United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water 4301 EPA 800-F-93-004 September 1993 Office of Science and Technology Mission The Office of Science and Technology (OST) is responsible for developing the scientific foundation of both the regulatory and non-regulatory programs managed by the Office of Water to restore and protect human health and the nation's water environment. OST works with other organizations to develop scientifically defensible criteria, guidelines and advisories that provide the regulatory framework for: • restoring and maintaining the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the nation's water resources; • protecting the nation's water supplies; • achieving technology-based wastewater freata»nt»i)quiiements. OST also is responsible for developing risk assessment Mtiift todoi^gies and providing risk assessment support for the Office of Water. Legislative Authorities Clean Water Act Safe Drinking Water Act Water Resources Development Act Programs Efflue»tG«k*«*ines The that through HMrctijairi mufti walti systems. Effluent for specific industrial categories (u».,%lp and Pa| ii. Organic Chemicals, etc.) and are based on the best avaflafeie^edwology economically achievable. In January 1992, under Section 304 (m) of the Clean Water Act, the Agency published a plan outlining a schedule for developing regulatory guidance over the next ten years. Pollution prevention is an important aspect of EAD's work. In addition, HAD performs economic and statistical analyses to determine impacts and benefits of regulations. Criteria The Health and Ecological Criteria Division (HECD) develops criteria to protect human health and the environment from risks due to contaminants in drinking water, municipal sewage sludge and surface water. HECD staff members investigate the behavior of chemicals in the environment, focusing on their movement through and effect on ecosystems. ------- Indicator species Data interpretation HEGD provides the scientific framework for ecosystem protection through development of aquatic life, biological, wildlife, and sediment quality criteria. In addition, HECD characterizes human health risks from water contaminants by developing Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) and health advisories for drinking water, and human health water quality criteria for surface water. Finally, HECD develops technical regulations and guide- lines governing the use and disposal of sewage sludge. In each of these areas, HECD is responsible not only for developing regulations and guidance for specific contami- nants, but also for developing state-of-the-art methodolo- gies for making these determinations. HECD works closely with scientists, both inside and outside govern- ment, and with local regulatory bodies that use HECD products. Water Quality Standards The Standards and Applied Science Division (SASD) develops the regulation, policy and guidance governing the legal, administrative and technical aspects for estab- lishing water quality standards for all surface waters of the United States. SASD provides technical assistance and training to the states and Regional Offices in interpreting and applying the regulation, policy, and guidance as the states execute their primary responsibility to adopt water quality standards. This responsibility also provides for the promulgation of Federal water quality standards when necessary. Modeling and Waste Load Allocations The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program in SASD is an integral part of the Agency's Watershed Protection Approach for protecting surface water quality. TMDLs are used to protect water quality by considering the cumulative effects on water quality from all point and nonpoint sources and intermedia transfers within a drainage basin. TMDLs establish the link between water quality assessments and water quality-based control actions. SASD provides technical support and assistance to state and local governments in preparing guidance manuals and developing user-friendly interfaces for a wide range of models (e.g., point source, area source, mixing zone, watershed, and water quality). ------- Contaminated Sediments and Fish Contamination SASD is developing the Agency-wide Sediment Management Strategy and provides technical guidance for sediment con- tamination and assessment, control and remediation pro- grams. SASD acts as a clearinghouse for fish contamination issues, provides guidance on fish consumption advisories and fish sampling analysis, and assesses the risks attributable to contarrunated fish tissue. Tudor T. Davies Office Director James A. Hanlon Deputy Director Thomas P. O Farrell Director Engineering and Analysis Division Margaret J. Stasikowski Director Health and Ecological Criteria Division William R. Diamond Director Standards and Applied Science Division Caribbean Initiative The Office of Science and Technology has the Office of Water lead for the Agency's Caribbeam Initiative. OST works inter- nationally to provide guidance and technical assistance for the assessment and control of land-based sources of pollution in the Wider Caribbean Region. Current activities include technical support for the process to develop a Regional agreement to control marine pollution from land-based sources. This agreement will aimend the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment in the Wider Caribbean Region (the Cartagena Convention) signed in 1983 to which the United States is a contracting party. For more information, contact: Beverly Randolph U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Science & Technology 4301 401 M Street SW Washington, D. C. 20460 (202) 260-5373 ------- ------- |