The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an order to the Atlantic City Municipal Utilities Authority (ACMUA) to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act's Lead and Copper Rule. This follows a 2025 investigation by the EPA that uncovered violations of both federal and state drinking water standards, including inadequate tap water sampling practices.
On October 27, 2025, the EPA mandated that ACMUA update its lead and copper sampling plans, conduct two consecutive rounds of sampling in 2026, and enhance monitoring and reporting procedures. Michael Martucci, EPA Regional Administrator, said, "Ensuring that water systems provide safe drinking water to consumers is fundamental to EPA’s mission." He added that they have worked with New Jersey counterparts to address these violations and set a clear path for compliance.
Investigations from 2022 to 2025 revealed that ACMUA had not met specific drinking water requirements, such as establishing proper sampling and reporting practices under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Besides updating its sampling plans, ACMUA must also perform follow-up actions if action levels are exceeded and inform consumers about their lead monitoring results.
This directive was made in consultation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and after discussions with ACMUA. The EPA is also providing ongoing technical assistance to help ACMUA meet compliance standards. More details on the lead and copper rule can be found on the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule website.
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