AWWA Supports EPA Efforts to Reduce Disinfection Byproducts in Drinking Water

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) today reaffirmed its commitment to work that is being done to reduce the presence of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in drinking water.

AWWA has been working collaboratively since 1998 with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), environmental groups and other stakeholders, including consumer groups, to develop a new regulatory framework for the level of disinfection byproducts in drinking water through a staged process.

Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule was finalized by USEPA in 1998, and AWWA along with a wide cross-section of stakeholders are working together toward the proposal of a Stage 2 rulemaking.

"As part of our mission to promote public health through safe drinking water, AWWA and its members continue to work to reduce disinfection byproduct levels in drinking water through a process that protects the public from both long and short term health risks," said AWWA executive director Jack Hoffbuhr.

"Safe drinking water disinfection remains one of the most significant public health achievements of the last century, and by working collaboratively to develop new regulatory frameworks we are ensuring that drinking water will remain safe."

In an earlier press release the USEPA stated that, "USEPA does not endorse all the conclusions in this report. The data that the EWG provides warrants additional review, possibly peer review, but at this time the data is not conclusive and may be misleading. USEPA agrees with the EWG on the importance of continued research on the potential adverse reproductive and developmental health effects from exposure to DBPs. However the studies cited in the EWG report do not support their argument that there is a link between current levels of exposure to DBPs and an increased risk of adverse reproductive and developmental health effects."

"After reviewing the 'Consider the Source' report released yesterday, by the Environmental Working Group and U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG), AWWA continues to believe working collaboratively with other groups to prevent source water contamination and reduce the presence of disinfection byproducts in drinking water is the best course of action," Hoffbuhr stated.

With over 56,000 members AWWA is the largest organization of water professionals in the world. AWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum of the drinking water community.

Source: PR Newswire