EPA to Require Monitoring for Unregulated Contaminants

Release date: 12/21/2006

Contact Information: (Media only) Dale Kemery, (202) 564-4355 / kemery.dale@epa.gov (Other inquiries) Greg Carroll, (513) 569-7948 / carroll.gregory@epa.gov

(Washington, D.C. - Dec. 21, 2006) Approximately 4,000 public water systems will monitor drinking water for up to 25 unregulated chemicals to inform EPA about the frequency and levels at which these contaminants are found in drinking water systems across the United States. The information will help determine whether regulations are needed to protect public health. This is the second scheduled review under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 2).

"Through continuous monitoring and research, EPA collects the information needed to make effective policy decisions," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Benjamin H. Grumbles. "Good policy is fundamental to protecting public health and the environment."

EPA currently has regulations for more than 90 contaminants. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires EPA to identify up to 30 contaminants for monitoring every five years. The first cycle, UCMR 1, was published in 1999 and covered 25 chemicals and one microorganism. The new rule requires systems to monitor for contaminants that are not regulated under existing law.

EPA selected the contaminants that will be monitored through a process that included a review of:

• EPA's Contaminant Candidate List, which contains priority contaminants that are researched to make decisions about whether regulations are needed. The contaminants on the list are known or anticipated to occur in public water systems. However, they are unregulated by existing national drinking water regulations.
• Additional contaminants of concern based on current research about occurrence and various health-risk factors.

More information about the UCMR 2 rule: epa.gov/safewater/ucmr/ucmr2 or call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., EST.