c/EPA Federal Register Action: Expedited Approval of Alternative Test Procedures for the Analysis of Contaminants Under the Safe Drinking Water Act; Analysis and Sampling Procedures United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA is approving seven alternative test procedures for contaminants listed in the drinking water regulations. These procedures have been determined by the Agency to be as effective as the methods already established in the regulations for the same contaminants. EPA has used its streamlined approval authority to make these seven alternative methods available for determining contaminant concentrations in samples collected under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Background When EPA establishes a monitoring requirement for a drinking water contaminant, it also specifies at least one "reference" analytical method that can be used to determine the contaminant's concentration in drinking water. Public water systems must use a testing method approved by the Agency when performing analyses of samples required by regulation. Reference methods that are incorporated into the regulations are approved through a rulemaking process. In general, this means that EPA publishes a proposed rule, citing the method along with a discussion of how the method can be used to analyze compliance samples. The method is proposed for approval in conjunction with monitoring requirements for one or more specific contaminants. Public comment is solicited. EPA then decides whether to approve the method. If the method is deemed suitable, it is approved via a final rule. Under that process, the method is not approved for analysis of samples until it is referenced in a final rule. After establishing monitoring requirements in the final rule, EPA continues to evaluate additional analytical methods as they become available. When new or revised testing methods for drinking water contaminants are determined to be as effective as methods already established in the regulations, then the Agency can use its streamlined approval authority to make the new methods available for determining contaminant concentrations in samples collected under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Methods approved under the expedited approval process are referenced in Appendix A to Subpart C of Part 141 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Office of Water (MS - 4606 M) EPA 815-F-22-004 August 2022 ------- Summary of Action EPA has evaluated seven testing methods for contaminants listed in the regulations and determined them to be as effective as methods already established in the regulations for those contaminants. The Agency is using its streamlined approval authority to make these seven optional, alternative methods listed in Table 1 available for determining contaminant concentrations in samples collected under SDWA. Table 1. EPA, Voluntary Consensus Standard Organization, and Vendor- Developed Methods Method Contaminant(s)/Parameter(s) EPA Method 904.0, Revision 1.0 Radium-228 ASTM D 4785-20 ASTM D 4107-20 ASTM D 5317-20 Lovibond TB 3500 Lovibond TB 5000 Lovibond TB 6000 Radioactive iodine Tritium 2,4-D; Pentachlorophenol; Picloram; 2,4,5-TP Turbidity Turbidity Turbidity Additional Information and Copies You can view or download the complete text of the Expedited Method Approval Federal Register final action (https://www.epa.gov/dwanalyticalmethods). A listing of the methods approved using the expedited approval process can also be downloaded from the same website. You can learn more about the Expedited Method Approval Process for drinking water and the alternative testing methods approved under the program by contacting the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or Glynda Smith, Technical Support Center (MC-140), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268; (e-mail Glynda Smith: smith.glynda@epa.gov). ------- |