![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Greenbytes: February 10, 2005 Edition
In this Issue
Greetings from EPA New England. We hope you find this edition of Greenbytes useful and we encourage you to give us feedback. For information on subscribing or unsubscribing see the section at the end of this message.
Feature:
Concerns About Arsenic in Drinking Water Call for Action
by Robert W. Varney
New England is on top of the world -- home to the world champion Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. But the solid footing of our sports teams doesn't help New England with some bad geologic luck. New England is also home to underground rocks that cause arsenic to make its way into some drinking water supplies.
Arsenic, a naturally occurring semi-metallic element that is widely distributed throughout the earth's crust, can be introduced into ground water through dissolution of minerals and ores. Information about the occurrence of elevated levels of arsenic in New England's groundwater highlights the need to address this important health concern.
Long term exposure to elevated levels of arsenic in drinking water poses numerous health risks including skin damage, problems with circulatory systems, and increased risk of certain cancers. Recognizing that arsenic in drinking water is harmful to our health, and in response to a 1999 study by the National Academy of Sciences that concluded that an old 50 parts per billion standard for arsenic in drinking water did not sufficiently protect the public from long-term exposure, EPA passed a rule in 2001 tightening the standard to10 parts per billion.
State and federal regulations requiring all public water systems to test for the presence of arsenic in groundwater supplies revealed a prevalence of elevated arsenic in some public water systems in New England. Our state environmental partners report that over 100 public water systems in both New Hampshire and Maine and at least a dozen systems, in Massachusetts and Vermont, tested above EPA's maximum contaminant level for arsenic.
The new arsenic rule applies to these government-regulated public water systems -- systems which serve more than 25 people or have more than 15 service connections. These systems typically supply water to towns, trailer parks, apartments, nursing homes, schools, or businesses. The revised rule requires public drinking water systems that have tested above the standard to install appropriate arsenic control technology in order to meet the 10 ppb standard by 2006. Towns and water suppliers should currently be laying the groundwork for funding necessary treatment upgrades.
Since drinking water obtained from private wells is not regulated under federal law, private wells are often not sampled for arsenic unless individual well owners choose to do so. It is important that homeowners that obtain their drinking water from private bedrock wells regularly test their drinking water for arsenic, as well as other contaminants of concern.
Many local citizens assume that their well water is clean and safe because a water test was conducted when they built or bought their home. What they don't realize, however, is that their water test probably did not measure the amount of arsenic in their well water.
If you have a private well, please have it tested as soon as possible, and make sure that your water test includes arsenic. And if you're buying a home with a private well, please ensure that the water test covers arsenic and other common contaminants.
EPA recognizes the challenges that the new arsenic standard poses to small public water systems. For this reason, EPA has worked with state public health and environmental agencies to offer assistance, training and guidance on arsenic. There are readily available treatment systems designed to remove arsenic from drinking water. The costs of these systems vary depending on system size. Some public water systems may be eligible for financial assistance through EPA's drinking water state revolving fund.
I urge the public to support any funding that may be necessary to install arsenic control measures for public supplies that are above the 10 ppb standard. I also encourage homeowners with private wells to pay attention to this important health concern and to test their wells for arsenic.
We have several good sources for more information. EPA's national website has extensive information on arsenic in drinking water at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic.html . For specific information about how our regional staff are working to implement drinking water programs within New England, please see http://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/drinkwater/index.html . Finally, our regional arsenic in drinking water expert is Chris Ryan at 617-918-1567.
|
|
 |
Press Releases
S. Portland, ME - Program Encourages Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs
|
|
|
Meetings & Conferences
Cancelled, To Be Rescheduled:
The
public hearing on the Draft NPDES Permit for the GE facility,
scheduled for Feb. 10 will be rescheduled.
Newport Naval
Education & Training Center (NETC)
Restoration Advisory Board
Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - Officer's Club, Newport, RI
Mass. Military
Range (MMR) Impact Area Review Team
Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005
Northeast Regional
Community & Urban Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Conference (fee)
Tuesday/Wednesday Mar. 15-16, 2005; Manchester NH
New Bedford Meetings Rescheduled from 02/24/05: New date March 3
|
|
|
Regional
Air Quality Topics - updated carbon monoxide data from New England monitoring sites
Clean Marina Program - updated list of retailers
Compliance & Pollution Prevention - Healthcare in New England site updated
National
President's Budget Request for FY 2006
|
|
|
"In The News" is a free daily service that provides links to today's top newspaper stories about the New England environment and links to related EPA New England information.
In The News Email Service: As soon as today's edition of "In The News" has been posted we will inform you via email.