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OFFICE OF GROUND WATER & DRINKING WATER
UNITED STATES ENviROMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Dear Friends of Drinking Water:
We are pleased to provide this packet of information about the Environmental
Protection Agency's (EPA) ground water and drinking water programs.
An important part of the 1996 Reauthorization of the Safe Drinking Water Act was
an increased emphasis on public information and dialogue, citizen involvement and
community partnerships. This information packet is just one of the ways EPA is
demonstrating its commitment to that ethic.
Enclosed is introductory information on the following topics:
© Glossary ©f Terms
We're committed to safe drinking water and extensive public information.
We hope the enclosed materials will help you to TAP INTO IT and join with us in
this important commitment.
Sincerely,
"Cynthia Dougherty, Director
Office of Ground Wafer and Drinking Wafer
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OFFICE OF -GROUND WATER & DRINKING WATER
UNITED STATES ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Public Water System Facts and iBguresfas of RTO8
Total Number of Public Water Systems (PWS)
Community Water Systems (CWS)
Nontransient, Noncommunity Water Systems
Transient Noncommunity Water System
CWSs using Surface Water (including CWSs designated as
ground water under the direct influence of surface water)
CWSs using Ground Water
Percent of Population Served by CWSs:
**People drink from more than one kind of system.
Number
170,376
54,367
20,255
95,754
Population Served
**
252,530,574
244,615
16,756,549
10,760 168,700,896
43,607 83,829,678
• ground water systems 33%
• surface water systems 67%
i (60%)
/Very Small (
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OFFICE OF GROUND WATER & DRINKING WATER
UNITED STATES'ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
The Safewater web site provides you with
information on:
o Y©ys" SoeaS drinking water quality
o Ground water and sonrc© water
protection programs
and tneis*
ter activities far
and parents
o Drinking water publications,, iraclisdlrtg
"Water on Taps A Consymer!s Gosde to.
the Nation's Drinking Water"
o Current activities of tine ©frlce of
©round Water sndi Drinking Water araJ'
Ifci
EPA 816/F-99-O15
September 1999
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!-800-426-4791
Safe
TATER & D
OFFICE OF GROUND WATER & DRINKING WATER
UNITED STATES ENVIROMENTAI PROTECTION AGENCY
The information specialists at the Hotline have expert knowledge of drinking water and
ground water programs.
The Hotline can take your order for materials and can also:
o Clarify drinking water regy;atl@Rs, esola'-n ?s&&;fo:-i -Kit". jpiHeHnass for sMraldna;
water, provide updates swi proposs^ rules «rtd opportunities fesr pubSIs
iosi ©si s@i>s?cw
lhead )jrctr-';t^-H, sote saurce aquifer
£6>ntsefts ixsr f&.;:.%
centre's pr-^
bottled water horns water ti
;^ms aitd premfc
ifnt units.
[International and local callers: 703-285-1093] e-mail: hotline-sdwa@epa.gov
Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern time
EPA816/F-99-011
September 1999
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OFFICE OF GROUND WATER & DRINKING WATER
UNITED STATES ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
The Water Resource Center can provide materials produced by EPA's Office of Water, which
includes the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water. Even if you don't know the specific
document you need, the Water Resource Center can help you find the information you are
looking for.
The Hesoiaree Center can provide:
o Books
o Training Materials
o Technical Reports
o Audio Tapes
o Lists of Technical Experts
o Education Kits and Science Projects o Fact Sheets
o Guidance Manuals o Brochures
o Videotapes o CDs
o Models o Posters
o Catalogs of publications
For most materials, up to ten copies per person (depending on availability at the EPA warehouse)
are free. The Resource Center will provide information on how to order publications that are out
of print or are no longer available from EPA. These items may need to be purchased.
Want t® order a document?
A list of available publications' can be obtained from the Safewater web site, the Safe Drinking
Water Hotline, or the Water Resource Center. Here are some examples of what you'll find:
8 1 6/F-99-00 i
America's Drinking Water in 1 997
Drinking Water and Health: What You Need to Know
Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water Fact Sheet
Getting Involved in Protecting Your Community's Source of Drinking Water
It's Your Drinking Water: Get to Know it and Protect It
Lead in Your Drinking Water
Safe Drinking Water is in our Hands: Existing Standards and Future Priorities
Safe Drinking Water is in our Hands (poster showing current standards)
Water On Tap: A Consumer's Guide to the Nation's Drinking Water
Mail or fax this form to:
Water Resource Center
401 M Street, SW, Room EB47
Washington, DC 20460
Fax: (202) 260-0386
Or, place your order by phone or e-mail:
E-maihcenter.water-resource@epa.gov
Phone: (202) 260-7786
Please print all information clearly
Publication Number: _
Title and # of copies:
(You may order up to 10 copies of each document Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.)
Ship to:
Name:
Address:;
City, State, Zip: .
Daytime phone:
E-mail address:
EPA 816/F-99-012
September 1999
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OFFICE OF GROUND WATER & DRINKING WATER
UNITED STATES ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
One of the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water's most valuable vehicles for public
involvement is the National Drinking Water Advisory/Council. Chartered under the original Safe
Drinking Water Act in 1974 and an approved advisory committee under the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, the Council's function is to support the drinking water program by providing
advice and recommendations on drinking water issues. The fifteen members are appointed by
the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, reflect a broad base of interests, and serve
staggered three-year terms. The Council provide:; practical, independent advice on matters and
policies related to drinking water quality and assists in identifying emerging issues.
o Proposed regulations and guidance required by the Safe Drinking Water Act
o Necessary special studies and research
o Promulgation and implementation of drinking water standards
o Identifying emerging environmental or health problems related to
potentially hazardous constituents in drinking water
o Actions to encourage cooperation and communication between EPA
and other governmental agencies, interested groups, the general public,
technical associations, and organizations concerned with drinking water
quality
Council has addressed many critical drinking water issuesVsueh as:~" ""
o Consumer Confidence Reports " ~. ~ •
o Benefits of Developing Drinking Water Regulations
o Contaminant Candidate List and Contaminant Occurrence
o Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
o Operator Certification Guidelines
o Public Right-to-Know about Drinking Water Issues
o Regulation of High Risk Shallow Disposal Systems (Class V Injection Wells)
o Small Drinking Water Systems
o Source Water Assessment and Protection
The Council provides a structured framework for expert input in the development of drinking
water regulations. Its working groups gather information, conduct informal meetings, and
provide advice to the full Council. All Council meetings are open to the public and include time
for public comment.
Although tight deadlines arid a diversity of opinions continue to be a challenge for all participants,
the consensus process of the Council has enhanced the quality and practicality of proposed
drinking water regulations. Likewise, interested parties have achieved a better understanding of
the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water's (OGWDW) activities and have strengthened
their own partnerships with OGWDW arid with one another. The National Drinking Water
Advisory Council will continue to play an important role as OGWDW expands its public
involvement and public information programs. OGWDW is committed to close and regular
consultation with stakeholders and openness in decision-making as away of doing business.
For more information, see the National Drinking Water Advisory Council web site:
http://www.epa.gov/safewatsi-/ndwae/coisnciil.h4mj
EPA 816/F-S9-009
September 1999
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OFFICE OF GROUND WATER & DRINKING WATER
UNITED STATES ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
The Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
(OGWDW), together with states, tribes, and its many partners, protects public health by
ensuring safe drinking water and protecting ground water. OGWDW, along with EPA's
ten regional drinking water programs, oversees implementation of the Safe Drinking
Water Act, which is the national law safeguarding tap water in America. The Safe
Drinking Water Act requires public water systems to provide drinking water that meets
standards and protects sources of drinking water, including rivers, lakes, reservoirs,
springs, or ground water wells. Approximately 90% of Americans rely on public water
systems for their drinking water at home; the other 10% have private wells, which are
not federally regulated. Almost everyone drinks water from a public system at some
point: while at school, at work, in a restaurant, or on vacation.
OGWDW develops and helps implement national drinking water standards; oversees,
assists and helps fund state drinking water programs and source water protection
programs; helps small drinking water systems; protects underground sources of drinking
water through the Underground injection Control Program; and provides information to
the public. OGWDW also works in cooperation with states, tribes, and EPA's Office of
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance to guarantee that water systems meet these
protective standards.
OGWDW sets national standards for drinking water, which either limit the amount of a
particular contaminant in drinking water or require a certain treatment to remove or
inactivate a contaminant. Both types of standards protect public health. When setting
these standards, OGWDW uses sound data and peer-reviewed science to focus on the
contaminants which present the greatest public health risk and which appear most
frequently in drinking water. OGWDW also identifies sub-populations most vulnerable to
drinking water contaminants, such as infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and
the immunocompromised, and considers the risk to these sensitive sub-populations when
setting standards. As part of the standard-setting process, OGWDW relies on input from
all interested parties, looks at whether drinking water regulations are cost effective,
determines appropriate procedures for analyzing samples of drinking water, and
identifies affordable ways to treat drinking water.
Working with States and Tribes to Implement the Drinking Water Program
States and tribes work directly with water systems to implement the national drinking
water program. To implement the drinking water program (called primacy), each state
or tribe must establish a drinking water program that is at least as stringent as the
federal program (some states have stricter programs), assure that water systems meet
safety standards, and adopt and implement adequate enforcement procedures. If a state
or tribe is unable to meet the requirements for primacy, or is simply unwilling, EPA's
regional offices will directly implement the drinking water, program in that jurisdiction.
OGWDW provides grants, training, and technical assistance tojielp. states and tribes
successfully carry out the provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act. OGWDW also
administers the drinking water state revolving loan fund, and grants funds to states, that
loan money to water systems to install or upgrade facilities and to replace aging pipes
and other infrastructure. The fund's policy is to support all water systems in need,
including assisting small and disadvantages^ communities, and protecting sources of
drinking water from contamination.
EPA816/F.99-007
September 1399
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Assistance for Small Drinking Water Systems
The vast majority of water systems in the United States serve fewer than 3,300 people. Small
water systems incur greater costs per household because they must spread the cost of
infrastructure improvement over a smaller customer base. In fact, small systems could incur
three times as much cost per household to continue to provide safe drinking water in the future
as compared to that of larger systems. OGWDW assists small systems by identifying affordable
and effective ways for small systems to treat water for their customers and providing technical
and financial assistance.
Voluntary Programs with Water Systems: The Partnership for Safe Water
The Partnership for Safe Water is a unique cooperative effort between OGWDW and over 100
large water systems. Water systems that join the partnership provide protection beyond what
is currently required by federal law to their customers from Ctyptosporldium, Giardia and other
microbial contaminants.
Protecting Drinking Water at its Source and Protecting Ground Water
OGWDW is working with states so that they can determine, no later than 2003, how susceptible
drinking water sources are to contamination. States and water suppliers will share this
information (compiled into source water assessments) with the public so that communities can
protect their drinking water sources. OGWDW also oversees programs that protect aquifers
which serve as the primary source of drinking water for one or more communities (sole source
aquifers), and works with states to implement wellhead protection programs, under which
states protect the land around wells from contaminants. Through the Underground injection
Control program, OGWDW protects underground sources of drinking water. Injection deep
into the earth is a common way of disposing of hazardous waste. If not injected properly, these
wastes can contaminate sources of drinking water. OGWDW sets standards for safe injection
practices, and bans certain types of injection altogether. A number of other EPA programs also
protect drinking water from potential sources of contamination. For instance, the Superfund
program cleans-up hazardous waste sites, while other programs regulate landfills, discharges to
water, underground storage tanks, and chemicals used on farms and lawns. OGWDW works
with other EPA offices to support efforts to coordinate these and many other programs to
provide comprehensive protection of the nation's ground water resource.
-• Collecting and Providing-Information to the'-Public'•• ' -
Public information and public involvement are critically important to the successful
implementation of the drinking water program. OGWDW works through an advisory
committee, the National Drinking Water Advisoi-y Council, and solicits other input through
public meetings with states, tribes, water systems, environmental and other groups, and the
public. OGWDW is working with these partners and others to provide information to citizens
and communities on the quality of their local drinking water. OGWDW collects information on
every public water system, such as how many people each system serves and whether each is
meeting drinking water standards. This information is stored in the Safe Drinking Water
Information System, and is used to help OGWDW understand whether systems are complying
with drinking water standards. OGWDW is also collecting information on the occurrence of
contaminants which may need to be regulated in the future, and storing this information in the
National Contaminant Occurrence Database. OGWDW is providing materials to help water
systems prepare annual water quality reports (consumer confidence reports) and notify
consumers of water emergencies, and is helping consumers use this information to make
decisions. OGWDW maintains a web site (http://www.epa.gov/safewater/) and the Safe Drinking
Water Hotline (I-800-426-4791) to make drinking water information easily available, and has
also recently established the Drinking Water Academy to provide further training.
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*$>•«
To assure that drinking water is safe, SDWA sets up
multiple barriers against pollution. These barriers;
include: source water protection, treatment,
distribution system integrity, and public
information. Public water systems are responsible
for ensuring that contaminants in tap water do not:
exceed the standards. Water systems treat the
water, and must test their water frequently for
specified contaminants and report the results to
states. If a water system is not meeting these
standards, it is the water supplier's responsibility to
notify its customers. Many water suppliers now are
also required to prepare annual reports for their
customers. The public is responsible for working
with local water suppliers to set priorities, make
decisions on funding and system improvements, and
establish programs to protect drinking water
sources. Water systems across the nation rely on
citizen advisory, committees, rate boards,
volunteers, and civic leaders to actively protect this
resource in every community in America.
Essential components of safe drinking water include
protection and prevention. States and water
suppliers must conduct assessments of water
sources to see where they may be vulnerable to
contamination. Water systems may also voluntarily
adopt programs to protect their watershed or
wellhead and states can use legal authorities from
other laws to prevent pollution. SDWA mandates
that states have programs to certify water system
operators and make sure that new water systems
have the technical, financial, and managerial
capacity to provide safe drinking water.
SDWA also sets a framework for the Underground
Injection Control program (UIC) to control the
injection of wastes into ground water. EPA and
states implement the UIC program, which sets
standards for safe waste injection practices and
bans certain types of injection altogether. AH of
these programs help prevent the contamination of
drinking water.
Setting National Dresklfig Warar Sfemrferefe
EPA sets national standards' for tap water which
help ensure consistent quality in our nation's water
supply. EPA prioritizes contaminants for potential
regulation based on risk and how often they occur in
What's a public water system?
Ail public water systems must have
at least IS service connections or
serve at least 25 pe@pie per
60 days of th© year.
water systems df^sreMfy based ©n
f&elr type and size:
Community Water System (there are
approximately 55,000) -A public water
system that serves the same people year-
round. Most residences including homes,
apartments, and condominiums in cities,
small towns, and mobile home parks are
served by community water systems." 4
Non-Community'Water System -A
public water system that serves the public
but does not serve the same people year-
round. There are two types of non-
communHy systems:
N©n-Transient Non-Community
Water System (there are approximately
20,000) -A non-community water
system that serves the same people more
than six months per year, but not year-
round, for example, a school with its own
water supply is considered a non-
transient system.
Transient non-community water
system (there are approximately 95,000)
- A non-community water system that
serves the public but not the same
individuals for more than six months, for
example, a rest area or campground may
be considered a transient water system.
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EPA sets primary drinking water
standards through a three-step
process:
First, EPA identifies contaminants that may
adversely affect public health and occur in
drinking water with a frequency and at
levels that pose a threat to public health.
EPA identifies these contaminants for
further study, and determines
contaminants to potentially regulate.
Second, EPA determines a maximum
contaminant level goal for contaminants it
decides to regulate. This goal is the level
of a coptaminant in drinking water below
which there is no known or expected risk
to health. These goals allow for a margin
of safety.
Third, EPA specifies a maximum
contaminant level, the maximum
permissible level of a contaminant in
drinking water which is delivered to any
user of a public water system. These
levels are enforceable standards, and are
set as close to the goals as feasible.
SDWA defines feasible as the level that
may be achieved with the use of the best
technology, treatment techniques, and
other means which EPA finds (after
examination for efficiency under field
conditions) are available, taking cost into
consideration.
When it is not economically or technically
feasible to set a maximum level, or when
there is no reliable or economic method
to detect contaminants in the water, EPA
instead sets a required Treatment
Technique which specifies a way to treat
the water to remove contaminants.
water supplies (to aid in this effort, certain water
systems monitor for the presence of contaminants
for which no national standards currently exist and
collect information on their occurrence). EPA sets a
health goal based on risk (including risks to the most
sensitive people, ..e.g. infants, children, pregnant
women, the elderly and the immune-compromised).
EPA then sets a legal limit for the contaminant in
drinking water or a required treatment technique -
this limit or treatment technique is set as close to
fche health goal as feasible. EPA also performs a. cost-
benefit analysis and obtains input from interested
parties when setting standards. EPA is currently
evaluating the risks from several specific health
concerns, including: microbial contaminants (e.g.
Cryptospor/d/um); the byproducts of drinking water
disinfection; radon; arsenic; and water systems that
don't currently disinfect their water but get it from
a potentially vulnerable ground water source.
EPA provides grants, to implement state drinking
water programs, and to help each state set up a
special fund to assist public water systems in
financing the costs of improvements (called the
drinking water state revolving fund). Small water
systems are given special consideration, since small
systems may have a more difficult time paying for
system improvements due to their smaller customer
base. Accordingly, EPA and states provide them
with extra assistance (including training and funding)
as well as allowing, on a case-by-case basis, alternate
water treatments which are less expensive, but still
protective of public health.
National drinking water standards are legally
enforceable, which means that both EPA and states
can take enforcement actions against water systems
not meeting safety standards. These actions focus
on contaminants which pose the greatest risk to
public health, e.g., microbiological contaminants,
lead and copper, and other contaminants which, if
present in drinking water, may have immediate
(acute) effects on health. EPA and states may issue
administrative orders, take legal actions, or fine
utilities. EPA and states also work to increase water
system's understanding of, and compliance with,
standards.
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1996 SDWA Amendment Highlights:
Consumer Confidence Reports
Community water systems must prepare and distribute
annual reports about the water they provide, including
information on detected contaminants, possible health
effects, and the water's source.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
EPA must conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis for every
new standard to determine whether the benefits of a
drinking water standard justify the costs.
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
States can use this fund to help water systems make
infrastructure or management improvements or to help
systems assess and protect their source water.
Hicrobial Contaminants and Disinfection
Byproducts
EPA is required to strengthen protection for microbial
contaminants, including Cryptosporidium, while
strengthening control over the byproducts of chemical
disinfection. Two new drinking water rules in November
1998 addressed these issues; others will follow.
Operator Certification
Water system operators must be certified to ensure that
systems are operated safely. EPA issued guidelines in
February 1999 specifying minimum standards for the
certification and Decertification of the operators of
community and nontransient, noncommunity water
systems.
Public information & Consultation
SDWA emphasizes that consumers have a right to know
what is in their drinking water, where it comes from, how it
is treated, and how to help protect it. EPA distributes
public information materials (through its Safe Drinking
Water Hotline, Safewater web site, and Water Resource
Center) and holds public meetings, working with states,
tribes, water systems, and environmental and civic groups, —
to encourage public involvement. ~
Small Water Systems
Small water systems are given special consideration and
resources under SDWA, to make sure they have the
managerial, financial, and technical ability to comply with
drinking water standards.
Source Water Assessment Programs
Every state must conduct an assessment of its sources of
drinking water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and ground
water wells) to identify significant potential sources of
contamination and to determine how susceptible the
sources are to these threats.
SDWA recognizes that since everyone drinks water,
everyone has the right to know what's in it and
where it comes from. All water suppliers must notify
consumers quickly when there is a serious problem
with water quality. Water systems serving the same
people year-round must provide annual consumer
confidence reports on the source and quality of their
tap water. States and EPA must prepare annual
summary reports of water system compliance with
drinking water safety standards and make these
reports available to the public. The public must have
a chance to be involved in developing source water
assessment programs, state plans to use drinking
water state revolving loan funds, state capacity
development plans, and state operator certification
programs.
To learn more about the Safe Drinking Water Act or
drinking water in general, call the Safe Drinking
Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791, or visit EPA's
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water web
site: http;//www.epa.gov/safewater/.
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OFFICE OF GROUND WATER & DRIN'KING WATER
UNITED STATES ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
These definitions are not intended to be
complete or to have legal force, but rather to
help consumers quickly understand drinking
water-related terms in the context of their
daily lives.
si: The level of lead or copper which,
if exceeded, triggers treatment or other
requirements that a water system must follow.
Acute Health Effeefi: An immediate (i.e. within
hours or days) effect that may result from
exposure to certain drinking water
contaminants (e.g., pathogens).
n A natural underground layer, often of
sand or gravel, that contains water.
y; The water
treatments) that EPA certifies to be the most
effective for removing a contaminant.
• Chronic Health Effect: The possible result of
exposure over many years to a drinking water
contaminant at levels above its Maximum
Contaminant Level.
Cofifos-m: A group of related bacteria whose
presence in drinking water may indicate
contamination by disease-causing
microorganisms.
Community Water System', A water system
which supplies drinking water to 25 or more of
the same people year-round in their residences.
Compliance: The act of meeting all state and
federal drinking water regulations.
Contaminant: Anything found in water
(including microorganisms, minerals, chemicals,
radionuclides, etc.) which may be harmful to
human health.
Cryptosporidlium: A microorganism commonly
found in lakes and rivers which is highly
resistant to disinfection. Cryptosporid/um has
caused several large outbreaks of
gastrointestinal illness, with symptoms that
include diarrhea, nausea, and/or stomach
cramps. People with severely weakened
immune systems (that is, severely immuno-
compromised) are likely to have more severe
and more persistent symptoms than healthy
individuals.
Disinfectant: A chemical (commonly chlorine,
chloramine, or ozone) or physical process (e.g.,
ultraviolet light) that kills microorganisms such
as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.
Distribution System: A network of pipes
leading from a treatment plant to customers'
plumbing systems.
State or EPA permission for a
water system not to meet a certain drinking
water standard. An exemption allows a system
|&ditional time to obtain financial assistance or
make improvements in order to come into
compliance with the standard. The system
must prove that: (I) there are compelling
reasons (including economic factors) why it
cannot meet EPA health standards (Maximum
Contaminant Levels or Treatment Techniques);
(2) it was in operation on the effective date of
the requirement, and (3) the exemption will
not create an unreasonable risk to public
health. The state must set a schedule under
which the water system will comply with the
standard for which it received an exemption.
I Waters Water that has been treated
and is ready to be delivered to customers. See
Source Water.
lam&lia: A microorganism frequently
found in rivers and lakes, which, if not treated
properly, may cause diarrhea, fatigue, and
cramps after ingestion.
: The water that systems pump
and treat from aquifers (natural reservoirs
below the earth's surface).
f. An EPA document that
provides guidance and information on
contaminants that can affect human health and
that may occur in drinking water, but which
EPA does not currently regulate in drinking
water.
inorganic Contaminants: Mineral-based
compounds such as metals, nitrates, and
asbestos. These contaminants are naturally-
occurring in some water, but can also get into
water through farming, chemical
manufacturing, and other human activities.
EPA has set legal limits on IS inorganic
contaminants.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The
highest level of a contaminant that is allowed '
in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the
MCLG as feasible using the best available
treatment technology. MCLs are enforceable
standards.
Maximum Contaminant Level! Goa! (HCLC3):
The level of a contaminant in drinking water
below which there is no known or expected
risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of
safety. MCLGs are non-enforcable health goals.
Microorganisms: Tiny living organisms that can
be seen only with the aid of a microscope.
Some microorganisms can cause acute health
problems when consumed in drinking water.
Also known as microbes.
EPA 816/F-99-O13
September 1999
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Monitoring: Testing that water systems must
perform to detect and measure
contaminants. A water .system that does not
follow EPA's monitoring methodology or
schedule is in violation, and may be subject
to legal action.
Non-Transient, Mora-Community Water
System: A water system which supplies
water to 25 or more of the same people at
least six months per year in places other
than their residences. Some examples are
schools, factories, office buildings, and
hospitals which have their own water
systems.
Organic Contaminants: Carbon-based
chemicals, such as solvents and pesticides,
which can get into water through runoff
from cropland or discharge from factories.
EPA has set legal limits on 56 organic
contaminants.
Pathogen: A disease-causing organism.
Primacy State: A State that has the
responsibility and authority to administer
EPA's drinking water regulations within its
borders. The State must have rules at least
as stringent as EPA's.
Public Notification: An advisory that EPA
requires a water system to distribute to
affected consumers when the system has
violated Maximum Contaminant Levels or
other regulations. The notice advises
consumers what precautions, if any, they
should take to protect their health.
Public Water System (PWS); Any water
system which provides water to at least 25
people for .at least 60 days annually. There .
are more than 170,000 PWSs providing
water from wells, rivers and other sources to
about 250 million Americans. The others
drink water from private wells. There are
differing standards for PWSs of different
sizes and types.
Radionuelides: Any man-made or natural
element that emits radiation and that may
cause cancer after many years of exposure
through drinking water.
Raw Water: Water in its natural state, prior .
to any treatment for drinking. See finished
water.
Sample: The water that is analyzed for the
presence of EPA-regulated drinking water
contaminants. Depending on the regulation,
EPA requires water systems and states to
take samples from source water, from water
leaving the treatment facility, or from the
taps of selected consumers.
Sanitary Survey: An on-site review of the
water sources, facilities, equipment,
operation, and maintenance of a public
water systems for the purpose of evaluating
the adequacy of the facilities for producing
and distributing safe drinking water.
Secondary Drinking Water Standards: Non-
enforceable federal guidelines regarding
cosmetic effects (such as tooth or skin
discoloration) or aesthetic effects (such as
taste, odor, or color) of drinking water.
Sole Source Aquifer: An aquifer that supplies
50 percent or more of the drinking water of
an area.
uree Water: Water in its natural state,
prior to any treatment for drinking. See
finished water.
Surface Water: The water that systems
pump and treat from sources open to the
atmosphere, such as rivers, lakes, and
reservoirs.
Transient, Non-Community Water System: A
water system which provides water in a •
place such as a gas station or campground
where people do not remain for long periods
of time. These systems do not have to test •
or treat their water for contaminants which
pose long-term health risks because fewer
than 25 people drink the water over a long
period. They still must test their water for
microbes and several chemicals posing short-
term health risk.
Treatment Technique: A required process
intended to reduce the level of a
contaminant in drinking water.
Turbidity: The cloudy appearance of water
caused by the presence of tiny particles.
High levels of turbidity may interfere with
proper water treatment and monitoring.
Variance: State or EPA permission not to
meet a certain drinking water standard. The
water system must prove that: (I) it cannot
meet a Maximum Contaminant Level, even
while using the best available treatment
method, because of the characteristics of the
raw water, and (2) the variance will not
create an unreasonable risk to public health.
The State or EPA must review, and allow
public comment on, a variance every three
years. States can also grant variances to
water systems that serve small populations
and which prove that they are unable to
afford the required treatment, an alternative
water source, or otherwise comply with the
standard.
Violation; A failure to meet any state or
federal drinking water regulation.
Vulnerability Assessment: An evaluation of
drinking water source quality and its
vulnerability to contamination by pathogens
and toxic chemicals.
Watershed: The land area from which water
•drains into a stream, river, or reservoir.
Wellhead Protection Area: The area
surrounding a drinking water well or well
•field which is protected to prevent
contamination of the wel!(s).
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OFFICE OF GROUND WATER & DRINKING WATER
401 M St. SW, MC 4601
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 260-5543 telephone
(202) 260-4383 facsimile
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/
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