Unregulated Contaminants Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) includes smaller systems & 29 PFAS

Hi all…if you want to get an idea about which compounds are being surveyed for potential regulation in drinking water you might want to check out the USEPA’s Unregulated Contaminants Monitoring Rule (UCMR) page. The UCMR5 was made public in January. As implied by the name it is the 5^th in a series of monitoring rules that provides data for regulatory considerations. An important highlight is the inclusion of 29 different per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (table below).

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UCMR5 set to include smaller systems

The USEPA “rang in the new year in January by publishing the final rule revising the Unregulated Contaminants Monitoring Rule (UCMR) in preparation for the fifth UCMR cycle, which includes smaller water utilities than previous rules. As initially proposed, water systems subject to the rule will sample finished water at entry points to the distribution system (EPTDS). Samples will be analyzed for 29 per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, using EPA Methods 533 and 537.1, and lithium, using four available methods. The rule provides mechanisms to consolidate monitoring to representative groundwater wells and representative EPTDSs based on approved plans.”

“Importantly, EPA is anticipating that UCMR5 will include all public water systems serving more than 3,300 persons. Historically, only a statistical sample was drawn from the pool of water systems serving less than 10,000 persons. Sample analysis by small systems remains a cost borne by EPA, so it is subject to the availability of federal funds. Consequently, small systems will need to monitor communications from EPA regarding UCMR5 sampling. EPA is holding webinars on UCMR5 logistics March 16 and 17.”