oEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
(4606)
EPA816-F-01-003
June 2001
Radionuclides Rule
A Quick Reference
Overview of the Rule I Public Health Benefits
Title
Purpose
General
Description
Utilities
Covered
Radionuclides Rule
66 FR 76708
December 7, 2000
Vol. 65, No. 236
Reducing the exposure to
radionuclides in drinking water
will reduce the risk of cancer.
This rule will also improve
public health protection by
reducing exposure to all
radionuclides.
The rule retains the existing
MCLs for combined radium-226
and radium-228, gross alpha
particle radioactivity, and beta
particle and photon activity.
The rule regulates uranium for
the first time.
Community water systems, all
size categories.
Implementation of
the Radionuclides
Rule will result in ...
Estimated impacts of
the Radionuclides
Rule include . . .
Reduced uranium
exposure for 620,000
persons, protection from
toxic kidney effects of
uranium, and a reduced
risk of cancer.
Annual compliance costs
of $81 million.
Only 795 systems will
have to install treatment.
Regulated Contaminants
Regulated
Radionuclide
Beta/photon emitters*
Gross alpha particle
Combined radium-
226/228
Uranium
MCL
4 mrem/yr
15 pCi/L
5 pCi/L
30 ug/L
MCLG
0
0
0
0
*A total of 168 individual beta particle and
photon emitters may be used to calculate
compliance with the MCL.
Critical Deadlines & Requirements
For Drinking Water Systems
June 2000 - December 8, 2003
December 8, 2003
December 31 , 2007
When allowed by the State, data collected between these
dates may be eligible for use as grandfathered data
(excluding beta particle and photon emitters).
Systems begin initial monitoring under State-specified
monitoring plan unless the State permits use of
grandfathered data.
All systems must complete initial monitoring.
For States
December 2000 - December 2003
December 8, 2000
Spring 2001
December 8, 2002
States work with systems to establish monitoring
schedules.
States should begin to update vulnerability assessments
for beta photon and particle emitters and notify systems
of monitoring requirements.
EPA meets and works with States to explain new rules
and requirements and to initiate adoption and
implementation activities.
State submits primacy revision application to EPA. (EPA
approves within 90 days.)
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For additional information
on the Radionuclides Rule
Call the Safe Drinking Water
Hotline at 1-800-426-4791;
visit the EPA Web site at
www.epa.gov/safewater; or
contact your State drinking
water representative. EPA
will provide radionuclide
training over the next year.
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Gross Alpha, Combined Radium-226/228, and
Uranium (1)
Beta Particle and Photon
Radioactivity (1)
Initial Monitoring
Four consecutive quarters of monitoring.
No monitoring required for most CWSs.
Vulnerable CWSs (2) must sample for:
• Gross beta: quarterly samples.
• Tritium and Strontium-90: annual samples.
Reduced Monitoring
If the average of the initial monitoring results for
each contaminant is below the detection limit: One
sample every 9 years.
If the average of the initial monitoring results for
each contaminant is greater than or equal to the
detection limit, but less than or equal to one-half
the MCL: One sample every 6 years.
If the average of the initial monitoring results for
each contaminant is greater than one-half the MCL,
but less than or equal to the MCL: One sample
every 3 years.
If the running annual average of the gross
beta particle activity minus the naturally
occurring potassium-40 activity is less than or
equal to 50 pCi/L: One sample every 3 years.
Increased Monitoring
A system with an entry point result above the MCL
must return to quarterly sampling until 4
consecutive quarterly samples are below the MCL.
If gross beta particle activity minus the
naturally occurring potassium-40 activity
exceeds 50 pCi/L, the system must:
• Speciate as required by the State.
• Sample at the initial monitoring frequency.
(1) All samples must be collected at each entry point to the distribution system.
(2) The rule also contains requirements for CWSs using waters contaminated by effluents from nuclear facilities.
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When allowed by the State, data collected between June, 2000 and December 8, 2003 may be used
to satisfy the initial monitoring requirements if samples have been collected from:
• Each entry point to the distribution system (EPTDS).
• The distribution system, provided the system has a single EPTDS.
• The distribution system, provided the State makes a written justification explaining why the
sample is representative of all EPTDS.
Applicability of the Standardized Monitoring Framework to Radionuclides
(Excluding the Beta Particle and Photon Emitters)
Initial Monitoring Results
First Compliance Cycle
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
< Detection Limit
> Detection Limit but <1/2
the MCL
> 1/2 the MCL but
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