Search Results for keywords:"Safe Drinking Water Act"

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved two new methods to test contaminants in drinking water, as outlined in a rule published in the Federal Register. This action permits public water systems and related agencies to use these alternative methods, offering more flexibility and potentially lowering monitoring costs without compromising public health. The approved methods, effective January 16, 2025, are EPA Method 537.1 for detecting selected PFAS chemicals and the e-sens Automated Micro Chlorine Detection Method for measuring free and total chlorine. These alternative methods are considered as effective as existing methods and are added as options for compliance under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval to extend the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5). This rule requires public water systems to monitor 30 unregulated chemical contaminants, helping the EPA decide if these should be regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The extension is necessary as the current approval is valid until January 31, 2025. The EPA is seeking public comments on this request until February 18, 2025.

The Department of Justice has proposed a change to a 2009 court order involving the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC) in the Northern Mariana Islands. This order was put in place to address issues with CUC's compliance with laws related to water safety and cleanliness. Following a 2023 inspection by the EPA that identified problems in CUC's operations, the proposed modification requires CUC to correct these deficiencies. The public can comment on this proposal for 30 days, and the related documents are available for review online.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is evaluating whether to regulate certain unregulated drinking water contaminants listed on the fifth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 5). In this publication, it provides preliminary determinations not to regulate nine specific contaminants, as they do not appear to occur in public water systems at levels of public health concern. For five additional contaminants, the EPA is continuing its evaluation and hasn't reached a decision yet. The EPA is requesting public comments on its preliminary findings and analysis before finalizing its regulatory determinations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting a virtual meeting of the National Drinking Water Advisory Council on January 9, 2025. The meeting will discuss a proposed regulation for perchlorate in drinking water as part of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The public can attend and provide oral or written comments, and instructions for participation and accessibility accommodations are available on the EPA's website. The council advises the EPA on water-related policies and functions.

The Department of Justice has filed a proposed consent decree in a California district court concerning the Oasis Mobile Home Park. The park's water system has violated the Safe Drinking Water Act due to high arsenic levels, presenting health risks. Under the decree, the defendants must pay a $50,000 penalty and take actions to ensure compliance with drinking and wastewater regulations. The public can comment on this decree within 30 days of the notice's publication.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved West Virginia's request to manage its own Class VI underground injection wells, which are used for storing carbon dioxide underground. This rule grants the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) the authority to issue permits for these wells to help with carbon storage, ensuring they meet federal requirements for safety and environmental protection. The EPA will still oversee wells on Indian lands in West Virginia and will continue to monitor the state's administration of this program to ensure compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. This change is effective starting March 28, 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to submit an information collection request for the "Annual Public Water System Compliance Report" to the Office of Management and Budget. They are seeking public comments on the proposal before it is finalized. This report concerns the violations of water regulations by states and is mandatory under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The estimated burden for states is 4,400 hours annually, with costs totaling $530,000 per year. There are no significant changes in requirements or costs from previous years, aside from updated labor rates.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced updates to the rules for managing lead and copper in drinking water to better protect public health. These changes include improved methods to detect high levels of lead, enhance sampling reliability, and increase public awareness on the risks of lead exposure. For the first time, community water systems are required to test lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. The rule also aims to speed up the replacement of lead service lines and close existing regulatory gaps to ensure safer drinking water.