Unregulated Organic Contaminants

 

The Former Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Program (UCMR)

The US EPA and the State of Florida no longer require water systems to monitor for the unregulated contaminants currently listed in Part IV, Chapter 62-550, Florida Administrative Code.  Effective August 1, 2000, Florida repealed the requirement to monitor for the unregulated contaminants.

The Revised UCMR

A new program with a new list of contaminants has been developed by US EPA.  Florida water systems will deal directly with US EPA Region IV as the Florida DEP and DOH will not be involved.  

The purpose of the new rule is to obtain reliable data for unregulated contaminants to support decisions on whether or not to regulate contaminants in drinking water.  The data generated will be used to:  (1) evaluate and prioritize contaminants on the Contaminant Candidate List; (2) support the EPA Administrator's determination of whether to regulate a contaminant under the drinking water program; and, (3) support the development of drinking water regulations.

Who Will Be Required to Monitor?

• All community and nontransient noncommunity water systems in Florida serving more than 10,000 persons will monitor.  Transient noncommunity water systems will not be required to monitor.

• EPA will require 28 community water systems and 4 nontransient noncommunity water systems in Florida, serving fewer than 10,000 persons, to monitor for the new list of unregulated contaminants.  EPA will select these 32 systems randomly.  EPA will pay the laboratory fees for these small systems.

When Will Systems Be Required to Monitor?

• Sept. 30, 2000  EPA will complete communications with large and small systems concerning monitoring responsibilities and provide other instructions.

• Jan. 1, 2001  Systems will begin assessment monitoring when and as directed by EPA.

Download the US EPA final rule, Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring (597K)