The U.S. EPA is expected to issue guidance advising against collecting tap-water samples for compliance purposes with the faucet aerators removed.

The American Water Works Association reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected to issue guidance advising utilities not to ask homeowners who collect tap-water samples for Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) compliance purposes to remove faucet aerators prior to doing so. The supplemental guidance is being developed in response to recent LCR implementation activities in North Carolina, says Veronica Blette of the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water. Blette says the move stems from apparent confusion regarding the agency's general advice to homeowners to clean aerators routinely to help mitigate lead risks and its LCR monitoring guidance, which is silent on that matter. The general advice also is included in mandatory public education language that utilities exceeding the lead action level must deliver to customers.