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Arsenic and Consumer Confidence Reporting
Requirements
| In January 2001, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lowered
the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for arsenic from 50 parts per
billion (ppb) to 10 ppb. The lower federal standard becomes
effective in January 2006 for existing Group A Community (serving more
than 25 people) and non-transient, non-community (NTNC) public water
systems. As a result of lowering the MCL, arsenic reporting requirements for
the annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) were changed.
Depending upon the level of arsenic detected, community water systems
must include the concentration of arsenic reported by the laboratory
and possibly an educational or health effects information statement
about arsenic in their CCRs. |
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CCR reporting requirements depend upon the concentration of arsenic
reports by a laboratory. Arsenic concentrations within the three
ranges described below have distinct reporting requirements. If
a laboratory reports an arsenic value of "<10" or "less than 10 ppb"
contact DOH for specific information.
Arsenic reported below 5 ppb:
Any arsenic value reported by a laboratory above the method
detection limit and below 5 ppb must be included in the CCR water
quality data table. There are no additional reporting
requirements for results below 5 ppb.
Arsenic reported between 5-10 ppb: (use EPA's or DOH's suggested
language below)
EPA's educational statement - in federal rule:
While your drinking water meets EPA's standard for arsenic, it does
contain low levels of arsenic. EPA's standard balances the
current understanding of arsenic's possible health effects against the
costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. EPA continues to
research the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a
mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is
linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory
problems:
Department of Health's recommended educational statement:
Your drinking water currently meets EPA's revised drinking water
standard for arsenic. However, it does contain low levels of arsenic.
There is a small chance that some people who drink water containing
low levels of arsenic for many years could develop circulatory
disease, cancer, or other health problems. Most types of cancer
and circulatory diseases are due to factors other than exposure to
arsenic. EPA's standard balances the current understanding of
arsenic's health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from
drinking water.
Arsenic reported above 10 ppb:
EPA's health effects statement - in federal rule:
Some people who drink water that contains arsenic in excess of the
MCL over many years could experience skin damage or problems with
their circulatory system, and may have an increased risk of getting
cancer.
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For questions about the
Consumer Confidence Report regulation, contact your Drinking Water
Regional Office: |
Kent
253-395-6750 |
Olympia
360-236-3030 |
Spokane
509-456-3115 |
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