DDAGW has reviewed the Lead and Copper rule in Chapter 3745-81 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) to match the federal requirements. The rule package describes the requirements for Public Water Systems (PWSs) monitoring for lead and copper.
What step is this in the rulemaking process?
This step in Ohio EPA’s rulemaking process, required by Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 121.39, is called Interested Party Review. During this step, the Agency makes available draft rules for interested parties for review and comment. This step occurs after the Early Stakeholder Outreach comment period.
What changes are being considered?
DDAGW is proposing two new rules and amendments to existing rules to match the federal requirements in 40 CFR 141. The proposed changes include the following:
· Lead sampling at Schools and Child Care Facilities within a Water System’s distribution system.
· More options for small systems in the event of an Action Level Exceedance.
· Record keeping requirements.
· The addition of a Baseline Inventory which includes connector material.
· Mandatory 10-yr lead service line replacements.
· The addition of Service Line Replacement Plans.
· The addition of a validation pool which would include all service lines that were identified using any method other than visual inspection.
· Lowering the action level from 15 μg/L to 10 μg/L.
· Requiring systems to collect first-liter and fifth-liter samples.
Who will be regulated by these rules?
All community and nontransiet noncommunity systems.
What is the rulemaking schedule?
After the 30 day comment period any comments will be reviewed and changes implemented before original filing.
Comments on the draft rules must be received no later than 5 p.m. July 16, 2026.
What does this rule package cover?
DDAGW has reviewed the Lead and Copper rule in Chapter 3745-81 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) to match the federal requirements. The rule package describes the requirements for Public Water Systems (PWSs) monitoring for lead and copper.
What step is this in the rulemaking process?
This step in Ohio EPA’s rulemaking process, required by Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 121.39, is called Interested Party Review. During this step, the Agency makes available draft rules for interested parties for review and comment. This step occurs after the Early Stakeholder Outreach comment period.
What changes are being considered?
DDAGW is proposing two new rules and amendments to existing rules to match the federal requirements in 40 CFR 141. The proposed changes include the following:
· Lead sampling at Schools and Child Care Facilities within a Water System’s distribution system.
· More options for small systems in the event of an Action Level Exceedance.
· Record keeping requirements.
· The addition of a Baseline Inventory which includes connector material.
· Mandatory 10-yr lead service line replacements.
· The addition of Service Line Replacement Plans.
· The addition of a validation pool which would include all service lines that were identified using any method other than visual inspection.
· Lowering the action level from 15 μg/L to 10 μg/L.
· Requiring systems to collect first-liter and fifth-liter samples.
Who will be regulated by these rules?
All community and nontransiet noncommunity systems.
What is the rulemaking schedule?
After the 30 day comment period any comments will be reviewed and changes implemented before original filing.
Comments on the draft rules must be received no later than 5 p.m. July 16, 2026.
How can I get more information?
Copies of this fact sheet, Common-Sense Initiative form and the draft rules are on the Division of Drinking and Ground Water’s website at https://epa.ohio.gov/divisions-and-offices/drinking-and-groundwaters/regulations/ interested-party-review.
For more information about these draft rules, please contact:
Rylee Lane (614) 752-9725
Rylee.Lane@epa.ohio.gov
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