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result of prior use of lead- bearing solder, pipes and fittings in constructing plumbing systems in homes and businesses. The <br />1986 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) added a general prohibition on use of lead materials for <br />installing or repairing plumbing systems (42 U.S.C. 300g). <br />The EPA finalized regulations establishing requirements to minimize lead in drinking water supplies, which <br />includes corrosion control, public education, lead service line replacement and source water treatment to reduce lead levels <br />in drinking water. EPA, in addition to implementing the final regulation, should continue to enforce the ban on the use of <br />lead - bearing materials in home plumbing systems as required by SDWA. Enforcement at the source of pollution is more <br />effective and efficient than requiring water purveyors to introduce corrective measures. <br />The CRWUA supports definition of "control by the supplier" specifically as plumbing owned and operated by the <br />supplier for all constituents. Lead contamination is a prime example since public water suppliers may be able to reduce the <br />corrosivity of their drinking water; however, the water supplier has no control over lead leaching from the homeowners' <br />pipes. <br />Scientific and technical regulations must allow for public input in their development. For example, if Congress <br />does not believe that the lead regulation is stringent enough, it should legislatively direct EPA to craft more stringent <br />requirements. In this regard, public water suppliers should support a mandatory public education program: More stringent <br />treatment technique requirements are not feasible, cost - effective or more health protective. These requirements, on the <br />other hand, would cost water users millions of dollars without significant improvement in public exposure to lead in the <br />environment generally. <br />Radon is a serious inhalation health concern in some areas with a minimal contribution from the drinking water <br />supply. Because the SDWA requires the regulation of radon in drinking water, public water suppliers should have adequate <br />flexibility to minimize the radon water contribution at a reasonable cost, when the radon in the water contributes <br />meaningfully to the airborne radon levels. Most importantly, public education programs should be supported to educate the <br />public on ways to control radon in residential homes and buildings. <br />Recently perchlorate has been detected in some groundwater supplies in California and in Colorado River supplies <br />in the lower basin. Many studies have been conducted on the health effects of perchlorate since it was originally used to <br />treat Graves Disease (overactive thyroid). Additional data on the contribution of perchlorate from sources other than <br />drinking water need to be developed from which the EPA should establish a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for <br />perchlorate under the SDWA. Also the use of perchlorate has been nationwide. An assessment of industries that have <br />utilized perchlorate needs to be conducted as well as an assessment of potentially affected drinking water supplies. <br />Recent experience and investigations indicate that disposal of solid waste in dump sites overlying community <br />groundwater supplies can pose a serious threat of contamination to those supplies, particularly where those sites are located <br />in highly permeable areas that provide little or no opportunity to correct failures of containment systems. The federal <br />government already exercises authority over such dumpsites under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) <br />in cooperation with state and local agencies. <br />EPA recently lowered the drinking water standard for arsenic to 10 ppb. Serious questions remain regarding the <br />scientific validity of that number, with specific reference to the need for additional human health effects studies utilizing <br />data gathered in the United States, and a re- examination of certain underlying assumptions in the interpretation and use of <br />data from existing studies. In any event, given that ambient conditions exceed the standard in many communities across the <br />country, including numerous cities and towns in the West, it is imperative that the federal government provides financial <br />assistance to such entities as they undertake projects designed to reduce these arsenic levels. <br />Finally, EPA should provide adequate flexibility to public water suppliers to use their financial and technical <br />resources to provide optimum public health protection. <br />Resolution No. 2006 -8 - -- SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT <br />The Colorado River Water Users Association supports the purposes and implementation of the Safe Drinking <br />Water Act and urges the following with respect to its administration: <br />Capacity Development: <br />12 <br />