New EPA Lead Rules for 2028: What Every Rochester Homeowner Needs to Know

What's Changing: The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements

The original Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) was established in 1991 and set the framework for lead monitoring in drinking water systems. The LCRI updates this framework significantly:

New Action Level: 10 ppb (down from 15 ppb)

The most impactful change for homeowners is the lowered action level. Under the current rule, a water system triggers corrective action when the 90th percentile of residential tap samples exceeds 15 parts per billion (ppb). The LCRI lowers this to 10 ppb.

This means more homes will exceed the threshold, triggering more extensive utility response. For context, Rochester's 90th percentile lead level has historically fluctuated near the 15 ppb mark. Lowering the trigger to 10 ppb could push Rochester into a corrective action posture more frequently, requiring enhanced corrosion control, public notification, and accelerated service line replacement.

The EPA has stated clearly: there is no safe level of lead in drinking water. The 10 ppb action level is not a "safe" threshold -- it's a regulatory trigger for utility action. Even water testing below 10 ppb can pose risks, particularly for infants and young children.

Mandatory Lead Service Line Replacement

Under the LCRI, all water systems must:

• Complete a comprehensive inventory of all service line materials. Every water system must identify and document the material composition of every service line in its distribution system. This inventory must be publicly accessible.
• Replace all lead service lines within 10 years. Water systems must replace lead service lines at a rate of at least 10% per year, achieving full replacement within 10 years of the compliance deadline.
• Replace the full service line, not just the utility side. Under previous rules, utilities sometimes replaced only the utility-owned portion, leaving the homeowner-owned portion in place. This "partial replacement" often made lead levels worse by disturbing the protective mineral coating inside the pipe. The LCRI requires full service line replacement from the main to the home's internal plumbing.
• Provide notification to residents with lead service lines, including information about lead risks and available resources.

Rochester's Current Situation

Rochester has been ahead of many cities in addressing lead service lines, but the scale of the challenge is enormous.

Replacement Progress

The City of Rochester launched its lead service line replacement program in 2018, one of the earliest voluntary programs in New York State. The program has made meaningful progress:

• Over 9,800 lead service lines have been replaced through the city's program as of early 2026
• The city has targeted complete replacement by 2030, aligning approximately with the LCRI's 10-year timeline
• The current program operates on a cost-sharing model: the city/utility covers the majority of the cost, with homeowners contributing approximately 10-15% of the total (typically $1,500-2,500 for the homeowner's portion)

What Remains

Despite the progress, thousands of lead service lines remain in the ground across Rochester and Monroe County:

• The city's initial inventory identified approximately 27,000 lead or suspected lead service lines across the system
• With 9,800+ replaced, roughly 17,000+ lines remain to be addressed
• Many "unknown" service lines in the inventory may prove to be lead upon inspection, potentially increasing the total
• The Monroe County Water Authority serves additional suburban areas that have their own inventories and replacement timelines
• Some of the remaining lines are in areas where replacement is technically complex (dense urban neighborhoods, lines under structures, shared service lines)

The LCRI's mandatory replacement requirement adds federal backing to what has been a locally driven effort. This should accelerate funding and pace, but it also means Rochester must maintain a replacement rate of approximately 2,700+ lines per year to meet the deadline -- a pace that's achievable but demanding.

What This Means for Your Home

If You Have a Known Lead Service Line

You're in the queue for replacement. Rochester's replacement program is working through the city systematically, prioritized by factors including lead levels, proximity to schools, and community vulnerability assessments. Contact the Rochester Water Authority to find out where your home falls in the replacement schedule.

You may be contacted for replacement. The city will notify homeowners when their neighborhood is scheduled for replacement. When contacted, participating is strongly recommended -- the cost-sharing program makes this far less expensive than a private replacement, and once the line is replaced, lead from that source is eliminated permanently.

In the meantime, you need protection. Even with the replacement program underway, your family is drinking water that passes through a lead pipe today. The replacement may be months or years away depending on your position in the queue. Installing a point-of-use water filter now provides immediate protection.

If You Have an "Unknown" Service Line

Many properties in Rochester are listed as "unknown" in the service line inventory -- meaning the material hasn't been confirmed through inspection. Under the LCRI, utilities must resolve these unknowns. You can get ahead of this by:

• Checking the city's online service line inventory tool
• Having a plumber visually inspect where the service line enters your basement
• Requesting that the Water Authority inspect your service line connection
• Getting a water test that includes lead -- if lead is detected above 5 ppb, there's a good chance your service line or interior plumbing contains lead

If You're a Landlord

The LCRI has specific implications for rental properties:

• Tenant notification is mandatory. If your rental property has a known or suspected lead service line, you must provide tenants with information about lead risks and the service line status.
• Replacement participation is expected. When the utility schedules your property for service line replacement, landlord cooperation is required.
• Filtration may be required during interim periods. Some interpretations of the LCRI suggest that utilities may need to provide filters to residents with lead service lines until replacement occurs.

Why Testing Now Matters More Than Ever

With the LCRI lowering the action level to 10 ppb and mandatory replacement programs ramping up, understanding your home's actual lead levels has never been more important:

Establishing a baseline. A water test now gives you a snapshot of your current lead exposure. This is valuable for comparison after any service line work and for making informed filtration decisions.

Identifying hidden sources. Even homes without lead service lines can have lead in their water from interior plumbing components. A water test reveals whether lead is present regardless of the source.

Prioritizing your response. If your water tests below 5 ppb for lead, your situation is relatively low-risk and a basic filter provides adequate protection. If it tests at 10-15 ppb or above, more aggressive filtration (RO system) and participation in the replacement program become priorities.

Protecting vulnerable family members. If you have infants, young children, or pregnant women in the home, any detectable lead level warrants immediate filtration. Don't wait for the replacement program to reach your address.

The best time to test is first thing in the morning, using "first-draw" water that has been sitting in your pipes overnight. This captures the worst-case scenario for lead leaching and gives you the most honest picture of your exposure.

Protecting Your Family in the Meantime

The LCRI's replacement mandate is encouraging, but even under the most optimistic timelines, many Rochester homes will have lead service lines for several more years. Here's how to protect your family now:

Install a reverse osmosis system at the kitchen tap. An under-sink RO system removes 95-99% of lead from drinking water. This is the most effective and affordable immediate protection, costing $300-700 installed. Use RO water for all drinking, cooking, formula preparation, and filling water bottles.

Use cold water only for consumption. Lead leaches more readily into hot water. Always use cold water from the tap for drinking and cooking, then heat it on the stove or in a kettle if needed.

Flush your pipes after periods of non-use. If water has been sitting in your pipes for more than 2 hours (overnight, during the work day), run the cold water tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. This clears the most lead-concentrated water from the service line.

Clean faucet aerators regularly. Lead particles can accumulate in the screens of faucet aerators. Remove and clean them monthly.

Test annually. Water chemistry changes over time, and lead levels can fluctuate with seasonal temperature changes, water main work in your neighborhood, or changes to the utility's corrosion control treatment. Annual testing keeps you informed.

Participate in the replacement program when offered. When the city reaches your neighborhood, the cost-shared replacement is the permanent solution. The out-of-pocket cost ($1,500-2,500 typically) is a worthwhile investment in your family's health and your home's value.

The Bigger Picture for Rochester

Rochester's proactive approach to lead service line replacement puts the city in a relatively strong position as LCRI compliance deadlines approach. The 9,800+ lines already replaced represent meaningful progress, and the federal funding flowing through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help sustain and accelerate the effort.

But the reality is that lead infrastructure took over a century to install and will take decades to fully remove. In the interim, individual homeowners have the ability to protect their families with affordable, effective filtration. An RO system at the kitchen sink doesn't replace the need for infrastructure upgrades -- but it does ensure that the water your family drinks today is safe, regardless of what's in the pipes outside.

Your Next Step

Whether your home has a confirmed lead service line, an unknown status, or plumbing you've never thought to check, a water test is the starting point. Our team provides free in-home water testing throughout Rochester and Monroe County. We'll test for lead along with a full panel of contaminants, show you the results, and recommend the most practical and affordable next steps for your situation.

Schedule your free water test today. With new EPA rules on the horizon and Rochester's replacement program actively working through the city, now is the time to understand your home's water quality and take control of your family's protection.