ABSTRACT
The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 requires the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs) for contaminants that may pose adverse human health effects. EPA must regulate 9 contaminants within one year of enactment, another 40 within two years, and 34 additional contaminants within three years. Drinking Water Criteria Documents (CDs) have been or are being prepared for each contaminant to be regulated. The contaminants currently scheduled for regulation by 1987, 1988, and 1989. If at any time during the CD and regulatory processes data become available which indicate that the proposed maximum contaminant level goals and/or maximum contaminant levels are inadequate to protect human safety, feasibility of regulations may be amended. Additionally, the relevance and adequacy of the NPDWRs are to be reviewed at least every three years and revised regulations promulgated when appropriate.
