Introduction

On October 31, 2001 the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lowered the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of arsenic in public drinking water systems from 50 to 10 parts per billion (ppb). This means that the standard will be implemented as specified in the January 22, 2001 final rule, and the date by which systems must comply with the new standard is January 23, 2006.

The state of Arizona has over 150 small systems (fewer than 3,300 persons), many of these under 200 service connections that are affected by the upcoming arsenic MCL of 10.0 ppb. In 2001, ADEQ completed the Arizona Arsenic Master Plan (http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/dw/arsenic.html) which detailed out many treatment options and costs associated with the creation, operation and maintenance for centralized water treatment systems. One of the outcomes of this master plan was the fact that for many of the small systems affected by the arsenic rule, implementation of a large centralized water treatment system is not affordable. These small water systems would not be able to absorb the significant capitol and annual costs associated with the large centralized treatment systems.

Based upon the findings of the Arsenic Master Plan, and the significant cost impact on the small communities, Watts Premier in partnership with ADEQ initiated a point of use study, utilizing reverse osmosis technology in 2003 with the assistance of two communities in Arizona. The intent of the pilot program was to determine the efficiencies and issues surrounding communities implementing a point of use program for safe drinking water act compliance, namely arsenic compliance.

>> Back to Summary Report

>> Next Page