Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) and Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) by EPA
On December 16, 2021, the LCRR became law, and it strengthens the regulations for lead in drinking water. The LCRI is at the proposed regulation stage. The LCRI lowers the lead action level from 15 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb and requires that all lead service lines be replaced by 2037. EPA expects the LCRI to become law before October 16, 2024.
Go to ODW’s LCRR guidance webpage and the EPA’s Revised Lead and Copper Rule webpage for more information.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Strategic Roadmap by EPA
On October 18, 2021, EPA announced its PFAS Strategic Roadmap, which lays out EPA’s approach to addressing PFAS.
Go to EPA’s webpages for additional information.
PFAS Rule by EPA
On April 26, 2024, EPA finalized the PFAS Rule for six PFAS in drinking water. EPA set legal levels, called Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), for six PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA as individual substances, and mixtures containing two or more of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS. EPA also finalized health-based Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) for these PFAS, but these goals are not enforceable.
Amendments to Waterworks Operation Fee Regulations (12VAC5-600)
The State Board of Health approved proposed amendments to the Waterworks Operation Fee Regulations in June 2023. The proposed amendments are currently going through executive branch review. The most important proposed changes are:
- Amend 12VAC5-600-50 to increase the fee amount that allows community waterworks owners to pay on a quarterly basis instead of paying in a lump sum.
- Add 12VAC5-600-55 to require owners of wholesale waterworks with fewer than 15 customer accounts to pay an annual fee of $2,500. Wholesale waterworks with more than 15 customer accounts that do not include other waterworks are charged a fee as if they were community waterworks.
- Amend 12VAC5-600-60 to raise the annual fee that owners of nontransient noncommunity (NTNC) waterworks pay from $90 to $120 and change the payment due date from November 1 to August 1.
- Add 12VAC5-600-65 to require owners of transient noncommunity (TNC) waterworks to pay an annual fee of $60.
- Add 12VAC5-600-100 to require VDH to charge a convenience fee when a waterworks owner pays its fee by credit card.
- Add 12VAC5-600-120 to permit VDH to take action against waterworks that do not pay their fees. VDH could limit technical assistance, limit access to loans, grants, or services, and take other actions.
Go to Virginia Regulatory Town Hall View Stage for more information.
Amendments to Waterworks Regulations (12VAC5-590)
The Waterworks Regulations are currently being reviewed for amendment. VDH is working with the Waterworks Advisory Committee to get feedback on possible amendments. More information on the Waterworks Advisory Committee meetings can be found by searching Virginia Regulatory Town Hall – Meetings.
Revised 8/2/24