Purpose of Water TreatmentPurpose of Water Treatment

c. c. Safe Drinking Water Act Safe Drinking Water Act and and

SDWA amendmentsSDWA amendments

Learning Objectives:Learning Objectives:

List and describe important elements List and describe important elements in the Safe Drinking Water Act (1974) in the Safe Drinking Water Act (1974) and Amendments of 1986 and1996.and Amendments of 1986 and1996.

JustifyJustify the changes in the SDWA the changes in the SDWA amendments to reduce risk of water amendments to reduce risk of water contamination and increase consumer contamination and increase consumer awareness.awareness.

The Original Safe Drinking The Original Safe Drinking Water ActWater Act

Established in 1974Established in 1974 Established initial 18 interim MCLs in 1975Established initial 18 interim MCLs in 1975 Established requirements for Established requirements for monitoringmonitoring, ,

analyzinganalyzing, , reportingreporting regulated regulated contaminants in drinking water, contaminants in drinking water, record record keepingkeeping and and notifyingnotifying public when a water public when a water system fails to meet federal standardssystem fails to meet federal standards

SDWA Amendments 1986SDWA Amendments 1986

Require EPA to set 83 MCL and Require EPA to set 83 MCL and MCLGsMCLGs

Regulate 25 additional contaminants Regulate 25 additional contaminants every three years starting 1991every three years starting 1991

Require disinfection of all public water Require disinfection of all public water suppliessupplies

Specify filtration requirements for nearly Specify filtration requirements for nearly all water systems that draw their water all water systems that draw their water from surface sourcesfrom surface sources

Develop additional programs to protect Develop additional programs to protect ground water supplies (e.g., a new ground water supplies (e.g., a new Wellhead protection program and an Wellhead protection program and an enhanced Sole Source Aquifer program).enhanced Sole Source Aquifer program).

Establish monitoring requirements for Establish monitoring requirements for unregulated contaminants which states unregulated contaminants which states were required to report on every five were required to report on every five years so that EPA could decide whether years so that EPA could decide whether or not to regulate those contaminants.or not to regulate those contaminants.

SDWA Amendments 1986SDWA Amendments 1986

Implement a new ban on lead-based Implement a new ban on lead-based solder, pipe and flux materials in solder, pipe and flux materials in distribution systemsdistribution systems

Specify the “best available technology” Specify the “best available technology” (BAT) for treating each contaminant for (BAT) for treating each contaminant for which EPA sets an MCL.which EPA sets an MCL.

SDWA Amendments 1986SDWA Amendments 1986

Creates new programs for water Creates new programs for water regulation and public notice.regulation and public notice.

Authorizes $12 billion in federal Authorizes $12 billion in federal funds for drinking water programs funds for drinking water programs (1997-2003) to support these (1997-2003) to support these programs.programs.

SDWA Amendments 1996SDWA Amendments 1996

Arsenic - EPA studies required to Arsenic - EPA studies required to determine MCL’s for drinking water.determine MCL’s for drinking water.

Disinfectant/Disinfectant By-Products Disinfectant/Disinfectant By-Products (D/DBP) rules (e.g., establishment of (D/DBP) rules (e.g., establishment of MCL’s for Total Trihalomethane MCL’s for Total Trihalomethane (TTHM’s).(TTHM’s).

Public Notice - Information Collection Public Notice - Information Collection Rule (ICR) and annual public reports.Rule (ICR) and annual public reports.

SDWA Amendments 1996SDWA Amendments 1996

CurrentCurrent contaminants - MCL’s contaminants - MCL’s for 83 contaminants for 83 contaminants implemented by 1999.implemented by 1999.

NewNew contaminants - evaluation contaminants - evaluation and addition of new MCL’s (e.g., and addition of new MCL’s (e.g., arsenic, sulfate, radon).arsenic, sulfate, radon).

SDWA Amendments 1996SDWA Amendments 1996

Filter backwash recycling - regulated Filter backwash recycling - regulated by 2000.by 2000.

Regulation review - regulation Regulation review - regulation reviewed and revised (if necessary) reviewed and revised (if necessary) every six years.every six years.

Enforcement - public notification, lead Enforcement - public notification, lead fixtures, chemical supplies, record fixtures, chemical supplies, record keeping, etc.keeping, etc.

SDWA Amendments 1996SDWA Amendments 1996

Summary:Summary:

Changes in the SDWA amendments Changes in the SDWA amendments demonstrate regulatory efforts to demonstrate regulatory efforts to reduce risk of water contamination reduce risk of water contamination and increase consumer awareness.and increase consumer awareness.

1996 amendments to the SDWA 1996 amendments to the SDWA includes creation of new programs includes creation of new programs and increased funding for water and increased funding for water quality.quality.