EPA announces nationwide PFAS monitoring in drinking water

Dec. 22, 2021
The agency's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule plans to significantly expand its national monitoring efforts for 29 PFAS and lithium in drinking water, including expanded monitoring for small and underserved communities.

This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5), which establishes nationwide monitoring for 29 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and lithium in drinking water. The marks a significant milestone in the nation’s approach to PFAS management.

EPA uses the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule to monitor for priority unregulated contaminants in drinking water every five years. UCMR 5 will collect new data on 29 PFAS, in order to improve EPA’s understanding of the frequency and magnitude of these chemicals in the nation’s drinking water systems.

Additionally, expanded monitoring in UCMR 5 will support state and regional assessments of contamination. This will enable analyses of potential impacts on disadvantaged communities, where monitoring is often weaker. The data will also serve as a potential source of information for systems that need additional funding to deal with these emerging contaminants.

“At EPA, we are advancing the science and the monitoring that are necessary to protect all communities from PFAS,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan in a statement. “With the data provided by this rule, EPA will be able to develop better regulations while the agency, states, and our local partners will be able to make protective public health decisions that are grounded in science.”

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), as amended by America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, now requires all drinking water systems serving between 3,300 and 10,000 people to participate in these UCMR. A representative sample of systems serving fewer than 3,300 people may also need to participate, depending on appropriations and laboratory capacities.

If the necessary funds are available, the UCMR 5 plans to significantly expand the number of small drinking water systems participating in these programs, which could provide more Americans with a better understanding of potential contaminants in their drinking water.

The rule requires participating drinking water systems to collect samples from 2023-2025 and report final results through 2026.

EPA will hold multiple webinar meetings for stakeholders in 2022. Dates and times of the upcoming meetings will be posted on EPA’s website.

Sponsored Recommendations

ArmorBlock 5000: Boost Automation Efficiency

April 25, 2024
Discover the transformative benefits of leveraging a scalable On-Machine I/O to improve flexibility, enhance reliability and streamline operations.

Rising Cyber Threats and the Impact on Risk and Resiliency Operations

April 25, 2024
The world of manufacturing is changing, and Generative AI is one of the many change agents. The 2024 State of Smart Manufacturing Report takes a deep dive into how Generative ...

State of Smart Manufacturing Report Series

April 25, 2024
The world of manufacturing is changing, and Generative AI is one of the many change agents. The 2024 State of Smart Manufacturing Report takes a deep dive into how Generative ...

SmartSights WIN-911 Alarm Notification Software Enables Faster Response

March 15, 2024
Alarm notification software enables faster response for customers, keeping production on track