scholarly journals Research needs in drinking water: a basis in regulations in the United States

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph G. Jacangelo ◽  
Daniel J. Askenaizer ◽  
Kellogg Schwab

Regulations are one of the primary drivers for research on contaminants in drinking water in the United States. Since the original Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), enacted in 1974, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has developed a series of drinking water regulations. These regulations are focused on protecting public health. When evaluating available information on whether or not to regulate a constituent in drinking water, USEPA considers available information on health effects and occurrence of the constituent. The authors provide their view of the research needed for these contaminants. For inorganics, more data are needed on perchlorate. For organics, greater treatment and health effects information is warranted for N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Finally, more research is needed on analytical methods for noroviruses and other emerging pathogens.

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Viraraghavan ◽  
K. S. Subramanian ◽  
J. A. Aruldoss

The current United States maximum contaminant level for arsenic in drinking water is set at 50 μg/l. Because of the cancer risks involved, Canada has already lowered the maximum contaminant level to 25 μg/l; the United States Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing the current allowable level for arsenic with a view of lowering it significantly. Various treatment methods have been adopted to remove arsenic from drinking water. These methods include 1) adsorption-coprecipitation using iron and aluminum salts, 2) adsorption on activated alumina, activated carbon, and activated bauxite, 3) reverse osmosis, 4) ion exchange and 5) oxidation followed by filtration. Because of the promise of oxidation-filtration systems, column studies were conducted at the University of Regina to examine oxidation with KMnO4 followed by filtration using manganese greensand and iron-oxide coated sand to examine the removal of arsenic from drinking water; these results were compared with the data from ion exchange studies. These studies demonstrated that As (III) could be reduced from 200 μg/l to below 25 μg/l by the manganese greensand system. In the case of manganese greensand filtration, addition of iron in the ratio of 20:1 was found necessary to achieve this removal.


2005 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 1345-1464 ◽  

The Claimant, Methanex Corporation (“Methanex“), initiated this arbitration against the Respondent, the United States of America (the “USA“), on 3rd December 1999 under Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA“), as a Canadian investor. As formulated in its Original Statement of Claim of 3rd December 1999, Methanex claimed compensation from the USA in the amount of approximately US$ 970 million (together with interest and costs), resulting from losses caused by the State of California's ban on the sale and use of the gasoline additive known as ‘ ‘MTBE'’ (methyl tertiary-butyl ether) which was then intended to become legally effective on 31st December 2002. MTBE is a synthetic, volatile, colourless and organic ether, with a turpentine-like taste and odour. Methanex was (and remains) the world's largest producer of methanol, a feedstock for MTBE. It has never produced or sold MTBE.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
William A. Horn ◽  
Joshua D. Beard

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (“EGLE”), formerly the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, is in the process of seeking primary enforcement responsibility from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) for its Underground Injection Control (“UIC”) program for Class II wells pursuant to Part C of the Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”).


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document