vvEPA FACT SHEET Proposed Rule: Clean Water Act Methods Update Rule 22 for the Analysis of Pollutants in Effluent December 2024 The Clean Water Act requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate test procedures, or methods, for the analysis of pollutants (or parameters) in wastewater. Regulated and regulatory entities use the methods to characterize effluents for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit applications, to determine compliance with NPDES permit limits, and for other Clean Water Act monitoring requirements. The EPA is proposing to update Title 40, Part 136 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to add three new methods: (1) Method 1621 to test for a method defined parameter, adsorbable organic fluorine; (2) Method 1628, to test for poly-chlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners; and (3) Method 1633 to test for 40 per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater and seven other types of environmental media. The proposed regulation also would withdraw seven parameters (Aroclor 1016,1221, 1232, 1242, 1248, 1254, and 1260); add methods previously published by voluntary consensus standard bodies for PFAS, peracetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide; simplify the sampling requirements for two volatile organic compounds; and make a series of minor corrections to existing tables of approved methods in the CFR. How does this action help the regulated community? This rule would approve new methods for use in NPDES permits for regulated dischargers (permittees). Allowing new methods does not change substantive obligations of permittees, it does not require monitoring, nor does it set permit limits. Once final, the updates in this proposed rule will have a positive impact on the regulated community by improving the consistency of how regulated parameters are analyzed by requiring fully validated methods that have well documented accuracy and precision. Stakeholders will know that the methods are approved and adequate for use in NPDES permits. Is the EPA required to establish analytical methods? Yes, Clean Water Act section 304(h) requires the EPA to establish analytical methods that measure pollutants for use in NPDES permit applications and for reports required under NPDES permits. Once final, these Clean Water Act methods can be found in 40 CFR Part 136 and are used to implement the NPDES program. More information You can find the Federal Register notice for this rule and information on how to provide comments on it by visiting the EPA's Clean Water Act Analytical Methods website. The EPA will accept written comments on this proposed rule for 30 days upon publication of the Federal Register notice. You can view the supporting documents for this rule at regulations.gov under Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OW-2024-0328. You may also contact Adrian Hanley at (202) 564-1564, or hanley.adrian@epa.gov. Page 1 of 1 ------- |