United States          ]
            Environmental Protection  i
            Agency	|_
Office of Water
4303T
EPA-821-F-Q2-011
October 2002
            Fact Sheet
Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of
Pollutants Under the Clean  Water Act; National Primary
Drinking Water Regulations; and National Secondary
Drinking Water Regulations; Methods Update;  Final Rule
                               I.
                               i                   •
Summary
EPA is approving updated versions of analytical methods developed by the American Society
for Testing Materials, "Standard Methods," the United States Geological Survey, and the
Department of Energy for use in Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act compliance
monitoring programs.  EPA proposed these methods on January 16, 2001. The final rule
responds to comments on the proposal and approves updated versions of certain
previously approved methods.   !	
Background

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA).approves analytical methods used by
industrial and municipal facilities to determine
chemical, microbiological, and radiological
components of wastewater. EPA also approves
methods for determination of drinking water
contaminants for determining compliancy with
drinking water regulations.

On January, 16, 2001, EPA published ajdirect
final rule (66 FR 3466) and a companiorj
proposed rule (66 FR 3526) to approve updated
versions of methods. If no adverse comments
were received, the direct final rule would have
been effective on May 16, 2001. EPA received
one set of adverse comments from a State
agency.  The State agency was concerned that
the rule would impose a record-keeping [burden.
EPA withdrew the direct final rule on May 15,
2001 (66 FR 26795).               j

Today's Action
Today's final rule responds to adverse j
comments on the January 2001 proposed rule,
approves updated versions of previously
approved methods, and corrects typographical
errors in the Code of Federal Regulations. No
previously approved method is withdrawn.
       the same method will benefit the regulatory and
       regulated community by increasing method
       selection flexibility, and by allowing the continued
       use of time-tested procedures.

       Additional Information and Copies

       For further information concerning this final rule,
       please contact Khouane Ditthavong at the U.S.
       Environmental Protection Agency, Office of
       Water, Engineering and Analysis Division
       (4303T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Ariel Rios
       Building, Washington, D.C. 20460; (e-mail:
       ditthavong.khouane@epa.gov) or Herbert J.
       Brass at the U.S. Environmental Protection
       Agency, Office of Water, Office of Ground Water
       and Drinking Water, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268 ; (e-
       mail:Brass.Herb@epa.gov).

       The complete text of the Federal Register notice
       may be viewed or downloaded on the Internet at
       http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/methods.
EPA believes that approving multiple editions of

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