Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
small systems (i.e., those systems serving fewer than 10,000 people). The
rule also prevents significant increases in microbial risk where small sys-
tems take steps to implement the Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection
Byproducts Rule. The USEPA believes that the rule will generally track the
approaches in the Interim Enhanced Surface Treatment Rule for improved
turbidity control, including individual filter monitoring and reporting. The
rule also addresses disinfection profiling and benchmarking. The USEPA is
considering what modifications of some large system requirements may be
appropriate for small systems.
Long-Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
The SDWA (as amended in 1996) required the USEPA to finalize a Stage 2
Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule by May 2002. Although
the 1996 Amendments did not require the USEPA to finalize a Long-Term 2
Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule along with the Stage 2 Disinfectants
and Disinfection Byproducts Rule, the USEPA believed that finalizing these
rules together to ensure a proper balance between microbial and DBP risks
was important. The intent of the rules is to provide additional public health
protection (if needed) from DBPs and microbial pathogens.
Ground Water Rule
The USEPA published the Ground Water Rule in the
Federal Register
on
November 8, 2006. The purpose of the rule is to provide for increased protec-
tion against microbial pathogens in public water systems that use ground-
water sources. USEPA is particularly concerned about groundwater systems
that are susceptible to fecal contaminant because disease-causing pathogens
may be found in fecal contamination. The Ground Water Rule specifies the
appropriate use of disinfection and, equally importantly, addresses other
components of groundwater systems to ensure public health protection.
More than 158,000 public or community water systems serve almost 89 mil-
lion people through groundwater systems. Of these, 99% serve fewer than
10,000 people; however, systems serving more than 10,000 people serve 55%
(more than 60 million) of all people who get their drinking water from public
groundwater systems.
Filter Backwash Recycling Rule
The 1996 SDWA amendments required the USEPA to establish a standard
on recycling filter backwash within the treatment process of public water
systems by August 2000. The actual Filter Backwash Recycling Rule (FBRR)
was implemented June 8, 2001. The purpose of the FBRR is to improve public
health protection by assessing and changing, where needed, recycle prac-
tices for improved contaminant control, particularly microbial contami-
nants. Generally, the FBRR requires systems that recycle to return specific
recycle flows though all processes of the system's existing conventional or
direct filtration system or at an alternate location approved by the state. The
