News & Events
Newsletter
January 2006
What Does the USEPA's Final Arsenic Rule Mean for Data Collection? es
As of January 23, 2006, all community water systems (CWSs) and nontransient, noncommunity water systems (NTNCWSs) must comply with the revised arsenic MCL of 0.01 mg/L (10 µg/L or 10 ppb). The MCL is reduced from 0.05 mg/L. The EPA has clarified that analytical results for arsenic must be reported to the nearest 0.001 mg/L, and that 10 ppb (0.010 mg/L) will be used for determining compliance.
Monitoring Requirements
The Rule makes the arsenic monitoring requirements consistent with monitoring for other inorganic contaminants (IOCs) regulated under the Phase II/V standardized monitoring framework. All systems have to collect IOC samples once a year or once every three years, depending on the source water, unless they have a waiver.
Surface water systems must complete initial monitoring for arsenic by December 31, 2006, or have a State-approved waiver. Ground water systems must complete initial monitoring for arsenic by December 31, 2007, or have a State-approved waiver.
The Rule requires that all CWSs and NTNCWSs must monitor for arsenic at each entry point to the distribution system. However, the State has discretion to allow systems to collect samples at alternative locations, such as the first point of drinking water consumption in the distribution system.
Analytical Methods
Four analytical technologies are approved for compliance determinations with the revised MCL. These methods are the same analytical technologies that were approved for arsenic when the MCL was 0.05 mg/L, with the exception of two ICP-AES methods.
The two withdrawn methods are inadequate for determining compliance, determining eligibility for monitoring waivers, and for the grandfathering of data for the revised MCL.
Grandfathering Data
Because January 23, 2006, falls in the middle of 2005-2007 compliance period, States may allow groundwater systems to use grandfathered data collected after January 1, 2005, to satisfy the sampling requirements for that period. States may allow surface water systems to use grandfathered data collected after January 1, 2006, to satisfy the sampling requirements for the 2006 year. Data collected using AES technology are not eligible for grandfathering.
For more information, see the EPA’s Arsenic Rule Implementation.
We are making our newsletters available by email. The WaterTrax Newsletter contains information on water and wastewater quality and regulatory issues, client stories, and WaterTrax service features. Please click the "signup for our Newsletter" button above and fill out the form. You will then be sent an email with a confirmation link, please click the link to be added to our email list and to receive our quarterly newsletter.
Free Web Seminar
Attend this seminar to discover an easier way to manage your water or wastewater data efficiently.
Request for Information
Sign up for our newsletter, request someone to contact you to discuss how WaterTrax can help you with your data management, or set up a personal, detailed demonstration of the WaterTrax service.