New approach to drinking water quality

U.S. EPA looks toward a strategy that addresses potential contaminants as groups

On July 28-29, the U.S. EPA will hold an online dialogue focused on the agency's new strategy for regulating drinking water contaminants by group. EPA invites everyone interested in safe drinking water to join the discussion on approaches the agency should consider when developing a framework to group contaminants. Information from the exchange will help the agency develop the agenda for an upcoming Drinking Water Strategy stakeholder meeting and create the framework for addressing contaminants as groups.

The EPA seeks to expand public health protection for drinking water by going beyond the traditional framework that addresses contaminants one at a time. The aim is to address potential risks more effectively and give Americans more confidence in drinking water quality. The EPA strategy will focus on four principles:

* Address contaminants as groups rather than one at a time to protect drinking water more cost-effectively.

* Foster development of new drinking water technologies to address health risks posed by a broad array of contaminants.

* Use the authority of multiple statutes to help protect drinking water.

* Partner with states to share more complete data from monitoring at public water systems.

The EPA will engage the public and stakeholders, including utilities, rural communities, and states, in developing the new approach. Over the next few months, the agency will hold public meetings and webcasts and use its web site to seek input, seek advice from the National Drinking Water Advisory Council, consult with the Science Advisory Board’s Drinking Water Committee, and host workshops on drinking water technologies.

To register for the online dialogue, visit:

http://www.webdialogues.net/cs/epa-dwcontaminantgroups/view/di/223?x-t=home.view.



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