The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released two new guidance documents to help drinking water systems that are working to keep their communities safe from lead.
The two documents, Access Tips and Service Line Inventory Tips, provide practical information to help water systems and states implement the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI).
In April 2026, EPA sought the public’s input on these two Tips documents and EPA said it considered the comments received in the development of these final resources.
The guidance includes information, definitions and useful examples to help water systems comply with lead pipe replacement requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule. Reducing exposure to lead, a powerful neurotoxin that is especially dangerous to children, advances a key EPA priority, the agency said.
EPA said it is taking on lead in drinking water holistically, including prioritizing collaboration, practical implementation, and communication.
“EPA is committed to supporting local water systems as they identify and remove lead pipes,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer. “Today, we are providing practical, clear and plain language guidance clarifying existing federal requirements. This action complements federal funding and technical assistance in a holistic approach.”
The agency recently published a revamped lead website, found at epa.gov/lead, including a new StoryMap about Lead and Children’s Health. The streamlined website allows parents and caregivers, contractors, health care professionals, and other users to quickly find critical information on how to prevent exposures from lead.
This is one of many actions being undertaken by EPA under the government-wide Federal Lead Action Plan, which was launched during the first Trump administration as a blueprint for reducing lead exposure through federal agency collaboration.
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