National Primary Drinking Water Regulations CLor (mg/L)2 Potential health effects from long-term3 exposure above the MCL Common sources of contaminant in drinking water Nervous system or blood problems; increased risk of cancer Added to water during sewage/ wastewater treatment Eye, liver, kidney or spleen problems; anemia; increased risk of cancer Runoff from herbicide used on row crops Increased risk of cancer Erosion of natural deposits of certain minerals that are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha radiation Increase in blood cholesterol; decrease in blood sugar Discharge from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder Skin damage or problems with circulatory systems, and may have increased risk of getting cancer Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards; runoff from glass & electronics production wastes Increase in blood pressure Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits Anemia; decrease in blood platelets; increased risk of cancer Discharge from factories; leaching from gas storage tanks and landfills Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer Leaching from linings of water storage tanks and distribution lines Intestinal lesions Discharge from metal refineries and coal-burning factories; discharge from electrical, aerospace, and defense industries Increased risk of cancer Decay of natural and man-made deposits of certain minerals that are radioactive and may emit forms of radiation known as photons and beta radiation Public Health Goal (mg/L)2 0.006 7 million fibers per ,iter (MFL) 0.003 Increased risk of developing benign intestinal polyps Cardiovascular system or reproductive problems Decay of asbestos cement in water mains; erosion of natural deposits Runoff from herbicide used on row crops 7 MFL 0.003 0.004 Increased risk of cancer Byproduct of drinking water disinfection Kidney damage Corrosion of galvanized pipes; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from metal refineries; runoff from waste batteries and paints Problems with blood, nervous system, or reproductive system Leaching of soil fumigant used on rice and alfalfa Liver problems; increased risk of cancer Discharge from chemical plants and other industrial activities Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort; anemia Water additive used to control microbes Liver or nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer Residue of banned termiticide Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort Water additive used to control microbes 0.04 MRDLG=41 MRDLG=41 Anemia; infants, young children, and fetuses of pregnant women: nervous system effects Water additive used to control microbes Anemia; infants, young children, and fetuses of pregnant women: nervous system effects Byproduct of drinking water disinfection Liver or kidney problems Discharge from chemical and agricultural chemical factories Allergic dermatitis Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits Short-term exposure: Gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure: Liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson's Disease should consult their personal doctor if the amount of copper in their water exceeds the action level Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits Short-term exposure: Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, cramps) Human and animal fecal waste MRDLGO.8 1.3 Disinfectant Disinfection Byproduct Inorganic Chemical Microorganism | Organic Chemical | Radionuclides ------- Contaminant MCLor TT1 (mg/L)2 Potential health effects from long-term3 exposure above the MCL Common sources of contaminant in drinking water Liver problems Liver problems Liver problems 1,1 -Dichloroethylene cis-l,2-Dichloroethylene Nerve damage or thyroid problems Discharge from steel/metal factories; discharge from plastic and fertilizer factories Kidney, liver, or adrenal gland problems Runoff from herbicide used on row crops Minor kidney changes Runoff from herbicide used on rights of way Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer Runoff/leaching from soil fumigant used on soybeans, cotton, pineapples, and orchards Liver, kidney, or circulatory system problems Discharge from industrial chemical factories Anemia; liver, kidney or spleen damage; changes in blood Discharge from industrial chemical factories Increased risk of cancer Discharge from industrial chemical factories Discharge from industrial chemical factories Discharge from industrial chemical factories Discharge from industrial chemical factories Liver problems; increased risk of cancer Discharge from drug and chemical factories Increased risk of cancer Discharge from industrial chemical factories Weight loss, liver problems, or possible reproductive difficulties Discharge from chemical factories Reproductive difficulties; liver problems; increased risk of cancer Discharge from rubber and chemical factories Reproductive difficulties Runoff from herbicide used on soybeans and vegetables Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer Emissions from waste incineration and other combustion; discharge from chemical factories Runoff from herbicide use Public Health Goal (mg/L)2 0.07 0.2 0.075 0.07 0.4 0.007 Stomach and intestinal problems Runoff from herbicide use Liver problems Residue of banned insecticide Increased cancer risk; stomach problems Discharge from industrial chemical factories; an impurity of some water treatment chemicals Liver or kidney problems Discharge from petroleum refineries 0.7 Problems with liver, stomach, reproductive system, or kidneys; increased risk of cancer Discharge from petroleum refineries Fecal coliforms andE. coll are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes may cause short term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems. Human and animal fecal waste lone disease (pain and tenderness of the bones); children may get mottled teeth Water additive which promotes strong teeth; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories Short-term exposure: Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, cramps) Human and animal fecal waste Kidney problems; reproductive difficulties Runoff from herbicide use Increased risk of cancer Byproduct of drinking water disinfection Liver damage; increased risk of cancer Residue of banned termiticide Liver damage; increased risk of cancer Breakdown of heptachlor HPC has no health effects; it is an analytic method used to measure the variety of bacteria that are common in water. The lower the concentration of bacteria in drinking water, the better maintained the water system is. HPC measures a range of bacteria that are naturally present in the environment 4.0 0.7 n/a Disinfectant | Disinfection Byproduct | Inorganic Chemical Microorganism | Organic Chemical Radionuclides ------- Contaminant MCLor TT1 (mg/L)2 Potential health effects from long-term3 exposure above the MCL Common sources of contaminant in drinking water Legionella Lindane Mercury (inorganic) Liver or kidney problems; reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer Discharge from metal refineries and agricultural chemical factories Kidney or stomach problems Discharge from chemical factories Infants and children: Delays in physical or or mental development; children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities; Adults: Kidney problems; high blood pressure Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits Legionnaire's Disease, a type of pneumonia Found naturally in water; multiplies in heating systems Liver or kidney problems Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on cattle, lumber, gardens Kidney damage Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from landfills and croplands Reproductive difficulties Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on fruits, vegetables, alfalfa, livestock Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome. Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrite in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome. Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits Slight nervous system effects Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on apples, potatoes, and tomatoes Liver or kidney problems; increased cancer risk Discharge from wood-preserving factories Liver problems Herbicide runoff Skin changes; thymus gland problems; immune deficiencies; reproductive or nervous system difficulties; increased risk of cancer Runoff from landfills; discharge of waste chemicals Increased risk of cancer Erosion of natural deposits Hair or fingernail loss; numbness in fingers or toes; circulatory problems Discharge from petroleum and metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from mines Problems with blood Herbicide runoff Liver, kidney, or circulatory system problems Discharge from rubber and plastic factories; leaching from landfills Liver problems; increased risk of cancer Discharge from factories and dry cleaners Hair loss; changes in blood; kidney, intestine, or liver problems Leaching from ore-processing sites; discharge from electronics, glass, and drug factories Nervous system, kidney, or liver problems Discharge from petroleum factories Public Health Goal (mg/L)2 0.05 0.004 Coliforms are bacteria that indicate that other, potentially harmful bacteria may be present. See fecal coliforms andE. coll Naturally present in the environment Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer Byproduct of drinking water disinfection Kidney, liver, or thyroid problems; increased risk of cancer Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on cotton and cattle Liver problems Residue of banned herbicide Changes in adrenal glands Discharge from textile finishing factories Liver, nervous system, or circulatory problems Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories Liver, kidney, or immune system problems Discharge from industrial chemical factories Liver problems; increased risk of cancer Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories n/a9 0.05 0.07 0.003 Disinfectant Disinfection Byproduct | Inorganic Chemical Microorganism Organic Chemical Radionuclides ------- Contaminant MCLor TT1 (mg/L)2 Potential health effects from long-term3 exposure above the MCL Common sources of contaminant in drinking water Public Health Goal (mg/L)2 Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water. It is used to indicate water quality and filtration effectiveness (e.g., whether disease-causing organisms are present). Higher turbidity levels are often associated with higher levels of disease-causing microorganisms such as viruses, parasites and some bacteria. These organisms can cause short term symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. Soil runoff Increased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity Erosion of natural deposits Increased risk of cancer Leaching from PVC pipes; discharge from plastic factories Short-term exposure: Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, cramps) Human and animal fecal waste Nervous system damage Discharge from petroleum factories; discharge from chemical factories 10 Disinfectant Disinfection Byproduct | Inorganic Chemical Microorganism | Organic Chemical Radionuclides ------- NOTES 1 Definitions • Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG)—The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety and are non-enforceable public health goals. • Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)—The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology and taking cost into consideration. MCLs are enforceable standards. • Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG)—The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. • Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL)—The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. • Treatment Technique (TT)—A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. 2 Units are in milligrams per liter (mg/L) unless otherwise noted. Milligrams per liter are equivalent to parts per million (ppm). 3 Health effects are from long-term exposure unless specified as short-term exposure. 4 Each water system must certify annually, in writing, to the state (using third-party or manufacturers certification) that when it uses acrylamide and/or epichlorohydrin to treat water, the combination (or product) of dose and monomer level does not exceed the levels specified, as follows: Acrylamide = 0.05 percent dosed at 1 mg/L (or equivalent); Epichlorohydrin = 0.01 percent dosed at 20 mg/L (or equivalent). 5 Lead and copper are regulated by a Treatment Technique that requires systems to control the corrosiveness of their water. If more than 10 percent of tap water samples exceed the action level, water systems must take additional steps. For copper, the action level is 1.3 mg/L, and for lead is 0.015 mg/L. 6 A routine sample that is fecal col if orm-positive or E. compositive triggers repeat samples-if any repeat sample is total coliform-positive, the system has an acute MCL violation. A routine sample that is total coliform-positive and fecal coliform-negative or E. co//-negative triggers repeat samples-if any repeat sample is fecal coliform-positive or E. co//-positive, the system has an acute MCL violation. See also Total Coliforms. 7 EPAs surface water treatment rules require systems using surface water or ground water under the direct influence of surface water to (1) disinfect their water, and (2) filter their water or meet criteria for avoiding filtration so that the following contaminants are controlled at the following levels: • Cryptosporidiunr. 99 percent removal for systems that filter. Unfiltered systems are required to include Cryptosporidium in their existing watershed control provisions. • Giardia lamblia: 99.9 percent removal/inactivation • Viruses: 99.99 percent removal/inactivation • Legionella'. No limit, but EPA believes that if Giardia and viruses are removed/inactivated according to the treatment techniques in the surface water treatment rule, Legionella will also be controlled. • Turbidity: For systems that use conventional or direct filtration, at no time can turbidity (cloudiness of water) go higher than 1 nephelolometric turbidity unit (NTU), and samples for turbidity must be less than or equal to 0.3 NTU in at least 95 percent of the samples in any month. Systems that use filtration other than conventional or direct filtration must follow state limits, which must include turbidity at no time exceeding 5 NTU. • HPC: No more than 500 bacterial colonies per milliliter • Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface V\foter Treatment; Surface water systems or ground water systems under the direct influence of surface water serving fewer than 10,000 people must comply with the applicable Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface V\foter Treatment Rule provisions (e.g. turbidity standards, individual filter monitoring, Cryptosporidium removal requirements, updated watershed control requirements for unfiltered systems). • Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface V\foter Treatment; This rule applies to all surface water systems or ground water systems under the direct influence of surface water. The rule targets additional Cryptosporidium treatment requirements for higher risk systems and includes provisions to reduce risks from uncovered finished water storages facilities and to ensure that the systems maintain microbial protection as they take steps to reduce the formation of disinfection byproducts. (Monitoring start dates are staggered by system size. The largest systems (serving at least 100,000 people) will begin monitoring in October 2006 and the smallest systems (serving fewer than 10,000 people) will not begin monitoring until October 2008. After completing monitoring and determining their treatment bin, systems generally have three years to comply with any additional treatment requirements.) • Filter Backwash Recycling: The Filter Backwash Recycling Rule requires systems that recycle to return specific recycle flows through all processes of the system's existing conventional or direct filtration system or at an alternate location approved by the state. 8 No more than 5.0 percent samples total coliform-positive in a month. (For water systems that collect fewer than 40 routine samples per month, no more than one sample can be total coliform-positive per month.) Every sample that has total coliform must be analyzed for either fecal coliforms or E. coli. If two consecutive TC-positive samples, and one is also positive for E. coli or fecal coliforms, system has an acute MCL violation. 9 Although there is no collective MCLG for this contaminant group, there are individual MCLGs for some of the individual contaminants: • Haloacetic acids: dichloroacetic acid (zero); trichloroacetic acid (0.3 mg/L) • Trihalomethanes: bromodichloromethane (zero); bromoform (zero); dibromochloromethane (0.06 mg/L) ------- National Secondary Drinking Water Regulation National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations are non-enforceable guidelines regarding contaminants that may cause cosmetic effects (such as skin or tooth discoloration) or aes- thetic effects (such as taste, odor, or color) in drinking water. EPA recommends secondary standards to water systems but does not require systems to comply. However, some states may choose to adopt them as enforceable standards. Contaminant Aluminum Chloride Color Copper Corrosivity Fluoride Foaming Agents Iron Manganese Odor PH Silver Sulfate Total Dissolved Solids Zinc Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level 0.05 to 0.2 mg/L 250 mg/L 15 (color units) 1.0 mg/L noncorrosive 2.0 mg/L 0.5 mg/L 0.3 mg/L 0.05 mg/L 3 threshold odor number 6.5-8.5 0.10 mg/L 250 mg/L 500 mg/L 5 mg/L For More Information EPA's Safe Drinking Water Web site: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/ EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791 To order additional posters or other ground water and drinking water publications, please contact the National Service Center for Environmental Publications at: (800) 490-9198, or email: nscep@bps-lmit.com. United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA816-F-09-004 May 2009 ------- |