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Announcement of the Draft Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.


 [Federal Register: October 6, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 193)]
[Notices]
[Page 52193-52219]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06oc97-116]

[[Page 52193]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part III

Environmental Protection Agency

_______________________________________________________________________

Announcement of the Draft Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List;
Notice

[[Page 52194]]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5904-7]


Announcement of the Draft Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate
List

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), as amended in 1996,
requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish a list of
contaminants which, at the time of publication, are not subject to any
proposed or promulgated national primary drinking water regulation
(NPDWR), that are known or anticipated to occur in public water systems
and which may require regulations under the SDWA [section 1412(b)(1)].
The SDWA, as amended, specifies EPA must publish the first list of
contaminants (Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List, or CCL) not
later than 18 months after the date of enactment, i.e., by February
1998, and every five years thereafter. The SDWA, as amended, also
specifies that the CCL must be published after consultation with the
scientific community, and after notice and opportunity for public
comment. Today's notice announces the draft CCL, provides background on
how it was developed, and seeks comment on various aspects of
developing the final CCL. The CCL will be the source of priority
contaminants for drinking water research, monitoring, guidance
development, and for selection of candidates for drinking water
regulation. The draft CCL includes 58 chemical and 13 microbiological
contaminants.

DATES: Submit comments on or before December 5, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to the Comment Clerk, docket number W-
97-11, Water Docket (MC4101), USEPA, 401 M. St., SW, Washington, DC
20460. Please submit an original and three copies of your comments and
enclosures (including references). Comments must be received or
postmarked by midnight December 5, 1997.
    Commenters who want EPA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
should enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. No facsimiles
(faxes) will be accepted. Comments may also be submitted electronically
to ow-docket@epamail.epa.gov. Electronic comments must be submitted as
an ASCII file avoiding the use of special characters and any form of
encryption. Electronic comments must be identified by the docket number
W-97-11. Comments and data will also be accepted on disks in
WordPerfect in 5.1 format or ASCII file format. Electronic comments on
this notice may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.
    The full record for this notice has been established under docket
number W-97-11, and includes supporting documentation as well as
printed, paper versions of electronic comments. The full record is
available for inspection from 9 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays at the Water Docket, Room M2616, Headquarters,
USEPA, 401 M. Street, SW, Washington, DC. For access to docket
materials, please call 202/260-3027 to schedule an appointment.
Additionally, a few critical pieces of the record have been made
available at each Regional Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information, please
contact the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline. The toll-free number is
800-426-4791. For specific information on the CCL and the contaminant
identification process, please contact Ms. Evelyn Washington, at the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Ground Water and
Drinking Water, Mailcode 4607, Washington, DC 20460, phone: 202-260-
3029, fax: 202-260-3762, email: washington.evelyn@epamail.epa.gov.

EPA Regional Offices

I. JFK Federal Bldg., Room 2203, Boston, MA 02203. Phone: 617-565-
3602, Jerry Healey
II. 290 Broadway, Room 2432, New York, NY 10007-1866. Phone: 212-
637-3880, Walter Andrews
III. 841 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Phone: 215-566-
5775, Jeff Hass
IV. 345 Courtland Street, NE, Atlanta GA 30365. Phone: 404-562-9480,
Janine Morris
V. 77 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604-3507. Phone: 312-886-
4239, Kim Harris
VI. 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202. Phone: 214-665-7150, Larry
Wright
VII. 726 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, KS 66101. Phone: 913-551-7410,
Stan Calow
VIII. One Denver Place, 999 18th Street, suite 500, Denver, CO
80202. Phone: 303-312-6627, Rod Glebe
IX. 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Phone: 415-744-
1884, Bruce Macler
X. 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101. Phone: 206-553-1893, Larry
Worley

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Background
II. Draft Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List
    Table 1. Draft Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List
III. Identification of Contaminants for the Draft Drinking Water
Contaminant Candidate List
    A. Role of NDWAC Working Group
    B. Microbiological Contaminants Identified for the Draft CCL
    Table 2. Initial List of Microorganisms Developed by EPA for
Consideration by the Workshop on Microbiology and Public Health
    1. Protozoa
    2. Viruses
    3. Bacteria
    4. Microbiological Indicators
    5. Future Activities Planned for Microbiological Contaminants
and the CCL
6. Possible Impacts From Other Regulatory Activity
    C. Chemical Contaminants Identified for the Draft CCL
    1. The Initial List of Chemical Contaminants Considered
    Table 3. Initial List of Chemical Contaminants Considered during
Development of the Draft CCL
    a. 1991 Drinking Water Priority List
    b. Health Advisories
    c. Integrated Risk Information System
    d. Non-Target Analytes in Public Water Supply Samples
    e. CERCLA Priority List
    f. Stakeholder Responses
    g. Toxic Release Inventory
    h. Pesticides Identified by Office of Pesticide Programs
    Table 4. Pesticides Deferred
    i. Safe Drinking Water Hotline
    Table 5. Contaminants Identified by the Safe Drinking Water
Hotline
    j. Endocrine Disruptors
    Table 6. Contaminants Identified as Suspected of Endocrine
Disruption
    2. Development and Application of the Criteria
    a. Criteria for Occurrence
    b. Criteria for Health
    3. Additional Specific Contaminants Included
    a. Aldicarb, Aldicarb sulfoxide, and Aldicarb sulfone
    b. Nickel
    c. Sulfate
IV. Contaminants on the CCL Which Are of Specific Interest
    A. Aluminum
    B. MTBE
    C. Organotins
    D. Rhodamine WT
    E. Sodium
    F. Zinc
    G. 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-benzoquinone (DTBB)
    H. Contaminants to be Considered as Groups
    I. Contaminants for Which Unregulated Contaminant Data are or
Will Be Available
    Table 7. Contaminants with Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring
Data
V. Request for Comment
    A. Data and Research Needs
    Table 8. Data Needs for Chemical Contaminants Included on the
Draft CCL
    B. Perchlorate

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VI. Development of the final Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate
List, the Contaminant Identification Method, and the Contaminant
Selection Process
VII. Summary of Other Related Activity Required by the SDWA
    A. Contaminant Selection and Regulatory Determination
    B. The National Contaminant Occurrence Database
    C. Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation
VIII. Summary of Concurrent Regulatory Activity Required by the SDWA
    A. Radon
    B. Other Radionuclides
    C. Arsenic
    D. Sulfate
    E. Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts
IX. Other Requirements
X. References

Abbreviations Used in this Notice

    ACWA-Association of California Water Agencies
ATSDR--Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
AWWARF--American Water Works Association Research Foundation
CASRN--Chemical Abstract Services Registry Number
CCL--Contaminant Candidate List
CDC-Center for Disease Control and Prevention
CERCLA--Comprehensive Environmental Response, Comprehensive and
Liability Act
CIM--Contaminant Identification Method
D/DBP--Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts
DWEL-Drinking Water Equivalent Level
DWPL--Drinking Water Priority List
EDSTAC--Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Advisory Committee
EPA--Environmental Protection Agency
ESWTR--Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
FIFRA--Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
FQPA--Food Quality Protection Act
GW--Ground Water
HA--Health Advisory
HSDB--Hazardous Substances Data Base
IARC--International Agency for Research on Cancer
ICR--Information Collection Request
IESWTR--Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
IRIS--Integrated Risk Information System
LTESWTR--Long-term Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
MCL--Maximum Contaminant Level
MCLG--Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
NAS--National Academy of Sciences
NCOD--National Contaminant Occurrence Database
NDWAC--National Drinking Water Advisory Council
NIPDWR--National Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations
NPDWR--National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
NPL--National Priority List
NRC--National Research Council
OGWDW--EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
OPP--EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs
OPPTS--EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxic Substances
PWS--Public Water Systems
RDA--Recommended Daily Allowance
RfD--Reference Dose
RQ--Reportable Quantity
SAB--EPA's Science Advisory Board
SDWA--Safe Drinking Water Act
STORET--Storage and Retrieval Database
SWTR--Surface Water Treatment Rule
TRI--Toxic Release Inventory
WHO--World Health Organization

I. Background

    The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), as amended in 1996, requires
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish a list of
contaminants that are known or anticipated to occur in public water
systems, and which may require regulations under the SDWA (section
1412(b)(1)). The SDWA, as amended, specifies that EPA must publish this
first list of contaminants (Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List,
or CCL) not later than 18 months after the date of enactment (i.e., by
February 1998), and publish a CCL every five years thereafter. The SDWA
also requires that the list of contaminants include those which, at the
time of publication, are not subject to any proposed or promulgated
national primary drinking water regulation (NPDWR). The list must be
published after consultation with the scientific community, including
the Science Advisory Board, after notice and opportunity for public
comment, and after consideration of the occurrence database established
under section 1445(g). The unregulated contaminants considered for the
list must include, but not be limited to, substances referred to in
section 101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), and substances
registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act (FIFRA).
    Prior to the 1996 Amendments, the SDWA required the EPA to publish
a drinking water priority list (DWPL) of contaminants every three years
which were known or anticipated to occur in drinking water and which
may have required regulation under the SDWA. In response to these
previous amendments, EPA published two DWPLs which served as candidates
for regulation. The first DWPL was published on January 22, 1988 (53 FR
1892), and the second was published on January 14, 1991 (56 FR 1470).
    The 1996 Amendments to the SDWA were developed and enacted during
the time of the Presidential initiative intended to substantially
improve the existing regulatory system to move the Nation toward a new
and better environmental management system for the 21st century. During
the two-year period prior to the 1996 Amendments, EPA developed a
National Drinking Water Program Redirection Strategy (EPA, 1996a) to
(1) establish priorities for setting safety standards based on health
risks and sound science; (2) support strong, flexible partnerships
among EPA, States, local governments and other stakeholders to protect
public health; and (3) promote effective community-based source water
protection. The Redirection Strategy provides an overall framework for
the development of the CCL, as well as for other drinking water program
activities.
    The Agency believes the draft CCL presented in today's notice is
the result of a commendable effort of screening a larger set of
contaminants to the subset of those of most concern. The draft CCL is a
first step toward improving risk assessment, strengthening science and
data, and achieving better decision-making and future priority setting.
Today's notice announces the draft CCL, provides background on how it
was developed, summarizes detailed material available in the docket and
used to develop the list, seeks comment on the methods used to develop
the draft CCL, and seeks comment on developing the final CCL. The draft
CCL is designed to be responsive to each of the requirements noted
above of the SDWA, as amended, and is consistent with the goals of the
redirection strategy.
    Today's notice is being published pursuant to the requirement in
section 1412(b)(1) that the CCL be subjected to prior notice and
opportunity for public comment. The contaminants included are not
subject to any proposed or promulgated national primary drinking water
regulation,1 are known or anticipated to occur in public
water systems, and may require regulations under the SDWA. During the
development of the draft CCL, the Agency consulted with stakeholders,
including the National Drinking Water Advisory Council's Working Group
on Occurrence & Contaminant Selection, which includes microbiologists,
toxicologists, public health scientists, and engineers, and with other
members of the scientific community including the Science Advisory
Board (SAB). The Agency plans for a more in-depth consultation with the
SAB during the

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fall of 1997. The occurrence database, which is to be established under
section 1445(g) by August 1999, was not considered since it is
currently under development; however, occurrence data from other
sources was considered.
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    \1\ With the exception of nickel, aldicarb and its degradates,
and sulfate, which are considered special cases. Refer to later
sections of this notice for rationale for inclusion.
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    The final CCL, after publication in February 1998, will be the
source of priority contaminants for the Agency's drinking water
program. Priorities for drinking water research, occurrence monitoring,
guidance development, including the development of health advisories,
will be drawn from the CCL. The CCL will also serve as the list of
contaminants from which the Agency will make determinations of whether
or not to regulate specific contaminants. This first CCL is largely
based on knowledge acquired over the last few years and other readily
available information, but an enhanced, more robust approach to data
collection and evaluation will be developed for future CCLs.

II. Draft Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List

    The following table includes the contaminants, microbiological and
chemical, presented as the draft Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate
List. The contaminants were identified as described by Section III of
today's notice. The contaminants in the table are identified by name
and Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN). The draft CCL
includes 58 chemical contaminants/contaminant groups and 13
microbiological contaminants.

        Table 1.--Draft Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Chemical contaminants                        CASRN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,1,2,2-tetra-chloroethane.................................      79-34-5
1,2,4-trimethylbenzene.....................................      95-63-6
1,1-dichloro-ethane........................................      75-34-3
1,1-dichloro-propene.......................................     563-58-6
1,2-diphenylhydrazine......................................     122-66-7
1,3-dichloropropane........................................     142-28-9
1,3-Dichloropropene (telone or 1,3-D)......................     542-75-6
2,4,6-trichlorophenol......................................      88-06-2
2,2-dichloro-propane.......................................     594-20-7
2,4-dichlorophenol.........................................     120-83-2
2,4-dinitrophenol..........................................      51-28-5
2,4-dinitrotoluene.........................................     121-14-2
2,6-dinitrotoluene.........................................     606-20-2
2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-benzoquinone (DTBB)....................     719-22-2
2-methyl-Phenol (o-cresol).................................      95-48-7
Acetochlor.................................................   34256-82-1
Acetone....................................................      67-64-1
Alachlor ESA (a degradation product of alachlor)
Aldicarbs*
Aldrin.....................................................     309-00-2
Aluminum...................................................    7429-90-5
Atrazine-desethyl, a degradation product of triazines......    6190-65-4
Boron......................................................    7440-42-8
Bromobenzene...............................................     108-86-1
Cyanazine..................................................   21725-46-2
p-Cymene (p-isopropyltoluene)..............................      99-87-6
DCPA mono-acid degradate...................................     887-54-7
DCPA di-acid degradate.....................................    2136-79-0
DDE........................................................      72-55-9
Diazinon...................................................     333-41-5
Dieldrin...................................................      60-57-1
Dimethoate.................................................      60-51-5
Disulfoton.................................................     298-04-4
Diuron.....................................................     330-54-1
EPTC (s-ethyl-dipropylthiocarbamate).......................     759-94-4
Fonofos....................................................     944-22-9
Hexachloro-butadiene.......................................      87-68-3
Isopropylbenzene (cumene)..................................      98-82-8
Linuron....................................................     330-55-2
Manganese..................................................    7439-96-5
Methyl bromide.............................................      74-83-9
Methyl-t-butyl ether (MTBE)................................    1634-04-4
Metolachlor................................................   51218-45-2
Metribuzin.................................................   21087-64-9
Molinate...................................................    2212-67-1
Naphthalene................................................      91-20-3
Nickel*
Nitrobenzene...............................................      98-95-3
Organotins
Prometon...................................................    1610-18-0
RDX........................................................     121-82-4
Rhodamine WT
Sodium.....................................................    7440-23-5
Sulfate*
Terbacil...................................................    5902-51-2
Terbufos...................................................   13071-79-9
Vanadium...................................................    7440-62-2
Zinc.......................................................    7440-66-6
Microbiological Contaminants:
  Acanthamoeba (guidance expected for contact lens wearers).............
  Adenoviruses..........................................................
  Aeromonas hydrophila..................................................
  Caliciviruses.........................................................
  Coxsackieviruses......................................................
  Cyclospora cayetanensis...............................................
  Echoviruses...........................................................
  Helicobacter pylori...................................................
  Hepatitis A virus.....................................................
  Legionella (in ground water)..........................................
  Microsporidia (Enterocytozoon & Septata)..............................
  Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAC)..............................
  Toxoplasma gondii.....................................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Included on the CCL as special cases, not subject to the criteria used
  to identify other contaminants.

III. Identification of Contaminants for the Draft Drinking Water
Contaminant Candidate List

    Drinking water contamination generally occurs from: (1)
Contaminants that find their way into drinking water sources from
industrial waste releases, agricultural runoff, atmospheric deposition,
and other pollution sources; (2) contaminants formed during the
treatment of water supplies (e.g., disinfection by-products); and (3)
materials used for treatment, storage, and distribution of water. EPA
has considered all of these sources in identifying microbiological and
chemical contaminants for this draft CCL. Figure 1 provides a graphical
representation of how today's draft CCL was developed.

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    The National Drinking Water Advisory Council's (NDWAC) Working
Group on Occurrence & Contaminant Selection played an integral part in
the development of the CCL by providing recommendations for the
criteria, and the contaminants for initial consideration. Also, during
the development of the CCL, the Agency sought the expertise of
microbiologists for input on microorganisms to include on the CCL. The
following sections describe the role of the NDWAC Working Group and
describe the approach used to develop the CCL for microorganisms and
chemical contaminants.

A. Role of NDWAC Working Group

    After enactment of the recent SDWA amendments, and in keeping with
the redirection strategy, EPA held its first stakeholder meeting on
approaches to developing CCLs on December 2 and 3, 1996 in Washington,
D.C. Participants, including public water system professionals, state
regulatory officials, public health officials, environmental groups and
other stakeholders, with a range of interests, explored issues
concerning the identification of potential drinking water contaminants
for consideration for the first CCL as well as the factors to consider
for future CCL development. One result of the meeting was the
recommendation that the February 1998 CCL be the first topic addressed
by the NDWAC Working Group on Occurrence & Contaminant Selection.
    In 1975, pursuant to the SDWA [Section 1446(a)], NDWAC was
established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to provide
practical and independent advice, consultation, and recommendations to
EPA on the activities, functions and policies related to the SDWA. At
its meeting held on November 13 and 14, 1996, NDWAC decided that
working groups should be formed on the following subjects: Small
Systems Capacity Building; Operator Certification; Source Water
Protection; Consumer Confidence Reports; Drinking Water State Revolving
Fund; and Occurrence & Contaminant Selection. The NDWAC Occurrence &
Contaminant Selection Working Group has been integral to developing the
criteria and identifying contaminants for the draft CCL published
today.
    At the recommendation of the Working Group, the Agency sought
expertise on microbiological contaminants and convened a workshop of
microbiologists. The input from the workshop was adopted by the Working
Group for use in developing the draft CCL. The approach used to
identify microorganisms for the CCL is explained in more detail in
section III.B.
    In addition to microorganisms, the Working Group developed
recommendations on chemical contaminants. The recommendations addressed
which contaminants to include for initial consideration, and the
criteria for use in determining which contaminants should be included
on the draft CCL. The recommendations were developed over a series of
meetings with the Working Group followed by the endorsement by the full
NDWAC. The details concerning the contaminants included for initial
consideration, and development and use the identification criteria are
contained in section III.C.

B. Microbiological Contaminants Identified for the Draft CCL

    On May 20-21, 1997, EPA utilized a workshop on microbiology and
public health to develop a list of pathogens for possible inclusion on
the first CCL. Taking part in this workshop were invited experts
representing academia, EPA and other federal agencies, and the water
industry. In preparation, EPA scientists prepared and distributed a
list of microorganisms for initial consideration by workshop members
(see Table 2.). Inclusion of organisms on this initial list was based
on disease outbreak data, published literature documenting the
occurrence of known or suspected pathogens in water, and other
information. A summary of the workshop proceedings is in the docket.
Table 2. Initial List of Microorganisms Developed by EPA for
Consideration by the Workshop on Microbiology and Public Health

Protozoa

Microsporidia
Toxoplasma
Cyclospora
Acanthamoeba
Naegleria
Isospora

Viruses

Hepatitis E
Astroviruses
Coxsackie/Echo viruses
Adenovirus 40/41
Norwalk virus and other caliciviruses
Rotavirus

Bacteria

Helicobacter pylori
Mycobacterium (MAC)
E. coli O157:H7
Aeromonas hydrophila
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Acrobacter
Campylobacter

Algal Toxins

Anaebaena flos-aquae
Aphanizomenon flos-aque
Microcystis aeruginosa
Schizothrix calcicola
    Workshop participants established a set of baseline criteria for
deciding whether an organism should appear on the CCL. These criteria
were (1) public health significance, (2) known waterborne transmission,
(3) occurrence in source water, (4) effectiveness of current water
treatment, and (5) adequacy of analytical methods. Organisms on the EPA
list mentioned above, as well as other organisms that arose during the
discussions, were evaluated against these criteria.
    The CCL published today includes the list of pathogens identified
by the workshop and subsequently adopted by the NDWAC as
recommendations for the CCL. Algal toxins were considered to be of
minimal public health significance, and therefore were not included on
the draft CCL. The following sections identify the organisms selected,
the rationale for why a pathogen was included on the CCL, and the
rationale why certain pathogens were not included.
1. Protozoa
    The following protozoa are included on the CCL: Cyclospora
cayetanensis, Toxoplasma gondii, the two microsporida--Enterocytozoon
and Septata, and Acanthamoeba. It is recommended that EPA develop
guidance for controlling Acanthamoeba, for individuals who wear contact
lenses. The rationale for their selection follows.
    C. cayetanensis has caused waterborne outbreaks in other countries
and one documented outbreak in the U.S. Thus, it may be a significant
public health risk. Disease symptoms include watery diarrhea, abdominal
cramping, decreased appetite, and low-grade fever (Huang et al., 1995).
In HIV-infected persons, the disease may be chronic and constant (Soave
and Johnson, 1995). The occurrence of this organism in natural waters
and its animal host range are unknown. However, C. cayetanensis is
transmitted by the fecal-oral route, and so its presence in water is
likely. The morphology of C. cayetanensis suggests that the organism is
relatively resistant to disinfectants, but due to its large size (7-
10m in diameter) it may be removed satisfactorily by
filtration. Cyclospora is included on the CCL because it has caused
waterborne disease outbreaks in the U.S. and other countries.
    Toxoplasma gondii causes a common infection of mammals and birds,
but the complete life cycle only occurs in wild

[[Page 52199]]

and domestic cats. The organism infects a high percentage of the human
population (50 percent in some areas of the U.S.) but, while
subclinical infections are prevalent, illness is rare (Fishback, 1992).
However, illness may be severe in fetuses and AIDS patients. Symptoms
include fever, swelling of lymph glands in the neck, blindness and
mental retardation in fetuses, and encephalitis in AIDS patients
(Fishback, 1992). There have been two documented outbreaks of
toxoplasmosis--in Panama and British Columbia--both linked
epidemiologically to drinking water. Chlorination of unfiltered surface
waters is not effective against Toxoplasma (Benenson et al., 1982).
However, due to their large size (11x12m), filtration may be
effective in controlling this organism. Toxoplasma is included on the
CCL because it poses a significant public health risk, can be
transmitted via the waterborne route, and because a reasonable
potential exists for completing the needed research in the next few
years for controlling this organism.
    Microsporidia are a large group of protozoan parasites that are
common in the environment and multiply only inside cells (Cali, 1991).
Five species of microsporidia have been reported to cause disease in
humans, but only two are significant in water: Enterocytozoon bieneusi
and Septata intestinalis. Both are common in people with AIDS
(Goodgame, 1996) and occur chiefly in AIDS patients (Bryan, 1995),
although infections have been reported in otherwise healthy persons
(Weber et al., 1994). Symptoms may include diarrhea (sometimes severe
and chronic), and illness involving the respiratory tract, urogenital
tract, eyes, kidney, liver or muscles (Bryan, 1995; Goodgame, 1996;
Cali, 1991).
    Microsporidia that infect humans produce small (1-5m),
very resistant spores (Waller, 1979; Cali, 1991). They are shed in
bodily fluids, including urine and feces, and thus have a strong
potential to enter water sources. However, no waterborne outbreak has
yet been reported and there is no published evidence of waterborne
transmission. Chlorine is probably not effective against microsporidia,
given that other protozoan spores (cysts, oocysts) are resistant to
chlorine. Thus, effective filtration and watershed control may be
needed to control this organism in drinking water. E. bieneusi and S.
intestinalis are included on the CCL because they pose a significant
risk to immuno-compromised individuals and may not be removed
effectively by filtration because of their small size (the spores are
somewhat smaller than Cryptosporidium oocysts).
    Acanthamoeba are a group of free-living amoeba that are common in
soil and water, including drinking water (Sawyer, 1989; Gonzalez de la
Cuesta et al., 1987). Some Acanthamoeba species are pathogenic and can
cause inflammation of the eye's cornea (especially in individuals who
wear soft or disposable contact lenses (Seal et al., 1992)), and
chronic encephalitis in the immuno-compromised population (Kilvington,
1990). To date, no case of waterborne disease has been reported.
However, Acanthamoeba cysts are relatively resistant to chlorine (De
Jonkheere and Van der Voorde, 1976). Because drinking water is not a
suspected route of transmission, workshop members did not include
Acanthamoeba on their list. However, as stated above, the Workshop
participants and the NDWAC recommend that EPA issue guidance to educate
the public about the potential problem with contact lenses.
    Two protozoa that were on the initial list for consideration
developed by EPA (Naegleria fowleri, Isospara belli), and two that were
not (Entamoeba histolytica, Blastocystis hominis) were also considered
by the workshop, but were not included on the CCL. The reasons for
excluding them follow.
    N. fowleri is a free-living amoeba, about 8-15m in size,
found in soil, water, and decaying vegetation. Although it is common in
many surface waters, it rarely causes disease. All disease incidents
have been associated with swimming in natural or manmade, warm fresh
waters; drinking water is not a suspected route of transmission. The
route of infection is via inhalation rather than by ingestion. For this
reason, it was not included on the CCL.

I. belli causes gastrointestinal illness, primarily in AIDS
patients and children. There have been no documented cases of
waterborne transmission. However, the organism is transmitted by
the fecal-oral route, so its presence in water is possible.
Filtration is probably effective in removing I. belli oocysts,
given their large size (30x12m). This organism was not
included on the CCL because of the lack of documentation on
waterborne transmission and the belief that not enough is known
about the organism for developing potential regulations within a
three-year time-frame.

    E. histolytica is not considered to be a significant health problem
in the U.S. In contrast to the situation for Giardia and
Cryptosporidium, animals are not host reservoirs for E. histolytica.
Thus, the potential for source water contamination is relatively low,
especially if sewage treatment practices are adequate. Moreover, the
organism has not caused a significant waterborne disease outbreak since
the early 1950s. Thirdly, the cyst is large (10-15m), slightly
larger than a Giardia cyst; thus, filtration should be effective for
removing this organism. For these reasons, this organism was not
included on the CCL.
    B. hominis was not included on the CCL because its clinical
significance has not been determined and very little is known about its
potential for waterborne transmission or its occurrence in water.
2. Viruses
    The following viruses are included on the CCL: caliciviruses,
adenoviruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, and the hepatitis A virus.
The rationale for their inclusion follows.
    The caliciviruses are a common cause of acute, but mild,
gastrointestinal illness in the U.S. Between 1980 and 1994, 14
waterborne disease outbreaks with more than 9,000 associated cases
caused by the Norwalk virus and other caliciviruses were reported.
Thus, their public health significance is high. However, because
adequate recovery and assay methods for the caliciviruses are not yet
available, information about the occurrence of these viruses in water
or the effectiveness of water treatment is lacking. It is believed that
current research programs might fill the research gap in the near-term
to allow development of regulations, if necessary, to control this
group of organisms.
    Most of the adenoviruses are respiratory pathogens. However,
serotypes 40 and 41 are important causes of gastrointestinal illness,
especially in children. However, all types may be shed in the feces,
and may be spread by the fecal-oral route. Although adenoviruses have
been detected in water, data on their occurrence in water are meager.
No drinking water outbreaks implicating these viruses have been
reported. Both the respiratory and gastrointestinal adenoviruses are
recommended for the CCL because of their high public health
significance and data which suggest that adenoviruses are relatively
resistant to disinfectants.
    The coxsackieviruses are readily found in wastewater and surface
water, and sometimes in drinking water (Hurst, 1991). Although they
have not caused a documented outbreak of waterborne disease,
coxsackieviruses produce a variety of illnesses in humans, including
the common cold, heart

[[Page 52200]]

disease, fever, aseptic meningitis, gastrointestinal problems, and many
more, some of which can be serious (Melnick, 1992). Coxsackieviruses
are included on the CCL because they are found more frequently in water
than other viruses and are associated with a number of illnesses.
    The echoviruses, like the coxsackieviruses, are readily detected in
water, including treated drinking water. They are associated with
milder illnesses than the coxsackieviruses, and have not caused a
documented outbreak. Echoviruses are included on the CCL because, like
the coxsackieviruses, they are found more frequently in water than
other viruses and are associated with a number of illnesses.
    The hepatitis A virus has caused at least 11 waterborne disease
outbreaks of infectious hepatitis since 1980. Therefore, it has a high
public health significance. The virus has been found in contaminated
drinking water, and is somewhat resistant to chlorination (Peterson et
al., 1983). For these reasons, it is also included on the CCL.
    Three viruses that were on the initial list for consideration
developed by EPA (rotaviruses, hepatitis E virus, and astroviruses) and
two that were not (picobivirna and picotrivirna) were also considered
by the workshop participants, but were not included on the CCL. The
reasons for not including them follow.
    Rotaviruses cause acute gastroenteritis, primarily in children.
Almost all children have been infected at least once by the age of five
years (Parsonnet, 1992), and in developing countries, rotavirus
infections are a major cause of infant mortality. Rotaviruses are
spread by fecal-oral transmission and have been found in ambient water,
ground water, and tap water (Gerba et al., 1985; Gerba, 1996). However,
only a single waterborne disease outbreak has been reported in the U.S.
and only several have been documented outside the U.S. (Gerba et al.,
1985). Rotaviruses are readily inactivated by chlorine, chlorine
dioxide, and ozone, but apparently not by monochloramine (Berman and
Hoff, 1984; Chen and Vaughn, 1990, Vaughn et al., 1986; 1987).
Rotaviruses were not included on the CCL because they are not regarded
as an important public health problem in the U.S., and because of their
vulnerability to disinfectants.
    Hepatitis E virus is an important agent of hepatitis in
underdeveloped countries, but apparently not in the U.S. The virus is
transmitted by the fecal-oral route (Dreesman and Reyes, 1992) and
probably a majority of cases are waterborne. Even though the disease is
apparently not a health concern in the U.S., one investigation found
that 21.3% of blood donors in Baltimore were sero-positive (Thomas et
al., 1997), suggesting previous exposure to the organism. Infections
are mild and self-limiting except for pregnant women, who have a
fatality rate of up to 39%. No data from disinfection studies have been
published. Hepatitis E virus was not included on the CCL because it is
not regarded as a significant public health threat in the U.S., and
because current sewage treatment practices are judged sufficient to
eliminate risk of waterborne transmission.
    Astroviruses are found throughout the world and cause illness in 1-
3 year old children and in AIDS patients, but rarely in healthy adults
(Kurtz and Lee, 1987; Grohmann et al., 1993). Symptoms are mild and
typical of gastrointestinal illness, but the disease is more severe and
persistent in the severely immuno-compromised. Astroviruses are
transmitted by the fecal-oral route and have been detected in water and
have been associated anecdotally with waterborne disease outbreaks
(Cubitt, 1991; Pinto et al., 1996). The astroviruses were not included
on the CCL because of the mildness of the illness and the lack of
adequate documentation about the occurrence in water and potential as a
waterborne disease agent.
    The picobivirna and picotrivirna viruses are of public health
significance outside the U.S., and are not regarded as being a
waterborne problem in the U.S. and are adequately removed from effluent
water by current sewage treatment practices. Picobivirna and
picotrivirna viruses were not included on the CCL for these reasons.
3. Bacteria
    The following bacteria are included on the CCL: Helicobacter
pylori, Legionella, Mycobacterium avium complex, and Aeromonas
hydrophila. The rationale for their identification follows.
    H. pylori has been closely associated with peptic ulcers, gastric
carcinoma, and gastritis (Peterson, 1991; Nomura et al., 1991;
Parsonnet et al., 1991, Cover and Blaser, 1995). Data about its
distribution in the environment are scarce, but the organism has been
found in sewage (Sutton et al., 1995) and has been linked to ambient
water and drinking water by epidemiological tests and other means
(Klein et al., 1991; Shahamat et al., 1992; Shahamat et al., 1993;
Hulten et al., 1996). The number of people in the U.S. that have
antibodies against H. pylori, and thus have been exposed to the
organism, is high. Helicobacter is thought to be vulnerable to
disinfectants. H. pylori is included on the CCL because of its public
health significance in the U.S. and the possibility of waterborne
transmission.
    Legionella pneumophila and other Legionella species cause
Legionnaires Disease (a type of pneumonia) and Pontiac Fever (a mild,
nonpneumonic illness). Legionnaires Disease, which has a 15% mortality
rate, typically results from the inhalation of aerosols of water
containing the organism. Legionella are abundant and naturally
occurring in surface water; thus they are not necessarily associated
with fecal contamination. They have also been detected in ground water.
Small numbers can occur in the finished waters of systems employing
full treatment (U.S. EPA, 1989b) and can colonize plumbing systems,
especially warm ones. Aerosols from fixtures, such as showerheads, may
cause the disease via inhalation. Aerosols from cooling towers, hot
tubs, and pools have also caused a number of outbreaks. Direct person-
to-person spread has not been documented (Yu et al., 1983). Ozone,
chlorine dioxide, and ultraviolet light are effective in controlling
Legionella, but data for chlorine are inconsistent (States et al.,
1990). Legionella in surface water are already regulated under EPA's
Surface Water Treatment Regulations (40 CFR part 141, subpart H).
Legionella in ground water is included on the CCL because of their
public health significance in the U.S. and the possibility of
waterborne transmission via ground water.
    Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC; also known as the Mycobacterium
avium intracellulare complex) is common in the environment and can
colonize water systems and plumbing systems (du Moulin and Stottmeier,
1986; du Moulin et al., 1988). It is known to cause pulmonary disease
and other diseases, especially in individuals with a weakened immune
system (e.g., AIDS patients). Drinking water has been epidemiologically
linked to infections in hospital patients (du Moulin and Stottmeier,
1986). MAC is relatively resistant to chlorine disinfection (Pelletier
et al., 1988). MAC is included on the CCL because of its high public
health significance, its ability to colonize on pipes, and its relative
resistance to chlorine.
    Aeromonas hydrophila can cause wound infections and septicemia in
people with a weakened immune system, and some evidence suggests that
it causes gastrointestinal disease in

[[Page 52201]]

healthy people. The organism is common in water and is not necessarily
associated with fecal contamination. It is vulnerable to disinfectants.
A. hydrophila is included on the CCL primarily because it is common in
source water.
    Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a free-living bacterium that is common in
water. People at risk include patients with profound neutropenia,
cystic fibrosis, severe burns, and those with foreign devices installed
(Hardalo and Edberg, 1997). The organism has also caused numerous
outbreaks of dermatitis in recreational waters, e.g., pools,
whirlpools, and hot tubs (Kramer et al., 1996). Because of differing
opinions among the microbiologists who participated in the workshop
about its public health significance and its potential health risk via
the waterborne route, a decision could not reach on whether to include
P. aeruginosa on their list. Rather, it was recommended that EPA
conduct a complete literature search on the topic before the Agency
decides whether to include this organism on the final list. The
literature search will be conducted prior to publishing the final CCL.
    Four bacteria that were on the initial list for consideration
developed by EPA (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Campylobacter, Arcobacter,
and the cyanobacteria) and four that were not (Salmonella, Shigella,
Vibrio cholerae and other Vibrio species, and Yersinia enterocolitica)
were also considered by the workshop, but were not included on the CCL.
The reasons for excluding them follow.
    E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, V. cholerae,
and Y. enterocolitica have all caused waterborne disease in the U.S.
and are regarded as significant health risks. They were not included on
the CCL because current treatment practices were deemed to be adequate
in controlling these organisms. Arcobacter was not included on the CCL
because its health significance and the possibility of waterborne
transmission are unknown, and because current treatment practices were
judged likely in controlling this organism.
    Cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) are generally not
considered an important health risk. However, certain species may
produce neurotoxins (which affects the nervous system), hepatotoxins
(which affects the liver), and other types of toxins which, if ingested
at high enough concentrations, may be harmful. High concentrations of
toxins associated with a bloom of Schizothrix calcicola may have been
responsible for an outbreak of gastroenteritis in 1975 (Lippy and Erb,
1976). However, little evidence exists that ambient levels found in
most water supplies pose a health risk to the normal population. The
cyanobacteria was not included on the CCL because the problem is
thought to be best handled through good watershed management practices
to prevent algal growth in source waters.
4. Microbiological Indicators
    Indicators of fecal contamination or of pathogens were not
addressed at the workshop. EPA is involved, however, in a project with
the International Life Sciences Institute to begin an evaluation of
which microbiological indicators are most appropriate for various types
of environmental waters. Currently, the Agency uses total coliform
bacteria as the sole indicator of microbiological drinking water
quality.
5. Future Activities Planned for Microbiological Contaminants and the
CCL
    EPA is attempting to develop a more formal framework for
identifying, selecting and prioritizing pathogens (and their
indicators) for research and possible regulation, and for future CCLs.
To date, the identification of pathogens for the CCL has been
relatively informal. In contrast, a more objective approach for
contaminant identification and selection in the future may be based on
a numerical scoring procedure such that contaminants with higher scores
would have greater priority for regulation, research and guidance
development than those that have lower scores.
6. Possible Impacts From Other Regulatory Activity
    Pathogens that are included on the final CCL, will be candidates
for regulatory control, guidance development, and additional research
over the next five years. These organisms may be controlled, however,
by regulations currently under development such as the Enhanced Surface
Water Treatment Rule, the Ground Water Disinfection Rule. If pathogens
on the CCL are determined to be controlled by these regulations, they
will be withdrawn from the CCL.

C. Chemical Contaminants Identified for the Draft CCL

    As stated earlier, the NDWAC Working Group on Occurrence &
Contaminant Selection played an integral part in developing the draft
CCL presented in today's notice. At the initial Working Group meeting
held on April 3-4, 1997, the Agency proposed a number of lists of
contaminants as a logical starting point for developing the draft CCL.
Some lists originate from other Agency programs, while others were
developed in anticipation of future DWPLs. The Agency also proposed
that the initial list would need to be reduced to a smaller list of
priority contaminants that would become the CCL.
    In April, the Working Group identified 32 contaminants thought to
be those most important for inclusion on the first CCL, other
contaminants for initial consideration, and criteria to be used to
evaluate and screen all contaminants initially considered. During this
April meeting, and two subsequent meetings, held on June 23 and July
17, 1997, the Working Group developed these recommendations which were
approved by the full NDWAC, and subsequently adopted by the Agency, to
use in screening the initial list to the contaminants to today's draft
CCL. Summaries of the meetings are provided in the docket. The
following sections provide the rationale for the initial list of
contaminants considered and a summary of the development and
application of the criteria used to evaluate the contaminants on the
initial list to develop the draft CCL.
1. The Initial List of Chemical Contaminants Considered
    Ten lists of chemical contaminants were considered to be logical
starting points for developing the first CCL. Of the ten, eight lists
were ultimately combined to serve as the initial list of contaminants
to be considered for the CCL. Some contaminants appear on more than one
of the eight lists. The initial list of contaminants considered, as
well as those eliminated or deferred from consideration, are in Table
3. The following sections provide a description of each of the lists
and the rationale behind including it with, or excluding it from, the
initial list of contaminants considered.

[[Page 52202]]

                             Table 3.--Initial List of Chemical Contaminants Considered During Development of the Draft CCL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Contaminant lists considered
                                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Contaminant                    CAS No.                 Health                                       Stakeholder
                                                           1991 DWPL  advisories  IRIS  (3)   PWS (4)    CERCLA (5)    summary     TRI list  OPP ranking
                                                              (1)         (2)                                          list (6)      (7)          (8)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Contaminants Identified as Initial Candidates for the CCL during April 3-4, 1997 Working Group Meeting
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inorganics:
  Aluminum..................................    7429-90-5           .........  .........  ...........            ...........
  Zinc......................................    7440-66-6           .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
Pesticides:
  Acetochlor................................   34256-82-1  .........       .........  .........  ...........        .........     
  Alachlor ESA..............................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........     
  Butylate..................................    2008-41-5  .........           .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Chlorpyrifos..............................    2921-88-2  .........           .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  DCPA (Dacthal)............................    1861-32-1           .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  DCPA di-acid degradate....................    2136-79-0      ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  DCPA mono-acid degradate..................     887-54-7      ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  DDE.......................................      72-55-9  .........  ..........      .........        ...........  .........  ...........
  Diazinon..................................     333-41-5  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Diuron....................................     330-54-1  .........       .........  .........  ...........        .........     
  Endosulfan................................     115-29-7  .........  ..........      .........  ...........        .........     
  EPTC (s-ethyl-dipropylthio-carbamate).....     759-94-4  .........  ..........      .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Malathion.................................     121-75-5  .........       D   .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Methyl parathion..........................     298-00-0  .........           .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Metolachlor...............................   51218-45-2               .........  ...........        .........     
  Metribuzin................................   21087-64-9               .........  ...........        .........     
  Prometon..................................    1610-18-0           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Propanil..................................     709-98-8  .........  ..........      .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Tebuthiuron...............................   34014-18-1  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Terbacil..................................    5902-51-2  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Triazines (total) (9).....................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Triazine degradation products (9),
   atrazine-desethyl........................    6190-65-4  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........     
  Triazines (unregulated) (9)...............  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
   Trifluralin..............................    1582-09-8               .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
Organics:
  2-methyl-Phenol (o-cresol)................      95-48-7  .........  ..........      .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Acetone...................................      67-64-1  .........  ..........      .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Ethylene glycol...........................     107-21-1  .........           .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK).................      78-93-3           .........  .........  ...........            ...........
   Methyl-t-butyl ether (MTBE)..............    1634-04-4           .........  .........  ...........            ...........
  Nitrobenzene..............................      98-95-3      ..........      .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Phenol....................................     108-95-2  .........           .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Additional Contaminants Considered for the CCL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inorganics:
  Ammonia...................................    7664-41-7  .........       .........  .........  ...........            ...........
  Ammonium nitrate..........................    6484-52-2  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Ammonium sulfamate........................    7773-06-0  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Ammonium sulfate..........................    7783-20-2  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Boron.....................................    7440-42-8           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Carbon disulfide..........................      75-15-0  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Carbonyl sulfide..........................     463-58-1  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Cobalt....................................    7440-48-4  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Hydrochloric acid.........................    7647-01-0  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Hydrogen fluoride.........................    7664-39-3  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Manganese.................................    7439-96-5      ..........  .........  .........                  ...........
  Metam-sodium..............................     137-42-8  .........  ..........      .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Molybdenum................................    7439-98-7           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Phosphoric acid...........................    7664-38-2  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Phosphorous...............................    7723-14-0  .........       .........  .........        ...........      ...........
  Sodium....................................    7440-23-5  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Strontium.................................    7440-24-6           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Vanadium..................................    7440-62-2           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
Pesticides:
  1,3-Dichloropropene (telone or 1,3-D).....     542-75-6               .........  ...........        .........     
  2,4,5-T...................................      93-76-5           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  2,4-DB....................................      94-82-6  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  2,4-DP....................................     120-36-5  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........

[[Page 52203]]


  4-Nitrophenol (p-Nitrophenol).............     100-02-7           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Acephate..................................   30560-19-1  .........       .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Acifluofen................................   50594-66-6           .........  .........  ...........        .........     
  Aldrin....................................     309-00-2  .........       .........  .........        ...........  .........
  Ametryn...................................     834-12-8  .........       .........  .........  ...........        .........     
  Amitraz...................................   33089-61-1  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Asulam....................................    3337-71-1      ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Bensulfuron methyl........................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Bentazon..................................   25057-89-0           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Benzidine.................................      92-87-5  .........  ..........  .........  .........        ...........  .........  ...........
  Bromacil..................................     314-40-9           .........  .........  ...........        .........     
  Bromoxynil................................    1689-84-5  .........  ..........      .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Cadre.....................................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Caprolactum...............................     105-60-2  .........  ..........      .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Captan....................................     133-06-2  .........  ..........      .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Carbaryl..................................      63-25-2  .........           .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Carboxin..................................    5234-68-4  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Chloramben................................     133-90-4  .........       .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Chlorimuron ethyl.........................   90982-32-4  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Chlorothalonil............................    1897-45-6  .........           .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Chlorsulfuron.............................   64902-72-3  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Clopyralid................................    1702-17-6  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Cyanazine.................................   21725-46-2               .........  ...........        .........     
  Cyromazine................................   66215-27-8      ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  DDD.......................................      72-54-8  .........  ..........  .........  .........        ...........  .........  ...........
  DDT.......................................      50-29-3  .........  ..........      .........        ...........  .........  ...........
  Diazinon--oxypyrimidine...................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Dicamba...................................    1918-00-9           .........  .........  ...........        .........     
  Dichlobenil...............................    1194-65-6  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Dieldrin..................................      60-57-1  .........       .........  .........              .........  ...........
  Dimethoate................................      60-51-5  .........  ..........      .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Dimethrin.................................      70-38-2  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Diphenamid................................     957-51-7  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Disulfoton................................     298-04-4  .........       .........  .........        ...........  .........  ...........
  Endosulfan sulfate........................    1031-07-8  .........  ..........  .........  .........        ...........  .........  ...........
  Ethalfluralin.............................   55283-68-6  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Ethofumesate..............................   26225-79-6  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Ethoprop..................................   13194-48-4  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Ethylenethiourea (ETU)....................      96-45-7           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Fenamiphos................................   22224-92-6  .........       .........  .........  ...........        .........     
  Fluazifop-p-butyl.........................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Fluometuron...............................    2164-17-2  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Fomesafen.................................   72178-02-0      ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Fonofos...................................     944-22-9  .........           .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Halofenozide..............................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Halosulfuron..............................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Hexazinone................................   51235-04-2  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........     
  Imazamethabenz............................   81405-85-8  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Imazapyr..................................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Imazaquin.................................   81335-37-7  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Imazethapyr...............................   81335-77-5  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........     
  Imidacloprid..............................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Lactofen..................................   77501-63-4      ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Linuron...................................     330-55-2  .........  ..........      .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Maneb (ETU precursor).....................   12427-38-2  .........  ..........      .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  MCPA......................................      94-74-6  .........       .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  MCPP......................................      93-65-2  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Metalaxyl.................................   57837-19-1      ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Methazole.................................   20354-26-1  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Methomyl..................................   16752-77-5      ..........      .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Metsulfuron methyl........................   74223-64-6  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........     
  Molinate..................................    2212-67-1  .........  ..........      .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  MSMA......................................    2163-80-6  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Napropamide...............................   15299-99-7  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Nicosulfuron..............................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Norflurazon...............................   27314-13-2  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........     

[[Page 52204]]


  Paraquat..................................    4685-14-7  .........           .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Pendimethalin.............................   40487-42-1  .........  ..........      .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Primisulfuron methyl......................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Prometryn.................................    7287-19-6  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Pronamide.................................   23950-58-5  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Propachlor................................    1918-16-7  .........       .........  .........  ...........        .........     
  Propargite................................    2312-35-8  .........  ..........      .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Propazine.................................     139-40-2  .........           .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Propham...................................     122-42-9  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Propiconazole.............................   60207-90-1  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Propoxur (Baygon).........................     114-26-1  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Prosulfuron...............................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Pyrazon...................................    1698-60-8  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Pyrithiobac-Na............................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Rimsulfuron...............................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Sethoxydim................................   74051-80-2  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Sulfentrazone.............................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Sulfometuron methyl.......................   74222-97-2  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Tebufenozide..............................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Terbufos..................................   13071-79-9  .........           .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Terbufos sulfone..........................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Thiazopyr.................................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Thifensulfuron methyl.....................   79277-27-3  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Thiodicarb................................   59669-26-0      ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Triallate.................................    2303-17-5  .........  ..........      .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Triasulfuron..............................   82097-50-5  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........     
  Triberuron methyl.........................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
  Vernolate.................................    1929-77-7  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........     
Organics:
  1,1,1,2-tetra-chloroethane................     630-20-6           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  1,1,1-trichloropropane....................  ...........  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  1,1,2,2-tetra-chloroethane................      79-34-5           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  1,1-dichloro-ethane.......................      75-34-3      ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  1,1-dichloro-propene......................     563-58-6           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  1,2,3-trichloro-propane...................      96-18-4           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  1,2,4-trimethylbenzene....................      95-63-6  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  1,2-diphenyl-hydrazine....................     122-66-7      ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  1,3,5-trichlorobenzene....................     108-70-3  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  1,3-butadiene.............................     106-99-0  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  1,3-dichloro-benzene......................     541-73-1      ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  1,3-dichloropropane.......................     142-28-9           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  1,3-dichloropetan-3-OL,...................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  1,3-dinitrobenzene........................      99-65-0  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  1,4-dioxane...............................     123-91-1  .........           .........  ...........            ...........
  1,4-dithiane..............................     505-29-3  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  1-methyl -2-Pyrrolidinone.................     872-50-4  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  2,2-dichloro-propane......................     594-20-7           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  2,4,6-trichlorophenol.....................      88-06-2  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  2,4-dichlorophenol........................     120-83-2  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  2,4-dinitrophenol.........................      51-28-5      ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  2,4-dinitrotoluene........................     121-14-2           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  2,6-dinitrotoluene........................     606-20-2           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-benzoquinone (DTBB),
   (2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)2,5-
   cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione)................     719-22-2  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  2-methanoxy ethanol.......................     109-86-4  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  3-chloro-1-propene........................     107-05-1  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol (bisphenol A).      80-05-7  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  4-methyl-Phenol (p-cresol)................     106-44-5  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Acetaldehyde..............................      75-07-0  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Acetamide.................................      60-35-5  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Acetonitrile..............................      75-05-8  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Acrylic acid..............................      79-10-7  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Acrylonitrile.............................     107-13-1           .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........

[[Page 52205]]


  Aniline...................................      62-53-3  .........  ..........      .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Azulene...................................     275-51-4  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Benzaldehyde..............................     100-52-7  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Benzaldehyde, 3-hydroxy-..................     100-83-4  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Benzamide, N-acetyl-......................    1575-95-7  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Benzamide,N-ethyl-........................     614-17-5  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Benzeneacetamide, N,N-dimethyl-a-phenyl-..  ...........  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Benzeneacetonitrile.......................     140-29-4  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Benzofluoranthene.........................   56832-73-6  .........  ..........  .........  .........        ...........  .........  ...........
  Bis-2-chloroisopropyl ether...............   39638-32-9  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Bornyl acetate............................      76-49-3  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Bromobenzene..............................     108-86-1           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Catechol..................................     120-80-9  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Chlorodifluoromethane HCFC-22.............      75-45-6  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Chlorophenol 2-...........................      95-57-8  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Creosote..................................    8001-58-9  .........  ..........  .........  .........        ...........  .........  ...........
  Cresol mixed isomers......................    1319-77-3  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Cymene p-(p-isopropyltolunene)............      99-87-6  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Decabromodiphenyl oxide...................    1163-19-5  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene....................      53-70-3  .........  ..........  .........  .........        ...........  .........  ...........
  Dichloro CFC-114..........................      76-14-2  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Dichloro-difluoromethane..................      75-71-8           .........  .........  ...........            ...........
  DichloroHCFC141-b.........................     171-00-6  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Diethanolamine............................     111-42-2  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Diisoamylene..............................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Diisopropyl methylphosphonate.............    1445-75-6  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Dimethyl methylphosphonate................     756-79-6  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Diphenylamine.............................     122-39-4  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Ethanone, 1-[4-(hydroxy-1-methylethyl)
   phenyl]-.................................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Ethyl ether...............................      60-29-7  .........  ..........      .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Ethylene..................................      74-85-1  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Fog oil...................................  ...........  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Formaldehyde..............................      50-00-0  .........           .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Formic acid...............................      64-18-6  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Freon 113.................................      76-13-1  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Glufosinate ammonium......................   77182-82-2  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Glycol ethers.............................     111-46-6  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  HCFC-11142-b..............................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Hexachloro-butadiene......................      87-68-3           .........  .........        ...........  .........  ...........
  Hexachloroethane..........................      67-72-1           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Hexanoic acid.............................     142-62-1  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Hexazinone................................   51235-04-2  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  HMX (cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine)..    2691-41-0  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Hydroperoxide, 1,1-dimethylethy...........     l75-91-2  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Iron,tricarbonyl-[n-(phenyl-2-
   pyridinylmethylene)-benze namide-N,N.....  ...........  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Isophorone................................      78-59-1           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Isopropylbenzene (cumene).................      98-82-8  .........           .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Isopropyl methyl-phosphonic acid..........    1832-54-8  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Maleic hydrazide..........................     123-33-1  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Merphos oxide.............................      78-48-8  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Methane, tert-butoxyisopropoxy-...........  ...........  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Methanol..................................      67-56-1  .........  ..........      .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Methyl bromide............................      74-83-9  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK).............     108-10-1      ..........  .........  .........  ...........            ...........
  Methyl methacrylate.......................      80-62-6  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Methylene bis phenylisocyanate............     101-68-8  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........

[[Page 52206]]


  Other fuel oxygenates (TAME, DIPE, ETBE)..           na  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  n-Butanol.................................      71-36-3  .........  ..........      .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  n-Hexane..................................     110-54-3  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Naphthalene...............................      91-20-3           .........  .........  ...........            ...........
  nitro-Cyclopentane........................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........
  Nitrocellulose............................    9004-70-0  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Nitroglycerine............................      55-63-0  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Nitroquanidine............................  ...........  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  o-Chlorotoluene...........................      95-49-8           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Octatriene, 3,7-dimethyl-1,3,6-...........   13877-91-3  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Organotins (tributyl, methyl tin, etc.)...  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  P-Chlorotoluene...........................     106-43-4           .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Pentachloroethane.........................      76-01-7  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Propylbenzene n-..........................     103-65-1  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Propylene glycol..........................      57-55-6  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Propylene oxide...........................      75-56-9  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
  Rhodamine WT..............................  ...........  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  RDX (cyclo trimethylene trinitramine).....     121-82-4  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Terbuthylazine............................    5915-41-3  .........  ..........  .........      ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Tetrahydrofuran...........................     109-99-9      ..........  .........  .........  ...........        .........  ...........
  Tetranitromethane (TNM)...................     509-14-8  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Trichlorofluoromethane....................      75-69-4  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Triethylbenzene...........................   25340-18-5  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Trinitrotoluene (TNT).....................     118-96-7  .........       .........  .........  ...........  ...........  .........  ...........
  Vinyl acetate.............................     108-05-4  .........  ..........  .........  .........  ...........  ...........      ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. 1991 Drinking water Priority List, but does not include disinfection by-products or crytosporidium for which regulations are being under the M/DBP
  rules.
2. Health Advisories developed under EPA's Health Advisory Program. Does not include contaminants regulated under the SDWA.
3. Contaminants from IRIS based on a risked-based screen developed by EPA.
4. Contaminants identified in public water systems samples as non-targets.
5. First 50 contaminants of the 1995 ATSDR Ranked CERCLA priority chemicals list.
6. Stakeholder Summary List consists of specific contaminants proposed as candidates by participants of EPA's December 2-3, 1997 Stakeholder Meeting on
  the Contaminant Identification Method.
7. The TRI List was derived from chemicals with significant health effects as found in IRIS.
8. The OPP Ranking is a ranking of pesticides from highest to lowest potential to leach to ground water.
9. Stakeholders requested that the Agency address tirazines as a class of contaminants including their degradates, as opposed to addressing them as
  individual contaminants.

    a. 1991 Drinking Water Priority List. The SDWA, as amended in 1986,
required EPA to publish a triennial list of priority contaminants, the
DWPL, which may require regulation. The first list containing 53
contaminants/contaminant group was published on January 2, 1988 (53 FR
1892). Since none of the contaminants had been selected for regulation,
EPA revised and updated the 1988 list three years later. The revised
and updated list, published on January 14, 1991 (56 FR 1470), contained
50 substances carried over from the 1988 list and 27 new substances,
bringing the total number of contaminants/contaminant groups to 77,
including one microorganism.
    In consideration of the statutory requirements and the time frame
for rulemaking in the SDWA at the time, EPA used the following criteria
to select contaminants for the DWPL: (1) occurrence or the potential
occurrence of the substance in public water systems; (2) documented or
suspected adverse health effects; and (3) the availability of
sufficient information on the substance so that a regulation could be
developed within the statutory time frame. The contaminants were
selected from the following groups: disinfectants and their byproducts,
the first group of 100 contaminants on the 1987 CERCLA priority list of
hazardous substances (52 FR 12866), design analytes of the EPA National
Pesticide Survey conducted between 1987-1990, pesticides with high
potential for leaching in groundwater, substances recommended by the
States and EPA regions, unregulated contaminants monitored under
Section 1445 of the SDWA, and certain substances reported frequently
and at high concentrations in drinking water. The selection of
contaminants was made with the assistance of the DWPL workgroup which
consisted of representatives from various programs within the Agency,
the National Toxicology Program, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
    For development of the draft CCL, the Agency selected contaminants
from the 1991 DWPL that were not specifically addressed by other
regulations under development. Thus, all contaminants specifically
addressed by the disinfectants and disinfection byproducts regulation
were eliminated from consideration.
    b. Health advisories. The Health Advisories (HAs) are prepared for
contaminants that have the potential to cause adverse human health
effects and

[[Page 52207]]

which are known or anticipated to occur in drinking water, but for
which no national regulations currently exist. Each HA contains
information on the nature of the adverse health effects of the
contaminant and the concentrations that would not be anticipated to
cause an adverse effect following various periods of exposure. HAs also
summarize available data on occurrence, pharmacokinetics, environmental
fate, health effects, available analytical methods, and treatment
techniques for the contaminant. HA concentration levels include a
margin of safety to protect sensitive members of the population (e.g.,
children, the elderly, pregnant women).
    The Office of Water Health Advisory Program was initiated to
provide information and guidance to individuals and agencies concerned
with potential risk from drinking water contaminants. HAs are used only
for guidance and are not legally enforceable, and are subject to change
as new information becomes available. For purposes of developing the
draft CCL, all contaminants with HAs, or HAs under development, were
considered.
    c. Integrated Risk Information System. The Integrated Risk
Information System (IRIS) is an EPA on-line database containing health
risk and EPA regulatory information. IRIS lists chemicals of interest
or concern for which the Agency has reached consensus regarding adverse
health effects. When available, a reference dose (RfD) for non-cancer
health effect resulting from oral exposure is reported with information
about how the RfD was derived and any uncertainty regarding the source
studies. An RfD is an estimate of a daily exposure to the human
population that is likely to be without appreciable risk of adverse
effect over a lifetime of exposure. For carcinogens, a carcinogenic
assessment, or cancer potency factor, is reported for both oral and
inhalation exposure. The cancer potency factor is the estimated risk to
the human population of cancer effects over a lifetime of exposure.
    In 1992, in anticipation of the next DWPL, the Agency developed a
list of chemicals based on a risk-based screen of chemicals in IRIS.
There were approximately 600 chemicals in the IRIS database in 1992,
and 312 were selected for further screening. The 312 were chosen
because they had defined toxicity via the oral route of exposure and
did not have NPDWRs. The 312 chemicals were screened using the
following categories: (1) using Storage and Retrieval (STORET) data,
chemicals were identified with concentration in water that exceeded the
drinking water equivalent level (DWEL) which was derived from the
reference dose or cancer potency; (2) chemicals were identified that
were produced in quantities exceeding one billion pounds per year; (3)
pesticides were identified with use exceeding 1000 tons per year; and
(4) chemicals were identified that were reported in the Toxic Release
Inventory (TRI) database as discharged to surface water in excess of
100 tons per year. Sixteen chemicals met the STORET criteria; nine, the
production criteria; 31, the pesticides criteria; and 6, the TRI
criteria. A total of 48 individual chemicals were identified, and some
were identified by more than one screen. All 48 contaminants were
included on the initial list for consideration.
    d. Non-Target Analytes in Public Water Supply Samples. In
anticipation of the 1994 DWPL, the Agency consulted with analytical
laboratories that routinely analyze samples for public water systems to
determine what contaminants were occurring that were not currently
regulated. A list of contaminants tentatively identified in 1991 from
drinking water samples collected for compliance monitoring was
developed. These contaminants, also referred to as non-targets
analytes, are compounds identified by the spikes found on the
chromatograph. The concentrations for these compounds were not
measured. These non-target analytes represent the monitoring experience
of several water systems with operations in various states. The
contaminants included on the initial list for consideration are a
subset of 23 contaminants chosen from the larger list of non-targets
analytes. The 23 contaminants were chosen because they were considered
to be related to possible anthropogenic sources.
    e. CERCLA Priority List. In developing the CCL, the SDWA requires
EPA to consider substances referred to in section 101(14) of the
CERCLA. CERCLA requires the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR) to prepare a list in the order of priority of
hazardous substances which are most commonly found at facilities on the
CERCLA National Priority List (NPL).
    In 1995, ATSDR developed a list of 275 hazardous substances ranked
by the order of priority. (ATSDR, 1996) To develop this list, ATSDR
considered 750 of 2800 substances present at NPL sites and ranked them
based on the following three criteria, which were combined to result in
a total score. These criteria were: (1) Frequency of occurrence at NPL
sites, (2) toxicity, and (3) potential for human exposure. The number
of NPL sites at which a substance was identified in any medium was used
to indicate the frequency of occurrence. EPA's Reportable Quantity (RQ)
was used to assess the toxicity of candidate substance. If a RQ was not
available, the RQ methodology was applied to candidate substances to
establish a Toxicity/Environmental Score. The human exposure component
was based on two parts: the concentration of the substance in the
environmental media and the exposure status of population. EPA included
the top 50 substances from the 1995 CERCLA prioritized list of 275
substances for consideration for the draft CCL.
    f. Stakeholder responses. In December 1996, the EPA convened its
first stakeholder meeting on the contaminant identification process. At
that meeting, EPA requested input on what contaminants to include on
its first CCL. At the December meeting, and following, participants
have provided input to the Agency on contaminants for inclusion on, or
exclusion from, the CCL. Some stakeholders provided information on
health effects or occurrence, or both, while others listed
contaminants. All contaminants suggested by stakeholders were included
for initial consideration except those which already had NPDWRs, or
which were included under other regulatory activity mentioned in
section VIII of this notice.
    g. Toxic Release Inventory. Another source of available information
which could serve as a predictor of anticipated occurrence in drinking
water, is the TRI. This data base, established under the Emergency
Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, contains information
from manufacturing facilities in the United States regarding transfers
and releases of toxic and hazardous materials to air, ground and water.
The most recent report analyzed data gathered for calendar year 1994
from 22 chemical categories and included 343 separate chemicals from
23,000 facilities which met certain thresholds requiring submission of
data. (U.S. EPA, 1997c).
    In order to assess the potential for a chemical to be a contaminant
in public water systems, EPA conducted an analysis of the release and
emissions data. Each of the four categories of emissions or discharges
were assigned a threshold value above which the contaminant was deemed
to fit within the criteria of the SDWA, as a contaminant anticipated to
occur in public water systems. The threshold did not attempt to
attribute differences in reactivity, solubility, mobility or

[[Page 52208]]

toxicity of the pollutants at this stage of the contaminant evaluation
process, but involved simply determining a gross anticipation factor.
If a contaminant was released via an on-site discharge to the
environment, EPA judged that it was reasonable to anticipate it as a
contaminant in public water systems to varying degrees, depending upon
the media receiving the discharge.
    The overall analysis of the above TRI criteria resulted in 58
chemicals from the various discharges meeting the criteria. Where a
release was close to the threshold, it was included in the tally.
Several chemicals met the criteria but were excluded because there is
an existing standard (e.g., hydrofluoric acid--fluoride is regulated)
or a standard under consideration (sulfuric acid--there is regulatory
activity currently underway regarding sulfate). Other contaminants such
as ammonia, hydrochloric acid, or methanol were not believed to
represent a significant threat to drinking water due to limited
persistence, leaving 51 contaminants. Of the 51 contaminants, 49 met
the criteria for air release, 21 from stack emissions, 38 for fugitive
emissions, 11 via underground injection, 13 from land release, and 30
for surface water releases. All 51 were included for initial
consideration in Table 3.
    h. Pesticides identified by Office of Pesticide Programs. In
developing the CCL, the SDWA requires EPA the consider substances
referred to in the FIFRA. During the development of the draft CCL, the
Agency's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water sought assistance
from the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) in determining what
pesticides should be priorities for the drinking water program. In
response to the request, OPP provided recommendations for a number of
pesticides. (U.S. EPA, 1997b) The list of pesticides, based on
physical-chemical properties, occurrence and extent of use, was ranked
using the Ground Water (GW) Risk score, a calculated potential to leach
to ground water. Pesticides with a GW Risk of 2.0 or greater were
included for initial consideration in developing the CCL (see Table 3).
    However, later during the data evaluation and screening phase of
the draft CCL development, the decision was made to defer some of the
pesticides identified by the OPP GW Risk of 2.0 or greater. The
pesticides in Table 4 include those where the GW Risk value of 2.0 or
greater was the only factor for inclusion on the CCL. The decision was
made, that for these cases, inclusion on the CCL would be deferred
pending further evaluation of the potential of these pesticides to
occur at levels of health concern. Many new pesticides for which no
other data exists are included in Table 4.
Table 4. Pesticides Deferred
Asulam
bensulfuron methyl
bentazon
bromacil
Cadre
chlorimuron ethyl
chlorsulfuron
Diazinon--oxypyrimidine
Dicamba
Ethylenethiourea (ETU)
Fenamiphos
Fluometuron
Halofenozide
Halosulfuron
Hexazinone
Imazamethabenz
Imazapyr
Imazaquin
Imazethapyr
MCPA (Methoxone)
Methsulfuron methyl
Nicosulfuron
Norflurazon
Primisulfuron methyl
Prometryn
Propazine
Prosulfuron
Pyrithiobac-Na
Rimsulfuron
Sulfentrazone
Sulfometuron methyl
Tebufenozide
Terbufos sulfone
Thiazopyr
Triasulfuron

    The Agency is working to develop a tool to estimate concentrations
in ground and surface waters based on physical-chemical properties and
pesticide use volumes, and then compare the estimated concentrations
with health advisory levels or calculated health levels based on
reference doses or cancer potency. The model is expected to be
completed and available for use at the end of 1997, and at that time
the Agency will reevaluate the inclusion for the additional pesticides
on Table 4 on the CCL.
    On August 4, 1997, EPA announced its schedule for reassessing
tolerances for pesticide residues on raw and processed foods (62 FR
42020). Publication of this schedule was pursuant to the requirements,
as established by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA). Under
this new law, EPA is required to reassess all existing tolerances and
exemptions from tolerances for both active and inert ingredients. EPA
is directed to give priority review to pesticides that appear to
present risk concerns based on current data. Many of the pesticides
included in today's notice are included among the first group of
reassessments.
    In reassessing tolerances, EPA must consider the aggregate exposure
to the pesticide, including drinking water; cumulative effects from
other pesticides with a common mode of toxicity; whether there is an
increased susceptibility from exposure to the pesticide to infants and
children; and whether the pesticide produces an effect in humans
similar to an effect produced by a naturally occurring estrogen or
other endocrine effects.
    i. Safe Drinking Water Hotline. The Hotline provides information
about EPA's drinking water regulations and other related drinking water
and ground water topics to the public, the regulated community, and
State and local officials. The Hotline assists callers with questions
on the regulations and programs developed in response to the Safe
Drinking Water Act, and inquiries about the levels and health effects
of specific contaminants found in or suspected to be in drinking water
from public water systems and private wells, and handles requests for
drinking water publications (fact sheets, pamphlets, health advisories,
etc.). The Safe Drinking Water Hotline receives hundreds of calls each
week, and a large percentage of the calls come from private citizens,
consultants, educators, researchers, and health care professionals from
across the country. The Hotline provided a list of contaminants that
were not currently regulated or proposed for regulation for which
callers had expressed concern or interest (see Table 5).
Table 5. Contaminants Identified by the Safe Drinking Water Hotline
Calcium
Phosphates
1,1,1-dichloroethane
Gasoline
Perchlorate
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons
    The Hotline did not ascertain if the calls were due to a general
question or inquiry, or if they were related to a contamination
incident. At the April 3-4, 1997 Working Group meeting, the decision
was made not to include the Hotline list for initial consideration, and
that a list from the Hotline would only be useful if it captured
concerns or reports of contamination.
    The Agency will attempt to capture Hotline inquiries concerning
contamination incidents for future CCL development. Perchlorate, a
contaminant discussed later in this notice, probably should have been

[[Page 52209]]

included for initial consideration. The fact that perchlorate was on
the Hotline list, and no other, may indicate that such a list from the
Hotline could be useful if the nature of the inquiry can be recorded.
    j. Endocrine disruptors. A list of contaminants was developed which
included those suspected of having adverse effects on endocrine
function (see Table 6). For several years, the Agency has been
concerned that chemicals may be disrupting the endocrine (i.e.,
hormonal) systems of humans and wildlife. It has also been hypothesized
that endocrine disruption might result in cancer, harm to male and
female reproductive systems, thyroid damage, or other adverse
consequences. In February 1997, EPA issued an assessment and analysis
of this concern (U.S. EPA, 1997a). The report represents an interim
assessment pending a more extensive review expected to be issued by the
National Academy of Sciences (NAS) later this year.
Table 6. Contaminants Identified as Suspected of Endocrine Disruption
Amitrole
Benomyl
Dicofol (Kelthane)
Esfenvalerate
Ethylparathion
Fenvalerate
Kepone
Mancozeb
Metiram
Mirex
Nitrofen
Oxychlordane
Parathion
Permethrin
Synthetic pyrethroids
Transnonachlor
Tributyltin oxide
Vinclozolin
Zineb
Ziram
Octachlorostyrene
PBBs
Penta- to nonyl-phenols

    In brief, the report found that while effects have been found in
laboratory animal studies, a causal relationship between exposure to a
specific environmental agent and an adverse health effect in humans
operating via endocrine disruption has not been established, with a few
exceptions. The exceptions include incidents of chemical exposure in
the workplace and exposure to the drug DES. Further research is needed
before such effects can be demonstrated.
    Under the SDWA, as amended, the Agency is also required to
establish a program to screen endocrine disrupting contaminants.
Additional authority to assess endocrine disruptors is also provided
through the recently enacted FQPA. EPA's Office of Prevention,
Pesticides, and Toxic Substances (OPPTS) has the Agency lead on
endocrine disruptor screening and testing issues. OPPTS is actively
engaged in research and regulatory initiatives to respond to the
growing scientific and public concern over endocrine disruptors.
    The Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Advisory Committee
(EDSTAC) has been established to provide advice and counsel to the
agency in implementing a screening and testing strategy required under
the FQPA and SDWA. EDSTAC is composed of a balanced representation from
industry, government, environmental and public health groups, labor,
academia, and other interested stakeholders. During its deliberations,
the Committee will consider human health, ecological, estrogenic,
androgenic, anti-estrogenic, anti-androgenic, and thyroid effects of
pesticides, industrial chemicals, and important mixtures. EDSTAC will
complete its recommendations for a screening and testing strategy by
March, 1998. The recommendations will be peer reviewed jointly by the
SAB and the FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel.
    EPA is also involved in concurrent effort to coordinate activities
with the European Union, the Organization of Economic and Community
Development, and the United Nations Environmental Program concerning
global research programs, and international harmonization of endocrine
disruptor screening and testing methods for chemicals and pesticides.
    As a result, pending completion of the EDSTAC's recommendations and
the additional review of endocrine disruptors by the NAS, EPA has not
included contaminants for initial consideration for the draft CCL based
solely on the possibility of endocrine disruption (although several
contaminants implicated as endocrine disruptors were considered for
other reasons). The Agency will continue to follow this issue closely
and reconsider this category of potential contaminants in the
development of future CCLs.
2. Development and Application of the Criteria
    Criteria were developed by the NDWAC Working Group for use in
screening and evaluating chemical contaminants for the draft CCL, with
the exception of aldicarbs, nickel, and sulfate which are discussed in
section III.C.3. The general premises of the criteria were: (1) The
contaminants included for initial consideration be those on EPA's
initial list, without NPDWRs, and (2) that occurrence, or anticipated
occurrence, of the contaminant be evaluated first, before evaluating
its health effects information. The criteria, presented below, were
used to screen and evaluate chemical contaminants for the purpose of
developing today's draft CCL. Data used to evaluate and screen
contaminants were obtained from STORET, the Hazardous Substances
Database (HSDB), IRIS, published literature, and various EPA reports
and documents. The data used in the evaluation and screening are
included in the docket for today's notice.
    These criteria, as well as the conceptual approach to the
Contaminant Identification Method (CIM) presented in the December 2-3,
1996 Stakeholders meeting, will serve as the basis for developing a
more robust contaminant identification method for future CCL
development. The search results on each element of the criteria for
contaminants considered during the development of the CCL can be found
by using the Occurrence Table, the Health Table, and the Comments Table
included in the docket for today's notice.
    a. Criteria for occurrence. For the occurrence portion of the
criteria, an affirmative response to any of the following elements
would result in moving to the health portion of the criteria for
further consideration. If all of the occurrence elements had a negative
response, the contaminant was eliminated from further consideration.
The two main elements to the occurrence portion of the criteria were as
follows: (1) Was the contaminant looked for and found in drinking
water, or in a major drinking water source, or in ambient water at
levels that would trigger concern about human health? (2) if the
contaminant was not looked for, is it likely to be found in water based
on surrogates for occurrence?
    To judge whether a contaminant was looked for and found in drinking
water, according to the criteria, it would need to be included in a
major survey which was defined as one which included a population of
100,000 or more, 2 or more states, or 10 or more small public water
systems, or a data set such as EPA's Unregulated Contaminants Database.
To judge whether a contaminant was looked for and found in a major
drinking water source, or in ambient water, any source of occurrence
data could be used. A source of drinking water was considered to be
major if it supplied a population of 100,000 or

[[Page 52210]]

more, or 2 or more states. Levels that would trigger concern about
human health were defined as concentrations in samples within an order
of magnitude of the level that is likely to cause health effects, or at
least \1/2\ of samples at 50% of level that is likely to cause health
effects. Contaminants were considered to have met the criteria if the
data available indicated occurrence at a population of 100,000 or more;
or in 2 or more states; or in 10 or more small public water systems at
levels that would trigger concern about human health.
    If the contaminant was not looked for using the data available, it
was evaluated to determine if it was likely to be found in water based
on surrogates for occurrence. The elements considered as surrogates for
occurrence included: TRI releases, or production volumes, coupled with
physical-chemical properties, or the OPP GW Risk value. In order for a
contaminant to meet this criterion as likely to be found in water using
TRI, the release to surface water was in excess of 400,000 pounds per
year, and the physical-chemical properties indicated persistence &
mobility of the contaminant. The quantity of 400,000 pound per year was
based on the top 15 TRI chemicals with the largest discharges to
surface water as reported in 1995. In order for a contaminant to meet
this criterion as likely to be found in water using production, the
volume was in excess of 10 billion pounds per year, and physical-
chemical properties indicated persistence and mobility.
    For a contaminant to meet this criteria as likely to be found in
water using OPP GW Risk, the value was 2.0 or greater. However, late
during the data evaluation and screening phase of the CCL development,
the decision was made to defer contaminants identified under this
element until a more in-depth analysis could be performed that would
include risk to both surface and ground water, and a component to
address health.
    b. Criteria for health. For the health portion of the criteria, an
affirmative response to any of the following elements resulted in
including the contaminant on the first CCL, if it also met the
occurrence criteria. A negative response to every question resulted in
the contaminant being eliminated from consideration for the CCL. The
health portion of the criteria had one major component; was there
evidence, or suspicion, that the contaminant causes adverse human
health effects? This portion of the criteria was met if a contaminant
had one or more of the following elements: (1) Listed by California
Proposition 65, (2) an EPA Health Advisory, (3) a likely (based on
animal data) or known (based on human data) carcinogen by EPA or
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), (4) more than one
human epidemiological study (indicating adverse effects), (5) an oral
value in IRIS, (6) regulated in drinking water by another industrial
country, (7) a member of a chemical family of known toxicity, or (8)
structural activity relationship indicating toxicity.
    As the contaminants were being screened and evaluated, the factors
for health which proved to be the most useful were those that provided
a health level of concern as a concentration that could be compared to
the levels of occurrence found in water, such as an EPA Health
Advisory, an oral value in IRIS, or a regulatory level from another
industrial country. Being listed by California Proposition 65, or a
member of a chemical family of known toxicity had limited utility in
determining which contaminants to include on the CCL.
3. Additional Specific Contaminants Included
    Aldicarbs, nickel, and sulfate are also on the draft CCL. The SDWA,
as amended, did not specifically mention aldicarbs and nickel, but
since the Agency has existing obligations for completing regulatory
action on these contaminants pursuant to the SDWA, as amended 1986, it
was thought to be prudent to include them on the CCL to make clear the
intention to address these responsibilities. Sulfate is included on the
CCL, since the Agency must make a determination to regulate or not by
August 2001, along with at least four more contaminants. The following
sections provide the rationale for the inclusion of aldicarbs, nickel,
and sulfate on the draft CCL.
    a. Aldicarb, aldicarb sulfoxide, and aldicarb sulfone. EPA
promulgated a final NPDWR for aldicarb, aldicarb sulfoxide and aldicarb
sulfone on July 1, 1991 (56 FR 30266). EPA set the maximum contaminant
level goal (MCLG) at 0.001 mg/l and maximum contaminant levels (MCLs)
of 0.003 mg/l for aldicarb, 0.004 mg/l for aldicarb sulfoxide, and
0.002 mg/l for aldicarb sulfone. In response to an administrative
petition from the manufacturer Rhone-Poulenc, the Agency issued an
administrative stay of the effective date of the MCLs, i.e., the MCLs
never became effective, but monitoring is required. Rhone-Poulenc also
filed a petition for judicial review, and the court stayed its
proceedings while EPA proceeded administratively, but required
quarterly reports. On agreement of the parties, the judicial
proceedings have been dismissed. An updated health advisory was issued
in 1995 incorporating data from a human study conducted in 1992 by
Rhone Poulenc. The aldicarbs were not subject to the criteria used to
identify other chemical contaminants and are being included on the CCL
to signify the Agency's intention to complete the regulatory activity
for these contaminants. At this point, however, the time frame of
completing action relative to aldicarbs has not been determined.
    b. Nickel. NPDWRs for nickel including an MCLG and an MCL of 0.1
mg/l were proposed on July 25, 1990 (55 FR 30370) and finalized on July
17, 1992 (57 FR 31776). In September, 1992, the Nickel Development
Institute and other industry parties filed a petition for review in the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit challenging the MCLG and MCL
for nickel. The petitioners raised objections over EPA's methodology
for determining the MCLG for nickel. Specifically, they raised
questions concerning the derivation of the relative source contribution
factor and the need for a 3-fold uncertainty factor that EPA applied
due to the lack of adequate data on the effects of nickel ingestion on
reproductive systems. Because the MCL for nickel was based directly on
the MCLG, the petitioners also challenged the nickel MCL.
    EPA and the petitioners entered into discussions in an attempt to
settle this litigation but could not agree on the merits of the
petitioners' challenges. Nevertheless, EPA agreed that it did not fully
address in the public record the petitioner's comments on the proposed
methodology for deriving the MCLG for nickel, and agreed to take a
remand of the MCLG and MCL for nickel. Accordingly, on February 9,
1995, EPA and the nickel industry petitioners filed a joint motion for
a voluntary remand of the nickel MCL and MCLG. By orders of February
23, 1995 and March 6, 1995, the court granted this motion and vacated
and remanded the nickel MCLG and MCL (and dismissed the lawsuit). No
other aspects of the NPDWRs for nickel were vacated, including
monitoring requirements and identification of best available
technologies for nickel. A notice of this action was published in June
1995 (60 FR 33929).
    To provide guidance for the period prior to new regulations for
nickel, the EPA updated and issued a health advisory for nickel. Nickel
was not subject to the criteria used to identify other chemical
contaminants and is

[[Page 52211]]

being included on the CCL to signify the Agency's intention to complete
regulatory action for this contaminant. The time frame of completing
action on nickel has not yet been determined.
    c. Sulfate. As noted above, by August, 2001 the Agency must decide
whether or not to regulate sulfate. The date for making a determination
about sulfate coincides with the date by when determinations must be
made for 5 or more contaminants from the first CCL. Sulfate was not
subject to the criteria used to identify other contaminants; however,
it has been included, given these special circumstances.

IV. Contaminants on the CCL Which Are of Specific Interest

    A number of contaminants included on the draft CCL may be of
particular interest. The following sections attempt to provide
additional information for a few of the contaminants that seem to be of
most interest. Data obtained and evaluated for developing the draft CCL
and referred to in the following discussion can be found in the docket
for this notice.

A. Aluminum

    There is intense interest from some for development of drinking
water regulations for aluminum. Aluminum currently has a secondary MCL
of 50 to 200 ``g/l based on organoleptic properties. There
have been a few epidemiological studies in Canada that emphasize the
need to determine if regulations for this contaminant should be
developed based on health effects. At present, based on the work in
Canada, it appears that the most sensitive population is the elderly.
To determine if aluminum is of health concern to the elderly and to
other possible sensitive groups like children, the EPA collaborated
with Health Canada on a workshop on aluminum held September 3 and 4,
1997. This workshop was planned to help define the need for chronic
animal studies and the use of appropriate animal models to better
characterize the risk of this contaminant in drinking water. The Agency
will continue to work to determine if aluminum is of health concern,
and the appropriate action to address this concern.

B. MTBE

    MTBE (methyl-t-butyl ether) is a fuel additive used in many
locations throughout the United States to reduce carbon monoxide and
ozone forming precursors associated with the combustion of fossil
fuels. There is evidence of contamination of drinking water; however
the extent of contamination of drinking water supplies on a national
scale is unclear at this time (IAOF, 1997). The Agency is in the
process of revising the HA for MTBE that will incorporate updated
health effects information, and has completed a research strategy to
guide efforts at improving the understanding of the occurrence and
health effects of MTBE (U.S. EPA, 1997e). As more PWSs across the
country voluntarily monitor for MTBE, and if it is found at levels of
concern nationally, the Agency does have the capacity to make a
determination to develop regulations to monitor and/or control MTBE
prior to the 2001, SDWA deadline for selecting at least 5 contaminants
for determination.

C. Organotins

    Organotins represent a class of contaminants which include, methyl
tin, tributyltin, and others. The organotins of concern are those that
result from use in heat stabilizing PVC piping for the in-home
distribution of water. There are a few cases of tributyltin
contamination of drinking water in the U.S. (Sadiki, 1996). It has been
reported that the Canadian government is concerned about organotin
contamination and has planned a national survey of drinking water in
Canada to assess the danger to human health.
    The concentrations of concern for human health are not known at
this time, however tributly tin and other organotins are known to be
toxic to aquatic life. On August 7, 1997, the Agency published a notice
of ambient water quality criteria document for tributyltin (TBT) and a
request for comments (62 FR 42554). Ambient water quality criteria are
for the protection of aquatic organisms and guidance to States and
others, and may form the basis for enforceable State water quality
standards developed pursuant to Section 304(a)(1) of the Clean Water
Act.

D. Rhodamine WT

    Rhodamine WT is a fluorescent dye widely used as a tracer to
measure ground water flow. Rhodamine WT has been certified by the
National Sanitation Foundation for use in tracing water under the
conditions that it not exceed concentrations in drinking water of 0.1
g/l and that exposure be infrequent. Rhodamine WT was detected
in ground water above the 0.1 g/l value; however the
conditions under which the detections occurred are unclear. Rhodamine
WT appears to be a contaminant that the Agency may need to observe more
closely in terms of its health effects, and possible occurrence in
drinking water.

E. Sodium

    At present, the Agency has no NPDWR or HA value for sodium. All
that is currently available is a guidance DWEL of 20 mg/l. DWELs are
unenforceable guidance levels describing a lifetime exposure
concentration of a contaminant that is considered protective of adverse
non-cancer health effects, and it also assumes that all of the exposure
to a contaminant is from a drinking water source. In addition, EPA has
a non-enforceable criterion for dissolved solids and salinity for
ambient waters of 250 mg/l.
    The DWEL is based on a 1965 American Heart Association
recommendation of a 20 mg/l sodium level to protect genetically
susceptible people on low sodium diets, assuming a total dietary intake
of 500 mg/day. Naturally occurring sodium in food with no salt added
averages about 440 mg/day. The additional 60 mg that would increase the
intake to the typical level for a restricted diet of 500 mg/day must
take into account all other non-food sources, such as drugs, water,
etc. A concentration in drinking water of up to 20 mg/l of sodium is
compatible with this diet.
    Since a significant percentage of the U.S. population is attempting
to reduce their sodium intake, the Agency believes that sodium levels
in drinking water could be an important issue. This is particularly
true for locations where many of the residents using the water may be
susceptible to adverse health effects from exposure to this
contaminant. The Agency believes that all consumers are able to use
water for drinking if the sodium concentration is maintained at or
below 20 mg/l, but nearly half of the nation's water supplies have
natural or added sodium above these levels.
    The inclusion of sodium on the CCL is controversial, but it is
expected that guidance will be developed for those who need it, and
that including it on the CCL will be a mechanism to develop an Agency
position on the issue of sodium in drinking water.

F. Zinc

    Zinc is used as a dietary supplement, main ingredient in lozenges,
and corrosion inhibitor. There is intense interest over including zinc
on the CCL, but there are also indications of health effects associated
with increased levels of zinc consumption.
    The Agency is aware that zinc is an essential element for which the
Food

[[Page 52212]]

and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council has established a
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Zinc can also cause adverse health
effects at high doses and the zinc RfD (0.3 mg/kg/day) is higher than
the RDA for adult men and women. While deriving RfDs, EPA must also
keep in mind the fact that excess exposure to an essential trace
element, such as zinc, can also cause adverse health effects. The
present RfD for zinc represents a balance between the essential
requirement for zinc and the toxic effects of too much zinc; however,
the Agency is currently working on revising the risk assessment
procedures for essential elements. The World Health Organization (WHO)
is also in the process of developing a document on the risk assessment
of essential trace elements, and EPA will consider the WHO document
when it is available.

G. 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-benzoquinone (DTBB)

    DTBB is a contaminant that appears to be associated with sewage
contamination of ground water. A ground water study concluded that DTBB
was a good indicator of such contamination because, among other
reasons, it does not biodegrade readily (Barber, 1988). DTBB was
determined not to meet the criteria for the draft CCL per se, but was
included nevertheless, because of the recalcitrant nature of the
contaminant, its association with sewage contamination, its potential
health impacts, and its potential to serve as an indicator of other
contamination.

H. Contaminants to be Considered as Groups

    Stakeholders, through the regulatory reassessment process and the
development of this draft CCL, have requested that the Agency, address
triazine pesticides as a group which includes all parent and degradates
compounds as opposed to each triazine as an individual contaminant. The
triazine pesticides include; cyanazine, propazine, etc., and atrazine
and simazine (which are both currently regulated), and are often
substituted for one another for similar agricultural use.
    The USEPA regulated atrazine in 1991 and simazine in 1992.
Cyanazine and atrazine-desethyl, a degradation product of triazines,
were identified for the draft CCL using the criteria discussed earlier,
and because of the common effect of triazine pesticides and degradates,
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW) and OPP are
coordinating to have atrazine and simazine, and possibly other
triazines, if warranted, addressed as a group. A triazine special
review was initiated by OPP which will culminate in a proposed decision
on the labeling and agricultural use triazine. The proposal is expected
during the summer of 1998. The triazines are also included in the
Priority Group 1 of pesticide tolerances that will be examined first
under the FQPA tolerance reassessment (62 FR 42020).
    The Agency is concerned about triazines in water and the exposure
of sensitive populations, including children, and OGWDW will work
closely with OPP to characterize the risk of triazines in food and
water. EPA has been studying the mechanism of carcinogenicity of this
group of analogues along with their degradation products, and will
continue to study these chemicals as a group to characterize their risk
in drinking water. The Agency may ultimately develop regulations for
the mixtures of triazines either through the revision of existing
regulations or the development of new ones. The same may occur for
other families of pesticides, such as the acetanilide pesticides, which
include acetochlor, metolachor, alachlor (which is currently
regulated), given their common effects and agricultural uses.

I. Contaminants for Which Unregulated Contaminant Data Are or Will Be
Available

    Unregulated contaminant monitoring data which have been collected a
number of contaminants during 1988-1991, and additional monitoring data
collected during 1993-1995 (see Table 7). These monitoring data can
serve in evaluating whether these contaminants should be included on
the CCL. The data collected during 1988-1991 have been preliminarily
evaluated by the Agency; however, further analysis is necessary to
determine if a contaminant in fact meets the criteria used to develop
the draft CCL. The data collected during 1993-1995, are not yet
available; however, during the comment period, and prior to publishing
the CCL by February 1998, the Agency will attempt to obtain and
evaluate this data to determine if the contaminant should remain on the
CCL. Contaminants that do not meet the criteria as presented in today's
notice, or as modified subsequent to the comment period of the notice,
will not be included on the final CCL to be published by February 1998.
Table 7. Contaminants with Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Data
1,3-dichloro-benzene
1,2,4-trimethyl-benzene
1,3-dichloropropene
1,3-dichloro-propane
1,1,2,2-tetrachloro-ethane
1,1-di-chloro-ethane
1,1-dichloro-propene
1,2,3-trichloro-propane
2,2-dichloro-propane
bromobenzene
bromomethane
carbaryl
o-chorotoluene
p-chlorotoluene
cumene
cymene
dichloro-difluoromethane
hexachlorobutadiene
metolachlor
metribuzan
naphthalene
n-propylbenzene
trichlorofluoro-methane

V. Request for Comment

    The purpose of today's notice is to present the draft CCL and seek
comment on various aspects of its development. The Agency requests
comment on the approach used to develop the CCL, and on the
contaminants included. The Agency also requests comment on the data and
research needs categories the contaminants have been divided into, in
Table 8. Any data supporting comments or that can be used by the Agency

on contaminants considered for the draft CCL, the Agency seeks comment
on the inclusion of perchlorate on the final CCL. The following
sections provide more detail on the data and research needs and the
issue of perchlorate.

A. Data and Research Needs

    The microbiological contaminants included on the CCL all have
research needs of one sort or another in the area of analytical
methods. The meeting summary of the Workshop on Microbiology and Public
Health, held May 20-21, 1997, provided more detail of the research
needed for microorganisms.
    For the chemical contaminants on the draft CCL, Table 8 divides
them into categories to represent the data needs for each contaminant.
Sufficient data are needed to conduct analyses on extent of exposure
and risk to populations via drinking water in order to determine
appropriate Agency action (development of health advisories, or
regulations, or no action) for a given contaminant. If sufficient data
are not available, they must be obtained before such an assessment can
be made. The data and information required will be gathered by research
or monitoring programs, and are not likely to be available for analyses
to be completed

[[Page 52213]]

prior to 2001. Thus, the contaminants for which sufficient data exists
at the time of publishing the CCL, are likely to the those from which
the determinations will be made by 2001.

                    Table 8.--Data Needs for Chemical Contaminants Included on the Draft CCL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Need additional health      Need additional          Need both health
    Sufficient health effects and       effects data, but not     occurrence data, but    effects and occurrence
        occurrence data exist              occurrence data      not health effects data            data
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane; 79-34-5...  Aluminum; 7429-90-5....  1,2-diphenylhydrazine;   2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-
                                                                 122-66-7.                benzoquinone (DTBB);
                                                                                          719-22-2
1,2,4-trimethylbenzene; 95-63-6......  Vanadium; 7440-62-2....  2,4,6-trichlorophenol;   .......................
                                                                 88-06-2.
1,1-dichloro-ethane; 75-34-3                                    2,2-dichloro-propane;    DCPA mono-acid
                                                                 594-20-7.                degradate; 887-54-7
1,1-dichloro-propene; 563-58-6                                  2,4-dichlorophenol; 120- DCPA di-acid degradate;
                                                                 83-2.                    2136-79-0
1,3-dichloropropane; 142-28-9                                   2,4-dinitrophenol; 51-   Organotins
                                                                 28-5.
1,3-Dichloropropene; 542-75-6                                   2,4-dinitrotoluene; 121- .......................
                                                                 14-2
Boron; 7440-42-8                                                2,6-dinitrotoluene; 606- .......................
                                                                 20-2
Bromobenzene; 108-86-1                                          2-methyl-phenol; 95-48-  .......................
                                                                 7
Cyanazine; 21725-46-2                                           Acetochlor; 34256-82-1   .......................
atrazine-desethyl (a triazine                                   Acetone 67-64-1          .......................
 degradation product); 6190-65-4.
p-Cymene; 99-87-6                                               Alachlor ESA (an         .......................
                                                                 alachlor degradation
                                                                 product).
Hexachloro-butadiene; 87-68-3                                   Aldrin; 309-00-2         .......................
cumene; 98-82-8                                                 DDE; 72-55-9             .......................
Manganese; 7439-96-5                                            Diazinon; 333-41-5       .......................
Methyl bromide; 74-83-9                                         Dieldrin; 60-57-1        .......................
Metolachlor; 51218-45-2                                         Dimethoate; 60-51-5      .......................
Metribuzin; 21087-64-9                                          Disulfoton, 298-04-4     .......................
Naphthalene; 91-20-3                                            Diuron; 330-54-1         .......................
Sodium; 7440-23-5                                               Fonofos; 944-22-9
Zinc; 7440-66-6                                                 Linuron; 330-55-2        .......................
                                                                MTBE; 1634-04-4........
                                                                Molinate; 2212-67-1....
                                                                Nitrobenzene; 98-95-3..
                                                                Prometon; 1610-18-0....
                                                                RDX; 121-82-4..........
                                                                Rhodamine WT...........
                                                                Terbacil; 5902-51-2....
                                                                Terbufos; 13071-79-9...
                                                                EPTC; 759-94-4.........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    B. Perchlorate
    Additional information and comment is sought on the inclusion of
perchlorate on the final CCL. Perchlorate is being mentioned in this
notice because EPA received information that it had been detected in
water in the Colorado River and in wells in California, but the
information came too late in the process of developing the draft CCL to
evaluate it as had been done for the other contaminants. The
information the Agency has received regarding perchlorate's occurrence,
health effects, source of contamination and treatment that has been
included in the docket. This information, and any other submitted in
response to comments, as well as additional data that the Agency may
obtain, will be considered to determine whether perchlorate should be
included on the final CCL.

VI. Development of the Final Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List,
the Contaminant Identification Method, and the Contaminant Selection
Process

    Between now and the publication of the final CCL, the Agency will
evaluate comments received during the comment period for this notice
and re-evaluate the criteria used to develop the draft CCL and revise
the CCL, as appropriate. The final CCL will be published by February
1998.
    In addition to publishing the final CCL, the Agency will also
resume work on the CIM and the contaminant selection process. The
development of the CIM and the selection process will be completed in
consultation with the NDWAC Working Group on Occurrence & Contaminant
Selection. The next meeting of the Working Group will likely be later
this fall. The CCL, CIM and the selection process will serve as the
cornerstones of the Agency's regulatory development process. In
addition to developing the CCL, CIM and the selection process with the
Adminstration policy in mind, the Agency intends to obtain resources to
improve the screening process in order to acquire better information,
improve analytical capability, and seek additional stakeholder
involvement. The CCL is a critical input to shaping the future
direction of the drinking water program, and improvements will be made
with each successive cycle of publishing the list.

VII. Summary of Other Related Activity Required by the SDWA

    After the CCL is developed and in accordance with the SDWA, as
amended, the Agency will determine whether or not regulation is needed
for at least five contaminants. This step of contaminant selection is
then followed by proposal and ultimate promulgation of regulations for
those contaminants for which a determination has been made to regulate.
Two tools provided for in the SDWA, as amended, that relate to
development of the CCL, are the

[[Page 52214]]

occurrence database and unregulated contaminant monitoring. In
identifying contaminants for inclusion on the CCL, and selecting
contaminants for determination, the National Drinking Water Contaminant
Occurrence Database must be considered. The primary mechanism for
obtaining the occurrence data for the database is the Unregulated
Contaminant Monitoring Requirements provision. Figure 2 provides a
representation of the relationship among these various elements. The
SDWA requirements for contaminant selection, the occurrence database
and unregulated contaminant monitoring are presented below to give the
reader a sense of what these requirements entail and how they relate to
the CCL and to each other.

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

[[Page 52215]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN06OC97.001

BILLING CODE 6560-50-C

[[Page 52216]]

A. Contaminant Selection and Regulatory Determination

    The SDWA, as amended in 1996, requires EPA to make determinations
of whether or not to regulate no fewer than five contaminants from the
CCL five years after enactment (i.e., by August 2001), and every five
years thereafter (section 1412(b)(1)); which is also three and a half
years following each CCL. Any of the contaminants from the CCL that the
Agency decides to regulate are subject to proposed NPDWRs within 24
months of this decision to regulate, and final NPDWRs within 18 months
of the proposal. The SDWA also requires that EPA give priority to
selecting contaminants for regulation that present the greatest public
health concern, including vulnerable populations such as infants, the
elderly, and those with serious illness. Three criteria must be
considered when deciding whether or not to regulate a contaminant: (1)
Could the contaminant adversely affect public health, (2) is it known
or substantially likely to occur in public water systems with a
frequency and at levels posing a threat to public health, and (3) will
regulation of the contaminant present a meaningful opportunity for
health risk reduction.
    The Agency will be developing a contaminant selection process that
will address the criteria mentioned above in concert with the
contaminant identification method. The contaminant selection process
will be used to select contaminants from the CCL for which
determinations will be made, while the CIM will be used to develop the
CCL. A conceptual approach for the CIM was presented on December 2-3,
1996, at an EPA sponsored stakeholders meeting (U.S. EPA, 1996b)
However, in order to meet the February 1998 deadline for finalizing the
CCL, further work on the CIM was delayed in favor of developing the
draft CCL presented in today's notice. The Agency, in collaboration
with the NDWAC Working Group on Occurrence & Contaminant Selection,
will resume work on the CIM and the contaminant selection process
during the fall of 1997. Knowledge gained during the development of
this draft CCL, as well as the feedback received since the December
1996 stakeholders meeting, will be factored into the development.

B. The National Contaminant Occurrence Database

    The SDWA, as amended in 1996, requires EPA to establish a national
drinking water contaminant occurrence database (NCOD) to be assembled
by August 1999 [section 1445(g)]. The database is to include the
occurrence of both regulated and unregulated contaminants, and, once
established, is to be used to support the Administrator's
determinations for future regulations. The requirements for developing
the CCL also include consulting the occurrence database. Since the
database is currently under development, and will not be available for
the development of this first CCL, the Agency consulted other sources
of occurrence data. Once available, however, the NCOD will be used not
only to develop future CCLs and support future determinations of the
need for regulations, but to develop future regulations.
    A Stakeholder meeting was held on May 21-22, 1997, in Washington,
D.C., on the NCOD to discuss and obtain input from the public, states,
and the scientific community on database design and structure, input
parameters and requirements, and the uses and interpretation of the
data. This meeting was the first of several expected to take place in
the near future regarding the NCOD development.

C. Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation

    The SDWA, as amended, requires EPA to list and develop regulations
for monitoring of certain unregulated contaminants by August 1999, and
every 5 years thereafter (section 1445(a)(2)). This provision was first
introduced with the 1986 amendments to the SDWA and has been
substantially modified by the 1996 amendments. The SDWA requires that
the list of unregulated contaminants not exceed 30, and that the
monitoring data be collected and maintained in the NCOD. Criteria for
determining which contaminants on the CCL will be chosen for the
unregulated contaminant monitoring list will be developed as part of
this regulation.
    Contaminants on the CCL that need additional occurrence data will
be used as the principal source of contaminants for the list of
unregulated contaminants. The unregulated contaminant monitoring
provision of the SDWA will be used as a tool to gather the contaminant
occurrence data necessary for determining the need for drinking water
regulations.

VIII. Summary of Concurrent Regulatory Activity Required by the
SDWA

    In addition to the requirements for the CCL and contaminant
selection, the SDWA, as amended 1996, also contain specific provisions
with regard to radon, arsenic, sulfate, and disinfectants and
disinfection byproducts. The SDWA, as amended, did not specify a new
time frame for finalizing rulemaking for other radionuclides, however,
EPA and the Bull Run Coalition have entered into a consent decree with
the court establishing timetables to finalize this rulemaking.
Regulatory activity for radon, other radionuclides, arsenic, sulfate,
and disinfectants and disinfection byproducts are not affected by
today's notice, but are summarized below to provide the reader with an
update on the status these specific activities.

A. Radon

    The SDWA, as amended in 1996, contains specific provisions for
regulating radon in drinking water (section 1412(b) (13)). First, EPA
is required to withdraw the proposed rule for radon which was published
in 1991 and to re-propose a drinking water regulation for radon by
August 6, 1999, and issue final regulations by August 6, 2000. The
SDWA, as amended, also requires EPA to: (1) Arrange for the NAS to
prepare a peer reviewed risk assessment for radon that evaluates the
health effects of radon in drinking water under conditions likely to be
experienced through residential exposure and to assess the risk
reduction benefits from various mitigation measures to reduce radon
levels in indoor air; (2) make available for public comment a health
risk reduction and cost analysis comparing costs and benefits of
various possible MCL in advance of proposing a radon regulation; and
(3) establish an alternative-MCL, if the MCL is set at a level that is
more stringent than necessary to reduce the contribution of radon in
indoor air originating from drinking water to a level equal to the
national average concentration of radon in outdoor air. States will
have the option to comply with the less stringent alternative-MCL if
they implement a multi-media radon risk reduction program that
accomplishes greater health protection than would be achieved by
complying with the more stringent MCL alone.
    A notice was published in the Federal Register on August 6, 1997,
to withdraw the radon proposed rule. (62 FR 42221) The NAS risk
assessment is scheduled to be complete by July 1998, and the HRRCA is
due by February 1998. In addition, EPA held stakeholder meetings on
June 26, 1997, in Washington, D.C., and on September 2, 1997, in San
Francisco, and has scheduled an additional stakeholder meeting in
Boston later this fall to obtain input from the public.

[[Page 52217]]

B. Other Radionuclides

    On July 18, 1991, EPA proposed NPDWRs for radionuclides in public
water supplies (56 FR 33050). EPA proposed MCLs for Radium-228 at 20
pCi/l, Radium-226 at 20 pCi/l, Uranium at 30 pCi/l (20 g/l),
adjusted gross alpha at 15 pCi/l (excluding Ra-226, U, and Rn-222), and
beta and photon emitters (excluding Ra-228) at 4 mrem ede/yr; MCLGs
were proposed at zero.
    Comments on the proposed rule were received from approximately 600
individuals and organizations. Due to concerns by commenters and
Congress over the most effective way to regulate radon and other
radionuclides together, the proposed rule was put on hold, pending
passage of amendments to the SDWA, so that EPA could gain further
clarification of Congress' intent.
    The SDWA, as amended in 1996, did not specify a new time frame for
finalizing rulemaking for radionuclides, as it did for radon. However,
an existing consent decree providing deadlines for regulating
radionuclides was amended in 1996 to provide that EPA would, by
November 2000, finalize a rule for Uranium; and finalize a rule for Ra-
226, Ra-228, alpha and beta/photon emitters, or publish its reasons for
not taking final action as to these contaminants. An Agency Workgroup
has been formed and is process of evaluating all current data and
information, which will lead to finalizing elements of the proposed
rule or to re-proposing NPDWRs for radionuclides.

C. Arsenic

    In 1975, EPA established National Interim Primary Drinking Water
Regulations (NIPDWR), setting an MCL for Arsenic at 50 g/l. In
1985, EPA proposed an MCLG of 50 g/l, requesting comment on
alternate MCLGs of 100 g/l and 0 g/l. However, the
SDWA, as amended in 1986, converted the interim standard into a NPDWR,
subject to revision by 1989. When the Agency failed to meet the
statutory deadline for promulgating an arsenic regulation, a citizen's
group filed suit to compel EPA to do so. EPA entered into a consent
decree to, in part, issue the arsenic regulation. The consent decree
was amended several times to extend the deadlines and with passage of
the 1996 Amendments was dismissed as to arsenic.
    The SDWA, as amended, requires EPA to conduct additional research
on arsenic in order to reduce the uncertainty in assessing the health
effects of low exposure levels; to propose a NPDWR for arsenic by
January 1, 2000; and to issue a final regulation by January 1, 2001.
(Sec. 1412(b)(12)) EPA developed a research plan, made it available for
public comment, and had it peer reviewed in January 1997. The revised
research plan will be available this fall. In addition, EPA issued a
joint request for research proposals with the American Water Works
Association Research Foundation (AWWARF) and the Association of
California Water Agencies (ACWA). EPA, AWWARF and ACWA awarded almost
$3 million in grants and contracts this summer, for up to three years.
This spring, EPA also funded an Interagency Agreement, with the
National Research Council (NRC) of the NAS to review EPA's risk
assessment, determine the adequacy of EPA's current MCL for protecting
human health and surface water quality criteria, and identify
priorities for research to fill data gaps. The NRC report will be
submitted to EPA in mid-to-late 1998. In May, 1997, EPA convened an
expert panel to evaluate the scientific literature on the genetic and
carcinogenic effects of arsenic in order to comment on arsenic's mode
of action and the data supporting models extrapolating to low dose
arsenic exposures. The final report is now being considered by EPA's
IRIS Update Group.

D. Sulfate

    A December 20, 1994 proposed sulfate regulation contained both MCLG
and MCL levels for sulfate of 500 mg/l and included 4 alternative
compliance options designed to allow flexible implementation.
Thereafter, the Agency's drinking water redirection effort concluded
that sulfate was a relatively low risk contaminant, and further
regulatory activity was suspended. The SDWA, as amended, requires
completion of a study to resolve risk questions and requires the Agency
to make a determination within 5 years of enactment of the Amendments,
by August 6, 2001, of whether or not to regulate sulfate. Any of the
contaminants from the CCL that the Agency decides to regulate are
subject to proposed NPDWRs within 24 months of this decision to
regulate, and final NPDWRs within 18 months of the proposal. In 1997
the Agency entered into an Interagency Agreement with the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). EPA and CDC are currently waiting
for completion of the peer review of the jointly planned health risk
study for sulfate. The study results, due in February 1999, will serve
as input for EPA's contaminant identification and selection protocol to
decide whether or not to regulate sulfate, and will be publicly
available. In addition, prior to deciding on the need to regulate
sulfate, the Agency would need to make a determination on the adequacy
of existing occurrence data for sulfate and, if inadequate, consider
approaches for filling data gaps.

E. Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts

    Microorganisms identified for the CCL are not specifically targeted
by the following regulations, however they may be indirectly
controlled. Any microorganism identified for the CCL which is
determined later to be adequately, although indirectly, controlled by
the following regulations, will be subsequently withdrawn from the CCL.
    Under the Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR) promulgated on June
29, 1989, (54 FR 27486), EPA set MCLGs of zero for Giardia lamblia,
viruses and Legionella; and promulgated NPDWRs for all public water
systems (PWSs) using surface water sources or groundwater sources under
the direct influence of surface water. The SWTR includes treatment
technique requirements for filtered and unfiltered systems that are
intended to protect against the adverse health effects of exposure to
Giardia lamblia, viruses, and Legionella, as well as many other
pathogenic organisms.
    In 1992, EPA initiated a negotiated rulemaking to develop
disinfectant and disinfection byproducts regulations. The Regulatory
Negotiating Committee met from November 1992 through June 1993 and
included representatives of State and local health and regulatory
agencies, public water systems, elected officials, consumer groups and
environmental groups. One of the major goals addressed by the Committee
was to develop an approach that would reduce the level of exposure from
disinfectants and disinfection byproducts without undermining the
control of microbiological pathogens. To accomplish this, the Committee
agreed to the development of three sets of regulations: a two-staged
Disinfectant/Disinfection Byproducts Rule (D/DBP), an Enhanced Surface
Water Treatment Rule (ESWTR), and an Information Collection Rule (ICR).
The purpose of the ICR is to collect occurrence and treatment
information to evaluate the need for possible changes to the current
SWTR, existing microbial treatment practices, and also evaluate the
need for future regulation for disinfectants and disinfection
byproducts.
    EPA would first develop an Interim-ESWTR (IESWTR) that would only
apply to systems serving 10,000 people or more, the committee agreed
that a

[[Page 52218]]

Long-Term-ESWTR (LTESWTR) may be needed for systems serving fewer than
10,000 people when the results of more research and water quality
monitoring became available. The LTESWTR could include additional
refinements for larger systems.
    The ICR was proposed on February 10, 1994 (59 FR 6332) and
promulgated on May 14, 1996 (61 FR 24354). The D/DBP regulations and
the IESWTR were proposed on July 29, 1994 (59 FR 38668, 59 FR 38832).
The SDWA, as amended, requires EPA to promulgate an IESWTR and a Stage
I D/DBP Rule by November 1998. In addition, the SDWA requires EPA to
promulgate a final ESWTR and a Stage II D/DBP rule by November 2000 and
May 2002, respectively [section 1412(b)(2)(C)].
    In light of new information that has become available in several
key areas related to issues put forth in the D/DBP Stage 1 proposal,
the Agency initiated a series of public meetings in May 1996. These
meetings were designed to exchange information on issues related to the
development of the IESWTR and the Stage 1 D/DBP rule and the impact of
the ICR data not being available. In order to facilitate moving in an
expedited fashion to meet the deadlines in the 1996 Amendments, and to
maximize stakeholder participation, the Agency subsequently established
an advisory committee to collect, share, and analyze new information
and data as well as to build consensus on the regulatory implications
of this new information. After evaluation of the new data and
information, the committee made recommendations on a number of major
issues. These recommendations and a discussion of the pertinent issues
will be published in a Federal Register Notice planned for later this
fall.

IX. Other Requirements

    The CCL is a notice and not a regulatory action; therefore, the
following statutes and executive orders are not applicable at this
time: the Regulatory Flexibility Act, Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act, Paperwork Reduction Act, Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act; and Executive Order 12866. As contaminants are selected for
rulemaking, all necessary analysis will be conducted in accordance with
the rulemaking process.
    Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks, requires that Federal Agencies identify
and assess health risks and safety risks that disproportionately affect
children, and ensure that its policies, programs, activities, and
standards address disproportionate health and safety risks to children.
The SDWA also requires the Agency to select priorities for regulation
while considering risk to sensitive subpopulations, such as infants and
children.
    The impact on sensitive populations will be addressed in the
contaminant selection process, and will be a component of the Agency's
determination of whether or not to regulate a given contaminant. In
preparation for addressing the issues of sensitive subpopulations, the
Agency is sponsoring several activities to determine water intake by
age group, by demographic distribution, and by innate or developed
sensitivity to potential drinking water contaminants. The Agency is
also collaborating with CDC on a study of six major cities to determine
the most sensitive populations for drinking water manifested during
major outbreaks of illness from incidents of water contamination. Other
research also is underway to determine the extent of vulnerable
populations including children and the immunologically impaired.

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Sulzer. 1982. Oocyst-transmitted toxoplasmosis associated with
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    (Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300f-300j-25)

    Dated: September 29, 1997.
Robert Perciasepe,
Assistant Administrator, Office Water, Environmental Protection Agency.
[FR Doc. 97-26433 Filed 10-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P 

 
 


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