U.S. EPA Releases Proposed Rule on PFAS MCL |
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Just announced, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) to establish Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six PFAS in drinking water. These include PFOA and PFOS as individual contaminants, and PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, and HFPO-DA (or GenX Chemicals) as a PFAS mixture. Additionally, EPA is proposing health-based, non-enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) for these six PFAS.
The proposed MCL levels for PFOA and PFOS are four parts per trillion (4.0 ppt). The other four PFAS proposed MCLs will be calculated using a hazard index, a tool to evaluate potential health risks from exposure to chemical mixtures. The proposed rule would require public water systems to monitor for these PFAS, notify the public of these levels of PFAS, and reduce the levels of these PFAS in drinking water if they exceed the proposed standards.
Until this proposed rule is finalized, there is no action required. There will be a public comment period of 60 days to provide input on this proposed rule. The rule is expected to be finalized at the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024. Compliance will begin three years after the rule is promulgated. It is anticipated by EPA that the rule will prevent tens of thousands of deaths and illnesses due to PFAS exposure in drinking water, and provide a net benefit of $1.2 billion annually. Costs to public water systems were estimated at $772 million annually.
To view more about the proposed rule and additional resources, please visit EPA’s website here.
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FRWA received the updated CCR Report Template from DEP and is posted on our website. To access the information, click here. Please contact the water circuit rider in your area if you need additional assistance by calling FRWA at 850.668.2746.
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CURTIS E LLOYD SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline March 31, 2023
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The deadline of March 31st is fast approaching for submitting your application for this year's Curtis E. Lloyd Scholarship. The Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) offers five scholarships for up to $1,000 each to assist outstanding high school and college students realize their potential in tomorrow's water and wastewater industry. FRWA will award one scholarship to a deserving individual in each Water Management District annually. Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, educational fees, books, and/or room and board.
The Curtis E. Lloyd Scholarship Program was created by the FRWA Board in 2008 in memory of one of its longest serving Circuit Riders. Mr. Lloyd joined the FRWA staff in 1980 and worked for the association for seventeen years. He retired in 1997 and stayed active until his untimely death in December 2007.
For more detailed information and to complete an application click here. If you need further assistance, please email Amanda.Read@frwa.net.
Remember, the deadline for applying is March 31st so get your application in today!
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NATIONAL NEWS
EPA proposes first-ever national limits on "forever chemicals" in drinking water - CBS News more
Biden officials propose national PFAS drinking water limits | The Hill The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed mandatory limits on how much of two types of PFAS can be in drinking water. more
Study Detects Forever Chemicals in Toilet Paper — Here Are a Few PFAS-Free TP Brands At this point, PFAS have infiltrated nearly every corner of our lives, from the air, soil, and water to our food packaging, clothing, and toys. But dang, we thought at least our nether regions might be safe from "forever chemicals." more
USEPA Public Webinars on EPA's Proposed PFAS Drinking Water Regulation The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting two informational public webinars about EPA’s proposed Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) National Primary Drinking Water Regulation. more
WEF Responds to EPA's PFAS Drinking Water Proposal On March 14, 2023, the U.S. EPA proposed a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) to establish legally enforceable Maximum Contamination Levels (MCLs) for six PFAS in drinking water. more
Republicans greet call for expanded EPA staffing with skepticism The White House proposal to further expand the EPA's numbers after years of staffing levels decline was greeted with immediate pushback from congressional Republicans, who said it would grow a regulatory state that “kills” American industry. more
EPA Releases Memorandum on Cybersecurity in Public Water System Sanitary Surveys The EPA has issued a memorandum, Addressing Public Water System Cybersecurity in Sanitary Surveys or an Alternate Process, that interprets an existing regulation to include cybersecurity into public water system sanitary surveys or through other state programs. more
Research Finds Toilet Paper Is Contributing To PFAS Levels In Wastewater As public health concerns and prevalence revelations prompt more concern over per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), new research has drawn a connection between wastewater contamination and a household item that is ubiquitous within bathrooms. more
Wastewater leaked into Intercoastal Waterway near Great Bridge Lock after tugboat anchor hit pipe An unknown volume of wastewater has leaked into the Intracoastal Waterway near the Great Bridge Lock area, officials with the Hampton Roads Sanitation District said. more
New bill to help farmers fight PFAS - Spectrum News Maine’s congressional delegation is sponsoring a bill authorizing new funding to support farmers who may be impacted by PFAS, also called “forever chemicals.” more
Biden Administration Releases President’s Budget The Budget requests over $12 billion in discretionary budget authority for the EPA in 2024, a $1.9 billion or 19-percent increase from the fiscal year 2023 enacted level. To review the full budget and EPA’s response. more
ECOS Publishes 2023 State PFAS Standards White Paper Update ECOS has published a new annual update of its white paper entitled, “Processes and Considerations for Setting State PFAS Standards.” The purpose of the paper is to share data and regulatory approaches to help federal, state, and international authorities avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts, as well as understand and communicate about differences in guidelines. more
EPA Asset Management and Lead Service Line Inventories Webinar On Monday, March 27, from 1:00-2:30 pm (eastern time), EPA will host a webinar entitled, “Applying Asset Management Principles to Lead Service Line Inventories.” During the webinar, EPA will present how the core concepts of asset management can help utilities build their lead service line inventories, and how DWSRF funding mechanisms can support lead service line inventories and replacements. more
House votes 227-198 against EPA's new WOTUS rule The U.S. House on Thursday passed a resolution to invalidate the Biden administration’s “Waters of the United States” rule, or WOTUS, through the Congressional Review Act. more
Port Arthur, Texas, seeks state aid for water work Port Arthur officials who attended the recent Golden Triangle Days in Austin say they put a focus on infrastructure to better serve current and future residents. more
As Hackers Loom, U.S. EPA Requires Water Systems To Evaluate Cyber Defenses Months after a notable wave of computer system hacks caught drinking water and wastewater systems around the country off guard, the U.S. EPA is making the protection of these systems a priority. more
Natural Solutions For Coastal Flooding Climate change, sea level rise and urbanization are increasing demand worldwide for new infrastructure to protect shorelines. more
Ranking EPW Member Capito Applauds House Passage of Resolution Overturning Biden WOTUS Rule U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, released the below statement applauding House passage of a formal challenge to the Biden administration's Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule through a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval. more
EPA PFAS proposal to draw a wave of legal action EPA’s historic move to regulate “forever chemicals” in drinking water has set the stage for a multi-pronged courtroom slugfest among the agency, water utilities that must comply with the rule and multinational conglomerates that have flooded the environment with the toxicants linked to a long list of health problems, including cancer. more
STATE NEWS
Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Approval of Over $46.6 Million to Conserve 21,000 ... Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved the investment of over $46.6 million to conserve five properties across the state totaling more than 21,000 acres. Four of the five properties are in the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a network of connected lands and waters which sustains Florida’s best wild places and protects over 700 imperiled species. more
Boil water notice lifted following 3rd Florida Keys water line break in just a few days | Local 10 The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) has lifted its precautionary boil water order one day early. As of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, all water testing successfully passed in all areas, according to a spokesperson. more
Charlotte County Utilities changing disinfection process for drinking water supply - YouTube more
Webcast: Senate Bill 64 March 21 In the past, Florida utilities investigated methods to dispose of excess reclaimed water. Water supply planning has since evolved to operate collaboratively across “silos” of water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and stormwater. more
Sanford pushes for $60M in federal funds to address ‘forever chemical’ found in drinking water | WFTV The city is reassuring the community that the water is safe to drink following the discovery of “forever chemical” that’s been linked to health issues found in a portion of the city’s water. more
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This Week in Water History |
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March 17, 1909: Drinking water chlorination begun at Poughkeepsie, New York. Chlorine was tested at the Poughkeepsie, New York filter plant in early February 1909 but the application of chlorine on a permanent basis at Poughkeepsie did not begin until March 17, 1909. Therefore, the Poughkeepsie water supply was the third example of chlorine disinfection in the U.S. and the first time that chlorine was used as an adjunct to slow sand filtration. George C. Whipple suggested the third application of chlorine to a water supply in a report to the City. As noted in The Chlorine Revolution: Water Disinfection and the Fight to Save Lives, Whipple was on the opposite side from Dr. John L. Leal in the two Jersey City trials. Poughkeepsie, NY is a medium-sized city that is located on the Hudson River about 70 miles north of New York City.
Whipple recommended that the coagulant preceding the slow sand filter at Poughkeepsie be replaced with chloride of lime, which began as a test on February 1, 1909. On March 17, 1909, continuous chlorination was begun using a permanent chemical feeding apparatus.
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2970 Wellington Circle | Tallahassee FL 32309 | 850.668.2746 | Contact Us
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