EPA ISSUES PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS TO 158 PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS IN NORTH CAROLINA.ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 21, 1995--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), independent agency of the U.S. government, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1970 to reduce and control air and water pollution, noise pollution, and radiation and to ensure the safe handling and (EPA EPA eicosapentaenoic acid. EPA abbr. eicosapentaenoic acid EPA, n.pr See acid, eicosapentaenoic. EPA, n. ) today announced the issuance of Proposed Administrative Orders to 158 public water supply systems in North Carolina North Carolina, state in the SE United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (E), South Carolina and Georgia (S), Tennessee (W), and Virginia (N). Facts and Figures Area, 52,586 sq mi (136,198 sq km). Pop. which failed to monitor for lead and copper in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is a United States federal law passed by the U.S. Congress on December 16, 1974. It is the main federal law that ensures safe drinking water for Americans. (SDWA SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 SDWA System Diagnostic Work Area (IBM) SDWA Sun Data Warehouse Appliance ). In addition, the systems failed to respond to Notices of Violation issued by EPA earlier this year. The Orders are the result of an enforcement effort initiated by EPA against systems in North Carolina for violations of the Lead and Copper Rule. EPA began enforcement of the regulations because of a lack of adequate resources at the State level to follow-up on these SDWA violations. The Orders require the systems to conduct lead and copper monitoring and to notify the public of the violations. Enforcement options which may be utilized against noncomplying systems include administrative orders and/or referrals to the Department of Justice seeking court-ordered compliance and penalties of up to $25,000 per day of violation. State and federal regulations require public water supply systems to test for lead and copper at water taps. If the results of the lead or copper monitoring are too high, systems are required to conduct studies in order to reduce the corrosivity of the water. In addition, if the results of the lead monitoring are too high, water systems are required to provide educational materials on the effects of drinking lead-contaminated water. Lead builds up in the body over many years and can cause damage to the brain, red blood cells Red blood cells Cells that carry hemoglobin (the molecule that transports oxygen) and help remove wastes from tissues throughout the body. Mentioned in: Bone Marrow Transplantation red blood cells and kidneys. The greatest risk from lead contamination is to young children and pregnant women. Lead can also slow the normal mental and physical development of children. Similarly, high levels of copper have been shown to cause stomach and intestinal distress, liver and kidney damage, and anemia. Persons with Wilson's disease may be at a higher risk of health effects due to ingestion ingestion /in·ges·tion/ (-chun) the taking of food, drugs, etc., into the body by mouth. in·ges·tion n. 1. The act of taking food and drink into the body by the mouth. 2. of copper-contaminated water. The Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) is available to concerned citizens and water system owners who may have questions regarding health effects or requirements for lead and copper monitoring. CONTACT: U.S. Environmental Protections Agency, Atlanta Philip Vorsatz, 404/347-2913 ext. 6478 Charlis Thompson, 404/347-3004 ext. 6756 |
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