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Proposed changes to Wisconsin drinking water rules will better protect public health

Release Date: 01/06/2006
Contact Information: Phillippa Cannon, (312) 353-6218

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 06 - OPA001

CHICAGO (Jan. 6, 2006) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 seeks comments on its tentative decision to approve three changes to Wisconsin's drinking water regulations that will enhance protection of public health and increase information provided to the public about their drinking water. The changes are required under amendments to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. As EPA adopts new drinking water regulations, states such as Wisconsin that administer their own programs must adopt rules at least as stringent.
Wisconsin plans to adopt:

* the Lead and Copper Minor Revision rule that streamlines and reduces reporting requirements;

* the Radionuclides rule that sets a new maximum contaminant level for uranium and revises monitoring requirements; and

* the revised Public Notification rule that emphasizes the consumer's right-to-know about the quality of their drinking water and sets guidelines for the form, manner, frequency and content of public notices.

If there is sufficient interest, EPA will hold a public hearing on the proposed changes. Comments and requests for a hearing should be postmarked by Feb. 2, 2006 and sent to EPA Region 5, Ground Water and Drinking Water Branch (WG-15J), 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604 or e-mailed to janczy.joseph@epa.gov.
Documents on the proposed changes are available for review at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource, DG-2, Second Floor, 101 S. Webster, Madison, Wis., and at EPA's Chicago office.