is more the norm. Also, many systems use 
postcards or computer-generated self-mailers. These formats do not 
allow the enclosure of additional materials nor do they have sufficient 
space to include the required alert on the bill itself. Systems 
exceeding the action level that have one, or both, of these problems 
face difficulty complying with the current requirements unless they 
change their billing system. This is not the Agency's intent. EPA 
therefore proposes to revise Sec. 141.85(c)(2)(i) to allow community 
water systems more flexibility in the mailing of public education 
materials.
    First, EPA proposes, in a new paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A), to allow such 
systems to mail these materials on the same schedule as the system's 
billing cycle, as long as the mailing occurs within 6 months of the 
exceedance. EPA also proposes to revise the language of 
Sec. 141.85(c)(2) by adding the phrase, ``Except as provided in 
paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) of this section, * * *'' to be consistent with 
this new provision.
    Second, EPA proposes to add a new paragraph (c)(2)(i)(B) to allow 
systems that do not bill using envelopes, or that will not bill within 
6 months of exceeding the lead action level, the option of distributing 
the lead public education materials to billing units through a separate 
mailing as long as the mailing is completed within 6 months of 
exceeding the lead action level and achieves at least equal coverage. 
Systems using an alternative delivery of lead public education would be 
required to include an alert with the public education materials to 
minimize the risk that the materials would be discarded as ``junk 
mail.''
    (c) Systems Serving 500 or Fewer People. In addition to mailing 
notices to billing units, CWSs must submit notices to the major daily 
and weekly newspapers circulated throughout the community, provide lead 
information to facilities and organizations visited frequently by 
children and pregnant women, and submit public service announcements to 
radio and television stations with the largest audiences that broadcast 
to the community served by the water system. The preamble to the final 
rule (56 FR 26500-26503) explains why the Agency believes these steps 
are necessary and appropriate.
    For some small systems, particularly those that provide water only 
to a small number of people in a larger urban or suburban area, these 
requirements have created unintended consequences. The rule requires 
systems to include their telephone number so consumers can call with 
questions about lead in their drinking water. In some cases, small 
systems that serve only a small portion of a larger metropolitan area 
have been flooded with calls from individuals not served by the system 
who heard or read these announcements. Such systems are ill-equipped to 
respond appropriately to a large-scale public response. The requirement 
to distribute materials to locations visited frequently by pregnant 
women and children similarly imposes a significant burden on these 
systems since it may involve a large number of locations if the system 
is near an urban or suburban area.
    EPA does not believe it is appropriate to impose such burdens on 
systems serving few people. EPA considered the option of allowing CWSs 
serving 500 or fewer people to use the same method of delivery as 
NTNCWSs. Non-transient non-community systems are required to post 
informational posters on lead in drinking water in a public place or 
common area in each of the buildings served by the system and to 
distribute information pamphlets and/or brochures to each person served 
by the system. EPA believes the requirement to post in every building 
served by the system could be a problem for a community system since it 
would require access to residences and other buildings not controlled 
by the system in order to post notices in appropriate locations.
    The Agency therefore proposes to add provisions, in a new 
Sec. 141.85(c)(8), to allow CWSs serving 500 or fewer people to limit 
or omit some of the required tasks. Section 141.85(c)(8) will allow 
such systems to omit tasks requiring submission of information to 
newspapers and radio and television stations. In place of these tasks, 
EPA proposes to require these systems to mail or hand deliver the same 
lead public education materials the system is required to mail to 
billing units to all other regular consumers (e.g., tenants of multi-
family residences whose water is included in their rent). EPA also 
proposes to allow such systems to limit the number of locations to 
which they must furnish informational pamphlets. EPA proposes that such 
systems be required to provide these materials to locations frequented 
by pregnant women or children within the system's service area and only 
those locations outside the system's service area that are regularly 
visited by the system's consumers. Finally, EPA proposes that a system 
performing public education in accordance with the provisions of 
Sec. 141.85(c)(8) repeat the tasks every 12 months for as long as the 
system continues to exceed the lead action level. The Agency believes 
this proposed approach will significantly reduce the burden imposed on 
these systems without jeopardizing the effectiveness of their lead 
public education programs.
    In addition to eliminating the requirement for CWSs serving 500 or 
fewer people to provide public service announcements to radio and 
television stations every six months for as long as the system exceeds 
the lead action level, EPA solicits comment regarding the option of 
also eliminating this requirement for CWSs serving between 501 and 
3,300 people. Since the ``local'' radio and televisions stations for 
communities served by small-sized water systems frequently belong to 
larger listening and viewing areas, this option should reduce small-
sized system burden by reducing the need for the system to respond to a 
large number of inquiries from those not served by the system. In 
addition, since radio and television stations often do not air public 
service announcements that affect only a small subset of their 
audience, omitting this task may not affect the effectiveness of the 
system's public education program. On the other hand, the use of 
multiple media to deliver lead public education to as many people as 
possible and the use of

[[Page 16356]]

public service announcements have been found to be very effective. 
Omitting the public service announcement requirement may reduce the 
effectiveness of the lead public education program for the larger 
small-sized systems (i.e., those serving between 501 and 3,300 people) 
because these systems are more likely to have consumers who cannot be 
reached effectively through other approaches (i.e., direct mailing to 
billing units, newspaper notices, and brochures distributed to 
locations visited frequently by pregnant women and children). 
Commenters should address the effect this option would have on the lead 
public education program for CWS serving 501 to 3,300 people, what, if 
any, tasks should be required in lieu of public service announcements 
for these systems, and the burden implications of this option.
    (d) Schedule for Reporting Completion of Public Education Tasks. 
Section 141.90(f) requires that each water system subject to the public 
education requirements submit a letter to the State by December 31st of 
each year demonstrating that the system has delivered the required 
public education program. The letter must be accompanied by a list of 
all newspapers, radio and television stations, and facilities and 
organization to which the system delivered the public education 
materials during the previous year.
    The Agency believes the current reporting requirement fails to 
provide the States and EPA with information in a manner timely enough 
to oversee systems' compliance with the public education program 
mandated in the final rule. In some cases, the current provision in 
Sec. 141.90(f) gives a public water system as much as ten months before 
it submits a letter to the State certifying that it has delivered the 
public education materials to its customers in accordance with 
Sec. 141.85(c). For example, under the current provision a system that 
initially exceeds the lead action level in the monitoring period ending 
January 1 is required to deliver the public education program within 60 
days of the exceedance (e.g., by March 1), but does not have to submit 
the certification letter to the State until December 31. If the system 
fails to deliver the public education program in a timely manner, the 
State would have difficulty knowing of a violation until months after 
it has occurred.
    In place of the current requirement for a letter submitted by 
December 31st, EPA is proposing to require that each water system 
subject to the public education requirements submit a letter 
demonstrating compliance with the public education requirements within 
ten days after the end of each period 9 in which it is required to 
perform public education tasks. The ten days allows systems to assemble 
records and notify the State. Such a requirement is consistent with the 
time frame allowed in other reporting requirements, which allow ten 
days after an action or the end of a reporting period for a system to 
report to the State. The letter would have to be accompanied by a list 
of all newspapers, radio and television stations, and facilities and 
organization to which the system delivered the public education 
materials during the most recent period during which the system was 
required to perform public education tasks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ The regulations require a CWS to provide public service 
announcements to the broadcast media every six months as long as the 
system continues to exceed the lead action level. A water system 
must repeat the appropriate written public education tasks every 12 
months as long as it continues to exceed the lead action level.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    EPA recognizes that this proposed revision will require community 
water systems that must deliver public service announcements to radio 
and television stations every six months to submit two letters to the 
State during a calendar year instead of the single letter that is now 
required. EPA believes, however, that accelerating the public education 
reporting requirement will improve compliance because, in addition to 
making the requirements easier to enforce, it also will encourage water 
systems that exceed the lead action level to deliver the public 
education program to their customers.

10. Control of Lead Service Lines

    In the June 7, 1991, regulations, EPA promulgated a broad 
definition of ``control'' as it applies to lead service lines in the 
distribution system that included: (1) Authority to set standards for 
construction, repair or maintenance of the line; (2) authority to 
replace, repair or maintain the service line; or (3) ownership of the 
service line. As discussed above, AWWA challenged this definition, 
arguing that systems should not be required to replace lead service 
lines they do not own and that EPA had substantially changed the 
definition of control from that which had been proposed without 
providing opportunity for public comment. The Court agreed with AWWA 
that the Agency had failed to give adequate public notice that it was 
considering requiring systems to replace portions of service lines that 
the system does not own. The Court remanded and vacated the definition 
of control as it applies to portions of line beyond a water system's 
ownership. (AWWA v. EPA, 40 F.3d 1266 (D.C. Cir. 1994)) Because the 
Court vacated the rule on this procedural ground, it did not address 
AWWA's substantive argument that EPA was without statutory authority to 
require replacement of privately owned portions of service lines.
    After further consideration, EPA has decided to propose a revised 
definition of ``control'' of lead service lines (LSLs) that would 
obligate water systems to replace the portion of the line that they 
own, as well as any additional portion which the system has the 
authority to replace, in order to protect the quality of water 
delivered to the user. EPA is concerned that the LSL replacement 
requirements in the original rule, which required systems to also 
replace the privately owned portion of the line where the system had 
standard setting authority or other forms of authority, could result in 
confusion and delay in implementation of the rule. Confusion could have 
resulted from different perceptions of the precise scope of the 
system's legal authority, and resolution of such disputes would have 
required the intervention of the State, a potentially time consuming 
process.
    To accommodate the revised definition of LSL control and to further 
streamline the LSL replacement requirements, the Agency proposes that 
the rule would not include the rebuttable presumption contained in the 
original rule. Rather, the rule's provision would be ``self-
implementing'' and not require affirmative demonstrations by the 
systems or a priori review by the State. For this reason, EPA proposes 
to eliminate the reporting requirement at Sec. 141.90(e)(4) for any 
system seeking to rebut the presumption that it controls the entire 
service line to send a letter to the State. EPA solicits comment 
specifically regarding the degree to which systems may have the 
authority to replace the privately owned portions of lead service 
lines.
    EPA also solicits comment regarding the option of only requiring 
replacement of the portion of the line owned by the water system. Such 
an approach would further simplify implementation of the rule, since 
the division in ownership between the system and the user should be 
clear to all parties.

11. Source Water Monitoring

    (a) Composite Samples. Section 141.88(a)(1) requires any system 
that exceeds an action level to collect entry point samples to 
determine the contribution from source water to lead and copper tap 
water levels. These

[[Page 16357]]

systems may composite source water samples in accordance with the 
requirements regarding sample location, number of samples, and 
collection methods specified for inorganic chemical sampling in 
Sec. 141.23(a).
    Section 141.23(a)(4) specifies that a water system may composite 
samples from as many as five sampling sites. When the final rule was 
published in June 1991, Sec. 141.23 tied the resampling triggers for 
inorganic chemicals in source water to the method detection limit 
(MDL). These provisions were modified by the Phase V Rule (57 FR 31776, 
July 17, 1992). Section 141.23(a)(4)(I) now requires that follow-up 
samples be collected if any composited inorganic chemical sample 
concentration is greater than or equal to one-fifth of the maximum 
contaminant level (MCL). The use of one-fifth of the MCL as the 
resampling trigger for source water lead and copper levels is 
inappropriate since there are no MCLs for lead or copper.
    EPA considered a resampling trigger of one-fifth the action level 
for lead and copper in a composite source water sample on the basis 
that such a resampling trigger might be analogous to a resampling 
trigger of one-fifth of the MCL for all other regulated inorganic 
compounds in drinking water. While using one-fifth of the MCL as the 
resampling trigger is sufficient for most inorganic chemicals, lead and 
copper are regulated through a slightly different means. That is, an 
action level at the 90th percentile as measured in tap samples does not 
directly correspond to any particular source water levels. 
Contributions to lead and copper levels at the tap can come from source 
water and through corrosion of the distribution system. In some cases, 
the contribution from the source may be significant and merits 
treatment. EPA believes that using one-fifth of the action level as the 
resampling trigger is inappropriate for lead and copper.
    EPA's guidance, Lead and Copper Rule Guidance Manual Volume II: 
Corrosion Control Treatment dated September 1992 (Document number EPA 
811-B-92-002), provides levels below which treatment is not an 
advisable option for lead and copper in source water. Below these 
levels, the Agency believes it would be more expedient to control lead 
and copper levels through corrosion control treatment of the 
distribution system than through source water treatment. The Agency 
believes source water treatment for lead is generally not advisable 
when lead levels in the source water are less than or equal to 0.005 
mg/L. The Agency also believes that source water treatment for copper 
is generally not advisable when copper levels in the source water are 
less than or equal to 0.8 mg/L.
    EPA therefore believes the water system and the State generally 
should be concerned when source water lead levels exceed 0.005 mg/L or 
source water copper levels are greater than 0.8 mg/L. As discussed 
above, EPA believes that the less conservative level of concern for 
copper is appropriate since the copper action level is the same as the 
copper MCLG. Since the rule allows compositing of up to 5 samples, the 
composite sample concentration can be as much as one-fifth the level at 
any of the sites included in the composite before treatment would be 
considered. EPA believes the resampling trigger should be set at one-
fifth the level of concern to ensure that sampling sites with lead and/
or copper levels greater than the level of concern are identified.
    EPA proposes that water systems resample for lead and copper in 
source water at each of the sites from which the composite sample was 
taken when the composite sample concentration is greater than 0.001 mg/
L for lead and/or greater than 0.160 mg/L for copper. The Agency 
believes these levels are appropriate because the final rule specifies 
that the State may require a water system to treat its source water at 
the lower levels and it is therefore crucial that EPA, the States, and 
water systems, have information at the lower levels to make informed 
decisions on proper treatment.
    The proposed lead resampling trigger of 0.001 mg/L is the method 
detection limit (MDL) for lead. The Agency is aware that there is 
concern about using MDLs as monitoring and compositing criteria 
because, statistically, half the samples whose true value is at the MDL 
could be reported as false negatives. The Agency therefore also is 
soliciting comment on the option of not allowing composite source water 
samples.
    EPA proposes to revise Sec. 141.88(a)(1) by dropping the reference 
to Sec. 141.23(a) (1) through (4) \10\ and incorporating the 
requirements regarding sample location, number of samples, and 
collection methods at a new Sec. 141.88(a)(1) (i) through (iii). The 
proposed new Sec. 141.88(a)(1)(iii) will contain the provisions for 
compositing source water samples for lead and copper as well as the 
resampling triggers for lead and copper. This paragraph also clarifies 
that compositing of samples must be done by certified laboratory 
personnel and provides a cost-savings option that, if duplicates of or 
sufficient quantities from the original samples from each sampling 
point used in the composite are available, the system may use these 
instead of resampling, if resampling is necessary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ Section 141.23(a)(1) through (4) contains the requirements 
regarding sample location, number of samples, and timing for 
inorganic chemicals. Since the requirements pertaining to sampling 
for lead and copper in source water differ somewhat from those in 
Sec. 141.23(a) (1)-(4), the Agency believes it will be less 
confusing to specify the requirements regarding lead and copper in 
Subpart I, where all other lead and copper sampling is addressed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The revised resampling triggers for lead and copper at 
Sec. 141.88(a)(1)(iii) necessitate revisions to the laboratory 
certification procedures at Sec. 141.89(a)(1)(iii). Currently 
Sec. 141.89(a)(1)(iii) requires that laboratories that accept composite 
samples be capable of achieving the MDLs that previously were the 
resampling triggers for lead and copper. For lead, at 
Sec. 141.89(a)(1)(iii)(A), the MDL of 0.001 mg/L corresponds to the 
resampling trigger discussed above that is proposed to be added to 
Sec. 141.88(a)(1)(iii). However, for copper, the MDL is below the 
resampling trigger proposed to be added at Sec. 141.88(a)(1)(iii). The 
MDL for copper is 0.001 mg/L, or 0.020 mg/L if atomic absorption direct 
aspiration is used. EPA therefore proposes to revise 
Sec. 141.89(a)(1)(iii) to delete the requirement concerning the copper 
MDL because the laboratory will be sufficiently tested on its 
capabilities under Sec. 141.89(a)(1)(ii)(B) where it is required to 
achieve a quantitative acceptance limit of 10 percent of 
the actual amount of the performance evaluation sample when the actual 
amount is greater than or equal to 0.050 mg/L.
    (b) Reduced Source Water Monitoring. Systems that exceed the lead 
or copper action level at the tap are required to monitor for lead or 
copper in their source water. States are required to determine whether 
source water treatment is needed and, if treatment is required, to 
establish maximum permissible levels for lead and copper in the 
system's source water. The current regulations, at Sec. 141.88(e), 
allow source water monitoring at a reduced frequency ultimately for 
water systems that meet the maximum permissible source water lead and 
copper levels set by the State. This reduced monitoring is not 
currently allowed for systems required to conduct source water 
monitoring but for which the State has not set maximum permissible 
source water levels. In these instances, the State effectively has 
determined that source water treatment is not necessary and that the 
source water does not contribute significantly to lead and

[[Page 16358]]

copper levels at the tap. EPA believes it is appropriate to allow such 
systems to reduce the frequency of source water monitoring. Some water 
systems will exceed the lead or copper action level on a continuing 
basis with little or no contamination originating from the source. For 
these systems, corrosion control treatment may require a number of 
years to take full effect.
    EPA therefore proposes to revise Secs. 141.88(e)(1) and (2) to 
allow water systems that exceed the action level, but for which the 
State has not set maximum permissible source water levels, to reduce 
the frequency of source water monitoring for lead and copper if the 
system maintains source water lead levels below 0.005 mg/L and source 
water copper levels below 0.8 mg/L for three consecutive monitoring 
periods, if using an exclusively ground-water source, or three 
consecutive years, if using a surface water or combined surface and 
ground-water source. As explained above, these are the levels for lead 
and copper in source water below which EPA generally believes source 
water treatment is not necessary. The proposed monitoring protocol is 
consistent with current rule requirements for systems that meet State-
set maximum permissible levels after installation of source water 
treatment. The preamble to the rule (56 FR 26529) explained that this 
protocol is consistent with the monitoring protocols for other 
inorganic chemicals.

12. System Reporting Requirements

    As discussed above, EPA is proposing a number of changes to water 
system reporting requirements at Sec. 141.90. The following chart 
summarizes these changes.

      Summary of Proposed Changes to System Reporting Requirements      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Preamble   
           Paragraph                Proposed revision       discussion  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
141.90(a)(1)(ii)...............  Remove requirement for  B.8(a)         
                                  certification of                      
                                  first draw samples                    
                                  collected by the                      
                                  system.                               
                                 Replace with new        B.3            
                                  requirement for                       
                                  documentation to                      
                                  accompany sample                      
                                  invalidation requests.                
141.90(a)(1)(iii)..............  Remove requirement for  B.8(a)         
                                  certification                         
                                  pertaining to first                   
                                  draw samples                          
                                  collected by                          
                                  residents.                            
                                 Reserve paragraph.....                 
141.90(a)(2)...................  Remove requirement for  B.5(b)         
                                  CWSs to send letter                   
                                  to State                              
                                  demonstrating why                     
                                  sufficient Tier 1                     
                                  sites cannot be                       
                                  located.                              
                                 Replace with new        B.5(d)         
                                  requirement for                       
                                  NTNCWSs that cannot                   
                                  find enough first                     
                                  draw sampling sites                   
                                  to send a letter to                   
                                  the State.                            
141.90(a)(3)...................  Remove requirement for  B.5(b)         
                                  NTNCWSs to send                       
                                  letter to State                       
                                  demonstrating why                     
                                  sufficient Tier 1                     
                                  sites cannot be                       
                                  located.                              
                                 Replace with new        B.6            
                                  requirement for                       
                                  systems subject to                    
                                  reduced monitoring to                 
                                  notify the State if                   
                                  there are any changes                 
                                  in treatment or                       
                                  source water.                         
141.90(a)(4)...................  Remove requirement to   B.5(b)         
                                  send letter to State                  
                                  demonstrating why 50%                 
                                  of sampling sites are                 
                                  not served by lead                    
                                  service lines.                        
                                 Replace with new        B.4            
                                  reporting                             
                                  requirements                          
                                  associated with ``all                 
                                  plastic'' system                      
                                  monitoring requests.                  
141.90(a)(5)...................  Remove reporting        B.8(b)         
                                  requirements                          
                                  associated with                       
                                  requesting reduced                    
                                  monitoring.                           
                                 Replace with new        B.7            
                                  reporting requirement                 
                                  demonstrating                         
                                  representative                        
                                  locations for                         
                                  biweekly entry point                  
                                  water quality                         
                                  parameter monitoring                  
                                  after the                             
                                  installation of                       
                                  corrosion control                     
                                  treatment.                            
141.90(e)(4)...................  Remove reporting        B.10           
                                  requirements                          
                                  associated with                       
                                  rebutting presumption                 
                                  of control of lead                    
                                  service lines.                        
141.90(f)......................  Revise deadline for     B.9(d)         
                                  reporting completion                  
                                  of public education                   
                                  tasks.                                
------------------------------------------------------------------------

13. Other Revisions Suggested by Stakeholders

    As part of a broad ``Government Reinvention'' initiative, EPA has 
been examining ways to reduce the paperwork burden on regulated parties 
and States associated with environmental regulations. Through public 
meetings, EPA has solicited input from States, water utilities, and 
environmental groups regarding ways to reduce the burden associated 
with National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, including the lead 
and copper rules. Some of the suggestions made by these 
``stakeholders'' were already part of the set of revisions that are 
being proposed for public comment in this notice. Several other 
suggestions are not being formally proposed at this time because the 
EPA has not had time to fully assess them, but the Agency believes that 
they are worth considering. Thus, the Agency is requesting comment, 
data, or other relevant information on these additional suggested 
revisions to the lead and copper rule, summarized below, so that it can 
more fully evaluate their merits for possible inclusion in the final 
rule, or proposal in subsequent rulemaking. Stakeholder suggestions 
regarding other aspects of the drinking water program are being 
addressed through other regulatory and programmatic pathways.
    (a) Eliminate PWS Requirement to Calculate and Report 90th 
Percentile Values. Under Sec. 141.90(a)(1)(i), water systems are 
required to submit to the State the results of all tap samples for lead 
and copper. Systems are also required under Sec. 141.90(a)(1)(iv) to 
submit the 90th percentile lead and copper concentration measure from 
the tap water samples. Some States have found that many systems, 
especially smaller systems, submit incorrect values for the 90th 
percentiles. As a result, some States routinely re-calculate 90th 
percentile values based on the individual tap sample data. Given this 
problem, it has been suggested that the rule be revised to give States 
flexibility to eliminate the requirement that systems submit 90th 
percentile values provided that the State performs the calculation. The 
Agency has received other input that the current requirement for 
systems to calculate the 90th percentile values is helpful because it 
helps systems that do exceed an action level begin follow-up steps, 
especially water quality parameter monitoring. Also, 90th percentile 
values, especially for smaller systems, are often obvious to the 
trained eye reviewing the actual data and it allows States to quickly 
sort through many reports to focus on high priority cases. Comments on 
this issue are invited.
    (b) Allow Monthly Monitoring of Water Quality Parameters at Entry 
Points. For systems required to install corrosion control treatment, 
the rule requires collection of one sample, at least every two-weeks 
(bi-weekly) for pH, and if alkalinity or a corrosion inhibitor is 
adjusted as part of optimal corrosion control treatment, a reading of 
the dosage rate of the chemical used to adjust alkalinity or the 
inhibitor used,

[[Page 16359]]

and the alkalinity concentration or concentration of orthophosphate or 
silica (whichever is applicable). It has been suggested that monitoring 
for these water quality parameters can be reduced to a once per month 
frequency which would significantly reduce both system and State 
burdens. On the other hand, monthly monitoring may not provide systems 
and States with frequent enough information to insure that corrosion 
control treatment is consistently applied so that protective films are 
maintained. Further, even though the requirement is for bi-weekly 
monitoring, systems typically conduct this monitoring on a daily basis. 
As such, bi-weekly measurements should not present an added burden for 
most systems. EPA invites comment on this issue.
    (c) Allow Flushing and Bottled Water Instead of Corrosion Control 
in NTNCWSs. Some stakeholders recommended that the rule be revised to 
give States flexibility to allow non-transient non-community water 
systems (NTNCWSs) that exceed the lead and/or copper action level, to 
substitute flushing and/or the use of bottled water rather than having 
to install corrosion control treatment. These systems usually do not 
have access to trained operators who can study and properly maintain 
corrosion control treatment, and handle potentially hazardous 
chemicals, and facilities that can easily house the chemical feeders, 
especially in systems with wells and buried pressure tanks. Further, 
NTNCWSs can control the use of individual taps and many are confined to 
one or a few buildings that would be amenable to a flushing program. 
Allowing the water to run for several minutes each morning or prior to 
a work shift could effectively reduce elevated lead concentrations, 
especially if the source of lead is in the outlets (e.g., brass 
faucets, water coolers) or building plumbing (i.e., lead solder). Use 
of bottled water (certified to meet all EPA standards), combined with 
permanently posted notices informing customers, is another alternative 
that would free the system of having to install and maintain treatment. 
Drawbacks to such a provision include the lack of clear performance 
measures, short of more extensive monitoring than currently required, 
that States could use in monitoring the efficacy of the flushing 
program in reducing exposure. EPA welcomes input on this issue 
particularly regarding the availability and reliability of automated 
flushing devices, and appropriate monitoring requirements that could be 
used to insure compliance.
    (d) Eliminate PWS Need To Justify Not Recommending Specific 
Corrosion Control Treatment. A PWS required to conduct a corrosion 
control study is also required under Sec. 141.82(c)(6) to recommend to 
the State the treatment option that the study indicates will constitute 
optimal corrosion control for that system. The system is required to 
provide a rationale for its recommendation including supporting data 
and documentation regarding constraints on other treatment options that 
could have adverse effects on other water quality treatment processes. 
Some stakeholders have recommended eliminating the requirement for 
systems to explain under Sec. 141.82(c)(4) why they did not choose a 
specific treatment as long as they identify a corrosion control 
treatment that works. The benefits of such a change would be to reduce 
paperwork which in some, and possibly many, cases is extraneous. In 
determining what constitutes optimal corrosion control, however, it is 
important that States know the potential adverse effects and other 
constraints associated with alternative treatments. Without this 
requirement, it could add to the burden on States in assembling the 
necessary data and documentation to make their decision. EPA invites 
comment on this issue.
    (e) Allow Alternatives To Tap Samples To Assess Effectiveness of 
Corrosion Control. Collection of lead and copper tap water samples has 
presented water systems with significant challenges in terms of 
conducting materials surveys, identifying high risk sites, soliciting 
assistance from individual households, and gaining access to homes at 
often inconvenient hours or arranging for sample pickup. Water systems, 
with considerable assistance from States, have met these challenges 
such that compliance with the tap water monitoring requirements is 
almost complete. As implementation of the rule progresses, it would be 
useful if there were alternatives to tap water sampling to assess lead 
and copper levels that occur at the tap and that provide sufficient 
information for systems and States in tracking the efficacy of 
corrosion control treatment, for example. At this time, the Agency does 
not have data to develop alternative sampling methods that would 
provide information with as much certainty as direct sampling at taps. 
The Agency agrees with some stakeholders that information is needed on 
an alternative monitoring framework to evaluate corrosion control 
compliance, without going into customers' homes. The public is invited 
to submit suggestions, and especially technical data, that could be 
used in developing reliable monitoring methods that do not involve 
household tap water sampling, that could be used to measure and predict 
actual and/or relative exposures of the public to lead and copper, and 
that could measure compliance with, and the efficacy of, corrosion 
control treatment requirements.

C. State Reporting Requirements in 40 CFR Part 142

1. Proposed Revisions

    Section 142.15(c)(4) contains State reporting requirements for lead 
and copper. The current reporting requirements are as follows.
     Lead and Copper Exceedances--Sec. 142.15(c)(4)(i).
     Systems required to conduct corrosion control studies and 
the date of completion--Sec. 142.15(c)(4)(ii).
     Systems for which the State has designated optimal 
corrosion control treatment, the date of the designation, and those 
systems that have completed installation--Sec. 142.15(c)(4)(iii).
     Systems for which the State has designated optimal water 
quality parameters and the date of the designation--
Sec. 142.15(c)(4)(iv).
     Systems which are required to install source water 
treatment and those which have completed installation--
Sec. 142.15(c)(4)(v).
     Systems for which the State has specified maximum 
permissible source water levels--Sec. 142.15(c)(4)(vi).
     Systems required to replace lead service lines, those 
systems for which an accelerated replacement schedule is required, and 
those systems in compliance with their schedules--
Sec. 142.15(c)(4)(vii).
    EPA proposes to modify these State milestone reporting requirements 
to eliminate redundant or unnecessary requirements and to add 
requirements to report other key information. EPA anticipates these 
changes will result in little or no cost to the States and water 
systems. The Agency presented most of these proposed changes in EPA's 
May 1992 guidance, entitled Lead and Copper Rule, Definitions and 
Federal Reporting for Milestones, Violations, and SNCs, in which EPA 
explained the Agency's intention to modify the regulation. In addition, 
as discussed below, the Agency is today proposing to eliminate one of 
the milestones pertaining to the installation of corrosion control 
treatment. The specific changes proposed are discussed below.
    (a) 90th Percentile Lead Levels. Section 141.90(a) requires public 
water

[[Page 16360]]

systems to submit to the States the results of all tap water lead 
levels, including the 90th percentile values for lead and copper. 
States are required to submit only a portion of this information to the 
Agency. The current State reporting requirement at Sec. 142.15(c)(4)(i) 
requires each State to submit the name and PWS identification number of 
each public water system that exceeds the lead and copper action level 
and the date the exceedance occurred. EPA intended this information to 
be reported if either the lead or the copper action level is exceeded, 
not just in those instances where a system exceeds both levels. EPA 
also believes that the term ``date upon which the exceedance occurred'' 
is confusing and has advised States to use the last day of the 
compliance period in which the exceedance occurred. EPA proposes to 
revise the language of Sec. 142.15(c)(4)(i) to clarify its intent by 
replacing the term ``lead and copper action levels'' with the term 
``lead or copper action level'' and by replacing the term ``date upon 
which the exceedance occurred'' with the term ``last date of the 
compliance period in which the exceedance occurred.''
    The Agency also is proposing to broaden this reporting requirement 
by adding a new Sec. 142.15(c)(4)(ii) to require that each State submit 
to EPA the 90th percentile lead levels reported by all large- and 
medium-size water systems. EPA is proposing to require reporting of 
these data because it believes it is essential that the Agency maintain 
a data base on the national distribution of tap water lead levels 
before and after public water systems install optimal corrosion control 
treatment or source water treatment. EPA believes that data collected 
by water systems in accordance with the monitoring protocol specified 
in Sec. 141.86 will greatly assist the Agency in determining the 
effectiveness of treatment to reduce drinking water lead levels, and in 
estimating the benefits that accrue to the public as a result of 
systems installing treatment. Moreover, EPA believes that collection of 
such data will prove invaluable when the Agency reviews the lead and 
copper regulations in the future. While the Agency would like these 
data for small systems also, the Agency is not proposing to require it 
because EPA believes that such a requirement would impose too great a 
burden on the States.
    The States have shown support for this effort to collect crucial 
data on lead levels and the effectiveness of treatment around the 
country by submitting 90th percentile lead levels for large- and 
medium-size systems. The cost of this change will be minimal. The 
States already have the data in question and, for most of them, the 
process of transferring it to the Agency involves only a minor 
programming change to electronically transfer the extra piece of 
information during the normal reporting process. States without 
automated data tracking systems will find it more difficult to report 
these data. However, these States do have the data on hand and the 
extra reporting steps are minimal.
    (b) Treatment Technique Milestones. (i) Corrosion control study 
milestones. The current Sec. 142.15(c)(4)(ii) requires States to submit 
the name of each water system that is required to conduct a corrosion 
control study and the date the study is completed. EPA is proposing to 
eliminate this requirement because a public water system that fails to 
conduct a corrosion control treatment study is in violation of the 
regulation and will be automatically identified for EPA in the data 
system. Because all violations are reported to EPA through the data 
system, the Agency does not believe a separate report identifying each 
system required to conduct a study will provide EPA with information 
that will be useful in assessing the status of systems' compliance with 
the regulations.
    (ii) Optimal corrosion control treatment designation/corrosion 
control treatment installation milestones. Section 142.15(c)(4)(iii) 
requires each State to report the name of every system for which it has 
designated optimal corrosion control treatment, the date of that 
determination, and each system that completed installation of treatment 
as certified under Sec. 141.90(c)(3). EPA is proposing to revise this 
paragraph to eliminate reporting of systems that have completed 
installation of corrosion control treatment. Failure of a system to 
complete this installation is a violation that must be reported to EPA. 
EPA therefore believes that separate reporting of this milestone is 
redundant.
    (iii) Requirement for source water treatment milestones. Section 
142.15(c)(4)(v) requires the State to report the name of the system for 
which it requires installation of source water treatment and the 
effective date of that requirement. EPA is not proposing to change this 
requirement. This paragraph also requires States to report each system 
that has completed installation of source water treatment. EPA proposes 
to move this requirement to a new paragraph, 142.15(c)(4)(vi), and to 
make a minor change to include the date the State receives 
certification from the system that the treatment was installed 
properly. EPA proposes to add this reporting requirement so that the 
Agency can use the verifiable date of installation to ensure that 
further monitoring proceeds as required by the rule.
    The current Sec. 142.15(c)(4)(vi) requires the State to report the 
name of the system for which it has specified maximum permissible 
source water levels for lead and copper. EPA is proposing to eliminate 
this reporting requirement. The Agency can determine those systems for 
which the State will set maximum permissible levels from the 
information reported for the source water treatment/source water 
treatment installation milestones. In addition, EPA will know if a 
system fails to meet its maximum permissible source water levels 
because the system will incur a violation which would be reported to 
the data system. The Agency does not see any added value from having 
the State separately report the date it designated maximum permissible 
levels.
    (iv) Cost of changing treatment technique milestones. As with the 
change regarding reporting of 90th percentile lead levels, the cost of 
changing the requirement to report the date that the system certified 
completion of source water treatment installation will be minimal. The 
State will already have this information on hand and reporting it with 
the other required information will be a minimal increase of effort 
that will be more than offset by eliminating the reporting of several 
treatment milestones altogether.
    (d) Reporting Lead Service Line Replacement Milestones. Section 
142.15(c)(4)(vii) requires the State to submit three separate pieces of 
information on each public water system required to replace lead 
service lines: Each system that must begin replacing lead service 
lines; each system for which the State has established an accelerated 
replacement schedule; and each system reporting compliance with its 
replacement schedule. EPA proposes that instead of the current 
reporting requirement, the State report each water system that must 
replace lead service lines and the date replacement must begin. Reports 
identifying water systems in compliance with the replacement schedule, 
or with a State-specified accelerated schedule, would be redundant 
because systems in violation of their replacement schedule would be 
reported to the data system as violations. The Agency also can require 
this information from States, if needed. EPA proposes to revise 
Sec. 142.15(c)(4)(vii) accordingly. EPA estimates there will be no 
costs associated with this change.

[[Page 16361]]

2. Other Possible Changes to State Reporting Requirements

    (a) Reporting of State-Designated Optimal Water Quality Control 
Parameters, Maximum Permissible Source Water Levels and Accelerated 
Lead Service Line Replacement Schedules. Although EPA is not proposing 
the following reporting requirements today, EPA is considering them and 
seeks public comment. These requirements are the reporting of State-
designated optimal water quality control parameters and maximum 
permissible source water levels and the retention of the requirement to 
report accelerated lead service line replacement schedules.
    For all systems that have to install corrosion control treatment, 
the regulations require States to designate the range of optimal water 
quality control parameters within which a system must operate once it 
has optimized treatment. For systems with high source water levels of 
lead or copper, the rule also requires States to specify whether source 
water treatment is required, and, if so, to specify maximum permissible 
source water levels after treatment has been installed. Finally, the 
rule allows States to establish an accelerated lead service line 
replacement schedule.
    Unlike other NPDWRs in which EPA establishes maximum contaminant 
levels with which PWS must comply, in the lead and copper rule, the 
levels with which systems must comply (i.e., the optimal water quality 
control parameters and maximum permissible source water levels) are set 
by the States. Unless the State reports those levels to EPA, EPA does 
not know the limits with which each system must comply. This lack of 
information could place the Agency in a weaker oversight position and 
could require EPA to rely on ad-hoc requests to the States for this 
information.
    In the same way, when a State establishes an accelerated lead 
service line replacement schedule for a PWS, this schedule becomes the 
federal requirement. Unless this new schedule is reported or EPA 
contacts the State, the Agency would not know the requirement with 
which the PWS must comply. If a system on an accelerated lead service 
line replacement schedule fails to replace the number of lines in a 
given year required by the State, EPA would know that they are out of 
compliance, however, just as if the system was on the standard 
replacement schedule.
    EPA is sensitive to the burden which additional reporting places on 
the States and this is one reason why the Agency is not proposing to 
add this requirement. EPA also recognizes that States are required to 
maintain this information and that if it is needed, EPA may request it 
from the States. It should be noted, however, that responding to ad-hoc 
requests for information can take the States a good deal of time and 
resources.
    EPA requests comment on whether or not to require the reporting of 
optimal water quality control parameters, the maximum permissible 
source water levels, and to retain the requirement to report 
accelerated lead service line replacement schedules. EPA requests 
comment on requiring this reporting for:
    (a) all PWSs subject to the lead and copper rule;
    (b) only PWSs serving 50,000 or more persons;
    (c) only PWSs serving 10,000 or more persons; and
    (d) only PWSs serving 3,300 or more persons.
    Commenters should address both the need for the federal government 
to have access to the information on a routine basis as well as the 
burden of providing it for each of the options listed above. EPA may 
decide to promulgate final requirements to report this information for 
all PWSs, or for a subset of PWSs, as noted above.
    (b) Reduce State Reporting to EPA of Lead and Copper Action Level 
Exceedences and Treatment Technique Milestone Information from 
Quarterly to Annually. In addition to the paperwork burden suggestions 
described above in section B.13, EPA is considering a stakeholder 
suggestion to reduce the frequency of reporting data required pursuant 
to Sec. 142.15(c)(4). This section requires States to report 
information about action level exceedences and information related to 
treatment technique milestones for those systems that are triggered 
into corrosion control, source water treatment, and lead service line 
replacement. This section currently requires States to report such 
information on a quarterly basis--e.g., when a reportable milestone is 
completed, the information about that milestone is to be reported to 
EPA in the following calendar quarter.
    Some stakeholders have suggested a modification to this section to 
change the reporting frequency for this information from quarterly to 
annually. As an example, the Agency might specify a date (e.g., January 
1) and require that all new 90th percentile and treatment technique 
milestone information resulting from activities that occurred during 
the previous federal fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) be 
reported to EPA by that date (January 1). Such a change would mean that 
States would need to transmit the 90th percentile and treatment 
technique milestone information only once a year instead of four times 
a year.
    If such a modification were made, costs associated with 
transmission of data should be reduced. Also, since the States will be 
retaining the information for a longer period of time before reporting 
to EPA, this change would give the States more time to review, edit, 
and correct the information that they are submitting and may help to 
improve the quality of the data being transmitted. Reducing the 
reporting frequency may, on the other hand, increase State burden 
because States would need to distinguish between those data elements 
which still must be reported quarterly (violation and enforcement 
information under Sec. 142.15(a)) and those which may be reported 
annually. States do not currently need to make such a distinction since 
they submit all new information on a quarterly basis. Further, reducing 
the reporting frequency to annually means that some of the data will be 
as much as 12 months old by the time EPA has access to it. As an 
example, a milestone completed and reported to the State in February 
would not be reported to EPA in May, as is currently required, but 
instead would not be reported to EPA until the following January. This 
delay could affect the Agency's ability to quickly conduct nation-wide 
trend analyses and to assist with follow-up actions to encourage the 
system to return to compliance.
    EPA asks for comments on this suggestion and requests that 
commenters address the following: (1) Whether such a reporting 
frequency change would significantly reduce or increase burden; (2) 
whether EPA and the public needs this information in a more current 
fashion (i.e., quarterly or semi-annually); and (3) whether reducing 
the reporting frequency to annually would likely have any effect on 
data quality. EPA may decide to include provisions to reduce the 
frequency of reporting lead and copper information pursuant to 
Sec. 142.15(c)(4) in the final rule.

D. Proposed Effective Dates

    EPA proposes to promulgate revisions pertaining to monitoring, 
analytical methods, reporting and recordkeeping requirements in 
Sec. 141.81, Secs. 141.86 through 141.90, and Sec. 142.15 pursuant to 
both sections 1445 and 1412 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and 
proposes that these revisions take effect

[[Page 16362]]

30 days after promulgation. Although Section 1412(b) of the SDWA 
provides that National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (as defined 
in Section 1401), and amendments thereto, shall take effect 18 months 
after their promulgation, under Section 1445, there is no such 
limitation for monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping compliance. To 
allow these revisions to be effective 30 days after promulgation of 
these revisions, EPA proposes promulgating these provisions of the 
revisions under section 1445. Effective 18 months after promulgation, 
these revisions will also be deemed effective under section 1412.
    The Agency proposes to promulgate revisions pertaining to treatment 
technique requirements, including public education provisions, in 
Secs. 141.81, 141.84, and 141.85, pursuant to section 1412 of the SDWA 
and proposes that these revisions take effect 18 months after 
promulgation.

E. Request for Comments

    The Agency invites all interested persons to submit comments within 
90 days on all aspects of this proposal to make minor revisions to the 
language of 40 CFR 141 and 142. However, the Agency only solicits 
comment on the proposed changes and the suggestions for reducing 
paperwork burden discussed in this preamble, and not on provisions of 
the existing regulation that would not be altered by this proposal. 
After carefully considering all public comments pertaining to the 
proposed changes, EPA will promulgate final language for these 
provisions.

F. Impact of These Revisions

1. Executive Order 12866

    Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), the 
Agency must determine whether the regulatory action is ``significant'' 
and therefore subject to OMB review and the requirements of the 
Executive Order. The Order defines ``significant regulatory action'' as 
one that is likely to result in a rule that may:
    (a) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or 
adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the 
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 
health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or 
communities;
    (b) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an 
action taken or planned by another agency;
    (c) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, 
user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients 
thereof; or
    (d) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in 
the Executive Order.
    It has been determined that this rule is not a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under the terms of Executive Order 12866 and is 
therefore not subject to OMB review.
    (a) Costs. At the time of promulgation, based on data from a select 
group of U.S. cities, the Agency estimated that the cost for water 
systems to comply with the various treatment requirements would total 
between $500 and $790 million per year. Household costs were estimated 
to range from less than $1 per year for large systems (serving over 
50,000 people) to $2 to $20 per year per household in smaller systems. 
Now that water systems have collected lead samples from hundreds of 
thousands of household taps around the country to comply with the 
monitoring requirements of the rule, much more reliable predictions of 
costs (and benefits) can be made. It is clear that significantly fewer 
systems will be required to install corrosion control and, therefore, 
both costs and benefits associated with the rule are less than 
originally predicted. We would now estimate that costs associated with 
the rule are roughly $200 million per year, resulting in reduced lead 
exposure for approximately 40 million Americans. Health benefits 
associated with these exposure reductions would still be substantial, 
totaling over $1 billion per year and resulting in an estimated 200,000 
young children whose blood lead levels are reduced to below the Centers 
for Disease Control (CDC)/EPA action level of 10 micrograms per 
deciliter.
    To calculate the relative magnitude of the regulatory revisions 
proposed here, the original cost model and the same basic assumptions 
regarding impacts of the individual rule components were used. 
Regardless of the baseline used, it is clear that the projected impacts 
of the proposed regulatory revisions, discussed below, will be minimal 
compared to the total national costs associated with the lead and 
copper regulations. Overall, we estimate the proposed changes will 
result in a very minor reduction and we do not believe the percentage 
reduction will change substantially if costs for the entire rule were 
recalculated.
    The estimated national impact of these proposed changes is shown in 
the following table. EPA estimates the total national cost of the lead 
and copper regulations will decrease by approximately $1.9 million per 
year.

    Summary of Cost Impacts of Proposed Revisions to Lead and Copper    
        National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (EPA, 1996b)        
             [Annual cost estimates in millions of dollars]             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      6/7/91     Impact of   Revised LCR
      Major rule components         final rule    proposed       cost   
                                       \2\       revisions     estimate 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monitoring.......................           39        -1.02           38
Corrosion Control Treatment                                             
 (including Corrosion studies)...          220            0          220
Source Water Treatment...........           90            0           90
Public Education.................           30        -0.54           29
Lead Service Line Replacement....       80-370        -0.01       80-370
State Implementation Costs.......           40        -0.31           40
                                 ---------------------------------------
      Total......................      499-789        -1.88     497-787 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Unless otherwise noted, the costs presented in this table represent 
  water system costs.                                                   
\2\ Costs for the 1991 final rule were estimated at the time of         
  promulgation and do not reflect actual costs associated with          
  implementation since then.                                            
\3\ Includes impact of proposed revisions to both the public education  
  requirements and the deadline for system reporting completion of lead 
  public education tasks to the State.                                  


[[Page 16363]]


    Overall, EPA estimates that national system costs will decrease by 
approximately $1.5 million annually. Although most water systems should 
benefit somewhat, the systems most likely to benefit are those that are 
able to take advantage of proposed provisions allowing less frequent 
monitoring and/or from the proposed changes to the public education 
requirements. Despite this reduction in overall national costs, EPA 
recognizes that a few individual water systems may incur increased 
costs as a result of these proposed revisions. For example, water 
systems affected by the changes to Secs. 141.81(b)(2) and 141.81(b)(3) 
may incur additional costs if they are not already conducting 
monitoring consistent with the proposed revised requirements.
    EPA estimates that the total national cost for States to implement 
the proposed revised regulations will decrease by approximately 
$300,000 annually. This decrease results primarily from revisions that 
will result in fewer compliance determinations (since some systems will 
be monitoring less frequently) and changes in State reporting to EPA.
    (b) Benefits. The intent of this proposed rulemaking is to improve 
implementation of the lead and copper regulations by eliminating 
unnecessary requirements, streamlining and reducing burden, and 
promoting consistent national implementation. EPA does not intend these 
revisions to modify the level of health protection extended by the lead 
and copper regulations and no modification is expected. While there are 
no known changes in health benefits associated with these proposed 
changes, improved implementation should result in some health benefits 
being achieved sooner.

2. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires EPA to consider the effect 
of regulations on small entities (5 U.S.C. 602 et seq.) If there is a 
significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities, 
the Agency must prepare a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (RFA) 
describing alternatives that would minimize the impact. The impact on 
small entities resulting from the requirements of the lead and copper 
rule was assessed at the time the requirements were imposed. As 
discussed above, the impact of the revisions proposed in this action 
will be to reduce total national annual monitoring costs slightly and 
EPA anticipates many small systems will benefit from these changes. 
States are not considered small entities under this rulemaking for RFA 
purposes. Thus, there is no additional impact on small entities imposed 
by these regulations.

3. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The information collection requirements in this proposed rule have 
been submitted for approval to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. An 
Information Collection Request (ICR) document has been prepared by EPA 
(ICR No. 0270.36) and a copy may be obtained from Sandy Farmer, OPPE 
Regulatory Information Division; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
(2137); 401 M St., S.W.; Washington, DC 20460 or by calling (202) 260-
2740.
    This proposed rule would add recordkeeping and reporting 
requirements for some water systems and the States in the following 
categories: Sampling plans; sample invalidation; ``all plastic'' system 
waiver requests; and notifications of changes in treatment or source 
water. This proposed rule also would require more frequent reporting of 
the completion of public education tasks for CWSs serving more than 
500. This information collection is necessary to evaluate system-
specific needs, including examining treatment effectiveness; to adjust 
monitoring frequencies and schedules to address possible public health 
concerns, and to determine whether the public is receiving timely 
notification of possible health risks associated with high levels of 
lead at the tap. In addition, this proposal includes requirements for 
States to report to EPA the 90th percentile lead values for large and 
medium-size systems that do not exceed the lead action level and the 
date associated with one of the treatment technique milestones about 
which States currently are required to report. This information will be 
used to develop national compliance trends and to help evaluate whether 
changes in national policy or regulations are necessary to protect 
public health. The information collection in this proposed rule is 
mandatory, is authorized under sections 1401(1)(D), 1413(a)(3) and 1445 
of the 1986 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act and is considered 
public information. The additional recordkeeping and reporting 
requirements in this proposal are offset by other proposed provisions 
that will reduce monitoring burden and eliminate some system and State 
reporting requirements.
    The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this 
collection of information is estimated to decrease the base Public 
Water System Supervision (PWSS) program burden (ICR No. 270.30 approved 
under OMB Control Number 2040-0090) for 78,703 respondent public water 
systems by an average of 1.2 hours per system annually and to decrease 
the burden on each of the 56 State respondents by an average of 179.0 
hours annually. The frequency of response includes on occasion, 
biweekly, quarterly (State respondents only), every six months, annual, 
every 3 years and every 9 years. With one exception (the change in 
deadline for reporting completion of public education tasks), this 
proposal either leaves unchanged, or reduces, the current frequency of 
response. The average annual per system burden cost is estimated to 
decrease by approximately $20.00 ($13.45 operations and maintenance and 
$6.55 purchase of services). The average annual per State burden cost 
is estimated to decrease by approximately $5,600, all of which is 
operations and maintenance. Burden means the total time, effort, or 
financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, 
or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This 
includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, 
install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of 
collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and 
maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; 
adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable 
instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to 
a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review 
the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the 
information.
    An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's 
regulations are listed in 40 CFR Part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15.
    Comments are requested on the Agency's need for the information 
proposed to be added or eliminated, the accuracy of the provided burden 
estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques. Send 
comments on the ICR to the Director, OPPE Regulatory Information 
Division; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2137); 401 M St., S.W.; 
Washington, DC 20460; and to the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th St., N.W.; 
Washington, DC 20503, marked

[[Page 16364]]

``Attention: Desk Officer for EPA.'' Include the ICR number in any 
correspondence. Since OMB is required to make a decision concerning the 
ICR between 30 and 60 days after April 12, 1996, a comment to OMB is 
best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it by May 13, 
1996. The final rule will respond to any OMB or public comments on the 
information collection requirements contained in this proposal.

4. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (``UMRA''), 
P.L. 104-4, which was signed into law on March 22, 1995, requires EPA 
to prepare a written statement with respect to rules that contain 
federal mandates that may result in costs to State, local, or tribal 
governments of an estimated $100 million or more in any one year. Also, 
before EPA establishes regulatory requirements that may significantly 
or uniquely affect small governments, including tribal governments, it 
must develop under section 203 of the UMRA a small government agency 
plan.
    The UMRA generally defines a federal mandate for regulatory 
purposes as one that imposes an enforceable duty upon State, local, or 
tribal governments or the private sector. Today's rule simply addresses 
proposed minor revisions to the existing national primary drinking 
water regulations for lead and copper. These revisions, when 
promulgated, will reduce monitoring burden for some water systems, make 
it easier for many water systems to conduct lead public education, and 
modify the definition of ``control'' as it applies to the lead service 
line replacement requirements of the existing regulation. This proposed 
rule also provides additional flexibility to States and modifies the 
information that States must report to EPA. This effect of the proposed 
rule would make minor revisions to the enforceable duty imposed on 
States and other entities. The estimated impact of these proposed 
revisions will result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of less that 
$100 million per year. Thus, there are no federal mandates in this rule 
for purposes of the UMRA. In addition, today's action does not 
establish any regulatory requirements that may significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, including tribal governments, and so 
does not require a small government agency plan under UMRA section 203.

5. Enhancing the Intergovernmental Partnership

    Executive Order 12875, Enhancing Intergovernmental Partnerships 
requires Federal agencies to consult with State, local, and tribal 
entities in the development of rules and policies that will affect 
them. EPA has coordinated extensively with these entities in proposing 
these minor revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule in the following 
ways.
    First, the EPA distributed a strawman draft proposal to interested 
parties, including State program officials, the Association of State 
Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) and major trade associations 
(e.g., the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), the 
American Water Works Association (AWWA)) in August 1993. The Agency 
took the resulting comments into consideration while developing this 
proposal.
    Second, representatives from three States participated on the 
Agency work group. These States were selected in consultation with 
ASDWA. In addition, EPA Regional work group members consulted with the 
States in their Region, in some cases sharing draft work group products 
with their States.
    Third, in November 1995, the Agency provided national, local, and 
tribal organizations (e.g., the National League of Cities, the National 
Association of Towns and Townships, the National Association of County 
Health Officers, the Native American Water Association, etc.) a brief 
article for inclusion in their newsletters announcing upcoming plans to 
publish the proposal. The article encouraged readers to provide EPA 
comment on the proposed revisions and provided information on how 
interested parties could obtain a copy from EPA.
    Fourth, the Agency is developing generic contacts with State, 
Tribal, and local fiscal and program officials which will enable 
various programs to consult with affected parties in a coordinated 
fashion. Identification of appropriate contacts was not accomplished in 
a time frame which enabled EPA's Office of Water to have extensive 
consultation with affected parties before proposal. EPA is committed to 
expanded dialogue and collaboration with State, Tribal and local 
governments, however, and plans to work with these contacts to provide 
for the maximum input from the regulated community for the drafting of 
the final rule. EPA will also send copies of this proposed rule to 
these governmental bodies, as well as to appropriate national and local 
associations.

G. References

    The following references are referred to in this document and are 
included in the public docket. The public docket is available as 
described at the beginning of this document.

    American Water Works Association, et al. v. EPA, 40 F.3d 1266 
D.C. Cir. 1994).
    Colling, J.H., Croll, B.T., Whincup, P.A.E., and Harward, C. 
Plumbosolvency Effects and Control in Hard Waters. J. IWEM, 6:259-
268. (June, 1992). [Colling et al., 1992]
    Federal Register, Vol. 56, No. 20. National Primary Drinking 
Water Regulations--Synthetic Organic Chemicals and Inorganic 
Chemicals; Monitoring for Unregulated Contaminants; National Primary 
Drinking Water Regulations Implementation; National Secondary 
Drinking Water Regulations; Final Rule. (Wed. Jan. 30, 1991), 3526-
3614. [56 FR 3526]
    Federal Register, Vol 56, No. 110. Drinking Water Regulations--
Maximum Contaminant Level Goals and National Primary Drinking Water 
Regulations for Lead and Copper; Final Rule. (Fri. Jun. 7, 1991), 
26460-26564. [56 FR 26460]
    Federal Register, Vol. 56, No. 135. Drinking Water Regulations; 
Maximum Contaminant Level Goals and National Primary Drinking Water 
Regulations for Lead and Copper; Final Rule; Correction. (Mon. Jul. 
15, 1991), 32113. [[56 FR 32113]
    Federal Register, Vol. 57, No. 138. National Primary Drinking 
Water Regulations; Synthetic Organic Chemicals and Inorganic 
Chemicals; Final Rule. (Fri. Jul. 17, 1992), 31776-31849. [57 FR 
31776]
    Federal Register, Vol. 57, No. 125. Drinking Water Regulations; 
Maximum Contaminant Level Goals and National Primary Drinking Water 
Regulations for Lead and Copper; Final Rule; Correcting Amendments. 
(Mon. Jun. 29, 1992), 28785-28789. [57 FR 28785]
    Federal Register, Vol. 59, No. 125. Drinking Water; Maximum 
Contaminant Level Goals and National Primary Drinking Water 
Regulations for Lead and Copper; Final Rule; Technical corrections. 
(Thu. Jun. 30, 1994), 33860-33864. [59 FR 33860]
    Federal Register, Vol. 59, No. 232, Analytical Methods for 
Regulated Drinking Water Contaminants; Final Rule. (Mon. Dec. 5, 
1995), 62456-62471. [59 FR 62456]
    Federal Register, Vol. 60, No. 125. National Primary and 
Secondary Drinking Water Regulations; Analytical Methods for 
Regulated Drinking Water Contaminants; Final Rule. (Thu. Jun. 29, 
1995), 34084-34086. [60 FR 34084]
    Fuge, Ronald, Pearce, J.G. Nicholas, and Perkins, William T. 
Unusual Sources of Aluminum and Heavy Metals in Potable Waters. 
Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 14:15-18. (April, 1992). 
[Fuge et al., 1992]
    NSF, International Personal communication from Ann Marie 
Gebhart, NSF, Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Jeff Cohen, U.S. EPA, Office 
of Ground Water and Drinking Water, July 28, 1995. [NSF 1995]
    Schock, Michael R., Wagner, Ivo, and Oliphant, Roger. The 
Corrosion and Solubility of Lead in Drinking Water. Ch. 4

[[Page 16365]]

in Internal Corrosion of Water Distribution Systems, Second Edition, 
AWWARF/EBI. (1995, in press). [Schock et al., 1996]
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Regulatory Impact Analysis 
of Proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for Lead and 
Copper. Prepared by Wade Miller Associates, Inc. (April 1991). [EPA, 
1991a]
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Lead and Copper Rule 
Guidance Manual; Volume I: Monitoring. Prepared by Black & Veatch, 
ECOS, Inc., and Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. (Sep. 1991, NTIS PB 92-112101). 
[EPA, 1991b]
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Lead and Copper Rule; 
Definitions and Federal Reporting for Milestones, Violations and 
SNCs. (May 1992, ERIC G405, NTIS PB-93-156131). [EPA, 1992a]
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Lead and Copper Rule 
Guidance Manual; Volume II: Corrosion Control Treatment. Prepared by 
Black & Veatch and Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. (Sep. 1992, NTIS PB-93-
101583). [EPA, 1992b]
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Methods for Determination 
of Metals in Environmental Samples--Supplement 1. (May 1994, NTIS PB 
94-184942). [EPA, 1994]
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. National Primary Drinking 
Water Regulations for Lead and Copper; Analysis of Analysis of 
Occurrences of Very Low 90th Percentile Lead Levels. (Oct. 1995, EPA 
812-X-95-001, NTIS PB 96-129-077). [EPA, 1995]
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Regulatory Impact Analysis 
Addendum; Proposed Changes to National Primary Drinking Water 
Regulations for Lead and Copper. Prepared by The Cadmus Group. (Jan. 
1996, EPA 812-B-96-002, NTIS PB 96-141494). [EPA, 1996a]
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Information Collection 
Request; Proposed Changes to National Primary Drinking Water 
Regulations for Lead and Copper. Prepared by The Cadmus Group. (Jan. 
1996, EPA 812-B-96-003, NTIS PB 96-141502). [EPA, 1996b]

List of Subjects

40 CFR Part 141

    Environmental protection, Chemicals, Indians--lands, 
Intergovernmental relations, Radiation protection, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Water supply.

40 CFR Part 142

    Administrative practice and procedure, Chemicals, Indians--lands, 
Radiation protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Water 
supply.

    Dated: March 22, 1996.
Carol M. Browner,
Administrator.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, title 40, chapter I, 
parts 141 and 142 of the Code of Federal Regulations are proposed to be 
amended as follows:

PART 141--NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS

    1. The authority citation for part 141 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300f, 300g-1, 300g-2, 300g-3, 300g-4, 300g-
5, 300g-6, 300j-4 and 300j-9.

    2. Section 141.81 is proposed to be amended by revising paragraph 
(b)(2) introductory text and paragraph (b)(3) to read as follows:


Sec. 141.81  Applicability of corrosion control treatment steps to 
small, medium-size and large water systems.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) Any water system may be deemed by the State to have optimized 
corrosion control treatment if the system demonstrates to the 
satisfaction of the State that it has conducted activities equivalent 
to the corrosion control steps applicable to such system under this 
section. If the State makes this determination, it shall provide the 
system with written notice explaining the basis for its decision and 
shall specify the water quality control parameters representing optimal 
corrosion control in accordance with Sec. 141.82(f). Water systems 
deemed to have optimized corrosion control under this paragraph shall 
operate in compliance with the State-designated optimal water quality 
control parameters (Sec. 141.82(g)) and continue to conduct tap 
sampling (Sec. 141.86(d)(3) and Sec. 141.87(d)). A system shall provide 
the State with the following information in order to support a 
determination under this paragraph:
* * * * *
    (3) Any water system is deemed to have optimized corrosion control 
if it submits results of tap water monitoring conducted in accordance 
with Sec. 141.86 and source water monitoring conducted in accordance 
with Sec. 141.88 that demonstrates for two consecutive 6-month 
monitoring periods that the difference between the 90th percentile tap 
water lead level computed under Sec. 141.80(c)(3), and the highest 
source water lead concentration is less than the Practical Quantitation 
Level for lead specified in Sec. 141.89(a)(1)(ii). Any such water 
system shall continue monitoring for lead and copper at the tap no less 
frequently than once every three calendar years using the reduced 
number of sites specified in Sec. 141.86(c) and collecting the samples 
at times and locations specified in Sec. 141.86(d)(4)(iv). The first 
round of monitoring pursuant to Sec. 141.86(d)(4)(iv) shall be 
conducted in [the year of the first May 1 after publication of the 
final rule in Federal Register] during the months of June-September 
with the exception that systems that have monitored pursuant to 
Sec. 141.86(d) (3) or (4) during any of the three years prior to [30 
days after publication of final rule in Federal Register] may use those 
results and continue monitoring every three years based on the date of 
that monitoring. The State may require any system deemed to have 
optimized corrosion control pursuant to this paragraph to conduct 
additional monitoring or to take other action the State deems 
appropriate to ensure that such systems maintain minimal levels of 
corrosion in the distribution system (e.g., if there is a change in 
treatment or a new source is added). As of [18 months after publication 
of final rule in Federal Register] a system is not deemed to have 
optimized corrosion control under this paragraph unless it meets the 
copper action level. Any system triggered into corrosion control 
because it is no longer deemed to have optimized corrosion control 
under this paragraph shall comply with the requirements of paragraph 
(e) of this section with any such large system adhering to the schedule 
specified in that paragraph for medium-sized systems.
* * * * *
    3. Section 141.84 is proposed to be amended by removing paragraph 
(e), redesignating paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) as paragraphs (e), (f), 
and (g), respectively, and by revising paragraph (d) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 141.84  Lead service line replacement requirements.

* * * * *
    (d) A water system shall replace that portion of the lead service 
line which the system owns as well as that portion of the line which 
the system has the legal authority to replace in order to protect the 
quality of the water delivered to the user. In cases where the system 
does not replace the entire lead service line, the system shall notify 
the user served by the line that the system will replace the portion of 
the service line specified in the previous sentence and shall offer to 
replace the building owner's portion of the line, but is not required 
to bear the cost of replacing the building owner's portion of the line. 
For buildings where only a portion of the lead service line is 
replaced, the water system shall inform the resident(s) that the system 
will collect a first flush tap water sample after partial replacement 
of the service line is completed if the resident(s) so desire. In cases 
where the resident(s) accept the offer, the system shall collect the 
sample and report the results to the resident(s) within 14 days

[[Page 16366]]

following partial lead service line replacement.
* * * * *
    4. Section 141.85 is proposed to be amended by redesignating 
paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4)(v) as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Old paragraph                        New paragraph       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a)(1)....................................  (a)(1)(i).                  
(a)(2)....................................  (a)(1)(ii).                 
(a)(3)....................................  (a)(1)(iii).                
(a)(3)(i).................................  (a)(1)(iii)(A).             
(a)(3)(ii)................................  (a)(1)(iii)(B).             
(a)(3)(iii)...............................  (a)(1)(iii)(C).             
(a)(4)....................................  (a)(1)(iv).                 
(a)(4)(i).................................  (a)(1)(iv)(A).              
(a)(4)(ii)................................  (a)(1)(iv)(B).              
(a)(4)(ii)(A).............................  (a)(1)(iv)(B)(1).           
(a)(4)(ii)(B).............................  (a)(1)(iv)(B)(2).           
(a)(4)(ii)(C).............................  (a)(1)(iv)(B)(3).           
(a)(4)(ii)(D).............................  (a)(1)(iv)(B)(4).           
(a)(4)(ii)(E).............................  (a)(1)(iv)(B)(5).           
(a)(4)(ii)(F).............................  (a)(1)(iv)(B)(6).           
(a)(4)(iii)...............................  (a)(1)(iv)(C).              
(a)(4)(iii)(A)............................  (a)(1)(iv)(C)(1).           
(a)(4)(iii)(B)............................  (a)(1)(iv)(C)(2).           
(a)(4)(iv)................................  (a)(1)(iv)(D).              
(a)(4)(iv)(A).............................  (a)(1)(iv)(D)(1).           
(a)(4)(iv)(B).............................  (a)(1)(iv)(D)(2).           
(a)(4)(iv)(C).............................  (a)(1)(iv)(D)(3).           
(a)(4)(v).................................  (a)(1)(iv)(E).              
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    4a. Section 141.85 is further proposed to be amended by adding 
paragraph (a)(1) heading and paragraphs (a)(2), (c)(7) and (c)(8) and 
by revising paragraphs (c)(2) introductory text, (c)(2)(i), (c)(2)(ii), 
(c)(2)(iii) introductory text, and paragraph (c)(4) introductory text 
to read as follows:
Sec. 141.85  Public education and supplemental monitoring requirements.
* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (1) Content of printed public education materials for community 
water systems--(i) Introduction. * * *
* * * * *
    (2) Content of printed public education materials for non-transient 
non-community water systems.--(i) Introduction. The United States 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and [insert name of water 
supplier] are concerned about lead in your drinking water. Some 
drinking water samples taken from this facility have lead levels above 
the EPA action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb), or 0.015 milligrams 
of lead per liter of water (mg/L). Under Federal law we are required to 
have a program in place to minimize lead in your drinking water by 
[insert date when corrosion control will be completed for your system]. 
This program includes corrosion control treatment, source water 
treatment, and public education. We are also required to replace any 
lead service line that is in place and that we control if the line 
contributes lead concentrations of more than 15 ppb after we have 
completed the comprehensive treatment program. If you have any 
questions about how we are carrying out the requirements of the lead 
regulation please give us a call at [insert water system's phone 
number]. This brochure explains the simple steps you can take to 
protect yourself by reducing your exposure to lead in drinking water.
    (ii) Health effects of lead. Lead is found throughout the 
environment in lead-based paint, air, soil, household dust, food, 
certain types of pottery porcelain and pewter, and water. Lead can pose 
a significant risk to your health if too much of it enters your body. 
Lead builds up in the body over many years and can cause damage to the 
brain, red blood cells and kidneys. The greatest risk is to young 
children and pregnant women. Amounts of lead that won't hurt adults can 
slow down normal mental and physical development of growing bodies. In 
addition, a child at play often comes into contact with sources of lead 
contamination--like dirt and dust--that rarely affect an adult. It is 
important to wash children's hands and toys often, and to try to make 
sure they only put food in their mouths.
    (iii) Lead in drinking water. (A) Lead in drinking water, although 
rarely the sole cause of lead poisoning, can significantly increase a 
person's total lead exposure, particularly the exposure of infants who 
drink baby formulas and concentrated juices that are mixed with water. 
The EPA estimates that drinking water can make up 20 percent or more of 
a person's total exposure to lead.
    (B) Lead is unusual among drinking water contaminants in that it 
seldom occurs naturally in water supplies like rivers and lakes. Lead 
enters drinking water primarily as a result of the corrosion, or 
wearing away, of materials containing lead in the water distribution 
system and household plumbing. These materials include lead-based 
solder used to join copper pipe, brass and chrome-plated brass faucets, 
and in some cases, pipes made of lead that connect houses and buildings 
to water mains (service lines). In 1986, Congress banned the use of 
lead solder containing greater than 0.2% lead, and restricted the lead 
content of faucets, pipes and other plumbing materials to 8.0%.
    (C) When water stands in lead pipes or plumbing systems containing 
lead for several hours or more, the lead may dissolve into your 
drinking water. This means the first water drawn from the tap in the 
morning, or later in the afternoon if the water has not been used all 
day, can contain fairly high levels of lead.
    (iv) Steps you can take to reduce exposure to lead in drinking 
water. (A) Let the water run from the tap before using it for drinking 
or cooking any time the water in a faucet has gone unused for more than 
six hours. The longer water resides in plumbing the more lead it may 
contain. Flushing the tap means running the cold water faucet for about 
15-30 seconds. Although toilet flushing or showering flushes water 
through a portion of the plumbing system, you still need to flush the 
water in each faucet before using it for drinking or cooking. Flushing 
tap water is a simple and inexpensive measure you can take to protect 
your health. It usually uses less than one gallon of water.
    (B) Do not cook with, or drink water from the hot water tap. Hot 
water can dissolve more lead more quickly than cold water. If you need 
hot water, draw water from the cold tap and then heat it.
    (C) The steps described above will reduce the lead concentrations 
in your drinking water. However, if you are still concerned, you may 
wish to use bottled water for drinking and cooking.
    (D) You can consult a variety of sources for additional 
information. Your family doctor or pediatrician can perform a blood 
test for lead and provide you with information about the health effects 
of lead. State and local government agencies that can be contacted 
include:
    (1) [insert the name or title of facility official if appropriate] 
at [insert phone number] can provide you with information about your 
facility's water supply; and
    (2) [insert the name or title of the State Department of Public 
Health] at [insert phone number] or the [insert the name of the city or 
county health department] at [insert phone number] can provide you with 
information about the health effects of lead.
* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) Except as provided in paragraphs (c)(2)(i)(A) or (c)(8) of this 
section, a community water system that fails to meet the lead action 
level on the basis of water samples collected in accordance with 
Sec. 141.86 shall, within 60 days:
    (i) Insert notices in each customer's water utility bill containing 
the information in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, along with the 
following alert on the water bill itself in large print: ``SOME HOMES 
IN THIS COMMUNITY HAVE ELEVATED LEAD LEVELS IN THEIR DRINKING WATER. 
LEAD CAN POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK TO YOUR HEALTH. PLEASE READ THE 
ENCLOSED NOTICE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.''

[[Page 16367]]

    (A) A community water system having a billing cycle that does not 
include a billing within 60 days of exceeding the action level may mail 
the materials on the same schedule as the system's billing cycle, but 
in no case may the mailing occur later than six months after the 
exceedance.
    (B) A community water system that cannot insert information in the 
water utility bill without making major changes to its billing system 
may use a separate mailing to deliver the information in paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section as long as the information is delivered to each 
customer within the time frames specified above. Such water systems 
shall include the following alert in the package, in large print: SOME 
HOMES IN THIS COMMUNITY HAVE ELEVATED LEAD LEVELS IN THEIR DRINKING 
WATER. LEAD CAN POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK TO YOUR HEALTH. PLEASE READ THE 
ENCLOSED NOTICE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.''
    (ii) Submit the information in paragraph (a)(1) of this section to 
the editorial departments of the major daily and weekly newspapers 
circulated throughout the community.
    (iii) Deliver pamphlets and/or brochures that contain the public 
education materials in paragraphs (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iv) of this 
section to facilities and organizations, including the following:
* * * * *
    (4) Within 60 days after it exceeds the lead action level, a non-
transient non-community water system shall deliver the public education 
materials contained in paragraph (a)(2) of this section as follows:
* * * * *
    (7) A community water system may apply to the State, in writing, to 
use the text specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section in lieu of 
the text in paragraph (a)(1) of this section and to perform the tasks 
listed in paragraphs (c)(4) and (c)(5) of this section in lieu of the 
tasks in paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this section if:
    (i) The system is a facility, such as a prison or a hospital, where 
the population served is not capable of or is prevented from making 
improvements to plumbing or installing point of use treatment devices; 
and
    (ii) The system provides water as part of the cost of services 
provided and does not separately charge for water consumption.
    (8) (i) A community water system serving 500 or fewer people shall 
complete the tasks contained in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) and (c)(2)(iii) of 
this section. Such systems may limit distribution of the public 
education materials required under paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this 
section to facilities and organizations that are most likely to be 
visited regularly by pregnant women and children served by the system, 
including all appropriate facilities and organizations within the 
system's service area.
    (ii) A community water system serving 500 or fewer people that 
delivers public education in accordance with paragraph (c)(8)(i) of 
this section shall repeat the tasks contained in paragraph (c)(8)(i) of 
this section at least once during each calendar year in which the 
system exceeds the lead action level.
* * * * *
    5. Section 141.86 is proposed to be amended by removing paragraph 
(a)(8), by redesignating paragraph (a)(9) as paragraph (a)(8) and 
paragraph (d)(4)(v) as paragraph (d)(4)(vi), by adding a sentence to 
the end of paragraphs (a)(5) and (a)(7), by adding paragraphs (b)(5), 
(d)(4)(v), (d)(4)(vii), (f) and (g), and by revising newly designated 
paragraph (a)(8) and paragraphs (b)(1), (c), (d)(4)(ii) through 
(d)(4)(iv), and the sixth sentence of paragraph (b)(2) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 141.86  Monitoring requirements for lead and copper in tap water.

    (a) * * *
    (5) * * * A community water system with insufficient tier 1, tier 
2, and tier 3 sampling sites shall complete its sampling pool with 
representative sites throughout the distribution system.
* * * * *
    (7) * * * If additional sites are needed to complete the sampling 
pool, the non-transient non-community water system shall use 
representative sites throughout the distribution system.
    (8) Any water system whose distribution system contains lead 
service lines shall draw 50 percent of the samples it collects during 
each monitoring period from sites that contain lead pipes, or copper 
pipes with lead solder, and 50 percent of the samples from sites served 
by a lead service line. A water system that cannot identify a 
sufficient number of sampling sites served by a lead service line shall 
collect first draw samples from all of the sites identified as being 
served by such lines.
    (b)(1) All tap samples for lead and copper collected in accordance 
with this subpart, with the exception of lead service line samples 
collected under Sec. 141.84(c) and samples collected under paragraph 
(b)(5) of this section, shall be first draw samples.
    (2) * * * If the sample is not acidified immediately after 
collection, then after acidification to resolubilize the metals the 
sample must stand in the original container for the time specified in 
the approved EPA method. * * *
* * * * *
    (5) A non-transient non-community water system that does not have 
enough taps that can supply first draw samples, as defined in 
Sec. 141.2, may apply to the State in writing to substitute non-first 
draw samples. Such systems must:
    (i) Collect as many first draw samples from appropriate sample taps 
as possible;
    (ii) Identify sampling times and locations that would likely result 
in the longest standing time for the remaining sample sites; and
    (iii) Sample at times and locations approved by the State.
    (c) Number of samples. Water systems shall collect at least one 
sample during each monitoring period specified in paragraph (d) of this 
section from the number of sites listed in the first column (``standard 
monitoring'') of the table in this paragraph. A system conducting 
reduced monitoring under paragraph (d)(4) of this section shall collect 
at least one sample from the number of sites specified in the second 
column (``reduced monitoring'') of the table in this paragraph during 
each monitoring period specified in paragraph (d)(4) of this section. 
Such reduced monitoring sites shall be representative of the sites 
required for standard monitoring. States may specify sampling locations 
when a system is conducting reduced monitoring. The table is as 
follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Number of    Number of 
                                                   sites        sites   
     System size (number of people served)       (standard     (reduced 
                                                monitoring)  monitoring)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
>100,000......................................         100           50 
10,001 to 100,000.............................          60           30 
3,301 to 10,000...............................          40           20 
501 to 3,300..................................          20           10 
101 to 500....................................          10            5 
100................................           5            5 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (ii) Any water system that maintains the range of values for the 
water quality control parameters reflecting optimal corrosion control 
treatment specified by the State under Sec. 141.82(f) during each of 
two consecutive six-month monitoring periods may reduce the frequency 
of monitoring to once per year and reduce the number of lead and copper 
samples in accordance with

[[Page 16368]]

paragraph (c) of this section if it receives written approval from the 
State. The State shall review monitoring, treatment, and other relevant 
information submitted by the water system in accordance with 
Sec. 141.90, and shall notify the system in writing when it determines 
the system is eligible to commence reduced monitoring pursuant to this 
paragraph. The State shall review, and where appropriate, revise its 
determination when the system submits new monitoring or treatment data, 
or when other data relevant to the number and frequency of tap sampling 
becomes available.
    (iii) A small or medium-size water system that meets the lead and 
copper action levels during three consecutive years of monitoring may 
reduce the frequency of monitoring for lead and copper from annually to 
once every three years. Any water system that maintains the range of 
values for the water quality control parameters reflecting optimal 
corrosion control treatment specified by the State under Sec. 141.82(f) 
during three consecutive years of monitoring may reduce the frequency 
of monitoring from annually to once every three years if it receives 
written approval from the State. The State shall review monitoring, 
treatment, and other relevant information submitted by the water system 
in accordance with Sec. 141.90, and shall notify the system in writing 
when it determines the system is eligible to reduce the frequency of 
monitoring to once every three years. The State shall review, and where 
appropriate, revise its determination when the system submits new 
monitoring or treatment data, or when other data relevant to the number 
and frequency of tap sampling becomes available.
    (iv) A water system that reduces the number and frequency of 
sampling shall collect these samples from sites included in the pool of 
targeted sampling sites identified in paragraph (a) of this section. 
Systems sampling annually or less frequently shall conduct the lead and 
copper tap sampling during the months of June, July, August or 
September. If a water system does not operate between June and 
September, the system must monitor at times representative of system 
operation during the applicable monitoring period. Samples for such 
systems must be taken during the month(s) of operation that will likely 
be the warmest.
    (v) Any water system that demonstrates for two consecutive 6-month 
monitoring periods that the tap water lead level computed under 
Sec. 141.80(c)(3) is less than or equal to the PQL for lead specified 
in Sec. 141.89(a)(1)(ii) and the tap water copper level computed under 
Sec. 141.80(c)(3) is less than or equal to one-half the copper action 
level specified in Sec. 141.80(c)(2) may reduce the number of samples 
in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section and reduce the 
frequency of sampling to once every three calendar years.
* * * * *
    (vii) Any water system subject to reduced monitoring that either 
changes its source water or changes any water treatment shall inform 
the State within 60 days. The State may require the system to resume 
sampling in accordance with paragraph (d)(3) of this section and 
collect the number of samples specified for standard monitoring under 
paragraph (d) of this section or take other appropriate steps such as 
increased water quality parameter monitoring or re-evaluation of its 
corrosion control treatment given the potentially different water 
quality considerations.
* * * * *
    (f) Invalidation of lead or copper tap water samples. A sample 
invalidated under this paragraph does not count toward meeting the 
minimum monitoring requirements of this section.
    (1) The State may invalidate a lead or copper tap water sample only 
if the conditions of paragraph (f)(1) (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of this 
section are met.
    (i) The laboratory establishes that improper sample analysis caused 
erroneous results.
    (ii) The State determines that the sample was taken from a site 
that did not meet the site selection criteria of this section.
    (iii) The sample container was damaged in transit.
    (iv) There is substantial reason to believe that the sample was 
subject to tampering.
    (2) The system must report the results of all samples to the State 
and all evidence of documentation for samples the system believes 
should be invalidated.
    (3) To invalidate a sample under paragraph (f)(1) of this section, 
the decision and the rationale for the decision must be documented in 
writing.
    (4) Replacement samples for any samples invalidated under this 
section must be taken as soon as possible, but within 20 days of the 
date the State invalidates the sample or by the end of the applicable 
monitoring period, whichever occurs later. Replacement samples taken 
after the end of the applicable monitoring period shall not also be 
used to meet the monitoring requirements of a subsequent monitoring 
period. The replacement samples shall be taken at the same locations as 
the invalidated samples or, if that is not possible, at locations other 
than those already used for sampling during the monitoring period.
    (g) Monitoring waivers for ``all plastic'' systems. (1) Any small-
size system in which the system's distribution and service lines and 
all buildings connected to the system are free of materials containing 
lead and copper, including but not limited to, lead or copper service 
lines, lead or copper pipes, lead soldered pipe joints, and leaded 
brass or bronze alloy fittings and fixtures, may apply to the State for 
a waiver from the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section once it 
has completed one six-month round of standard tap water monitoring for 
lead and copper subsequent to becoming free of materials containing 
lead and copper. Such monitoring shall be completed at sites approved 
by the State and from the number of sites required by paragraph (c) of 
this section.
    (2) To qualify for a waiver the system must:
    (i) Provide certification to the State that the system itself and 
all buildings connected to the system are free of all lead-containing 
and copper-containing materials, as specified in paragraph (g)(1) of 
this section; and
    (ii) Demonstrate that the 90th percentile lead level for any and 
all rounds of monitoring performed since the system became free of all 
lead-containing and copper-containing materials, as specified in 
paragraph (g)(1) of this section, does not exceed 0.005 mg/L and the 
90th percentile copper level for any and all such rounds of monitoring 
does not exceed 0.65
mg/L.
    (3) A State may grant a waiver to some or all of the monitoring 
requirements of paragraph (d) of this section after the State evaluates 
the information provided by the system as required by paragraph (g)(2) 
of this section. As a condition of the waiver, the State may require 
the system to perform specific activities (e.g., limited monitoring or 
public education) to minimize the risk of lead or copper contamination 
in tap water. The State shall notify the system of its determination in 
writing, setting forth the basis of its decision and any conditions of 
the waiver.
    (4) A system with a waiver must conduct tap water monitoring for 
lead and copper at the reduced number of sampling sites identified in 
paragraph (c) of this section once every nine years. If the 90th 
percentile lead level is

[[Page 16369]]

greater than 0.005 mg/L and/or if the 90th percentile copper level is 
greater than 0.65 mg/L, the State may require the system to resume 
regular tap water monitoring pursuant to paragraph (d) (3) or (4) of 
this section, or to take other appropriate action to ensure that the 
system maintains minimal levels of corrosion in the distribution 
system.
    (5) If a system with a waiver from monitoring requirements adds a 
new source of water or changes any water treatment, the system shall 
inform the State within 60 days. The State may require the system to 
resume regular tap water monitoring pursuant to paragraph (d) (3) or 
(4) of this section. Any such system may apply for an extension of the 
waiver by repeating the steps listed in paragraphs (g)(2) (i) and (ii) 
in this section. If the system continues to satisfy the requirements of 
paragraph (g)(2) of this section, a State may extend the waiver as 
described in paragraph (g)(3) of this section.
    (6) If, due to new construction or repairs, a system can no longer 
certify that the system itself and all buildings connected to the 
system are free of lead-containing and copper-containing materials, the 
system must resume regular tap water monitoring pursuant to paragraph 
(d)(4) of this section.
    6. Section 141.87 is proposed to be amended by redesignating 
paragraph (e)(2) as paragraph (e)(2)(i), by adding paragraphs (c)(3) 
and (e)(2)(ii), and by revising paragraph (c)(2) introductory text and 
the table at the end of the section to read as follows:


Sec. 141.87  Monitoring requirements for water quality parameters.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) For surface water systems, at each entry point to the 
distribution system, one sample every two weeks (biweekly) for:
* * * * *
    (3) Any ground water system can limit entry point sampling 
described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section to those entry points 
that are representative of water quality and corrosion control 
treatment conditions throughout the system. Any such system shall 
provide to the State by the commencement of such monitoring 
identification of the selected entry points and information sufficient 
to demonstrate that the sites are representative of water quality and 
treatment conditions throughout the system.
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) Any large water system may reduce the frequency with which it 
collects tap samples for applicable water quality parameters specified 
in paragraph (e)(1) of this section to every three years if it 
demonstrates during two consecutive monitoring periods that its tap 
water lead level at the 90th percentile is less than the PQL for lead 
specified in Sec. 141.89(a)(1)(ii), that its tap water copper level at 
the 90th percentile is less than one-half the action level for copper 
in Sec. 141.80(c)(2), and that it also has maintained the range of 
values for the water quality parameters reflecting optimal corrosion 
control treatment specified by the State under Sec. 141.82(f).
* * * * *

                       Summary of Monitoring Requirements for Water Quality Parameters \1\                      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Monitoring period                 Parameters \2\              Location                Frequency       
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial monitoring...................  pH, alkalinity,          Taps and at entry        .......................
                                        orthophosphate or        point(s) to                                    
                                        silica \3\, calcium,     distribution systems..                         
                                        conductivity,                                                           
                                        temperature.                                                            
After installation of corrosion        pH, alkalinity,          Taps...................  Every 6 months         
 control.                               orthophosphate or                                                       
                                        silica \3\, calcium                                                     
                                        \4\.                                                                    
                                       pH, alkalinity, dosage   Entry point(s) to        Biweekly.              
                                        rate and concentration   distribution system                            
                                        (if alkalinity           \6\.                                           
                                        adjusted as part of                                                     
                                        corrosion control),                                                     
                                        inhibitor dosage rate                                                   
                                        and inhibitor residual                                                  
                                        \5\.                                                                    
After state specifies parameter        pH, alkalinity,          Taps...................  Every 6 months.        
 values for optimal corrosion control.  orthophosphate or                                                       
                                        silica \3\, calcium                                                     
                                        \4\.                                                                    
                                       pH, alkalinity dosage    Entry point(s) to        Biweekly.              
                                        rate and concentration   distribution system                            
                                        (if alkalinity           \6\.                                           
                                        adjusted as part of                                                     
                                        corrosion control),                                                     
                                        inhibitor dosage rate                                                   
                                        and inhibitor residual                                                  
                                        \5\.                                                                    
Reduced monitoring...................  pH, alkalinity,          Taps...................  Every 6 months,        
                                        orthophosphate or                                 annually \7\ or every 
                                        silica \3\, calcium                               3 years \8\; reduced  
                                        \4\.                                              number of sites.      
                                       pH, alkalinity dosage    Entry point(s) to        Biweekly.              
                                        rate and concentration   distribution system                            
                                        (if alkalinity           \6\.                                           
                                        adjusted as part of                                                     
                                        corrosion control),                                                     
                                        inhibitor dosage rate                                                   
                                        and inhibitor residual                                                  
                                        \5\.                                                                    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Table is for illustrative purposes; consult the text of this section for precise regulatory requirements.   
\2\ Small and medium-size systems have to monitor for water quality parameters only during monitoring periods in
  which the system exceeds the lead or copper action level.                                                     
\3\ Orthophosphate must be measured only when an inhibitor containing a phosphate compound is used. Silica must 
  be measured only when an inhibitor containing silicate compound is used.                                      
\4\ Calcium must be measured only when calcium carbonate stabilization is sued as part of corrosion control.    
\5\ Inhibitor dosage rates and inhibitor residual concentrations (orthophosphate or silica) must be measured    
  only when an inhibitor is used.                                                                               
\6\ Ground water systems may limit monitoring to representative locations throughout the system.                
\7\ Water systems may reduce frequency of monitoring for water quality parameters at the tap from every six     
  months to annually if they have maintained the range of values for water quality parameters reflecting optimal
  corrosion control during 3 consecutive years of monitoring.                                                   
\8\ Water systems may further reduce the frequency of monitoring for water quality parameters at the tap from   
  annually to once every 3 years if they have maintained the range of values for water quality parameters       
  reflecting optimum control during 3 consecutive years of annual monitoring.                                   


[[Page 16370]]


    7. Section 141.88 is proposed to be amended by revising paragraphs 
(a)(1), (e)(1), and (e)(2) to read as follows:


Sec. 141.88  Monitoring requirements for lead and copper in source 
water.

    (a) * * *
    (1) A water system that fails to meet the lead or copper action 
level on the basis of tap samples collected in accordance with 
Sec. 141.86 shall collect lead and copper source water samples in 
accordance with the following requirements regarding sample location, 
number of samples, and collection methods:
    (i) A water system shall take a minimum of one sample at every 
entry point to the distribution system after any application of 
treatment or in the distribution system at a point which is 
representative of each source after treatment (hereafter called a 
sampling point).
    (ii) If a system draws water from more than one source and the 
sources are combined before distribution, the system must sample at an 
entry point to the distribution system during periods of normal 
operating conditions (i.e., when water is representative of all sources 
being used).
    (iii) The State may reduce the total number of samples which must 
be analyzed by allowing the use of compositing. Compositing of samples 
must be done by certified laboratory personnel. Composite samples from 
a maximum of five samples are allowed, provided that if the lead 
concentration in the composite sample is greater than 0.001 mg/L or the 
copper concentration is greater than 0.160 mg/L, then either:
    (A) A follow-up sample shall be taken and analyzed within 14 days 
at each sampling site included in the composite; or
    (B) If duplicates of or sufficient quantities from the original 
samples from each sampling point used in the composite are available, 
the system may use these instead of resampling.
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (1) A water system using only groundwater may reduce the monitoring 
frequency for lead and/or copper to once during each nine-year 
compliance cycle (as that term is defined in Sec. 141.2) if the system 
meets one of the following criteria:
    (i) The system demonstrates that finished drinking water entering 
the distribution system has been maintained below the maximum 
permissible lead and copper concentrations specified by the State in 
Sec. 141.83(b)(4) during at least three consecutive compliance periods 
under paragraph (d)(1) of this section; or
    (ii) The State has determined that source water treatment is not 
needed and the system demonstrates that, during at least three 
consecutive compliance periods in which sampling was conducted under 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the concentration of lead in source 
water was less than 0.005 mg/L and the concentration of copper in 
source water was less than 0.8 mg/L.
    (2) A water system using surface water (or a combination of surface 
and groundwater) may reduce the monitoring frequency in paragraph 
(d)(1) of this section to once during each nine-year compliance cycle 
(as that term is defined in Sec. 141.2) if the system meets one of the 
following criteria:
    (i) The system demonstrates that finished drinking water entering 
the distribution system has been maintained below the maximum 
permissible lead and copper concentrations specified by the State in 
Sec. 141.83(b)(4) for at least three consecutive years; or
    (ii) The State has determined that source water treatment is not 
needed and the system demonstrates that, during at least three 
consecutive years, the concentration of lead in source water was less 
than 0.005 mg/L and the concentration of copper in source water was 
less than 0.8 mg/L.
* * * * *
    8. Section 141.89 is proposed to be amended by revising paragraph 
(a)(1)(iii) to read as follows:


Sec. 141.89  Analytical methods.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (iii) Achieve the method detection limit for lead of 0.001 mg/L 
according to the procedures in appendix B of part 136 of this title. 
This need only be accomplished if the laboratory will be processing 
source water composite samples under Sec. 141.88(a)(1)(iii).
* * * * *
    9. Section 141.90 is proposed to be amended by removing and 
reserving paragraph (a)(1)(iii) and removing paragraph (e)(4), by 
revising all references to ``Sec. 141.84(f)'' in paragraph (e)(2) to 
read ``Sec. 141.84(e)'', and by revising paragraphs (a)(1) introductory 
text, (a)(1)(ii), (a)(2) through (a)(5) and (f) to read as follows:


Sec. 141.90  Reporting requirements.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (1) A water system shall report the following information specified 
all tap water samples within the first 10 days following the end of 
each applicable monitoring period specified in Sec. 141.86 and 
Sec. 141.87 and Sec. 141.88 (i.e., every six-months, annually, every 3 
years, or every 9 years):
* * * * *
    (ii) Documentation for each tap water lead or copper sample for 
which the water system requests invalidation pursuant to 
Sec. 141.86(f)(1);
    (iii) [Reserved];
* * * * *
    (2) By the start of the first applicable monitoring period in 
Sec. 141.86(d) that commences after [30 days following publication of 
final rule in Federal Register], each non-transient non-community water 
system that does not have enough taps that can supply first draw 
samples, as defined in Sec. 141.2, shall send a letter to the State 
identifying sampling times and locations for enough non-first draw 
samples to make up its sampling pool under Sec. 141.86(b)(5).
    (3) By 60 days after any change in source water or water treatment, 
a water system subject to reduced monitoring pursuant to 
Sec. 141.86(d), or subject to a monitoring waiver pursuant to 
Sec. 141.86(g), shall send a letter to the State describing the change 
along with any appropriate monitoring results.
    (4) By the start of the first applicable monitoring period in 
Sec. 141.86(d) that commences after [30 days following publication of 
final rule in Federal Register], each small-size water system that 
requests a monitoring waiver, or any extension of a monitoring waiver, 
shall send a letter to the State providing the information listed under 
Sec. 141.86(g)(2).
    (5) Each ground water system that limits water quality parameter 
monitoring to a subset of entry points under Sec. 141.87 (c)(3) shall 
provide to the State by the commencement of such monitoring 
identification of the selected entry points and information sufficient 
to demonstrate that the sites are representative of water quality and 
treatment conditions throughout the system.
* * * * *
    (f) Public education program reporting requirements. Any water 
system that is subject to the public education requirements in 
Sec. 141.85 shall submit a letter to the State within ten days after 
the end of each period in which the system is required to perform 
public education tasks in accordance with Sec. 141.85(c) demonstrating 
that the system has delivered the public education materials that meet 
the content requirements in Sec. 141.85(a) and (b) and the delivery 
requirements in Sec. 141.85(c). This information shall include a list 
of all the newspapers, radio stations, television stations, and

[[Page 16371]]

facilities and organizations to which the system delivered public 
education materials during the most recent period during which the 
system was required to perform public education tasks.
* * * * *

PART 142--NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS 
IMPLEMENTATION

    10. The authority citation for part 142 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300g, 300g-1, 300g-2, 300g-3, 300g-4, 300g-
5, 300g-6, 300j-4 and 300j-9.

    11. Section 142.15 is proposed to be amended by revising paragraphs 
(c)(4)(i) through (c)(4)(iii) and (c)(4)(v) through (c)(4)(vii) to read 
as follows:


Sec. 142.15  Reports by States.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (i) Each public water system which exceeded the lead or copper 
action level and the last day of the compliance period in which the 
exceedance occurred;
    (ii) For each large and medium-size public water system, all 90th 
percentile lead levels calculated during each monitoring period in 
Sec. 141.86, and the first and last day of the compliance period for 
which the 90th percentile lead level was calculated;
    (iii) Each public water system for which the State has designated 
optimal corrosion control treatment under Sec. 141.82(d) and the date 
of the determination;
* * * * *
    (v) Each public water system which the State has required to 
install source water treatment under Sec. 141.83(b)(2) and the date of 
the determination;
    (vi) Each public water system that completed installation of source 
water treatment as certified under Sec. 141.90(d)(2) and the date the 
State received such certification; and
    (vii) Each public water system required to begin replacing lead 
service lines as specified in Sec. 141.84 and the date each system must 
begin replacement.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 96-7738 Filed 4-11-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P