The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented all of the recommendations GAO made in its May 2011 report to improve the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) program. EPA's UCMR program collects data on unregulated contaminants in the nation's drinking water. EPA uses this data and other information to make decisions on whether to regulate additional drinking water contaminants. This book examines the extent to which EPA implemented GAO's prior recommendations to improve the program and opportunities, if any, to strengthen it further; the factors EPA considered when it selected the UCMR3 contaminants and the limitations, if any, it faced in selecting them; and the extent to which UCMR data support regulatory determinations. It also discusses and summarises the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and its major programs and regulatory requirements.
" EPA's UCMR program collects data on unregulated contaminants in the nation's drinking water. EPA uses these data and other information to make regulatory determinations-decisions on whether to regulate additional drinking water contaminants. It is currently in its third data collection cycle, UCMR3. GAO was asked to examine the UCMR program. This report examines: (1) the extent to which EPA implemented GAO's prior recommendations to improve the program and opportunities, if any, to strengthen it further; (2) the factors EPA considered when it selected the UCMR3 contaminants and the limitations, if any, it faced in selecting them; and (3) the extent to which UCMR data support regulatory determinations. GAO reviewed EPA documents, surveyed 48 subject matter experts, assessed the UCMR program against statutory requirements and other standards, and interviewed EPA officials. "
Key drinking water issues include problems caused by specific contaminants, such as the gasoline additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), perchlorate, and lead, as well as the related issue of the appropriate federal role in providing financial assistance for water infrastructure projects. Congress last reauthorised the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) in 1996, and although funding authority for most SDWA programs expired in FY2003, broad reauthorization efforts are not expected as EPA, states, and water utilities remain busy implementing the requirements of the 1996 amendments. Concerns about perchlorate in drinking water also have returned to the congressional agenda, after the past Congress enacted several provisions on this issue. H.R. 213 has been introduced to require EPA to set a drinking water standard for perchlorate in 2007, and a January 2005 National Academy of Sciences report on the health effects of perchlorate has increased oversight interest in perchlorate regulatory activities at EPA. Concerns over the security of the nation's drinking water supplies were addressed by the 107th Congress through the Bioterrorism Preparedness Act (P.L. 107-188), which amended SDWA to require community water systems to conduct vulnerability assessments and prepare emergency response plans. Subsequent congressional action has involved oversight and funding of water security assessment and planning efforts and research. An ongoing SDWA issue involves the growing cost and complexity of drinking water standards and the ability of water systems, especially small, rural systems, to comply with standards. The issue of the cost of drinking water standards, particularly the new arsenic standard, has merged with the larger debate over the federal role in assisting communities with financing drinking water infrastructure - an issue that has become more challenging in a time of tightened budgets. Congress authorized a drinking water state revolving fund (DWSRF) program in 1996 to help communities finance projects needed to meet standards. For FY2005, Congress provided $843 million for the DWSRF program, and the President has requested $850 million for FY2006. Notwithstanding this program, studies show that a large funding gap exists and will grow as SDWA requirements increase and infrastructure ages.
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (UCMR) for Public Water Systems Revisions (US Environmental Protection Agency Regulation) (EPA) (2018 Edition) The Law Library presents the complete text of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (UCMR) for Public Water Systems Revisions (US Environmental Protection Agency Regulation) (EPA) (2018 Edition). Updated as of May 29, 2018 The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), as amended in 1996, requires the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish criteria for a program to monitor unregulated contaminants and to publish a list of contaminants to be monitored every five years. EPA published the first set of contaminants in 1999. This final regulation meets the SDWA requirement by publishing the next set of unregulated contaminants to be monitored and the requirements for such monitoring. This book contains: - The complete text of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (UCMR) for Public Water Systems Revisions (US Environmental Protection Agency Regulation) (EPA) (2018 Edition) - A table of contents with the page number of each section
Revisions to the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (UCMR 3) for Public Water Systems (US Environmental Protection Agency Regulation) (EPA) (2018 Edition) The Law Library presents the complete text of the Revisions to the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (UCMR 3) for Public Water Systems (US Environmental Protection Agency Regulation) (EPA) (2018 Edition). Updated as of May 29, 2018 The 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) require that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the agency) establish criteria for a program to monitor unregulated contaminants and publish a list of up to 30 contaminants to be monitored every five years. This final rule meets the SDWA requirement by publishing the third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (i.e., UCMR 3), listing the unregulated contaminants to be monitored and addressing the requirements for such monitoring. This final rule describes analytical methods to monitor for 28 chemical contaminants and describes the monitoring for two viruses. UCMR 3 provides EPA and other interested parties with scientifically valid data on the occurrence of these contaminants in drinking water, permitting the assessment of the number of people potentially being exposed and the levels of that exposure. These data are one of the primary sources of occurrence and exposure information the agency uses to develop regulatory decisions for these contaminants. In addition, as part of an Expedited Methods Update, this rule finalizes amendatory language for a drinking water inorganic analysis table ("Inorganic chemical sampling and analytical requirements") in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). This minor editorial correction to the table does not affect the UCMR program. This book contains: - The complete text of the Revisions to the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (UCMR 3) for Public Water Systems (US Environmental Protection Agency Regulation) (EPA) (2018 Edition) - A table of contents with the page number of each section
