Water supply: National primary drinking water regulations— 222; maximum contaminant level goal; public health protection,

[Federal Register: December 21, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 244)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 71367-71368]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr21de99-31]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 141 and 142

[WH-FRL-6513-5]

RIN 2040-AA94

National Primary Drinking Water Regulations; Radon-222

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed radon in drinking water rule; notice of extension of public comment period.

SUMMARY: Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing notice to extend the public comment period for the proposed rule that would provide a multimedia approach to reducing radon risks in indoor air (where the problem is greatest), while protecting public health from the highest levels of radon in drinking water (40 CFR Parts 141 and 142). The proposed rule for radon in drinking water was published in the Federal Register on November 2, 1999 (64 FR 59246).

DATES: EPA must receive public comments, in writing, on the proposed regulations by February 4, 2000. Comments provided electronically will be considered timely if they are submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern time) February 4, 2000.

ADDRESSES: You may send written comments to the Radon-222, W-99-08 Comments Clerk, Water Docket (MC-4101); U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460. Comments may be hand- delivered to the Water Docket, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; 401 M Street, SW., East Tower Basement, Washington, DC 20460. Comments may be submitted electronically to ow-docket@epamail.epa.gov. Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII, WP6.1, or WP8 file avoiding the use of special characters and any form of encryption. Electronic comments must be identified by the docket number W-99-08. Comments and data will also be accepted on disks in WP6.1, WP8, or ASCII format. Electronic comments on this action may be filedonline at many Federal Depository libraries.

Please submit a copy of any references cited in your comments. Facsimiles (faxes) cannot be accepted. EPA would appreciate one original and three copies of your comments and enclosures (including any references). Commenters who would like EPA to acknowledge receipt of their comments should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

The proposed rule and supporting documents, including public comments, are available for review in the Water Docket at the address listed previously. The Docket also has several of the key supporting documents electronically available as PDF files. For information on how to access Docket materials, please call (202) 260-3027 between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on radon in drinking water, contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, phone (800) 426-4791. The Safe Drinking Water Hotline is open Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time. For technical inquiries regarding the proposed regulations, contact Sylvia Malm, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (mailcode 4607), 401 M Street, SW, Washington DC, 20460. Phone: (202) 260-0417. E-mail: malm.sylvia@epa.gov. For inquiries regarding the proposed multimedia mitigation program, contact Anita Schmidt, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (mailcode 6609J), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC, 20460. Phone: (202) 564-9452. E-mail: schmidt.anita@epa.gov. For general information on radon in indoor air, contact the Radon Hotline at 1-800-SOS-RADON (1-800-767-7236).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 2, 1999, EPA published the proposed regulation for radon in drinking water, 40 CFR Parts 141 and 142 (64 FR 59246). The November 2 notice provided a deadline of 60 days from the date of publication for receipt of public comments. Since the publication date, EPA has received requests to extend the comment period to allow sufficient time for all parties potentially impacted by this proposal to consider and provide comprehensive comments. In response to these requests, EPA has decided to extend the public comment period by an additional 30 days to February 4, 2000.

[[Page 71368]]

The Agency is proposing a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) and National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) for radon-222 in public water supplies. Under the framework set forth in the 1996 amendments to the SDWA, EPA is also proposing an alternative maximum contaminant level (AMCL) and requirements for multimedia mitigation (MMM) programs to address radon in indoor air. Public water systems (PWS) are defined in the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). This proposed rule applies to community water systems (CWS), a subset of PWSs. Under the proposed rule, CWSs may comply with the AMCL if they are in States that develop an EPA-approved MMM program or, in the absence of a State program, develop a State-approved CWS MMM program. This approach is intended to encourage States, Tribes, and CWSs to reduce the health risk of radon in the most cost-effective way. The Agency is also proposing a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for radon-222, to apply to CWSs in non-MMM States that choose not to implement a CWS MMM program. The proposal also includes monitoring, reporting, public notification, and consumer confidence report requirements for radon-222 in drinking water.

Dated: December 15, 1999. Dana D. Minerva, Acting Assistant Administrator.

[FR Doc. 99-33031Filed12-20-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P