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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.

For more information, contact Jian Zhang.

Topic Overview (PDF)
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26 Projects 1 Web Tool 1 Case Study 5 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: May 1, 2020 - July 31, 2020. This project kicked off in February 2020...

Project Update
10/02/2020
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 #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 #5109
Application of Finite Element Analysis in the Design of Large-Diameter...

Reporting Period: December 2021 to March 2022

Project Update
07/14/2022
Project #5153
Evaluation of Bench-Scale Methods to Predict Drinking Water PFAS...

Reporting Period: November 1, 2022 - January 31, 2023

Project Update
03/01/2023
Project #5153
Evaluation of Bench-Scale Methods to Predict Drinking Water PFAS...

Reporting Period: May 1 - July 31, 2022

Project Update
01/09/2023
Project #4954
Integration of High-Frequency Performance Data for...

Reporting Period: December 2021 - May 2022

Project Update
12/22/2022
Project #5043
Assessing the Impacts of Backwash Practice on Biofiltration Operation...
Project Update
12/16/2022

News

The Water Research Foundation Funds Utility Research Projects

Press Release
12/15/2022

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) has selected seven new projects for funding through its Tailored Collaboration Program, totaling over $3 million in research value. The projects will focus on various...

How Much Lead Do Your Customers Ingest from Your Water Every Day?

eLetter
12/06/2021

Compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) for water utilities is based on the amount of lead in a one-liter sample that is drawn from a tap that has...

New Projects Funded on PFAS, Lead Service Lines, HABs, and More

eLetter
12/06/2021

Through the Tailored Collaboration (TC) Program, WRF partners directly with our utility subscribers on research and innovation projects. Under this program, a subscriber or group of subscribers can obtain matching...

View all Lead & Copper News

Resources

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

Evaluation of Flushing to Reduce Lead Levels

Report
#4584
07/30/2018
07/30/2018
Public Plus

Evaluation of Flushing to Reduce Lead Levels

Executive Summary
07/30/2018
07/30/2018
View all Lead & Copper Resources

Related Topics

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Distribution System Management

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Corrosion

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Pipes

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Water Quality

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      04/04/2023
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