Facilities Engineering Applications Program: Lead Monitoring Strategies for Drinking Water Systems: Lessons Learned

Like private sector utilities, Army installations that operate potable water supply and distribution systems must comply with the regulations that govern drinking water quality. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has proposed a new rule to regulate the levels of lead and copper present at the consumer's tap. Under this rule, installations will have to implement a monitoring program to test residential tapwater and take remedial action if lead and/or copper concentrations are found to be unacceptably high. This report reviews the proposed Lead and Copper Rule and discusses some other regulations that will either be affected by or have impact on this rule. The proposed compliance schedule is summarized. The results of this study will serve as background for developing guidelines to assist installations in meeting new lead and copper regulations. Development of these guidelines awaits the final ruling on the proposed Lead and Copper Rule.