EPA Releases Success Stories to Help Small Systems Control Arsenic in Drinking Water

EPA has released eleven Arsenic Rule Compliance Success Stories, a series of case studies highlighting public water system experiences in meeting the revised drinking water standard. These community and non-residential water systems utilized innovative or lower cost approaches to meeting the revised 10 ppb maximum contaminant level for arsenic. The lessons learned from these utilities will assist the 1,700 public water systems still seeking a sustainable Arsenic Rule compliance solution.

Water systems need to be aware of the potential impacts that treatment changes can have on their ability to provide safe drinking water. EPA has also developed a new fact sheet to help owners and operators understand and respond to issues that may arise with arsenic and their distribution system when treatment is installed or modified.

Arsenic is a naturally occurring contaminant that may increase a person’s risk of getting cancer if consumed regularly over a long period of time. In 2001, EPA lowered the MCL for arsenic in drinking water from 50 to 10 ppb to further protect public health.

The Arsenic Rule Compliance Success Stories and the fact sheet Arsenic and Your Distribution System may be viewed online at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic/compliance.html.

Source: EPA