This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5), which establishes nationwide monitoring for 29 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and lithium in drinking water. The marks a significant milestone in the nation’s approach to PFAS management.
EPA uses the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule to monitor for priority unregulated contaminants in drinking water every five years. UCMR 5 will collect new data on 29 PFAS, in order to improve EPA’s understanding of the frequency and magnitude of these chemicals in the nation’s drinking water systems.
Additionally, expanded monitoring in UCMR 5 will support state and regional assessments of contamination. This will enable analyses of potential impacts on disadvantaged communities, where monitoring is often weaker. The data will also serve as a potential source of information for systems that need additional funding to deal with these emerging contaminants.
“At EPA, we are advancing the science and the monitoring that are necessary to protect all communities from PFAS,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan in a statement. “With the data provided by this rule, EPA will be able to develop better regulations while the agency, states, and our local partners will be able to make protective public health decisions that are grounded in science.”
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), as amended by America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, now requires all drinking water systems serving between 3,300 and 10,000 people to participate in these UCMR. A representative sample of systems serving fewer than 3,300 people may also need to participate, depending on appropriations and laboratory capacities.
If the necessary funds are available, the UCMR 5 plans to significantly expand the number of small drinking water systems participating in these programs, which could provide more Americans with a better understanding of potential contaminants in their drinking water.
The rule requires participating drinking water systems to collect samples from 2023-2025 and report final results through 2026.
EPA will hold multiple webinar meetings for stakeholders in 2022. Dates and times of the upcoming meetings will be posted on EPA’s website.
