About the National
Drinking Water Advisory Council
EPA 816/F-99-009
One of the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water's most valuable
vehicles for public involvement is the National Drinking Water Advisory
Council. Chartered under the original Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974
and an approved advisory committee under the Federal Advisory Committee
Act, the Council's function is to support the drinking water program by
providing advice and recommendations on drinking water issues. The fifteen
members are appointed by the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water,
reflect a broad base of interests, and serve staggered three-year terms.
The Council provides practical, independent advice on matters and policies
related to drinking water quality and assists in identifying emerging
issues.
The Council advises EPA on:
- Proposed regulations and guidance required by the Safe Drinking Water
Act
- Necessary special studies and research
- Promulgation and implementation of drinking water standards
- Identifying emerging environmental or health problems related to potentially
hazardous constituents in drinking water
- Actions to encourage cooperation and communication between EPA and
other governmental agencies, interested groups, the general public,
technical associations, and organizations concerned with drinking water
quality
Recently, the Council has addressed many critical drinking water issues,
such as:
- Consumer Confidence Reports
- Benefits of Developing Drinking Water Regulations
- Contaminant Candidate List and Contaminant Occurrence
- Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
- Operator Certification Guidelines
- Public Right-to-Know about Drinking Water Issues
- Regulation of High Risk Shallow Disposal Systems (Class V Injection
Wells)
- Small Drinking Water Systems
- Source Water Assessment and Protection
The Council provides a structured framework for expert input in the development
of drinking water regulations. Its working groups gather information,
conduct informal meetings, and provide advice to the full Council. All
Council meetings are open to the public and include time for public comment.
Although tight deadlines and a diversity of opinions continue to be a
challenge for all participants, the consensus process of the Council has
enhanced the quality and practicality of proposed drinking water regulations.
Likewise, interested parties have achieved a better understanding of the
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water's (OGWDW) activities and have
strengthened their own partnerships with OGWDW and with one another.
The National Drinking Water Advisory Council will continue to play an
important role as OGWDW expands its public involvement and public information
programs. OGWDW is committed to close and regular consultation with stakeholders
and openness in decision-making as a way of doing business.
For more information, see the National Drinking Water Advisory Council
web site:
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/ndwac/council.html
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