Summary of Drinking Water Regulations
Concern about the quality of the nation's
drinking water supplies prompted the U.S. Congress to pass PL 93-523, the "Safe
Drinking Water Act", in 1974. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was
directed to establish national standards. The Safe Drinking Water Act has had a
significant effect on improvements in both water quality and water supply management.
Increasing concerns with toxins in the drinking water led Congress to amend the original
Act in 1986, and again in 1996, making it stricter and more inclusive. The Florida
Legislature enacted a similar "Safe Drinking Water Act" which is contained in
Sections 403.850 - 403.864, Florida Statutes. This statute directs the Department of
Environmental Protection to formulate and enforce rules pertaining to Drinking Water.
These rules adopt the national primary and secondary drinking water standards of the
Federal Government and create additional rules to fulfill state requirements. They are
contained in Chapters 62-550, 62-555, and 62-560, Florida Administrative Code
(F.A.C.).
CHAPTER 62-550,
F.A.C.,
Drinking Water Standards, Monitoring, and Reporting, adopts EPA rules and
regulates the water produced by public water systems and covers the following topics:
-
Glossary
of drinking water
terms.
- Maximum contaminant limits
applied to finished drinking water.
- Monitoring requirements and frequencies water systems must
adhere to when testing for contamination.
- Surveillance, record keeping, and reporting required of
water systems.
- Forms
and instructions for
laboratories to use when reporting chemical monitoring results.
Download
Chapter 62-550,
F.A.C., in Adobe PDF (156K).
CHAPTER 62-555,
F.A.C.,
Permitting and Construction of Public Water Systems, are state rules which apply to
water systems. The chapter covers the following:
- Construction, operation, and maintenance standards for
public water systems.
- Rules governing general permits for water systems.
- Rules governing construction permits for water systems.
- Treatment and monitoring requirements for water systems
which use surface water.
- Forms and instructions for water
systems to use.
Download
Chapter 62-555,
F.A.C., in Adobe PDF.
CHAPTER 62-560,
F.A.C.,
Requirements for Public Water Systems that are out of Compliance,
adopts EPA rules on
the actions a water system must take when it is not in compliance with the established
standards. This chapter covers the following:
- Definitions of violations.
- Provisions governing variances, exemptions, and waivers.
- Best available technology and treatment techniques for use
by water systems that are out of compliance.
Download
Chapter 62-560,
F.A.C., in Adobe PDF.
Download
Standard Health
Effects Language for Public Notification. The publication is in
Adobe PDF.
The Lead and Copper
Rule. The state rule, CHAPTER 62-551, F.A.C., has been rescinded. In its
place, the state has adopted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Lead and Copper
Rule, 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 141, Subpart I. This rule covers the following
requirements:
- In-home tap sampling for large, medium, and small systems.
- Source water and water quality parameters sampling.
- Lead and Copper action levels
- Corrosion Control Treatment.
- Public education and notification
Download
40 CFR 141,
Subpart I, July 1, 2000 Edition (103K), in Adobe PDF. This is
the official version of the Lead and Copper Rule that was adopted by
Florida on August 1, 2000.
Download an EPA
prepared
unofficial version of 40 CFR
141, Subpart I. It contains the old Lead and Copper Rule plus the
changes that were enacted on January 12, 2000. All the material that is being deleted is lined through, and all the newly added material is underlined. Use this version
as a guide only. Also, refer to the
Fact
Sheets (103K) that EPA has prepared as an aid to water systems.
