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1. What type systems have to take part in Lead and Copper Rule?

All community water systems and non-transient non-community water systems are subject to the Lead and Copper Rule requirements.

2. How is compliance determined?

Lead and copper analytical results are evaluated against an action level, not an MCL. The lead action level is exceeded if the concentration of lead in more than 10% of tap water samples collected during any monitoring period is greater than 0.015 mg/L (i.e., if the 90th percentile level lead level is greater than 0.015 mg/L). The copper action level is exceeded if the concentration of copper in more than 10% of tap water samples collected during any monitoring period conducted is greater than 1.3 mg/L (i.e., if the 90th percentile copper level is greater than 1.3 mg/L). All samples that meet the proper site selection and sample collection procedures are used to determine the 90th percentile calculation, even if you collect samples from more sites than required.

The 90th percentile is calculated separately for lead and copper.

3. How do I calculate the 90th percentile?

If you are required to collect more than five samples:

1. Place lead results in ascending order (from lowest to highest value).
2. Assign each sample a number, 1 for lowest value.
3. Multiply the total number of samples by 0.9.
4. Compare the 90th percentile level to the action level of 0.015 mg/L (can also be expressed as 15 parts per billion (ppb)). If your 90th percentile value is higher than 0.015 mg/L, you have an exceedance.

Repeat this procedure for copper sample results, except compare the 90th percentile copper level against its action level of 1.3 mg/L. If your 90th percentile value is greater than 1.3 mg/L, you have an exceedance.

If you are required to collect five samples:

1. Place lead or copper results in ascending order.
2. Take the average of the 4th and 5th highest sample. This is your 90th percentile level.
3. Compare the 90th percentile level against the lead action level of 0.015 mg/L or copper action level of 1.3 mg/L.

You can also use this Excel spreadsheet (XLSX), which will automatically calculate your 90th percentile once you enter your Lead and Copper results in the respective cells.

4. Who do I contact if I have not received my sample bottles or I need replacement bottles?

Contact Kansas Health and Environment Laboratories (KHEL) at: 785-296-1620 and the Public Water Supply Section at: 785-296-5514.

5. What do I do if I need to change a Lead and Copper sample location?

You may change sample locations if a sample site is deemed unacceptable for Lead/Copper sampling. This can include homes with whole system water softeners, a residence that has been unoccupied for a long period of time, or a location where homeowners are uncooperative. If a sample location needs to be changed, contact the Public Water Supply Section at: 785-296-5514. Also note a change on your Lead and Copper Sample Site Plan with a brief reason for the location change, and send it in to the Public Water Supply Section.

6. What is corrosion control? How will I know if my system must perform corrosion control?

Corrosion control is a set of corrective actions that may be required if the 90th percentile action level for either copper (1.3 mg/L) or lead (0.015 mg/L) is exceeded. KDHE will notify you via letter with requirements if your water system is subject to corrosion control.

7. I’ve sent in all my Lead/Copper samples. What do I do now?

Per Federal Regulation, water systems are required to notify homeowners that participated in Lead and Copper sampling of their residence's results. KDHE has a template letter that water systems may use. After all participating homeowners are notified water systems are required to send a completed Certification of Delivery form to the Public Water Supply Section.

Helpful Documents

• Consumer Notice of LC 4 Options (DOCX)
• Consumer Notification Certificate of Delivery (DOCX)

8. After sampling, how long do I have to send in the sample bottles?

After taking a Lead and Copper sample, you have 14 days to send in collected sample bottles.