Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
ral Resources Conservation Service. For information on any new changes to
hazardous chemicals lists, the EPA maintains a chemical
emergency
preparedness program hotline, which is (800) 535-0202.
F. AGRICULTURE CHEMICALS IN GROUNDWATER:
PESTICIDE STRATEGY
In October 1991, the EPA issued its final version of the Agriculture
Chemicals in Groundwater: Pesticide Strategy. The strategy provides a
framework for EPA's approach to generic issues posed by pesticides in
groundwater. The strategy addresses three major issue areas:
1.
Environmental Goals
The EPA goal is to manage pesticides to protect the groundwater resource.
This would include the use of maximum contamination levels (MCLs), the
enforceable drinking water standards, established under the Safe Drinking Water
Act (SDWA), as reference points to determine the unacceptable levels of
pesticides in groundwater sources.
2.
Prevention
The EPA's strategy includes a national registration of pesticides and state-
directed management by monitoring and pesticide use restrictions based on
local groundwater conditions.
3.
Response Actions
The response actions would be coordinated jointly by the federal and state
governments. Under the specific state management plans, the state would take
the necessary action to prevent further contamination when unacceptable levels
of contamination in groundwater are reported. Under this strategy the states
and the EPA would coordinate closely on the enforcement of FIFRA, SDWA,
and CERCLA to identify parties responsible for groundwater contamination as
a result of the misuse, spills, leaks, and/or illegal disposal of pesticides.
G . SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT (1974)
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is designed to ensure that public
water systems provide water meeting the minimum national standards for
protection of public health. The act mandates establishment of uniform federal
standards for drinking water quality, and sets up a system to regulate
underground injection of wastes and other substances that could contaminate
groundwater sources. (Surface water is protected under the Clean Water Act.)
The protection afforded under this act is based on a system of drinking
water standards set by the EPA. Each standard limits the amount of a specific
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