Small System Compliance Technology Lists and Findings Concerning Variance Technologies

The Environmental Protection Agency announces the Small System Compliance Technology Lists and the release of three guidance documents and three supporting documents. The lists present options for small systems regarding National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs) set prior to the 1996 Amendments of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The August 6, 1998 Federal Register notice, Announcement of Small System Compliance Technology Lists for Existing National Primary Drinking Water Regulations and Findings Concerning Variance Technologies (FRL-6137-3), may be read online or in PDF format.
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An NPDWR, or primary standard, is a legally-enforceable standard that applies to public water systems. Primary standards protect drinking water quality by limiting the levels of specific contaminants that can adversely affect public health. The NPDWRs promulgated prior to the 1996 SDWA Amendments include both Maximum Contaminant Levels and Treatment Techniques. Under both types of regulations, a feasibility determination is made in setting the standard. The ability of treatment technology to remove contaminants is one component of the feasibility determination. Another component is the cost of the treatment technology.

Cost assessments for the feasibility of treatment technologies have historically been based on impacts to regional and large metropolitan water systems, serving populations greater than 50,000 customers. Feasible technologies were applied to all water systems regardless of size. However, the technical and cost considerations often made them inappropriate or unavailable for small water systems. This notice presents options appropriate for small systems.

As directed by the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act, EPA will make small system technology assessments for both existing and future regulations. The Amendments specify three size categories: systems serving 10,000 or fewer customers, but more than 3,300; 3,300 or fewer but more than 500; and 500 or fewer but more than 25.

Guidance Documents:

• Small System Compliance Technology List for the Surface Water
  Treatment Rule and Total Coliform Rule (EPA 815-R-98-001)
• Small System Compliance Technology List for the Non-Microbial
  Contaminants Regulated Before 1996 (EPA 815-R-98-002)
• Variance Technology Findings for Contaminants
  Regulated Before 1996 (EPA 815-R-98-003)

The three supporting documents, available through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 1 (800) 426-4791, provide the following information:

• National Level Affordability Criteria Under the
  1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act
• An Assessment of the Vulnerability of Non-Community
  Water Systems to Safe Drinking Water Act Cost Increases
• Cost Evaluation of Small System Compliance Options:
  Point-of-Use and Point-of-Entry Treatment Options.

  You may also obtain copies of the notice and guidance documents from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 1 (800) 426-4791.