In the newly finalized review of existing drinking water standards, EPA determined that scientific advances allow for stricter regulations for the carcinogenic compounds tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, acrylamide and epichlorohydrin.

On March 22, 2010, EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced at the annual meeting of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AWMA) that her agency had determined that technology had reached a point that would allow additional tightening of standards for certain chemicals found in drinking water. Within the next year, the agency would announce new limits for the tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene with revisions for epichlorohydrin and acrylamide to follow soon after.

The agency also announced that ongoing studies were being conducted on 14 additional drinking water standards including lead and copper. Jackson said, “…we must use the law more effectively and promote new technologies.”

The new vision is meant to streamline decision-making and expand protection under existing law and promote cost-effective new technologies to meet the needs of rural, urban and other water-stressed communities. Specifically, this shift in drinking water strategy is organized around four key principles:

· Address contaminants as a group rather than one at a time so that enhancement of drinking water protection can be achieved cost-effectively.

· Foster development of new drinking water treatment technologies to address health risks posed by a broad array of contaminants.

· Use the authority of multiple statutes to help protect drinking water.

· Partner with states to share more complete data from monitoring at public water systems.

For more information on the strategy: click here.

For additional information on the six-year review: click here.