Safe Drinking Water Act Regulations: PFAs, Lead & Copper, and Consumer Confidence Reports (COMAR 26.04.01.)

The Department is proposing to add, revise, and repeal certain regulations under COMAR 26.04.01, “Quality of Drinking Water.” The proposed changes would update Maryland’s regulations to align with recent federal revisions to the Safe Drinking Water Act involving requirements for Lead and Copper, Consumer Confidence Reports, and PFAS in drinking water. 

We welcome comments and questions regarding our proposed draft regulations.

1. Lead and Copper

Under the federal Lead and Copper Rule, certain public water systems are required to monitor for lead and copper, control corrosion, provide public education and notification, and take other actions to protect drinking water. In order to further reduce lead exposure, the EPA revised their regulations through the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions in 2021 and the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements in 2024. 

These changes require water systems to conduct an inventory of their service lines, identify and replace service lines containing lead, and to monitor for lead in drinking water at schools and child care facilities. 

These proposed changes would ensure that our Lead and Copper Rule regulations are the same as EPA’s. 

2. Consumer Confidence Reports

Community water systems are required to publish an annual report about the quality of their drinking water, known as a Consumer Confidence Report. In May 2024, EPA revised their Consumer Confidence Report requirements to improve the readability, clarity, accuracy, and communication of drinking water information and risks. 

These proposed changes would ensure that our Consumer Confidence Report regulations are the same as EPA’s.

3. PFAS in Drinking Water

In April 2024, EPA finalized federal drinking water standards for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The proposed regulations would establish state drinking water standards for PFAS for community and non-transient non-community water systems.  If the federal PFAS drinking water rule is amended,  MDE intends to adopt the updated rule consistent with State law. 

These proposed changes would ensure that our PFAS regulations are the same as EPA’s.

Contacts

Lead and Copper: Christina Ardito, [email protected] 

PFAS and Consumer Confidence Reports: Chris Watling, [email protected]

Last updated on August 14, 2026