The Copper Development Association (CDA) is now offering its Do It Proper with Copper training program, a no-cost, expert-led educational initiative designed to help communities plan and execute lead service line replacement projects.
CDA said the training is meant to provide practical guidance on the proper installation of copper service lines, including techniques, materials science and industry-recognized best practices.
The Do It Proper with Copper program is tailored to:
- Utility contractors, engineering crews, and water utilities seeking hands-on guidance to properly install copper service lines while enhancing system performance, durability, and compliance.
- City and municipal leaders responsible for planning, managing, and overseeing LSLR efforts.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), a critical regulatory update to strengthen protections against lead exposure in drinking water.
Building on the original Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) of 1991 and its 2021 revisions (LCRR), the EPA finalized the LCRI in October 2024. It mandates that public water systems replace all lead service lines within 10 years to reduce lead exposure in drinking water. Key requirements include lower action levels, improved tap sampling, and notifications to communities, schools, and childcare facilities by Nov. 1, 2027.
The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (IIJA) from the Biden administration allocated $15 billion specifically for lead service line replacement, to be distributed in five annual tranches of roughly $3 billion each. In late 2025, the Trump administration announced an additional $3 billion in funding for lead pipe replacements, the fourth of the five rounds. The administration also reallocated an additional $1.1 billion in previously awarded but unused funds from other states to help maximize the immediate impact.
As municipalities and utilities across the country prepare to ramp up their lead service line replacement efforts, access to high-quality training on installation fundamentals is increasingly essential.
“When copper service lines are installed correctly the first time, communities gain long-term reliability and peace of mind,” says Harold Moret, CDA project manager and piping applications specialist. “This training gives crews and decision makers the practical knowledge they need to do the job right and build systems that last.”
The Do It Proper with Copper sessions are designed to support crew or teams of all sizes, from small systems planning their first project to larger agencies coordinating comprehensive replacement programs.
The training is offered free of charge and can be delivered in-person or virtually to accommodate the team’s needs. CDA works directly with communities to tailor sessions based on crew size, local codes, and project goals.
Source: Copper Development Association.
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