Water supply: National primary drinking water regulations— Uranium,

[Federal Register: June 2, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 106)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 31008-31013]

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

[DOCID:fr02jn04-8]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 141

[OW-2003-0067; FRL-7668-9]

RIN 2040-AE62

National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Analytical Method for Uranium

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Direct final rule.

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency is taking direct final action to approve the use of three additional analytical methods for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water. These methods use an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technology that has gained wide acceptance in the analytical community. EPA believes that ICP-MS analytical methods could be more cost-effective, less labor-intensive or more sensitive than some of the technologies previously approved in the December 2000 Radionuclides rule. (65 FR 76708) This rule does not withdraw approval of any previously approved monitoring methods for uranium.

EPA is publishing this rule without prior proposal because we view this as noncontroversial and anticipate no adverse comment. However, in the ``Proposed Rules'' section of today's Federal Register publication, we are publishing a separate document that will serve as the proposal to National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Analytical Method for Uranium if adverse comments are filed.

Through this action, EPA only requests comment on whether approval of the ICP-MS methods published by EPA, American Society of Testing and Materials International (ASTM), and the Standard Methods Committee (EPA 200.8, ASTM D5673-03, and SM 3125), is appropriate for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water. Readers should please note that EPA is not requesting comment on any other use of these three ICP- MS methods, use of any other ICP-MS method, or any issue associated with the uranium standard or its implementation, and EPA will not respond to any comments other than those concerning the approval of these specific methods (as cited) for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water.

DATES: This rule is effective on August 31, 2004, without further notice, unless EPA receives adverse comment by July 2, 2004. If we receive such comment, we will publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register informing the public that this rule will not take effect. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 31, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. OW-2003- 0067, by one of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.

Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.

Agency Web site: http://www.epa.gov/edocket. EDOCKET,

EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, is EPA's preferred method for receiving comments. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.

E-mail: OW-Docket@epa.gov.

Mail: OW Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 4101T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. Please include a total of 4 copies.

Hand Delivery: OW Docket, EPA Docket Center, EPA/DC, EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.

Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. OW-2003-0067. EPA's

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policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at http://www.epa.gov/edocket , including any personal information provided,

unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through EDOCKET, regulations.gov, or e- mail. The EPA EDOCKET and the federal regulations.gov Web sites are ``anonymous access'' systems, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through EDOCKET or regulations.gov, your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket visit EDOCKET on-line or see the Federal Register of May 31, 2002 (67 FR 38102). Please see the companion proposed rule published in the ``Proposed Rule'' section of today's Federal Register, entitled ``National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Analytical Method for Uranium'' (see ADDRESSES section for instructions on submitting comments to the Water Docket).

Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the EDOCKET index at http://www.epa.gov/edocket. Although listed in the index, some

information is not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in EDOCKET or in hard copy at the OW Docket, EPA Docket Center, EPA/DC, EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. This Docket Facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Docket telephone number is (202) 566-2426. The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General Information--Lisa Christ, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Mailcode: 4606M, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564-8354; e-mail address: christ.lisa@epa.gov, Technical information--David Huber, Office of

Ground Water and Drinking Water, Mailcode: 4606M, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564-4878; e-mail address: huber.david@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Does This Action Apply to Me?

   Entities potentially regulated by this regulation are public water systems that are classified as community water systems (CWSs). A community water system (CWS) means a public water system which serves at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. Categories and entities potentially regulated by this action include the following:

   Examples of potentially Category

   regulated entities NAICS \1\

   Industry....................... Privately-owned

   221310 community water systems. State, Tribal, Local, and

   Publicly-owned

   924110 Federal Government.

   community water systems.

   \1\ National American Industry Classification System.

   This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be regulated by this action. This table lists the types of entities that EPA is now aware could potentially be regulated by this action. Other types of entities not listed in the table could also be regulated. To determine whether your facility is regulated by this action, you should carefully examine the applicability criteria in Sec. 141.66 of title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations. If you have questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed in the preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

2. What Is EPA's Statutory Authority and Background for This Final Rule?

   The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), as amended in 1996, requires EPA to promulgate national primary drinking water regulations (NPDWRs) which specify maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) or treatment techniques for drinking water contaminants (SDWA section 1412 (42 U.S.C. 300g-1)). NPDWRs apply to public water systems pursuant to SDWA section 1401 (42 U.S.C. 300f(1)(A)). According to SDWA section 1401(1)(D), NPDWRs include ``criteria and procedures to assure a supply of drinking water which dependably complies with such maximum contaminant levels; including accepted methods for quality control and testing procedures.'' In addition, SDWA section 1445(a) authorizes the Administrator to establish regulations for monitoring to assist in determining whether persons are acting in compliance with the requirements of the SDWA. EPA's promulgation of analytical methods is authorized under these sections of the SDWA, as well as the general rulemaking authority in SDWA section 1450(a), (42 U.S.C. 300j-9(a)). As discussed earlier in section I.A of this preamble, the action proposed herein would affect CWSs. CWSs are a subset of public water systems. (40 CFR 141.2)

   On December 7, 2000 (65 FR 76708), EPA published a final radionuclides rule in the Federal Register that included monitoring requirements and a MCL of 30 micrograms per liter (30 [mu]g/L) for uranium that took effect in December 2003. In the preamble to the December 2000 rule, EPA noted that several commenters asked EPA to consider the approval of compliance monitoring methods that use an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technology. (65 FR 76724) These commenters suggested that ICP-MS analytical methods could be more cost-effective, less labor-intensive or more sensitive than some of the technologies approved in the December 2000 rule. In response to these comments, EPA stated that the Agency was reviewing ICP-MS

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   technology for possible proposal in a future rulemaking. EPA has completed this review and in today's direct final rule is approving three methods that use ICP-MS technology. The methods are equivalent and published by EPA, American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTM), and the Standard Methods (SM) Committee. The methods are EPA 200.8, ASTM D5673-03, and SM 3125.

3. What Is EPA Doing Today?

   EPA is publishing this rule without prior proposal because we view this as a noncontroversial amendment and anticipate no adverse comment. These methods have been thoroughly vetted by industry and the drinking water community. The methods will decrease the implementation burden of the December 2000 Radionculides Rule that promulgated a drinking water standard for uranium. However, in the ``Proposed Rules'' section of today's Federal Register publication, we are publishing a separate document that will serve as the proposal to ``National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Analytical Method for Uranium'' if adverse comments are filed. This rule will be effective on August 31, 2004, without further notice unless we receive adverse comment by July 2, 2004. If EPA receives adverse comment, we will publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register informing the public that the rule will not take effect. We will address all public comments in a subsequent final rule based on the companion proposed rule published separately in today's Federal Register.

4. Summary of ICP-MS Technology

   EPA reviewed ICP-MS methods published by EPA, ASTM International, and the Standard Methods Committee. In each of these methods, sample material in solution is introduced by pneumatic nebulization into a radiofrequency plasma where energy transfer processes cause desolvation, atomization and ionization. The ions are extracted from the plasma through a differentially pumped vacuum interface and separated on the basis of their mass-to-charge ratio by a quadrupole mass spectrometer having a minimum resolution capability of one atomic mass unit peak width at five percent peak height. The ions transmitted through the quadrupole are detected by an electron multiplier or Faraday detector and the ion information processed by a data handling system. The sensitivity of each ICP-MS method for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water is acceptable and is sensitive enough to detect at less than one part per billion (1 ug/L). The uranium MCL is 30 ug/L.

   EPA reviewed each of these methods for performance and applicability to compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water. Three of these methods, EPA 200.8, ASTM D5673-03 and SM 3125, have acceptable performance and are otherwise suitable for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water. Method EPA 200.8 was published by EPA in 1994; method ASTM D5673-03 was published by ASTM International in 2003; and SM 3125 was published by the Standard Methods Committee in 1998. In today's action, EPA is approving the use of these ICP-MS methods for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water. EPA is taking this action in response to stakeholder requests.

   EPA is not, in today's action, approving the use of these methods for any other purposes. EPA notes that EPA 200.8 was approved for compliance determinations of several regulated metals in drinking water on December 5, 1994. (59 FR 62456) EPA also recognizes that the other two ICP-MS methods approved through today's action for determination of uranium may also be applicable to monitoring for other drinking water contaminants. Although the analytical scope of ASTM D5673-03 and SM 3125 extends beyond uranium, these two methods were not published until 2003 and 1998, respectively. In a later rulemaking, EPA may consider extending the use of ASTM D5673-03 and SM 3125 to compliance determinations of regulated metals.

   Like flourometric and laser phosphorimetry methods, ICP-MS measures uranium mass only; therefore all caveats discussed in the December 2000 Radionuclides Rule on using mass methods to determine contributions to gross alpha also apply (65 FR 76724).

   Today's direct final rule does not effect approval of the 15 methods currently specified at 40 CFR 141.25(a) for compliance determinations of uranium.

5. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

   1. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review

      Under Executive Order 12866, (58 FR 51735 (October 4, 1993)) the Agency must determine whether the regulatory action is ``significant'' and therefore subject to OMB review and the requirements of the Executive Order. The Order defines ``significant regulatory action'' as one that is likely to result in a rule that may:

      (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or Tribal governments or communities;

      (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency;

      (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or

      (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in the Executive Order.

      It has been determined that this rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the terms of Executive Order 12866 and is therefore not subject to OMB review.

   2. Paperwork Reduction Act

      This action does not impose an information collection burden under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. This action does not impose any new requirements, it only approves three additional voluntary analytical methods for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water.

      Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information.

      An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9.

   3. Regulatory Flexibility Act

      The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires an agency to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to notice and comment rulemaking requirements under the

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      Administrative Procedure Act or any other statute unless the agency certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Small entities include small businesses, small organizations, and small government jurisdictions.

      The RFA provides default definitions for each type of small entity. It also authorizes an agency to use alternative definitions for each category of small entity, ``which are appropriate to the activities of the agency'' after proposing the alternative definition(s) in the Federal Register and taking comment. 5 U.S.C. 601(3)-(5). In addition to the above, to establish an alternative small business definition, agencies must consult with the Small Business Administration's (SBA's) Chief Counsel for Advocacy.

      For purposes of assessing the impacts of today's rule on small entities, EPA considered small entities to be public water systems serving 10,000 or fewer persons. This is the cut-off level specified by Congress in the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act for small system flexibility provisions. In accordance with the RFA requirements, EPA proposed using this alternative definition in the Federal Register (63 FR 7620, February 13, 1998), requested public comment, consulted with the Small Business Administration (SBA), and finalized the alternative definition for all future drinking water regulations in the Consumer Confidence Reports regulation (63 FR 44511, August 19, 1998). As stated in that Final Rule, the alternative definition would be applied to this regulation as well.

      This direct final rule imposes no cost on any entities over and above those imposed by the final Radionuclides Rule. (65 FR 76708) This action merely allows three additional analytical methods for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water. The adoption of these methods are voluntary because drinking water systems can continue to use the existing approved methods.

      After considering the economic impacts of today's final rule on small entities, I certify that this action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

   4. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

      Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public Law 104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the effects of their regulatory actions on State, local, and Tribal governments and the private sector. Under section 202 of the UMRA, EPA generally must prepare a written statement, including a cost-benefit analysis, for proposed and final rules with ``Federal mandates'' that may result in expenditures to State, local, and Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or to the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year. Before promulgating an EPA rule for which a written statement is needed, section 205 of the UMRA generally requires EPA to identify and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and adopt the least costly, most cost-effective or least burdensome alternative that achieves the objectives of the rule. The provisions of section 205 do not apply when they are inconsistent with applicable law. Moreover, section 205 allows EPA to adopt an alternative other than the least costly, most cost-effective or least burdensome alternative if the Administrator publishes with the final rule an explanation why that alternative was not adopted. Before EPA establishes any regulatory requirements that may significantly or uniquely affect small governments, including Tribal governments, it must have developed under section 203 of the UMRA a small government agency plan. The plan must provide for notifying potentially affected small governments, enabling officials of affected small governments to have meaningful and timely input in the development of EPA regulatory proposals with significant Federal intergovernmental mandates, and informing, educating, and advising small governments on compliance with the regulatory requirements.

      Today's rule contains no Federal mandates (under the regulatory provision of Title II of the UMRA) for State, local, or Tribal governments or the private sector. The rule imposes no enforceable duty on any State, local, or Tribal governments or the private sector. It merely provides drinking water utilities with three additional voluntary analytical methods to use to meet existing monitoring requirements. Thus, today's rule is not subject to the requirements of sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA.

      EPA has determined that this final rule contains no regulatory requirements that might significantly or uniquely affect small governments. The adoption and use of these methods is voluntary because drinking water systems can continue to use the existing approved methods. Thus, today's rule is not subject to the requirements of section 203 of the UMRA.

   5. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

      Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999), requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.'' ``Policies that have federalism implications'' is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.''

      This final rule does not have Federalism implications. It will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132. There is no cost to State and local governments, and the final rule does not preempt State law. This direct final rule imposes no cost on any State, or local governments. This final rule merely provides for the voluntary use of three additional analytical methods for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water. Thus, Executive Order 13132 does not apply to this final rule.

   6. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments

      Executive Order 13175, entitled ``Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 67249, (November 9, 2000), requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory policies that have tribal implications.'' ``Policies that have tribal implications'' is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and the Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal government and Indian tribes.''

      This final rule does not have Tribal implications. It will not have substantial direct effects on Tribal governments, on the relationship between the Federal government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal government and Indian tribes, as specified in Executive Order 13175. There is no cost to Tribal governments,

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      and the final rule does not preempt Tribal law. This final rule imposes no additional cost on any Tribal government. This final rule merely provides for the voluntary use of three additional analytical methods for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this rule.

   7. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental Health and Safety Risks

      Executive Order 13045: ``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19885 April 23, 1997) applies to any rule that: (1) Is determined to be ``economically significant'' as defined under Executive Order 12866, and (2) concerns an environmental health or safety risk that EPA has reason to believe may have a disproportionate effect on children. If the regulatory action meets both criteria, the Agency must evaluate the environmental health or safety effects of the planned rule on children, and explain why the planned regulation is preferable to other potentially effective and reasonably feasible alternatives considered by the Agency.

      EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those regulatory actions that are based on health or safety risks, such that the analysis required under section 5-501 of the Order has the potential to influence the regulation. This rule is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it does not establish an environmental standard intended to mitigate health or safety risks. This final rule merely provides for the voluntary use of three additional analytical methods for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water.

   8. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use

      This rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355 (May 22, 2001)) because it is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

1. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

   Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (``NTTAA''), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs EPA to use voluntary consensus standards in its regulatory activities unless to do so would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., materials specifications, test methods, sampling procedures, and business practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies. The NTTAA directs EPA to provide Congress, through OMB, explanations when the Agency decides not to use available and applicable voluntary consensus standards.

   This rulemaking involves technical standards. In addition to approving EPA 200.8, EPA has decided to use two voluntary consensus methods (ASTM International D5673-03, and the Standard Methods (SM) Committee 3125) for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water. Approval of these methods is in accordance with the goals of the NTTAA. EPA believes that ICP-MS analytical methods could be more cost- effective, less labor-intensive or more sensitive than some of the technologies previously approved in the December 2000 Radionuclides Rule. (65 FR 76708) This rule does not withdraw approval of any previously approved monitoring methods for uranium. Copies of both voluntary consensus methods are available for viewing at the docket facility identified in section I.B.1.

   10. Congressional Review Act

   The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). This rule will be effective August 31, 2004.

   List of Subjects for 40 CFR Part 141

   Environmental protection, Chemicals, Incorporation by reference, Indians-lands, Intergovernmental relations, Radiation protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Water supply.

   Dated: May 24, 2004. Michael O. Leavitt, Administrator.

   0 For the reasons set out in the preamble, title 40, chapter 1 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

   PART 141--NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS

   0 1. The authority citation for part 141 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300f, 300g-1, 300g-2, 300g-3, 300g-4, 300g- 5, 300g-6, 300j-4, 300j-9, and 300j-11.

   0 2. Section 141.25 is amended as follows: 0 a. Revising the entry for uranium in the table at paragraph (a), 0 b. Revising footnote 1 in the table at paragraph (a), 0 c. Revising footnote 2 in the table at paragraph (a), 0 d. Revising footnote 3 in the table at paragraph (a), 0 e. Revising footnote 5 in the table at paragraph (a), 0 f. Revising footnote 6 in the table at paragraph (a), 0 g. Revising footnote 8 in the table at paragraph (a), 0 h. Revising footnote 12 in the table at paragraph (a), and 0 i. Adding footnote 13 in the table at paragraph (a). The revisions and addition read as follows:

   Sec. 141.25 Analytical methods for radioactivity.

   (a) * * *

   Reference (method or page number) Contaminant

   Methodology ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ EPA \1\ EPA \2\ EPA \3\ EPA \4\

   SM \5\

   ASTM \6\

   USGS \7\

   DOE \8\

   * * * * * * * Uranium \12\....................... Radiochemical......... 908.0 ........ ........ ........ 7500-U B

   ................... ...................... ............ Fluorometric.......... 908.1 ........ ........ ........ 7500-U C (17th Ed.)

   D 2907-97

   R-1180-76, R-1181-76 U-04 ICP-MS................ \13\ ........ ........ ........ 3125

   D5673-03

   ...................... ............ 200.8

   [[Page 31013]]

   Alpha spectrometry.... ........ ........ 00-07 p-33 7500-U C (18th, 19th or 20th D3972-97

   R-1182-76

   U-02 Ed.) Laser Phosphorimetry.. ........ ........ ........ ........ ................................ D5174-97

   ...................... ............

   * * * * * * * The procedures shall be done in accordance with the documents listed below. The incorporation by reference of documents 1 through 10 and 13 was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies of the documents may be obtained from the sources listed below. Information regarding obtaining these documents can be obtained from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791. Documents may be inspected at EPA's Drinking Water Docket, EPA West, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room B135, Washington, DC (Telephone: 202-566-2426); or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html .

   e_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html .

   Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161 (Telephone 800-553-6847), PB 80-224744, except Method 200.8, ``Determination of Trace Elements in Waters and Wastes by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry,'' Revision 5.4, which is published in ``Methods for the Determination of Metals in Environmental Samples--Supplement I,'' EPA 600-R-94-111, May 1994. Available at NTIS, PB95-125472. \2\ ``Interim Radiochemical Methodology for Drinking Water'', EPA 600/4-75-008(revised), March 1976. Available at NTIS, ibid. PB 253258. \3\ ``Radiochemistry Procedures Manual'', EPA 520/5-84-006, December, 1987. Available at NTIS, ibid. PB 84-215581. \4\ ``Radiochemical Analytical Procedures for Analysis of Environmental Samples'', March 1979. Available at NTIS, ibid. EMSL LV 053917. \5\ ``Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater'', 13th, 17th, 18th, 19th Editions, or 20th edition, 1971, 1989, 1992, 1995, 1998. Available at American Public Health Association, 1015 Fifteenth Street NW., Washington, DC 20005. Methods 302, 303, 304, 305 and 306 are only in the 13th edition. Methods 7110B, 7500-Ra B, 7500-Ra C, 7500-Ra D, 7500-U B, 7500- Cs B, 7500-I B, 7500-I C, 7500-I D, 7500-Sr B, 7500-3H B are in the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th editions. Method 7110 C is in the 18th, 19th and 20th editions. Method 7500-U C Fluorometric Uranium is only in the 17th Edition, and 7500-U C Alpha spectrometry is only in the 18th, 19th and 20th editions. Method 7120 is only in the 19th and 20th editions. Methods 302, 303, 304, 305 and 306 are only in the 13th edition. Method 3125 is only in the 20th edition. \6\ Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 11.01 and 11.02, 1999; ASTM International any year containing the cited version of the method may be used. Copies of these two volumes and the 2003 version of D 5673-03 may be obtained from ASTM International. 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA, 19428-2959. \7\ ``Methods for Determination of Radioactive Substances in Water and Fluvial Sediments'', Chapter A5 in Book 5 of Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations of the United States Geological Survey, 1977. Available at U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Information Services, Box 25286, Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225-0425. \8\ ``EML Procedures Manual'', 28th (1997) or 27th (1990) Editions, Volumes 1 and 2; either edition may be used. In the 27th Edition Method Ra-04 is listed as Ra-05 and Method Ga-01-R is listed as Sect. 4.5.2.3. Available at the Environmental Measurements Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), 376 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014-3621. * * * * * * * \12\ If uranium (U) is determined by mass, a 0.67 pCi/[mu]g of uranium conversion factor must be used. This conversion factor is based on the 1:1 activity ratio of U-234 and U-238 that is characteristic of naturally occurring uranium. \13\ ``Determination of Trace Elements in Waters and Wastes by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry,'' Revision 5.4, which is published in ``Methods for the Determination of Metals in Environmental Samples--Supplement I,'' EPA 600-R-94-111, May 1994. Available at NTIS, PB 95-125472. * * * * * * *

   [FR Doc. 04-12299 Filed 6-1-04; 8:45 am]

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