SAFE
DRINKING .
WATER H*TLINE
FY 2009
3rd Quarter
Report
Water Lines
SOW Hotline Report
In This Issue
What's New
DidYou Know
Quarterly Trend
Frequently Asked Qs & As..
Hotline Stats 6
Appendix A 10
Top Ten Caller Topics
... , Percent of
Topic Dumber of Total-
Questions Quesfons
Consumer Confidence
Reports
Local DW Quality
Tap Water Testing
MCL List
SDWA
HWTUs
Lead
PWS Complaints
Cryptosporidium
Bottled Water
882
837
667
556
487
391
289
262
247
210
12%
11%
9%
8%
7%
5%
4%
4%
3%
3%
*A total of 7,331 questions from callers were
answered by the Hotline in the 3rd Quarter of
FY2009.
^Citizens who obtain their drinking water from
private household wells asked 13 percent of the
tap water testing questions.
Calls and ECSS Questions and
Comments
Calls***
2,747
ECSS Questions****
209
Total
2,956
***A single call may generate multiple
questions.
**** Questions registered through EPA's
Enterprise Customer Service Solution
knowledge base at the OGWDW Web site.
Published Quarterly
See past reports at
http://intranet.epa.qov/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:
The Ground Water Rule (GWR) Implementation Guidance (EPA816-R-09-004) is
available at www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/qwr/compliancehelp.html.
Ground Water Rule Triggered and Representative Source Water Monitoring
Guidance Manual (EPA815-R-09-003) is available at
www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/gwr/compliancehelp.html.
Summary of EPA Webinars on Financial Responsibility for Geologic Sequestration
Wells (EPA815-D-09-001) is available at
www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/wells seguestration.html#webcasts.
Calendar:
What?
Science Advisory
Board Drinking Water
Committee; Total
Coliform Rule
Revision
Science Advisory
Board Drinking Water
Committee; Total
Coliform Rule
Revision
Public Meeting;
Equitable
Considerations for
Small Systems
Public Meeting; Total
Coliform Rule,
Geologic
Sequestration, Aircraft
Drinking Water Rule
Where?
Teleconference
Washington,
D.C.
Washington,
D.C.
Seattle,
Washington
When?
5/20/2009
6/9/2009
5/20/2009
5/27/2009 -
5/28/2009
More Information
http ://epa. gov/fedrgstr/
(74 FR 20297; May 1,
2009)
http ://epa. gov/fedrgstr/
(74 FR 20297; May 1,
2009)
http ://epa. gov/fedrgstr/
(74 FR 2 1363; May 7,
2009)
http ://epa. gov/fedrgstr/
(74 FR 22540; May 13,
2009)
Did You Know?
On average, an American household uses about 260 gallons per day, but
this amount climbs to around 1,000 gallons per day during peak water use
season with some households using as much as 3,000 gallons a day. (US
Environmental Protection Agency,
www.epa.gov/watersense/water/peak.htm; August 3, 2009)
-------
3rd Quarter FY 2009
Quarterly Trend
Safe Drinking Water Hotline Call Volume
8000 n
7000
1000
4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter
2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2008 2009 2009 2009
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. 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 2009, 603 callers chose to be transferred directly to the WSC and Hotline phone tree messages
were listened to over 2,500 times.
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report
-------
3rd Quarter FY 2009
Safe Drinking Water ECSS Interface Sessions
120,000
100,000
CO
I 80,000
'$>
w 60,000
14—
o
J5 40,000
2 20,000
3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter
2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2008 2009 2009 2009
Time Period
• ECSS Sessions
• ECSS Answers Viewed
Internet users initiated just over 26,000 sessions on the Safe Drinking Water ECSS Interface
(safewater.custhelp.com') during the 3rd quarter of 2009. A session is defined as, "the 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". During the 3rd quarter of 2009, over 40,000 answers were
viewed. The most frequently viewed answer with 565 views, was to the question, "How can I get my tap water
tested?" The second most popular answer viewed with 541 views was to the question "How long can bottled
water be stored?"
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report
-------
3rd Quarter FY 2009
This section provides answers to frequently asked
questions not necessarily represented in one of the Top
Ten Topic categories.
Q: What is the federal standard for chloride in drinking
water?
A: There is no federally enforceable standard (i.e.,
Maximum Contaminant Level) for chloride in drinking
water. However, EPA did set a recommended standard
for chloride levels in drinking water at 250 mg/L.
Drinking water with chloride levels above 250mg/L may
exhibit a salty taste. Secondary standards or Secondary
Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCLs) are developed
to protect the aesthetic quality of water, such as taste,
odor, color, and appearance. SMCLs are non-
enforceable guidelines that states may choose to
implement. Contact your state drinking water office to
determine if your state set an enforceable chloride level
in drinking water. State drinking water office contact
information is available by clicking on your state at
www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo.
Q: What is the federal standard for pH in drinking
water?
A: There is no federally enforceable standard (i.e.,
Maximum Contaminant Level) for pH in drinking water.
EPA set a Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level
(SMCL) or recommended range for pH in drinking water
of 6.5 to 8.5. SMCLs are developed to protect the
aesthetic quality of water, such as taste, odor, color, and
appearance. SMCLs are non-enforceable guidelines
that states may choose to implement. Contact your
state drinking water office to determine if your state set
an enforceable pH level in drinking water. State drinking
water office contact information is available by clicking
on your state at www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo.
Q: EPA Method 524.2 is an approved method for
analyzing Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) (40 CFR
141.131(b)(1)). Must water samples being analyzed for
TTHMs using EPA Method 524.2 be acidified with
hydrochloric acid at the time of collection?
A: Samples being analyzed for TTHMs where sodium
thiosulfate is used as the dechlorinating agent do not
need to be acidified with hydrochloric acid at the time of
collection. However, if ascorbic acid is used as the
dechlorinating agent, then the samples must be acidified
at the time of collection. The water system should check
with the laboratory to see which dechlorinating agent the
lab is using when the sample bottles are prepared.
When EPA Method 524.2 is used for VOC samples, then
it is necessary to acidify the samples at the time of
collection.
Q: The Long Term 2 Enhance Surface Water Treatment
Rule allows systems to receive Cryptosporidium
treatment credit by meeting the conditions for one of
several microbial toolbox options (40 CFR 141.715). If a
water system chooses the membrane filter option, must
all the water pass through the filter?
A: Yes. All the water has to pass through the
membrane filter to receive the credit.
Q: Is my water system supplying fluoridated drinking
water?
A: The best source of information on fluoride levels in
your water is your local water utility. All water utilities
must provide their consumers with a Consumer
Confidence Report that provides information on a
system's water quality, including its fluoridation level.
The state drinking water administrator or state oral
health program also should be able to help you identify
the fluoride level of your drinking water. In addition, the
Center for Disease Control offers the "My Water's
Fluoride" database, which allows consumers in currently
participating states to learn the fluoridation status of their
water system. You can access this database at
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/MWF/lndex.asp. The
information provided for the water system will detail if it
provides fluoridated water, and may note whether the
fluoride is from natural sources or if the fluoride levels
are adjusted with a fluoride additive.
Q: What types of materials should be used for a rain
water collection system?
A: Provided the rainwater is for non-drinking water
purposes, virtually any materials can be used in the
collection system. However, if the rainwater will also be
used to meet the potable water needs of a home's
residents, it is important that the homeowner use care in
selecting materials and coatings which will come into
contact with the water as it is collected, since some
impurities can be picked up by the rainwater as it travels
through the collection system.
For additional guidance on creating a rain water
collection system, please visit NSF International's Web
site at
www.nsf.org/consumer/rainwater collection/index.asp?p
rogram=WaterTre.
Q: Is the H1N1 virus (i.e., swine flu virus) destroyed
during standard drinking water treatment processes?
A: Yes. H1N1 and other influenza viruses are easily
disrupted by standard water treatment processes. The
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report
-------
3rd Quarter FY 2009
USDA and EPA have concluded that free chlorine levels
typically used in drinking water treatment are effective at
deactivating the virus at temperatures as low as 5°
Centigrade.
Q: EPA's Emergency Disinfection of Water Web site
(www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/emerg.html'), notes that
granular calcium hypochlorite can be used to disinfect
drinking water during an emergency. Where can you
purchase granular calcium hypochlorite?
A: EPA does not have a list of retailers of granular
calcium hypochlorite; however, NSF International, a not-
for-profit, non-governmental organization, maintains a
list of contact information for manufacturers of calcium
hypochlorite (www.nsf.org/Certified/PwsChemicals/).
Individuals can contact the manufacturers for information
on retailers selling their product. The NSF Water
Treatment and Distribution Systems Program is
responsible for the certification of drinking water
treatment chemicals to ensure that these products do
not contribute contaminants to drinking water that could
cause adverse health effects.
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report
-------
3rd Quarter FY 2009
Quarterly Summary of
Hotline Service
Total number of calls connecting to Hotline. 1 1 ,007
Total number of calls answered 2,747
ECSS comments and questions requiring a
response 209
Average wait time (in seconds) :78
Percent of calls satisfied immediately 100%
Percent of all calls answered in < 5 min 96.39%
Percent of callbacks answered in 5 days 1 00%
Number of times callers were transferred to
the WSC Wellcare Hotline 603
Number of times callers listened to recorded
message about CCRs 800
Number of times callers listened to recorded
message about local drinking water quality
for PWS customers 553
Number of times callers listened to recorded
message about tap water testing and quality
for household well owners 363
Number of times callers listened to recorded
message about tap water testing for PWS
customers 827
Comparison to Previous Quarter
Calls ECSS Questions
Answered and Comments
3rd Quarter FY 2009 2,747 209
2nd Quarter FY 2009 1,563 177
Top Ten Referrals
Inquiry Referred to: "J"**^ Toter^
Keterrais Referra,s
Local Water System 615 26%
State Laboratory
Certification Officer 506 21%
State Public Water
System Supervisor 356 15%
NSF/WQA/UL 289 12%
EPA Internet 180 7%
FDA/I BWA 78 3%
Other 60 2%
AGWT/WSC 59 2%
Local Public Health 38 2%
Other Hotlines 25 1%
*A total of 2,406 referrals to other resources, agencies, and
organizations were provided by the Hotline in the 3rd Quarter
of FY 2009.
Caller
Profiles
Customer
Analytical Laboratories
Citizen - Private Well
Citizen - PWS
Consultants/lndustry/Trade (DW)
Consultants/lndustry/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
9
171
1977
62
20
1
16
4
3
26
0
57
0
2
2
118
19
259
2,747
ECSS Activities
T . Number of Questions
oplc and Comments
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
Security
Source Water Protection
Stage 2 D/DBP Rule
Tap Water Testing
Underground Injection Cntrl
TOTALS
11
2
16
31
17
5
9
16
59
17
2
1
7
3
5
8
209
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report
-------
3rd Quarter FY 2009
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-fert/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
110
209
247
39
11
140
20
8
54
74
5
66
64
2
10
12
5
9
100
289
21
20
58
185
122
556
246
487
Topics
Water on Tap
Number of
Questions
0
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)
47
6
882
60
5
16
190
0
4
25
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)
Pharmaceuticals
7
210
262
151
391
7
837
667
41
23
Drinking Water Source Protection
Ground Water Rule
Sole Source Aquifer
Source Water/Wellhead Protection
UIC Program
Carbon Sequestration
14
0
11
21
2
Out of Purview
Household Wells
Non-Environmental
Non-EPA Environmental
Other EPA (Programs)
TOTALS
133
24
47
79
7,331
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 2009
ECSS Service Summary
Date
2009/04/01
2009/04/02
2009/04/03
2009/04/04
2009/04/05
2009/04/06
2009/04/07
2009/04/08
2009/04/09
2009/04/10
2009/04/11
2009/04/12
2009/04/13
2009/04/14
2009/04/15
2009/04/16
2009/04/17
2009/04/18
2009/04/19
2009/04/20
2009/04/21
2009/04/22
2009/04/23
2009/04/24
2009/04/25
2009/04/26
2009/04/27
2009/04/28
2009/04/29
2009/04/30
2009/05/01
2009/05/02
2009/05/03
2009/05/04
2009/05/05
2009/05/06
2009/05/07
2009/05/08
2009/05/09
2009/05/10
2009/05/11
2009/05/12
2009/05/13
2009/05/14
2009/05/15
2009/05/16
2009/05/17
2009/05/18
2009/05/19
2009/05/20
2009/05/21
2009/05/22
2009/05/23
Searches
47
59
38
7
25
57
16
33
56
18
12
51
20
93
36
25
48
32
18
37
67
58
32
63
1
9
42
31
22
24
46
5
10
50
31
36
36
82
3
7
37
32
16
15
13
3
22
26
40
24
14
24
7
Answers Viewed
188
1027
1022
49
61
573
546
981
128
120
62
74
124
195
114
134
1063
79
113
178
169
155
131
1010
83
67
688
185
626
110
527
43
92
211
135
137
159
116
64
85
993
138
545
100
997
50
75
136
130
1458
86
120
92
Sessions
122
207
193
49
87
168
126
191
92
115
64
80
129
156
148
154
373
107
87
195
191
172
137
571
98
88
215
175
200
134
135
49
95
195
149
146
171
168
112
100
234
197
192
136
201
97
102
214
167
1507
147
172
113
Hits
390
1266
1238
79
185
751
676
1229
267
211
122
171
245
412
256
241
1427
184
187
367
361
370
274
1157
149
127
957
351
794
184
690
73
175
390
260
254
334
300
146
138
1274
311
769
198
1180
149
186
338
324
1627
231
331
155
Web Questions
4
1
1
1
1
2
0
5
2
3
0
1
5
1
3
2
3
4
1
4
3
7
4
1
2
1
4
1
1
0
0
1
4
0
2
0
3
0
2
1
4
4
3
0
1
1
3
1
0
2
1
3
1
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report
-------
3rd Quarter FY 2009
Date
2009/05/24
2009/05/25
2009/05/26
2009/05/27
2009/05/28
2009/05/29
2009/05/30
2009/05/31
2009/06/01
2009/06/02
2009/06/03
2009/06/04
2009/06/05
2009/06/06
2009/06/07
2009/06/08
2009/06/09
2009/06/10
2009/06/11
2009/06/12
2009/06/13
2009/06/14
2009/06/15
2009/06/16
2009/06/17
2009/06/18
2009/06/19
2009/06/20
2009/06/21
2009/06/22
2009/06/23
2009/06/24
2009/06/25
2009/06/26
2009/06/27
2009/06/28
2009/06/29
2009/06/30
Total
Searches
10
19
72
37
23
48
1
5
47
58
53
64
89
11
17
56
59
48
37
54
7
24
40
58
78
73
44
12
13
57
14
40
40
42
15
24
42
32
3,119
Answers Viewed
87
118
235
201
535
581
90
88
619
647
330
277
440
388
157
1111
1136
233
1036
584
79
68
2389
1575
672
1864
248
74
72
1794
1731
769
741
1758
113
121
244
729
40,478
Sessions
95
124
219
236
573
599
96
104
255
685
338
291
268
164
137
308
350
247
1078
631
88
90
1588
821
710
953
250
66
76
841
818
815
765
806
103
109
263
759
26,342
Hits
131
235
424
475
695
767
140
185
853
880
554
547
745
534
249
1325
1430
407
1235
771
142
149
2714
1876
935
2352
457
127
138
2034
1963
955
922
1986
199
210
423
888
55,513
Web Questions
0
2
1
7
7
5
0
2
2
2
4
3
5
1
2
3
3
2
3
5
0
1
3
2
6
3
4
1
2
2
6
2
4
2
0
3
1
3
209
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
3rd Quarter FY 2009
APPENDIX A: FEDERAL REGISTER SUMMARIES
APPENDIX A: FEDERAL REGISTER SUMMARIES
FINAL RULES
"National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Minor Correction to Stage 2 Disinfectants
and Disinfection Byproducts Rule and Changes in References to Analytical Methods"
June 29, 2009 (74 FR 30953)
In this action, EPA announced its intent to make a minor correction to the Stage 2 Disinfectants
and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (DBPR) and minor, unrelated, editorial changes in references
to analytical methods in the regulations. EPA promulgated the Stage 2 DBPR on January 4,
2006. This rule will require public water systems (PWSs) serving 500 - 9,999 people to monitor
for both total trihalomethanes and haloacetic acid. In addition, EPA is also making minor,
unrelated changes in the regulations by adding references to the list of analytical methods
approved under the Expedited Approval Process, removing references to outdated methods, and
specifying a new source for the publication entitled, "Technical Notes on Drinking Water
Methods."
The effective date of this rulemaking is July 29, 2009.
PROPOSED RULES
"Spring 2009 Regulatory Agenda"
May 11, 2009 (74 FR 21992)
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 2009
Regulatory Agenda included the following upcoming drinking water actions: Revisions to the
Underground Injection Control (UIC) Requirements for Class V Wells (Section 610 Review) and
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Radon.
NOTICES
"Notice of Nationwide Waiver of Section 1605 (Buy American Requirement) of American
Recovery Act of 2009 (ARRA) for Projects With Debt Incurred on or After October 1, 2008
and Before February 17, 2009 That Are Refinanced Through the Clean or Drinking Water
State Revolving Funds Using Assistance Provided Under ARRA"
April 7, 2009 (74 FR 15722)
EPA is hereby granting a nationwide waiver of the Buy American requirements of ARRA
Section 1605 under the authority of Section 1605(b)(l) (public interest waiver) for eligible
projects for which debt was incurred on or after October 1, 2008 and before February 17, 2009,
the date of enactment of ARRA. This action permits the use of non-domestic iron, steel, and
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report 10
-------
manufactured goods in such projects funded by ARRA that may otherwise be prohibited under
section 1605(a).
The effective date of this rulemaking is April 1, 2009.
"Agency Information Collection Activities OMB Responses"
April 15, 2009 (74 FR 17479)
This document announces the OMB responses to Agency Clearance requests, in compliance with
the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Specifically, ICR Number 0270.43,
"Public Water System Supervision Program (Renewal)," was approved on March 30, 2009. This
ICR, OMB Number 2040 - 0090, is set to expire on March 31, 2012.
In addition, OMB filled comment on ICR Number 2336.01, "Turbidity Monitoring Requirements
for Construction Sites Regulated by the Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the
Construction and Development Point Source Category (Proposed Rule)," on March 27, 2009.
Lastly, ICR number 2097.05, "The National Primary Drinking Water Regulations; Long Term 2
Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule," OMB Number 2040 - 0266, was extended. This ICR
is currently scheduled to expire on June 30, 2009.
"Cross-Media Electronic Reporting Rule State Approved Program Revision Approval:
State of North Dakota"
April 20, 2009 (74 FR 17958)
This notice announces EPA's approval, under regulations for cross-media electronic reporting, of
the State of North Dakota's request to revise their EPA-authorized National Primary Drinking
Water Regulations Implementation authorized program to allow electronic reporting of specific
reports; this notice also announces an opportunity to request a public hearing on this action.
EPA's approval is effective on May 20, 2009 if no timely request for a public hearing is received
and accepted by the Agency.
"Tentative Approval and Solicitation of Request for a Public Hearing for Public Water
System Supervision Program Revision for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico"
April 30, 2009 (74 FR 19957)
Notice is hereby given that the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is revising its approved Public
Water System Supervision Program to adopt EPA's Ground Water Rule. EPA has determined
that these revisions are no less stringent than the corresponding federal regulations. Therefore,
EPA intends to approve these program revisions. All interested parties may request a public
hearing.
If no timely and appropriate request for a hearing is received and the Regional Administrator
does not elect to hold a hearing on his own motion, this determination shall become final and
effective June 1,2009.
"Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Notification of a Public Teleconference and Meeting
of the Science Advisory Board Drinking Water Committee"
May 1, 2009 (74 FR 20297)
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EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces two meetings of the SAB
Drinking Water Committee (DWC): a public teleconference and a face-to-face meeting to review
the Agency's draft supporting analysis for the proposed revised Total Coliform Rule.
The SAB will hold the public teleconference on May 20, 2009 that will begin at 1 P.M. and end at
4 P.M. EST. A face-to-face meeting will be held on June 9, 2009 from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. EST and
will continue on June 10, 2009 from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. EST.
"Small Drinking Water System Variances and Other Approaches for the Equitable
Consideration of Small System Customers Stakeholder Meeting"
May 7, 2009 (74 FR 21363)
EPA is giving notice of a public meeting to discuss policies to assure equitable treatment of
small drinking water system customers. These policies include small drinking water system
variance methodologies and alternative strategies. This meeting is open to the public and will
provide a forum for public discussion on potential changes to EPA's existing small drinking
water system variance determination methodology as well as to discuss alternative compliance
strategies (e.g., capacity development and utilization of provisions of the Drinking Water State
Revolving Fund such as disadvantaged community loan subsidies) that could be considered.
The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. EST.
"Meeting of the National Drinking Water Advisory Council - Notice of Public Meeting"
May 13, 2009 (74 FR 22540)
Under Section 10(a)(2) of Public Law 92-423, "The Federal Advisory Committee Act," notice
is hereby given of a meeting of the National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC),
established under the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.). The
Council will consider various issues associated with drinking water protection and small PWSs.
The Council will also receive updates about several on-going activities including rulemakings
related to the Total Coliform Rule, Geologic Sequestration, and the Aircraft Drinking Water
Rule and efforts underway to help the water sector improve their resiliency to potential effects of
climate change.
The Council meeting will be held on May 27 and 28, 2009, from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. EST, each day.
"Agency Information Collection Activities OMB Responses"
May 14, 2009 (74 FR 22740)
This document announced the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) responses to Agency
clearance requests, in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Specifically, Information Collection Request (ICR) Number 1895.04, "Microbial Rules
(Renewal)," was approved on April 17, 2009. This ICR, OMB Control Number 2040 - 0205,
expires April 30,2012.
"Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval;
Comment Request; Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of
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Cryptosporidium Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (Renewal); EPA ICR No. 2067.04,
OMB Control No. 2040 - 0246"
May 18, 2009 (74 FR 23186)
EPA announced that the following ICR has been forwarded to OMB for review and approval:
"Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of Cryptosporidium Under the
Safe Drinking Water Act (Renewal)," ICR Number 2067.04, OMB Control Number 2040 -
0246. The current expiration date for this ICR is May 31, 2009. Comments must be received by
June 17, 2009.
"State Allotment Percentages for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program"
May 28, 2009 (74 FR 25531)
EPA is announcing the revised Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) allotments that
will be provided to the States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Territories, American
Indian Tribes, and Alaska Native Villages if the President's budget request for Fiscal Year 2010
is enacted. These allotments reflect the results from EPA's most recent Drinking Water
Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment, which was released on March 26, 2009. The
revised state allotment percentages will be the basis for distributing the DWSRF program
appropriations to the States for the four years from Fiscal Years 2010 through 2013.
This notice is effective May 28, 2009.
"Notice of Nationwide Waiver of Section 1605 (Buy American Requirement) of American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) for Projects that Solicited Bids on or after
October 1, 2008 and prior to February 17, 2009 that are Financed through the Clean or
Drinking Water State Revolving Funds using Assistance Provided under ARRA"
June 2, 2009 (74 FR 26397)
EPA is hereby granting a nationwide waiver of the Buy American requirements of ARRA
Section 1605 under the authority of Section 1605(b)(l) (public interest waiver) for eligible
projects that solicited bids on or after October 1, 2008, and prior to February 17, 2009, the date
of enactment of ARRA, and that did so in reasonable and prudent, specific anticipation of ARRA
funding, or any other source of timely funding. This action permits the use of non-domestic iron,
steel, and manufactured goods in such projects funded by ARRA that may otherwise be
prohibited under section 1605(a).
The effective date of this rulemaking is May 22, 2009.
"Notice of Nationwide Waiver of Section 1605 (Buy American Requirement) of American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) for de minimis Incidental Components of
Projects Financed Through the Clean or Drinking Water State Revolving Funds Using
Assistance Provided Under ARRA"
June 2, 2009 (74 FR 26398)
EPA is hereby granting a nationwide waiver of the Buy American requirements of ARRA
Section 1605 under the authority of Section 1605(b)(l) (public interest waiver) for de minimis
incidental components of eligible water infrastructure projects funded by ARRA. This action
permits the use of non-domestic iron, steel, and manufactured goods when they occur in de
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 3rd Quarter Report 13
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minimis incidental components of such projects funded by ARRA that may otherwise be
prohibited under section 1605(a).
The effective date of this rulemaking is May 22, 2009.
"Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal of Information Collection;
Comment Request; Agency Information Collection Activities Supporting the Second Cycle
of Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring in Public Water Systems; EPA ICR No. 2192.03,
OMB Control No. 2040 - 0270"
June 9, 2009 (74 FR 27311)
EPA announced its plans to submit the following Information Collection Request (ICR) to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval: "Agency Information
Collection Activities Supporting the Second Cycle of Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring in
Public Water Systems," ICR Number 2192.03, OMB Control Number 2040 - 0270. The current
expiration date for this ICR is November 30, 2009.
Comments must be received by August 10, 2009.
"Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request;
Critical Public Information Needs During Drinking Water Emergencies (New); EPA ICR
No. 2322.01, OMB Control No. 2080 - NEW"
June 17, 2009 (74 FR 28695)
EPA announced its plans to submit the following new ICR to OMB for review and approval:
"Critical Public Information Needs during Drinking Water Emergencies (New)," ICR Number
2322.01, OMB Control Number 2080 - NEW. Before submitting the ICR to OMB, EPA is
soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection.
Comments must be submitted on or before August 17, 2009.
"Public Water Supply Supervision Program; Program Revision for the State of Idaho"
June 23, 2009 (74 FR 29697)
The State of Idaho has revised its approved State Public Water Supply Supervision Primacy
Program. Idaho has adopted regulations analogous to EPA's Variance and Exemptions Rule,
Stage 2 DBPR, Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, Ground Water Rule, and
Lead and Copper Short - Term Regulatory Revisions and Clarifications Rule. EPA has
determined that these revisions are no less stringent than the corresponding federal regulations.
Therefore, EPA intends to approve these State program revisions.
All interested parties may request a public hearing. If a substantial request for a public hearing is
made to the Regional Administrator by July 23, 2009, a public hearing will be held. If no timely
and appropriate request for a hearing is received and the Regional Administrator does not elect to
hold a hearing on her own motion, this determination shall become final and effective on July 23,
2009.
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CONSENT DECREES
"Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Under the Emergency Planning and Community
Right-To-Know Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act,
the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act,
and the Clean Air Act"
April 16, 2009 (74 FR 17688)
This notice announced that on April 13, 2009, a proposed Consent Decree in United States, et al.
v. INVISTA, S.ar.l, Civil Action Number 1:09 - cv - 00244, was lodged with the United States
District Court for the District of Delaware.
Comments must be received by May 16, 2009.
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