FACT SHEET
Drinking Water Regulations
under the
Safe Drinking Water Act
May 1990
" Criteria and Standards Division
-';„ Office of Drinking Water
s; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C.
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May 17,1990
Table of Contents |
Regulation |
Page
Requirements under 1986 Amendments to SDWA
Major Statutory and Regulatory Actions of the
SDWA 1974 -1986
Major Statutory and Regulatory Actions of the
SDWA 1986 - Present
Contaminants Required to be Regulated under SDWA
of 1986 and Drinking Water Priority List
Table 1: 83 contaminants required to
be regulated under SDWA of 1986
Table 2: Contaminants removed from List of 83
Table 3: Substitutes to SDWA List of 83
Table 4: Drinking Water Priority List
Summary of Deadlines under SDWA of 1986
Table 5: Summary of Deadlines and Regulatory Actions
Fluoride
Volatile Organic Chemicals
Table 6: Final MCLGs/MCLs
Table 7: Compliance Based on System Size
Table 8: Unregulated VOCs Monitoring
Public Notification
^Surface Water Treatment Rule
Table 9: MCLGs for Microbiological Contaminants
6
7
8
8
9
9
10
10
11
11
13
14
16
16
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May 17,1990
Table of Contents (cont'dl]
Regulation |
Surface Water Treatment Rule Cont'd
Table 10: Sampling Frequencies for Total and Fecal Coliforms
for source water quality criteria 17
Total Coliforms Rule 20
Table 11: Sampling Requirements Based on Population 22
Table 12: Repeat Monitoring 23
Table 13: Sanitary Survey Frequency for Small Systems . 24
Lead and Copper 26
Table 14: Proposed MCLs and MCLGs for Lead and Copper 26
Phase II: 38 Inorganic and Synthetic Organic Chemicals 27
Table 15: Proposed NPDWRs 30
Table 16: Proposed BAT 32
Table 17: Proposed SMCLs 33
Phase V: 24 Inorganic and Synthetic Organic Chemicals 34
Table 18: MCLGs, MCLs and Carcinogenicity Classification 34
Radionuclides 35
Disinfection and Disinfection By-Products 38
Table 19: Monitoring Requirements 40
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations 41
Table 20: Summary of NPDWRs 41
National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations 43
Table 21: SMCLs 43
SDWA FACT SHEET "
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May 17,1990
DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS
UNDER THE SDWA
AMENDMENTS OF 1986
Significant directives to EPA's standard-setting program for drinking water contaminants included
in the 1986 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) are provided below.
>• EPA must set Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) and National Primary
Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs) for 83 specific contaminants and for any other
contaminant in drinking water that may have any adverse effect upon the health of
persons and which is known or anticipated to occur in public water systems.
>• Recommended Maximum Contaminant Levels (RMCLs) are now termed Maximum
Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs). No changes were made in the basis of an MCLG;
i.e.:
MCLGs are non-enforceable health goals that are to be set at levels at which no
known or anticipated adverse health effects occur and which allow an adequate
margin of safety.
>• Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) must be set as close to MCLGs as is feasible. The
definition of "feasible" was changed to the following:
Feasible means with the use of the best technology/ treatment techniques and other
means, which the Administrator finds, after examination for efficacy under field
conditions and not solely under laboratory conditions, are available (taking costs
into consideration).
The SDWA states that Granular Activated Carbon (G AC) is feasible for the control
of Synthetic Organic Chemicals (SOCs), and any technology or other means found
to be the best available for control of SOCs must be at least as effective in controlling
SOCs as GAC.
>• MCLGs and MCLs must be proposed at the same time and also promulgated
simultaneously.
>• MCLGs, NPDWRs and monitoring requirements are to be set for 83 contaminants listed
in the SDWA. NPDWRs can be either MCLs or treatment technique requirements. The
Best Available Technology (BAT) is also to be specified for each contaminant for which
an MCL is established.
Table 1 lists the 83 contaminants required to be regulated. Seven substitutes were
allowed if regulation of any seven other contaminants would be more protective of
public health (see Tables 2 and 3). The substituted contaminants must be included on
the drinking water priority list.
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May 17,1990
>• The statutory timetable to produce the MCLGs and NPDWRs was as follows:
• 9 by June 19,1987
• 40 by June 19,1988
• 34 by June 19,1989
>• MCLGs, NPDWRs and monitoring requirements must be set for other contaminants in
drinking water that may pose a health risk.
• The 1986 Amendments require that EPA publish a Drinking Water Priority List (DWPL)
of drinking water contaminants that may require regulation under the SDWA (see Table
4).
• The list must be published by January 1,1988, and every 3 years thereafter.
• MCLGs,NPDWRsandmonitoringrequirementsaretobesetforatleast25contaminants
on the list by January 1,1991.
• MCLGs,NPDWRsandmonitoringrequirementsaretobesetforatleast25contaminants
every 3 years following January 1,1991 (e.g., 1994,1997), from subsequent triennial lists.
>• Criteria must be established by which states must determine which surface water
systems must install filtration. The SDWA deadline for promulgating this criteria was
December 19, 1987. States with primary enforcement responsibility must make
determinations regarding filtration within 12 months of promulgation of these criteria
and must adopt regulations to implement the filtration requirements within 18 months
of promulgation.
>• A treatment technique regulation must be promulgated to require all public water
systems to use disinfection.
• Variances will be available. EPA will specify variance criteria (e.g. quality of source
water, protection afforded by watershed management.)
• The disinfection treatment rule must be promulgated by June 19,1989.
>• The 1986 Amendments banned the use of any pipe, solder, flux or fittings which are not
" lead free " in a public water system or in any building connected to a public water
system. Flux and solder may not have more than 0.2% lead, and pipe and fittings not
more than 8% lead.
SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
>• Requirements must be set for water systems to monitor for unregulated contaminants.
• Minimum monitoring frequency is five years.
• States may add/delete contaminants from list.
• Requirements to monitor for unregulated contaminants must be promulgated by
December 19,1987.
>• MCLGs /NPDWRs and monitoring requirements must be reviewed by EPA every three
years.
>• Other requirements/provisions of the 1986 Amendments:
• Public notification regulations may be changed to provide for different types and
frequencies of notice depending upon the potential health risk.
• BAT for issuance of variances must be set when MCLs are set. BAT may vary
depending upon the size of systems and other factors, including costs.
• Exemptions can be extended for systems with 500 service connections or less. No
limit is placed on the number of extensions but certain criteria must be met.
>• Table 5 includes a summary of deadlines pertinent to standard-setting.
>• All current drinking water regulations, which have been promulgated as of July 1 in any
year, may be found in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFK),, Parts 141,142,
and 143. Regulations published between CFR editions may be found in the Federal
Register (FR).
For additional information, contact
Safe Drinking Water Hotline
800-426-4791 or (202) 382-5533
or
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Criteria and Standards Division
Office of Drinking Water (WH-550D)
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
(202)382-7575
SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
Major Statutory and Regulatory Actions of the
Safe Drinking Water Act
1974-1986
Statutes
Regulations
SeePage
December 19; 1974
Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974
December 24 1975
Final Rule
^abllshed NIPDWRs for ID DCs,
6 Pestfddes, Total Conform andTurbfcflty
„ , ;v^tVJu!y9,!97<$^ ,
-.T^, ; Finalise ^ =-
Established NIPDWRs for Radionuclides
July 19, 1979 , =
FJnaJRuIe
\ EsfablfehedNSDWRsfor ,
. , " 12 Contaminants
November 29, 1979 \ , - ^
Find Rule ,
Established NiPDWRs for Totat
Trihalomethanes
April 2, 1986
Final Rute
Revised NIPDWRs for Fluoride,
Established NSDWRs for Fluoride
41
w
43
42
10
NOTE- The National Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NIPDWRs) became
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs) with passage of the
Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1986.
SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
Major Statutory and Regulatory Actions of the
Safe Drinking Water Act
1986 -PRESENT
Statutes
June 19,1986 x
Safe Drinking Water Act
Amendments of 1986 ,
October 31,1988 ,
Lead Contamination
Control Act of 1988
Regulations
See Page
; . July 8,1987 v, ,
8 VOCs and Unregulated VOC Monitorjna
o
, \ October 23/1907 , .,
\ Pubflc Nptlficatfori Requirements
14-T5
, 1988 *
List of 83 and OWPL
^ . * August 18,1988 ;
Proposed Rule -
lebdond Copper sfon By-products)
,1989
Proposed Rute
,38lOCsand$OCs
June 29,1989
Revised NPDWRs for Total CoHform:
Filtration and Disinfection Requirements
June 1990
Expected Date of Proposal
24IOCsandSOCs
February 1991
Expected Date of Proposal
Radionuclfdes
Fall 1991
Expected Date of Proposed
Disinfection By-products
38-40
SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
Contaminants Required to be Regulated by the SDWA
Amendments of 1986
and Drinking Water Priority List
>• The original group of contaminants required tobe regulated by the SDWA Amendments
appeared in Advanced Notices of Proposed Rulemakings published in the Federal
Register on March 4,1982 (47 FR 9352) and October 5,1983 (48 FR 45502).
>• Final substitutes to the Drinking Water Priority List (DWPL) notice were signed by the
Administrator on January 13,1988, and published in the Federal Register on January 22,
1988 (53 FR 1892).
>• Table 1 shows the List of 83 contaminants. Table 2 shows contaminants removed from
the list of 83. Table 3 shows the substitutes added. Table 4 shows the DWPL.
Table 1
List of Contaminants Required to be Regulated
under the SDWA Amendments of 1986
Benzene-0'1
Carbon tetrachloride -0/1
Chlorobenzene - 2
Dichlorobenzene - 0/1/2
1,2,-Dichloroethane - °-1
Volatile Organic Chemicals |
1,1-Dichloroethylene - "-1
ds-l^-Dichloroethylene - 2
trans-l^Dichloroethylene -2
Dichloromethane -5
Tetrachloroethylene -2
Trichlorobenzene - s
1,1,1-Trichloroethane - °-1
Trichloroethylene -0/1
Vinyl chloride-0-1
Microbiology and Turbidity I
Giardia lamblia - *
Legionella -4
Standard plate count -4
Total coliforms - °-4
Turbidity-0'4
Viruses -4
Aluminum - x
Antimony-5
Arsenic - 0> * * *
Asbestos - 2
Barium-0-2
Cadmium - °'2
Chromium-0'2
Inorganics I
Copper -*
Cyanide -5
Fluoride-0'**
Lead-0-*
Mercury -"2
Molybdenum -J
Nickel-5
Nitrate - °'2
Nitrite-*-2
Selenium-0-2
Silver-°'x-2
Sodium - x
Sulf ate - 5
Vanadium -x
Zinc-x
i
Cont'd on Next Page
SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
Table 1 Cont'd
Acrylamide-2
Adipates -5
Alachlor - 2
Aldicarb - 2
Aldicarb sulfone -+'2
Aldicarb sulf oxide - +/2
Atrazine -2
Carbofuran -2
Chlordane -2
2,4,-D-0-2
Dalapon-5
DBCP-2
Dibromomethane - x
1,2-Dichloropropane -2
Organics
|
Dinoseb -5
Diquat-5
EDB-2
Endothall-5
Endrin-0-2
Epichlorohydrin -2
Ethylbenzene -+-2
Glyphosate-5
Heptachlor -+'2
Heptachlor epoxide - +/2
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene -5
Lindane -0/2
Methoxychlor - °'2
PAHs-5
PCBs-2
Pentachlorophenol - 2
Phthalates-5
Picloram-5
Simazine-5
Styrene -+'2
2,3,7,8-TCDD (Dioxin) -s
Toluene-2
Toxaphene -0/2
2,4,5-TP-0-2
1,1,2-Trichloroethane -5
Vydate-5
Xylene -2
Beta particle and photon radioactivi
Gross alpha particle activity - °'3
Radionuclides 1
ity-0,3
Radium 226 -°-3
Radium 228 -°-3
Radon-3
Uranium - 3 .
0
1
2
3
4
5
X
+
*
if *
* * *
Contaminants currently regulated
Contaminants with MCLs and MCLGs promulgated July 8,1987 (see page 10 -13)
Contaminants with NPDWRs proposed on May 22,1989 (see page 27 - 33)
Contaminants with NPDWRs scheduled for proposal in February 1991 (see page 35 -38)
Contaminants with NPDWRs promulgated on June 29,1989 (see page 16 - 25)
Contaminants with NPDWRs scheduled for proposal in June 1990 (see page 34 - 35)
Contaminants removed from the list of 83
Contaminants added to the list of 83
Contaminants with NPDWRs proposed in August 18,1988 (see page 26)
Fluoride final rule April 2,1986 (see page 10)
Arsenic to be revised at a later date
Aluminum
Dibromomethane
Molybdenum
Silver
Sodium
Vanadium
Zinc
SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
- Table3
Substituted into SDWA List of 83:
Aldicarb sulfone Ethylbenzene Heptachlor epoxide Styrene
Aldicarb sulfoxide Heptachlor Nitrite
Table 4
Drinking Water Priority List (DWPL)
Aluminum
Ammonia
Boron
Bromobenzene
Bromochloroacetonitrile
Bromodichloromethane
Bromoform
Bromomethane
Chloramine
Chlorate
Chlorine
Chlorine dioxide
Chlorite
Chloroethane
Chloroform
Chloromethane
Chloropioin
o-Chlorotoluene
p-Chlorotoluene
Cryptosporidium
Cyanazine
Cyanogen chloride
Dibromoacetonitrile
Dibromochloromethane
Dibromomethane
Dicamba
Dichloroacetoni trite
1,1-Dichloroethane
1,3-Dichloropropane
2,2-Dichloropropane
1,1-Dichloropropene
1,3-Dichloropropene
2,4-Dinitrotoluene
ETU
Halogenated acids,
Alcohols, Aldehydes,
Ketones, and
other Nitriles
Hypochlorite ion
Isophorone
Methyl tert-butyl ether
Metolachlor
Metribuzin
Molybdenum
Ozone byproducts
Silver
Sodium
Strontium
2,4,5-T
1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
Trichloroacetonitrile
1^3-lrichloropropane
Trifluralin
Vanadium
Zinc
SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
Table 5
Summary of Statutory Deadlines and Regulatory
Actions under SDWA Amendments of 1986
What?
9 MCLGs and NPDWRs/Monitoring
Fluoride MCLG/MCL — Final
8 VOCs MCLGs/MCLs — Final
Propose Seven Substitutes
7 Substitutes — Proposed
Public Notice Revisions
PN Revisions — Final
Filtration Criteria
Filtration & Disinfection Rule — Final
Monitoring for Unregulated Contaminants
First Group — Final
Second Group — Proposed
First List of Contaminants (DWPL)
List of 83 and DWPL — Final
40 MCLGs and NPDWRs/Monitoring
Lead/ Copper Rule — Proposed
38 ICCs and SOCs (Phase n) — Proposed
34 MCLGs and NPDWRs/Monitoring
Total Coliform — Final
4 Microb. and Turbidity — Final
24 IOCS and SOCs (Phase V) — Exp. Proposal
6 Radionudides — Exp. Proposal
Arsenic — Exp. Proposal
Disinfection Treatment
Filtration and Disinfection — Final
Ground Water Disin. — Exp. Proposal
25 MCLGs and NPDWRs/Monitoring
Disinfection By-products — Exp. Proposal
June 19,1987
April 2,1986
July 8,1987
June 19,1987
July 8,1987
Sept: 19,1987
October 28,1987
Dec 19,1987
June 29,1989
Dec 19,1987
July 8,1987
May 22,1989
January 1,1988
January 22,1988
June 19,1988
August 18,1988
May 22,1989
June 19,1989
June 29,1989
June 29,1989
June 1990
February 1991
not determined
June 19,1989
June 29,1989
January 1991
January 1,1991
September 1991
SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
STATUS: NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER
REGULATIONS
Fluoride
j
>- ANPRM - October 5,1983 (48 FR 45502)
>• Proposed MCLG- May 14,1985 (50 FR 20164)
>• Final MCLG, Proposed MCL, SMCL and monitoring requirements - November 14,1985
(50FR 47142)
>• Final MCL, SMCL and monitoring requirements - April 2,1986 (51 FR 11396)
Final MCLG 4.0 mg/1
Final MCL 4.0 mg/1
Final SMCL 2.0 mg/1
Final Monitoring • 1 per year surface waters
• 1 per 3 years ground waters
• Minimum repeat: 1 per 10
years
>• Three-year reassessment begun as required under the SDWA Amendments - January
3,1990 (55FR160)
Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs)
>• ANPRM - March 4, 1982 (47 FR 9350)
>* Proposed MCLGs - June 12, 1984 (49 FR 24330)
>• Final MCLGs, proposed MCLs and monitoring requirements - November 13, 1985
(50 FR 46880)
>• Reproposed MCLG/MCL for para-dichlorobenzene - April 17, 1987 (52 FR 12876).
>• Final rules signed by Administrator - June 19, 1987 and published in Federal Register on
July 8, 1987 (52 FR 25690).
>• Correction Notice,. July 1; 1988 (53 FR 25108 ).
SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
Table 6
VOCs: Final MCLGs and MCLs (in mg/1)
Chemical
Benzene
Carbon Tetrachloride
1,2-Dichloroethane
1,1-Dichloroethylene
para-Dichlorobenzene
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
Trichloroethylene
Vinyl Chloride
Final
MCLG
0
0
0
0.007
0.075
0.20
0
0
Final 1
MCL 1
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.007
0.075
0.20
0.005
0.002
BAT under SDWA Section 1412 (MCLs) and Section 1415 (Variances)
>• Packed Tower Aeration (PTA) and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) for the eight
VOCs, except vinyl chloride.
>• PTA for vinyl chloride.
Compliance Monitoring
>• Initial Monitoring: All systems must monitor each source at least once within four
years.
• Surface waters: 4 quarterly samples
• Ground waters: 4 quarterly samples; state can exempt systems from subsequent
monitoring if no VOCs detected in first sample
• Composite samples of up to five sources allowed
Table 7
Compliance Monitoring Based On System Size
Size
> 10,000
3,300-10,000
< 3,300
Begin initial
monitoring by
January 1, 1988
January 1, 1989
January 1, 1991
Complete initial
monitoring by
December 31, 1988
December 31, 1989
December 31, 1991
11
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May 17,1990
>• Repeat monitoring: varies from quarterly to only at state discretion. The frequency is
based on whether VOCs are detected in the first round of monitoring, whether system
is vulnerable to contamination, size of system, and source of water.
Analytical Methods: GCorGC/MS
>• Methods 504,502.1,503.1,524.1,524.2,502.2
Laboratory Certification Criteria
>• Seven VOCs: ±20% >0.010mg/l
±40% <0.010mg/l
>• Vinyl Chloride: ±40%
>• Method Detection Limit. 0.0005 mg/1
Non-transient Non-community Water Systems (NTNCWS)
>• Non-community water systems which regularly serve at least 25 of the same persons
over 6 months per year (i.e., Non-Transient Non-Community Water Systems) are
required to meet all requirements in this rule.
Point-of-Entry (FOE), Point-of-Use (POU), and Bottled Water
>• POE may be used to achieve compliance with MCLs but is not BAT.
>• POU and bottled water cannot be used to meet MCLs.
Variances and Exemptions
>• As a condition of issuing a variance or exemption, states have the authority to require
the water system to implement additional interim control measures. If an unreasonable
risk to health exists, the state must require either installation of POU devices or
distribution of bottled water to each customer.
Monitoring for Unregulated VOCs
>• Methodology same as for regulated VOCs.
>• Initial monitoring: Systems must monitor each source for unregulated VOCs during a
four-year period. Systems serving fewer than 150 service connections may send a letter
to the state stating that the system is available for sampling.
• Surface waters: 4 quarterly samples
• Ground waters: 1 sample
• Composite samples of up to five sources allowed
>- Same phase-in schedules as compliance monitoring.
SDWA FACT SHEET 12
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May 17,1990
Monitoring for Unregulated VOCs
>- 51.VOCs specified (see Table 8):
• List 1: required for all systems (34 VOCs)
• List 2: required for vulnerable systems (2 VOCs)
• List 3: required at state discretion (15 VOCs)
>• Repeat monitoring: Every five years; EPA will specify a new list.
Table 8
Monitoring for Unregulated VOCs
Bromobenzene
Bromodichloromethane
Bromoform
Bromomethane
Chlorobenzene
Chlorodibromomethane
Chloroethane
Chloroform
Chloromethane
o-Chlorotoluene
p-Chlorotoulene
1,2 Dibromo-3-chloro-propane
Required for all systems; |
Dibromomethane
m-Dichlorobenzene
o-Dichlorobenzene
Dichloromethane
1,1-Dichloroethane
cis-1 ,2-Dichloroethylene
trans-l,2-Dichloroethylene
2,2-Dichloropropane
1,2-Dichloropropane
1,3-Dichloropropane
1,1-Dichloropropene
1,3-Dichloropropene
Ethylene dibromide
Ehylbenzene
Styrene
1,1,1/2-Tetrachloroethane
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
Tetrachloroethylene
Toluene
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
1^3-Trichloropropane
m-Xylene
o-Xylene
p-Xylene
Required for Vulnerable Systems: |
l,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP)
Ethylene dibromide (EDB)
State Discretion:
I
Bromochloromethane
n-Butylbenzene
sec-Butylbenzene
tert-Burylobenzene
Dichlorodifluoromethane
Fuorotrichloromethane
Hexachlorobutadiene
Isopropylbenzene
p-Isopropyltoluene
1 ^3-Trichlorobenzenenaphthalene
n-Propylbenzene
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene
13/5-Trimethylbenzene
1,4,5-Trimethylbenzene
13
SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
Public Notification |
>• EPA promulgated new regulations for public notification on October 28,1987 (53 FR
41534).
Classification of Violations
>• Tier 1 Violations are directly related to potential adverse health effects. They include:
• Failure to comply with an MCL;
• Failure to comply with a treatment technique requirement that has been established
in lieu of an MCL, and
• Failure to comply with a schedule prescribed under a variance or exemption.
• Acute violations are tier 1 violations for contaminants which pose an immediate
threat to human health (e.g. total coliform and nitrate).
>• Tier 2 Violations do not pose a direct threat to public health; however, they are
significant enough to warrant public notice. They include:
• Failure to comply with monitoring requirements;
• Failure to use or comply with specified test procedures; and
• Issuance of variance or an exemption.
Information Included in a Public Notice
>• Each notice must contain the following:
• A dear and understandable explanation of the violation;
• Information about potential adverse health effects, including specific mandatory
language that must be provided by all systems with Tier 1 violations and by all
systems that have been issued a variance or exemption;
• Identification of the population at risk;
• An indication of the steps being taken to correct the problem;
* Information about the need for alternative water supplies, if any;
• Preventive measures to be taken until the violation is corrected;
>• Each notice must:
• Be clear and conspicuous;
• Contain unduly technical language;
• Not contain unduly small print;
• Include the phone number of the owner, operator, or designee of the public water
SySielii; cuiu
• Be multilingual, where appropriate.
SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
Ways to Issue a Public Notice
>• Public notification may be accomplished in the following ways:
Through the local electronic media;
In the local daily newspaper;
By direct mail;
In the customers' water bills;
By hand delivery; or
By continuous posting in a conspicuous place.
>• Systems serving areas that do not have a daily or weekly newspaper, must provide
notice by hand delivery or posting.
>• Public water systems must provide copies of the public notification to the state.
>• The owner or operator of the public water system is legally responsible for ensuring that
all public notice requirements are met.
Timing and Frequency of Public Notice
>• The timing of public notification is as follows:
• Within 72 hours
1. Notice by all systems via the electronic media for Tier 1 violations; or
2. Notices by non-community systems via hand delivery or posting for Tier 1 Acute
violations
• Within 14 days
1. Newspaper notices by all systems for all Tier 1 violations; or
2. Notices by non-community systems by posting or hand delivery.
• Within 45 days
1. Notices by all community water systems by direct mail, in water bills, or by hand
delivery for all Tier 1 violations.
• Within 3 months
1. Newspaper notices by all systems for Tier 2 violations; or
2. Notices by non-community systems by posting or hand delivery for Tier 2
violations.
• Repeated every 3 months
1. All notices given by all systems by direct mail or hand delivery for
both Tier 1 and Tier 2 violations.
• Continuous notice
1. All notices given by posting, for as long as the violation exists.
>• All notices must be provided within the proper time limits, even if the
problem has been corrected.
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May 17,1990
Surface Water Treatment Requirements |
>• Proposal published in Federal Register - November 3,1987 (52 FR 42178)
>• Notice of Availability, describing new regulatory options, published in the Federal
Register - May 6,1988 (53 FR 16348).
>• Final rule promulgated - June 29,1989 (54 FR 27486).
Table 9
Maximum Contaminant Level Goals
Contaminant
MCLG
Giardia Lamblia 0
Viruses 0
Legionella 0
Turbidity none
Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) none
General Requirements
>• Coverage: All public water systems using any surface water or ground water under the
direct influence of surface water must disinfect, and may be required by the state to
filter, unless certain water quality source requirements and site specific conditions are
met.
>• Treatment technique requirements are established in lieu of MCLs for Giardia, viruses,
heterotrophic plate count bacteria, Legionella and turbidity.
>• Treatment must achieve at least 99.9 percent removal and/or inactivation of Giardia
lamblia cysts and 99.99 percent removal and/or inactivation of viruses.
>• Ail systems must be operated by qualified operators as determined by the state.
Criteria to be Met to Avoid Filtration
Source Water Criteria
>• Fecal coliform concentration mustnotexceed 20/ 100ml or the total coliform concentration
must not exceed 100/IGO ml before disinfection in more than ten percent of thej
measurements for the previous six months, calculated each month.
SDWA FACT SHEET 16
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May 17,1990
Table 10
Minimum Sampling Frequencies for Total or Fecal Coliform
System size (persons) | Samples /Week
< 501 1
501-3,300 2
3,301-10,000 3
10,001-25,000 4
> 25,000 5
>• If not already conducted under the above requirements, a coliform test must be made
each day that the turbidity exceeds 1 NTU.
>• Turbidity levels must be measured every four hours by grab sample or continuous
monitoring. The turbidity level may not exceed 5 NTU. If the turbidity exceeds 5 NTU,
the system must install filtration unless the state determines that the event is unusual
or unpredictable, and the event does not occur more than twice in any one year, or five
times in any consecutive ten years. An "event" is one or more consecutive days when
at least one turbidity measurement each day exceeds 5 NTU.
Site Specific Conditions
Disinfection
>• Disinfection must achieve at least a 99.9 and 99.99 percent inactivation of Giardia cysts
and viruses, respectively. This must be demonstrated by the system meeting "CT"
values in the rule ("CT" is the product of residual concentration (mg/1) and contact time
(minutes) measured at peak hourly flow). Failure to meet this requirement on more
than one day in a month is a violation. Filtration is required if a system has two or more
violations in a year unless the state determines that the violation(s) were caused by
unusual and unpredictable circumstances; regardless of such determinations by the
state, the system must filter if there are three or more violations in a year.
>• Disinfection systems must have redundant componentsor ,if approved by the state,
automatic water delivery shut-off.
>• Disinfectant residuals in the distribution system cannot be undetectable or HPC levels
cannot be greater than 500/ml in more than five percent of the samples, each month, for
any two consecutive months. Samples must be taken at the same frequency as total
coliforms under the revised Coliform Rule. Systems in violation of this requirement
must install filtration unless the state determines that the violation is not caused by a
deficiency of treatment of the source water.
17 SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
>• Systems must maintain a disinfectant residual concentration of at least 0.2 mg/1 in the
water entering the system, demonstrated by continuous monitoring. If there is a failures
in the continuous monitoring, the system may substitute grab sample monitoring everyJ
four hours for up to five days. If the disinfectant residual falls below 0.2 mg/1, the
system must notify the state as soon as possible but no later than the end of the next
business day. If the residual is not restored to at least 0.2 mg/1 within four hours, it is
a violation and the system must filter, unless the state determines that the violation was
caused by unusual and unpredictable circumstances. Systems serving 3300 people or
less can take daily grab samples in lieu of continuous monitoring. Minimum grab
sampling frequencies are: I/day < 501 people; 2/day 501 -1000 people; 3/day 1001 -
2500 people; 4/day 2501 - 3300 people. If at any time the residual is below 0.2 mg/1, the
system must conduct grab sample monitoring every four hours until the residual is
restored.
Other Conditions
>• Systems must maintain an adequate watershed control program, as determined by the
state, which will minimize the potential for contamination by human enteric viruses
and Giardia lamblia cysts.
>• Systems must not have had any waterborne disease outbreaks, or if they have, such
systems must have been modified to prevent another such occurrence, as determined
by the state.
>• Systems must not be out of compliance with the monthly MCL for total coliforms for any
two months in any consecutive 12 month period, unless the state determines that the
violations are not due to treatment deficiency of the source water.
>• Systems serving more than 10,000 people must be in compliance with MCL requirements
for total trihalomethanes.
Criteria for Filtered Systems
Turbidity Monitoring
^ Turbiciitv must be nnessurecl e ver*7 four hours bv °Tsb sample or continuous monitorin0'.
For systems using slow sand filtration or filtration technologies other than conventional
treatment, direct filtration or diatomaceous earth filtration, the state may reduce the
sampling frequency to once per day. The state may reduce monitoring to one grab
sample per day for all systems serving less than 500 people.
SDWA FACT SHEET 18
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May 17,1990
Turbidity Removal
>• Conventional filtration or direct filtration must achieve a turbidity level in the filtered
water at all times less than 5 MTU and not more than 0.5 NTU in more than five percent
of the measurements taken each month. The state may increase the 0.5 NTU limit up to
less than 1 NTU in greater than or equal to 95 percent of the measurements, without any
demonstration by the system, if it determines that overall treatment with disinfection
achieves at least 99.9 percent and 99.99 percent removal/inactivation of Giardia cysts
and viruses, respectively.
>• Slow sand filtration must achieve a turbidity level in the filtered water at all times less
than 5 NTU and not more than 1 NTU in more than five percent of the samples taken
each month. The turbidity limit of 1 NTU may be increased by the state (but at no time
exceed 5 NTU) if it determines that there is no significant interference with disinfection.
>• Diatomaceous earth filtration must achieve a turbidity level in the filtered water at all
times less than 5 NTU and of not more than 1 NTU in more than five percent of the
samples taken each month.
>• Other filtration technologies may be used if the system demonstrates to the state that
they achieve at least 99.9 and 99.99 percent removal/inactivation of Giardia lamblia cysts
and viruses, respectively, and are approved by the state. Turbidity limits for these
technologies are the same as those for slow sand filtration, including the allowance of
increasing the turbidity limit of 1 NTU up to 5 NTU, but at no time exceeding 5 NTU
upon approval by the state.
Disinfection Requirements
>• Disinfection with filtration must achieve at least 99.9 and 99.99 percent removal/
inactivation of Giardia cysts and viruses, respectively. The states define the level of
disinfection required, depending on technology and source water quality. Disinfection
requirements for point of entry to the distribution system and within the distribution
system are the same as for unfiltered systems.
Analytical Requirements
>• Except for ozone, testing and sampling must be in accordance with Standard Methods.
16th edition, or methods approved by EPA for total coliforms, fecal coliform, turbidity,
disinfectant residuals, temperature, and pH. Residual disinfectant concentrations for
ozone must be measured by the Indigo Method or automated methods which are
calibrated in reference to the results obtained by the Indigo Method.
Reporting
>• All parameters required in the rule must be reported monthly to the state. Unfiltered
water systems must also report annually on their watershed control program and on-
site inspections.
" iSSDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
Compliance
Surface Water Systems
>• Unfiltered systems must meet monitoring requirements by December 31,1990, unless
the state has determined that filtration is required. Unfiltered systems must meet the
criteria to avoid filtration by December 31,1991, unless the state has determined that
filtration is required. Unfiltered systems must install filtration within 18 months
following the failure to meet any one of the criteria to avoid filtration, or by June 29,1993,
whichever is later.
>• Filtered systems must meet monitoring and performance requirements beginning
June 29,1993.
>• The interim turbidity monitoring and MCL requirements will remain in effect for
unfiltered systems until December 31,1991, and for filtered systems until June 29,1993.
For systems which the state determines must filter, the interim turbidity requirements
will remain in effect until June 29,1993, or until filtration is installed, whichever is later.
Ground Water Systems Under Direct Influence of Surface Water
>• All systems using ground water under direct influence of surface water must meet the
treatment requirements under the SWTR. States must determine which community^
and non-community ground water systems are under direct influence of surface wate||
by June 29,1994 and June 29,1999, respectively.
Variances
>• Variances are not applicable.
Exemptions
>• Exemptions are allowed for the requirement to filter. Systems using surface water must
disinfect (i.e., no exemptions). Exemptions are allowed for the level of disinfection
required.
ColiforM
>• Proposal was published in the Federal Register - November 3,1987 (52 FR 42224).
'^- Additional regulatory options were published in the Federal Register - Ivlay 6,1955 (53
FR 16340).
>• Final rule promulgated - June 29,1989 (54 FR 27544).
SDWA FACT SHEET
20
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May 17,1990
Effective date
>• December 31,1990
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
>• Zero
Maximtim Contaminant Level
>• Compliance is based on presence/absence of total coliforms in sample, rather than on
an estimate of coliform density.
>• MCL for systems analyzing at least 40 samples/month: no more than 5.0-percent of the
monthly samples may be total coliform-positive.
>• MCL for systems analyzing less than 40 samples/month: no more than 1 sample/
month may be total coliform-positive.
Monitoring Requirements for Total Coliforms
>• Required written sample siting plan, subject to state review and revision.
>• Monthly monitoring requirements based on population served (see Table 11).
>• A system must collect a set of repeat samples for each total coliform-positive routine
sample (see Table 12) and have it analyzed for total coliforms. The system must collect
all repeat samples within 24 hours of being notified of the original result, except where
the state waives this requirement.
>• If total coliforms are detected in any repeat sample, the system must collect another set
of repeat samples unless the MCL has been violated and the system has notified the
state.
>• Systems collecting fewer than five routine samples/month and detecting total coliforms
in any routine or repeat sample must collect five routine samples the next month the
system provides water to the public, unless the state waives this requirement.
>• Unfiltered surface water systems, or systems using unfiltered ground water under the
direct influence of surface water, must analyze one coliform sample each day the
turbidity of the source water exceeds 1 NTU.
>• Tables 11 and 12 summarize the routine and repeat sample monitoring requirements for
total coliforms.
21 SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
Table 11
Total Colif orm Sampling Requirements
According to Population Served
Minimum No. of Minimum No. of 1
Population Routine Samples Population Routine Samples
Served Per Month1 Served Per Month |
25 to 1,000 2 I3 59,001 to 70,000 70
1,001 to 2,500 2 70,001 to 83,000 80
2,501 to 3300 3 83,001 to 96,000 90
3301 to 4,100 4 96,001 to 130,000 100
4,101 to 4,900 5 130,001 to 220,000 120
4,901 to 5,800 6 220,001 to 320,000 150
5301 to 6,700 7 320,001 to 450,000 180
6,701 to 7,600 8 450,001 to 600,000 210
7,601 to 8,500 9 600,001 to 780,000 240
8,501 to 12,900 10 780,001 to 970,000 270
12,901 to 17,200 15 970,001 to 1,230,000 300
17,201 to 21,500 20 1,230,001 to 1,520,000 330
21,501 to 25,000 25 1,520,001 to 1,850,000 360
25,001 to 33,000 30 1,850,001 to 2,270,000 390
33,001 to 41,000 40 2,270,001 to 3,020,000 420
41,001 to 50,000 50 3,020,001 to 3,960,000 450
50,001 to 59,000 60 3,960,001 or more 480
1 In lieu of the frequency specified, a Non-CommunityWater System (NCWS) using
ground water and serving 1,000 persons or fewer may monitor at a lesser frequency
specified by the state until a sanitary survey is conducted and reviewed by the state.
Thereafter, NCWSs using ground water and serving 1000 persons or fewer must
monitor in each calendar quarter during which the system provides water to the public,
unless the state determines that some other frequency is more appropriate and notifies
the system (in writing). Five years after promulgation, NCWSs using ground water and
serving 1,000 persons or fewer must monitor at least once/year.
A NCWS using surface water, or ground water under the direct influence of surface
water, regardless of the number of persons served, must monitor at the same frequency
as a like-sized Community Water System (CWS). A NCWS using ground water and
serving more than 1,000 persons during any month roust monitor at the same frequency
as a like-sized CWS, except that the state may reduce the monitoring frequency for any
month the system serves 1,000 persons or fewer.
Includes public water systems which have at least 15 service connections, but serve
fewer than 25 persons.
For a CWS serving 25-1 .,000 persons, the state may reduce this sampling frequency, if a
sanitary survey conducted in the last five years indicates that the water system is
supplied solely by a protected ground-water source and is free of sanitary defects.
However, in no case may the state reduce the frequency to less than once/quarter.
SDWA FACT SHEET
22
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May 17,1990
Table 12
Monitoring and Repeat Sample Frequency
After a Total Coliform-Positive Routine Sample
No. Routine
Samples/Month
No. Repeat
Samples1
No. Routine
Samples Next Month2
1/mo or fewer 4 5/mo
2/mo 3 5/mo
3/mo 3 5/mo
4/mo 3 5/mo
5/mo or greater 3 Table 11
1 Number of repeat samples in the same month for each total coliform-positive
routine sample.
2 Except where state has invalidated the original routine sample, or where state
substitutes an on-site evaluation of the problem, or where the state waives the
requirement on a case-by-case basis.
flnvalidation of Total Colif orm Positive Samples
>• All total coliform-positive samples count in compliance calculations, except for those
samples which are invalidated by the state. Invalidated samples do not count toward
the minimum monitoring frequency.
>• A state may invalidate a sample only if: (1) the analytical laboratory acknowledges that
improper sample analysis caused the positive result; (2) the system determines that the
contamination is a domestic or other non-distribution system plumbing problem; or (3)
the state has substantial grounds to believe that a total coliform-positive result is due to
some circumstance or condition not related to the quality of drinking water in the
distribution system, if (a) this judgment is explained in writing, (b) the document is
signed by the supervisor of the state official who draws this conclusion, and (c) the
documentation is made available to EPA and the public.
Variances and Exemptions: none allowed
Sanitary Surveys
>• Periodic sanitary surveys are required for all systems collecting fewer than five samples
/month, according to the schedule in Table 13.
23 SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
Table 13
Sanitary Survey Frequency for Public Water
Systems Collecting Fewer Than Five Samples/Month
Initial Survey Frequency of
System Type Completed Subsequent Surveys
Community water 5 years after promulgation every 5 years
system
Non-community water 10 years after promulgation every 5 years*
system
* For a non-community water system which uses protected and disinfected ground
water, the sanitary survey may be repeated every ten years instead of every five years.
Fecal coliforms/E. coli; Heterotrophic Bacteria (HFC)
>• If any routine or repeat sample is total coliform-positive, the system must also analyze
that total coliform-positive culture to determine if fecal coliforms or E. Coli are present.
If fecal coliforms or E. coli are detected, the system must notify the state before the end
of the same business day, or, if detected after the dose of business for the state, by the
end of the next business day.
>• If any repeat sample is fecal coliform- or E. co/i-positive, or if a fecal coliform- or E. coli-
positive original sample is followed by a total coliform-positive repeat sample, and the
original total coliform-positive sample is not invalidated, it is an acute violation of the
MCL for total coliforms.
>• The state has the discretion to allow a water system, on a case-by-case basis, to forgo
fecal coliform or E. coli testing on total coliform-positive samples, if the system complies
with all sections of the rule that apply when a sample is fecal coliform-positive.
>• State invalidation of the routine total coliform-positive sample invalidates subsequent
fecal coliform or E. co//-positive results on the same sample.
>• Heterotrophic bacteria can interfere with total coliform analysis. Therefore, if the total
coliform sample produces: (1) a turbid culture in the absence of gas production using
the Multiple Tube Fermentation (MTF) Technique; (2) a turbid culture in the absence of
an acid reaction using the Presence-Absence (P-A) Coliform Test; or (3) confluent
growth or a colony number that is "too numerous to count" using the Membrane Filter
(MF) Technique, the sample is invalid (unless total coliforms are detected, in which case
the sample is valid). The system must collect another sample within 24 hours of being
notified of the result from the same location as the original sample and have it analyzed
for total coliforms.
SDWA FACT SHEET 24 **
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May 17,1990
Analytical Methodology
>• Total coliform analyses are to be conducted using the 10-tube MTF Technique, the MF
Technique, the P-A Coliform Test, or the Minimal Media ONPG-MUG Test (Autoanalysis
Colilert System). The system may also use the 5-tube MTF Technique (20-ml sample
portions) or a single culture bottle containing the MTF medium, as long as a 100-ml
water sample is used in the analysis.
>• A 100-ml standard sample volume must be used in analyzing for total coliforms,
regardless of the analytical method used.
25 SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
STATUS: PROPOSED NATIONAL PRIMARY
DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS
Lead and Copper
>- ANPRM - October 5,1983 (48 FR 45502)
>- Proposed MCLGs - November 13,1985 (50 FR 46936)
>• Reproposed MCLGs and proposed MCLs and treatment technique requirements
August 18,1988. (53 FR 31516)
>• Final rule expected - December 1990.
Proposed MCLGs and MCLs
>• MCLs measured as water enters the distribution system, after any treatment.
Chemical
Lead
Copper
Table 14
MCLGs and MCLs for Lead and Copper
Existing MCL Proposed MCLG
0.05 mg/1 0
* 1.3 mg/1
Proposed MCL
0.005 mg/1
1.3 mg/1
* A secondary standard of 1 mg/1 is currently in effect.
Proposed Treatment Technique
>• Corrosion control treatment to minimize leadand copper at the tap and public education.
Corrosion Control Triggered When:
>• Average lead level in targeted samples exceeds 0.010 mg/1 (measured at the tap for
water standing between eight and 18 hours or,
>• pH in more than 5% of samples is less than 8.0 or,
>• Copper in more than 5% of samples exceeds 1.3 mg/1.
Public Education Triggered When:
>• Lead level average exceeds .010 mg/1 or,
>• Lead levels in more than 5% of targeted samples exceed 0.020 mg/1.
SDWA FACT SHEET 26
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May 17,1990
Phase II - 38 Inorganic and Synthetic Organic Chemicals |
>* ANPRM - October 5,1983 (48 FR 45502)
>* Proposed MCLGs- November 13,1985 (50 FR 46936)
>• Reproposed MCLGs, proposed MCLs and monitoring requirements- May 22,1989
(54 FR 22062)
>• Close of public comment period - August 21,1989
>• Projected promulgation - December 1990.
Summary of the Proposed Rulemaking
>• The May 1989 proposed rulemaking requests comments on MCLGs and MCLs for 30
Synthetic Organic Chemicals (SOCs) and eight Inorganic Chemicals (lOCs) (Table 15).
The proposed rulemaking also includes monitoring, reporting, and public notification
requirements for the SOCs and ICCs. For two contaminants, epichlorohydrin and
acrylamide, EPA proposes a treatment technique requirement in lieu of an MCL and
monitoring requirements. In addition, the Notice also proposes BAT upon which the
MCLs are based and BAT for the purpose of issuing variances. Lastly, the proposal
contains SMCLs for nine contaminants and monitoring requirements for approximately
110 additional "unregulated" contaminants. Upon publication of final regulations, the
new monitoring requirements would be effective within 30 days; the MCLs and MCLGs
would be effective 18 months after final publication.
Monitoring Requirements
Inorganics
Barium, Cadmium, Chromium,Mercury, Selenium
>• Currently, all community ground water systems must monitor for inorganic
contaminants every three years. Surface water systems must monitor annually. EPA
proposes to retain these basic requirements. The major changes EPA proposes to the
current requirements are to expand the requirements to non-transient systems and to
allow monitoring at up to ten-year intervals after the system completes three rounds of
sampling which show that the water consistently meets the MCLs.
Nitrate/Nitrite
>• Under present EPA regulations, all community ground water systems must monitor for
nitrate every three years; community surface water systems must monitor annually.
Non-transient and transient systems must monitor at the discretion of the state.
"27 SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
>• Because nitrate/nitrite contamination is associated with an acute health effect
(methemoglobinemia), EPA proposes to increase the monitoring frequency for
community and Non-Transient Non-Community (NTNC) systems to monitor annually
for ground water systems and quarterly for surface water systems. Community ana
NTNC ground water systems must monitor quarterly if four consecutive samples are
greater than 50% of the MCL (5 mg/L for nitrate or 0.5 mg/L for nitrite); a community
or NTNC surface water system may decrease its monitoring frequency to annually if
four consecutive samples are less man 50% of the MCL. Transient non-community
ground water systems must monitor every three years; those served by surface water
must monitor once every year. All water systems must monitor at the time of highest
vulnerability.
Asbestos
>• EPA proposes to require community and non-transient systems to monitor for asbestos,
if a state vulnerability assessment determines that the system is vulnerable to
contamination from the water source or corrosion of asbestos-cement pipe. Vulnerable
systems have five years after the rules are promulgated to complete the initial monitoring.
Vulnerable surface water systems must take repeat samples annually; ground water
systems must take repeat samples every three years. Non-vulnerable systems are not
required to monitor.
Volatile Organics
>• EPAestablishedmonitoringrequirementsforeightsolventsinl987. These requirement^
require community and non-transient systems to monitor quarterly for one year.
Repeat sampling frequency requirements depend on detection of contaminants and the
results of a vulnerability assessment. The May 1989 proposal would add 10 additional
contaminants to the list of eight solvents previously regulated by EPA in 1987.
Pesticides / Herbicides / PCBs
>• Currently, community surface water systems must monitor every three years for six
pesticides; pesticide monitoring for ground water systems is at state discretion. EPA
proposes new monitoring requirements for 5 currently regulated and 13 additional
pestiddes/herbitides/PCBs (endrin, which is currently regulated, is not included in
the May proposal). Community and non-transient water systems must monitor if the
state determines they are vulnerable to contamination based upon an assessment.
Systems found "not vulnerable" are not required to monitor. Systems determined as
vulnerable must monitor quarterly for one year. Each sample must be taken at the time
of the quarter the system is most vulnerable. Repeat sampling frequencies vary based
on system size and whether pesticides/herbicides/PCBs are detected.
Water Treatment Chemicals
>• Acrylamide and epichlorohydrin are primarily used in flocculants during watel
treatment to decrease turbidity. EPA proposes treatment technique requirements that
limit the concentration of acrylamide and epichlorohydrin in polymers and the dose.
Systems must annually certify to the state that the required levels are met.
SDWA FACT SHEET 28
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May 17,1990
Unregulated Contaminants
>• EPA proposes to establish two priority lists of contaminants. Monitoring for the 29
priority #1 contaminants is dependent upon a state vulnerability assessment. Monitoring
for the 84 priority #2 contaminants is at state discretion.
Best Available Technology
>• EPA has identified BAT to remove each contaminant listed. Table 16 lists the proposed
BAT for each contaminant. Systems can use BAT to comply with the MCLs and/or
qualify for a variance.
Variances and Exemptions
>• A state with primary enforcement authority may issue a variance if it determines that
a system cannot comply with an MCL despite application of BAT. EPA or a state may
not issue a variance or exemption if an unreasonable risk to health exists. EPA will at
a later date provide guidance on how to determine the unreasonable risk to health levels
for each contaminant. Before granting a variance or exemption, EPA or the state can
require public water systems to provide POU devices, bottled water, or other means to
reduce exposure below Unreasonable-Risk-To-Health (URTH) values.
State Implementation
>• The proposal describes the regulations and other procedures/policies the states must
adopt to implement the proposed rule. These include:
State Primacy Requirements
>• Vulnerability assessment procedures.
>• Procedures to reduce system monitoring frequencies.
State Recordkeeping Requirements
>• Vulnerability assessments.
>• Asbestos and unregulated contaminant determinations.
>• Acrylamide and epichlorohydrin certifications.
>• Reduced monitoring frequency determinations.
>• Letters from small systems available for monitoring.
29 SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
State Reporting Requirements
>- List of systems which have:
(1) a vulnerability assessment,
(2) the state reduced monitoring frequencies,
(3) certified compliance with acrylamide andepichlorohydrin, and
(4) systems available for monitoring.
>• Results of unregulated contaminant monitoring.
Table 15
Proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
for 38 Inorganic and Synthetic Organic Contaminants
Contaminant
Prop. MCLG
(mg/1)
Current MCL
(mg/1)
Prop. MCL
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May 17,1990
Table 15 (Cont'd)
Proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
for 38 Inorganic and Synthetic Organic Contaminants
Contaminant Prop.. MCLG
(mg/1)
Pesticides / PCBS
Alachlor 0
Aldicarb 0.01
Aldicaib sulfoxide 0.01
Aldicarb sulfone 0.04
Atrazine 0.003
Carbofuran 0.04
Chlordane 0
2/4-D 0.07
Dibromochloropropane 0
Ethylene dibromide 0
Heptachlor 0
Heptachlor epoxide 0
ILindane 0.0002
Methoxychlor 0.4
PCBs 0
Pentachlorophenol 0.2
Toxaphene 0
2,4,5-TP (Silvex) 0.05
Water Treatment Chemicals
Acrylamide 0
Epichlorohydrin 0
Current MCL
(mg/1)
„_
—
—
—
—
—
—
0.1
0.004
0.1
0.005
0.01
—
1 MFL = Million Fibers per Liter longer than 10 um
2 The MCLG and MCL for total nitrate and nitrite is 10 mg/1
3 Deleted as primary regulation; proposed as secondary
4 TT = treatment technique requirement
Prop. MCL
(mg/D
0.002
0.01
0.01
0.04
0.003
0.04
0.002
0.07
0.0002
0.00005
0.0004
0.0002
0.0002
0.4
0.0005
0.2
0.005
0.05
TT4
TT*
(asN)
vx
31
SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
Table 16
Proposed Best Available Technologies (BAT) for 38
Inorganic and Synthetic Organic Contaminants
Contaminant
Proposed BAT
Inorganics
Asbestos
Barium
Cadmium
Chromium
Mercury
Nitrate
Nitrite
Selenium
C/F; DF; DMF; CC
IE; LS; RO
IE; RO; C/F; LS
C/F; IE; LS; RO
GAC; LS; C/F; RO; PAC
IE;RO
IE;RO
AA; LS; C/F; RO
(Note: C/F and LS not proposed for small systems serving 500 or fewer people.)
Volatile Organics
All VOCs PTA; GAC
Pesticides / PCBs
All Pesticides / PCBs
Water Treatment Chemicals
Acrylamide
Epichlorohydrin
Best Available Technology Key:
AA = Activated Alumina
CC = Corrosion Control
C/F = Coagulation / Filtration
DF =Direct Filtration
DMF = Diatomite Filtration
AC = Granular Activated Carbon
GAC
PAP
PAP
IE = Ion Exchange
LS = Lime Softening
PAC = Powdered Activated Carbon
PAP = Polymer Addition Practices
PTA = Packed Tower Aeration
RO = Reverse Osmosis
SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations
>• In addition to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations proposed for the 38
lOCs and SOCs on May 22,1989, nine National Secondary Drinking Water
Regulations were proposed.
>• Table 17 lists the SMCLs proposed on May 22,1989.
Table 17
Proposed SMCLs
Contaminant
Level
(mg/1)
Aluminum
o-Dichlorobenzene
p-Dichlorobenzene
Ethylbenzene
Pentachlorophenol
Silver
Styrene
Toluene
Xylene
0.05
0.01
0.005
0.03
0.03
0.09
0.01
0.04
0.02
33
SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
SCHEDULED NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER
REGULATIONS (To be proposed)
Phase V: 24 Inorganic and Synthetic Organic Chemicals
>• The publication of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register is presently
scheduled for June 1990.
Table 18
Tentative MCLGs, MCLs and Carcinogenicity
: Classifications
Contaminant
Inorganic Chemicals
Antimony
Beryllium
Cyanide
Nickel
Sulfate
Thallium
MCLG MCL
(mg/D (mg/I)
0.003 0.01/0.005*
0 0.001
0.2 0.2
0:1 o.i
400/500 400/500
0.0005 0.002/0.001*
* EPA proposes two MCLs based upon PQLs of five
times the MDL
Carcinogenicity
Classification
D
B2
D
D**
D
D
times the MDL or ten
** EPA has classified nickel in Group A, human carcinogen, based upon
inhalation data. However, EPA is regulating nickel for drinking water
purposes as if it were in Group D, since there is no evidence of cancer from
ingestion exposure.
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Table 18 Cont'd
Contaminant
Organic Chemicals
Dalapon
Di(ethylhexyl)adipate
Di(ethylhexyl)phthalate
Dichloromethane
Dinoseb
Diquat
Endothall
Endrin
Glyphosate
Hexachlorobenzene
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
Oxamyl (vydate)
PAHs [Benzo(a)pyrene]
Pidoram
Simazine
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
2,3,7,8-TCDD
MCLG
(mg/1)
0.2
0.5
0
0
0.007
0.02
0.1
0.002
0.7
0
0.05
0.2
0***
0.5
0.001
0.009
0.003
0
MCL Carcinogenicity
(mg/1) Classification
0.2 D
0.5 C
0.004 B2
0.005 B2
0.007 D
0.02 D
0.1 D
0.002 D
0.7 D
0.001 B2
0.05 D
0.2 E
0.0002 B2
0.5 D
0.001 C
0.009 D
0.005 C
5 x 10-8 B2
*** EPA also proposes establishment of MCLGs and MCLs for six additional PAHs
classified as B2, probable human carcinogens: benz(a)anthracene,
benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, chrysene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene,
and indenopyrene.
Radionuclides
>• The publication of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register is presently
scheduled for February 1991.
Scope
The NPRM is expected to propose MCLGs, MCLs, BATs for setting MCLs and as
conditions for receiving variances, other criteria for receiving variances and exemptions,
and monitoring requirements for the following radioactive analy tes; radon-222, radium-
226, radium-228, natural uranium, and beta particle and photon emitters. The proposal
will also consider an MCL for alpha emitters and the measurement of gross alpha as a
screening level for the regulated alpha emitters.
vx
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MCLGs: Health Effects
>• All radionuclides considered in this proposal have been determined to be Group A,
known human carcinogens. Therefore, the MCLG for each radionuclide will be
proposed as zero. For uranium, the non-cancer endpoints of toxicity are also of concern.
>• Natural uranium (non-cancer effects) — Based on physiological parameters for adults,
ODW has estimated that a level of 40 pCi/L is protective of uranium's chemotoxic
effects to the kidney. Physiological parameters for children might be used to derive a
value of 20 pCi/L. This issue is not yet resolved.
>• Radon-222(cancer effects) — Quantitative estimates of the lung cancer risks from radon
volatilized from drinking water were derived from the BIER IV and IRCP 50 reports.
The 10"6 and 10"4 lifetime risk range of 2 to 200 pCi/L represents the arithmetic mean of
adjusted BIER IV and ICRP 50 estimates. Risk of stomach tumors from ingestion of
radon are expected to be much lower than the risk from inhaled radon and are not
included in this risk estimate. An estimate of stomach cancer risk is being generated.
>• Uranium and radium(cancer effects) — Quantitive estimates of the lifetime risks from
exposure to these elements are derived using the Radrisk model, a modification of the
ICRP methodology. The 104 levels for the different isotopes of these elements are
similar, ranging from 20 to40 pCi/L. The BIER IV committee derived similar cancer risk
estimates for these elements based on the increased incidence of cancer among radium
workers.
>• Beta (cancer effects) — No major changes from the ANPRM (51 FR 34836), September
30, 1986) are expected in the cancer risk estimates for beta and photon emitters. In late
1989, the BIER V committee is expected to publish a report reevaluating the atom bomb
survivor data. Adjustment to the cancer estimates may then be appropriate.
MCLs
>• Radon — The Agency is considering options that fall in the range of 200 to 2000 pCi/
L (water). This range is equivalent to 0.02 to 0.2 pCi/L (air), assuming a transfer ratio
of 10,000:1 from all of the water in the house (i.e., showers, laundry, etc).
>• Radium-226 and radium-228 — A separate MCL may be proposed for each of these
isotopes. For each isotope, MCLs under consideration range from 2-20 pCi/L.
>• Uranium — The range of MCL options under consideration is 5 to 40 pCi /L. The mass
to activity conversion factor in drinking water may be 1.3 ug/pCi, based on isotopic
concentrations of natural uranium in drinking water.
>• Beta particle and photon emitters — Concentrations equal to the risk posed by 4 mreml
effective dose equivalent will most likely be proposed again with a request for
comment.
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May 17,1990
>• Gross alpha — The Agency is assessing the value of a total alpha MCL and the use of
a gross alpha measurement as a monitoring screen for regulated alphas. Some analysis
indicates that the current analytical method for gross alpha is not a good indicator of the
activity level of the total alphas and that this method does not give an acceptable
correlation between gross alpha and the regulated alpha emitters. The Agency is
investigating another method for gross alpha measurement and may take comments on
the use of gross alpha at proposal.
Monitoring
>• Compliance likely will be proposed to be determined on quarterly samples taken over
one year. The primacy state, with concurrence from the EPA region, may allow
monitoring data collected within the last three years and that meet specific precision
and accuracy requirements to substitute for quarterly samples.
Vulnerability
>• States would determine monitoring requirements for beta particle and photon emitters
based on vulnerability. Factors thatshould be considered are: 1) proximity to radioactive
waste sites, underground testing, and facilities involved with radionudides (e.g.,
nuclear power plant and other reactors); or 2) whether discharge monitoring information
is provided.
t Available Technologies for MCLs
>• Radon: Aeration (GAC)
>• Radium-226: Cation exchange; lime softening; reverse osmosis
>• Radium-228: Cation exchange; lime softening; reverse osmosis
>• Uranium: Coagulation/filtration; reverse osmosis; anion exchange; lime softening
>• Betas: Reverse osmosis; ion exchange (mixed bed)
Best Available Technologies for Variances
>• Reverse osmosis and ion exchange are likely to be BAT for uranium and radium for
small systems. Coagulation/filtration and lime softening may be excluded as BATs for
variances, due to feasibility considerations for small systems. Aeration will be BAT for
radon for small systems.
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May 17,1990
Analytical Methods
>• Radon: Liquid Scintillation Counting; Lucas Cell Method.
>• Radium-226: Alpha Emitting Radium Isotopes in Drinking Water (Method
903.0);Radium-226 by Radon Emanation (Method 903.1); Radium-226(Method 305);Total
Radium (Method 304).*
>• Radium-228: Liquid Scintillation Counting(Method 904.1).**
>• Uranium: Radiochemical Method 908; Fluorometric Method 908.1.
>• Betas: Gross Alpha and Gross Beta Activity in Drinking Water (Method 900),-Gross Beta
Particle Activity(Method D-1890).
>• Gross alpha: Gross Alpha in Drinking Water by Co-precipitation.
* Methods presently under review.
** It has not yet been determined if this method will be proposed; method presently under
review.
Disinfectants and Disinfection By-Products
>• In 1979 EPA established an interim primary MCL for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
of 0.1 mg/1 (44 FR 68624; November 29,1979).
>• Total THMs include chloroform, bromoform, bromodichloromethane and
dibromochloromethane.
>• EPA is preparing a disinfection treatment rule for ground waters and a rule for
disinfectants and disinfection by-products. Proposal is planned for 1991. Promulgation
is planned for 1992.
>• Disinfectants and by-products were included on the Drinking Water Priority List (53 FR
1892); January 22,1988.
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May 17,1990
>• A preliminary concept paper was presented at a public meeting on December 4,1989.
The key points of the preliminary concept paper are as follows:
A) MCLs for the following:
1. Lead option:
a. Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
b. Haloacetic acids
c. Chlorine dioxide, chlorite, chlorate
d. Chlorine and chloramine
2. Potential add-ons:
a. Chloropicrin
b. Cyanogen chloride
c. Hydrogen peroxide, bromate, iodate
d. Formaldehyde
B) Set treatment technique requirements or provide guidance for the following:
1. MX (as a surrogate for mutagenicity).
2. Total oxidizing substances (as a surrogate for organic peroxides and epoxides).
3. Assimillable Organic Carbon (AOC) (as a surrogate for microbiological quality
of oxidized waters).
C) Require monitoring:
1. Segmented by the treatment process used (see Table 19).
2. Reduce monitoring requirements to one per quarter at system discretion; one
per year at state discretion based on system history.
D) List Best Available Technologies:
1. Precursor removal (50% removal of TTHM-formation potential) using:
a. Conventional treatment modifications.
b. Granular Activated Carbon up to 30 minutes empty bed contact time and
3 months regeneration.
c. GAC is not universally feasible due to water quality conditions.
d. Membranes may not be BAT due to lack of full-scale experience.
39 SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
2. Alternate oxidants:
a. Assuming MCLG values are met for disinfectants.
b. Chlorine dioxide and chlorite residue removal and chloramines.
c. Ozone plus chloramines.
d. TTHM MCL of 25 ug/1 is lowest that allows continued use of free chlorine.
3. By-product removal:
a. Aeration (maybe for some).
b. GAC adsorption (not for most chlorination by-products; ozone unknown).
c. Reducing agents for MX, total oxidizing substances, possibly chloropicrin
and cynaogen chloride.
d. Reducing agents or free chlorine for hydrogen peroxide.
e. Bromate and iodate — uncertain.
f. Caveat ozone use with possible future need for post-GAC treatment for
controlling AOC or removal of other by-products by adsorption.
E) Lead options are:
1. MCLs for TTHMs of 50 ug/L or 25 ug/L.
2. Other MCLs based on analyses of feasibility similar to TTHMs.
Table 19
Monitoring Requirements
Treatment Process
Monitoring Parameters
Chlorination
TTHMs Chloropicrin (?)
Haloacetic Acids Cyanogen Chloride (?)
Total Organic Halides (?) Total Oxidizing Substances (?)
Total Chlorine Residual
Chloramination
Chlorine Dioxide
Ozonation
TTHMs (?)
Chloropicrin (?)
Chlorite
Chlorine Dioxide (?)
Formaldehyde (?)
Iodate (?)
Hydrogen Peroxide (?)
Cyanogen Chloride (?)
Total Chloramine Residual (?)
Total Oxidizing Substances (?)
Chlorate
Bromate (?)
Total Oxidizing Substances (?)
SDWA FACT SHEET
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May 17,1990
Table 20
Summary of
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
(as of May 1990)
Contaminant
Microbiological Contaminants
Coliforms (total)
Giardia Lamblia
HPC
Legionella
Virus
Turbidity
Inorganic Contaminants
1 Arsenic
Barium
Cadmium
Chromium
Fluoride
Lead
Mercury
Nitrate
Selenium
Silver
MCLG1
0
0
—
0
0
—
^_
—
—
—
4.0
—
I
—
~
MCL1
1/100 ml2
TT3
TT3
TT3
TT3
1-5 NTU4
0.05
1
0.010
0.05
4.0
0.05
0.002
10
0.01
0.05
1 In milligrams per liter (mg/1) unless otherwise noted.
2 Revised regulations will be based on presence /absence concept rather than
an estimate of coliform density: effective December 1990.
3 TT_ Treatment Technique requirements established in lieu of MCLs: effective
beginning December 1990.
4 Revised regulations will establish treatment technique requirements rather
than an MCL for turbidity: effective beginning December 1990.
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Table 20 Cont'd
Contaminant
MCLGJ
MCL1
Organic Contaminants
2,4-D
Endrin
Lindane
Methoxychlor
2,4,5-TP Silvex
Benzene
Carbon tetrachloride
P-Dichlorobenzene
1,2-Dichloroethane
1,1-Dichloroethylene
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
Trichloroethylene
Vinyl chloride
Total trihalomethanes
(Chloroform, Bromoform,
Bromodichloromethane,
Dibromochloromethane)
Radionuclides
Gross alpha particle activity
Gross beta particle activity
Radium 226 and 228 (total)
0
0
0.075
0
0.007
0.20
0
0
0.1
0.0002
0.004
0.1
0.01
0.005
0.005
0.075
0.005
0.007
0.20
0.005
0.002
0.10
15 pCi/1
4 mrem/yr
5 pCi/1
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NATIONAL SECONDARY DRINKING WATER
REGULATIONS
>• Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCLs) are Federally non-enforceable and
establish limits for contaminants in drinking water which may affect the aesthetic
qualities and the public's acceptance of drinking water (e.g. taste and odor).
Table 21
SMCLs
Contaminant
Level
chloride
color
copper
corrosivity
fluoride
foaming agents
iron
manganese
odor
sulfate
total dissolved solids (TDS)
zinc
250 mg/1
15 color units
lmg/1
non-corrosive
2.0 mg/1
0.5 mg/1
0.3 mg/1
0.05 mg/1
3 threshold odor number
6.5-8.5
250 mg/1
500 mg/1
5 mg/1
>• These levels represent reasonable goals for drinking water quality. The states may
establish higher or lower levels, which may be appropriate dependent upon local
conditions such as unavailability of alternate source waters or other compelling factors,
and public health and welfare not being adversely affected.
>• It is recommended that systems monitor for these contaminants every three years. More
frequent monitoring for contaminants such as pH, color, odor or others may be
appropriate under certain circumstances.
>• Nine SMCLs were proposed with the 38 inorganic and synthetic organic chemicals on
May 22,1989 (see page 33). Other secondary regulations may be proposed in the future,
as appropriate.
^ ^
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