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UCMR5 is Coming!

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the reproposed Revisions to the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) for Public Water Systems. This action fulfills a key commitment in EPA’s PFAS Action Plan by proposing monitoring for 29 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. The action also proposes monitoring for lithium. The UCMR5 proposal includes monitoring for six PFAS that were part of UCMR3, now using new analytical methods that support lower reporting levels. The proposal would require pre-sampling preparations in 2022, sample collection from 2023-2025, and reporting of final results through 2026. The proposed rule reflects a significant increase in the number of participating small systems, from the typical 800 to approximately 6,000 small systems, dependent on appropriations.

EPA will host two identical virtual meetings (via webinar) on April 6 and 7, 2021, to discuss the proposed UCMR 5. The meeting scope will include proposed monitoring requirements, analyte selection, analytical methods, laboratory approval process, and ground water representative monitoring plans (GWRMPs). EPA will provide additional information once the proposal is published in the Federal Register.

BSK has notified the EPA of our intent to participate in the UCMR 5 study.