EPA Publishes DWSRF Interim Final Rule

Oct. 1, 2000
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released an interim final rule for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program that codifies the DWSRF.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released an interim final rule for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program that codifies the DWSRF.

The DWSRF program has been awarding capitalization grants to states since March 1997. More than $2.5 billion of the $3.6 billion that has been appropriated for the program has been awarded to states.

States have provided more than $1.9 billion for loans to public water systems using federal funds as well as state funds from a required 20 percent match. Several states have also increased the amount of funds available for providing assistance by issuing bonds secured by capitalization grant funds.

The proposed rule will not result in any significant changes in program operations or award criteria. It gives each state flexibility to determine the design of its DWSRF program and to direct funding toward its most pressing compliance and public health protection needs. States can fund the operational costs of DWSRF programs from capitalization grant funds, provided that the amount does not exceed 4 percent of the allotment.

This rule primarily codifies the DWSRF program Final Guidelines published in 1997 and explains:

  • What states must do to receive a DWSRF program capitalization grant;
  • What states may do with capitalization grant funds intended for infrastructure projects;
  • What states may do with funds intended for set-aside activities; and
  • The roles of both the states and EPA in managing and administering the program.

The rule also includes several modifications and additions to the Final Guidelines based on policies that have evolved as the DWSRF program has been implemented.

EPA will seek comment on the rule through mid October. If it determines that changes are needed based on the comments received, the agency will revise the rule and publish it as final at a later date. A copy of the Federal Register notice for this rule is available on EPA's website at www.epa.gov/safewater/dwsrf.html. It also can be obtained by contacting the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

EPA Proposes New Analytical Methods

EPA has proposed new analytical methods for 14 contaminants on the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (UCMR) List 2 and when the rule is finalized will require monitoring for those contaminants in drinking water.

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires EPA to establish criteria for a program to monitor unregulated contaminants and to publish a list of contaminants to be monitored. EPA published the Revisions to the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (UCMR) for public water systems on September 17, 1999, which included lists of contaminants for which monitoring was required or would be required in the future. These lists included: List 1 for contaminants with analytical methods; List 2 for contaminants with methods that were being refined; and List 3 for contaminants with methods that were still being developed.

The 14 contaminants from List 2 being upgraded include 13 inorganic chemicals and one microbiological contaminant. The inorganics include a number of pesticides and herbicides, including diazinon, disulfoton, diuron, prometon and turbufos. The microbiological contaminant is Aeromonas hydrophila, an organism present is all fresh and brackish waters.

The proposed rule also includes modifications to the UCMR that affect the implementation of monitoring for both List 1 and List 2 contaminants. Copies of the proposed rule are available for downloading in PDF format from the EPA Office of Water Internet site.

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