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National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Revisions to the Total Coliform Rule

water-quality · Rule · Published 2013-02-13 · Effective 2013-04-15 · 78 FR 10270

Document

Document number
2012-31205
Federal Register citation
78 FR 10270
CFR reference
40 CFR 141
Type
Rule
Action
Final rule.
Category
water-quality
Publication date
2013-02-13
Effective date
2013-04-15
EPA docket
EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0878

Abstract

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) is finalizing revisions to the 1989 Total Coliform Rule (TCR). The Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) offers a meaningful opportunity for greater public health protection beyond the 1989 TCR. Under the RTCR there is no longer a monthly maximum contaminant level (MCL) violation for multiple total coliform detections. Instead, the revisions require systems that have an indication of coliform contamination in the distribution system to assess the problem and take corrective action that may reduce cases of illnesses and deaths due to potential fecal contamination and waterborne pathogen exposure. This final rule also updates provisions in other rules that reference analytical methods and other requirements in the 1989 TCR (e.g., Public Notification and Ground Water Rules). These revisions are in accordance with the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments, which require EPA to review and revise, as appropriate, each national primary drinking water regulation no less often than every six years. These revisions also conform with the SDWA provision that requires any revision to "maintain, or provide for greater, protection of the health of persons." As with the 1989 TCR, the RTCR applies to all public water systems.

Source

Authoritative
Federal Register document
Machine
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