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Lead & Copper

Lead and copper in service lines and household plumbing are the primary drinking water corrosion compounds of concern. Lead is a toxic metal that can be harmful to human health even at low exposure levels. Lead is persistent and can bioaccumulate in the body over time. Young children are particularly vulnerable to lead because the physical and behavioral effects of lead occur at lower exposure levels in children than in adults. A dose of lead that would have little effect on an adult can have a significant effect on a child. People who drink water containing copper in excess of 1.3 mg/L may experience short-term nausea, while long-term exposure can affect the liver and kidneys.

Lead is rarely found in source water and usually enters drinking water through corrosion of household plumbing. Lead at the tap can come from a variety of sources, including lead service lines, lead piping inside the home, lead-based solder, and brass components. The concentrations of lead and copper in water are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule.

Topic Overview (PDF)
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26 Projects 1 Web Tool 1 Case Study 10 Webcasts
Water Quality
Corrosion
Pipes
Distribution System Management
Project #4713

Full Lead Service Line Replacement Guidance

$1,406,510
2021
Completed

Project Highlights

Removing the entire lead service line (LSL) eliminates one significant potential source of lead. However, even after full LSL replacement, lead sources can still be present that can contribute to lead levels at the tap. Following a full LSL replacement...

View more details
Principal Investigator
Richard
Brown
Research Manager
Mr. Jonathan Cuppett

Lead and Copper Corrosion: An Overview of WRF Research

WRF has funded over 50 research projects related to lead and copper corrosion valued at more than $20 million. This state of the science document summarizes the objectives, general research approach, and major findings of this body of research, and offers a basic understanding of the issues surrounding distribution system corrosion and the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR).

 

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Recent Updates

Project #4953
Considerations and Blending Strategies for Drinking Water System...

Reporting Period: November 1, 2021 – January 31, 2022. Cast iron distribution system pipes were tested...

Project Update
05/04/2022
Project #5109
Application of Finite Element Analysis in the Design of Large-Diameter...

Reporting Period: June 15, 2021 – September 15, 2021. During this period, the team carried out...

Project Update
04/06/2022
Project #4983
Evaluating Legionella Detection Rates and Occurrence by...

Reporting Period: November 1, 2019 - April 30, 2020. During this project period, MSU and SHU...

Project Update
05/26/2020
Project #4983
Evaluating Legionella Detection Rates and Occurrence by...

Reporting Period: May 1, 2019 - October 31, 2019. The team developed molecular methods, including conducting...

Project Update
12/27/2019
Project #4983
Evaluating Legionella Detection Rates and Occurrence by...

The goals of this project are to examine Legionella occurrence and concentration throughout a public water...

Project Update
07/26/2019
Project #4953
Considerations and Blending Strategies for Drinking Water System...

Reporting Period: May 1, 2021 - July 31, 2021. Since the last update, unlined cast iron...

Project Update
10/22/2021
Project #4953
Considerations and Blending Strategies for Drinking Water System...

Reporting Period: November 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021. During this project period, the team updated...

Project Update
03/26/2021
Project #4953
Considerations and Blending Strategies for Drinking Water System...

Reporting Period: May 1, 2020 - July 31, 2020. This project kicked off in February 2020...

Project Update
10/02/2020
Project #4833
Understanding the Impacts of Wastewater Treatment Performance on Advanced...

Reporting Period: July 1, 2021 - January 1, 2022. This reporting period, full chapter drafts from...

Project Update
05/04/2022
Project #5053
Precursors and Control of Halogenated Acetonitriles

Reporting Period: August 1, 2021 – October 31, 2021. During this period, the team tested a...

Project Update
05/04/2022

News

WRF Funds Seven New Research Projects

Press Release
05/20/2021

The Water Research Foundation Funds Seven New Projects Volunteers Needed, RFPs Coming in August The Water Research Foundation (WRF) will soon post Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and is seeking volunteers...

Lead and Copper Management

06/06/2019

Water utilities play a critical role in protecting public health by minimizing lead and copper levels in drinking water. Household plumbing and service lines can contain lead and copper pipes...

The Water Research Foundation Announces New RFPs for 12 Research Projects

Press Release
07/09/2019

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) has announced that Requests for Proposals (RFPs) are available for 12 new research projects. The RFPs are as follows: Occurrence of PFAS Compounds in U.S...

View all Lead & Copper News

Resources

Public Plus

Lead and Copper Rule: Potential Regulatory Changes, Corrosion Chemistry, and Stakeholder Communication

Webcast
04/21/2016
04/21/2016
Public Plus

Optimization of Phosphorus-Based Corrosion Control Chemicals Using a Comprehensive Perspective of Water Quality

Report
#4586
11/14/2017
11/14/2017
Public Plus

Lead Service Line Identification Techniques

Report
#4693
06/08/2020
06/08/2020
View all Lead & Copper Resources

Related Topics

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Distribution System Management

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Corrosion

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Pipes

Link

Water Quality

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