Lead and Copper Rule
The purpose of the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) is to protect public health by minimizing lead and copper levels in drinking water. Lead and copper enter drinking water mainly from corrosion of lead and copper containing plumbing materials. The rule establishes action levels (AL) for lead and copper based on a 90th percentile level of tap water samples. An action level exceedance is not a violation but triggers other requirements to minimize exposure to lead and copper in drinking water, including water quality parameter monitoring, corrosion control treatment, source water monitoring/treatment, public education, and lead service line replacement. All community water supplies and nontransient noncommunity water supplies are subject to the LCR requirements.
Lead and Copper Tap Sampling
Sample Site Selection
Site selection criteria were updated in 2018 to place more emphasis on sites with lead service lines. Review the updated sample site selection criteria to confirm the sites in your sampling pool still meet proper tiering criteria.
Lead and Copper Sampling Plan (Sampling Pool)
Water supplies must submit to EGLE a Sampling Plan that contains a pool of properly tiered lead and copper tap sampling sites.
Sampling Plan Instructions and Guidance
- Steps for Completing the Lead and Copper Sampling Plan (PDF)
- March 2019 - Site Selection and Sampling Plan Memo (PDF)
Sampling Plan Forms
Tap Sampling Checklist
To avoid missing steps or deadlines, use this checklist as you prepare for and conduct lead and copper tap sampling and report results to EGLE.
Samples MUST be collected according to very specific instructions. Water supplies may use the following instructions to inform operators and/or homeowners on proper sample collection
Sites WITHOUT lead service lines
Sites WITH lead service lines
Lead and Copper Report and Consumer Notice Certificate
- Form A — Supplies WITH lead service lines: Form A (PDF) and Form A (Word)
- Form B — Supplies WITHOUT lead service lines: Form B (PDF) and Form B (Word)
Water Quality Parameter (WQP) Tap Sampling
Use these WQP report templates to report sampling results to EGLE. Choose the appropriate template based upon whether or not your system has corrosion control treatment.
- Water Quality Parameter Report for Systems WITH Corrosion Control Treatment (Word)
- Water Quality Parameter Report for Systems WITHOUT Corrosion Control Treatment (Word)
Distribution System Materials Inventory (DSMI)
DSMI Instructions and Guidance
Service Line Information
Building owner/occupant service line material notification
- Service line material notification guidance
- Template notice of KNOWN lead service line: Notice 1 (PDF) Notice 1 (Word)
- Template notice of LIKELY lead service line: Notice 2 (PDF) Notice 2 (Word)
- Template of UNKNOWN service line material: Notice 3 (PDF) Notice 3 (Word)
- Template Enclosure - Reducing Potential Exposure to Lead: PDF Word
- LCR Overview and Changes (PDF)
- LCR Distribution System Materials Inventory (PDF)
- LCR Service Line Replacement (PDF)
- LCR Site Tiering and Sampling Pool (PDF)
- LCR Monitoring (PDF)
- LCR Reporting (PDF)
Please visit Michigan.gov/MILeadSafe for information on exposure to lead in drinking water, the latest drinking water test results and more.
- EGLE's Lead and Copper in Drinking Water for other reference materials for water supplies and the public.
- For more information on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule, including the final rules and the Quick Reference Guide visit the Web site of the U.S. EPA at https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/lead-and-copper-rule.
- University of Michigan’s “What you need to know about Michigan’s 2018 Lead and Copper Rule”