EPA seeks comments on Wisconsin’s proposal to reduce arsenic in drinking-water

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 seeks comments on its tentative decision to approve changes to Wisconsin’s drinking water program that will reduce exposure to arsenic.

Wisconsin has adopted the Arsenic Rule for all community and nontransient, noncommunity water systems, which among other things, reduces the levels of arsenic allowed in drinking water from 50 parts per billion to 10 parts per billion.

The changes in Wisconsin closely follow the 2001 national primary drinking water regulations related to arsenic. As EPA adopts new drinking water regulations, states that administer their own drinking water programs must adopt regulations at least as stringent.

If there is sufficient public interest, EPA will hold a public hearing on the proposed changes. Comments and requests for a hearing must be postmarked by August 20, 2007, and should be sent to: EPA Region 5, Groundwater and Drinking Water Branch (WG-15J), 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Ill. 60604-3590. They may also be e-mailed to janczy.joseph@epa.gov

Background documents on the proposed changes are available for review at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 2nd Floor, 101 S. Webster, Madison, Wis., and at EPA offices in Chicago. More information on federal rules to reduce arsenic in drinking water may be found on EPA’s Web site at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic.