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Safe Drinking Water ProgramInformation for Water System and Water Industry Professionals
Source water assessment and protection Safe Drinking Water Program: Services and Organization
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Regulation of Public Water SystemsOverviewPursuant to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and corresponding state legislation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency delegated primary enforcement responsibility (called primacy) for the Act in Colorado to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Division. The state Water Quality Control Commission must establish regulations and standards that are at least as stringent as the corresponding federal regulations and standards in order for Colorado to retain primacy. The Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations (5 CCR 1003-1), (adopted January 21, 2004) and revisions (adopted January 19, 2005, effective March 30, 2005), based on the Colorado Health Statute pertaining to drinking water, 25-1.5-201 through 209, CRS are applicable to all public water systems. In addition, a number of programs and duties related to the protection of public health through the provision of safe drinking water must be implemented by the state. Drinking Water RegulationsPrimary (health-related) regulations for drinking water are established by EPA and may include maximum contaminant levels, maximum residual disinfection levels and treatment technique requirements. The state must adopt standards that are at least as stringent. The Safe Drinking Water Program has adopted or is currently in the process of adopting these regulations and seeking primacy approval by EPA.> Rule managers are also developing guidance materials for use by systems. There are presently seventy-eight maximum contaminant levels for drinking water, including those for microorganisms, turbidity, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals, and radionuclides. Contaminants for which it is difficult to establish a maximum contaminant level may require a treatment technique to be established. Contaminants such as protozoan microorganisms and corrosion by-products have a federal treatment requirement. Likewise in Colorado, there are several treatment technique requirements for public water supplies. All systems, except for a limited number of protected ground water systems, are required to disinfect the water supply to control bacteria and viruses. Surface water supplies are required to filter to remove other microorganisms that cannot be controlled by disinfection. Surface water systems using conventional treatment processes (coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation and filtration) must also use enhanced coagulation to remove disinfection byproduct precursors. Finally, treatment requirements are applied to systems that have been shown to have high lead or copper levels at the tap to control the corrosiveness of the water. Systems with source waters that cannot meet an established maximum contaminant level, are required to treat the water so that compliance with the maximum contaminant level is attained or find an alternative water source.> Under the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments, new standards will be developed by EPA from a federal list at a rate of approximately 5 standards every 5 years. EPA has also established a list of secondary standards related to the aesthetic quality of the drinking water. Federal and state law provides that these secondary standards, while recommended, are not enforceable by the state. Priority RulemakingsArsenic and Clarification to Compliance and New Source Monitoring Rule: Revises the existing 50 parts per billion (ppb) standard to 10 ppb. Primacy application submitted to EPA December 2002. Arsenic Rule Minor Clarifications: Specifies the arsenic MCL as 0.010 milligrams per liter (mg/L). Primacy application submitted March 2004. Consumer Confidence Reports EPA requires suppliers to put annual drinking water quality reports into the hands of their customers. Primacy application approved by EPA June 2002. Disinfection/Disinfectants Byproducts Rule: A major challenge for water systems is how to balance the risks from microbial pathogens and disinfection byproducts. Primacy application submitted to EPA December 2002. Filter Backwash Recycling Rule: Specifies requirements for the recycling of spent filter backwash water, thickener supernatant, or liquids from dewatering processes. Primacy application submitted to EPA March 2004. Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule: Builds upon the treatment approach and requirements of the 1989 Surface Water Treatment Rule. Relies on existing technologies currently in use at water treatment plants. Primacy application submitted to EPA December 2002. Lead and Copper Rule Revisions: EPA estimates that approximately 20 percent of human exposure to lead attributable to lead in drinking water. Primacy application submitted March 2004. Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule: Extends the requirements of the IESWTR to all systems serving less than 10,000 persons per day. Primacy application submitted March 2004. Public Notification Rule: Public notification helps to ensure that consumers will always know if there is a problem with their drinking water. These notices immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water (e.g., a boil water emergency). Primacy application submitted to EPA December 2002. Radionuclides Rule Revisions: EPA has updated its standards for Radionuclides in drinking water. Primacy application submitted to EPA December 2002. Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR): EPA uses data gathered by the UCMR to evaluate and prioritize contaminants EPA is considering for possible new standards. No adoption by Colorado is required, but Colorado assists EPA with sample collection at small systems to ensure sampling quality. |
