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Small Systems Will Have to Meet New DBP Rule
Author(s) -
Pontius Frederick W.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
opflow
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1551-8701
pISSN - 0149-8029
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8701.1998.tb02118.x
Subject(s) - trihalomethane , bromate , agency (philosophy) , safe drinking water act , environmental science , water treatment , environmental protection , business , environmental planning , chemistry , environmental engineering , water quality , ecology , epistemology , biology , ion , philosophy , organic chemistry
This article discusses the background of total trihalomethane regulation as it applies to small systems, stressing the importance of providing proper disinfection at all times. Topics discussed are: formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs); variables affecting DBP production; inorganic DBP formation; a cancer study which prompted regulations of DBPs; and, how small water systems have been regulated differently from large community water systems (serving 10,000 people or more). In 1994 the US Environmental Protection Agency proposed new DBP MCLs for TTHMS, HAA5, bromate, and chlorite that would apply to water systems of all sizes. USEPA is preparing to finalize the new DBP MCLs as part of a Stage 1 D‐DBP regulation in November 1998. A compliance date of November 2003 is expected to be set for small systems to meet these MCLs.