Lead and Copper Rule: Public Education for Community Water Systems
Step 1: Develop the content of your written public education materials
There are six sections that must be included in your public notice. Some of these sections require mandatory language that
cannot be changed, while other sections can be customized. Use the following table to determine the required language for
each section. For templates go to www.epa.gov/safewater/lcrmr/compliancehelp.html.
Section
Informal Statement
Health Effects of Lead
Sources of lead
Steps you can take to
reduce your exposure
to lead in your water
What happened?
What is being done?
For More Information
Language
Important Information about Lead in Your Drinking Water: [System] found
elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes/buildings. Lead can cause
Mandatory
serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children.
language
Please read this information closely to see what you can do to reduce lead in your
drinking water.
Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from
drinking water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys, and
can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of
Mandatory
your body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and
language
pregnant women. Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with
lowered IQ in children. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can
be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults. Lead is stored in the
bones, which may affect brain development.
Example: Lead is a common metal found in the environment. The main sources of
lead exposure are lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust or soil, and some
plumbing materials. In addition, lead can be found in certain types of pottery,
pewter, brass fixtures, food, and cosmetics. Other sources include exposure in the
work place and exposure for certain hobbies (lead can be carried on clothing or
Can be customized
shoes). Brass faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as “leadfree,” may contribute lead to drinking water. EPA estimates that 10 to 20 percent
of a person’s potential exposure to lead may come from drinking water. Infants
who consume mostly formula mixed with lead-containing water can receive 40 to
60 percent of their exposure to lead from drinking water.
1. Run your water to flush out lead. Run water for 15-30 seconds to flush lead
from interior plumbing or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature
before using it for drinking or cooking, if it hasn’t been used for several hours.
2. Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula. Lead dissolves more
easily into hot water.
3. Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.
4. Look for alternative sources or treatment of water. You may want to consider
purchasing bottled water or a water filter. Read the package to be sure the filter is
approved to reduce lead or contact NSF International at 800-NSF-8010 or
www.nsf.org for information on performance standards for water filters.
5. Test your water for lead. Call us [insert water system phone number] to find out
Can be customized
how to get your water tested for lead. [Include information on your water
system’s testing program. For example, do you provide free testing? Are there
labs in your area that are certified to do lead in water testing?]
6. Get your child’s blood tested. Contact your local health department or
healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead, if you
are concerned about exposure.
7. Identify and replace plumbing fixtures containing lead. Brass faucets, fittings,
and valves, including those advertised as “lead-free,” may contribute lead to
drinking water. The law currently allows end-use brass fixtures, such as faucets,
with up to 8% lead to be labeled as “lead free.” Visit the NSF website at
www.nsf.org to learn more about lead-containing plumbing fixtures.
[How/when the exceedance was discovered and source(s) of lead, if known]
Can be customized
[What is being done to reduce lead levels in homes]
Call us at [#] or (if applicable) visit our Web site at [Web site]. For more
Mandatory
information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health
language
effects of lead, visit EPA’s Web site at www.epa.gov/lead, or contact your health
care provider.
Step 2: Get State approval
You must submit a copy of your public notice to: LCR@deq.ok.gov or fax (405) 702-8101 or P.O. Box 1677 Oklahoma
City, OK 73101.
Step 3: Deliver your public education materials
All public education material must be delivered within 60 days after the end of the monitoring period in which the
exceedance occurred and repeated once every 12 months, EXCEPT providing information with each water bill, which
must be included in each billing cycle (no less than quarterly) and two press releases per 12 month period for as long as
you exceed the lead action level.
Small (<3,300 customers)
Deliver printed materials (pamphlets,
brochures, posters) to all bill paying
customers
Deliver public education materials to the
following facilities and organizations that
are served by the system that are most
likely to be visited regularly by pregnant
women and children:
1. Local public health agency
2. Public and private schools or school
boards
3. Women Infants and Children (WIC) and
Head Start programs
4. Public and private hospitals and medical
clinic
5. Pediatricians
6. Family planning clinic
7. Local welfare agencies
Make a good faith effort to locate the
following organizations within the service
area and deliver materials that meet the
content requirements, along with an
informational notice that encourages
distribution to all potential affected
customers or users.
1. Licensed childcare centers
2. Public and private preschools
3. Obstetricians-Gynecologists and
Midwives
Provide information on or in each water
bill (no less than quarterly)
Conduct one (1) activity from one of the
following general categories:
 Public Service Announcements
 Paid Advertisements
 Display Information in Public Areas
 Email to Customers
 Public Meetings
 Delivery to Every Household
 Provide Materials Directly to Multifamily Homes
Medium (>3,300 customers)
Deliver printed materials (pamphlets,
brochures, posters) to all bill paying
customers
Deliver public education materials to the
following facilities and organizations that
are served by the system that are most
likely to be visited regularly by pregnant
women and children:
1. Local public health agency
2. Public and private schools or school
boards
3. Women Infants and Children (WIC)
and Head Start programs
4. Public and private hospitals and
medical clinic
5. Pediatricians
6. Family planning clinic
7. Local welfare agencies
Make a good faith effort to locate the
following organizations within the service
area and deliver materials that meet the
content requirements, along with an
informational notice that encourages
distribution to all potential affected
customers or users.
1. Licensed childcare centers
2. Public and private preschools
3. Obstetricians-Gynecologists and
Midwives
Provide information on or in each water
bill (no less than quarterly)
Conduct three (3) activities from one of
the following general categories:
 Public Service Announcements
 Paid Advertisements
 Display Information in Public Areas
 Email to Customers
 Public Meetings
 Delivery to Every Household
 Provide Materials Directly to Multifamily Homes
Large (>100,000 customers)
Deliver printed materials (pamphlets,
brochures, posters) to all bill paying
customers
Deliver public education materials to the
following facilities and organizations that
are served by the system that are most
likely to be visited regularly by pregnant
women and children:
1. Local public health agency
2. Public and private schools or school
boards
3. Women Infants and Children (WIC) and
Head Start programs
4. Public and private hospitals and medical
clinic
5.Pediatricians
6.Family planning clinic
7.Local welfare agencies
Make a good faith effort to locate the
following organizations within the service
area and deliver materials that meet the
content requirements, along with an
informational notice that encourages
distribution to all potential affected
customers or users.
1. Licensed childcare centers
2. Public and private preschools
3. Obstetricians-Gynecologists and
Midwives
Provide information on or in each water
bill (no less than quarterly)
Conduct three (3) activities from one of
the following general categories:
 Public Service Announcements
 Paid Advertisements
 Display Information in Public Areas
 Email to Customers
 Public Meetings
 Delivery to Every Household
 Provide Materials Directly to Multifamily Homes
Post material on a publicly accessible
Web site
Systems are also required to contact the Oklahoma State Department of Health either in person or by phone at:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
1000 NE 10th
Oklahoma City, OK 73117
(405) 271-5600 or (800) 522-0203
For Additional Information
 See: Implementing the Lead Public Education Provision of the Lead and Copper Rule: A Guide for Community Water
Systems (found at http://epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/lcr/compliancehelp.cfm)
 www.epa.gov/safewater/lcrmr
 EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791
Public Education Certification
(Community Water Systems)
Public Water System: TO
PWSID No.: PWSID
For lead exceedance occurring: MONITORING PERIOD, YEAR
Check all that apply:
Education distributed by ___________________________ radio and/or _______________________.
________________________________television station on ___________________________date(s).
Education distributed by _______________________ newspaper on_____________________date(s).
Posted in conspicuous locations on _______________________________________________date(s).
Education distributed by e-mail ________________________________________________________.
Public Meeting _______________________________________________________________date(s).
Hand or direct delivery on ______________________________________________________date(s).
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill on _________________________________date(s).
Education displayed on a publicly accessible Website______________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________.
Provide Materials Directly to Multi-Family Homes ______________________________date(s).
Education distributed by other means ___________________________________________________.
Delivered to agencies: Local Public Health, Public/Private Schools, Women Infant and Children (WIC)
and Head Start programs, Public/Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics, Pediatricians, Family Planning
Clinics, Local Welfare Agencies.
Made good faith effort to locate: Licensed Child Care, Public/Private Preschools,
Obstetricians-Gynecologist and Midwives.
Contacted Oklahoma State Department of Health____________________________________dates(s).
The public water system indicated above hereby affirms that public education has been provided to consumers
in accordance with the delivery, content, and format requirements and deadlines in
40 C.F.R. § 141.85.
______________________________________________
Signature of owner or operator
________________________
Date
Complete form and return to: Bryan Niblett
Department of Environmental Quality - Water Quality Division
P.O. Box 1677
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1677
Email: Bryan.Niblett@deq.ok.gov
Fax: 405-702-8101