U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman has announced that the arsenic standard in drinking water will be 10 parts per billion (ppb).
"Throughout this process, I have made it clear that EPA intends to strengthen the standard for arsenic by substantially lowering the maximum acceptable level from 50 parts per billion (ppb), which has been the lawful limit for nearly half a century," Whitman wrote in a letter to the conferees on the Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and Independent Agencies appropriations measure.
"The Bush Administration is committed to protecting the environment and the health of all Americans," Whitman said. "This standard will improve the safety of drinking water for millions of Americans, and better protect against the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes."
When the Administrator initiated review of the standard for arsenic, there were indications that additional information was available that had not been considered previously. She asked for time to look at the new science and data that have come to light since the original (1999) study by the National Academy of Sciences on this matter. Whitman also asked that three expert panels review all the new and existing materials. The National Academy of Sciences looked at risk; the National Drinking Water Advisory Council examined costs to water systems throughout the nation; and, EPA's Science Advisory Board assessed benefits.
Whitman reiterated that the additional study and consultation have not delayed the compliance date for implementing a new standard for arsenic in 2006.
"Instead it has reinforced the basis for the decision," said Whitman. "I said in April that we would obtain the necessary scientific and cost review to ensure a standard that fully protects the health of all Americans, we did that, and we are reassured by all of the data that significant reductions are necessary. As required by the Safe Drinking Water Act, a standard of 10 ppb protects public health based on the best available science and ensures that the cost of the standard is achievable."
Nearly 97 percent of the water systems affected by this rule are small systems that serve less than 10,000 people each. EPA plans to provide $20 million over the next two years for the research and development of more cost-effective technologies. The Agency also will provide technical assistance and training to operators of small systems, which will reduce their compliance costs, Whitman told conferees.
EPA will work with small communities to maximize grants and loans under current State Revolving Fund and Rural Utilities Service programs of the Department of Agriculture. Last year EPA provided more than $600 million in grants and loans to water systems for drinking water compliance.
"Our goal is to provide clean, safe, and affordable drinking water to all Americans," said Whitman.
EPA Administrator Downplays Terrorist Threat to Water SafetyEPA Administrator Christie Whitman allayed fears for the security of the nation's water systems during a visit to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Consolidated Laboratory in Silver Spring, MD. She said EPA believes the possibility of successful contamination of a water system is small.
"As someone who drinks water at home from the tap — as does my family — this is a concern I certainly understand. People are worried that a small amount of some chemical or biological agent-a few drops, for instance-could result in significant threats to the health of large numbers of people. I want to assure people — that scenario just can't happen," said Whitman.
"It would take large amounts of contaminants to threaten the safety of a city water system. Because of increased security at water reservoirs and other facilities around the country — and because people are being extra vigilant as well — we believe it would be very difficult for anyone to introduce the quantities needed to contaminate an entire system."
"For more than 80 years, our mission has been to supply safe, clean water to our customers," said WSSC General Manager John R. Griffin. "Since our nation's recent tragedies, we've strengthened our already solid foundation of safety and security measures. Our modern water quality laboratory helps to ensure we fulfill that crucial mission."
The Administrator explained that systems already in place for treating drinking water before it comes out of the tap will, in many cases, remove the immediate threat to public health. EPA has worked with partners like the Association of Metropolitan Water Authorities (AMWA) to make sure water utilities receive information on the steps they can take to protect their sources of supply and their infrastructure. Diane van de Hei, Executive Director of AMWA , joined the Administrator at the event.
In addition, Sandia National Laboratories is working with EPA to develop training materials for water companies so they can conduct thorough assessments of their vulnerable points. Sandia representatives Robert Eagan, Vice President Energy, Information and Infrastructure Surety Division, and Peter Davies, Director Geoscience & Environment Center, also took part in the press conference.
"Several weeks ago I directed that these materials, originally scheduled to become available next year, be put on a fast track. I'm pleased to announce that training using these materials will begin for water system operators early next month," Whitman said.
Another step EPA has taken to protect water systems was to work with the FBI to advise every local law enforcement agency in the country of steps they can take to help watch for possible threats to water systems.
The Administrator explained that despite small probabilities and stepped-up prevention, there are no "iron-clad guarantees." Should an attack succeed, EPA is ready to respond immediately.
"Our experts are ready to provide guidance. Our federal labs are ready to provide analysis. And our specialists are ready to assist in recovery," said Whitman. "It's also important to remember that America's water utilities are not interconnected."
TMDL Deadline SetEPA has established April 30, 2003, as the effective date of the revisions to EPA's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program (NPDES) regulations published in the Federal Register on July 13, 2000.
The July 2000 rule amends and clarifies existing regulations implementing section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), which requires states to identify waters that are not meeting state water quality standards and to establish pollutant budgets, called TMDLs, to restore the quality of those waters.
The rule also lays out specific time frames under which EPA will assure that lists of waters not meeting water quality standards and TMDLs are completed as scheduled, and that necessary point and nonpoint source controls are implemented to meet TMDLs. WW/
