No. 29648 (Amendment): R309-220-15. Standard Health Effects Language

DAR File No.: 29648
Filed: 03/14/2007, 10:49
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This amendment is in response to comments from Region 8 of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This clarification is needed to retain state primacy.

Summary of the rule or change:

This amendment adds a federal rule name to the standard health effects language for turbidity.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Sections 19-4-104 and 63-46b-4, and 40 CFR 141 and 142

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There is no impact to the state budget as the change simply clarifies existing language.

local governments:

There is no impact to local government as the change simply clarifies existing language.

other persons:

There is no impact to other persons as the change simply clarifies existing language.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There is no impact to the compliance costs for affected persons as the change simply clarifies existing language.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

The department agrees with the comments in the cost and compliance summaries above. Dianne R. Nielson, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Environmental Quality
Drinking Water
150 N 1950 W
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84116-3085

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

Patti Fauver at the above address, by phone at 801-536-4196, by FAX at 801-536-4211, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

05/01/2007

This rule may become effective on:

05/08/2007

Authorized by:

Ken Bousfield, Acting Director

RULE TEXT

R309. Environmental Quality, Drinking Water.

R309-220. Monitoring and Water Quality: Public Notification Requirements.

R309-220-15. Standard Health Effects Language.

Microbiological Contaminants:

(1) Total Coliform. Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potential problems.

(2) Fecal coliform/E.Coli. Fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.

(3) Total organic carbon. Total organic carbon (TOC) has no health effects. However, total organic carbon provides a medium for the formation of disinfection byproducts. These byproducts include trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acides (HAAs). Drinking water containing these byproducts in excess of the MCL may lead to adverse health effects, liver or kidney problems, or nervous system effects, and may lead to an increased risk of getting cancer.

(4) Turbidity. Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (IESWTR), Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT1) and Filter Backwash Recycling Rule (FBRR) violations.

(5) Giardia lamblia. Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

(6) Viruses. Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

(7) Heterotrophic plate count (HPC) bacteria. Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

(8) Legionella. Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

(9) Cryptosporidium. Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

 

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KEY: drinking water, public notification, health effects

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: May 21[March 6], 2007

Notice of Continuation: May 16, 2005

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 19-4-104; 63-46b-4