U.S. EPA Proposes Stringent Reduction of Arsenic in Drinking Water; Proposal Would Out Spend Research On AIDS, Cancer, Diabetes.

News Editors

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 20, 2000

The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today cited serious flaws in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed rule for arsenic in drinking water. A national study estimates that the rule, published in June, could cost consumers as much as $14 billion to implement, outstripping the financial resources dedicated to fighting AIDS, cancer or diabetes.

"The need to reduce levels of arsenic in drinking water is a given -- ACWA says as much in our comments being submitted to EPA today," said ACWA's Executive Director Steve Hall. "But EPA has gone beyond what is scientifically justified, feasible or even necessary."

The U.S. EPA's own peer-review body, the Scientific Advisory Board, has reviewed the proposed rule, and is expected to question the actual health benefits associated with reducing arsenic to 5 parts per billion. The current maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic is 50 ppb, and there is a growing consensus among scientific experts that the proposed standard would be a waste of billions of dollars.

"EPA is proposing to reduce arsenic to 5 ppb, a level lower than commonly found in everyday food like apples," said Hall. "This is flawed public and fiscal policy. An effective rule will balance health protection with costs, but to date the EPA hasn't done that."

In comments submitted to the EPA, ACWA urged the agency to reconsider the proposed standard and implement an interim rule until better scientific data becomes available. An interim standard would target the highest sources of arsenic in drinking water for treatment first, assuring public safety until health effects research is completed. Critical research on the effects of arsenic at low levels -- funded by ACWA, the American Water Works Association's Research Foundation and EPA itself -- is not expected until 2001. Meanwhile, another ACWA study projects initial capital costs of $14 billion, and $1.5 billion annually associated with the arsenic rule -- more than all spending on AIDS, cancer or diabetes research in a year.

"We concern ourselves first and foremost with public health protection," Hall said. "But with the rule adopted as proposed, we stand to squander billions of public dollars for unproven public health benefits."

Arsenic is a naturally occurring substance that is sometimes found at very low levels in drinking water, primarily groundwater.

ACWA is a statewide organization whose 439 public agency members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit ACWA's Web site at www.acwanet.com.