While many regulations related to lead are delayed, two communications requirements require water system action right now:

• Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR)
• Tier 1 Notifications (with a Lead Action Level exceedance)

Previously, under the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), Tier 1 public notification was not required if compliance sampling exceeded the lead action level. An exceedance means the 90th percentile, or 10% of samples, are above the limit. Now, until the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) compliance date (November 1, 2027), water systems must notify consumers of a lead action level (15 ppb) exceedance within 24 hours via a Tier 1 public notification.

So, if your water system has a 90th percentile lead action level exceedance, prepare to quickly distribute a public notice. The notice itself can likely be a template from your respective state regulator. Tier 1 notifications require reaching your community via at least one of the following methods: radio, television, posting in prominent locations, hand delivery to each customer, or another delivery method approved by your state.

Putting scripts together and understanding the process of quickly getting the message out—for example, gathering media contacts, or planning for hand-delivering to each consumer—requires advance preparation. Plan now so you’re not caught in a bind with a 24-hour deadline!

Different lead-related language is now required in your CCR for ALL water systems. The updated consumer confidence report rule, as codified July 1, 2023, requires the following specific requirements for the content in reports delivered by July 1, 2025 and July 1, 2026, that summarize 2024 and 2025 information, respectively:

• Content must include a statement that a service line inventory (including inventories that only consist of a statement that there are no lead service lines) exists and include instructions to access it
• Content must include a word-for-word lead educational statement and health effects statement

Relying on older templates of the CCR could lead to the omission of important, mandated lead-related information. Now, the key is to ensure updates are made (in some cases, carefully check word for word) in accordance with the current CCR rule. More revisions are required in 2027 for 2026 data, so stay aware!

New Jersey American Water and CDM Smith's project team had the honor of receiving a 2025 Environmental Communications Award from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES)!

This communications campaign is a prime example of how weaving public relations into water infrastructure projects increases cost effectiveness and project execution for challenges like LSLRPs. Read more about the team's commitment to building public trust.

Sunday, June 8, 2025 | 9:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Workshops are an additional fee, and seating is limited – register early for session PCW05!

A successful lead service line (LSL) replacement program prepares for different scenarios despite a high level of uncertainty in funding, regulations, the number of LSLs, the participation by the public and the cooperation of other city departments.

This workshop will incorporate scenario planning and other planning tools to open interactions among participants, identify problems and issues, and perform creative brainstorming of ideas and solutions.