Expedited Drinking Water Analytical Method Approval Requirements

EPA can use an expedited process to announce the approval of new drinking water analytical methods in the Federal Register. The process provides laboratories and water systems with more timely access to alternative testing methods.

For a method to be approved using the expedited process:

• Public water systems must be required by federal regulation to monitor for a contaminant that is an analyte in the new method
• Drinking water regulations must list at least one approved method for the contaminant (that is, a method that was approved using the rulemaking process)
• The new alternative method must be equally effective in determining the concentration of the contaminant

New methods may be submitted for evaluation under the Alternate Test Procedure Program.

Methods approved through the expedited process are included in Appendix A to Subpart C of Part 141 — Alternative Testing Methods Approved for Analyses Under the Safe Drinking Water Act