Lead and Copper Rule Revisions

Vermont's public water systems are regulated under the federal Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) and the Vermont Water Supply Rule which refers to it. Visit the Vermont Lead and Copper Rule page for more information about current requirements, or to access forms and templates. Learn about the health impacts from lead pipes in water infrastructure by visiting the Vermont Department of Health page. 

Under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), every community and non-transient non-community (NTNC) water system must complete a service line inventory (SLI) no later than October 16, 2024. 

1. Every community and NTNC water system must inventory all service line connections.
   • NTNC and single-building systems must inventory the pipe material connecting the source of water to the building inlet.
2. Water systems must develop a lead service line replacement (LSLR) plan if they have at least one:
   • Lead service line (LSL);
   • Galvanized line requiring replacement; or
   • Line of unknown material.

On this page:

• SL Diagram
• Funding and Assistance Opportunities
• SLI Guidance, Templates, and Submissions
• LSLR Plan Guidance, Template, and Submissions
• Notification of Known or Potential SL Containing Lead Guidance
• Leaded Pipes Encountered During Infrastructure Work Guidance

SL Diagram

Funding and Assistance Opportunities

All water systems may develop their SLIs on their own, but there are also assistance opportunities available. 

Schools, Non-Profit Organizations, and Government Agencies

Two of the Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division's (DWGPD) staff are providing free SLI development to NTNC schools, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. Staff will individually contact these entities to coordinate this initiative.

Water Systems Serving 1,000 or Fewer Customers

The DWGPD is using 2022 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Set-Asides to offer community and NTNC water systems serving 1,000 or fewer people, free SLI development assistance. The DWGPD is contracting with consultants to work with systems to develop their SLIs and LSLR Plans. Access this Contracted Assistance Program Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) to find out more about how this program can help your water system complete an SLI or LSLR Plan. Email ANR.SLI@vermont.gov with inquiries about the program or to confirm your water system's eligibility.

Community Water Systems Serving More than 1,000 Customers or 250 Service Connections

The DWSRF LSL Planning program offers loans for qualified water systems to hire a consultant to develop their SLIs and LSLR Plans. The loan amount awarded depends on the water system's number of service connections. Visit the DEC's Intended Use Plans (IUP) page for more details; access the DWSRF IUP 2022 Amended Draft (PDF), page 49, to review the latest information on SLI loans available to these water systems.

SLI Guidance, Templates, and Submissions

SLI Guidance 

Access the following guidance documents to learn more about how to complete an SLI: 

• EPA's Guidance on Developing and Maintaining an SLI (PDF) - Last Updated: June 2023.
• VT DEC's Multiple Building Guidance (PDF).
• VT DEC's Single Building Guidance (PDF).

Access the DEC's SLI Training Video to learn how to complete an SLI. You can also download the SLI Training Presentation Slides (PDF). To attend a live training on how to complete an SLI, visit the Vermont Rural Water Association page for current trainings.

For more information, access the SLI Frequently Asked Questions (PDF). 

SLI Templates

Community and NTNC water systems must complete their SLI using one of the following templates. Every connection served must be on its own row.

• Multiple Building SLI Template (last updated: July 10, 2023).
  • System serves multiple buildings, such as a fire district or municipality.
• Single Building SLI Template (last updated: July 10, 2023).
  • System serves a single building with no accessory water use, such as a single-building school or a condominium association all under a single roof.
• Non-Potable SLI Template (last updated: September 19, 2023).
  • System has service connections for non-potable water, such as fire protection or other non-drinking purposes. The water system must complete the Non-Potable SLI template for those non-potable connections in addition to the Multiple Building or Single Building SLI template.

Note: when a user begins entering an address, the required cells will auto-fill with orange highlighting until every cell is populated. Users must complete the fields marked as 'required' in the SLIs. The DWGPD will not approve SLIs with incomplete information in the 'required' columns.

SLI Submissions

Water systems must complete and submit SLIs electronically through the SLI Submission Form on ANR Online.

Instructions on how to submit or revise the inventory can be found on the SLI Submission Guidance (PDF).

LSLR Plan Guidance, Template, and Submissions

LSLR Plan Guidance

Access the LSLR Plan Guidance (PDF) for more information about how to develop your water system's LSLR Plan. You can also review the LSLR Plan Training Presentation Slides (PDF).  

LSLR Plan Template

Download the LSLR Plan Template (PDF) to describe your water system's:  

1. Strategy for determining the composition of lead status unknown service lines.
2. Procedure for conducting full LSLR.
3. Strategy for informing customers before a full or partial LSLR.
4. LSLR goal rate.
5. Description of a procedure for customers to flush service lines and premise plumbing of particulate lead.
6. LSLR prioritization strategy.
7. Funding strategy for conducting LSLRs.

LSLR Plan Submissions

Water systems must complete and submit LSLR Plans electronically through the LSLR Plan Submission Form on ANR Online.

Notification of Known or Potential SL Containing Lead Guidance

Access the Notification of Known or Potential Service Line Containing Lead Form (PDF) to find instructions along with the notification and certification documents. 

Leaded Pipes Encountered During Infrastructure Work Guidance

Access the Leaded Pipes Encountered During Infrastructure Work Guidance Document (PDF) to find instructions along with the notification and certification documents.

Last Updated on September 25, 2023

Contact the DWGPD for questions about SLIs