July 25, 2016
By:
Walter G. Wright
Category:
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
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The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) in a July 19th Federal Register Notice announced approval of alternative testing methods for use in measuring the levels of contaminants in drinking water and determining compliance with national primary drinking water regulations. See 81 Fed. Reg. 46839.
Specifically, EPA is approving 16 analytical methods for determining contaminant concentrations in drinking water samples collected under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The Safe Drinking Water Act authorizes the agency to approve the use of alternative methods through publication in the Federal Register.
EPA states it is utilizing what it characterizes as a “streamlined authority” to provide public water systems, laboratories, and primacy agencies with:
- More timely access to new measurement techniques
- Greater flexibility in the selection of analytical methods
The agency believes the action will reduce monitoring costs while maintaining public health protection.
The Federal Register Notice identifies both the new methods and other corresponding methods similarly approved through previously expedited actions in 40 CFR part 141, appendix A to subpart C.
A copy of the Federal Register Notice can be downloaded here.
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