SAFE
DRINKING .
WATER H*TLINE
FY 2008
3rd Quarter
Report
Water Lines
SOW Hotline Report
In This Issue
What's New..
Did You Know.
Quarterly Trend.
Frequently Asked Qs & As..
Hotline Stats.
Appendix A.
Top Ten Caller Topics
... , Percent of
Topic Dumber of Total-
Questions Quesfons
CCR
Local Drinking Water
Quality
Tap Water Testing
Other
Home Water
Treatment Units
MCL List
Lead
Cryptosporidium
PWS Complaints
Bottled Water
849
642
451
344
305
301
276
230
204
190
14%
11%
8%
6%
5%
5%
5%
4%
3%
3%
'A total of 5,899 questions from callers were
answered by the Hotline in the 3rd Quarter of
FY2008.
"Citizens who obtain their drinking water from
private household wells asked 10 percent of the
tap water testing questions.
Calls and ECSS Questions and
Comments
Calls***
2,850
ECSS Questions****
204
Total
3,054
'"A single call may generate multiple
questions.
**** Questions registered through EPA's
Enterprise Customer Service Solution
know/edge base at the OGWDW Web site.
Published Quarterly
See past reports at
http://intranet.epa.gov/ow/hotline
Safe Drinking Water Hotline: National
Toll-free No.: (800) 426-4791
For More Information Contact:
Harriet Hubbard, EPA Project Officer
(202) 564-4621
Operated by
The Track Group / Booz Allen Hamilton
Under Contract #GS-23F-0135N/1140
What's New
New Publications/Resources:
Getting Started with CUPPS: A Workbook for Users (EPA816-R-08-005) is
available at www.epa.gov/safewater/cupss/pdf/workbook cupss getstarted.pdf.
CUPPS User's Guide (EPA816-R-08-003) is available at
www.epa.gov/safewater/cupss/pdf/guide cupss user.pdf.
CUPPS Trainer's Guide (EPA816-R-08-004) is available at
www.epa.gov/safewater/cupss/pdf/guide cupss trainers.pdf.
Asset Management: A Best Practices Guide (EPA816-F-08-014) is available at
www.epa.gov/safewater/smallsystems/pdfs/guide smallsystems assetmanageme
nt bestpractices.pdf.
Asset Management for Local Officials (EPA816-F-08-015) is available at
www.epa.gov/safewater/smallsystems/pdfs/guide smallsystems assetmanageme
nt localofficials.pdf.
Building an Asset Management Team (EPA816-F-08-016) is available at
www.epa.gov/safewater/smallsystems/pdfs/guide smallsystems assetmanageme
nt teammanagement.pdf.
Supplement to the Fifth Edition of the Manual for the Certification of Laboratories
Analyzing Drinking l/l/afe/-(EPA815-F-08-006) is available at
www.epa.gov/safewater/methods/laboratorycertification.html.
Draft Technical Guidance Manual for the Proposed Aircraft Drinking Water Rule
(EPA816-D-08-003) is available atwww.epa.gov/safewater/airlinewater/regs.html.
Did You Know?
EPA estimates that approximately 10,000 schools and child care facilities
maintain their own water supply and are therefore regulated under the
Safe Drinking Water Act.
-------
3rd Quarter FY 2008
Calendar:
Who?
EPA
EPA
NDWAC
EPA
EPA
DWA
What?
Meeting of the Total Coliform
Rule Distribution System
Advisory Committee
Meeting of the Total Coliform
Rule Distribution System
Advisory Committee
Public Meeting
Meeting of the Total Coliform
Rule Distribution System
Advisory Committee
Drinking Water Security
Workshops
SOW Regulatory Compliance
Training
Where?
Conference Call
Washington, DC
Tucson, AZ
Washington, DC
Various
Various
When?
July 18, 2008
June 18 and 19,
2008
June 3 and 4,
2008
May 2 land 22,
2008
On-going
On-going
More Information
www . epa. gov/safe water/
security
www .epa. gov/safe water/
dwa/calendar.html
Quarterly Trend
Safe Drinking Water Hotline Call Volume
8000 n
7000
in 6000
2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter
2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008
Time Period
-Calls Received During Operating Hours
-Calls Answered
-Calls Received During Closed Hours
The above graph shows the number of calls received during operating hours, the number of calls received during
closed hours, and the number of calls answered by Hotline Information Specialists. The Hotline generally
receives the most calls during the 3rd quarter of every fiscal year (April, May, June) as Consumer Confidence
Reports begin to arrive at consumer homes. The 3r quarter of 2008 continues this trend. As in every quarter, the
difference in the number of calls received during operating hours and the calls answered by Information
Specialists can be attributed to several reasons. Many callers choose to disconnect the call, while others receive
the information they need from one of the phone system messages, thus never speaking with an Information
Specialist. Others may have elected to be transferred directly to the Water Systems Council (WSC). During the
3rd Quarter of 2008, 739 callers chose to be transferred directly to the WSC and phone tree messages were
listened to over 2,600 times.
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report 2
-------
3rd Quarter FY 2008
Safe Drinking Water ECSS Interface Sessions
,. en nnn .
o
•— <>n nnn .
(0
S. An nnn -
fr
in nnn -
-------
3rd Quarter FY 2008
This section provides answers to frequently asked
questions not necessarily represented in one of the Top
Ten Topic categories.
Q: Does EPA have a program to simplify the process of
preparing a Public Notification (PN)?
A: To assist water systems in developing a PN, EPA
has developed the PN iWriter program, which allows
water systems to input data and generate Public
Notifications that are compliant with federal regulations.
The tool also allows the user to insert and edit EPA
recommended text. The PN iWriter is a web-based tool
and is intended for use by those systems with internet
access. There is no CD available. PN iWriter is
available at www.pniwriter.org.
Q: What distance does EPA recommend between a
household drinking water well and a septic system?
A: Due to the presence of nitrates and bacteria in septic
tanks, EPA recommends a distance of at least 50 feet
between a newly constructed well and a septic system.
In addition, household owners should contact local and
state health departments for regulations and guidance
on placement and construction of private wells (Drinking
Water from Household Wells, EPA816-K-02-003,
January 2002). Additional information on household
wells is available at
www.epa.gov/safewater/privatewells.
Q: How is the drinking water aboard cruise ships
regulated?
A: Cruise ships operating under the American flag using
domestic waters must comply with federal drinking water
regulations and, if pertinent, state drinking water
regulations. These vessels are considered interstate
carrier conveyances comparable to airlines or railroads.
Cruise ships that sail in international waters are under
the purview of the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program.
Information about the Vessel Sanitation Program is
available at www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/default.htm.
(Note: This guidance was provided by Harriet Hubbard, EPA)
Q: What is the Check Up Program for Small Systems
(CUPSS)?
A: CUPSS is a free desktop program developed by
EPA to facilitate and prioritize asset management for
small systems. The user-friendly desktop program
requires no internet connection and minimal software.
Water systems can use the CUPSS program to integrate
asset management activities into utility practices.
CUPSS and resources for using the program are
available at www.epa.gov/cupss.
Q: During a boil water advisory, the Center for Disease
Control (CDC) Web site recommends cleaning and
sanitizing food preparation equipment, tableware, and
utensils with commercially-bottled water, water hauled
from an approved public water system, water from a
licensed drinking water hauler truck, or water that has
been disinfected for Cryptosporidium through boiling. If
tableware has been washed with water contaminated
with Cryptosporidium, can the tableware then be
microwaved to ensure deactivation of the microorganism
that may be left on the tableware?
A: The research on microwave effectiveness for
inactivating Cryptosporidium is inconclusive; however,
more studies show that it is ineffective. It is
recommended to follow the CDC tableware cleaning
guidelines, which include washing dishes with boiled
water.
(Note: This guidance was provided by Sean Conley, EPA)
Q: During a boil water advisory or other disaster that
may cause tap water to be unsafe to drink, can water
from a swimming pool or water bed be used for drinking?
A: Water from swimming pools and water beds should
not be for drinking because it may contain harmful
contaminants. Sources of water than can be used in
emergencies include bottled water, ice cubes, rainwater
collected in food grade containers and then boiled, and
water collected from hot water heaters or toilet tanks (not
the bowl) and then boiled (Disaster Readiness Fact Kit;
Emergency Drinking Water Treatment, NSF
International).
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report
-------
3rd Quarter FY 2008
Quarterly Summary of
Hotline Service
Total number of calls received 1 1 ,841
Total number of calls answered 2,850
ECSS comments and questions requiring a
response 204
Average wait time (in seconds)
Percent of calls satisfied immediately 99.9%
Percent of all calls answered in < 5 min 94.3%
Percent of callbacks answered in 5 days 1 00%
Number of times callers were transferred to
the WSC Wellcare Hotline 739
Number of times callers listened to recorded
message about CCRs 765
Number of times callers listened to recorded
message about local drinking water quality
for PWS customers 668
Number of times callers listened to recorded
message about tap water testing and quality
for household well owners 366
Number of times callers listened to recorded
message about tap water testing for PWS
customers 898
Comparison to Previous Quarter
Calls ECSS Questions
Answered and Comments
3rd Quarter FY 2008 2,850 204
2nd Quarter FY 2008 1,993 201
Top Ten Referrals
„ . , Percent of
• • r, r .I. Number of T . ..
nquiry Referred to: „ , . Tola
H J Referrals n , .
Referrals
Local Water System 566 23
State Laboratory
Certification Officer 414 17
NSF/WQA/UL 339 14
State Public Water
System Supervisor 278 12
EPA Internet 202 8
FDA/I BWA 112 5
AGWT/WSC 96 4
Other 81 3
Local Public Health 73 3
Other Hotlines 47 2
*A total of 2,406 referrals to other resources, agencies, and
organizations were provided by the Hotline in the 3rd Quarter
of FY 2008.
Caller
Profiles
Customer
Analytical Laboratories
Citizen - Private Well
Citizen - PWS
Consultants/lndustry/Trade (DW)
Consultants/I ndustry/Trade (Other)
Environmental Groups
EPA
Other Federal Agency
Government, Local
Government, State
Government, Tribal
Spanish Speaking
International
Media
Medical Professional
Public Water System
Schools/University
Other
TOTALS
Calls
17
185
2,150
80
36
4
8
5
8
15
2
39
1
12
14
166
14
94
2,850
ECSS Activities
T . Number of Questions
plc and Comments
Analytical Methods
Arsenic
Bottled Water
Compliance/Issues (PWS)
Consumer Concerns
Contaminants and Standards
Definitions
Facts, Figures, and Databases
Household Wells
Other
Local Drinking Water Quality
Long Term 2 ESWT Rule
Source Water Protection
Stage 2 D/DBP Rule
Tap Water Testing
Underground Injection Cntrl
TOTALS
4
5
13
17
23
16
1
4
17
53
26
4
4
11
3
3
204
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report
-------
3rd Quarter FY 2008
Caller Question
Topics
Microbials/Disinfection Byproducts
Chlorine
Coliforms
Cryptosporidium
Disinfection/Disinfection
Byproducts (Other)
Long Term 2 ESWTR
Other Microbials
Stage 2 D/DBPR
Surface Water Treatment (SWTR,
ESWTR, LT1FBR)
Trihalomethane (THM)
Home Water Disinfection
Home Water Storage
Inorganic Chemicals (IOC)/Synthetic
Organic Chemicals (SOC)
Arsenic
Fluoride
Methyl-terf/a/y-butyl-ether (MTBE)
Perchlorate
Phase I, II &V
Sodium Monitoring
Sulfate
Lead and Copper
Copper
Lead
Lead Contamination Control Act
(LCCA)/Lead Ban
Radionuclides
Radionuclides (Other)
Radionuclides (Radon)
Secondary DW Regulations
Secondary DW Regulations
SDWA Background/Overview
Definitions & Applicability
MCL List
Other Background
SDWA
Topics
Number of
Questions
76
147
230
31
51
129
23
8
34
130
11
62
59
8
4
14
17
6
55
276
11
39
71
182
23
301
344
182
Topics
Water on Tap
Number of
Questions
2
Other DW Regulations
Analytical Methods (DW)
Contaminant Candidate List/
Drinking Water Priority List
Consumer Confidence Report (DW)
DW Primacy (PWS)
Operator (PWS) Certification
Other Drinking Water Security
Public Notification (PWS)
Security Planning Grants
State Revolving Fund (DW)
Unregulated Contaminant
Monitoring Rule (UCMR)
20
21
849
15
3
4
165
0
4
22
Other Drinking Water
Additives Program
Bottled Water
Complaints about PWS
Compliance & Enforcement
(PWS)
Home Water Treatment Units
Infrastructure/Cap. Development
Local DW Quality
Tap Water Testing
Treatment/BATs (DW)
13
190
204
108
305
6
642
451
3
Drinking Water Source Protection
Ground Water Rule
Sole Source Aquifer
Source Water/Wellhead Protection
UIC Program
5
3
21
7
Out of Purview
Household Wells
Non-Environmental
Non-EPA Environmental
Other EPA (Programs)
TOTALS
138
61
56
57
5,899
EPA DISCLAIMER
Answers to questions in the Safe Drinking Water Hotline quarterly report are intended to be purely informational and are based on SDWA provisions, EPA regulations,
guidance, and established policy effective at the time of publication. The answers given reflect EPA staffs best judgment at the time and do not represent a final or
official EPA interpretation. This report does not substitute for the applicable provisions of statutes and regulations, guidance, etc., nor is it a regulation itself. Thus, it
does not impose legally-binding requirements on EPA, States, or the regulated community. An answer to a question in this report may be revised at any time to reflect
EPA's revisions to existing regulations, changes in EPA's approach to interpreting its regulations or statutory authority, or for other reasons. EPA may provide a
different answer to a question in this report in the future.
Also, an answer provided in this report may not apply to a particular situation based upon the circumstances. Any decisions regarding a particular case will be made
based on the applicable statutes and regulations. Therefore, interested parties are free to raise questions and objections about the appropriateness of the application of
an answer in this report to a particular situation, and EPA will consider whether or not the recommendations or interpretations in the answer are accurate and
appropriate in that situation. The information in this report is not intended, nor can it be relied upon, to create any rights enforceable by any party in litigation with the
United States.
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report
-------
3rd Quarter FY 2008
ECSS Service Summary
Date
4/1/2008
4/2/2008
4/3/2008
4/4/2008
4/5/2008
4/6/2008
4/7/2008
4/8/2008
4/9/2008
4/10/2008
4/11/2008
4/12/2008
4/13/2008
4/14/2008
4/15/2008
4/16/2008
4/17/2008
4/18/2008
4/19/2008
4/20/2008
4/21/2008
4/22/2008
4/23/2008
4/24/2008
4/25/2008
4/26/2008
4/27/2008
4/28/2008
4/29/2008
4/30/2008
5/1/2008
5/2/2008
5/3/2008
5/4/2008
5/5/2008
5/6/2008
5/7/2008
5/8/2008
5/9/2008
5/10/2008
5/11/2008
5/12/2008
5/13/2008
5/14/2008
5/15/2008
5/16/2008
5/17/2008
5/18/2008
5/19/2008
5/20/2008
5/21/2008
5/22/2008
Searches
160
564
126
76
206
310
184
89
361
136
88
91
109
71
97
192
93
141
69
108
129
53
49
69
347
577
38
213
225
86
45
880
57
23
41
48
79
108
20
5
39
54
61
15
90
39
8
9
73
38
91
73
Answers
Viewed
79
71
64
958
522
113
62
89
100
93
73
470
103
510
95
114
70
503
61
73
83
105
62
99
54
443
33
112
59
59
89
90
497
47
100
47
135
89
36
36
452
76
87
34
76
29
428
71
82
66
195
51
Sessions
215
708
187
217
360
431
256
161
396
172
135
200
272
245
167
182
152
230
176
165
220
145
107
135
435
657
98
224
232
144
131
920
92
42
105
77
107
89
65
55
54
61
76
72
86
352
375
721
1798
1387
851
754
Hits
422
795
400
1251
889
545
387
321
643
388
292
691
320
749
359
453
298
791
231
260
327
294
220
335
539
1120
142
479
395
237
256
1076
649
129
263
172
337
295
144
105
564
205
226
131
280
124
494
170
278
239
440
201
Web
Questions
3
3
8
2
0
0
0
4
4
3
3
1
0
1
3
4
2
3
2
0
1
1
1
3
2
2
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
2
5
2
3
4
3
2
3
1
0
2
3
1
0
1
6
3
1
2
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report
-------
3rd Quarter FY 2008
Date
5/23/2008
5/24/2008
5/25/2008
5/26/2008
5/27/2008
5/28/2008
5/29/2008
5/30/2008
5/31/2008
6/1/2008
6/2/2008
6/3/2008
6/4/2008
6/5/2008
6/6/2008
6/7/2008
6/8/2008
6/9/2008
6/10/2008
6/11/2008
6/12/2008
6/13/2008
6/14/2008
6/15/2008
6/16/2008
6/17/2008
6/18/2008
6/19/2008
6/20/2008
6/21/2008
6/22/2008
6/23/2008
6/24/2008
6/25/2008
6/26/2008
6/27/2008
6/28/2008
6/29/2008
6/30/2008
Total
Searches
62
10
18
67
48
103
65
43
42
30
61
50
33
49
25
3
36
81
101
100
91
34
6
18
63
109
96
85
75
16
26
69
44
65
102
19
12
17
78
9,005
Answers
Viewed
52
38
147
70
140
559
72
102
52
39
905
536
83
91
64
27
107
506
148
162
132
94
34
62
522
142
158
118
142
54
44
530
143
127
124
67
42
52
937
15,569
Sessions
1080
1207
1701
1431
1137
1207
993
915
1113
1308
1379
1258
1225
1018
965
842
1173
1325
1090
1048
714
979
919
1502
1276
1957
1411
1117
1022
1523
954
1535
1110
1066
986
996
867
826
1318
61,187
Hits
175
105
420
195
295
864
206
271
135
101
1146
749
195
198
154
63
215
698
373
366
318
219
72
134
689
400
414
313
403
120
120
718
370
320
395
168
100
118
1192
34,858
Web
Questions
2
1
1
1
2
4
2
4
1
0
3
7
1
0
1
0
0
2
5
2
4
3
0
1
1
6
4
0
8
1
1
3
8
2
3
2
2
2
2
204
Searches: The number of searches performed.
Answers Viewed: The total number of times Answers were viewed. This represents the number of Answer pages viewed. That is, if only one
Answer was selected, but it was viewed ten times, the Answers Viewed value would be ten.
Sessions: The number of sessions for the time unit specified. A session is use of the end-user pages. A session ends when the end-user submits
an Ask a Question request, leaves the end-user pages, or a two-hour period of time has elapsed, whichever comes first.
Hits: The number of page turns during the time period selected for the report.
Web Questions: The number of questions generated from an Ask a Question request.
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report
-------
SAFE DRINKING WATER HOTLINE QUARTERLY REPORT
Third Quarter FY 2008
APPENDIX A: FEDERAL REGISTER SUMMARIES
FINAL RULES
"Expedited Approval of Alternative Test Procedures for the Analysis of Contaminants
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act; Analysis and Sampling Procedures"
June 3, 2008 (73 FR 31616)
EPA announced approval of alternative testing methods for use in measuring the levels of
contaminants in drinking water and determining compliance with national primary drinking
water regulations. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) authorizes EPA to approve the use of
alternative testing methods through publication in the Federal Register. EPA is approving 99
analytical methods for determining contaminant concentrations in samples collected under the
SDWA, using this streamlined authority to make these additional methods available for
analyzing drinking water samples required by regulation. This expedited approach provides
public water systems, laboratories, and primary agencies with more timely access to new
measurement techniques and greater flexibility in the selection of analytical methods, thereby
reducing monitoring costs while maintaining public health protection. Regulated parties who are
required to sample and monitor may use either the testing methods already established in existing
regulations or the alternative testing methods being approved in this action. The new methods
are listed in Appendix A to Subpart C in 40 CFR 141 and on EPA's drinking water methods Web
site at www.epa.gov/safewater/methods/expedited.html.
PROPOSED RULES
"National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Drinking Water Regulations for Aircraft
Public Water Systems; Proposed Rule"
April 9, 2008 (73 FR 19319)
EPA proposed to amend and consolidate in one place the federal drinking water requirements for
aircraft public water systems under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Aircraft public water
systems are subject to the requirements of SDWA and the National Primary Drinking Water
Regulations. The existing federal drinking water standards were primarily designed to regulate
water quality in stationary public water systems and the application of these requirements to
mobile water systems with the capability of flying throughout the world has created
implementation challenges. The proposed regulations in 40 CFR Subpart X focuses on total
coliform sampling, public notification, operator training, and record keeping.
NOTICES
"Spring 2008 Regulatory Agenda"
May 5, 2008 (73 FR 24756)
EPA publishes the semiannual regulatory agenda to update the public about regulations and
major policies currently under development, reviews of existing regulations and major policies,
and rules and major policies completed or canceled since the last agenda. The Spring 2008
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report 9
-------
Regulatory Agenda included the following upcoming drinking water actions: Drinking Water
Regulations for Aircraft; Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) 3; Regulatory Determinations for
CCL 2; Radon Rule; Aldicarb; Underground Injection Control (UIC) Update of State Program
Regulatory Citations in CFR; MTBE and Technical Corrections to National Secondary Drinking
Water Regulations; Revisions to Total Coliform Monitoring and Analytical Requirements and
Additional Distribution Requirements; Six-Year Review of NPDWR; UIC CO2 Geologic
Sequestration Wells; and Review of the Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection By-Products
Rule.
"Meeting of the Total Coliform Rule Distribution System Advisory Committee—Notice of
Public Meeting"
May 7, 2008 (73 FR 25695)
EPA gave notice of a meeting of the Total Coliform Rule Distribution System Advisory
Committee (TCRDSAC). The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the Total Coliform Rule
(TCR) revision and information about distribution systems issues that may impact water quality.
The TCRDSAC advises and makes recommendations to the Agency on revisions to the TCR,
and on what information should be collected, research conducted, and risk management
strategies evaluated to better inform distribution system contaminant occurrence and associated
public health risks. Topics to be discussed in the meeting include options for revising the TCR.
The public meeting was to be held May 21 and 22, 2008, in Washington, DC.
"Public Water System Supervision Program Revision for the State of
Arkansas"
May 17, 2008 (73 FR 20923)
Arkansas is revising its approved Public Water System Supervision Program. Arkansas has
adopted the Stage 2 Disinfectant and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (DDBPR) and the Long
Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR). EPA has determined that the
proposed Stage 2 DDBPR and LT2ESWTR revisions submitted by Arkansas are no less
stringent than the corresponding federal regulations. Therefore, EPA proposes to approve these
program revisions.
The effective date for this action was May 19, 2008.
"Navajo Nation; Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program; Proposed Primacy
Approval and Minor Revisions"
May 24, 2008 (73 FR 22111)
EPA proposed to approve an application from the Navajo Nation ("Tribe") under Section 1425
of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) for primary enforcement responsibility (or "primacy")
for the underground injection control (UIC) program for Class II (oil and gas-related) injection
wells. The proposed approval would cover wells located within the exterior boundaries of the
formal Navajo Reservation, including the three satellite reservations (Alamo, Canoncito, and
Ramah), but excluding the former Bennett Freeze Area, the Four Corners Power Plant and the
Navajo Generating Station; and on Navajo Nation tribal trust and allotted lands outside the
exterior boundaries of the formal Navajo Reservation.
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report 10
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"Meeting of the Total Coliform Rule Distribution System Advisory Committee—Notice of
Public Meeting"
June 4, 2008 (73 FR 30866)
EPA gave notice of a public meeting of the Total Coliform Rule Distribution System Advisory
Committee (TCRDSAC). The TCRDSAC advises and makes recommendations to the Agency
on revisions to the TCR, and on what information should be collected, research conducted,
and/or risk management strategies evaluated to better inform distribution system contaminant
occurrence and associated public health risks. Topics to be discussed in the meeting include
options for revising the Total Coliform Rule; for example, rule construct, monitoring provisions,
system categories, action levels, investigation and follow-up, public notification, and other
related topics. In addition, the Committee will discuss possible recommendations for research
and information collection needs concerning distribution systems and topics for upcoming
TCRDSAC meetings.
The public meeting was to be held on June 18 and 19, 2008, in Washington, DC.
"Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval;
Comment Request; EPA Strategic Plan Information on Source Water Protection
(Renewal)"
June 5, 2008 (73 FR 32023)
The 2006-2011 EPA Strategic Plan incorporates a source water contamination prevention
measure to describe the voluntary source water protection (SWP) actions taken at the local or
regional level based on the results of completed source water assessments. EPA's strategic target
for SWP sets a goal of minimized risk to public health in 50 percent of community water systems
(CWSs) and the 62 percent of the population served by those CWSs by 2011. Achieving
minimized risk to public health focuses on developing and substantially implementing SWP
strategies to address potential contamination risks within each CWS source water area.
EPA is collecting, on a voluntary basis, data from the states on their progress toward substantial
implementation of prevention strategies for all CWS SWAs. While Section 1453(a)(3) of the
SDWA does not authorize source water protection, states are encouraged to use the data
collected in the source water assessments to develop protection plans for source water areas.
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund monies authorized in Section 1452(g)(2)(B) may be used
for activities to support efforts in source water protection.
"Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Public
Water System Supervision Program (Renew)"
June 6, 2008 (73 FR 32325)
The Public Water System Supervision Program Renewal Information Collection Request (ICR)
examines public water system, primacy agency, EPA, and tribal operator certification provider
burden and costs for "cross-cutting" recordkeeping and reporting requirements (i.e., the burden
and costs for complying with drinking water information requirements that are not associated
with contaminant-specific rulemakings). These activities which have recordkeeping and
reporting requirements that are mandatory for compliance with 40 CFR Parts 141 and 142
include the following: Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs), Primacy Regulation Activities,
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Variance and Exemption Rule (V/E Rule), General State Primacy Activities, Public Notification
(PN) and Proficiency Testing Studies for Drinking Water Laboratories. The information
collection activities for both the Operator Certification/Expense Reimbursement Program and the
Capacity Development Program are driven by the grant withholding and reporting provisions
under Sections 1419 and 1420, respectively, of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Although the
Tribal Operator Certification Program is voluntary, the information collection is driven by grant
eligibility requirements outlined in the Drinking Water Infrastructure Grant Tribal Set-Aside
Program Final Guidelines and the Tribal Drinking Water Operator Certification Program
Guidelines.
"Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request;
Microbial Rules (Renewal)"
June 6, 2008 (73 FR 32323)
The Microbial Rules Renewal ICR examines public water system, primacy agency, and EPA
burden and costs for recordkeeping and reporting requirements in support of the microbial
drinking water regulations. These recordkeeping and reporting requirements are mandatory for
compliance with 40 CFR Parts 141 and 142. The following microbial regulations are included:
Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), Total Coliform Rule (TCR), Interim Enhanced Surface
Water Treatment Rule (IESWTR), Filter Backwash Recycling Rule (FBRR), Long Term 1
Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT1ESWTR), Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water
Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR), and Ground Water Rule. Future microbial-related rulemakings
will be added to this consolidated ICR after the regulations are finalized and the initial, rule-
specific, ICRs are due to expire.
"Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval;
Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts, Chemical
and Radionuclides Rules (Renewal)"
June 26, 2008 (73 FR 36319)
The Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts, Chemical and Radionuclides Rules ICR examines
public water system (PWS), primacy agency, and EPA burden and costs for recordkeeping and
reporting requirements in support of the chemical drinking water regulations. These
recordkeeping and reporting requirements are mandatory for compliance with 40 CFR Parts 141
and 142. The following chemical regulations are included: Stage 1 Disinfectants and
Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage 1 DBPR), Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection
Byproducts Rule (Stage 2 DBPR), Chemical Phase Rules (Phases II/IIB/V), 1976 Radionuclides
Rule, and 2000 Radionuclides Rule, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Rule, Disinfectant Residual
Monitoring and Associated Activities under the Surface Water Treatment Rule, Arsenic Rule,
Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) and revisions. Future chemical-related rulemakings, such as
Radon, will be added to this consolidated ICR after the regulations are finalized and the initial,
rule-specific ICRs are due to expire.
"Notice of Tentative Approval and Solicitation of Request for a Public Hearing for Public
Water System Supervision Program Revisions for the State of West Virginia"
June 17, 2008 (73 FR 34304)
West Virginia has adopted regulations for the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment
Rule to improve public health protection through the control of microbiological contaminants by
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targeting additional Cryptosporidium treatment requirements to higher risk systems, and for the
Stage 2 Disinfection By-Products Rule to reduce exposure to disinfection by-products (DBF) by
requiring systems to meet maximum contaminant levels as an average at each compliance
monitoring location, rather than as a system-wide average, for two groups of DBFs,
trihalomethanes (TTHM) and five haloacetic acids (HAAS). EPA has determined that these
revisions are no less stringent than the corresponding federal regulations. Therefore, EPA has
decided to tentatively approve these program revisions.
The effective date for this action was July 17, 2008.
"Notice of Approval of the Primacy Application for National Primary Drinking Water
Regulations for the State of Missouri"
June 18, 2008 (73 FR 34741)
EPA announced the approval of an application by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources
to incorporate the following EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Public Water
System Definition as Amended by 1996 SDWA Amendments; Disinfection Byproducts Rule and
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, Lead and Copper Rule Minor Revisions,
Public Notification Rule, Radionuclides Rule, Arsenic Rule and Clarifications to Compliance
and New Source Contaminants Monitoring Rule, Filter Backwash Recycling Rule, and the Long
Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule. The application demonstrates that Missouri
has adopted drinking water regulations which satisfy the National Primary Drinking Water
Regulations. EPA has determined that Missouri's regulations are no less stringent than the
corresponding Federal regulations and that Missouri continues to meet all requirements for
primary enforcement responsibility as specified in 40 CFR 142.10.
The effective date for this action was July 18, 2008.
"Conference Call of the Total Coliform Rule Distribution System Advisory Committee-
Notice of Public Conference Call"
June 27, 2008 (73 FR 36501)
EPA announced a public conference call meeting of the TCRDSAC on July 18, 2008, in
Washington, DC. The TCRDSAC advises and makes recommendations to the Agency on
revisions to the TCR, and on what information should be collected, research conducted, and/or
risk management strategies evaluated to better inform distribution system contaminant
occurrence and associated public health risk. Topics to be discussed during the conference call
include options for revising the Total Coliform Rule; for example, rule construct, monitoring
provisions, system categories, action levels, investigation and follow-up, public notification, and
other related topics. In addition, the Committee will discuss possible recommendations for
research and information collection needs concerning distribution systems and topics for
upcoming TCRDSAC meetings.
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SAFE DRINKING WATER HOTLINE QUARTERLY REPORT
Third Quarter FY 2008
APPENDIX B: CONTRACT MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
Internet Activities
On May 22, 2008, the Hotline received a call from the Maryland Department of the Environment
that the listing for the state laboratory certification office was incorrect. The Hotline database
had the correct number (410-537-3712) listed, but the number (410-537-3738) on EPA's Web
site, www.epa.gov/safewater/labs/index.html, was incorrect. The error was forwarded to EPA
and the problem has since been resolved.
Hotline Suggestions
The Hotline suggests adding the standard set of links for other areas of the Office of Ground
Water and Drinking Water Web site to the left-hand navigation bar of the Drinking Water
Contaminants page, www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants.
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report 14
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