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PA EPA MEETS DRINKING WATER ANNIVERSARY DEADLINE AUGUST 6; ISSUES NEW RULES
Release Date: 08/14/98
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1998
EPA MEETS DRINKING WATER ANNIVERSARY DEADLINE AUGUST 6; ISSUES NEW RULES
EPA is celebrating the second anniversary of the revised Safe Drinking Water Act, amended in l996 to improve the safety of the nation’s drinking water. Over the past two years, EPA has been working with the public to develop an array of tools that states, water systems and the consumers can use to further protect drinking water. Among a number of new rules is a requirement that drinking water suppliers provide their customers by October 1999 with annual reports on the safety of their local drinking water. President Clinton announced the final standards for these “consumer confidence reports” on August 11. In addition, EPA completed seven other actions required by the August 6 deadline: •Variances & Exemptions: final rule provides options that states can use to help small drinking water systems implement EPA’s drinking water standards. Signed Aug. 6; to be published in the Federal Register August 14. EPA contact: Richard Alonso, 202-564-6048. •Small System Compliance Technology Lists: these lists provide information to small water systems on alternative water treatments that they can use to provide safe drinking water. Published in the Federal Register on August 6. EPA contact: Jeff Kempic, 202-260-9567. •Capacity Development Guidance: final guidance to help States implement strategies to assist their water systems in acquiring and maintaining the technical, managerial, and financial capacity that they need to provide safe drinking water. Signed August 2 and published on EPA Internet website (see site address below) on August 6. EPA contact: Peter Shanaghan, 202-260-5813. •Review of Monitoring Requirements: EPA has reviewed the monitoring requirements for a number of chemical contaminants and will conduct further analysis before deciding if changes need to be made. Published in Federal Register, on July 30. EPA contact: Ed Thomas, 202-260-0910. •Water Conservation Guidelines: These voluntary guidelines will encourage conservation by water systems, particularly small systems, extending the life of water treatment infrastructure and reducing costs. Published in the Federal Register on August 6. EPA contact: John Flowers, 202-260-7288. •Public Water System Definition: The amendments broadened the definition of a public water system and this guidance explains how EPA will implement this new definition. Published in the Federal Register, August 5. EPA contact: Jon Merkle, 415-744-1844. •Waterborne Disease: EPA and the Centers for Disease Control have agreed to undertake a study of waterborne disease in the United States to determine future health protection needs. Notice to be published in Federal Register soon; signed August 3 and available on Internet on August 6. EPA contact: Susan Shaw, 202-260-8049. Further information on all of these rules and guidance is available on the Internet at EPA’s drinking water website: https://www.epa.gov/safewater. The general public also can call EPA’s drinking water hotline at 1-800-426-4791 for additional information.
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