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Press Release Oct. 17, 2005

Public Water Systems Face Compliance Date for New Federal Standard for Arsenic; Facilities Must Meet Requirements Beginning January 2006

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 17 -- New federal drinking water
standards designed to lower the levels of arsenic in drinking water, take
effect Jan. 23, 2006, for Pennsylvania's public water systems, Environmental
Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said today.

The federal law lowers the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic
from 0.050 milligrams per liter (mg/L), or 50 parts per billion, to 0.010
mg/L, or 10 parts per billion.

"The department has been working aggressively to make sure drinking water
suppliers understand the federal requirements and have in place the mechanisms
they need to meet the new standard," McGinty said. "Ensuring a smooth
transition will strengthen public confidence in the systems that supply our
public drinking water."

DEP's outreach efforts have been ongoing for years as the new standards
were being developed and finalized.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted the new standard
for arsenic in drinking water Jan. 22, 2001. The rule became effective
Feb. 22, 2002. The date by which systems must begin complying with the new
standard is Jan. 23, 2006. DEP incorporates by reference federal MCLs as state
MCLs, making them applicable here.

DEP has been working with community water suppliers and nontransient,
noncommunity public water suppliers -- those that serve water to at least 25
of the same people for more than six months in a year, but not year-round --
to help bring their operations into compliance ahead of the effective date.

The department sent letters to all public water system operators in July
informing them of the change, and DEP staff members have been in direct
contact with systems identified as having arsenic levels above 0.010 mg/L in
past monitoring. According to historical information, about 90 of a total of
3,340 systems (or about 3 percent) have arsenic levels above 0.010 mg/L.

Efforts were made to inform these systems about various grants and other
programs available to offset the costs of installing treatment, such as DEP's
Growing Greener grants for innovative technologies and the Pennsylvania
Infrastructure Development Authority's funding, and about EPA's Arsenic
Treatment Technology Research Demonstrations and Environmental Technology
Verification (ETV) Program.

Initial compliance monitoring for arsenic will begin after the Jan. 23
effective date for the new MCL. State regulations require water systems in
violation of the MCL to issue public notification and conduct more frequent
monitoring as interim measures until treatment is provided to reduce the
arsenic levels or a new source is brought on line.

Some studies have linked long-term exposure to high levels of arsenic in
drinking water to cancer of the bladder and lungs. Short-term exposure to
high doses of arsenic can cause other adverse health effects, but such effects
are unlikely to occur from Pennsylvania's public water supplies that are in
compliance with the existing arsenic standard of 0.050 mg/L.

EPA set the current standard of 0.050 mg/L in 1975, based on a Public
Health Service standard originally established in 1942. A March 1999 report
by the National Academy of Sciences concluded standards should be strengthened
further to protect public health.

Arsenic occurs naturally in rocks and soil, water, air, plants and
animals. It can be released into the environment through natural activities
such as volcanic action, erosion of rocks and forest fires, or through human
activities.

For more information on the new rule, visit DEP's Web site at
http://www.dep.state.pa.us, Keyword: "Drinking Water."

CONTACT: Charlie Young
(717) 787-1323

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Web Site: http://www.dep.state.pa.us