# Presentation: 308533

## Radionuclides Notice of Data Availability

- NRWA In-Service Training
- July 18, 2000
- Ed Thomas
- Office of Ground Water
- and Drinking Water

## Overview

- Purpose
- History
- Monitoring requirements
- Treatment
- Costs

## Purpose of Regulating

- Health Effects (each rad targets specific organs)
- known carcinogen - predominantly bone cancer
- Others include ovaries, testes, breast, thyroid, liver, etc.
- Children particularly sensitive to carcinogenic effects
- organ and cell toxicity
- kidney, liver, anemia

## Purpose of Regulating (Cont.)

- Naturally occurring Sources
- Uranium: granitic formations
- Radium: geologically predominant in upper mid-west, western mountains, piedmont, coastal plain sediments
- K-40: isotopes of naturally occurring potassium.
- Man made Sources
- Uranium: Mining and nuclear weapon development
- Beta emitters: Nuclear power plants, hospitals, military

## Regulatory History

- 1976 IPDWS - Current rule effective for 23 years
- radium-226 and radium-228
- gross alpha
- man-made beta/photon emitters
- 1986 SDWA Amendments
- Made 1976 IPDWS a NPDWS
- Required EPA to revise existing rule and regulate Uranium and Radon by 1989

## Regulatory History (Cont.)

- 1991 Published PR to meet court order (no FR)
- 1996 SDWA Amendments - Required withdrawal of 1991 PR radon portion
- 1996 revised Court Order
- Regulate Uranium
- Update existing rule
- 4/21/2000 - NODA
- 11/21/2000 -  Revised Rads FR

## MCL’s

- Current Limits
- Gross alpha (including Ra-226) = 15 piC/L
- Radium 226/228 (combined) = 5 piC/L
- Beta/photon screen = 15 piC/L and 50 piC/L
- Beta/photon MCL’s = 4 mrem total exposure
- 2000 NODA does not change MCL’s or beta screening triggers
- Uranium MCL = 20, 40, or 80 (piC/L and ug/l)

## Applicability

- All CWS (GW and SW)
- NTNCWS (Options)
- All NTCWS must comply
- Targeted NTNCWS must comply
- Targeted NTNCWS monitor (MCL not enforceable)
- Issue guidance
- Exclude NTNCWS

## Alpha, Rad 226/228, and U Monitoring

- Initial Monitoring
- 4 qtrs. (most systems GF data but...)
- Current rule: GA >5  Rad-226 >3  Rad-228
- New regulation for Uranium (GA may be used as surrogate)
- Requires EPTDS samples

## Alpha, Rad 226/228, and U Monitoring (Cont.)

- Reduced Monitoring (SMF)
- Average < ND              1 sample/9 years
- ND< Average <50%     1 sample/6 years
- MCL< Average <MCL   1 sample/3 years
- >MCL                          Quarterly samples

## Grandfathering of Data

- Use of GF Data for initial monitoring
- Systems with 1 EPTDS may use distribution system data from last compliance period
- Systems with existing EPTDS samples from last compliance period
- Systems may use distribution system sample if State gives written approval
- Others?

## Beta/Photon Monitoring

- State designated as vulnerable
- Quarterly samples for Gross Beta
- Annual samples for Tritium and Strontium
- If Gross Beta >30 piC/L  Speciate sample
- Systems using contaminated source
- Quarterly samples for Gross Beta and Iodine
- Annual samples for Tritium and Strontium
- If Gross Beta >15 piC/L  Speciate sample

## Small System Compliance Tech.

- 25-500 persons - Ion exchange, POU, RO, POU RO, lime softening, green sand filtration, co-precipitation, electrodialysis reversal,
- 500-10,000 persons - add activated alumina and enhanced coagulation/filtration
- “Small Systems Compliance Technology List” http://www.epa.gov/OGWDW/standard/tretech.html

## Water System Impacts

- Total Number of Systems out of compliance

## Annual Household Costs

- Annual Total Increased Cost
- Per Household