Radionuclides in Drinking Water:

A Small Entity Compliance Guide
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water

(4606M)

EPA 815-R-02-001

www.epa.gov/safewater

February 2002

Printed on recycled paper
Contents

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................................................................1

1. Who Should Read this Guide? ....................................................................................................................................................................2

2. Which Radionuclides Does EPA Regulate in Drinking Water? .......................................................................................................................3

3. Why Is it Important to Monitor for Radionuclides? .........................................................................................................................................5

4. When Do I Have to Comply? .......................................................................................................................................................................6

5. Are My Monitoring Requirements Changing? ................................................................................................................................................7

6. What Are My Monitoring Requirements under the New Radionuclides Rule? ..................................................................................................9

7. What Are the Requirements for Man Made Beta Particle and Photon Emitters? ........................................................................................... 11

8. How Can I Tell If I Am in Violation of the Radionuclides MCL? .....................................................................................................................14

9. What Do I Have to Tell My Customers?......................................................................................................................................................15

10. What Do I Have to Report to the State? ...................................................................................................................................................17

11. What Compliance Options Do I Have? .....................................................................................................................................................18

12. How Can I Treat My System’s Water to Meet the MCL? ............................................................................................................................19

13. What Do I Do with Water Treatment Waste? ............................................................................................................................................21

14. How Can I Get More Time to Finance, Plan, Build, or Consolidate? ...........................................................................................................22

15. Where Can I Get More Information? ........................................................................................................................................................23

16. Who Can I Contact for More Information? ................................................................................................................................................24

NOTICE

This guide was prepared pursuant to section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (“SBREFA”), Pub. L.

104-121. THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT INTENDED, NOR CAN IT BE RELIED UPON, TO CREATE ANY RIGHTS ENFORCEABLE BY ANY

PARTY IN LITIGATION WITH THE UNITED STATES. The statements in this document are intended solely as guidance to aid you in

complying with the Radionuclides Rule (65 FR 76708-76753). While the guidance contained in this document may assist you, the public, and

State and federal regulators in applying regulatory requirements, the guidance is not a substitute for those legal requirements; nor is it a

regulation itself. Thus it does not impose any legally binding requirements on any party, including EPA, States, or the regulated community. In

any civil or administrative action against a small business, small government or small non-profit organization for a violation of the

Radionuclides Rule, the content of this guide may be considered as evidence of the reasonableness or appropriateness of proposed fines,

penalties or damages. EPA may decide to revise this guide without public notice to reflect changes in EPA’s approach to implementing the

Radionuclides Rule or to clarify and update the text. To determine whether EPA has revised this guide and/or obtain copies, contact the Safe

Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
Introduction

If you own or operate a community water system (CWS), this Guide will

help you understand a rule that applies to you.

This Guide was prepared pursuant to section 212 of the Small Business

Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), Pub. L. 104-

121. It is intended to aid you in complying with the Radionuclides Rule

issued on December 7, 2000 under the Safe Drinking Water Act

(SDWA). The SDWA provisions, the Radionuclides Rule, and other EPA

regulations described in this Guide contain legally binding requirements.

This document does not substitute for those provisions or regulations,

nor is it a regulation itself. It does not impose legally binding

requirements on EPA, States, or the regulated community, and may not

apply to a particular situation based on the circumstances. EPA and

State decisionmakers retain the discretion to adopt approaches on a

case-by-case basis that differ from this guidance where appropriate. Any

decisions regarding a particular CWS will be made based on the

applicable statutes and regulations. Therefore, interested parties are free

to raise questions and objections about the appropriateness of the

application of this guide to a particular situation, and EPA will consider

whether or not the recommendations or interpretations in this Guide are

appropriate in that situation based on the law and regulations. EPA may

change this guidance in the future. To determine whether EPA has

revised this Guide and/or to obtain copies, contact the Safe Drinking

Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

EPA first began to regulate radionuclides in 1976. Unless your system is

new, you have been monitoring for these contaminants. Since 1976, we

have learned a great deal more about radionuclides, including effects

they can have on peoples’ health, where they are likely to occur, and

how to detect and remove them from drinking water. With this improved

understanding, EPA published a new rule in the Federal Register on

December 7, 2000 (65 FR 76708-76753). While many of the current

requirements remain unchanged, there are some new requirements,

including the following:

■ Uranium. EPA established a Maximum Contaminant Level

(MCL) of 30 micrograms per liter (μg/L) for uranium.

■ Radium-228. Systems must monitor separately for radium-228.

■ Entry Point Monitoring. Systems must monitor at EACH active

Entry Point to the Distribution System (EPTDS).

Additional copies of this Guide may be obtained by calling the Safe

Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. Copies also may be

downloaded from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Web site at www.epa.gov/

safewater.

This Guide describes the minimum Federal requirements under the

Radionuclides Rule. Your State may have more specific or additional

requirements. Be sure to check with your State Drinking Water Program

regarding their specific requirements. (Systems on Tribal lands or in

Wyoming should check with the EPA Regional Office.) Contact

information for State Programs is at the end of this Guide.

Please note that the term “State” is used in this guide to refer to your

Primacy Agency. The Primacy Agency for most systems is your State

Drinking Water Agency. However, the Primacy Agency for systems

located in the Navajo Nation is your tribal office, and the Primacy

Agency for systems located on other tribal lands, in Wyoming, or in the

District of Columbia is your EPA Regional office.

1
2

1. Who Should Read this Guide?

This Guide is designed to help CWSs serving 3,330 or fewer persons. A

CWS includes any drinking water system, regardless of ownership, that

has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves at least 25 of the

same people year round. Systems that may find this Guide useful

include water systems serving:

■ Mobile Home Parks

■ Home Owners Associations

■ Small Towns

■ Rural Water Districts

■ Small Private Systems

■ Tribal Systems

This handbook is divided into 16 sections designed to help you:

■ Determine if you will be able to comply with the Radionuclides

Rule.

■ Understand why it is important to remove radionuclides from

drinking water.

■ Explain when and how often you need to monitor for

radionuclides.

■ Determine what you will need to report to the State and to your

customers.

■ Understand your compliance options if you cannot meet an MCL

for one or more of the regulated radionuclides.

■ Choose a treatment technology if you selected treatment as

your compliance option.

■ Find help if you need it.

TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS:

picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) — One trillionth of a Curie.

It is approximately one emission every 27 seconds.

Alpha radiation or particle – Consists two protons and two neutrons.

Beta radiation or particle – A negative or positive particle with the

mass of an electron.

Gamma or photon radiation – High energy electromagnetic radiation

with no mass or charge.

Millirem (mrem) – One thousandth of a rem. Dose of absorbed

energy adjusted to be equivalent for different kinds of radiation.
3

2. Which Radionuclides Does EPA Regulate in Drinking

Water?

Some elements, either found in nature or man-made, are unstable and

emit particles or waves of high energy from the nucleus or other parts

of the atom.

There are three basic kinds of high-energy radiation: alpha, beta, and

gamma (included in a broader group called photons). Many

radioactive elements called “radionuclides” (pronounced “radio-nooclydes”) emit more than one kind of radiation, but are classified by

their most important kind.

EPA has limits in drinking water called maximum contaminant levels

(MCLs) for four groupings of radionuclides:

■ One MCL is a limitation on two kinds (or “isotopes”) of radium:

radium-226 (Ra-226), which mostly emits alpha radiation, Ra228, which mostly emits beta radiation.

■ Another MCL limits radiation from a group of 179 man-made

beta and photon emitters. Only systems which have been

designated by your State as vulnerable or contaminated by

this class of radionuclides must monitor. See section 7.

■ The third MCL is for “gross alpha” which includes all alpha

emitters except uranium and radon.

■ Fourth is a new MCL for uranium isotopes U-234, U-235 and

U-238, which mostly emit alpha radation. This last MCL is

actually concerned primarily about limiting the toxic effects of

uranium as a heavy metal as much as its effect as a

radionuclide.

The MCLs are concerned with the health effects from radiation inside

the body after drinking the radionuclides. However, many

How Radionuclides Affect Peoples’ Health

Exposure to radioactivity may be harmful to chemical reactions

important to living cells in your body. Radiation pulls electrons

off atoms in the cells (ionizes them) and may prevent the cell

from functioning properly. It may lead to the cell’s death, to the

cell’s inability to repair itself, or to the cell’s uncontrolled growth

(cancer). For example, ionizing radiation can damage DNA,

which carries the genetic information in a cell. Damage to DNA

may change the cell’s genetic code, resulting in the mutation of

one or more genes contained in the DNA. These mutations can

cause cells to malfunction or lead to cancer. These mutations

may also be passed on to children.
4

radionuclides classified as “alpha emitters’ or “beta emitters” also emit

gamma radiation, which can penetrate the body from outside, affecting

workers during storage or disposal of wastes.

Radionuclide Maximum Contaminant Levels

Beta/photon emitters* 4 mrem/year

Gross alpha particle 15 pCi/L

Radium-226 and Radium-228 5 pCi/L

Uranium 30 μg/L

*A total of 179 individual beta particle and photon emitters may be

used to calculate compliance with the MCL.
5

3. Why Is it Important to Monitor for Radionuclides?

Completely avoiding radioactivity is impossible. Radionuclides are

found in air, water, soil, and even living things. People are exposed to

background levels of radiation all the time. Sources of these

exposures to radiation include building materials such as granite,

airborne radon, and cosmic radiation from outer space. Even food

can contain low levels of radiation.

Radionuclides generally enter drinking water through the erosion or

chemical weathering of naturally occurring mineral deposits, although

human activity (such as mining, industrial activities, or military

activities that use or produce man-made radioactive materials) can

also contribute to their presence in water. Evidence suggests that

long-term exposure to radionuclides in drinking water may cause

cancer. In addition, exposure to uranium may have toxic effects on a

person’s kidneys.

The graphs below show the results of a nationwide occurrence study of

naturally occurring radionuclides in public water supplies. The survey

included a random sample of 990 collection sites. Each graph shows

the percent of systems above a given concentration or activity. For

example, 44.07 percent of the 990 systems sampled had uranium

concentrations between 0.08 and 1.0 μg/L.

Radionuclide Occurrence in Drinking Water

0-0.08 0.08-1.0 1.0-5.0 5.0-10.0 10.0-50.0 >50

29.65

44.07

18.51

4.6 2.76 0.41

Concentration (mg/L)

Uranium

Percent Occurrence

59.8

31.6

5.5 1.1 0.7 0.4 1

0 - 0.18

0.18 - 1.0

1.0 - 2.02.0 - 3.03.0 - 4.04.0 - 5.0

>5.0

Activity (pCi/L)

Radium-226

Percent Occurrence

89.3

5.3 2.5 0.8 0.4 1.7

0 - 1.0

1.0 - 1.51.5 - 2.02.0 - 2.52.5 - 3.0

>3.0

Activity (pCi/L)

Radium-228

Percent Occurrence

Source: Longtin, J.P. “Occurrence of Radon, Radium, and Uranium in Groundwater,” J. Am. Water Works Assoc. 80(7):84 (1988).
6

4. When Do I Have to Comply?

The revised Radionuclides Rule takes effect on December 8, 2003.

The current Rule remains in effect until then, and you must continue

monitoring and complying with current standards. For most systems,

this means continuing to monitor in accordance with the schedule set

by your State.

Systems must continue to comply with the 1976 Rule until December

7, 2003. The initial monitoring period for the revised Rule begins

December 8, 2003 and ends December 31, 2007. Your State will

determine your initial monitoring requirements for all the entry points

into the distribution system during this 4-year initial monitoring period.

The table on this page shows some of the Rule’s milestones. Further

information on monitoring requirements appears in the next two

sections.

Radionuclides Requirements Dates

July 9, 1976 1976 Radionuclides Drinking Water Regulation.

June 2000 Under certain circumstances, data collected between June 2000 and December

8, 2003 may be eligible for use as grandfathered data to satisfy the initial

monitoring requirements for gross alpha, radium-226/228, and uranium.

Information on grandfathering data appears in future sections.

December 7, 2000 The Radionuclides Final Rule.

December 8, 2003 Rule effective date.

Systems must begin initial monitoring under a State-specified monitoring plan,

unless the State permits the grandfathering of data collected between June

2000 and December 8, 2003.

December 31, 2007 All systems must complete initial monitoring.

2008 Future monitoring frequency and compliance requirements will be determined by

the State by this time.
7

5. Are My Monitoring Requirements Changing?

Yes. One key change in the new Radionuclides Rule is that, rather

than monitor at a “representative” point in your distribution system,

you must now monitor at EACH entry point to the distribution system

(EPTDS). This change prevents situations in which the “average”

water meets the standard, even though some people are drinking

poor-quality water from a contaminated source. It also makes the

Radionuclides Rule consistent with other regulations covering

chemical contaminants in drinking water.

Unless told otherwise by the State, a system which uses an

intermittent source of supply (i.e., a source that is used seasonally) or

that uses more than one source and that blends water from more than

one source before distribution, must sample at an EPTDS during

periods of normal operating conditions. Normal operating conditions

include when water is representative of all the sources being used.

EPA has provided States with the flexibility to decide on a case-bycase basis whether data collected between June 2000 and December

8, 2003 can be grandfathered (i.e., substituted for the initial quarterly

monitoring required by the Revised Radionuclides Rule). States must

decide if the data collected by a system during the grandfathering

period—in conjunction with historical data, information on geology, and

any other criteria the State chooses to use—will provide enough

information to ensure that radionuclide activity will remain below the

MCLs.

The annotated time line on the next page shows the schedule for

radionuclides monitoring through the year 2016. The time line also

shows how the radionuclide monitoring schedule fits within the

Standardized Monitoring Framework already in place for other

chemical contaminants. Note that EPA extended the initial compliance

monitoring period for radionuclides until 2007 so that the first

compliance cycle is consistent with the Standardized Monitoring

Framework.

I’ve been collecting samples for years. Can I get

a waiver?

No. All systems must conduct initial monitoring at each EPTDS to

determine that entry point’s water quality between December 8, 2003

and December 31, 2007, or have data that the State allows to be

grandfathered. However, your State may allow you to waive the final

two quarters of monitoring for a radionuclide at an EPTDS if your

results for the first two quarters of initial monitoring are less than the

detection limit defined by EPA for that particular radionuclide.

Radionuclide Detection Limits

Contaminant Detection Limit

Gross Alpha Particle Activity 3 pCi/L

Radium-226 1 pCi/L

Radium-228 1 pCi/L

Uranium To be determined before the

compliance date of the rule.
8

Grandfathered Data. Your State may allow you to use grandfathered data to comply

with the initial monitoring requirements for gross alpha or radium-226/228 if you collect

monitoring data from each EPTDS between June 2000 and December 8, 2003.

You may also be allowed to use data collected from a representative point in the

distribution system if it is collected between June 2000 and December 8, 2003 and the

State makes a written finding that the data is representative of each entry point based

on the variability of historical contaminant monitoring results and other factors.

Quarterly

Samples

➤

Increased Monitoring. If you

have an entry point result above

the MCL, you will have to take

quarterly samples until 4

consecutive quarterly samples

are below the MCL.

Initial Monitoring. Systems are

required to conduct initial monitoring

for gross alpha, radium-226, radium228, and uranium at each EPTDS by

December 31, 2007. You must

collect four consecutive quarterly

samples at each EPTDS during this

initial round of monitoring in order to

provide contaminant information

during each of the four seasons.

Annotated Radionuclide Montoring Timeline (2000 - 2016)

You are encouraged to monitor for uranium before

December 8, 2003, although the standard does not go

into effect until then. If the sampling result is less than

30 μg/L, you may be able to grandfather the data. If

the result of your uranium sampling prior to December

8, 2003 is greater than 30 μg/L, you will be required to

take four consecutive quarterly samples during the

initial monitoring period.

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

06/00

Collection of Data to Be

Grandfathered Begins

2000

12/07/03

Collection of Data That

Can Be Grandfathered

Ends and Initial

Monitoring Begins

12/31/07

Initial Monitoring Ends

12/07/00

Final Rule

● ● ●

Standardized Monitoring

Framework Compliance Period

Standardized Monitoring

Framework Compliance Period

Standardized Monitoring

Framework Compliance Period

Standardized Monitoring

Framework Compliance Period

Standardized Monitoring

Framework Compliance Period

Quarterly

Samples

Quarterly

Samples

Quarterly

Samples

Quarterly

Samples

Quarterly

Samples

Quarterly

Samples

Quarterly

Samples

Quarterly

Samples

1 Sample

1 Sample 1 Sample

1 Sample 1 Sample 1 Sample

Collection of

Grandfathered Data

(If Permitted by the State)

Initial Compliance Monitoring

for Radionuclides

First Radionuclides Rule Compliance Cycle*

*Number of Samples Required by

Systems Whose Initial Results Are:

Greater than the MCL

Greater than 1/2 the MCL, but less than or equal to the MCL

Greater than or equal to the defined detection limit,

but less than or equal to 1/2 the MCL

Below the defined detection limit

➤

➤

●

Reduced Monitoring. If your monitoring results range

from below the defined detection level to the MCL,

you may qualify for reduced monitoring.

➤
9

This section presents additional information on the initial, reduced, and

increased monitoring requirements for gross alpha, radium-226,

radium-228, and uranium. The Radionuclides Rule makes the

monitoring requirements for radionuclides consistent with the

monitoring requirements for other inorganic contaminants (IOCs).

Initial Monitoring Requirement for Gross Alpha,

Radium-226/228, and Uranium

Systems are required to conduct initial monitoring for gross alpha,

radium-226, radium-228, and uranium at each EPTDS by December

31, 2007. You must collect four consecutive quarterly samples at each

EPTDS during this initial round of monitoring in order to provide

contaminant information during each of the four seasons.

What if I am developing a new system, or I

develop a new water source?

New systems, and systems using new sources of supply, must conduct

initial monitoring for gross alpha, radium-226, radium-228, and

uranium starting in the first quarter after beginning operation or

beginning to use a new source of supply. Your initial results, called an

“occurrence profile,” will determine the frequency of future monitoring.

Reduced Monitoring for Gross Alpha, Combined

Radium-226/228, and Uranium

You may be able to reduce the frequency of monitoring at each

EPTDS based on the initial sample results. The table which follows

shows the reduced monitoring frequencies.

6. What Are My Monitoring Requirements under the New

Radionuclides Rule?

In addition to

allowing a

reduction in the

number of times

samples must be

taken, the

Radionculides

Rule also

provides some

flexibility in

reducing the cost of monitoring through the compositing of samples.

Some States may allow you to collect up to four samples from the

same EPTDS and have them analyzed together. Compositing of

quarterly samples can be performed only during the initial monitoring

period. Afterwards, monitoring is one sample every 3, 6, or 9 years.

Quarterly sampling is necessary only if one quarter is above the MCL

for an EPTDs.

Increased Monitoring for Gross Alpha, Radium226/228, and Uranium

Systems whose EPTDSs are on a reduced monitoring schedule (i.e.,

collecting 1 sample every 3, 6, or 9 years) can remain on that reduced

schedule as long as the most recent sample results support that

monitoring schedule. An increase in a radionuclide level at an EPTDS

may increase the frequency of monitoring for that radionuclide at that

sampling point. If you get an entry point result above the MCL while on

reduced monitoring, you must begin to take quarterly samples in the

Reduced Monitoring for Radionuclides

If the initial monitoring

results are:

Monitoring frequency

is reduced to:

< Defined Detection limit ➞ 1 sample every 9 years

$ Defined Detection limit, but

# 1/2 the MCL ➞ 1 sample every 6 years

> 1/2 the MCL, but

# the MCL ➞ 1 sample every 3 years

> MCL ➞ Quarterly samples
10

next quarter. Quarterly sampling must continue until four consecutive

quarterly samples are below the MCL.

Substituting Gross Alpha for Radium-226 or

Uranium

In some cases, the gross alpha particle activity measurement may be

substituted for the required radium-226 or uranium measurements.

These rules are complex, but generally, gross alpha is allowed as a

substitute for radium-226 if previous gross alpha results including the

analytical error are less than or equal to 5pCi/L. It is allowed as a

substitute for uranium if the gross alpha result is less than or equal to

15 pCi/L. If a uranium determination is made by a method measuring

radioactivity, a conversion can be made to mass (the units of the MCL)

without paying for another analysis. Simply divide the result in

picoCuries by 0.67. That will give you a conservatively high mass

number in micrograms. If you are below the MCL, you do not need

further analysis. If you find you exceed 30 μg/L you should have the

laboratory analyze the mass by a direct method for mass. The result

will be lower. Contact your State drinking water program for more

information, or see The Radionuclides Implementation Guidance on

EPA’s Web site (www.epa.gov/safewater/rads/implement.html).

Grandfathered Data

The Radionuclides Rule balances the need to ensure that the levels of

regulated radionuclides are at or below the MCL at each EPTDS with

the recognition that some systems have monitored for certain

radionuclides for years. The Rule gives States the flexibility to decide,

on a case-by-case basis, whether to approve the use of grandfathered

data and on the number of samples a system has to take to prove that

radionuclide activity will remain below the MCLs.

You may be allowed to grandfather data instead of taking four

consecutive quarterly samples during the initial monitoring period. Your

State may allow you to grandfather data for gross alpha, radium-226/

228, and uranium if any of three conditions are met:

■ A system with one EPTDS collects monitoring data at that

EPTDS between June 2000 and December 8, 2003.

■ A system with more than one EPTDS collects samples at each

EPTDS between June 2000 and December 8, 2003.

■ A system collects data from a representative point in the

distribution system between June 2000 and December 8, 2003

and the State makes a written finding that the data are

representative of each entry point.

EPA is encouraging systems to monitor for uranium before December

8, 2003 even though the standard does not go into effect until then. If

the sampling results are less than 30 μg/L, the State may allow these

data to be grandfathered, potentially saving the system from

conducting additional monitoring.

If the levels of uranium exceed 30 μg/L, the system will be required to

take four consecutive quarterly samples during the initial monitoring

period. However, knowing early that your system has high levels of

uranium gives you time to review your compliance options and choose

the one that’s best for your system. Your options may include

developing a new source of drinking water, blending two or more

sources of water, purchasing water from another public water supply,

or installing a treatment plant. These options are discussed in more

detail in the following sections.
11

7. What Are the Requirements for Man-Made Beta Particle

and Photon Emitters?

Most systems will never need to monitor for beta particle and photon

radioactivity. These emitters generally come from nuclear facilities;

commercial nuclear power plants; institutional sources such as

research facilities, hospitals, and universities; and from industrial

sources such as laboratories and pharmaceutical companies. Unless

your system is vulnerable to this type of contamination, or is already

contaminated by beta and photon emitters, you do not have to monitor

for these contaminants. Your State will determine whether your system

is vulnerable to contamination or already contaminated.

In general, the regulations for beta particle and photon radioactivity are

similar to those for other radionuclides, with some important

exceptions, which are outlined below. Contact your State drinking water

program if you are unsure if you need to monitor for beta particle and

photon radioactivity.

What Is the MCL?

The MCL for beta particle and photon radioactivity did not change in the

revised rule from the current level of 4 millirem per year (mrem/year). A

millirem is a dose of energy to the body. EPA regulates 179 manmade nuclides, and each of them has a concentration of radiation

(measured in picoCuries per liter [pCi/L]) which produces the 4 millirem

(mrem) dose. These concentrations are listed on a conversion table

that the State will use to determine if you are in compliance.

Each nuclide has a different concentration that produces a 4 mrem

dose because different radionuclides have different energy levels.

Some nuclides need to be in a higher concentration to give the same 4

mrem dose.

The laboratory will measure the nuclide concentration in the water, and

the State will compare this result to the concentration allowed for that

particular nuclide (see table on page 13). The comparison results in a

fraction. This is shown in the calculation below.

pCi/L found in sample

(from laboratory results)

=

fraction of the maximum

4 mrem/yr exposure

pCi/L equivalent from 4 mrem of exposure limit

(from conversion table)

If your water contains several man-made radionuclides, the State will

add all the fractions together. If the result is >1, your system exceeds

the 4 mrem MCL. Your system must monitor monthly until a rolling

average of 3 months is below the MCL.

What Are the Monitoring Requirements?

There are three types of systems when it comes to monitoring for beta

particle and photon emitters:

■ Those that are not vulnerable to man-made radionuclides

(these systems are not required to monitor for beta and photon

emitters).
12

■ Those that are vulnerable.

■ Those that already are contaminated.

If your State says you are vulnerable to contamination from man-made

radionuclides, you must take quarterly samples for gross beta emitters

and annual samples for tritium and strontium-90 at each entry point to

the distribution system. If the running annual average (minus potassium40) is less than or equal to 50 pCi/L, the State may reduce your

monitoring to once every 3 years. Systems in the vicinity of a nuclear

facility may be allowed to use the facility’s own surveillance data.

Systems determined to be using waters that are contaminated by

effluents from nuclear facilities must analyze monthly samples or

composite three monthly samples each quarter for gross beta activity,

analyze a composite of five consecutive daily samples each quarter for

iodine-131, and analyze four quarterly samples or composite four

consecutive quarterly samples for strontium-90 and tritium.

If your State determines that you are vulnerable to contamination, or

already contaminated, the initial monitoring period takes place between

2004 and 2007. Your monitoring requirements after this time will vary

depending on your results.

How Can I Tell If My System Is in Violation?

Determining if your system is in violation requires two steps. First, if

your system is vulnerable to contamination and the results of testing

for all beta and photon emitters is less than or equal to 50 pCi/L, you

are in compliance. If your results are greater than 50 pCi/L, you must

have the samples further analyzed for the individual nuclides. The

results of the more specialized analysis are compared to the

concentration limits as explained above.

If you are using waters that are contaminated, the State calculates

compliance as described above. If the sum of the fractions is less than

1, your system is in compliance.

Can I get a waiver?

States cannot issue waivers to those systems that are vulnerable to

contamination or already contaminated with beta particle and photon

radioactivity.

What if I have a new system or source?

State requirements differ on sampling for beta particle and photon

radioactivity. Contact your State drinking water program for more

information.
13

Derived Concentrations (pCi/l) of Beta and Photon Emitters

in Drinking Water

Nuclide pCi/l Nuclide pCi/l Nuclide pCi/l Nuclide pCi/l Nuclide pCi/l

Yielding a Dose of 4 mrem/yr to the Total Body or to any Critical Organ as defined in NBS

Handbook 69

H-3

Be-7

C-14

F-18

Na-22

Na-24

Si-31

P-32

S-35 inorg

Cl-36

Cl-38

K-42

Ca-45

Ca-47

Sc-46

Sc-47

Sc-48

V-48

Cr-51

Mn-52

Mn-54

Mn-56

Fe-55

Fe-59

Co-57

Co-58

Co-58m

Co-60

Ni-59

Ni-63

Ni-65

Cu-64

Zn-65

Zn-69

Zn-69m

Ga-72

Ge-71

As-73

As-74

As-76

As-77

Se-75

Br-82

Rb-86

Rb-87

Sr-85 m

Sr-85

Sr-89

Sr-90

Sr-91

Sr-92

Y-90

Y-91

Y-91m

Y-92

Y-93

Zr-93

Zr-95

Zr-97

Nb-93m

Nb-95

Nb-97

Mo-99

Tc-96

Tc-96m

Tc-97

Tc-97m

Tc-99

Tc-99m

Ru-97

Ru-103

Ru-105

Ru-106

Rh-103m

Rh-105

Pd-103

Pd-109

Ag-105

Ag-110m

Ag-111

Cd-109

Cd-115

Cd-115m

In-113m

In-114m

In-115

In-115m

Sn-113

Sn-125

Sb-122

Sb-124

Sb-125

Te-125m

Te-127

Te-127m

Te-129

Te-129m

Te-131m

Te-132

I-126

I-129

I-131

I-132

I-133

I-134

I-135

Cs-131

Cs-134

Cs-134m

Cs-135

Cs-136

Cs-137

Ba-131

Ba-140

La-140

Ce-141

Ce-143

Ce-144

Pr-142

Pr-143

Nd-147

Nd-149

Pm-147

Pm-149

Sm-151

Sm-153

Eu-152

Eu-154

Eu-155

Gd-153

Gd-159

Tb-160

Dy-165

Dy-166

Ho-166

Er-169

Er-171

Tm-170

Tm-171

Yb-175

Lu-177

Hf-181

Ta-182

W-181

W-185

W-187

Re-186

Re-187

Re-188

Os-185

Nuclide pCi/l

Os-191

Os-191m

Os-193

Ir-190

Ir-192

Ir-194

Pt-191

Pt-193

Pt-193m

Pt-197

Pt-197m

Au-196

Au-198

Au-199

Hg-197

Hg-197m

Hg-203

Tl-200

Tl-201

Tl-202

Tl-204

Pb-203

Bi-206

Bi-207

Pa-230

Pa-233

Np-239

Pu-241

Bk-249

20,000

6,000

2,000

2,000

400

600

3,000

30

500

700

1,000

900

10

80

100

300

80

90

6,000

90

300

300

2,000

200

1,000

300

9000

100

300

50

300

900

300

6,000

200

100

6,000

1,000

100

60

200

900

100

600

300

20,000

900

20

8

200

200

60

90

9,000

200

90

2,000

200

60

1,000

300

3,000

600

300

30,000

6,000

1,000

900

20,000

1,000

200

200

30

30,000

300

900

300

300

90

100

600

90

90

3,000

60

300

1,000

300

60

90

60

300

600

900

200

2,000

90

200

90

3

1

3

90

10

100

30

20,000

80

20,000

900

800

200

600

90

60

300

100

30

90

100

200

900

600

100

1,000

200

200

60

600

600

200

100

1,000

100

90

300

300

100

1,000

300

300

200

100

1,000

300

200

300

9,000

200

200

600

9,000

200

600

100

90

300

3,000

3,000

300

3,000

600

100

600

900

600

60

1,000

900

300

300

1,000

100

200

600

300

300

300

2,000
14

8. How Can I Tell If I Am in Violation of the Radionuclides

MCL?

■ If the running annual average of one year of quarterly samples

at an EPTDS is greater than a radionuclides MCL, then your

system is in violation.

● If the running annual average of one year of quarterly

samples is less than a radionuclides MCL, then your system

is NOT in violation.

■ If any single sampling result is four times the MCL, then your

system is in violation.

■ If any sampling result causes the running annual average at an

EPTDS to be above an MCL, then your system is in violation.

● Remember that if you sample once every 3, 6,or 9 years

and an EPTDS has a result above an MCL, this may not be

an MCL violation. Having a result greater than a radionuclide

MCL will put you on an increased monitoring schedule where

you will have to collect quarterly samples. If the running

annual average of one year of quarterly samples is greater

than a radionuclides MCL, then you are in violation.

How Many Samples Will Be Used to

Determine If I Am in Compliance?

The State will use the results from ALL of the samples, even if

you have taken more. If your State allows you to take more than

the required number of samples, all of them will be averaged to

determine compliance.

If you don’t collect all of the required samples, you have

committed a monitoring and reporting violation. The State will take

the average of the samples you collected to determine if you have

also committed an MCL violation.
15

9. What Do I Have to Tell My Customers?

Letting your customers know what is happening with their water is one

of your responsibilities. Informed customers are more likely to

understand the need for new treatment, infrastructure changes, and

rate increases. While you should try to communicate with your

customers regularly, there are three occasions when you must provide

information:

1. If you have an MCL violation.

● You must let your customers know within 30 days.

● You can send a mailing to all people served by the system

(includes all billed and non-billed customers), publish the

information in a local newspaper, post the notice in public

places or on the Internet, or deliver it through community

organizations.

2. If you fail to take a required sample or the State finds you in

violation of other monitoring or testing requirements.

● You can send out one notice every year for all of these

violations.

● If you can coordinate the timing, the notice may be included

in your annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) (see

explanation below).

3. On July 1 of every year, when you must deliver a CCR to your

customers.

● The CCR is a “snapshot” of the quality of the water over the

past year.

● The CCR Rule requires you to tell your customers about

any violations, the actions you took to fix the violations, and

any potential health effects from the violations.

● If you violate a radionuclides MCL you must include in your

CCR the specific health-effects language in the table on the

next page.
16

Contaminant

Alpha Emitters

Combined radium-226

and radium-228

Uranium

Beta and Photon

Emitters*

Source

Erosion of natural deposits

Erosion of natural deposits

Erosion of natural deposits

Erosion of natural deposits*

Health Effects

Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha

radiation. Some people who drink water containing alpha emitters in excess of the

MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Some people who drink water containing radium-226 or 228 in excess of the MCL over

many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Some people who drink water containing uranium in excess of the MCL over many

years may have an increased risk of getting cancer and kidney toxicity.

Certain minerals are radioactive any may emit forms of radiation known as photons

and beta radiation. Some people who drink water containing beta particle and photon

radioactivity in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of

getting cancer.*

*EPA recognizes that there is an error in the Rule’s language as relates to the beta and photon emitters CCR language, which appears verbatim in

the table above. The beta and photon emitters that EPA regulates are all man made, and the sources of these regulated contaminants are their

improper use, storage, discharge, and disposal from commercial, industrial, and military activities. The health effects language refers to minerals

that are radioactive. The Rule, however, applies only to man-made substances that do not occur in mineral form.
17

10. What Do I Have to Report to the State?

The Radionuclides Rule follows the same reporting requirements as

other drinking water regulations in terms of what you must report to

your State.

■ Analytical Results. You have to report the entire analytical

result, including the standard deviation. Remember that you

can’t round your results. Though the requirements may differ

slightly from one State to another, generally you need to report

your results no more than 10 days after you get the results

from the lab, or no more than 10 days following the end of a

monitoring period, whichever is shorter. You do not have to

report results or MCL violations to your State if your laboratory

already does this for you. Contact your laboratory if you are

unsure of its practices.

■ Violations. Anytime you exceed an MCL or fail to fulfill a

monitoring requirement, you have to report the violation to the

State within 48 hours. This notification is in addition to any

public notices you are required to send to your customers.

■ Public Notice. Anytime you send out a public notice, you also

need to send a copy to the State. You also have to send a letter

certifying that you have met all the public notification

requirements. Both a copy of the notice and the certification

letter are due to the State within 10 days of sending out the

public notice.
18

11. What Compliance Options Do I Have?

There are several ways that small systems with high levels of

radionuclides can protect their customers, including:

■ Source Water Changes

■ Water Blending

■ Consolidation

■ Treatment

Source Water Changes

Water systems located in areas with high levels of man-made or

naturally occurring radionuclides need to be very careful about what

water sources they choose to use. If you find that the radionuclide

levels in an existing water source are too high, you may wish to

abandon this source and develop a new one. While developing a new

source can prove quite expensive, in the long run, a source change

may be the most cost-effective way to produce water that has low

levels of radionuclides. Yet, new sources come with their own

challenges, and systems must remember that new sources, while lower

in radionuclide levels, may contain higher levels of other contaminants

that require treatment.

Water Blending

Systems may also consider blending water from a source that has high

levels of radionuclides with water from a source with low levels of

radionuclides. Adding additional source water may help reduce the

level of contamination below the MCL and help you meet the

requirements of the Radionuclides Rule.

Consolidation

Small water systems face the technical problems of larger systems but

often lack larger systems’ financial reserves. Treatment technologies

and strategies that are effective on a large scale may be much too

expensive for a small water system. Working with other water systems

may allow you to lower costs and simplify management while

continuing to provide your customers with safe water. You may

consolidate with another established water system that has a history of

safe water and then purchase water from the system or interconnect

and function as a single, larger system. Another option may include

consolidating management, which involves sharing operators and

technical staff. Sharing management could also include bulk

purchasing agreements and the joint use of materials, supplies, or nonessential equipment.

Treatment

Treatment to lower levels of radionuclides in your drinking water will be

necessary if your source water contains radionuclides in excess of an

MCL and developing an alternative source, blending, or consolidation

are not feasible. Small systems can use several types of treatment

technologies to reduce the amount of radionuclides in their water.

Section 11 has more information on treatment.
19

12. How Can I Treat My System’s Water to Meet the MCL?

Treatment to lower the levels of radionuclides in your drinking water will

be necessary if your source water contains high levels of radionuclides

and an alternative source is not available or switching sources would be

cost prohibitive. Small systems can use several types of treatment

technologies to lower the amount of radionuclides in their water.

EPA has approved the following best available technologies (BATs) and

small system compliance technologies (SSCTs) for removing

radionuclides from water:

■ Ion Exchange (BAT, SSCT)

■ Reverse Osmosis (BAT, SSCT)

■ Lime Softening (BAT, SSCT)

■ Enhanced Coagulation/Filtration (BAT, SSCT)

■ Green Sand Filtration (SSCT)

■ Co-precipitation with Barium Sulfate (SSCT)

■ Electrodialysis/Electrodialysis Reversal (SSCT)

■ Pre-formed Hydrous Manganese Oxide Filtration (SSCT)

■ Activated Alumina (SSCT)

EPA has also approved the use of two point-of-use (POU) devices:

POU ion exchange and POU reverse osmosis. POU units treat water

only at a particular tap or faucet. For some small systems, POU

treatment strategies may be cheaper than central treatment

technologies. Because the treatment units will be located at many

different locations, however, there may be higher administrative and

monitoring costs. (For example, you may have to take samples from

each unit, rather than from a single, central location.) Also,

regeneration solution from POU ion exchange contains high

Technology Considerations

When choosing a technology, remember:

✔ The Radionuclides Rule is but one regulation among many.

Select a technology that can remove whatever contaminants

your system has, at the most affordable cost.

✔ Your operator may need additional training.

✔ The chosen technology may have waste disposal issues.

See Section 13 for more information on handling waste.

contaminant concentrations, which may cause waste disposal

problems. If you choose to install POU devices in your community, you

should work with your State to develop a program for long-term

operation, maintenance, and monitoring to make sure the units are

operating correctly.

The list on the next page provides more information on the SSCTs,

including required operator skill level, raw water quality considerations,

and which technologies are appropriate for different sizes of systems.
20

List of Small System Compliance Technologies for Radionuclides and Limitations of Use

Unit Technologies Limitations*

Operator Skill

Level Required

Raw Water Quality and

Range Considerations

Compliance Technologies

Appropriate for System Size**

25-500 501 - 3,300

3,301 -

10,000

Ion Exchange (IE) a Intermediate All ground waters C, B, U C, B, U C, B, U

Point of Use (POU) IE b Basic All ground waters C, B, U C, B, U C, B, U

Reverse Osmosis (RO) c Advanced

Surface waters that usually require

pre-filtration C, G, B C, G, B, U C, G, B, U

POU RO b Basic

Surface waters that usually require

pre-filtration C, G, B, U C, G, B, U C, G, B, U

Lime Softening d Advanced All waters C C, U C, U

Green Sand Filtration e Basic C C C

Co-precipitation with Barium Sulfate f Intermediate to Advanced

Ground waters with suitable water

quality C C C

Electrodialysis/Electrodialysis Reversal N/A Basic to Intermediate All ground waters C C C

Re-formed Hydrous Manganese Oxide Filtration g Intermediate All ground waters C C C

Activated Alumina a, h Advanced

All ground waters; competing anion

concentrations may affect

regeneration frequency U U U

Enhanced Coagulation/filtration i Advanced

Can treat a wide range of water

qualities U U U

*Footnotes:

a. Disposal options should be carefully considered before choosing this technology.

b. Requires careful long-term operations, maintenance, and monitoring plans to ensure proper performance.

c. Reject water disposal options should be carefully considered before choosing this technology.

d. Variable source water quality and complex water chemistry make this technology too complex for small water systems.

e. Removal efficiencies can vary depending on water quality.

f. This technology is most applicable to systems that have sufficiently high sulfate levels and that already have filtration in place.

g. This technology is most applicable to small systems that already have filtration in place.

h. Handling of chemicals required during regeneration and pH adjustment requires an adequately trained operator.

i. Assumes modication to a coagulation/filtration process already in place.

**Key:

B = Beta partical activity and photon activity

C = Combined radium-226 and radium-228

G = Gross alpha particle activity

U = Uranium
21

13. What Do I Do with Water Treatment Waste?

EPA is updating its guidelines that describe the safe handling and

disposal of liquid wastes, sludges, and spent resins from treatment

technologies such as those presented in Section 12. However, most of

the requirements for dealing with technically enhanced naturally

occurring radioactive material (TNORM) are not included within federal

regulations. There may be State and local requirements, or

requirements of the landfill or sewage treatment plant.

The EPA guidelines will provide you with:

■ Background information on water treatment technologies and

the kinds of wastes they generate.

■ Reasons why it is important to protect people from radiation,

including information about federal programs and other

regulations dealing with radioactive waste.

■ Guidelines for several ways to dispose of solid and liquid

wastes that contain radionuclides.

■ Ways to protect workers who may be exposed to watertreatment wastes that contain radiation.

When complete, the guidelines will be posted on EPA’s Web site.
22

14. How Can I Get More Time to Finance, Plan, Build, or

Consolidate?

The Radionuclides Rule provides States with the flexibility to alter

certain requirements on a case-by-case basis, in response to

extraordinary local circumstances. Granting variances and exemptions

are two ways States can exercise their flexibility. Since a system with a

variance or exemption will be supplying water with levels of

radionuclides above the MCLs, variances and exemptions are difficult

to obtain.

Variances

If you install a Best Available Technology (BAT) or a Small System

Compliance Technology (SSCT) and still cannot meet the MCL

requirements because of the quality of your raw water, you may be

eligible for a variance. A variance gives you more time to come into

compliance, but requires you to:

■ Enter into a compliance schedule with your State’s regulatory

agency.

■ Deliver water that does not result in an unreasonable risk to

health.

Exemptions

An exemption means you don’t have to comply with an MCL for 3 to 9

years. The Safe Drinking Water Act prohibits States from issuing

exemptions for rules in effect before 1986. Because the MCLs for gross

alpha, radium 226/228, and total beta particle and photon emitters were

put into effect by the 1976 Rule, you cannot get an exemption for these

contaminants.

If you are operating before the effective date of the rule (December 8,

2003) and are unable to comply with the MCL, you may be eligible for

an exemption. Your State may issue an exemption after determining

that there are no alternative sources of supply, that changing the

structure of your system won’t lead to compliance, and the exemption

will not result in an unreasonable risk to public health. If you begin

operating after December 8, 2003, you are not eligible for an

exemption.
23

15. Where Can I Get More Information?

Additional information is available from:

n EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791

n EPA Safewater Web site:

● EPA has posted the text of the Radionuclides Rule, the Radionuclides

Implementation Guidance, a fact sheet, quick reference guide, and other

information about the Radionuclides Rule

▲ Text: www.epa.gov/safewater/rads/radfr.html.

▲ Guidance, etc.: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/rads/implement.html

n American Water Works Association: www.awwa.org

n Association of State Drinking Water Administrators: www.asdwa.org

n National Ground Water Association: www.ngwa.org

n National Rural Water Association: www.nrwa.org
24

EPA REGION 1

Connecticut

Department of PublIc Health: Water Supplies Section

Maine

Maine Department of Human Services: Division of Health Engineering

Massachusetts

Department of Environmental Protection: Drinking Water Program

New Hampshire

Department of Environmental Services: Water Supply Engineering

Bureau

Rhode Island

Department of Health: Office of Drinking Water Quality

Vermont

Department of Environmental Conservation: Water Supply Division

EPA REGION 2

New Jersey

Department of Environmental Protection: Bureau of Safe Drinking

Water

New York

Department of Health: Bureau of Public Water Supply Protection

www.epa.gov/region1/

www.state.ct.us/dph/

http://janus.state.me.us/dhs/eng/water/index.htm

www.state.ma.us/dep/brp/dws/dwshome.htm

www.des.state.nh.us/wseb/

www.health.state.ri.us/environment/dwq.htm

www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/watersup/wsd.htm

www.epa.gov/region02/water/

www.state.nj.us/dep/watersupply/

www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/water/main.htm

(617) 565-3543

(860) 509-7333

(207) 287-2070

(617) 292-5770

(603) 271-3139

(401) 222-6867

(802) 241-3400

(212) 637-3846

(609) 292-5550

(518) 402-7650

16. Who Can I Contact for More Information?
25

Puerto Rico

Department of Health: Public Water Supply Supervision Program

Virgin Islands

Department of Planning & Natural Resources: Division of

Environmental Protection

EPA REGION 3

Delaware

Delaware Health & Social Services: Division of Public Health

District of Columbia

Environmental Health Administration: Water Resources Management

Division

Maryland

Department of the Environment: Public Drinking Water Program

Pennsylvania

Department of Environmental Protection: Bureau of Water Supply

Management

Virginia

Department of Health: Division of Water Supply Engineering

West Virginia

Bureau for Public Health: Environmental Engineering Division

(787) 754-6010

(340) 774-3320

(215) 814-3201

(302) 739-5410

(202) 645-6601

(410) 631-3702

(717) 787-9037

(804) 786-1767

(304) 558-2981

www.epa.gov/region02/cepd/compnum.htm#JCA

www.epa.gov/region03/

www.state.de.us/dhss/dph/hsp.htm

www.dchealth.com/eha/welcome.htm

www.mde.state.md.us/

www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/watermgt/

wsm/wsm.htm

www.vdh.state.va.us/dwse/index.htm

www.wvdhhr.org/bph/enviro.htm
26

EPA REGION 4

Alabama

Department of Environmental Management: Water Supply Branch

Florida

Department of Environmental Protection: Drinking Water Section

Georgia

Department of Natural Resources: Water Resources Branch

Kentucky

Department for Environmental Protection: Drinking Water Branch

Mississippi

Department of Health: Division of Water Supply

North Carolina

Department of Environment and Natural Resources: Public Water

Supply Section

South Carolina

Department of Health & Environmental Control: Bureau of Water

Tennessee

Department of Environment & Conservation: Division of Water Supply

www.epa.gov/region4/

www.adem.state.al.us/EnviroProtect/Water/

water.htm

www8.myflorida.com/environment/learn/

waterprograms/drinkingwater/index.html

www.ganet.org/dnr/environ/

http://water.nr.state.ky.us/dw/

www.msdh.state.ms.us/watersupply/index.htm

www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/pws/index.htm

www.scdhec.net/water/html/dwater.html

www.state.tn.us/environment/dws/index.html

(404) 562-9442

(334) 271-7773

(850) 487-1762

(404) 656-5660

(502) 564-3410

(601) 576-7518

(919) 733-2321

(803) 734-5300

(615) 532-0191
27

EPA REGION 5

Illinois

Environmental Protection Agency: Division of Public Water Supplies

Indiana

Department of Environmental Management: Drinking Water Branch

Michigan

Department of Environmental Quality: Drinking Water & Radiological

Protection Division

Minnesota

Department of Health: Drinking Water Protection Section

Ohio

Environmental Protection Agency: Division of Drinking & Ground

Water

Wisconsin

Department of Natural Resources: Bureau of Water Supply

EPA REGION 6

Arkansas

Department of Health: Division of Engineering

Louisiana

Office of Public Health: Division of Environmental & Health Services

New Mexico

Environment Department: Drinking Water Bureau

www.epa.gov/region5/

www.epa.state.il.us/water/

www.state.in.us/idem/owm/dwb/index.html

www.deq.state.mi.us/dwr/

www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/eh.html

www.epa.state.oh.us/ddagw/

www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/dwg/

www.epa.gov/region6/

www.healthyarkansas.com/eng/index.html

www.dhh.state.la.us/OPH/safewtr.htm

www.nmenv.state.nm.us/field_op.html

(312) 886-4239

(217) 785-8653

(317) 308-3281

(517) 335-9216

(612) 215-0770

(614) 644-2769

(608) 266-2299

(214) 665-2757

(501) 661-2623

(225) 568-5100

(505) 827-7536
28

Oklahoma

Department of Environmental Quality: Water Quality Division

Texas

Natural Resource Conservation Commission: Water Utilities Division

EPA REGION 7

Iowa

Department of Natural Resources: Water Supply Section

Kansas

Department of Health & Environment: Public Water Supply Section

Missouri

Department of Natural Resources: Public Drinking Water Program

Nebraska

Department of HHS Regulation & Licensure

EPA REGION 8

Colorado

Department of Public Health & Environment: Drinking Water Program

Montana

Department of Environmental Quality: Public Water Supply Section

North Dakota

Department of Health

www.deq.state.ok.us/water.html

www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/water/wu/mon/

www.epa.gov/region7/

www.state.ia.us/government/dnr/organiza/epd/

wtrsuply/wtrsup.htm

www.kdhe.state.ks.us/water/pwss.html

www.dnr.state.mo.us/deq/pdwp/homepdwp.htm

e-mail: anne.pamperl@hhss.ne.state.us

www.epa.gov/region8/

www.cdphe.state.co.us/wq/wqhom.asp

www.deq.state.mt.us/pcd/csb/index.htm

www.ehs.health.state.nd.us/ndhd/environ/mf/

index.htm

(405) 702-5100

(512) 239-6096

(913) 551-7903

(515) 281-8998

(785) 296-5514

(573) 751-5331

(402) 471-1009

(303) 312-7021

(303) 692-3500

(406) 444-4323

(701) 328-5211
29

South Dakota

Department of Environment & Natural Resources: Drinking Water

Program

Utah

Department of Environmental Quality: Division of Drinking Water

Wyoming

EPA Region 8: Wyoming Drinking Water Program

EPA REGION 9

Arizona

Department of Environmental Quality: Drinking Water Monitoring &

Assessment Section

California

Department of Health Services: Division of Drinking Water &

Environmental Management

Hawaii

Department of Health: Environmental Management Division

Nevada

Department of Human Resources: Bureau of Health Protection

Services

American Samoa

EPA Region 9: American Samoa

www.state.sd.us/denr/des/drinking/dwprg.htm

www.deq.state.ut.us/eqdw/

www.epa.gov/region08/water/

www.epa.gov/region9/

www.adeq.state.az.us/environ/water/dw/

index.html

www.dhs.cahwnet.gov/org/ps/ddwem/

www.hawaii.gov/health/eh/eiemdw00.htm

www.state.nv.us/health/bhps/sdwp.htm

(605) 773-3754

(801) 536-4200

(303) 312-6312

(415) 744-1884

(602) 207-4644

(916) 323-6111

(808) 586-4258

(775) 687-4750

(684) 633-2304
30

Guam

Guam Environmental Protection Agency: Safe Drinking Water

Program

Northern Mariana Islands

Northern Mariana Islands Division of Environmental Quality: Safe

Drinking Water Branch

EPA REGION 10

Alaska

Department of Environmental Conservation: Drinking Water &

Wastewater Program

Idaho

Department of Health and Welfare: Division of Environmental Quality

Oregon

Department of Human Resources: Drinking Water

Program

Washington

Department of Health: Drinking Water Division

www.gepa.gov.gu/

ww.epa.gov/region10/

www.state.ak.us/dec/deh/safewater.htm

www2.state.id.us/deq/water/water1.htm

www.ohd.hr.state.or.us/dwp/welcome.htm

http://198.187.0.42/ehp/dw/

(671) 475-1637

(670) 664-8500

(206) 553-1389

(907) 269-7500

(208) 373-0502

(503) 731-4317

(800) 521-0323