United States Office of EPA 570/9-91-005
Environmental Protection Water September 1991
Agency (WH-550)
vvEPA Is Your Drinking
Water Safe?
EJED
EPA 5707
9-91-005
V ^.. Printed on Recycled Paper
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Is Your Drinking Water Safe?
Introduction
Most Americans believe their drinking water is the best in the world.
Servicemen and their families, vacationers, tourists, and others who travel
abroad know the familiar problems of unsafe drinking water. At home we
scarcely give it a thought. We believe that the purity of our water can be
depended upon. And usually we are right. But there are exceptions.
These cases are serious enough to have moved the Congress of the United
States to enact, in 1974, a far-reaching program to ensure that our drinking
water is as good as we think it is. In 1986, Congress updated this program
to set mandatory guidelines for regulating key contaminants, require the
monitoring of unregulated contaminants, establish benchmarks for treat-
ment technologies, bolster enforcement, and promote protection of ground
water sources. This comprehensive program—and what it means to your
health—is the subject of this pamphlet.
The Problem
If our water is good, why do we need a special program to protect it? The
reason is that the situation has been changing dramatically during recent
decades. Our sources of water supply, both surface and ground water, are
being endangered by new chemicals or microbiological contaminants.
During these same years, our ability to detect contaminants has been im-
proving. Modern science can now identify specific chemicals in terms of
one part contaminant in one billion parts of water. In some cases, scientists
can measure them in trillionths. One part per billion is equivalent to one
pound in 500,000 tons or the first 16 inches or so of a trip to the moon. In
case you think such small amounts can't be very significant, keep in mind
that you can get sick from a single microscopic virus.
With information so detailed, new questions arise. What is the effect of
consuming these contaminants in such small amounts over long periods of
time? Doctors say that an acute, i.e., immediate illness, comes from this or
that virus or poison. But chronic, i.e. long-term problems that develop over
many years, are not so quickly diagnosed. There is genuine concern in the
scientific community that prolonged exposure to certain elements, even at
levels as low as a few parts per billion or trillion, may be increasing the
incidence of cancer and heart disease.
•
The Centers for Disease Control tell us there were an average of almost
7,400 cases of illness in the United States linked to drinking water each
year from 1971 to 1985. Total reported cases in this period ranged from
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1983's high of 21,000 to 1985's low of 1,600. These numbers are generally
thought to be considerably lower than the actual figures because drinking
water contaminants are not always considered suspect.
While we have almost eliminated typhoid and cholera as water problems,
we must continue to address the threat of viruses and other disease-caus-
ing organisms, as well as chemical contamination.
Although we currently know a great deal about the health impacts of
drinking water contamination, many questions remain. Ongoing research
will no doubt provide new information which will answer some old ques-
tions and generate some new ones. Meanwhile, we can take the following
steps to reduce the risks to our health:
• Ensure that our water is treated to remove harmful contaminants,
• Test or monitor the purity of our water regularly to ensure its
quality, and
• Develop an informed citizenry.
The National The Safe Drinking Water Act directs the U.S. Environmental Protection
Approach Agency (EPA) to establish minimum national drinking water standards.
These standards set limits on the amounts of various substances sometimes
found in drinking water.
This means that every public water supply in the country serving at least
15 service connections or 25 or more people must ensure that its water
meets these minimum standards. Even non-community supplies, such as
campgrounds and roadside motels with their own water supplies, are
covered by the regulations.
In 1986, Congress passed a set of amendments that expanded the protec-
tion to be provided by the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974. These amend-
ments accelerated EPA's regulation of contaminants, banned all future use
of lead pipe and lead solder in public drinking water systems, mandated
greater protection of ground water sources of drinking water, and stream-
lined enforcement procedures to ensure that suppliers comply with the
Act.
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The amendments gave EPA three years to set standards for 83 contami-
nants, including 26 for which the Agency had already set enforceable
Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). In addition, EPA must set MCLs
for at least 25 more contaminants by 1991 and must regulate an additional
25 every three years thereafter. Enforcement of each new standard will
begin 18 months after each new or revised standard is set.
The lead ban prohibits the use of lead solders, flux and pipes in the instal-
lation or repair of public water systems and drinking water plumbing
connected to these systems. Public water systems must tell their users of
the potential sources of lead contamination, its health effects, and the steps
they can reasonably take to mitigate lead contamination. States are respon-
sible for enforcing the lead ban, and EPA can withhold up to 5 percent of a
State's Public Water System Supervision grant if the Agency determines
the State is not enforcing the requirements.
Ground Water has been protected under the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act
and by State programs that pre-date the Federal effort. The 1986 amend-
ments extend that protection by establishing programs to protect critical
ground water sources of drinking water, to protect areas around wells that
supply public drinking water systems, and by regulating the underground
injection of wastes below drinking water sources.
Enforcement is vital to the success of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The
amendments to the Act authorize EPA to file civil suits or issue administra-
tive orders against public water systems in violation when States are slow
to take appropriate enforcement action, or when the State asks EPA to act.
Maximum civil penalties are now $25,000 per day of violation.
Small water systems face numerous obstacles to meeting these new man-
dates. Lack of resources and expertise are foremost among their problems.
To help small systems comply with the new rules, EPA has taken steps to
mobilize all groups interested in drinking water quality to use creative
approaches to build local and State capacity through outreach, education,
technical assistance and other institutional support.
Large systems, most of which easily complied with the requirements of the
1974 Safe Drinking Water Act, are also challenged by the new require-
ments. For example, one amendment requires that granular activated
carbon (GAC) filtration, an effective but expensive technology, be consid-
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ered the "best available technology" for controlling synthetic organic
chemicals. That means any other (cheaper) technology that a water system
substitutes for GAC must control these contaminants at least as well.
A new rule will require most large and small systems to filter surface
water supplies of drinking water that are not adequately protected against
contamination. Congress intended this requirement to protect the public
against Giardia lamblia, a virulent protozoan, and other contaminants.
Systems must also disinfect their drinking water supplies, something
which all but some of the smallest have been doing all along. The filtration
and disinfection requirements mean many drinking water systems must
invest in new equipment.
The State Role In the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act, Congress said it wanted to ensure
safe drinking water for all Americans. Congress preferred that the States
take on the responsibility for the new program, which would build on
existing State programs. Since 1974,54 States and territories have been
granted primary enforcement authority for the program. EPA was respon-
sible for protecting the quality of water on Indian lands. The 1986 amend-
ments change that. Now, Indian tribes that meet the same criteria as States
can assume primary enforcement authority over their drinking water. At
publication, no Indian tribe has primacy for the drinking water program.
To be given primary enforcement authority for the program and to main-
tain it over time, a State or Indian tribe must adopt drinking water stan-
dards at least as stringent as the national ones. (They may set stricter
standards if they wish.) Each State or tribe must also be able to carry out
adequate monitoring and enforcement requirements. If a State or tribe
cannot or does not do so, EPA will step in and conduct the program.
Public Notification Since June 24,1977, Federal law has required your water supplier to peri-
odically sample and test the water supplied to your tap. Most of the larger
suppliers were already doing that. If a water supplier has not tested the
water or if tests reveal that a national drinking water standard has been
violated—that is, if there is too much of any substance for which a national
standard has been set—the supplier must move to correct the situation. The
supplier must also notify the appropriate State agency of the violation.
And you, the customer, must be notified too. You may sometimes be
notified by:
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• A notice in the newspaper,
• An announcement on the radio or television, or
• A letter from the health department or your water system, telling
you that a drinking water standards has been violated.
If you hear or read an announcement that a drinking water standard has
been violated, don't panic. The announcement will explain the problem
and its potential adverse health effects. It will also explain what precau-
tions you should take and what the system is doing to correct the problem.
You will also be told whether you should seek alternate supplies of drink-
ing water until the violation is corrected.
Water systems must notify the principal radio and television stations
serving their areas within 72 hours of discovering a violation that poses an
acute risk to human health. Public notice of acute violations must appear
in local newspapers within 14 days of their detection. Systems must report
continuous violations every three months. Annual notification is required
for less serious violations. This flexibility in public notification provided
by the 1986 amendments means EPA and the States can devote more atten-
tion to keeping the public informed of truly serious risks.
Certain violations are cause for immediate action by consumers to ensure
that public health is not endangered. Other MCL violations will not mean
that your health is at risk immediately. The limit on the amount of each
substance allowed in drinking water was based on what you can consume
for a lifetime without adverse health effects. The limit was based on the
consumption of two liters (a little more than two quarts) of water (or wa-
ter-based fluids such as coffee, tea or soft drinks) every day for a lifetime.
A large safety margin was built into most standards so that you will not be
harmed even if the water you drink exceeds some of the maximum con-
taminant levels for short periods of time.
The fact that your State water agency or water supplier announces a viola-
tion of a drinking water standard is not by itself cause for alarm. It is a
safety precaution required by Congress to call public attention to deficien-
cies in the drinking water supply. This procedure is intended to keep you
informed so that you can make intelligent decisions about the problem.
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In essence, Congress said in the Safe Drinking Water Act that you have a
right to expect water that meets minimum national standards for protec-
tion of public health. You have a right to be told—and your water supplier
must tell you—if your water does not meet these standards. Your supplier
is also obliged to inform you if the water is not being monitored as re-
quired. With such information from the supplier or State, you will know
what precautions to take. And you will be able to seek the attention of the
water supplier through public opinion to do whatever is necessary to bring
you safe water.
That might require major or minor improvements in your public water
supply system. It might require a new source of water. Most large systems
will probably be able to remedy any problems that may be discovered.
Some smaller systems may not. In some cases, the best alternative might
be to tie into a nearby system.
Whatever the alternative, the public has a right to know about the quality
of its drinking water, and the supplier has the clear responsibility to correct
violations promptly or provide alternative, safe sources. With that infor-
mation, the public can then weigh all possible alternatives and help make
the decisions needed to ensure safe drinking water.
If adequate steps are not taken to correct violations of safe drinking water
standards, you have additional rights.
You—or any individual or organization—have the right to bring suit
against anyone you believe is violating the law: the water supply system,
the State, or EPA.
The Primary The drinking water standards established by EPA reflect the best available
Standards scientific and technical judgement. They were refined by the suggestions
and advice of a 15-member National Drinking Water Advisory Council,
made up of representatives of the general public, State and local agencies,
and experts in the field of public water supply. Also, EPA's Science Advi-
sory Board, made up of scientists, reviews tile regulations to be sure they
are based on sound science. In addition, the regulations are reviewed in
draft by other Federal agencies, environmental groups, and State and
industry associations, and the public.
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All EPA regulations are published for review and are subject to public
hearings before they go into effect The National Primary Drinking Water
Regulations are no exception. Many witnesses testify at the public hear-
ings and EPA receives thousands of statements after the regulations were
proposed. EPA considers these comments when preparing the final ver-
sion of the regulations.
The regulations set achievable levels of drinking water quality to protect
your health. They were originally called "interim" regulations because the
1974 Act stipulated that EPA was to issue MCLs on an interim basis and
then to revise them periodically. The final MCL for only one chemical,
fluoride/ had been issued when Congress dropped "interim" from the
regulations' status. When that happened, interim MCLs for 25 contami-
nants and the final MCL for fluoride became National Primary Drinking
Water Regulations.
The 1986 amendments require EPA to issue a Maximum Contaminant
Level Goal (MCLG) along with an MCL. (MCLGs were known as Recom-
mended Maximum Contaminant Levels before the amendments.) An
MCLG is an unenforceable health goal equal to the maximum level of a
contaminant which is not expected to cause any adverse health effects over
a lifetime of exposure and includes a margin of safety. EPA must, by law,
set MCLs as close to MCLGs as technology and economics allow.
Not every contaminant must have an MCLG and an MCL. EPA can, in-
stead, adopt a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation that requires
the use of a specific treatment method be used to control a contaminant.
The Agency has this option when it is not technically or economically
feasible to determine how much of a contaminant is present in drinking
water.
Most substances currently regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act
occur naturally in our environment and in the foods we eat. The national
drinking water standards set by EPA reflect the levels we can safely con-
sume in our water, taking into account the amounts we are exposed to
from other sources.
Only two substances for which standards have been set pose an immediate
threat to health whenever they are exceeded:
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Bacteria—Coliform bacteria from human and animal wastes may be found
in drinking water if the water is not properly treated. These bacteria may
cause disease themselves or indicate that other harmful organisms may be
present in the water. Waterborne diseases such as typhoid, cholera, infec-
tious hepatitis and dysentery have been traced to improperly disinfected
drinking water. If you should receive notice that the bacteria level in your
water exceeds the minimum standard, follow the directions given in the
notice.
Nitrate—Nitrate in drinking water above the national standard poses an
immediate threat to children six months to one year old. In some infants,
excessive levels of nitrate have been known to react with the hemoglobin in
the blood to produce an anemic condition commonly known as "blue
baby." If you receive notice that your drinking water contains an excessive
amount of nitrate, do not give the water to infants under three months of
age and do not use it to prepare a formula. Do not boil the water for exten-
sive periods with the intention of reducing the nitrate, because such boiling
will only increase the nitrate concentration. Simply read the notice you
receive and follow its instructions carefully.
The table on the following pages presents the National Primary Drinking
Water Standards for 30 contaminants. In addition to MCLs, the health
effects and sources of each contaminant are listed. Other than for bacteria
and nitrate, as discussed above, water that exceeds the MCLs for the ele-
ments on the table will pose no immediate threat to public health. How-
ever, these substances must be controlled because drinking water that
exceeds these standards over long periods of time may prove harmful.
The Secondary Unlike primary drinking water regulations, secondary drinking water
Standards regulations are not designed to protect the public health. Instead, they are
intended to protect "public welfare" by providing guidelines regarding the
taste, odor, color and other aesthetic aspects of drinking water which do
not present a health risk. The effects of 13 contaminants for which EPA
has developed Secondary Drinking Water Standards for the States are
presented in the table following the National Primary Drinking Water
Standards.
8
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NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER STANDARDS
riants
Organic Chemicals
Acrylamide
Alachlor:
Aldicarb
Aldicarb sulfone'
Aldicarb sulfoxide'
Atrazine'
Benzene
Health Effects
probable cancer, nervous
system
probable cancer
nervous system
nervous system
nervous system
reproductive and cardiac
cancer
0.002
0.003
0.002
0.004
0.003
0.005
urces
flocculents in sew-
age/waste water
treatment
herbicide on corn
and soybeans; under
review for cancella-
tion
insecticide on cotton,
potatoes; restricted
in many areas due to
groundwater con-
tamination
degraded from ,
aldicarb by plants
degraded from
aldicarb by plants
-? ,•.'••"*.. _ ,
•widely used herbi-
cide on corn and on
non-crop land
fuel (leaking tanks);
solvent commonly
used in manufacture
of industrial chemi-
cals, pharmaceuti-
cals, pesticides,
paints and plastics
11n milligrams perliter, unless otherwise noted.
2 Effective date - July 30,1992.
3 TT=Trea^ment.,technique requirement in effect.
4 Effectivedate '-January 1,1993.
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NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER STANDARDS
Carbofuran
Carbon Tetrachloride
Chlordane
2,4-D 2
(Current MCL = 0.1)
Dibromochloropro-
pane (DBCP)2
Dichlorobenzene p-
Dichlorobenzene o-2
Dichloroethane (1,2-)
Dichloroethylene
Dichloroethylene
(cis-1,2-)2 *
^: „ Health Effects
nervous system and reproduc-
tive system
possible cancer
probable cancer
liver, kidney, nervous system
probable cancer
possible cancer
nervous system, lung, liver,
kidney
possible cancer
liver/kidney effects
nervous system, liver, circula-
tory
.0.04
0.005
0:002
0.07
0.0002
0.075
0.6
0.005
0.007
0.07
soil fumigant/insecti-
cide on corn/cotton;
restricted in some
areas
commonly used in
cleaning agents,
industrial wastes
from manufacture of
coolants
soil insecticide for
termite control, corn;
potatoes; most uses
cancelled in 1980
herbicide for wheat,
corn, rangelands
soil fumigant on
soybeans, cotton;
cancelled in 1977
used in insecticides,
moth balls, air de-
odorizers
industrial solvent;
chemical manufac-
turing
used in manufacture
of insecticides,
gasoline
used in manufacture
of plastics, dyes,
perfumes, paints,
SOCs (Synthetic
Organic Chemicals)
industrial extraction
solvent
11n milligrams per liter, unless otherwise noted.
2 Effective date - July 30,1992.
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NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER STANDARDS
Contaminants
Dichloroethylene
(trans-1,2)2
Dichloropropane, ,rj
(1,2-)2
Endrin 3,->, r< - •••
Epichlorohydrin
Ethylbenzene
2.
Ethylene dibromide^
(EDB)2
Heptachlor
Heptachlor eppxide
Lindane2
(Current.MCL =
0.004) :>
Methoxychlor2
(CurrentKMGl =
Health Effects
^
nervous system, liver, circula-
tory
probable cancer, liver, lungs,
kidney
nervous system/kidney effects
probable cancer, liver, kidney,
lungs
kidney, liver, nervous system
c .- u
probable cancer
probable cancer
probable cancer
nervous system, liver, kidney
nervous system, liver, kidney
0.1
0.005
0.0002
TT4
^ 0.7
0.00005
0.0004
0.0002
0.0002
0.04
industrial extraction
solvent
soil fumigant; indus-
trial solvent
insecticide used on
cotton, small grains,
orchards (cancelled)
epoxy resins and
coatings, flocculents
used in treatment
present in gasoline
and insecticides;
chemical manufac-
turing
gasoline additive;
soil fumigant, solvent
cancelled in 1984;
limited uses continue
insecticide on corn;
cancelled in 1983 for
all buf termite control
soil and water organ-
isms corivert'hepta- :
chlbT'tfrthei epoxide(
insecticide for seed/
lumber/livestock pest
control; most uses '
restricted in 1983
insecticide on alfalfa,
livestock
11n milligrams per liter,,unless otherwise noted.
2 Effective date - July 30,1992.
3 Phase V proposes changing MCL for Endrin to 0.002.
4 TT=Treatment technique requirement in effect.
11
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Polychlorinated
byphenyls (PCBs)2
Styrene1
Tetrachloroethylene
Toluene2
Total
Trihalomethanes
(TTHM) (chloroform,
bromoform, bromo-
dichloromethane, ,
dibromochloromethane)
Toxaphene2
(Current MCL =
0.005)
2-4-5-TP(Silvex)2
(Current MCL = 0.01)
Trichloroethane
0,1,1)
\%eifeali& Effects
kidney, liver, nervous system
probable cancer, liver, kidney
probable cancer
liver, nervous system
probable cancer
kidney, nervous system, lung
cancer risk
probable cancer
nervous system, liver, kidney
nervous system problems
o.t
0.001
0.0005
0.1
0.005
0.1
0.003'
0.05
0.2
NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER STANDARDS
Contaminants
Monochtorobenzene:
Pentachlorophenol'
pesticide manufactur-
ing; metal cleaner,
industrial solvent
wood preservative
and herbicide; non-
wood uses banned in
1987
electrical transform-
ers, plasticizers;
banned in 1979
plastic manufacturing;
resins used in water
treatment equipment
dry cleaning/industrial
solvent
chemical manufactur-
ing; gasoline additive;
industrial solvent
primarily formed when
surface water contain-
ing organic matter is
treated with chlorine
insecticide/herbicide for
cotton, soybeans;
cancelled in 1982
herbicide on range-
lands, sugar cane, golf
courses; cancelled in
1983.
used in manufacture of
food wrappings, syn-
thetic fibers "
11n milligrams per liter, unless otherwise noted.
2 Effective date - July 30,1992.
12
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NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER STANDARDS
Contaminants
; ,- -v,
Trichloroethylene
(TCE) ' '—••
;•'•' "~f.
' V ' •
Vinyl chloride
• • : v> , .'
Xylenes2
:" - •"•»,<
Inorganic chemicals
Arsenic3
• ••• . '.. ": ;.'.., -.,....
Asbestos 2
-.
Barium 5
(Current MCL = 1 .0
mg/l)
cT.,-:- •(. '••
Cadmium2
- *^itfe:efec& *"
o
possible cancer
cancer risk
liver, kidney, nervous system
.'
dermal and nervous system
toxicity effects
- "-; '" ' '•- ;""--• ;v ' "'•;'.•
•-'".- '...,.,""- .,'•.•' 1 • 1
benign tumors
circulatory system
kidney
U " WCt4 "
*,**>.. '
0.005
0.002
*^
10
0.05"
, .i--. -, . ,;. ,- , r»,
7IV1FL4 v
2
. • • > • : - : * >
- .-. • t --
0.005
»4 .. ^ ,, i
Sources
', , , , , »^^ ^ ,-. ^
waste from disposal of
dry cleaning materials
and manufacturing of
pesticides, paints,
waxes and varnishes,
paint stripper, metal
degreaser
polyvinyl chloride pipes
and solvents used to
join them; industrial
waste from manufacture
of plastics and synthetic
rubber
... paint/ink solvent; gaso-
line refining, by-product;
component of deter-
gents
.geological, pesticide
residues, industrial
waste and smelter
operations
natural mineral de-
posits; also in Asbes-
tos/Cement pipe
natural mineral de- .
posits; oil/gas drilling
operations; paint and
other industrial uses
natural /njneral de-
posits; metal finishing;
corrosion product'
plumbing
11n milligrams per liter, unless otherwise noted.
2 Effective date - July 30,1992.
3 MCL for arsenic currently under review.
4Million fibers per liter, with fiber length > 10 microns.
5 Effective date - January 1,1993.
13
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NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER STANDARDS
Chromium2
(Current MCL = 0.05)
Copper;
Fluoride
Lead3
(Current MCL = 0.05)
Mercury
Nitrate
Nitrite:
Total (Nitrate and
Nitrite)2
Health Effects
, , \. „ „, , .-, ..•** -.,-
liver/kidney, skin and digestive
system
stomach and intestinal distress;
Wilson's disease
skeletal damage
central and peripheral nervous
system damage; kidney; highly
toxic to infants and pregnant
women
kidney, nervous system
methemoglobinemia "blue-baby
syndrome"
methemoglobinemia "blue-baby
syndrome"
Not applicable
0.1
0.002
10
10
Sources .,
natural mineral
deposits; metal
finishing, textile,
tanning and leather
industries
corrosion of interior
household and
building pipes
geological; additive
to drinking water;
toothpaste; foods
processed with
fluorinated water
corrosion of lead
solder and brass
faucets and fixtures;
corrosion of lead,
service lines'' '
industrial/chemical
manufacturing;
fungicide; natural
mineral deposits
fertilizers, feedlots,
sewage; naturally in
soil, mineral depos-
its
unstable, rapidly
converted to nitrate;
prohibited in working
metal fluids
Not applicable
11n milligrams per liter, unless otherwise noted.
2 Effective date - July 30,1992.
3 Effective date - December 7,1992.
4 Treatment technique requirement in effect.
14
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NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER STANDARDS
Selenium
Radionuclides
; ,-\f, -.-
Beta particle and
photon activity
Gross alpha particle
activity
Radium 226/228
Microbiological
Giardia Lamblia
Legionella
Total Conforms
Health Effects
nervous system
cancer
cancer
bone cancer
stomach cramps, intestinal
distress (Giardiasis)
Legionnaires' Disease (pneu-
monia), Pontiac Fever
Not necessarily disease-caus-
ing themselves, conforms can
be indicators of organisms that
can cause gastroenteric infec-
tions, dysentery, hepatitis,
typhoid fever, cholera, and
other. Also, conforms interfere
with disinfection.
MCL1
0.05
4 mrem/yr2
15 pCi/L3
5 pCi/L3
TT4
See note5
natural mineral de-
posits; by-product of
copper mining/smelt-
ing
radioactive waste,
uranium deposits,
nuclear facilities
radioactive waste,
uranium deposits,
geological/natural
radioactive waste,
geological/natural
human and animal
fecal mater
water aerosols such
as vegetable misters
human and animal
fecal matter
11n milligrams per liter, unless otherwise noted.
2 "Rem" means the unit of dose equivalent from ionizing radiation to the total body of any internal organ or organ system.
A "millirem (mrem)" 1/1000 of a rem.
3 "Picocurie (pGi)" means the quantity of radioactive material producing 2.22 nuclear transformations per minute.
* Treatment technique requirement in effect. , ;: ^ c
5 For large systems (40 or more routine samples per month) no more than 5.0% of the samples can be positive. For small
systems (39 or fewer routine samples per month) no more than one sample can be positive.
15
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NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER STANDARDS
Turbidity
Viruses
Other substances
Sodium
Health Effects
interferes with disinfection
gastroenteritis (intestinal dis-
tress) n
possible increase in blood
pressure in susceptible indi-
viduals
0.5-1.0
NTU
(nephelomet-
ric turbidity
unit)
none
(20mg/l
reporting
- level)3
erosion, 'runoff, dis-
charges
human and animal
fecal matter
geological, road
salting
11n milligrams per liter, unless otherwise noted.
.2 Treatment technique requirement in effect.
3 Monitoring is required and data is reported to health officials to protect individuals on highly restricted sodium diets.
16
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NATIONAL SECONDARY DRINKING WATER STANDARDS*
, Contaminants
Aluminum
Chloride
Color ' ,
Copper
Corrosivity .
Fluoride
Foaming agents
Iron
Manganese
Odor
pH:
Silver
Sulfate
Total dissolved
solids (TDS)
Zinc
Suggested Levels
0.05 - 0.2 mg/l
250 mg/l
15 color units
1 mg/l
non-corrosive
2.0 mg/I
0.5 mg/l
0.3 mg/l
0.05 mg/l
3 threshold odor
number
.: 6.5-8.5
0.1 mg/l
; 250 mg/l
500 mg/l
t •:
5 mg/l
\,&Mtw^m^^J,
Discoloration of water
Taste; corrosion of pipes
Aesthetic
Taste; staining of porcelain
Aesthetic and health related (Corrosive
water can leach pipe materials, such as
lead, into drinking water.)
Dental fluorosis (a brownish discoloration
of the teeth)
Aesthetic
Taste; staining of laundry
Taste; staining of laundry
' ,..'.'., • --is"'.'." : .1
Aesthetic -c
A Water isttoo corrosive
Argyria (discoloration of the skin)
Taste; .laxative effects
Taste and possible relation between low
hardness and cardiovascular disease;
also an indicator of corrosivity (related to
lead levels in water); can damage plumb-
ing and limit effectiveness of soaps and
'detergents
Taste
'Secondary Drinking Water Standards are unenfprceablej federal guidelines regarding the taste, odor, color—and
certain other non-aesthetic effects—of drinking water. EPA recommends them to the States as reasonable goals,
but federal law does not require water systems to comply with them. States'may, however, adopt their own enforce-
able regulations governing these concerns. To be safe, check your State's drinking water rules.
17
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Summary The Safe Drinking Water Act gave the country its first comprehensive
national program to safeguard public drinking water. It established the
national drinking water standards, which protect the health of everyone
who receives their drinking water from systems serving at least 25 people
or having at least 15 service connections. More than 80 percent of the U.S.
population and a quarter million drinking water systems, including non-
community water systems, are affected by the Act.
In 1986, Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act in response to
various concerns raised by the public, EPA, State governments and the
water supply industry. The pace of regulating drinking water contami-
nants was increased. EPA was given a schedule for regulating contami-
nants that threaten public health and deadlines for specifying criteria for
the filtration of surface water supplies and the disinfection of drinking
water from surface and ground water sources. The use of lead-containing
plumbing materials in public water systems and private drinking water
systems that connect to public supplies was outlawed.
The amendments also increased protection of ground water, a crucial
source of drinking water. And they gave Indian tribes the same status as
States in seeking primary responsibility for drinking water and under-
ground injection control programs.
Many water supply systems will be able to meet the new national require-
ments with a minimum of effort. However, some water systems, especially
the small ones, may have a hard time affording the investment in technol-
ogy and technical expertise that these new regulations will require. EPA is
providing them with technical assistance.
EPA is also aiding States that need help with technical assistance and
grants for program administration. EPA is carrying on research to learn
more about the health effects of other potential water contaminants, how to
detect them in water, and how to get rid of them.
But the major responsibility for bringing you safe drinking water rests
with your water supplier, your State, and ultimately with you as a con-
cerned citizen.
18
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This pamphlet has attempted to describe the drinking water program in
simple, non-technical language. But the job of implementing the Safe
Drinking Water Act and amendments is no simple matter. It is complex. It
requires your cooperation and support.
And it requires your understanding that you may have to pay more for
safe drinking water-especially if you are served by a small water supply
system that has not kept up with modern technology.
It is expected that the cost of safe drinking water for some consumers will
increase substantially as systems improve their disinfection or filtration
practices. For consumers served by systems that have heavy metal or
inorganic contaminant problems, the cost may be even greater.
Whatever the added cost might be, keep the alternatives in mind: water
thafs safe to drink, or the risk of disease or other harmful effects. If s a
small price to pay for assuring yourself, your family, your community, and
all Americans that our water is truly safe to drink.
19
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Want More
Information?
Regional Offices
EPA Region I
Room 2203
John F. Kennedy Federal
Building
Boston, MA 02203
Addition information about safe drinking water, the 1986 amendments to
the Safe Drinking Water Act, and other related issues is available from
EPA's Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791. The following EPA re-
gional offices and State agencies can also provide you with information.
States Covered
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
EPA Region II
26 Federal Plaza
New York, NY 10278
New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
EPA Region III
841 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia. PA 19107
Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
EPA Region IV
345 Courtland St., N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30365
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee
EPA Region V
77 West Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-3509
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin
EPA Region VI
12th Floor, Suite 1200
1445 Ross Ave.
Dallas. TX 75270
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
EPA Region VII
726 Minnesota Ave.
Kansas City, KS 66101
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska
EPA Region VIII
Suite 500
999 18th St.
Denver. CO 80202-2405
Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming
EPA Region IX
75 Hawthorne St.
San Francisco, CA94105
(415)974-8071
EPA Region X
1200 Sixth Ave.
Seattle. WA 98101
Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Trust Territories of the Pacific,
Guam, Northern Marianas
Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
20
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State Water Supply Agencies
Region I
Connecticut
Water Supplies Section
Department of Health
150 Washington Street
Hartford, CT 06106
(203)566-1253
Massachusetts
Division of Water Supply
Department of Environmental
Quality Engineering
One Winter Street
Boston, MA 02108
(617)292-5529
Maine
Manager, Drinking Water
Bureau of Health
Division of Health Engineering
Department of Human Services
State House (STA 10)
August, ME 04333
(207) 289-3826
New Hampshire
Water Supply Division
Water Supply and Pollution
Control Commission
Post Office Box 95
Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301
(603)271-3503
Rhode Island
Division of Water Supply
Department of Health
75 Davis Street, Health Building
Providence, Rl 02908
(401)277-6867
Vermont
Environmental Health Division
Department of Health
60 Main Street
Post Office Box 70
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 863-7220
Region II
New Jersey
Bureau of Safe Drinking Water
Division of Water Resources
Department of Environmental
Protection
Post Office Box CN-029
Trenton, NJ 06825
(609) 984-7945
New York
Bureau of Public Water Supply
Protection
State Department of Health
2 University Place, Room 406
Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203-3399
(518)458-6731
Puerto Rico
Water Supply Supervision
Program
Department of Health
Post Office Box 70184
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936
(809)766-1616
Virgin Islands
Natural Resources
Management
Department of Conservation
and Cultural Affairs
Government of Virgin Islands
Post Office Box 4340
Charlotte Amalie
St. Thomas, VI 00801
(809) 774-6420
Region III
Delaware
Office of Sanitary Engineering
Division of Public Health
Jesse Cooper Memorial
Building
Capital Square
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 736-4731
District of Columbia
Water Hygiene Branch
Department of Consumer and
Regulatory Affairs
5010 Overlook Avenue., S.W.
Washington, DC 20032
(202) 767-7370
Maryland
Division of Water Supply
Office of Environmental
Programs
Department of the Environment
2500 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD21224
(301)631-3702
Pennsylvania
Division of Water Supplies
Department of Environmental
Resources
Post Office Box 2357
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717)787-9035
Virginia
Bureau of Water Supply
Engineering
Department of Health
James Madison Building
109 Governor Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804)786-1766
21
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State Water Supply Agencies (Continued)
West Virginia
Drinking Water Division
Office of Environmental Health
Services
Department of Health
1800 Washington St., East
Charleston, WV 25305
(304) 348-2981
Region IV
Alabama
Water Supply Branch
Department of Environmental
Management
1751 Federal Drive
Montgomery, AL 36130
(205)271-7773
Florida
Drinking Water Section
Department of Environmental
Regulation
Twin Towers Office Building
2600 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32301-8241
(904)487-1772
Georgia
Water Protection Branch
Environmental Protection
Division
Department of Natural
Resources
270 Washington St., S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-4807
Kentucky
Division of Water
Department of Environmental
Protection
18Reilly Road
Fort Boone Plaza
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-3410 (ext. 543)
Mississippi
Division of Water Supply
Board of Health
Post Office Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39205
(601)960-7518
North Carolina
Water Supply Branch
Division of Health Services
Department of Human
Resources
Post Office Box 2091
Raleigh, NC 27602-2091
(919)733-2321
South Carolina
Division of Water Supply
Department of Health and
Environmental Control
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803)734-5310
Tennessee
Division of Water Supply
Department of Health and
Environment
1509th. Ave., North
Nashville, TN 37219-5404
(615)741-6636
Region V
Illinois
Division of Public Water
Supplies
Environmental Protection
Agency
2200 Churchill Road
Springfield, IL 62706
(217)785-8653
Indiana
Department .of Environmental
Management
Public Water Supply
105S. Meridian St.
P.O. Box6015
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6015
(317)240-6217
Michigan
Division of Water Supply
Bureau of Environmental and
Occupational Health Services
Department of Public Health
3423 North Logan St.
P.O. Box30195
Lansing, Ml 48909
(517)335-9216
Minnesota
Section of Public Water
Supplies
Office of Environmental Health
717S.E. Delaware St.
P.O. Box 9441
Minneapolis, MN 55440
(612)627-5100
Ohio
Office of Public Water Supply
Environmental Protection
Agency
361 East Broad St.
P.O. 8ox 9441
Columbus, OH 43266-0149
(614)644-2752
Wisconsin
Bureau of Water Supply
Department of National
Resources
101 South Webster
P.O. 6ox 7921
Madison, Wl 53707
(608) 267-7651
22
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State Water Supply Agencies (Continued)
Region VI
Arkansas
Division of Engineering
Department of Health
4815WestMarkhamSt.
Little Rock, AR 72201-3867
(501)661-2000
Louisiana
Department of Health and
Hospitals Public Health
Department of Health and
Human Resources
P.O. Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160
(504)568-5105
New Mexico
Drinking Water Supply
Health & Environment
Department
P.O. Box 968
Santa Fe, NM 87504-0968
(505) 827-2778
Oklahoma
Water Facility Engineering
Service
Department of Health
P.O. Box 53551
Oklahoma City, OK 73152
(405)271-5205
Texas
Division of Water Hygiene
Department of Health
1100 West 49th St.
Austin, TX 78756-3199
(512)458-7533
Region VII
Iowa
Water Supply Section
Surface and Groundwater
Protection Bureau
Department of Natural
Resources
Wallace State Office Building
900 East Grant St.
Des Moines, IA 53109
(515)281-8998
Kansas
Permits and Compliance
Section
Bureau of Water Protection
Department of Health and the
Environment
Forbes Field
Topeka, KS 66605
(913)296-1500
Missouri
Public Drinking Water Program
Division of Environmental
Quality
Department of Natural
Resources
P.O. Box176
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(314)751-5331
Nebraska
Division of Environmental
Health
Department of Health
301 Sentenial Mall South
P.O. Box 95007, 3rd Floor
Lincoln, NE 68509
(402)471-2541
Colorado
Drinking Water Section
Department of Health
4210 East 11thAve.
Denver, CO 80220
(303) 331-4546 (Ext. 4546)
Montana
Drinking Water Section
Bureau of Water Quality
Department of Health and
Environmental Sciences
Cogswell Building, Room A206
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-2406
North Dakota
Division of Water Supply and
Pollution Control
Department of Health
1200 Missouri Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58501
(701)224-2370
South Dakota
Bureau of Drinking Water
Department of Water and
Natural Resources
Joe Foss Building
523 Capital Ave., East
Pierre, SD 57501
(605)773-3151
Utah
Bureau of Drinking Water/
Sanitation
Department of Health
P.O. Box 16690
Salt Lake City, UT 84116-0690
(801)538-6159
Wyoming
Water Quality Division
Department of Environmental
Quality
401 West 19th St.
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7781
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State Water Supply Agencies (Continued)
Region IX
Arizona
Field Services Section
Office of Water Quality
2655 East Magnolia St.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
(602) 392-4002
California
Sanitary Engineering Branch
Department of Health
714 P St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916)323-6111
Hawaii
Drinking Water Program
Sanitation Branch
Environmental Protection and
Health Services Division
Department of Health
P.O. Box 3378
Honolulu, HI 96801
(808) 548-4682
Nevada
Public Health Engineering
Department of Human
Resources
Consumer Health Protection
Services
505 East King St., Room 103
Carson City, NV 89710
(702) 885-4750
Guam
Guam Environmental Protection
Agency
Government of Guam
P.O. Box 2999
Agana, Guam 96910
671)646-8863
Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands
Division of Environmental
Quality
Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands
P.O. Box 1304
Saipan, Mariana Islands 96950
Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands Environmental
Protection Authority
Hospital
Majuro, Marshall Islands 96960
Pohnpei
FSM Environmental Protection
Board
FSM Health Services
Kolonia, Pohnpei 96941
Palau
Palau Environmental Quality
Protection Board
Hospital
Koror, Palau 96940
Region X
Alaska
Drinking Water Program
Water Quality Management
Department of Environmental
Conservation
P.O. Box I
Juneau, AK 99811
(907) 465-2653
Idaho
Bureau of Water Quality
Division of Environment
Department of Health and
Welfare
Statehouse
Boise, ID 83720
(208) 334-5867
Oregon
Drinking Water Systems
Section
Health Division
Department of Human
Resources
1400S.W. 5th Ave.
Portland, OR 97201
(503)229-6310
Washington
Drinking Water Program
Section
Department of Social and
Health Services
Mail Stop LD-11
Olympia, WA 98504
(206) 753-5954
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