Updates to Water Systems Emerging Contaminants Testing Requirements

The federal government has outlined a plan to address the nation’s water resources and water infrastructure needs with the passage of America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. A key component of this new act is that water systems serving 3,300 – 10,000 customers are now required to test for emerging contaminants like PFOS, PFOA, and 1,4-dioxane. Historically, only systems serving more than 10,000 customers were required to perform emerging contaminants testing.

This may sound like an onerous task for smaller communities but, as Democratic Congressman Paul Tonko notes, “this would mean that thousands of communities… [with] similarly sized systems would no longer have emerging contaminants go undetected.”

Time to Update Risk and Resilience Assessments and Emergency Response Plans

Under the new provisions, these smaller systems must also submit updated Risk and Resilience Assessments and Emergency Response Plans that contain additional elements. These self-assessments must be completed no later than June 30, 2021, and be reviewed every five years thereafter.

Is your municipality subject to these new requirements? C.T. Male Associates can help! Our team of experts is well equipped to assist with all your emerging contaminants testing needs including sampling, reporting, planning, and reviewing. Tackle these new regulations with ease and efficiency by contacting C. T. Male Associates’ Kirk Moline, PG, Managing Geologist at 518.786.7502 or [email protected].