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Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation for Public Water Systems: Analytical Methods for Perchlorate and Acetochlor; Announcement of Laboratory Approval and Performance Testing (PT) Program for the Analysis of Perchlorate; Final Rule and Proposed Rule

Federal Register: March 2, 2000 (Volume 42, Number 65)

[Federal Register: March 2, 2000 (Volume 42, Number 65)]

[Rules and Regulations]               

[Page 11371-11385]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr02mr00-14]                         





[[Page 11371]]



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Part II











Environmental Protection Agency











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40 CFR Part 141







Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation for Public Water Systems: 

Analytical Methods for Perchlorate and Acetochlor; Announcement of 

Laboratory Approval and Performance Testing (PT) Program for the 

Analysis of Perchlorate; Final Rule and Proposed Rul



[[Page 11372]]



e



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY



40 CFR Part 141



[FRL-6544-6 ]



 

Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation for Public Water 

Systems; Analytical Methods for Perchlorate and Acetochlor; 

Announcement of Laboratory Approval and Performance Testing (PT) 

Program for the Analysis of Perchlorate



AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.



ACTION: Direct final rule.



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SUMMARY: The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), as amended in 1996, 

requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to establish criteria 

for a program to monitor unregulated contaminants and to publish a list 

of contaminants to be monitored. In fulfillment of this requirement, 

EPA published the Revisions to the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring 

Rule (UCMR) on September 17, 1999 (64 FR 50556), which included a list 

of contaminants to be monitored.

    Both perchlorate and acetochlor were placed on the UCMR (1999) List 

1, Assessment Monitoring, with the method listed as ``Reserved'' 

pending imminent conclusion of EPA refinement and review of the 

analytical methods for perchlorate and acetochlor. EPA is taking direct 

final action on this rule. This rule specifies the approved analytical 

methods for measurement of perchlorate and acetochlor in drinking water 

and includes notice to all laboratories interested in supporting 

perchlorate monitoring of the laboratory approval requirements, 

including participation in a perchlorate Performance Testing (PT) 

Program. The rule also includes minor technical changes to correct or 

clarify the rule published on September 17, 1999.



DATES: This rule is effective on January 1, 2001, without further 

notice, unless EPA receives adverse comment by April 3, 2000. If EPA 

receives such comment we will publish a timely withdrawal in the 

Federal Register and inform the public that the rule will not take 

effect.

    The incorporation by reference of the publications listed in 

today's rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 

January 1, 2001.

    For judicial review purposes, this final rule is promulgated as of 

1:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on March 16, 2000, as provided in 40 CFR 23.7.

    Any laboratory interested in conducting perchlorate monitoring must 

participate in the Performance Testing (PT) Program and should submit a 

request letter to EPA, received at the EPA by March 31, 2000. EPA will 

not be able to consider any letters received after this date. Any 

interested laboratory which does not meet this deadline or fails to 

successfully pass the initial PT study and would still like to support 

this monitoring, will need to submit a request letter by October 6, 

2000 in order to be eligible for a second PT study.



ADDRESSES: Send written comments to the Comment Clerk, docket number W-

99-19, Water Docket (MC 4101), U.S. EPA, 401 M Street, SW, Washington 

DC, 20460. Please submit an original and three copies of your comments 

and enclosures (including references). The full record for this 

document has been established under docket number W-99-19 and includes 

supporting documentation as well as printed, paper versions of 

electronic comments. The full record is available for inspection from 9 

a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays, at the 

Water Docket, East Tower Basement, U.S. EPA, 401 M Street, SW, 

Washington DC. For access to docket (Docket No. W-99-19) materials, 

please call (202) 260-3027 between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Eastern Time, 

Monday through Friday, to schedule an appointment. A reasonable fee may 

be charged for copying. Laboratories interested in supporting 

perchlorate monitoring must send a request letter to: Daniel P. 

Hautman, Perchlorate PT Program Coordinator, MLK 140, U.S. EPA, 26 W. 

Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45268.



FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Sakata, Standards and Risk 

Management Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street 

(MC 4607), Washington DC 20460, (202) 260-2527. For technical 

information regarding the methods, contact David Munch, Technical 

Support Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin 

Luther King Dr., Cincinnati OH, 45268, (513) 569-7843.

    General information may also be obtained from the EPA Safe Drinking 

Water Hotline. Callers within the United States may reach the Hotline 

at (800) 426-4791. The Hotline is open Monday through Friday, excluding 

federal holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time.



SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For copies of EPA Method 314.0, 

``Determination of Perchlorate in Drinking Water Using Ion 

Chromatography,'' contact the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline within 

the United States at (800) 426-4791 (Hours are Monday through Friday, 

excluding federal holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time). 

Alternately, the method can be assessed and downloaded directly on-line 

at www.epa.gov/safewater/methods/sourcalt.html.



     Abbreviations and Acronyms Used in the Preamble and Final Rule

------------------------------------------------------------------------



------------------------------------------------------------------------

2,4-DNT...................................  2,4-dinitrotoluene.

2,6-DNT...................................  2,6-dinitrotoluene.

4,4'-DDE..................................  4,4'-dichloro dichlorophenyl

                                             ethylene, a degradation

                                             product of DDT.

Alachlor ESA..............................  alachlor ethanesulfonic

                                             acid, a degradation product

                                             of alachlor.

AOAC......................................  Association of Official

                                             Analytical Chemists.

ASTM......................................  American Society for Testing

                                             and Materials.

CAS.......................................  Chemical Abstract Service.

CASRN.....................................  Chemical Abstract Service

                                             Registry Number.

CCL.......................................  Contaminant Candidate List.

CFR.......................................  Code of Federal Regulations.

CWS.......................................  community water system.

DCPA......................................  dimethyl

                                             tetrachloroterephthalate,

                                             chemical name of the

                                             herbicide dacthal.

DCPA mono- and di-acid degradates.........  degradation products of

                                             DCPA.

EPA.......................................  Environmental Protection

                                             Agency.

EPTC......................................  s-ethyl-

                                             dipropylthiocarbamate, an

                                             herbicide.

EPTDS.....................................  Entry Point to the

                                             Distribution System.

ESA.......................................  ethanesulfonic acid, a

                                             degradation product of

                                             alachlor.

FSIS......................................  federalism summary impact

                                             statement.

IC........................................  ion chromatography.

ICR.......................................  Information Collection Rule.

MCL.......................................  maximum contaminant level.

MCT.......................................  Matrix Conductivity

                                             Threshold.

MDL.......................................  method detection limit.

MRL.......................................  minimum reporting level.

MS........................................  sample matrix spike.

MSD.......................................  sample matrix spike

                                             duplicate.

NCOD......................................  National Drinking Water

                                             Contaminant Occurrence

                                             Database.

NTNCWS....................................  non-transient non-community

                                             water system.

NTTAA.....................................  National Technology Transfer

                                             and Advancement Act.

OGWDW.....................................  Office of Ground Water and

                                             Drinking Water.



[[Page 11373]]





OMB.......................................  Office of Management and

                                             Budget.

PBMS......................................  Performance-based

                                             Measurement System.

PWS.......................................  Public Water System.

QA........................................  quality assurance.

QC........................................  quality control.

RFA.......................................  Regulatory Flexibility Act.

SBREFA....................................  Small Business Regulatory

                                             Enforcement Fairness Act.

SDWA......................................  Safe Drinking Water Act.

SM........................................  Standard Methods.

SOP.......................................  standard operating

                                             procedure.

TDS.......................................  total dissolved solid.

UCMR......................................  Unregulated Contaminant

                                             Monitoring Regulation/Rule.

UCM.......................................  Unregulated Contaminant

                                             Monitoring.

UMRA......................................  Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

                                             of 1995.

USEPA.....................................  United States Environmental

                                             Protection Agency.

VOC.......................................  volatile organic compound.

ug/L......................................  micrograms per liter.

uS/cm.....................................  microsiemens per centimeter.

------------------------------------------------------------------------



Preamble Outline



I. Regulatory Background

II. Explanation of Today's Action

    A. Relation to the UCMR Published in September 1999

    B. Systems Affected by This Rule

    C. Analytical Methods

    1. Perchlorate

    2. Acetochlor

    3. Quality Control and Analytical Confirmation

    D. Peer Review

    1. Perchlorate

    2. Acetochlor

    E. Laboratory Approval and Certification

    1. Perchlorate

    2. Acetochlor

    F. Implementation

    G. Performance-based Measurement System

III. Technical Changes and Clarification to Sec. 141.40

    A. Change to Sec. 141.40 (a)(5)(ii)(C)

    B. Change to Sec. 141.40 (a)(5)(ii)(G)

    C. Change to Sec. 141.40 (a)(5)(iii)(G)

    D. Change to Sec. 141.40 (b)(1)(i)

    E. Change to Sec. 141.40 (b)(1)(vii)

    F. Clarification of Monitoring for DCPA Mono and Di-Acid 

Degradate

IV. Cost and Benefits of the Rule

V. Administrative Requirements

    A. Executive Order 12866--Regulatory Planning and Review

    B. Executive Order 13045--Protection of Children From 

Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks

    C. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    D. Paperwork Reduction Act

    E. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), as amended by the Small 

Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), 5 

U.S.C. 601 et.seq.

    F. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    G. Executive Order 12898--Federal Actions to Address 

Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 

Populations

    H. Executive Order 13132--Federalism

    I. Executive Order 13084--Consultation and Coordination with 

Indian Tribal Governments

    J. Administrative Procedure Act

    K. Congressional Review Act

VI. Public Involvement in Regulation Development



Potentially Regulated Entities



    The regulated entities are public water systems. All large 

community and non-transient non-community water systems serving more 

than 10,000 persons are required to monitor under the revised UCMR. A 

community water system (CWS) is a public water system which serves at 

least 15 service connections used by year-round residents or regularly 

serve at least 25 year-round residents. Non-transient non-community 

water system (NTNCWS) means a public water system that is not a 

community water system and that regularly serves at least 25 of the 

same persons over 6 months per year. Only a national representative 

sample of community and non-transient non-community systems serving 

10,000 or fewer persons are required to monitor for perchlorate and 

acetochlor. Transient non-community systems, which are systems that do 

not regularly serve at least 25 of the same persons over six months per 

year, are not required to monitor. States, Territories, and Tribes, 

with primacy to administer the regulatory program for public water 

systems under the Safe Drinking Water Act sometimes conduct analyses to 

measure for contaminants in water samples and are regulated by this 

action. Categories and entities potentially regulated by this action 

include the following:



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                               Category                                             Examples of potentially regulated entities                   SIC

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

State, Territorial, and Tribal governments...........................  States, territorial and tribal governments that analyze water                9511

                                                                        samples on behalf of public water systems required to conduct such

                                                                        analysis; States, Territorial and tribal governments that

                                                                        themselves operate community and non-transient non-community water

                                                                        systems required to monitor.

Industry.............................................................  Private operators of community and non-transient non-community water         4941

                                                                        systems required to monitor.

Municipalities.......................................................  Municipal operators of community and non-transient non-community             9511

                                                                        water systems required to monitor.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



    This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 

guide for readers regarding entities likely to be regulated by this 

action. This table lists the types of entities that EPA is now aware of 

that could potentially be regulated by this action. Other types of 

entities not listed in the table could also be regulated. To determine 

whether your facility is regulated by this action, you should carefully 

examine the applicability criteria in Sec. 141.40 of the revised 

Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, published September 17, 1999 

in 64 FR 50556. If you have questions regarding the applicability of 

this action to a particular entity, consult the first person listed in 

the preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.



I. Regulatory Background



    SDWA section 1445 (a)(2), as amended in 1996, requires EPA to 

establish criteria for a program to monitor unregulated contaminants 

and to publish a list of contaminants to be monitored. To meet these 

requirements, EPA published the Revisions to the Unregulated 

Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (UCMR) for Public Water Systems on 

September 17, 1999, (64 FR 50556) which substantially revised the 

previous Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring (UCM) Program, codified at 

40 CFR 141.40. The UCMR revised the regulations at 40 CFR 141.35, 

141.40, 142.16 and deleted and reserved 142.15(c)(3). The UCMR covered: 

(1) The frequency and schedule for monitoring, based on PWS size, water 

source, and likelihood of finding contaminants; (2) a new, shorter list 

of contaminants for which systems will monitor, referred to as the UCMR 

(1999) List; (3) procedures for selecting and monitoring a nationally 

representative sample of small PWSs (those serving



[[Page 11374]]



10,000 or fewer persons), and; (4) procedures for entering the 

monitoring data in the National Drinking Water Contaminant Occurrence 

Database (NCOD), as required under section 1445. This final rule 

included a list of contaminants which must be monitored beginning 

January 2001 to obtain data on contaminants occurring or likely to 

occur in the drinking water of public water systems.

    Perchlorate and acetochlor were included on the UCMR (1999) List 1, 

with their analytical methods listed as ``reserved'', pending the 

imminent conclusion of EPA refinement and review of the analytical 

methods and implementation of a laboratory approval for perchlorate and 

validation studies for acetochlor. Today's rule amends the 1999 UCMR to 

specify methods for monitoring of perchlorate and acetochlor. Today's 

rule also contains several technical corrections to the September 1999 

rule.



II. Explanation of Today's Action



    Today's action promulgates analytical methods for measurement of 

perchlorate and acetochlor in drinking water, contaminants which were 

placed on the UCMR (1999) List 1.

A. Relation to the UCMR Published in September 1999

    The final UCMR, published on September 17, 1999, consisted of many 

program elements designed to enhance and improve the unregulated 

contaminant monitoring program in several important ways. The rule 

specifies (1) which systems must monitor, including a statistical 

approach to select a representative sample of small public water 

systems; (2) a list of contaminants for which systems must monitor; (3) 

the monitoring time, frequency, and location of sampling; (4) methods 

to be used for analyzing the contaminants; (5) reporting requirements; 

and (6) State and Tribal participation concerning the implementation of 

the monitoring program.

    EPA divided the list of contaminants for which systems must monitor 

into three separate lists based on the availability of analytical 

methods. List 1, Assessment Monitoring, consisted of 12 contaminants 

for which analytical methods were available at the time the rule was 

promulgated, with the exception of perchlorate and acetochlor. List 2, 

Screening Survey, consisted of 16 contaminants for which analytical 

methods are expected to be developed by the time of initial monitoring 

in 2001. List 3, Pre-Screen Testing, consisted of 8 contaminants for 

which analytical methods research is being conducted. Only the 

contaminants on List 1 must be monitored at all 2,774 large community 

and non-transient non-community public water systems serving more than 

10,000 persons and at a representative sample of approximately 800 

systems serving 10,000 or fewer persons. EPA believed that this three-

tiered approach to the UCMR, which was recommended by stakeholders, 

reflected a balance between the implementability of current analytical 

methods and the need to obtain data in time frames that are useful for 

responding to concerns about the contaminants identified.

    Although methods were not available at the time of publication, 

perchlorate and acetochlor were both included on List 1, Assessment 

Monitoring, because EPA was engaged in the final validation of their 

analytical methods. EPA felt that, with the validation, the analytical 

methods would be sufficiently ready for monitoring by 2001. Therefore, 

these contaminants were added to List 1, Assessment Monitoring. Today's 

rule publishes the analytical methods, minimum reporting levels, and 

sampling locations for perchlorate and acetochlor. This rule will 

enable monitoring of these contaminants to begin with all the other 

List 1, Assessment Monitoring contaminants in 2001.

    As required in the September 1999 UCMR, surface water systems will 

monitor for perchlorate and acetochlor quarterly for one year and 

ground water systems will monitor twice in one year. Assessment 

Monitoring must be done within the three years of 2001 to 2003, which 

will allow coordination with the three-year compliance monitoring cycle 

for regulated contaminants. One of these quarterly or semiannual 

sampling events must occur in the most vulnerable period of May through 

July, or an alternate vulnerable period designated by the State, to 

ensure monitoring of elevated contaminant concentrations.

B. Systems Affected by This Rule

    The UCMR states that monitoring in the rule focuses on the 

occurrence or likely occurrence of contaminants in drinking water of 

community and non-transient, non-community water systems. For 

regulatory purposes, public water systems are categorized as 

``community water systems'' or ``non-community water systems''. 

Community water systems are specifically defined as ``public water 

systems which serve at least 15 service connections used by year-round 

residents or regularly serve at least 25 year round residents.'' (40 

CFR 141.2) A ``non-community water system'' means any other public 

water system. Non-community water systems include non-transient non-

community water systems and transient non-community water systems. Non-

transient non-community systems are those that regularly serve at least 

25 of the same persons over 6 months per year (e.g., schools, 

industrial buildings). Transient systems are all other non-community 

systems, which typically serve a transient population such as 

restaurants or hotels. In the September 1999 UCMR, EPA excluded 

transient water systems from this monitoring. The variation in the 

97,000 transient systems would be difficult to reflect in a national 

representative sample and would be very costly to monitor. The results 

from the very small community and non-transient non-community systems 

can be extrapolated to the transient non-community systems.

    With respect to size, about 2,800 large systems (defined here as 

those serving more than 10,000 persons) provide drinking water to about 

80 percent of the US population served by public water systems. The 

SDWA does not provide for EPA funding of this monitoring. Under the 

UCMR program all large systems will be required to monitor for 

unregulated contaminants. Only a representative sample of systems 

serving 10,000 persons or fewer will be required to monitor for 

unregulated contaminants. SDWA requires EPA to pay for the reasonable 

testing costs for the representative sample of small systems.

C. Analytical Methods

    1. Perchlorate. In today's rule, EPA is amending the September 1999 

UCMR to include EPA Method 314.0 ``Determination of Perchlorate in 

Drinking Water Using Ion Chromatography, Revision 1 (November 1999)'' 

for the analysis of perchlorate. In this method, perchlorate is 

separated and measured, using a system comprised of an ion 

chromatographic pump, sample injection valve, guard column, analytical 

column, suppressor device, and conductivity detector. This method 

recommends an ion chromatography (IC) column and analytical conditions 

which were determined to be the most effective for the widest array of 

sample matrices.

    The development of Method 314.0 included investigations into the 

performance of alternate 4 millimeter IC guard and analytical separator 

columns which are specified for the IC analysis of perchlorate 

specified by the California Department of Health Services and also by 

Dionex



[[Page 11375]]



Corporation. These alternate guard /separator columns included the 

Dionex AG5/AS5 and the Dionex AG11/AS11, respectively. The AG5/AS5 is 

currently specified in the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the 

IC analysis of perchlorate written by the State of California, 

Department of Health Services. The AG5/AS5 is a hydrophilic analytical 

column which was developed several years ago for higher valence anions 

such as tripolyphosphate and trimetaphosphate as well as polarizable 

anions such as iodide, thiocyanate and thiosulfate. The AG11/AS11 is 

used by several commercial laboratories conducting IC analysis for 

perchlorate and is recognized by California as an acceptable alternate 

to the AG5/AS5. A multi-laboratory validation study included both of 

these analytical columns and indicated comparable results could be 

attained. In the Agency's studies, both the AG5/AS5 and the AG11/AS11 

performed well for reagent water and simulated drinking water samples 

with low to moderate common anion levels, such as sulfate, chloride and 

carbonate, but as these levels increased, performance began to diminish 

for both columns. The more recently developed AG16/AS16 columns could 

tolerate much higher levels of these anions and are therefore 

recommended in Method 314.0 as the columns of choice although alternate 

columns such as the AS5 and AS11 are permitted to be used.

    The Agency's primary reason for publishing Method 314.0 instead of 

simply approving the published SOPs was the impact of high 

concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS); primarily sulfate, 

carbonate, and chloride on the accuracy of perchlorate determinations. 

Neither the California Department of Health Services nor the Dionex 

Corporation method incorporate a quality control element to assess the 

impact of high concentrations of TDS. Sample matrices with high 

concentrations of common anions such as chloride, sulfate and carbonate 

can make the analysis problematic by destabilizing the baseline in the 

retention time window for perchlorate. This is evidenced by observing a 

protracted tailing following the initial elution of the more weakly 

retained anions which extends into the perchlorate retention time 

window. These common anion levels can be indirectly assessed by 

monitoring the conductivity of the matrix. Consequently, Method 314.0 

specifies that all sample matrices must be monitored for conductivity 

prior to analysis. When the laboratory determined Matrix Conductivity 

Threshold (MCT) is exceeded, procedures incorporating sample dilution 

and/or pretreatment must be performed.

    The columns and conditions identified in Method 314.0 are 

recommended since they bear the highest tolerance for the very highest 

levels of common inorganic anions interference; however, use of the 

columns and conditions recommended in other ion chromatographic methods 

for the analyses of perchlorate are also permitted as long as they meet 

the performance criteria specified in Method 314.0.

    In addition to recommending the AG16/AS16 column used in Method 

314.0, the primary advantages of Method 314.0 are the requirements 

associated with determining the matrix conductivity threshold (MCT) and 

reducing the impact of TDS on the accuracy of perchlorate 

determinations. The MCT is the highest permitted conductance of an 

unknown sample matrix, measured prior to conducting the analysis, which 

is used to determine when sample matrix dilution or pretreatment is 

required. The conductance of a sample matrix is proportional to the 

common anions present in the matrix (which contribute to the TDS level) 

which can greatly affect the integrity of this analysis. The MCT is 

dependent upon the chromatographic column used, its age and condition, 

the instruments used, and the analyst. Consequently, this threshold is 

not method defined and must be determined by the individual analytical 

laboratory during the initial demonstration of capability and confirmed 

in each analysis batch using an instrument performance check solution. 

At EPA's laboratory the MCTs determined varied from approximately 3000 

microsiemens per centimeter (uS/cm) for the AS5 and AS11 columns to 

approximately 6000 uS/cm for the AS16 column. Instructions on how to 

determine a laboratory's MCT are included in EPA Method 314.

    Both pretreatment cartridges and, in some cases, sample dilution 

can be effective as a means to eliminate or minimize the impact of 

certain matrix interferences. With any proposed pretreatment, Method 

314.0 specifies that the analyst must verify that the target analyte is 

not affected by monitoring recovery after pretreatment and that no 

background contaminants are introduced by the pretreatment. Use of 

advanced analytical separator column technology which employs higher 

capacity anion exchange resins, such as the AG16/AS16 which is 

recommended in Method 314.0, greatly reduces the need for these 

cartridges.

    2. Acetochlor. Several commenters on the proposed UCMR revisions 

asserted that acetochlor could be reliably measured using EPA Method 

525.2. At the time that EPA issued the final UCMR, EPA did not have 

available the laboratory data necessary to support those assertions. In 

addition, no data were available concerning the sample and extract 

storage stability of acetochlor when stored under the preservation 

conditions specified in EPA Method 525.2. Since that time, EPA has 

obtained those data necessary to support approval of EPA Method 525.2 

for the analysis of acetochlor. Today's rule, therefore, amends the 

September 1999 UCMR to specify this method for acetochlor analysis.

    3. Quality Control and Analytical Confirmation. Additional guidance 

for quality control and analytical confirmation are specified in a 

supplement to the ``Supplement to UCMR Analytical Methods and Quality 

Control Manual'', available by the time this rule is published.

D. Peer Review

    EPA conducted two separate peer reviews, one for the perchlorate 

method and the other to determine if acetochlor could be added to EPA 

Method 525.2. The results of the peer review are summarized here:

    1. Perchlorate. The peer review for EPA Method 314.0 was conducted 

in early November 1999 by three experts, external to the EPA and 

familiar with perchlorate issues, occurrence, and monitoring. All three 

peer reviewers concluded the method was ``acceptable after minor 

revision''. The majority of comments were editorial, requiring either 

typographical editing or further text clarification and explanation. 

All reviewers provided either verbal or written support for including 

the MCT as a quality control parameter used to monitor matrix 

conductance as it relates to reducing interference problems associated 

with high TDS levels.

    2. Acetochlor. In November 1999, EPA provided peer reviewers with a 

memorandum titled ``Documentation of Agency Decisions Concerning the 

Analyses of Acetochlor in the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring 

Regulation''. This memorandum detailed the minimum detection level, 

precision and accuracy, analyte stability, and current health effects 

information that was used in the decision to approve EPA Method 525.2 

for the analysis of acetochlor in the UCMR, and to set the Minimum 

Reporting Level (MRL) at 2 ug/L. This



[[Page 11376]]



memorandum was reviewed by three methods experts external to the 

Agency, with one reviewer representing a State and the other two 

reviewers representing drinking water utilities. All three were 

supportive of the Agency's decision to approve EPA Method 525.2 for the 

analysis of acetochlor, and with the decision to set the MRL at 2 ug/L.

    Reports of these peer reviews and our responses to their comments 

are in the docket referred to above under ADDRESSES.

E. Laboratory Approval and Certification

    1. Perchlorate. In order to allow data on perchlorate occurrence in 

PWSs that were obtained prior to January 2001 to be grandparented, the 

data must meet the reporting requirements of the UCMR which include the 

successful completion of the perchlorate PT Program by a laboratory 

approved to perform the original analyses. Approximately 2,800 large 

PWSs that serve more than 10,000 persons will be required to monitor 

for perchlorate using an approved laboratory. For the small PWSs 

serving 10,000 or fewer persons, EPA will contract with an approved 

laboratory for perchlorate laboratory analysis.

    Since this rule specifies the approved analytical method for 

analyses of perchlorate and is a new method which includes matrix 

specific quality control criteria, laboratories must go through a 

separate approval process to test for perchlorate. Laboratories 

certified under 40 CFR 141.28 for compliance analysis using the EPA 

analytical methods specified in the UCMR (1999) List, whether the 

laboratory uses EPA or non-EPA analytical methods on the List, are 

automatically certified to do analyses of UCMR List 1 contaminants 

using the listed methods for which it is certified, with the exception 

of perchlorate.

    Those laboratories interested in performing perchlorate testing 

must be previously certified (by the primacy agency in the State where 

the laboratory is located) to conduct laboratory analysis supporting 

regulatory compliance monitoring of drinking water for any inorganic 

anion using an approved ion chromatographic method (such as nitrate 

analysis by EPA Method 300.0). In addition, the laboratory must 

successfully complete the perchlorate Performance Testing (PT) Program. 

This PT Program involves a blind control study, using a test sample 

with an unknown value.

    Any laboratory, wishing to participate in the perchlorate PT 

Program and obtain approval, must submit a letter requesting this 

information to EPA, received no later than March 31, 2000. Any 

interested laboratory which does not meet this deadline or fails to 

successfully pass this initial PT study and still wishes to support 

this monitoring, will need to submit a request letter by October 6, 

2000 in order to be eligible for a second PT study. EPA will not be 

able to consider any laboratory request letters received after October 

6, 2000 and does not intend to conduct any additional PT studies. Any 

laboratory gaining approval in the first PT study will not be required 

to participate in the second PT study. These will be the only two PT 

studies offered for laboratories wishing to gain approval to conduct 

perchlorate analysis in support of UCMR assessment monitoring. Any 

laboratory which does not request participation by October 6, 2000 and 

fails to pass either of these two PT studies will not be approved to 

support this perchlorate monitoring. The submitted request letter must 

be signed by the laboratory manager with a statement that the 

laboratory is currently certified, by the primacy agency in which the 

laboratory is located, to perform drinking water compliance monitoring 

using an approved ion chromatographic method. A copy of the letter or 

certificate issued by the State or primacy agency detailing this 

certification must also be submitted. Details pertaining to laboratory 

certification can be found on-line at www.epa.gov/OGWDW/labcint.html.

    A laboratory's request letter must include the following 

information:

    (1) Laboratory Name.

    (2) Complete Laboratory Mailing Address.

    (3) Ion chromatography analytical method the laboratory is 

certified to perform.

    (4) A copy of the letter or certificate issued by the State or 

primacy agency which issued the certification to the laboratory.

    (5) Contact Person.

    (6) Contact Phone, FAX, and e-mail (if available).

    The letter should be mailed to: Perchlorate PT Program Coordinator,

    U.S.EPA, MLK 140, 26 W. Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio 

45268.

    To participate successfully in this program the laboratory will 

also need to become proficient in the application of U.S. EPA Method 

314.0, ``Determination of Perchlorate in Drinking Water Using Ion 

Chromatography''. Laboratories must follow the procedure as well as all 

the QC protocols prescribed in the method. To obtain a copy of EPA 

Method 314.0, contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 

or access an electronic copy of the method directly on-line at 

www.epa.gov/safewater/methods/sourcalt.html. 

    Upon successful completion of the perchlorate PT Program, EPA will 

provide each successful laboratory with an approval letter identifying 

the laboratory by name and the approval date. This letter may then be 

presented to any Public Water System (PWS) as evidence of laboratory 

approval for perchlorate analysis supporting the UCMR. Laboratory 

approval is retained as long as the laboratory maintains certification 

by the State or primacy agency in which the laboratory is located, to 

perform drinking water compliance monitoring using an approved ion 

chromatographic method. If a laboratory maintains this certification, 

the laboratory approval for perchlorate analysis supporting the UCMR 

will be limited to the time period beginning on the date specified in 

the EPA issued approval letter and extending through January 28, 2004. 

Additionally, EPA will establish a website indicating which 

laboratories are approved to conduct perchlorate monitoring.

    2. Acetochlor. No performance testing sample analyses are required 

for laboratory approval for the analysis of acetochlor under the UCMR. 

All laboratories currently certified to perform drinking water 

compliance monitoring using EPA Method 525.2 are automatically approved 

to perform acetochlor analysis in the UCMR.

F. Implementation

    Implementation of this rule will allow monitoring for perchlorate 

and acetochlor using the specified methods in this rule. Systems will 

follow the monitoring requirements described in the September 1999 UCMR 

at the designated sampling location four times a year for surface water 

systems, or two times six months apart for ground water systems, with 

one of the sampling times during the May-July vulnerable time, or an 

alternate vulnerable period specified by the State.

G. Performance-based Measurement System

    EPA's Office of Water plans to implement a performance-based 

measurement system (PBMS) that would allow the option of using either 

performance criteria or reference methods in its drinking water 

regulatory programs, removing the requirement that only EPA-specified 

and approved analytical methods be used in SDWA regulatory programs. 

The requirement to use approved methods for SDWA



[[Page 11377]]



regulatory programs would, however, be maintained for certain method-

defined analytes (e.g., Total Coliform and asbestos), and for data 

gathering prospective to regulation, such as the contaminant monitoring 

in this rule.

    As noted above, many of the contaminants of interest for the 

Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring (UCM) program can be classified as 

``emerging'and thus do not have existing performance criteria or 

reference methods. In addition to collecting information about 

contaminant occurrence, the UCM program will enable the development of 

reference methods and performance criteria. UCM testing will provide 

data to assist the Agency in developing performance criteria that would 

be proposed with the MCL, monitoring requirements, etc. for an analyte. 

For these reasons, the Agency is specifying the method to be used for 

UCM testing. Once, however, a contaminant proceeds to regulation 

development as a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation, EPA 

expects to have sufficient data and method development information to 

be able to propose both performance criteria and a validated reference 

method, either of which could be used for compliance monitoring of the 

contaminant.



III. Technical Changes and Clarification to Sec. 141.40



    After reviewing the UCMR subsequent to its publication in the 

Federal Register on September 17, 1999, EPA found five changes that 

should be made to correct or clarify the wording of the regulation. 

These changes are at Sec. 141.40 (a)(5)(ii)(C), (a)(5)(iii)(G), 

(b)(1)(i), and (b)(1)(vii) and described here.

A. Change to Sec. 141.40 (a)(5)(ii)(C)

    This paragraph describes the location at which unregulated 

contaminant monitoring is to occur. However, the paragraph provides an 

exception where a State determines that no treatment is instituted 

between the source water and the distribution system that would affect 

measurement of the contaminants listed in Sec. 141.40 (a)(3). EPA is 

correcting this provision to delete redundant wording that does not 

help to clarify the exception.

B. Change to Sec. 141.40 (a)(5)(ii)(G)

    This paragraph describes the requirements for testing of the 

contaminants listed in Sec. 141.40 (a)(3) by a certified laboratory. 

This paragraph states that laboratories certified to conduct compliance 

analysis using EPA analytical methods in column 3, Sec. 141.40 (a)(3), 

may conduct analyses for the UCMR contaminants. EPA is adding a 

paragraph to address laboratory approval to analyze for perchlorate in 

drinking water samples.

C. Change to Sec. 141.40 (a)(5)(iii)(G)

    This paragraph specifies that sampling forms must be completed by 

owners or operators of small systems conducting the sampling for 

unregulated contaminants before sending the results to the EPA 

designated laboratory. The data elements that the owner or operator 

must complete are incorrectly specified as 1 through 6. The rule 

corrects the language to identify the data elements to be 1 through 4: 

Public Water System Identification Number; Public Water System Facility 

Identification Number--Source, Treatment Plant, and Sampling Point; 

Sample Collection Date; and Sample Identification Number.

    The rule also corrects the reporting for small systems to include 

data elements 5 through 10 if water quality parameters are required to 

be reported from the field. These parameters include: Contaminant/

Parameter; Analytical Results-sign; Analytical Results-Value; 

Analytical Result-Unit of Measure; Analytical Method Number; and Sample 

Analysis Type. This clarification makes this section consistent with 

Sec. 141.40 (a)(4)(i)(B) which applies to all systems analyzing for 

water quality parameters.

D. Change to Sec. 141.40 (b)(1)(i)

    This paragraph describes the process for States and Tribes to 

accept or modify the State Monitoring Plans for small systems. The 

paragraph incorrectly refers to ``distribution line.'' This reference 

should be to a ``distribution system'' to be consistent with other 

sections of and the intent of the rule.

E. Change to Sec. 141.40 (b)(1)(vii)

    This paragraph describes the process for a State or Tribe to 

participate in monitoring for the Screening Surveys for small and large 

systems. This paragraph contains an exclusion for systems purchasing 

water (unless the system is to conduct microbiological contaminant 

monitoring)[emphasis added]. The intent of the exception identified in 

the parenthetical phrase ``unless the system is to conduct 

microbiological monitoring'' was to address any contaminants for which 

the distribution system should be the appropriate location for 

monitoring, not just microbiological contaminants. The reference to 

microbiological contaminant monitoring is an artifact of a previous 

draft of the rule which was not corrected. Today's rule provides the 

intended wording and allows the exclusion of certain systems ``(unless 

the system is to conduct monitoring for a contaminant with the sampling 

location specified as the ``distribution system'').''

F. Clarification of Monitoring for DCPA Mono and Di-Acid Degradate

    In the September 17, 1999, Federal Register (64 FR 50556), EPA 

included as separate contaminants both DCPA mono-acid and DCPA di-acid 

degradates on the UCMR (1999) Monitoring List. As noted in the ``UCMR 

Analytical Methods and Quality Control Manual,'' August 1999, all of 

the approved methods identify total mono and di-acid forms as a single 

analytical result. None of the approved methods allow for the 

identification and quantification of the individual acids. To provide 

for the consistent reporting of results and to avoid confusion, EPA is 

specifying in Table 1 of Sec. 141.40 (UCMR List 1, 1999) that the 

single analytical result obtained from these methods should be reported 

as total DCPA mono- and di-acid degradates.



IV. Cost and Benefits of the Rule



    Today's amendment to the UCMR (64 FR 50555) adds methods for 

monitoring perchlorate and acetochlor to the UCMR (1999) List 1. These 

contaminants will be collected as part of the Assessment Monitoring 

component of the UCMR program. Perchlorate and acetochlor were part of 

the original UCMR (1999) List 1 contaminants, but were withheld from 

the September 1999 Final Rule pending finalization of their analytical 

methods. As described elsewhere in this Preamble, Assessment Monitoring 

will be conducted over a 3-year period from 2001 to 2003 by all 2,774 

large PWSs and a randomly selected representative sample of 800 small 

systems.

    Since perchlorate and acetochlor will be analyzed by laboratories 

using water samples that are collected at the same time as the other 10 

Assessment Monitoring contaminants, there are no additional labor costs 

related to today's addition of these contaminants. Systems will only be 

required to collect one additional sample for perchlorate analysis at 

the same sampling point where they are collecting the other Assessment 

Monitoring samples. No measurable added labor burden is associated with 

filling one more sample bottle. Additional non-labor costs are solely 

attributed to the laboratory fees/costs associated with analyzing 

samples for these contaminants. These costs will only be incurred by 

EPA and by large PWSs. No additional shipping costs will be incurred, 

since the weight of one sample bottle will not increase the shipment 

pricing category.



[[Page 11378]]



    EPA assumes that no additional costs will be incurred for analysis 

of acetochlor, since this contaminant will be analyzed under method 

525.2, along with 2,4-dinitrotoluene and 2,6-dinitrotoluene. EPA 

estimates that the average laboratory fee/cost for perchlorate 

analysis, using the ion chromotography Method 314.0 will be $60 per 

sample. The additional costs for laboratory analysis are calculated as 

follows: the product of the number of systems and the number of entry 

or sampling points is multiplied by the sampling frequency and then 

multiplied by the cost of analysis.

    The details of EPA's cost assumptions and estimates for Assessment 

Monitoring contaminants, with the exception of perchlorate and 

acetochlor, can be found in the Information Collection Request (ICR) 

previously prepared for the UCMR (OMB number 2040-0208), which presents 

estimated cost and burden for the 1999-2001 period. The Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) approved the ICR on June 30, 1999. An 

inventory correction worksheet (ICW) was prepared for this rule to 

address the hours and dollars associated with monitoring and analyzing 

for perchlorate and acetochlor. Copies of the ICR may be obtained from 

Sandy Farmer by mail at: OP Regulatory Information Division; U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency (2137); 401 M St., S.W.; Washington, DC 

20460, by email at: farmer.sandy@epa.gov, or by calling: (202) 260-

2740. For technical information regarding the ICR, please contact Chuck 

Job, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (4607); 401 M St., S.W.; 

Washington DC 20460, by email at: job.charles@epa.gov, or by calling 

(202) 260-7084. A copy may also be downloaded from the Internet at: 

http:

//www.epa.gov/icr.

    In preparing the UCMR ICR and the ICW, EPA relied on standard 

assumptions and data sources used in the preparation of other drinking 

water program ICRs. These include the public water system inventory, 

number of entry points per system, and labor rates. To estimate the 

labor burden for State and some system activities, the Agency used its 

standard State Resource Model, which is documented in the Resource 

Analysis Computer Program for State Drinking Water Agencies (January 

1993). Other assumptions are discussed below.

    Over the UCMR implementation period of 2001 through 2005, EPA 

estimates that the average annual cost of the nationwide addition of 

perchlorate and acetochlor to Assessment Monitoring is approximately 

$560,700, as follows:

    1. EPA: $70,200, exclusively for the additional testing costs for 

small systems.

    2. States: $0.

    3. Small systems: $0.

    4. Large systems: $490,500.

    The estimated average annual cost is approximately $177 per large 

system.



V. Administrative Requirements



A. Executive Order 12866--Regulatory Planning and Review

    Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), the 

Agency must determine whether a regulatory action is ``significant'' 

and therefore subject to OMB review and the requirements of the 

Executive Order. The Order defines ``significant regulatory action'' as 

one that is likely to result in a rule that may:

    (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or 

adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the 

economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 

health or safety, or State, local, or Tribal governments or 

communities;

    (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an 

action taken or planned by another agency;

    (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, 

user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients 

thereof; or

    (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 

mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in 

the Executive Order.

    It has been determined that this Rule is not a ``significant 

regulatory action'' under the terms of Executive Order 12866 and is 

therefore not subject to OMB review.

B. Executive Order 13045--Protection of Children From Environmental 

Health Risks and Safety Risks

    Executive Order 13045, ``Protection of Children from Environmental 

Health Risks and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), applies 

to any rule that (1) is determined to be ``economically significant'' 

as defined under Executive Order 12866 and (2) concerns an 

environmental health or safety risk that EPA has reason to believe may 

have a disproportionate effect on children. If the regulatory action 

meets both criteria, the Agency must evaluate the environmental health 

or safety effects of the planned rule on children, and explain why the 

planned regulation is preferable to other potentially effective and 

reasonably feasible alternatives considered by the Agency.

    This Rule is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it is not 

``economically significant'' as defined under Executive Order 12866. 

Further, this rule is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it 

does not establish an environmental standard intended to mitigate 

health or safety risks. This rule makes purely clarifying changes to 

the September 1999 UCMR and establishes analytical test methods for 

measurement of the unregulated contaminants perchlorate and acetochlor.

    However, this Rule is part of the Agency's overall strategy for 

deciding whether to regulate the contaminants under the Safe Drinking 

Water Act (see discussion of the Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) at 63 

FR 10273). Its purpose is to ensure that EPA obtains data on the 

occurrence of contaminants on the CCL--specifically perchlorate and 

acetochlor--where those data are currently lacking. EPA is also taking 

steps to ensure that the Agency will have data on the health effects of 

these contaminants on children through its research program. The Agency 

will use these occurrence and health effects data to decide whether to 

regulate these contaminants.

C. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public 

Law 104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the 

effects of their regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal 

governments and the private sector. Under UMRA section 202, EPA 

generally must prepare a written statement, including a cost-benefit 

analysis, for proposed and final rules with ``Federal mandates'' that 

may result in expenditures to State, local, and tribal governments, in 

the aggregate, or to the private sector, of $100 million or more in any 

one year. Before promulgating a rule for which a written statement is 

needed, UMRA section 205 generally requires EPA to identify and 

consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and adopt the 

least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative that 

achieves the objectives of the rule. The provisions of section 205 do 

not apply when they are inconsistent with applicable law. Moreover, 

section 205 allows EPA to adopt an alternative other than the least 

costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative, if the 

Administrator publishes with the final rule an explanation of why that 

alternative was not adopted. Before EPA establishes any regulatory 

requirements that may significantly or uniquely affect small 

governments, including tribal



[[Page 11379]]



governments, it must have developed under UMRA section 203 a small 

government agency plan. The plan must provide for notifying potentially 

affected small governments, enabling officials of affected small 

governments to have meaningful and timely input in the development of 

EPA regulatory proposals with significant Federal intergovernmental 

mandates, and informing, educating, and advising small governments on 

compliance with the regulatory requirements.

    EPA has determined that today's rule does not contain a Federal 

mandate that may result in expenditures of $100 million or more for 

State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or for the 

private sector in any one year. Total annual costs of today's rule 

(across the implementation period of 2001-2005), for State, local, and 

tribal governments and the private sector, are estimated to be 

$560,700, of which EPA will pay $70,200, or approximately 12 percent. 

Thus, today's rule is not subject to the requirements of UMRA sections 

202 and 205.

    EPA has determined that this rule contains no regulatory 

requirements that might significantly or uniquely affect small 

governments because EPA will pay for the reasonable costs of sample 

testing for the small PWSs required to sample and test for unregulated 

contaminants under this rule, including those owned and operated by 

small governments. Small systems will incur minimal additional labor or 

non-labor costs as a result of this rule, since laboratory analysis of 

perchlorate and acetochlor will be conducted using samples that systems 

were already collecting under the September 1999 UCMR. Thus, today's 

rule is not subject to the requirements of UMRA section 203.

D. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the 

information collection requirements contained in this rule under the 

provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. and 

has assigned OMB control number 2040-0208. As part of the September 

1999 UCMR, the information to be collected under today's Rule fulfills 

the statutory requirements of section 1445(a)(2) of the Safe Drinking 

Water Act, as amended in 1996. The data to be collected will describe 

the source water, location, and test results for samples taken from 

PWSs. The concentrations of any identified UCMR contaminants will be 

evaluated regarding health effects and will be considered for future 

regulation accordingly. Reporting is mandatory. The data are not 

subject to confidentiality protection.

    For a discussion of the costs for the full monitoring program from 

2001 through 2005, please refer to Section V., ``Costs and Benefits of 

the Rule'' in the preamble. EPA has an approved ICR for the 10 UCMR 

Assessment Monitoring contaminants and is in the process of processing 

the ICW for the addition of perchlorate and acetochlor methods to the 

UCMR. This discussion focuses on the estimated costs during the ICR 

period of 1999-2001.

    The cost estimates described below for the additional contaminants, 

perchlorate and acetochlor, are solely attributed to additional 

laboratory fees/costs. No additional labor or hour burden will be 

incurred because of the addition of these contaminants to the UCMR 

(1999) List 1. For Assessment Monitoring, the respondents are the 800 

small water systems (in the national representative sample of systems 

serving 10,000 or fewer people), the 2,774 large public water systems, 

and the 56 States and primacy agents (3,630 total respondents). The 

frequency of response varies across respondents and years. However, 

there are no additional responses associated with this rule amendment, 

and thus no additional hour burden for any respondents. Minimal 

additional costs will be incurred by small systems or States. Large 

systems and EPA will incur the additional laboratory fees/costs for the 

analysis of perchlorate and acetochlor. For the three year ICR period 

only, each large system respondent will incur an annual average 

additional cost of $295. This was calculated by the average cost per 

system over three years. [E.g., ($884 per large system) divided by 

three years]. The additional cost for perchlorate and acetochlor is 

estimated to be $300 per response by a large system. This is calculated 

by the average cost per system over the three years [E.g., ($884 per 

large system) divided by the average number of responses per system 

over the entire three year period (2.9 per large system)].

    EPA will incur no additional labor or hour costs for implementation 

of today's rule. EPA's annual non-labor costs (for the ICR period 1999-

2001) are estimated to be $36,400 for the analysis of small system 

perchlorate and acetochlor Assessment Monitoring samples. Non-labor 

costs are solely attributed to the cost of sample testing for the 800 

small systems.

    Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources 

expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or 

provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time 

needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize 

technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and 

verifying information, processing and aintaining information, and 

disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to 

comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; 

train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; 

search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; 

and transmit or otherwise disclose the information.

    An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 

to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 

currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's 

regulations are listed in 40 CFR Part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15.

E. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), as amended by the Small Business 

Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), 5 U.S.C. 601 et 

seq.

    The RFA generally requires an agency to prepare a regulatory 

flexibility analysis of any rule subject to notice and comment 

rulemaking requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act or any 

other statute unless the agency certifies that the rule will not have a 

significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 

Small entities include small businesses, small organizations, and small 

governmental jurisdictions.

    The RFA provides default definitions for each type of small entity. 

It also authorizes an agency to use alternative definitions for each 

category of small entity, ``which are appropriate to the activities of 

the agency'' after proposing the alternative definition(s) in the 

Federal Register and taking comment. 5 U.S.C. 601(3)-(5). In addition 

to the above, to establish an alternative small business definition, 

agencies must consult with SBA's Chief Counsel for Advocacy.

    For purposes of assessing the impacts of today's rule on all three 

categories of small entities, EPA considered small entities to be 

systems serving 10,000 or fewer customers because this is the size of 

system specified in SDWA as requiring special consideration with 

respect to small system flexibility. In accordance with the RFA 

requirements, EPA proposed using this alternative definition for all 

three categories of small entities in the Federal Register, (63 FR 

7605, February 13, 1998) requested public comment, consulted with SBA 

regarding the alternative definition as it relates to small



[[Page 11380]]



businesses, and finalized the alternative definition in the Consumer 

Confidence Reports rulemaking, (63 FR 44511, August 19,1998). As stated 

in that final rule, the alternative definition would be applied to this 

regulation as well.

    For the UCMR, published on September 17, 1999, EPA analyzed 

separately the impact on small privately and publicly owned water 

systems because of the different economic characteristics of these 

ownership types. For publicly owned systems, EPA used the ``revenue 

test,'' which compares a system's annual costs attributed to the rule 

with the system's annual revenues. EPA used a ``sales test'' for 

privately owned systems, which involves the analogous comparison of 

UCMR-related costs to a privately owned system's sales. EPA assumes 

that the distribution of the national representative sample of small 

systems will reflect the proportions of publicly and privately owned 

systems in the national inventory. The estimated distribution of the 

representative sample, categorized by ownership type, source water, and 

system size, is presented below in Table 1.



        Table 1.--Number of Publicly and Privately Owned Systems To Participate in Assessment Monitoring

                                     [Including perchlorate and acetochlor]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                      Publicly owned systems      Privately owned

                                                     ------------------------         systems

                    Size category                                            ------------------------ Total--All

                                                       Non-index     Index     Non-index     Index      systems

                                                        systems     systems     systems     systems

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Water Systems

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

500 and under.......................................          20           1          76           2          99

501 to 3,300........................................         146           6          67           3         222

3,301 to 10,000.....................................         144           7          40           2         193

================================================================================================================

    Subtotal ground.................................         310          14         183           7         514

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surface Water Systems

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

500 and under.......................................          18           0          49           0          67

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

501 to 3,300........................................          51           2          23           1          77

3,301 to 10,000.....................................         106           5          30           1         142

    Subtotal surface................................         175           7         102           2         286

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Total.........................................         485          21         285           9         800

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



    The basis for the UCMR RFA certification for today's rule, which 

adds perchlorate and acetochlor to the Assessment Monitoring program, 

is as follows: the average annual compliance costs of the rule 

represent less than 1 percent of revenues/sales for the 800 small water 

systems that will be affected. The EPA estimates that EPA and small 

system costs for adding perchlorate and acetochlor to the Assessment 

Monitoring program (2001-2005) will be approximately $350,890. Since 

the Agency specifically structured the rule to avoid significantly 

affecting small entities by assuming all costs for laboratory analyses, 

shipping, and quality control for small entities, EPA incurs the 

entirety of the costs associated with adding methods for monitoring 

perchlorate and acetochlor to the Assessment Monitoring list. Table 2 

presents the annual costs to EPA for the small system sampling program, 

along with the number of participating small systems during each of the 

5 years of the program. The table also illustrates that no additional 

costs are incurred by the small systems.



 Table 2.--EPA Costs for Small Systems for the Addition of Perchlorate and Acetochlor Methods to UCMR Assessment

                                                   Monitoring

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         Cost description               2001         2002         2003         2004         2005        Total

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total Costs to EPA for Small System Sampling of Perchlorate and Acetochlor: analytical costs

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       $109,150     $109,150     $109,150      $11,720      $11,720     $350,890

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Costs to Small Systems: no additional labor or non-labor costs incurred

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                             $0           $0           $0           $0           $0           $0

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total Costs to EPA and Small Systems for UCMR

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       $109,150     $109,150     $109,150      $11,720      $11,720     $350,890

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of Systems to be conducting Assessment Monitoring each Year (thus collecting perchlorate and acetochlor

 samples): Non-Index and Index in 2001-2003, Index only in 2004-20051

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Public............................          182          182          182          107           21          533

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Private...........................          104          104          104           81            9          267

    Total.........................          286          286          286          188           30         800

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1Total number of systems is 800. All 30 Index systems sample during each year 2001-005. One-third of Non-Index

  systems sample during each year from 2001-2003. The rows do not add across, because the same 30 Index systems

  sample during every year of 5-year implementation cycle.





[[Page 11381]]



    After considering the economic impacts of today's direct final rule 

on small entities, I certify that this action will not have a 

significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 

EPA has determined that the addition of perchlorate and acetochlor to 

the UCMR data collection will not affect small water utilities. The 

rationale for this conclusion is that those 800 small PWSs that will 

participate in Assessment Monitoring will not be required to conduct 

additional activities related to this rule. Further, EPA will assume 

all additional costs for testing of the samples for small systems. We 

have therefore concluded that today's final rule will impose no 

regulatory burden for small entities. Also, the minor amendments to the 

UCMR are purely for clarification or correction, and do not impose any 

costs.

F. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 

Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law No. 104-113, Section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 

272 note) directs EPA to use voluntary consensus standards in its 

regulatory activities unless to do so would be inconsistent with 

applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards 

are technical standards (e.g., materials specifications, test methods, 

sampling procedures, and business practices) that are developed or 

adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies. The NTTAA directs EPA 

to provide Congress, through OMB, explanations when the Agency decides 

not to use available and applicable voluntary consensus standards.

    EPA searched for but did not find any voluntary consensus standards 

for the measurement of acetochlor or perchlorate. Analytical methods 

for perchlorate have been published by the California Department of 

Health and by Dionex Corporation, however neither of these methods 

incorporates a quality control element which assesses the impact of 

high concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), frequently present 

in water samples. The presence of these high TDS in samples can result 

in inaccurate quantitation of perchlorate or may even mask its 

presence. Therefore, EPA developed EPA Method 314.0 for the analysis of 

perchlorate which incorporates a quality control element that both 

identifies the presence of high concentrations of TDS and provides a 

mechanism to reduce their concentrations, thereby permitting accurate 

quantitation of perchlorate. In addition, EPA's Method 314.0 permits 

the use of both the California Department of Health and the Dionex 

procedures within its scope; therefore, laboratories currently using 

either of these procedures can convert to using EPA Method 314.0 simply 

by adopting the quality control element specified in EPA Method 314.0 

without needing to change any other aspects of their analyses.

G. Executive Order 12898--Federal Actions to Address Environmental 

Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

    Executive Order 12898, ``Federal Actions to Address Environmental 

Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations' (February 

11, 1994), focuses federal attention on the environmental and human 

health conditions of minority and low-income populations with the goal 

of achieving environmental protection for all communities. By seeking 

to identify unregulated contaminants that may pose health risks via 

drinking water from all PWSs, this regulation furthers the protection 

of public health for all citizens, including minority and low-income 

populations using public water supplies.

H. Executive Order 13132--Federalism

    Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 43255, August 

10, 1999) requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure 

``meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the 

development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.'' 

``Policies that have federalism implications'' is defined in the 

Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct 

effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 

government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 

responsibilities among the various levels of government.''

    Under section 6 of Executive Order 13132, EPA may not issue a 

regulation that has federalism implications, that imposes substantial 

direct compliance costs, and that is not required by statute, unless 

the Federal government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct 

compliance costs incurred by State and local governments, or EPA 

consults with State and local officials early in the process of 

developing the proposed regulation. EPA also may not issue a regulation 

that has federalism implications and that preempts State law unless the 

Agency consults with State and local officials early in the process of 

developing the proposed regulation.

    This final rule does not have federalism implications. It will not 

have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship 

between the national government and the States, or on the distribution 

of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, 

as specified in Executive Order 13132. This rule merely specifies the 

analytical methods approved for the measurement of perchlorate and 

acetochlor in drinking water, thereby allowing these contaminants to be 

included in the UCMR Assessment Monitoring program and makes other 

minor corrections to the September UCMR. Thus, the requirements of 

section 6 of the Executive Order do not apply to this rule.

I. Executive Order 13084--Consultation and Coordination with Indian 

Tribal Governments

    Under Executive Order 13084, EPA may not issue a regulation that is 

not required by statute, that significantly or uniquely affects the 

communities of Indian tribal governments, and that imposes substantial 

direct compliance costs on those communities, unless the Federal 

government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct compliance 

costs incurred by the tribal governments, or EPA consults with those 

governments. If EPA complies by consulting, Executive Order 13084 

requires EPA to provide to OMB, in a separately identified section of 

the preamble to the rule, a description of the extent of EPA's prior 

consultation with representatives of affected tribal governments, a 

summary of the nature of their concerns, and a statement supporting the 

need to issue the regulation. In addition, Executive Order 13084 

requires EPA to develop an effective process permitting elected 

officials and other representatives of Indian tribal governments ``to 

provide meaningful and timely input in the development of regulatory 

policies on matters that significantly or uniquely affect their 

communities.''

    Today's rule does not significantly or uniquely affect the 

communities of Indian tribal governments nor does it impose substantial 

direct compliance costs on them. Only one tribal water system serves 

more than 10,000 persons. All the other tribal water systems serve 

10,000 or fewer persons, and in today's rule have an equal probability 

of being selected in the national representative sample of small 

systems, for which EPA will pay the costs of unregulated contaminant 

testing. Thus, these tribal water systems will be treated the same as 

water systems of a State and the impact of the rule on them will not be 

significant.



[[Page 11382]]



    This rule will not impose substantial direct compliance costs on 

such communities because, with the exception of the one large tribal 

water system, the Federal government will provide most of the funds 

necessary to pay the direct costs incurred by tribal governments in 

complying with the rule. Accordingly, the requirements of section 3(b) 

of Executive Order 13084 do not apply to this rule.

J. Administrative Procedure Act

    EPA is publishing this methods rule without prior proposal because 

it views this as a noncontroversial amendment and anticipates no 

adverse comment. While developing these methods, EPA worked closely 

with those people involved in similar work or developing similar 

methods. For perchlorate, Method 314.0 is an adaptation of the current 

methods available to test for perchlorate, but with additional QC 

requirements. For the UCMR, public comment indicated that EPA Method 

525.2 could perform analyses for acetochlor. However, elsewhere in this 

issue of the Federal Register, EPA is publishing a separate document 

that will serve as the proposal for the Unregulated Contaminant 

Monitoring Regulation for Public Water Systems; Analytical Methods for 

Perchlorate and Acetochlor if adverse comments are filed. This rule 

will be effective on January 1, 2001, without further notice unless EPA 

receives adverse comment by April 3, 2000. If EPA receives adverse 

comment, we will publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register 

informing the public that the rule will not take effect. EPA will 

address all public comments in a subsequent final rule based on the 

proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this 

action. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this time. 

Finally, the minor amendments made to the September 1999 UCMR in 

today's rule are purely clarifying changes and thus public comment is 

unnecessary under the Administrative Procedure Act. 5 U.S.C. 

553(b)(3)(B).

K. Congressional Review Act

    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 

provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 

the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 

to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 

United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other 

required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 

Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 

to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot 

take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal 

Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by U.S.C. 

804(2). This rule will be effective January 1, 2001.



VI. Public Involvement in Regulation Development



    EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water has developed a 

process for stakeholder involvement in its regulatory activities to 

provide early input to regulation development. Today's rule amends the 

September 1999 UCMR, by establishing the method requirements for 

perchlorate and acetochlor. At the time of UCMR publication--September 

1999--the methods for these contaminants were still under review by the 

EPA. For a description of public involvement activities please see the 

discussion at 64 FR 50556.



List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 141



    Environmental protection, Chemicals, Incorporation by reference, 

Indian-lands, Intergovernmental relations, Reporting and recordkeeping 

requirements, Water supply.



    Dated: February 23, 2000.

Carol M. Browner,

Administrator.



    For the reasons set out in the preamble, title 40, chapter I of 

Code of Federal Regulations, are amended as follows.



PART 141--NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS



    1. The authority citation for part 141 continues to read as 

follows:



    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300f, 300g-l, 300g-2, 300g-3, 300g-4, 300g-

5, 300g-6, 300j-4, 300j-9, and 300j-11.





    2. Effective January 1, 2001 Sec. 141.40 as revised on 9/17/99 (64 

FR 50556) and effective January 1, 2001 is further amended by:

    a. Revising Table 1, List 1, in paragraph (a)(3) and revising the 

column heading notations and footnotes at the end of paragraph (a)(3);

    b. Revising paragraphs (a)(5)(ii)(C) and (a)(5)(ii)(G);

    c. Revising paragraph (a)(5)(iii)(G);

    d. Revising paragraph (b)(1)(i); and

    e. Revising paragraph (b)(1)(vii).

    The Revisions read as follows:





Sec. 141.40  Monitoring requirements for unregulated contaminants.



    (a) * * *

    (3) * * *



[[Page 11383]]







                       Table 1.--Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (1999) List

                              [List 1--Assessment Monitoring Chemical Contaminants]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                                      6--Period

                                                                                                        during

                                             2--CAS        3--Analytical    4--Minimum  5--Sampling     which

             1--Contaminant                 registry          methods       reporting     location    monitoring

                                             number                           level                     to be

                                                                                                      completed

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2,4-dinitrotoluene.....................        121-14-2        EPA 525.2a      2 ug/Le       EPTDSf    2001-2003

2,6-dinitrotoluene.....................        606-20-2        EPA 525.2a      2 ug/Le       EPTDSf    2001-2003

Acetochlor.............................      34256-82-1        EPA 525.2a      2 ug/Lo       EPTDSf    2001-2003

DCPA mono-acid degradaten..............        887-54-7        EPA 515.1a      1 ug/Le       EPTDSf    2001-2003

                                                               EPA 515.2a

                                                                D5317-93b

                                                             AOAC 992.32c

DCPA di-acid degradaten................       2136-79-0        EPA 515.1a      1 ug/Le       EPTDSf    2001-2003

                                                               EPA 515.2a

                                                                D5317-93b

                                                             AOAC 992.32c

4,4'-DDE...............................         72-55-9          EPA 508a    0.8 ug/Le       EPTDSf    2001-2003

                                                               EPA 508.1a

                                                               EPA 525.2a

                                                                D5812-96b

                                                             AOAC 990.06c

EPTC...................................        759-94-4          EPA 507a      1 ug/Le       EPTDSf    2001-2003

                                                               EPA 525.2a

                                                                D5475-93b

                                                             AOAC 991.07c

Molinate...............................       2212-67-1          EPA 507a    0.9 ug/Le       EPTDSf    2001-2003

                                                               EPA 525.2a

                                                                D5475-93b

                                                             AOAC 991.07c

MTBE...................................       1634-04-4        EPA 524.2a      5 ug/Lg       EPTDSf    2001-2003

                                                                D5790-95b

                                                                SM 6210Dd

                                                                SM 6200Bd

Nitrobenzene...........................         98-95-3        EPA 524.2a     10 ug/Lg       EPTDSf    2001-2003

                                                                D5790-95b

                                                                 SM6210Dd

                                                                 SM6200Bd

Perchlorate............................      14797-73-0         EPA 314.0      4 ug/Lo       EPTDSf    2001-2003

Terbacil...............................       5902-51-2          EPA 507a      2 ug/Le       EPTDSf    2001-2003

                                                               EPA 525.2a

                                                                D5475-93b

                                                             AOAC 991.07c



*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *

                                                        *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Column headings are:

1--Chemical or microbiological contaminant: the name of the contaminants to be analyzed.

2--CAS (Chemical Abstract Service Number) Registry No. or Identification Number: a unique number identifying the

  chemical contaminants.

3--Analytical Methods: method numbers identifying the methods that must be used to test the contaminants.

4--Minimum Reporting Level: the value and unit of measure at or above which the concentration or density of the

  contaminant must be measured using the Approved Analytical Methods.

5--Sampling Location: the locations within a PWS at which samples must be collected.

6--Years During Which Monitoring to be Completed: The years during which the sampling and testing are to occur

  for the indicated contaminant.

The procedures shall be done in accordance with the documents listed below. The incorporation by reference of

  the following documents listed in footnotes b-d and m was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in

  accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies of the documents may be obtained from the sources

  listed below. Information regarding obtaining these documents can be obtained from the Safe Drinking Water

  Hotline at 800-426-4791. Documents may be inspected at EPA's Drinking Water Docket, 401 M Street, SW.,

  Washington, DC 20460 (Telephone: 202-260-3027); or at the Office of Federal Register, 800 North Capitol

  Street, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC.

aThe version of the EPA methods which you must follow for this Rule are listed at Sec. 141.24 (e).

bAnnual Book of ASTM Standards, 1996 and 1998, Vol. 11.02, American Society for Testing and Materials. Method

  D5812-96 is located in the Annual Book of ASTM Standards, 1998, Vol. 11.02. Methods D5790-95, D5475-93, and

  D5317-93 are located in the Annual Book of ASTM Standards, 1996 and 1998, Vol 11.02. Copies may be obtained

  from the American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428.

cOfficial Methods of Analysis of AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemist) International, Sixteenth

  Edition, 4th Revision, 1998, Volume I, AOAC International, First Union National Bank Lockbox, PO Box 75198,

  Baltimore, MD 21275-5198. 1-800-379-2622.





[[Page 11384]]



  dSM 6210 D is only found in the 18th and 19th editions of 

Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 1992 and 

1995, American Public Health Association; either edition may be used. 

SM 6200 B is only found in the 20th edition of Standard Methods for the 

Examination of Water and Wastewater, 1998. Copies may be obtained from 

the American Public Health Association, 1015 Fifteenth Street NW, 

Washington, DC 20005.

  eMinimum Reporting Level determined by multiplying by 10 

the least sensitive method's minimum detection limit (MDL=standard 

deviation times the Student's T value for 99% confidence level with n-1 

degrees of freedom), or when available, multiplying by 5 the least 

sensitive method's estimated detection limit (where the EDL equals the 

concentration of compound yielding approximately a 5 to 1 signal to 

noise ratio or the calculated MDL, whichever is greater).

  fEntry Points to the Distribution System (EPTDS), After 

Treatment, representing each non-emergency water source in routine use 

over the twelve-month period of monitoring; sampling must occur at the 

EPTDS, unless the State has specified other sampling points that are 

used for compliance monitoring 40 CFR 141.24 (f)(1), (2), and (3). See 

40 CFR 141.40(a)(5)(ii)(C) for a complete explanation of requirements, 

including the use of source (raw) water sampling points.

  gMinimum Reporting Levels (MRL) for Volatile Organic 

Compounds (VOC) determined by multiplying either the published Method 

Detection Limit (MDL) or 0.5 ug/L times 10, whichever is greater. The 

MDL of 0.5 ug/L (0.0005 mg/L) was selected to conform to VOC MDL 

requirements of 40 CFR 141.24(f)(17(E).

  hTo be Determined at a later time.

  iCompound currently not listed as a contaminant in this 

method. Methods development currently being conducted in an attempt to 

add it to the scope of this method.

  jMethods development currently in progress to develop a 

solid phase extraction/high performance liquid chromatography/

ultraviolet method for the determination of this compound.

  kCompound listed as being a contaminant using EPA Method 

525.2; however, adequate sample preservation is not available. 

Preservation studies currently being conducted to develop adequate 

sample preservation.

  lMethods development currently in progress to develop a 

solid phase extraction /gas chromatography /mass spectrometry method 

for the determination of this compound.

  mMethod 314.0, ``Determination of Perchlorate in Drinking 

Water Using Ion Chromatography,'' Revision 1.0, EPA 815-B-99-003, 

November 1999. Available by requesting a copy from the EPA Safe 

Drinking Water Hotline within the United States at (800) 426-4791 

(Hours are Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays, from 9:00 

a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time). Alternately, the method can be 

assessed and downloaded directly on-line at www.epa.gov/safewater/

methods/sourcalt.html.

  nThe approved methods do not allow for the identification 

and quantification of the individual acids, the single analytical 

result obtained should be reported as total DCPA mono- and di-acid 

degradates.

  oMRL was established at a concentration, which is at least 

1/4th the lowest known adverse health concentration, at which 

acceptable precision and accuracy has been demonstrated in spiked 

matrix samples.

* * * * *

    (5) * * *

    (ii) * * *

    (C) Location. You must collect samples at the location specified 

for each listed contaminant in column 5 of the Table 1, UCMR (1999) 

List, in paragraph (a)(3) of this section. The sampling location for 

chemical contaminants must be the entry point to the distribution 

system or the compliance monitoring point specified by the State or EPA 

under 40 CFR 141.24 (f)(1), (2), and (3). If the compliance monitoring 

point as specified by the State is for source (raw) water and any of 

the contaminants in paragraph (a)(3) of this section are detected, then 

you must also sample at the entry point to the distribution system at 

the frequency indicated in paragraph (a)(5)(ii)(B) of this section with 

the following exception: If the State or EPA determines that no 

treatment was instituted between the source water and the distribution 

system that would affect measurement of the contaminants listed in 

paragraph (a)(3) of this section, then you do not have to sample at the 

entry point to the distribution system.

* * * * *

    (G) Testing. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(5)(ii)(G)(2) of 

this section for new methods, you must arrange for the testing of the 

contaminants by a laboratory certified under Sec. 141.28 for compliance 

analysis using the EPA analytical methods listed in column 3 for each 

contaminant in Table 1, Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation 

(1999) List, in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, whether you use the 

EPA analytical methods or non-EPA methods listed in Table 1.

    (1) Laboratory certification for previously approved methods used 

for the UCMR. Laboratories are automatically certified for the analysis 

of UCMR contaminants if they are already certified to conduct 

compliance monitoring for a contaminant included in the same method 

being approved for UCMR analysis.

    (2) Laboratory approval for new methods used for the UCMR. To 

receive approval to conduct analyses for perchlorate, you must be 

certified to conduct compliance monitoring using an approved ion 

chromatographic method as listed in Sec. 141.28 and you must analyze 

and successfully pass the Performance Testing (PT) Program administered 

by EPA.

    (iii) * * *

    (G) Sampling forms. You must completely fill out the sampling forms 

sent to you by the laboratory, including the data elements 1 through 4 

listed in Sec. 141.35(d) for each sample. If EPA requests that you 

conduct field analysis of water quality parameters specified in 

paragraph (a)(4)(i)(B) of this section, you must also complete the 

sampling form to include the information for data elements 5 through 10 

listed in Sec. 141.35(d) for each sample. You must sign and date the 

sampling forms.

* * * * *

    (b) * * *

    (1) * * *



[[Page 11385]]



    (i) Accept or modify the initial plan. EPA will first specify the 

systems serving 10,000 or fewer persons by water source and size in an 

initial State Monitoring Plan for each State using a random number 

generator. EPA will also generate a replacement list of systems for 

systems that may not have been correctly specified on the initial plan. 

This initial State Monitoring Plan will also indicate the year and day, 

plus or minus two (2) weeks from the day, that each system must monitor 

for the contaminants in List 1 of Table 1 of this section, Unregulated 

Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (1999) List. EPA will provide you 

with the initial monitoring plan for your State or Tribe, including 

systems to be Index systems and those systems to be part of the 

Screening Surveys. Within sixty (60) days of receiving your State's 

initial plan, you may notify EPA that you either accept it as your 

State Monitoring Plan or request to modify the initial plan by removing 

systems that have closed, merged or are purchasing water from another 

system and replacing them with other systems. Any purchased water 

system associated with a non-purchased water system must be added to 

the State Monitoring Plan if the State determines that its distribution 

system is the location of the maximum residence time or lowest 

disinfectant residual of the combined distribution system. In this 

case, the purchased water system must monitor for the contaminants for 

which the ``distribution system'' is identified as the point of 

``maximum residence time'' or ``lowest disinfectant residual,'' 

depending on the contaminant, and not the community water system 

selling water to it. You must replace any systems you removed from the 

initial plan with systems from the replacement list in the order they 

are listed. Your request to modify the initial plan must include the 

modified plan and the reasons for the removal and replacement of 

systems. If you believe that there are reasons other than those 

previously listed for removing and replacing one or more other systems 

from the initial plan, you may include those systems and their 

replacement systems in your request to modify the initial plan. EPA 

will review your request to modify your State's initial plan. Please 

note that information about the actual or potential occurrence or non-

occurrence of contaminants at a system or a system's vulnerability to 

contamination is not a basis for removal from or addition to the plan.

* * * * *

    (vii) Participate in monitoring for the Screening Surveys for small 

and large systems. Within 120 days prior to sampling, EPA will notify 

you which systems have been selected to participate in the Screening 

Surveys, the sampling dates, the designated laboratory for testing, and 

instructions for sampling. You must review the small systems that EPA 

selected for the State Monitoring Plan to ensure that the systems are 

not closed, merged or purchasing water from another system (unless the 

system is to conduct monitoring for a contaminant with the sampling 

location specified as ``distribution system''), and then make any 

replacements in the plan, as described in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this 

section. You must notify the selected systems in your State of these 

Screening Surveys requirements. You must provide the necessary 

Screening Surveys information to the selected systems at least ninety 

(90) days prior to the sampling date.

* * * * *

[FR Doc. 00-4761 Filed 3-1-00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P





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