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. 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.
For questions about the Consumer Confidence Report regulation,
contact your Drinking Water Regional Office:
Northwest Region, Kent: (253) 395-6750
Southwest Region, Olympia: (360) 236-3030
Eastern Region, Spokane: (509)-329-2100
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