Information Collection Request for the Disinfectants/DisinfectionByproducts, Chemical, and Radionuclides Rules
OMB Control No. 2040-0204
EPA ICR No. 1896.11
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 IDENTIFICATION OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTION 1
1(a) Title and Number of the Information Collection 1
2 NEED FOR AND USE OF THE COLLECTION 3
2(a) Need/Authority for the Collection 3
3 NON-DUPLICATION, CONSULTATIONS, AND OTHER COLLECTION CRITERIA 9
3(b) Public Notice Required Prior to ICR Submission to OMB 9
3(d) Effects of Less Frequent Collection 9
4 RESPONDENTS AND INFORMATION REQUESTED 11
4(a) Respondents/NAICS Codes 11
4(b)(ii) Respondent Activities 26
5 INFORMATION COLLECTED — AGENCY ACTIVITIES, COLLECTION METHODOLOGY, AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT 28
5(b) Collection Methodology and Management 29
5(c) Small Entity Flexibility 30
6 ESTIMATING BURDEN AND COST OF COLLECTION 32
6(a)(i) Burden to Public Water Systems 32
6(a)(ii) Burden to Primacy Agencies 35
6(b)(i) Cost to Public Water Systems 37
6(b)(ii) Cost to Primacy Agencies 37
6(c) Agency Burden and Costs 39
6(d) Estimating Respondent Universe and Total Burden and Costs 39
6(e) Bottom Line Burden Hours and Costs 39
6(f) Reasons for Change in Burden 41
6(f)(i) Restructuring Adjustments 41
LIST OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1: Structure of OGWDW ICRs 5
Exhibit 2: PWS Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements 12
Exhibit 3: Primacy Agency Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements 177
Exhibit 4: The EPA Requirements 29
Exhibit 5: Collection Schedule 31
Exhibit 6: Annual PWS Burden and Cost September 1, 2019 - August 31, 2022 38
Exhibit 7: Annual Primacy Agency Burden and Cost September 1, 2019 - August 31, 2022 38
Exhibit 8: Bottom Line Annual Burden and Cost September 1, 2019 - August 31, 2022 40
Exhibit 9: Summary of Changes in Annual Burden (Includes both PWS and Primacy Agency Burden) 41
Exhibit 11: Adjustments to PWS Burden from Previous ICR Estimates 43
Exhibit 12: Adjustments to Primacy Agency Burden from Previous ICR Estimates 44
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Structure of OGWDW ICRs…………………………………………………………….4
APPENDIX
Appendix A. Federal Register Notices Soliciting Comment on Information Collection Requests
ACRONYMS
AMWA Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies
ARCS Aircraft Reporting and Compliance System
ASDWA Association of State Drinking Water Administrators
AWWA American Water Works Association
BATs Best Available Technologies
BLS Bureau of Labor Statistics
CCR Consumer Confidence Report
CCT Corrosion Control Treatment
CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CT Contact Time
CWS Community Water System
CWSS Community Water System Survey
DBP Disinfection Byproduct
DBPR Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
DDBP/Chem/Rads Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts, Chemical, and Radionuclides Rules
DWSRF Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
EA Economic Analysis
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
ERP Enforcement Response Policy
ETT Enforcement Targeting Tool
FACA Federal Advisory Committee Act
FR Federal Register
GWR Ground Water Rule
HAA5 Haloacetic Acids
ICR Information Collection Request
IDSE Initial Distribution System Evaluation
IESWTR Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
IOCs Inorganic Compounds
LCR Lead and Copper Rule
LCRMR Lead and Copper Rule Minor Revisions
LSL Lead Service Line
LSLR Lead Service Line Replacement
LT1ESWTR Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
LT2ESWTR Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
MCL Maximum Contaminant Level
MCLG Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
MDL Method Detection Limit
MRDL Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
mrem Millirem
NAICS North American Industry Classification System
NAWC National Association of Water Companies
NDWAC National Drinking Water Advisory Council
NPDWRs National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
NRWA National Rural Water Association
NTNCWS Nontransient Noncommunity Water System
OECA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
OGWDW Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
O&M Operation and Maintenance
OMB Office of Management and Budget
pCi/L PicoCuries per liter
PN Public Notification
PRA Paperwork Reduction Act
PWS Public Water System
PWSS Public Water System Supervision
RCAP Rural Capacity Assistance Partnership
RegNeg Regulatory Negotiation
RFA Regulatory Flexibility Act
SBREFA Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act
SDWIS Safe Drinking Water Information System
SMF Standardized Monitoring Framework
SOCs Synthetic Organic Compounds
SWAP Source Water Assessment Program
SWTR Surface Water Treatment Rule
TCR Total Coliform Rule
TNCWS Transient Noncommunity Water System
TOC Total Organic Carbon
TTHM Total Trihalomethane
UCMR Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule
UIC Underground Injection Program
VOCs Volatile Organic Compounds
WQP Water Quality Parameter
1 IDENTIFICATION OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTION
1(a) Title and Number of the Information Collection
Title: Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts, Chemical, and Radionuclides Rules
OMB Control Number: 2040-0204
EPA ICR Number: 1896.11
The Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW) in the Office of Water at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for managing the Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) Program, a national program mandated by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Section 1412 of the SDWA requires the EPA to establish National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs) for contaminants that may adversely impact human health. The Act requires the EPA to monitor and enforce these regulations to ensure that the nation’s drinking water dependably complies with the maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) or maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs), as stipulated in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 40 CFR Part 141, Subpart B.
Section 1445 of the SDWA states that public water systems shall conduct monitoring, maintain records, and provide such information as is needed for the EPA to implement its monitoring and enforcement responsibilities with respect to the Act. Primacy agencies, state governments that have assumed primary enforcement responsibility under SDWA section 1413, ensure that PWSs are complying with these requirements.
As part of the PWSS Program, the EPA uses the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) to record drinking water compliance data collected to meet NPDWR requirements. These data assist the EPA in fulfilling its SDWA obligations. SDWIS is a database management system that assists the EPA in tracking and interpreting violations data and other program-related data. Revisions are currently being made to SDWIS. The EPA expects primacy agencies to transition to the revised system, a centralized, cloud-based system called SDWIS Prime, beginning in the current ICR period.
Many information collection requirements associated with the SDWA and its implementing regulations are associated with rulemakings that address specific contaminants or groups of contaminants. This ICR examines PWS, primacy agency, and the EPA burden and cost for radiological, chemical, and disinfection byproduct regulations only. Cross-cutting recordkeeping and reporting requirements are addressed in the PWSS Program ICR (OMB No. 2040-0090).
The specific regulations addressed in this ICR include the following:
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage 1 DBPR)
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage 2 DBPR)
Chemical Phase Rules (Phases II/IIB/V)
Radionuclides Rule
Disinfectant Residual Monitoring and Associated Activities under the
Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR)1
Arsenic Rule
Lead and Copper Rule (LCR)
This ICR estimates burden and costs for September 1, 2019 - August 31, 2022.
The total annual burden associated with this ICR is estimated to be 5.2 million hours. The total annual cost associated with this ICR is estimated to be approximately $455.9 million. The distribution of annual burden between PWSs and primacy agencies is approximately 3.2 million hours and 2.0 million hours, respectively (numbers may not add due to rounding). The distribution of annual costs between PWSs and primacy agencies is approximately $365 million and $91 million, respectively. The approximate annual operation and maintenance (O&M) and capital costs are $253 million, with $248 million attributed for O&M and $5.4 million for capital. There is no agency burden or cost. Section 6 provides details of all burden and cost estimates.
The total annual number of respondents for this ICR is 146,772. Fifty-seven of these respondents are primacy agencies and the remaining 146,715 respondents are existing PWSs. The total annual number of responses is 12.8 million: that is, 11.8 million for PWSs and 1.0 million for primacy agencies.
2 NEED FOR AND USE OF THE COLLECTION
2(a) Need/Authority for the Collection
This section identifies the regulatory or statutory authority for the information collection activities covered in this ICR and explains the EPA’s need for the information. A summary of the major types of recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the contaminants covered by this ICR is provided in Section 4.
To allow the public to better understand the impact of the recordkeeping and reporting requirements stemming from the SDWA and 40 CFR Parts 141 and 142, the EPA has organized its ICRs so that related activities are addressed in the same ICR. Specifically, there are three primary ICRs — the Microbial Rules ICR, the Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts, Chemical, and Radionuclides Rules (DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules) ICR, and the Public Water Systems Supervision Program (PWSS Program) ICR. The Microbial Rules ICR includes rules addressing microbial contaminants, such as the Total Coliform Rule (TCR), Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), and Ground Water Rule (GWR). The PWSS Program ICR includes public notification and rules and programs addressing cross-cutting requirements that are not contaminant-specific. The DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR includes rules addressing chemical contaminants. The specific regulations addressed in this ICR are:
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage 1 DBPR)
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage 2 DBPR)
Chemical Phase Rules (Phases II/IIB/V)
Radionuclides Rule
Disinfectant Residual Monitoring and Associated Activities under the Surface
Water Treatment Rule (SWTR)2
Arsenic Rule
Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), including the Lead and Copper Rule Short Term Revisions
For a graphical depiction of the structure of the ICRs, see Figure 1. A complete itemization of the activities included in the three primary ICRs is included as Exhibit 1.
The information collected under this ICR is required by the EPA to carry out its monitoring and enforcement responsibilities as specified under the SDWA. Without comprehensive, up-to-date information on these contaminants, the EPA would not be able to meet these statutory requirements.
Exhibit 1: Structure of OGWDW ICRs
Currently covered |
To be covered in the future |
PWSS Program ICR (2040-0090)
|
|
Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) |
|
Variances & Exemptions |
|
Capacity Development Program |
|
General State Primacy Activities |
|
Public Notification (PN) |
|
Operator Certification Program |
|
Tribal Operator Certification |
|
Constructed Conveyances |
|
Proficiency Testing |
|
Microbial Rules ICR (2040-0205)
|
|
Surface Water Treatment Rule, except disinfectant residual monitoring and associated activities3 |
|
Total Coliform Rule/ Revised Total Coliform Rule |
|
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (IESWTR) |
|
Filter Backwash Recycling Rule |
|
Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT1ESWTR) |
|
Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR) |
|
Ground Water Rule |
|
Aircraft Drinking Water Rule |
|
Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts, Chemical, and Radionuclides Rules ICR (2040-0204)
|
|
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule |
Lead and Copper Rule Long Term Revisions |
Disinfectant Residual Monitoring and associated activities under the SWTR |
|
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule |
|
Chemical Phase Rules |
|
Radionuclides Rule |
|
Arsenic Rule |
|
Lead and Copper Rule |
|
Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) ICR (2040-0197)
|
|
SWAP |
|
Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program ICR (2040-0042)
|
|
UIC Base Program Activities |
|
Classes I-VI Rules |
|
Florida Class I Rule |
|
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Program ICR (2040-0185)
|
|
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program |
|
Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey ICR (2040-0274)
|
|
Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey |
|
Title VI of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002: Drinking Water Security and Safety ICR (2040-0253) |
|
Vulnerability Assessments and Emergency Response Plans for community water systems (CWSs). |
|
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule ICR (2040-0270)
|
|
Monitoring of Unregulated Contaminants (UCMR 3) |
UCMR 4 |
Laboratory Quality Assurance Evaluation Program for Analysis of Cryptosporidium ICR (2040-0246)
|
|
Proficiency Testing Program for Laboratories Analyzing Cryptosporidium Samples |
|
To implement its compliance oversight and enforcement responsibilities under the SDWA, the EPA requires PWSs to monitor for various drinking water contaminants. The results of this monitoring must be reported to primacy agencies, which in turn report a specified subset of this information in SDWIS. Additionally, both PWSs and primacy agencies must maintain records of analytic results and other related activities (e.g., sanitary survey results). If these monitoring requirements were voluntary, the EPA would not receive timely, comprehensive data on contaminant levels and associated acute and long-term public health risks. Specifically, voluntary monitoring would not:
Reliably occur with sufficient frequency.
Follow uniform national standards on quality of sampling, collection, and analysis.
Ensure that monitoring addresses all contaminants listed in the regulations.
The EPA uses SDWIS data to estimate the costs of new regulations and to conduct economic and policy analyses that promote cost-effective regulatory approaches. These uses are discussed in more detail in section 2(b) below.
Section 4 of the ICR contains a summary of the major types of chemical contaminant recordkeeping and reporting requirements, as mandated by 40 CFR parts 141 and 142. Specifically, most reporting required by PWSs can be found in 40 CFR 141.31, 141.34, and 141.35.
Most recordkeeping requirements for PWSs are codified in 40 CFR 141.33, which requires that the results of chemical analyses be kept for a period of at least 10 years. Reporting and recordkeeping required by states can be found in 40 CFR 142.15 and 142.14, respectively.
Primary users of the data collected under this ICR are the EPA, PWS managers, and primacy agencies, which include state regulators and Indian tribes. This section contains more information about how chemical-related data are used specifically for analytical monitoring, regulatory enforcement, oversight of state programs, implementation assistance, economic and policy analyses, and other EPA and public data evaluations. These functions are discussed in greater detail below.
Primacy agencies maintain records on the analytical results of monitoring and use these data to:
Determine compliance with national standards.
Modify monitoring frequencies, schedules, and variances to address potential health risks.
Evaluate the quality of water delivered to customers.
Alert the public, when the system is not in compliance with federal and state regulations so that they may take actions to minimize exposure to potentially harmful drinking water contaminants.4
Quarterly and annual reports that primacy agencies must submit to the EPA include PWS inventory, enforcement actions, and analytical results. This reporting is required to establish primacy and maintain eligibility for grants. All of this information is stored in SDWIS, which supports overall maintenance and retrieval of information.
The EPA and primacy agencies use the data collected to assist small systems in implementing SDWA requirements, including developing and evaluating PWS capacity. Capacity development is a state program designed to help all drinking water systems, particularly small systems, enhance their technical, managerial, and/or financial capacity to achieve or maintain their compliance with drinking water regulations.
SDWIS data are used in the development of economic analyses for proposed regulations or revisions of existing regulations. The data help to determine a system’s susceptibility and vulnerability to contaminants. Data are also used by the EPA to conduct analyses used in developing new policies, regulations, and guidance documents. When analyzing economic or financial impacts on the public water systems or consumers, the EPA uses compliance data from SDWIS, and other national survey data, to estimate the number of systems that would have to install treatment technologies or apply contamination reduction measures to reduce public health risks. Without such data, the EPA would be unable to predict costs and benefits that systems would incur under new or revised regulations.
The information collected by the EPA is made available to the public via the EPA’s public website https://ofmpub.epa.gov/apex/sfdw/f?p=108:1:0::NO:1::) or by requesting the data via the Freedom of Information Act (40 CFR, Chapter 1, Part 2). Other organizations that utilize the data include:
Staff from other EPA programs (such as Superfund, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance (OECA))
Federal Emergency Management Administration
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Military bases
Farmers Home Administration
Department of Interior
Department of Housing and Urban Development
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
White House Task Forces
American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA)
National Rural Water Association (NRWA)
National Association of Water Companies (NAWC)
Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA)
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
3 NON-DUPLICATION, CONSULTATIONS, AND OTHER COLLECTION CRITERIA
The EPA has consulted state environmental programs, other federal agencies, and regulated entities, such as PWSs and their representative trade associations, to ensure the data collection efforts associated with this ICR are not duplicative. To the best of the EPA's knowledge, data currently required by the SDWA and its drinking water regulations, codified at 40 CFR Parts 141 and 142, are not available from any other source.
3(b) Public Notice Required Prior to ICR Submission to OMB
The EPA solicited public comment on this ICR for a 60-day period before it was submitted to OMB (83 FR 45929, September 11, 2018). The EPA published a notice in the Federal Register (FR) requesting comment on the estimated respondent burden and other aspects of this ICR. The EPA did not receive any comments during the 60-day comment period.
An additional FR notice will be published prior to submission of this ICR to OMB. The public comment period for this additional notice is 30 days.
In November 2018, the EPA consulted with representatives of PWSs and states regarding the accuracy of the EPA’s burden estimates. The groups consulted were NAWC, NRWA, AWWA, AMWA, ASDWA, and RCAP. The EPA received comments from ASDWA. ASDWA’s comments were general in nature and did not change the burden estimates in this ICR.
3(d) Effects of Less Frequent Collection
The EPA has chosen to require the least frequent collection that remains consistent with the overall goal of protecting public health. If data are collected less frequently, primacy agencies may not identify in a timely fashion significant contaminant concentrations that might threaten the health and safety of drinking water consumers.
For some rules, the primacy agency has discretion in adjusting monitoring schedules, where possible, by granting waivers or reducing the monitoring frequency and/or sites. Monitoring frequencies vary based on the type of contaminant, system characteristics, and compliance history.
The only exceptions from the Paperwork Reduction Act and 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2) occur based on recordkeeping requirements specified by regulation.
No confidential information will be collected as a result of this ICR.
No information of a sensitive nature concerning sexual behavior or attitudes, religious beliefs, or other matters usually considered private will be collected as a result of this ICR.
4 RESPONDENTS AND INFORMATION REQUESTED
Data associated with this ICR are collected and maintained at the PWS, state, and federal levels. Respondents include:
Owners/operators of PWSs, who must report to their primacy agency.
Primacy agencies and EPA Regions that act as primacy agencies in Indian lands and in states that do not have primacy.
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for PWSs is 22131. The NAICS codes for state agencies that include drinking water programs are 92411 (Administration of Air and Water Resources and Solid Waste Management Programs) or 92312 (Administration of Public Health Programs). Ancillary systems (i.e., those that supplement the function of other establishments like factories, power plants, mobile home parks, etc.) cannot be categorized in a single NAICS code. For ancillary systems, the NAICS code is that of the primary establishment or industry.
Each PWS is required to report to its primacy agency monitoring results received from laboratories. As required by 40 CFR 141.33, PWSs must either maintain analytical reports or transfer the following information regarding sample results:
Date, place, and time of sampling.
Name of the person who collected the sample.
Identification of the sample as a routine distribution system sample, check sample, raw or process water sample, or other special purpose sample.
Date of analysis.
Laboratory and person responsible for performing analysis.
Contaminants for which the analysis was performed.
Analytical technique/method used.
Results of the analysis.
PWSs are required to submit and keep records on additional information such as public education on lead, monitoring plans, waiver applications, and disinfection calculations. Exhibit 2 further describes the respondent information collection requirements covered by the DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR.
Exhibit 2
PWS Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements
Requirement |
Regulatory Citation |
Frequency/ Retention Period |
General Requirements (apply to all regulations) |
||
Reporting |
|
|
Except where a different period is specified in an individual drinking water regulation, PWSs are required to submit the following to the state: |
||
Results of any test measurement or analysis required in 40 CFR Part 141. |
40 CFR 141.31(a) |
At the end of the required monitoring period |
Failure to comply with any NPDWR, including failure to monitor. |
40 CFR 141.31(b) and (c) |
As necessary, unless state lab performs analysis and reports results to state |
Copies of records required to be maintained under 40 CFR 141.33 and/or copies of documents that the state is entitled to under section 1445 of SDWA or state law. |
40 CFR 141.31(e) |
As requested |
Recordkeeping |
||
Except where a different period is specified in an individual drinking water regulation, PWSs are required to retain the following information: |
||
Records of bacteriological, or chemical analyses and related information. |
40 CFR 141.33(a) |
5 years for bacteriological data; 10 years for chemical data
|
Records of actions taken by the PWS to correct violations of NPDWRs. |
40 CFR 141.33(b) |
3 years after last action taken related to the violation |
Copies of any written reports, summaries, or communications relating to sanitary surveys. |
40 CFR 141.33(c) |
10 years |
Records concerning a variance or exemption granted. |
40 CFR 141.33(d) |
5 years following the expiration of the variance or exemption |
Stage 1 DBPR |
||
Reporting |
|
|
Report to the state specified sampling information (including MCL or MRDL exceedances) about disinfectants, disinfection byproducts (DBPs), and DBP precursors. |
40 CFR 141.134(a) through (d) |
Quarterly or as necessary for systems sampling less frequently than quarterly |
Develop and submit application to state for approval of alternative minimum total organic carbon (TOC) removal levels. |
40 CFR 141.135(b)(3)and (4) |
As necessary |
Develop and submit application to state for approval of waiver of enhanced coagulation requirements. |
40 CFR 141.135(b)(4)(v) |
One time |
Stage 2 DBPR |
||
Reporting |
|
|
Develop and submit an Initial Distribution System Evaluation (IDSE) Plan and Report or 40/30 certification or very small system waiver. |
40 CFR 141.600 |
One time |
Recordkeeping |
|
|
Records of IDSE Reports |
40 CFR 141.601(c)(4) |
Ten years |
Results of operational evaluations to be discussed with states |
40 CFR 141.626 |
Ten years |
Chemical Phase Rules (Phases II, IIB, and V) |
||
Reporting |
||
Apply to state for asbestos monitoring waiver. |
40 CFR 141.23(b)(2) and (4) |
Every 3 years, if applicable |
Apply to state for inorganic compound (IOC) monitoring waiver. |
40 CFR 141.23(c)(2) and (3) |
Every 9 years, if applicable |
Apply to the state to conduct more frequent IOC monitoring. |
40 CFR 141.23(h) |
One time, if applicable |
Apply to state for volatile organic compounds (VOC) monitoring waiver. |
40 CFR 141.24(f)(7) and (10) |
Every 6 years or frequency specified by state, if applicable |
Apply to state for synthetic organic compound (SOC) monitoring waiver. |
40 CFR 141.24(h)(5) and 141.24(h)(7)(iv) |
Every 3 years, if applicable |
Notify state of MCL exceedances. |
40 CFR 141.23(m) through (o) |
As necessary |
Submit written treatment technique certification to state regarding acrylamide and epichlorohydrin levels. |
40 CFR 141.111 |
Annually, if applicable |
Radionuclides |
||
Reporting |
||
Notify state of MCL exceedances for contaminants specified in 40 CFR 141.66(b)-(e). |
40 CFR 141.26(c)(5) |
As necessary |
SWTR (only disinfection residual monitoring and associated activities) |
||
Unfiltered Systems – Reporting |
||
Disinfection information specified in 40 CFR 141.74(b) |
40 CFR 141.75(a)(2) |
Within 10 days after the end of each month the system serves water to the public |
Filtered Systems - Reporting |
|
|
Disinfection information specified in 40 CFR 141.74(c) |
40 CFR 141.75(b)(2) |
Within 10 days after the end of each month the system serves water to the public |
Arsenic Rule |
||
Subject to general requirements as listed above. |
||
Lead and Copper Rule, Including October 2008 Short Term Revisions |
||
Reporting |
||
Report to the state any information required by the treatment provisions in Subpart I (especially 40 CFR 141.90). |
40 CFR 141.80(i) |
As required |
Tap water and water quality parameters (WQP) monitoring requirements
|
||
Water systems that exceed the lead action level must reevaluate lead service lines (LSLs) classified as “replaced” through testing if they resume lead service line replacement (LSLR) programs. |
40 CFR 141.84(b) & (c) |
As necessary |
Systems with less than 5 taps can take one sample per tap if approved by state. |
40 CFR 141.86 (c) 141.80(c)(3)(v) |
One time |
Report the specified information for all tap water samples and all WQP samples. |
40 CFR 141.90(a)(1) |
End of the applicable monitoring period |
Provide written documentation to the state identifying standing times and locations for enough non-first-draw samples to make up its sampling pool under 40 CFR 141.86(b)(5). |
40 CFR 141.90(a)(2)(i) |
As necessary |
If the state has waived prior approval of non-first-draw sample sites selected by the system, identify, in writing, each site that did not meet the six-hour minimum standing time and the length of standing time for that particular substitute sample. |
40 CFR 141.90(a)(2)(ii) |
As necessary |
For a water system deemed to have optimized corrosion control, a water system subject to reduced monitoring, or a water system subject to a monitoring waiver, send written documentation to the state describing any addition of a new source or any change in water treatment. |
40 CFR 141.81(b)(3)(iii);
|
As necessary |
For a water system, prohibit systems that exceed the lead action level from initiating or remaining on reduced monitoring based solely on results of WQP monitoring |
40 CFR 141.86(d)(4)(vi)(B)
|
As necessary |
For any small water system applying for a monitoring waiver, provide documentation to the state demonstrating that it meets the waiver criteria. |
40 CFR 141.90(a)(4)(i) |
As necessary |
For each small system desiring to maintain its monitoring waiver, provide written information to the state. |
40 CFR 141.90(a)(4)(ii) |
Every 9 years |
For each small system with a monitoring waiver, provide written notification to the state if the system is no longer free of lead-containing or copper-containing materials. |
40 CFR 141.90(a)(4)(iii) |
As necessary, within 60 days after becoming aware of change |
For each ground water system that limits WQP monitoring to a subset of entry points, provide written correspondence to the state that identifies selected entry points and includes information sufficient to demonstrate that the sites are representative of water quality and treatment conditions throughout the system. |
40 CFR 141.90(a)(5) |
One time, as necessary |
Provide the specified information to the state if the state calculates the 90th percentile concentrations. |
40 CFR 141.90(h)(2) |
End of monitoring period |
Source water monitoring reporting requirements
|
||
Report the sampling results for all source water samples collected in accordance with 40 CFR 141.88. |
40 CFR 141.90(b)(1) |
End of monitoring period |
Specify any site which was not sampled during the previous monitoring period and explain why the sampling point has changed. |
40 CFR 141.90(b)(2) |
As necessary, end of monitoring period
|
Corrosion control treatment reporting requirements
|
||
For systems demonstrating optimized corrosion control, provide the state information demonstrating that the PWS has conducted activities equivalent to the applicable corrosion control steps. |
40 CFR 141.81(b)(2), 141.90(c)(1) |
One time, as necessary |
For systems demonstrating optimized corrosion control, submit results of tap water monitoring and source water monitoring. |
40 CFR 141.81(b)(3) |
As necessary |
For systems deemed to have optimized corrosion control, notify the state in writing prior to any change in treatment or of the addition of a new source. |
40 CFR 141.81(b)(3)(iii) 141.86(d)(4)(vii); 141.86(g)(4)(iii); 141.90(a)(3)
|
As necessary |
Submit monitoring results that show two consecutive monitoring periods that meet both lead and copper action levels. |
40 CFR 141.81(c) |
As necessary |
Request in writing a modification of optimal CCT. |
40 CFR 141.82(h) |
As necessary
|
For systems required to evaluate the effectiveness of CCTs, report the information required by 40 CFR 141.82(c). |
40 CFR 141.90(c)(3) |
As necessary |
For systems required to install optimal corrosion control, submit a letter certifying that the system has completed installation. |
40 CFR 141.90(c)(4) |
As necessary |
Source water treatment reporting requirements
|
||
Provide to the state a recommendation regarding source water treatment. |
40 CFR 141.83(a)(1), 40 CFR 141.83(b)(1), 40 CFR 141.90(d)(1) |
As necessary, within 6 months of exceeding action level
|
Request in writing a modification of source water treatment or maximum permissible lead and copper concentrations. |
40 CFR 141.83(b)(6) |
As necessary |
For systems required to install source water treatment, submit a letter certifying that the system has completed installation of the designated treatment. |
40 CFR 141.90(d)(2) |
As necessary, within 24 months after state designates treatment
|
Public education program reporting requirements
|
||
Deliver written public education materials if a water system exceeds the lead action level based on tap water samples. |
40 CFR 141.85(a) & (c) |
As necessary, timing varies by type of system
|
Broadcast public service announcements if a CWS exceeds the lead action level based on tap water samples. |
40 CFR 141.85(b) & (c) |
As necessary |
Water systems that exceed the lead action level must provide information to additional at-risk populations and must conduct specified public education activities. Water systems must include a statement on lead in their CCR. Water systems certify to state that activities have been conducted. |
40 CFR 141.85(a) & (b);141.154 |
As necessary |
Apply to the state in writing to alter specified public education language (CWSs only). |
40 CFR 141.85(c)(7) |
As necessary |
Water systems must provide consumers who occupy homes or buildings that are part of the utility’s monitoring program, with testing results when their drinking water is tested for lead and copper. Water systems certify to state that results have been distributed. |
40 CFR 141.80(g); 141.85(d); 141.90(f)(3) |
As necessary |
For any water system that is subject to public education requirements, send written documentation to the state that contains specified information. |
40 CFR 141.90(f)(1) |
As necessary; end of each public education period |
Primacy agencies review and maintain records on monitoring results, approve monitoring plans, waivers, treatment changes, public education, and other documents submitted by PWSs. Primacy agencies report compliance and enforcement data to the EPA and apply to the EPA for primacy to implement new drinking water regulations. Reporting and recordkeeping requirements for states are described in more detail in Exhibit 3.
Primacy Agency Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements
Requirement |
Regulatory Citation |
Frequency/Retention Period |
General Requirements (apply to all regulations) |
||
Reporting |
||
Submit reports to the Administrator containing new violations by PWS and new enforcement actions by states that occurred during the previous quarter. |
40 CFR 142.15(a)(1) and (2) |
Quarterly |
Recordkeeping |
||
Maintain records of tests, measurements, analyses, decisions, and determinations performed on each PWS to determine compliance with applicable provisions of state primary drinking water regulations. |
40 CFR 142.14(a) |
Varies |
Retain files, which shall include for each PWS in the state, records of any state approvals and records of any enforcement actions. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(2) and (3) |
12 years |
Stage 1 DBPR |
||
Reporting |
||
Review and make determination regarding approval of application for use of alternative minimum TOC removal levels. |
40 CFR 141.135(b)(1) |
As necessary |
Review and make determination regarding application for approval of waiver of enhanced coagulation requirements. |
40 CFR 141.135(b)(4)(v) |
One time, as necessary |
Recordkeeping |
||
Records of the currently applicable or most recent state determinations, including all supporting information and an explanation of the technical basis for each decision, made under the following provisions of 40 CFR Part 141, Subpart L for the control of disinfectants and DBPs. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(12) |
12 years |
Records of systems that are installing granular activated carbon or membrane technology. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(12)(i) |
12 years |
Records of systems that are required, by the state, to meet alternative minimum TOC removal requirements or for whom the state has determined that the source water is not amenable to enhanced coagulation. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(12)(ii) |
12 years |
Records of Subpart H systems using conventional treatment meeting any of the alternative compliance criteria. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(12)(iii) |
12 years |
A register of qualified operators that have met the state requirements. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(12)(iv) |
12 years |
Records of systems with multiple wells considered to be one treatment plant. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(13) |
12 years |
Monitoring plans for Subpart H systems serving more than 3,300 persons. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(14) |
12 years |
List of laboratories approved for analyses. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(15) |
12 years |
List of systems required to monitor for disinfectants and DBPs in accordance with Part 141, Subpart L. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(16) |
12 years |
Stage 2 DBPR |
||
Recordkeeping |
|
|
A record of all current monitoring requirements and the most recent monitoring frequency decision pertaining to the contaminant. |
40 CFR 142.14(a)(8) |
In perpetuity, until replaced or revised |
Records of IDSE monitoring plans submitted by PWSs plus any modifications, until replaced by approved IDSE reports. |
40 CFR 142.14(a)(8)(i) |
In perpetuity, until replaced or revised |
Records of IDSE reports and 40/30 certifications and any modifications required by the state, until replaced or revised. |
40 CFR 142.14(a)(8)(ii) |
In perpetuity, until replaced or revised |
Operational evaluations submitted by a system. |
40 CFR 142.14(a)(8)(iii) |
Ten years |
Special Primacy Requirements |
|
|
An application for approval of a state program revision that adopts 40 CFR Part 141, Subpart L, must contain a description of how the state will accomplish the program requirements. |
40 CFR 142.16(h) |
One time |
Chemical Phase Rules (Phases II, IIB, and V) |
||
Reporting |
||
Make determination regarding asbestos waiver requests. |
40 CFR 141.23(b)(3) and (4) |
3 years, as necessary |
Make determination regarding IOC waiver requests. |
40 CFR 141.23(c)(2) through (4) |
9 years, as necessary |
Make determination regarding VOC waiver. |
40 CFR 141.24(f)(7), (8), and (10) |
6 years or frequency specified by state, as necessary |
Make determination regarding SOC waiver requests. |
40 CFR 141.24(h)(5) and (6) |
3 years, as necessary |
Recordkeeping |
||
Records for most recent vulnerability determination, including monitoring results and other data supporting the determination, the state’s findings, and any additional bases for such determination. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(4) |
In perpetuity or until more current vulnerability determination has been issued |
Records of all current monitoring requirements and most recent monitoring frequency decision pertaining to each contaminant, including the monitoring results and other data supporting the decision, the state’s findings, and any additional bases for such decision. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(5) |
In perpetuity or until a more recent monitoring frequency decision has been issued |
Records of most recent asbestos repeat monitoring determination, including monitoring results and other data supporting the determination, the state’s findings, and any additional bases for the determination and the repeat monitoring frequency. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(6) |
In perpetuity or until more current repeat monitoring determination has been issued |
Records of annual certifications received from systems pursuant to Part 141, Subpart K demonstrating the system’s compliance with the treatment techniques for acrylamide and/or epichlorohydrin. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(7) |
12 years |
Radionuclides |
||
Reporting |
||
Evaluate and draft written response for a system request to use historical monitoring data. |
40 CFR 141.26(a)(2)(ii)(C) |
As necessary |
Determine whether to designate a system as vulnerable and notify system of the determination. |
40 CFR 141.26(b)(1) |
As necessary |
Designate system using waters contaminated by nuclear facility effluent and notify system of determination. |
40 CFR 141.26(b)(2) |
As necessary |
Recordkeeping |
||
Subject to general requirements as listed above. |
||
SWTR (only disinfectant residual monitoring and associated activities) |
||
Reporting |
||
Subject to general requirements as listed above |
||
Recordkeeping |
||
Records of disinfectant residual measurements and other parameters necessary to document disinfection effectiveness. |
40 CFR 142.14(a)(4)(i) |
1 year |
Records of decisions to allow an unfiltered or filtered PWS to sample residual disinfectant concentration at alternate locations if it also has ground water source(s). |
40 CFR 142.14(a)(4)(ii)(A)(4) and (6) |
40 years, or 1 year after decision is reversed or revised |
Records of any decision that a violation of monthly contact time (CT) compliance requirements was caused by circumstances that were unusual and unpredictable. |
40 CFR 142.14(a)(4)(ii)(B)(1) |
1 year |
Records of any decision that a violation of the disinfection effectiveness criteria was not caused by a deficiency in treatment of the source water. |
40 CFR 142.14(a)(4)(ii)(B)(2) |
1 year |
Records of any decision that failure to meet the disinfectant residual concentration requirements of 40 CFR 141.72(a)(3)(i) was caused by circumstances that were unusual and unpredictable. A copy of the decision must be provided to the system. |
40 CFR 142.14(a)(4)(ii)(C)(2) |
40 years, unless filtration is installed |
Records of decisions that an unfiltered or filtered system has no means for having a sample transported and analyzed for heterotrophic plate count by a certified laboratory under the requisite time and temperature conditions and that the system is providing adequate disinfection in the distribution system, so that the disinfection requirements do not apply, and the basis for the decision. A copy of the decision must be provided to the system. |
40 CFR 142.14(a)(4)(ii)(C)(9) and (10), respectively |
Until the decision is reversed or revised |
Records of decisions that a system using a disinfectant other than chlorine may use CT 99.9 values other than those in tables 2.1 or 3.1 and /or other operational parameters to determine if the minimum total inactivation rates are being met. A copy of the decision must be provided to the system. |
40 CFR 142.14(a)(4)(ii)(C)(13) |
Until the decision is reversed or revised |
Arsenic Rule |
|
|
Reporting |
|
|
Subject to general requirements as listed above |
|
|
Recordkeeping |
|
|
Subject to general requirements as listed above |
|
|
Lead and Copper Rule |
||
Reporting |
||
Notify the system after an approval decision has been made in regards to the system’s request to add a new source of water or change a treatment process prior to implementation. |
40 CFR 141.81(b)(3)(iii); 141.86(d)(4)(vii); 141.86(g)(4)(iii); 141.90(a)(3)
|
As necessary |
Provide written notice to PWSs explaining the basis for determining if the PWS has optimized corrosion control and specifying the water quality control parameters that represent optimal corrosion control. |
40 CFR 141.81(b)(2) |
As necessary |
Notify a system in writing of any determination requiring a system to repeat treatment steps previously completed. |
40 CFR 141.81(c) |
As necessary |
Specify corrosion control studies or optimal CCT (after a small or medium system exceeds the lead or copper action level). |
40 CFR 141.81(e)(2) |
Within 18 months (medium systems) or 24 months (small systems) of exceedance |
Designate optimal CCT (if a small or medium system has performed corrosion control studies). |
40 CFR 141.81(e)(4) |
As necessary, within 6 months of system completing studies |
For small and medium systems, designate optimal WQPs. |
40 CFR 141.81(e)(7) |
As necessary, within 6 months of system completing follow-up sampling |
Notify PWSs in writing of decisions on optimal CCT. |
40 CFR 141.82(d)(2) |
As necessary |
Modify determinations of optimal CCT in writing. |
40 CFR 141.82(h) |
As necessary or as requested |
Notify the system in writing of determinations regarding necessary source water treatment. |
40 CFR 141.83(a)(2),141.83(b)(2) |
As necessary, within 6 months of submission of monitoring results |
Notify the system in writing of designations for maximum permissible source water levels. |
40 CFR 141.83(a)(5), 141.83(b)(4) |
As necessary within 6 months of completing tap and source water monitoring. |
Provide in writing revised source water treatment or maximum permissible lead and copper concentrations along with a basis for the decision and an implementation schedule. |
40 CFR 141.83(b)(6) |
As necessary or as requested |
Review public education materials content and consult on activities. Review and track system certification. |
40 CFR 141.85(a) |
As necessary |
Notify a system in writing if a shorter LSLR schedule is required. |
40 CFR 141.84(e) |
As necessary, within 6 months after system triggered into LSLR |
Review and track system certification regarding distribution of tap samples to individual monitoring locations. |
40 CFR 141.80(g); 141.85(d); 141.90(f)(3) |
As necessary |
Notify the system of approval of non-first-draw sample sites. |
40 CFR 141.86(b)(5) |
As necessary |
If applicable, review system request and approve in writing or by site verification the number of taps for sampling. |
40 CFR 141.80(c)(3)(v); 141.86 (c) |
One time |
Specify sampling locations when a system is conducting reduced monitoring. |
40 CFR 141.86(c) |
As necessary |
Notify the system in writing when the state determines that a system is eligible to commence reduced monitoring. |
40 CFR 141.86(d)(4)(ii) & (iii) |
As necessary |
Notify system of alternate period for collecting reduced lead and copper tap samples. |
40 CFR 141.86(d)(4)(iv)(B) |
As necessary |
Document in writing the decision and rationale for invalidating a sample. |
40 CFR 141.86(f)(3) |
As necessary |
Notify the system in writing of its waiver determination and the conditions of the waiver. |
40 CFR 141.86(g)(3) |
As necessary |
Notify a system if its waiver has been revoked. |
40 CFR 141.86(g)(5)(iii) |
As necessary |
Review additional monitoring data and reports from systems that have exceeded the lead action level. |
40 CFR 141.86(d)(4)(vi)(B)
|
As necessary |
Report to the EPA the following information related to each system’s compliance with lead and copper requirements:
|
||
For each large and medium PWS, all 90th percentile lead levels calculated during each monitoring period, and the first and last day of the monitoring period for which the 90th percentile lead level was calculated. |
40 CFR 142.15(c)(4)(iii)(A) |
Quarterly |
For each small PWS, the 90th percentile lead level calculated during each monitoring period in which the systems exceeds the lead action level, and the first and last day of each monitoring period in which an exceedance occurred. |
40 CFR 142.15(c)(4)(iii)(B) |
Quarterly |
For each PWS, the 90th percentile copper level calculated during each monitoring period in which the system exceeds the copper action level, and the first and last day of each monitoring period in which an exceedance occurred. |
40 CFR 142.15(c)(4)(iii)(C) |
Quarterly |
For each PWS for which the state has designated optimal WQPs or which the state has deemed to have optimized corrosion control, the date of the determination and the paragraph(s) under which the state made its determination. |
40 CFR 142.15(c)(4)(iii)(D) |
Quarterly |
For each PWS required to begin replacing LSLs, the date each system must begin replacement. |
40 CFR 142.15(c)(4)(iii)(E) |
Quarterly |
For each PWS that has implemented optimal corrosion control, completed applicable source water treatment requirements or completed LSLR requirements and the date of the state's determination that these requirements have been met. |
40 CFR 142.15(c)(4)(iii)(F) |
Quarterly |
Recordkeeping |
||
Maintain records of currently applicable or most recent state determinations, including all supporting information and explanation of technical basis for each decision. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(8) |
12 years |
For any system deemed to be optimized, maintain records of any conditions imposed by the state to ensure the continued operation and maintenance of CCT in place. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(8)(i) |
12 years |
Maintain records of decisions to require a system to conduct CCT studies. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(8)(ii) |
12 years |
Maintain records of designations of optimal CCT. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(8)(iii) |
12 years |
Maintain records of designations of optimal WQPs. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(8)(iv) |
12 years |
Maintain records of decisions to modify a PWS’s optimal CCT or WQPs. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(8)(v) |
12 years |
Maintain records of determinations of source water treatment. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(8)(vi) |
12 years |
Maintain records of designations of maximum permissible concentrations of lead and copper in source water. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(8)(vii) |
12 years |
Maintain records of determinations establishing shorter LSLR schedules. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(8)(viii) |
12 years |
Maintain records of determinations of additional monitoring requirements and/or other actions required to maintain optimal corrosion control by systems monitoring for lead and copper at the tap less frequently than once every six months that change treatment or add a new source of water. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(8)(ix) |
12 years |
Maintain records of system-specific decisions regarding the content of written public education materials and/or the distribution of these materials. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(8)(x) |
12 years |
Maintain records of system-specific determinations regarding use of non-first-draw samples at NTNCWSs and CWSs that operate 24 hours a day. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(8)(xi) |
12 years |
Maintain records of system-specific designations of sampling locations for systems subject to reduced monitoring. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(8)(xii) |
12 years |
Maintain records of system-specific determinations pertaining to alternative sample collection periods for systems subject to reduced monitoring. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(8)(xiii) |
12 years |
Maintain records of determinations of small system monitoring waivers, waiver recertifications, and waiver revocations. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(8)(xiv) |
12 years |
Maintain records of determinations regarding representative entry point locations at ground water systems. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(8)(xv) |
12 years |
Maintain records of reports and any other information submitted by PWSs. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(9) |
12 years |
Maintain records of state activities to verify compliance with state determinations. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(10)(i) |
12 years |
Maintain records of state activities to verify compliance with the requirements related to partial LSLR and compliance with LSLR schedules. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(10)(ii) |
12 years |
Maintain records of state activities to invalidate tap water lead and copper samples. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(10)(iii) |
12 years |
Maintain records of each system’s currently applicable or most recently designated monitoring requirements. |
40 CFR 142.14(d)(11) |
12 years or until a new decision, determination, or designation has been issued |
4(b)(ii) Respondent Activities
PWSs and primacy agencies must complete the activities described in the sections below.
Public Water Systems
PWSs are required to monitor for compliance with the MCLs or MRDLs as established in 40 CFR part 141, subpart B. Public water system owners and operators are required to report laboratory results to the state at frequencies specified in the EPA regulations. In addition, they are required to record, maintain, and report the analytical results of these monitoring efforts in accordance with 40 CFR part 141, subparts C and D. General activities carried out by PWSs implementing the regulations addressed in this ICR are described in Exhibit 2.
Primacy Agencies
States are currently required to maintain records of state verification activities and each determination made and to report to the EPA through SDWIS in accordance with state reporting requirements (40 CFR 142.14). Primacy agencies ensure the implementation of the rules covered by this ICR. To meet their responsibilities, the primacy agencies conduct the following activities:5
Make compliance determinations.
Provide training and technical assistance to PWSs.
Maintain data management systems.
Establish the monitoring schedules.
Review plans and specifications.
Enter monitoring and enforcement data.
Keep records and supporting information, including state determinations and explanations for technical decisions regarding rule implementation.
A detailed description of monitoring and other data collection and reporting requirements for each of the drinking water rules included in this ICR is found in Exhibit 3.
5 INFORMATION COLLECTED — AGENCY ACTIVITIES, COLLECTION METHODOLOGY, AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
The EPA maintains SDWIS and evaluates SDWIS data to determine system compliance. The EPA personnel also reformat, distribute, and store these data for a number of uses, including responding to Congressional and public inquiries. The EPA also oversees the EPA regional and state programs, provides technical assistance, and develops policies designed to ensure consistent program implementation.
The EPA’s requirements are outlined in Exhibit 4 below. Most of the burden and costs for these activities are addressed in the PWSS Program ICR (OMB No. 2040-0090). The EPA will also conduct primacy activities in states, tribes, and territories that do not have primacy. Specifically, the EPA will be involved in the following activities:
Planning and implementation.
Training PWS and providing technical assistance.
Analyzing and reviewing PWS data.
Making compliance determinations concerning PWSs.
Recordkeeping.
Burden and costs for these activities are accounted for under the primacy agency burden (see section 6).
The EPA Requirements
Requirement |
Regulatory Citation |
Frequency |
General Requirements (apply to all regulations) |
||
For states and other entities for which the EPA maintains primacy, the Agency must maintain the records and perform the reporting activities required of states. |
40 CFR 142.14 and 142.15 |
As necessary |
Review state request for approval of a program revision and notify state of determination regarding request. |
40 CFR 142.12(d)(3) |
One time, as necessary |
Stage 1 DBPR |
||
Subject to general requirements as listed above. |
||
Stage 2 DBPR |
||
Subject to general requirements as listed above. |
||
Chemical Phase Rules (Phases II, IIB, and V) |
||
Subject to general requirements as listed above. |
||
Radionuclides |
||
Subject to general requirements as listed above. |
||
SWTR (only disinfectant residual monitoring and associated activities) |
||
Subject to general requirements as listed above. |
||
Arsenic Rule |
||
Subject to general requirements as listed above. |
||
Lead and Copper Rule |
||
Subject to general requirements as listed above. |
5(b) Collection Methodology and Management
Primacy agencies must report data to the EPA on a quarterly basis. These data include any new data and revisions or corrections to existing data. This data is reported to EPA electronically. This information is maintained in SDWIS6, which contains the following:
Inventory data for each PWS.
Violations, enforcement actions, and some follow-up activity.
Variances and exemptions (where applicable).
SDWIS data support a number of rule implementation and program management activities, which promote consistent national program implementation. SDWIS data are used to identify compliance trends with specific regulations, prioritize public water systems that might require training and technical assistance to return to compliance, and provide insights into how the primacy agency makes compliance determinations.
All costs for rule-related data management activities are addressed in the PWSS Program ICR (OMB No. 2040-0090). Section 5(b) of the PWSS Program ICR contains additional detail regarding the activities supported by the previously described collection of SDWIS data.
In developing rules contained in this ICR, the EPA considered the requirement of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) to minimize the burden of information collections on small entities. Small entities include “small businesses,” “small organizations,” and “small government jurisdictions.” These terms are defined below.7
A small business is any business that is independently owned and operated and not dominant in its field, as defined by the Small Business Administration regulations under section 3 of the Small Business Act.
A small organization is any non-profit enterprise that is independently owned and operated and not dominant in its field.
A small governmental jurisdiction is the government of a city, county, town, township, village, school district, or special district that has a population of fewer than 50,000. This definition may also include Indian tribes.
The major requirement under the SBREFA is a regulatory flexibility analysis of all rules that have a “significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.” This ICR is not associated with new rules. Therefore, this ICR is not subject to the SBREFA.
Exhibit 5 contains a summary of the collection schedules for each rule. Given the wide range of phase-in schedules for the respective rules, additional information may be obtained by consulting the individual rules for specific collection schedules.
Exhibit 5
Collection Schedule8
Rule |
Collection Commencement |
Disinfectant residual monitoring and associated activities for the SWTR |
1991/1993 (depending on filtration status) |
Phase II |
1993 |
Phase IIB |
1993 |
Phase V |
1996 |
Stage 1 DBPR |
2002/2004 (depending on system size and source) |
Stage 2 DBPR |
2006 |
Radionuclides Rule |
2003 |
Arsenic Rule |
2006/2007 (depending on source water) |
Lead and Copper Rule |
1994 |
6 ESTIMATING BURDEN AND COST OF COLLECTION
This section discusses the assumptions used to estimate burden and costs and describes the change in annual burden, as compared with the 2016 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR. This ICR updates the annual burden and costs associated with these rulemakings for September 1, 2019 - August 31, 2022.
The EPA is committed to accurately characterizing the burden and costs of rules it promulgates. Consequently, the EPA has refined some of the assumptions for calculating the burden and costs associated with implementing the drinking water regulations contained in this ICR. For this update, assumptions were revised based on program changes and well-documented changes. To provide a comparable basis on which to calculate the requirements addressed by the DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR and to address inconsistencies, the EPA applied uniform assumptions to all rules. The categories of assumptions are listed below.
Labor rates: For PWSs, a 2018 labor rate of $21.87 was obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). An overhead rate of 60 percent was applied, resulting in an hourly rate of $34.99. For states, a 2018 labor rate of $29.97 was obtained from the BLS. An overhead rate of 60 percent was applied, resulting in an hourly rate of $47.95.
PWS inventory figures from the most recent frozen SDWIS database pull (October 2018).
Number of entry points per system, as reported in the 2006 Community Water System Survey (CWSS).
Number of plants per system, as reported in the 2006 CWSS.
6(a)(i) Burden to Public Water Systems
The annual PWS burden for September 1, 2019, through August 31, 2022, is estimated to be approximately 3.2 million hours. Exhibit 6 tabulates the annual burden hours on a rule-specific basis. Activity-level burden assumptions were carried forward from previous ICRs. If updated data, such as system inventories and results of consultations on burden, were available, those data were used in burden calculations. The following further describes the basis for the burden estimates for each rule.
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Activities associated with the Stage 1 DBPR account for 0.51 million annual burden hours. The assumptions used to calculate the Stage 1 DBPR burden are based largely on assumptions from the September 1998 Information Collection Request for the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage 1 DBPR ICR). The burden for systems includes only monitoring. The specific burden for monitoring includes the following:
Paired TTHM/HAA5
Alkalinity and paired TOC
Bromate
Chloride dioxide
Chlorite (both daily and monthly monitoring)
Chlorine or chloramines (in the distribution system)9
At this point, reduced monitoring burden has not been estimated for the above contaminants, with the exception of alkalinity and paired TOC monitoring, for which this ICR carried forward reduced monitoring rate estimates from the September 1998 Stage 1 DBPR ICR. The Stage 2 DBPR burden estimates account for any additional monitoring that may be required in addition to monitoring already required under Stage 1 DBPR.
Section 6(f) describes the reasons for changes between the burden reported in the 2016 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR and this ICR.
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Over the 3 years covered by this ICR, the total national respondent burden to PWSs is estimated at an annual average of 0.047 million hours (see Exhibit 7). Initial Distribution System Evaluation (IDSE) activities were completed during a previous ICR period, as were Stage 2 compliance monitoring plans. The next two sections describe the burden estimates for the current ICR period in greater detail.
Additional Routine Compliance Monitoring
Systems began conducting additional routine compliance monitoring during the previous ICR period. This monitoring is in addition to monitoring required under the Stage 1 DBPR. This requirement is not applicable to the majority of the public water systems. The burden for monitoring takes into account any changes in TTHM and HAA5 monitoring requirements resulting from the IDSE conducted during a previous ICR period. All small PWSs, regardless of whether or not they conducted Cryptosporidium monitoring under the LT2ESWTR, began to comply with the Stage 2 MCLs previous to this ICR period.
Operational Evaluations
An operational evaluation must include an examination of distribution system operational practices and how these practices may be modified to reduce TTHM and HAA5 levels. Systems must discuss their evaluations with the primacy agency. Systems with operational evaluations incur costs in the year that the operational level is exceeded. This began in previous ICR periods once systems had one year’s worth of compliance monitoring data and continues forward in this ICR period.
Chemical Phase Rules
PWS activities associated with the Chemical Phase Rules account for a burden of 0.35 million hours per year. The burden estimate includes routine and reduced sampling for IOCs, VOCs, and SOCs under the schedules dictated by the SMF. The assumptions used to calculate the Chemical Phase Rule burden are based on assumptions from the 1993 PWSS Program ICR, which maintained most assumptions and burden estimates from the individual ICRs for the Phase II, IIB, and V rules, with an adjustment to the waiver rate assumptions (in the 2004 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR) to more accurately reflect actual waiver issuance rates. Section 6(f) describes the reasons for changes between the burden reported in the 2016 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR and this ICR.
Radionuclides Rule
Annual PWS burden for the Radionuclides Rule is estimated to be 0.02 million hours. This is based on burden assumptions carried forward from the 2000 Radionuclides Rule ICR.
Monitoring burden is for the following contaminants:
Gross alpha
Beta and photon emitters
Combined radium-226/-228
Uranium
Section 6(f) describes the reasons for changes between the radionuclides burden reported in the 2016 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR and this ICR.
Disinfectant Residual Monitoring and Associated Activities under the SWTR
As stated previously, this ICR includes burden estimates only for the disinfectant residual monitoring and associated activities required under the SWTR. The Microbial Rules ICR addresses the burden and costs for all other SWTR requirements. Implementation of the SWTR disinfectant residual monitoring and associated activities is estimated to result in an annual PWS burden of 1.1 million hours. Included in the estimate is burden for:
Distribution system residual monitoring.
Calculation of inactivation ratio using CT values for unfiltered systems.
Measurement of pH and temperature, as necessary to calculate CT.
Entry point residual monitoring for filtered systems.
Entry point residual monitoring for unfiltered systems.
Section 6(f) describes the reasons for changes between the burden reported in the 2016 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR and this ICR.
Arsenic Rule
This ICR addresses the burden and cost for arsenic monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping for 2019 through 2022. PWSs monitor arsenic in accordance with the standard monitoring framework schedule. In this 3-year ICR period, systems with existing waivers are expected to incur burden for reapplying. Implementation of the Arsenic Rule is estimated to result in an annual PWS burden of 0.18 million hours.
Lead and Copper Rule
The average annual respondent burden is 1.0 million hours for reporting, recordkeeping, and public education activities of the LCR. Only CWSs and NTNCWSs incur a burden associated with LCR requirements. The burden accounts for the provisions of the short-term revisions, which require that systems:
Take additional tap samples for lead if they are on reduced monitoring and the lead action level of 0.015 mg/L is exceeded.
Provide revised public education materials according to revised delivery requirements if the lead action level is exceeded, including a statement on lead in the CCR.
Notify the state before making long term treatment changes.
Notify customers of results of samples taken at customers’ homes.
Retest LSLs previously exempted from replacement if the lead action level is exceeded.
Section 6(f) describes the reasons for changes between the burden reported in the 2016 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR and this DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR.
6(a)(ii) Burden to Primacy Agencies
The annual burden for primacy agencies is estimated to be approximately 2.0 million hours. Exhibit 7 shows the annual burden hours on a rule-specific basis. Many other state activities, such as compliance assurance and data management, cannot be divided among specific rules and are included in the PWSS Program ICR as general primacy activities. The following briefly describes the basis for the burden estimates:
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
The annual state burden for the Stage 1 DBPR is expected to be 0.15 million hours. This reflects data entry and recordkeeping burden. Section 6(f) describes the reasons for changes between the Stage 1 DBPR burden reported in the 2016 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR and this ICR.
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
The annual state burden for the Stage 2 DBPR is expected to be 0.051 million hours. This reflects reporting and recordkeeping burden for maintaining records and tracking compliance by systems. This ICR also includes burden for reviewing operational evaluations. States are assumed to have already completed their IDSE oversight activities and review of compliance monitoring plans.
Chemical Phase Rules
For states, the annual burden associated with the Chemical Phase Rules is estimated to be approximately 1.4 million hours. This reflects reporting and recordkeeping burden for routine and reduced sampling for IOCs, VOCs, and SOCs under the schedules dictated by the SMF. Estimates for primacy agency burden for the Chemical Phase Rules are based on State Workload Model10 assumptions carried forward from the 1993 PWSS Program ICR. Note that the burden associated with oversight of arsenic monitoring is discussed separately below. Section 6(f) describes the reasons for changes between the Chemical Phase Rules burden reported in the 2016 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR and this ICR.
Radionuclides Rule
For the Radionuclides Rule, annual state burden is estimated to be 2,228 hours. The annual state burden is based on burden assumptions carried forward from the 2016 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR. Burden is calculated for primacy agency staff for recordkeeping, reporting, and compliance tracking and analysis requirements, based on the number of analyses conducted by PWSs. Section 6(f) describes the reasons for changes between the radionuclides burden reported in the 2016 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR and this ICR.
Disinfectant Residual Monitoring and Associated Activities under SWTR
As stated previously, this ICR includes burden estimates for only disinfectant residual monitoring and associated activity components of the SWTR. The Microbial Rules ICR addresses the burden and costs for the other SWTR requirements. Implementation of the SWTR disinfectant residual monitoring is expected to result in an annual state burden of 0.16 million hours. Included in this estimate is burden associated with reviewing data for—
Distribution system residual monitoring.
Calculation of inactivation ratio using CT values.
Measurement of pH and temperature, as necessary to meet requirements.
Entry point residual monitoring for filtered systems.
Entry point residual monitoring for unfiltered systems.
Estimates for primacy agency burden for the SWTR are based on assumptions carried forward from the 2012 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR. Section 6(f) describes the reasons for changes between the burden reported in the 2016 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR and this ICR.
Arsenic Rule
For the Arsenic Rule, annual state burden is estimated to be 0.079 million hours. The annual state burden is based on assumptions carried forward from the 2016 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR and the 2000 Arsenic Rule ICR. Burden is calculated for primacy agency staff for oversight of monitoring activities. Burden is based on recordkeeping, reporting, and compliance tracking and analysis. In this 3-year ICR period, states will additionally incur burden to review waiver applications submitted by systems with existing waivers. Section 6(f) describes the reasons for changes between burden reported in the 2016 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR and this ICR.
Lead and Copper Rule
The EPA estimates that the annual burden incurred by primacy agencies for activities associated with the lead and copper regulation is approximately 0.18 million hours. This estimate includes costs for employing a corrosion control expert and costs to review various letters and results submitted by water systems in accordance with the LCR. It includes the additional burden associated with the LCR short term revisions, which estimate that states will spend extra time reviewing systems’ plans for changing treatment or adding a new source.
6(b)(i) Cost to Public Water Systems
Exhibit 6 shows the annual costs for PWSs over the three-year ICR period. Annual costs are estimated at approximately $365 million, which consists of $112 million in labor costs, $5.4 million in capital, and $248 million in O&M (numbers may not add due to rounding).
Labor costs are based on the number of hours times the average hourly wage rate, including overhead. In addition to labor costs, there are O&M costs associated with the each of the rules covered by this ICR. These O&M costs reflect non-labor costs associated with sample shipping and analysis for each of the rules, as well as material costs associated with public education materials and postage. These costs vary by rule according to the frequency and cost of a particular analysis.
In addition to O&M costs, the requirements of one rule (i.e., SWTR) result in capital costs to affected PWSs. Capital costs are incurred to buy and replace monitoring equipment necessary for on-site analysis of disinfectant residuals and water pH. Capital costs are based on vendor estimates for both in-line and portable equipment, as required by regulations. Equipment costs are based on a seven-year replacement cycle.
6(b)(ii) Cost to Primacy Agencies
Exhibit 7 shows that the annual cost to primacy agencies is estimated at approximately $91 million, which is comprised of labor costs. There are some O&M costs associated with the LCR ($4,861). There are no primacy agency capital costs associated with this ICR.
Exhibit 6 |
|||||||||||
Annual PWS Burden and Cost |
|||||||||||
September 1, 2019 - August 31, 2022 |
|||||||||||
Activity |
Annual Burden Hours |
Cost |
|||||||||
Annual Labor Cost ($K) |
Annual O&M Cost ($K) |
Annual Capital Cost ($K) |
Total Annual Cost ($K) |
||||||||
Stage 1 DBPR |
505,606 |
$17,490 |
$103,217 |
|
$120,707 |
||||||
Stage 2 DBPR |
47,458 |
$1,661 |
$5,496 |
|
$7,157 |
||||||
Chemical Phases Rules (Phases II/IIB/V) |
352,665 |
$12,340 |
$73,350 |
|
$85,690 |
||||||
Radionuclides Rule |
17,689 |
$619 |
$4,179 |
|
$4,798 |
||||||
Disinfectant Residual Monitoring and Associated Activities under SWTR |
1,051,045 |
$36,778 |
$55,017 |
$5,442 |
$97,237 |
||||||
Arsenic Rule |
179,473 |
$6,280 |
$1,378 |
|
$7,658 |
||||||
Lead and Copper Rule |
1,036,644 |
$36,795 |
$4,868 |
|
$41,663 |
||||||
TOTAL |
3,190,581 |
$111,963 |
$247,505 |
$5,442 |
$364,910 |
||||||
Note: Detail may not add exactly to totals due to rounding. |
|
|
|
||||||||
Exhibit 7 |
|
||||||||||
Annual Primacy Agency Burden and Cost |
|
||||||||||
September 1, 2019 - August 31, 2022 |
|
||||||||||
Activity |
Annual Burden Hours |
Cost |
|
||||||||
Annual Labor Cost ($K) |
Annual O&M Cost ($K) |
Annual Capital Cost ($K) |
Total Annual Cost ($K) |
|
|||||||
Stage 1 DBPR |
147,204 |
$6,713 |
|
|
$6,713 |
|
|||||
Stage 2 DBPR |
50,822 |
$2,437 |
|
|
$2,437 |
|
|||||
Chemical Phases Rules (Phases II/IIB/V) |
1,354,532 |
$61,767 |
|
|
$61,767 |
|
|||||
Radionuclides Rule |
2,228 |
$107 |
|
|
$107 |
|
|||||
Disinfectant Residual Monitoring and Associated Activities under SWTR |
157,278 |
$7,542 |
|
|
$7,542 |
|
|||||
Arsenic Rule |
79,345 |
$3,805 |
|
|
$3,805 |
|
|||||
Lead and Copper Rule |
179,366 |
$8,601 |
$5 |
|
$8,606 |
|
|||||
TOTAL |
1,970,776 |
$90,971 |
$5 |
N/A |
$90,975 |
|
|||||
Note: Detail may not add exactly to totals due to rounding. |
|
|
|
|
Burden and costs to the federal government are incurred by the EPA’s drinking water program to assist states in implementing drinking water regulations. The EPA burden and costs for general drinking water program implementation activities are accounted for under the PWSS Program ICR. Burden and costs included in the PWSS Program ICR cover all cross-cutting, non-rule specific regulatory activities associated with compliance tracking, regulatory enforcement, and rule development activities.11
6(d) Estimating Respondent Universe and Total Burden and Costs
Respondents for this ICR include both PWSs and primacy agencies. This ICR estimates that the number of PWS respondents is 146,715 PWSs.12 However, all PWSs are not necessarily subject to each of the information collection requirements contained in this ICR. The regulations associated with each rule identify the numbers and types of PWSs that are subject to each particular provision. In addition to the PWS respondents, this ICR assumes 57 primacy agencies (50 states plus D.C., U.S. Territories, and the Navajo Nation).13 Therefore, the total number of respondents is 146,772. The total costs and burden for these respondents are summarized in Exhibits 7 and 8.
6(e) Bottom Line Burden Hours and Costs
The bottom line burden hours and costs for this ICR are presented in Exhibit 8. The total annual respondent burden associated with this ICR, which includes burden for PWSs and primacy agencies, is estimated to be approximately 5.2 million hours. The corresponding total annual respondent costs (labor, capital, and O&M) are estimated to be $455.9 million. The portion of the total annual respondent costs attributable to capital and O&M costs is $253.0 million.
Exhibit 8 |
|||
Bottom Line Annual Burden and Cost |
|||
September 1, 2019 - August 31, 2022 |
|||
Annual Number of Respondents |
146,772 |
(=) |
|
146,715 |
(+) |
Existing PWSs |
|
57 |
|
Primacy agencies |
|
Total Annual Responses |
12,796,605 |
(=) |
|
11,832,971 |
(+) |
PWS responses (see Exhibit 6) |
|
963,634 |
|
Primacy agency responses (see Exhibit 7) |
|
Number of Responses per Respondent |
87.2 |
(=) |
|
12,796,605 |
(/) |
Total annual responses from above |
|
146,772 |
|
Total annual respondents from above |
|
Total Annual Respondent Hours |
5,161,356 |
(=) |
|
3,190,581 |
(+) |
PWS hours (see Exhibit 6) |
|
1,970,776 |
|
Primacy agency hours (see Exhibit 7) |
|
Hours per Response |
0.40 |
(=) |
|
5,161,356 |
(/) |
Total annual respondent hours from above |
|
12,796,605 |
|
Total annual responses from above |
|
Annual O&M and Capital Cost ($K) |
$252,952 |
(=) |
|
$247,505 |
(+) |
Total PWS O&M costs (see Exhibit 6) |
|
$5,442 |
(+) |
Total PWS capital costs (see Exhibit 6) |
|
$5 |
|
Total primacy agency O&M costs (see Exhibit 7) |
|
Total Annual Respondent Cost (Labor, Capital, and O&M) ($K) |
$455,885 |
(=) |
|
$364,910 |
(+) |
For PWSs (see Exhibit 6) |
|
$90,975 |
|
For primacy agencies (see Exhibit 7) |
|
Total Annual Hours (resp. plus Agency) |
5,161,356 |
(=) |
|
5,161,356 |
(+) |
Total annual respondent hours from above |
|
0 |
|
Total the EPA hours |
|
Total Annual Cost (resp. plus Agency) ($K) |
$455,885 |
(=) |
|
$455,885 |
(+) |
Total annual respondent cost from above |
|
0 |
|
Total the EPA cost |
|
Note: Detail may not add exactly to totals due to rounding. |
|
|
6(f) Reasons for Change in Burden
This section presents the change in burden and the reasons for the change in burden. The discussion is divided into two parts–
Section 6(f)(i) summarizes any restructuring adjustments being made for the addition of new stand-alone ICRs to the DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR. See Exhibit 10.
Section 6(f)(ii) summarizes other adjustments to the annual burden estimates associated with each rule in the 2012 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR. See Exhibits 11 through 13.
Exhibit 9 summarizes how each of these changes affects the overall burden inventory for the DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR.
Exhibit 9 |
|||
Summary of Changes in Annual Burden |
|||
(Includes both PWS and Primacy Agency Burden) |
|||
Type of Change |
Burden (hours) |
Running Total |
Comment |
Burden Estimated in the 2016 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR |
5,305,696 |
5,305,696 |
This burden serves as the baseline for the 2019 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR. |
Restructuring Adjustments–see Section 6(f)(i) |
0 |
5,305,696 |
2019 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR is not appended with burden from any new ICRs. |
Other Adjustments to Burden–see Section 6(f)(ii) |
(144,339) |
5,161,356 |
Burden for which the EPA seeks approval in this ICR. |
Note: Detail may not add exactly to totals due to rounding. |
6(f)(i) Restructuring Adjustments
No restructuring adjustments are being made for the addition of new stand-alone ICRs to the DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR, as shown in Exhibit 10. In the next revision to the DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR any burden from relevant standalone ICRs that have expired will be newly incorporated into the DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR.
Exhibit 10 |
||
Restructuring Adjustments to the Annual Burden Inventory |
||
for the DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR |
||
(Includes both PWS and Primacy Agency Burden) |
||
Action |
Annual Burden Hours |
Brief Explanation |
N/A |
5,305,696 |
Inventory for the 2016 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR carried forward as the baseline for 2019 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR (includes PWS and state burden) |
Add |
0 |
2019 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR is not appended with burden from any new ICRs. |
Total |
5,305,696 |
2019 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR inventory based on current burden inventories |
|
|
|
6(f)(ii) Other Burden Adjustments
Changes in calculated burden are a result of updating relevant baseline information for each rule with the most current and accurate information available. Where appropriate and available, estimated violation, waiver, and other associated rates have also been updated to reflect current information on rule compliance. Exhibits 11 and 12 summarize reasons for these changes and quantify the changes by rule. Burden adjustments associated with PWS activities resulted in a burden decrease of 0.13 million hours and are detailed in Exhibit 11. Burden adjustments for primacy agencies result in a decrease of 0.01 million hours per year, as shown in Exhibit 12.
Exhibit 11 |
||||
Adjustments to PWS Burden from Previous ICR Estimates |
||||
Activity |
Previous Annual Burden Estimate (Hours) |
2019
Annual |
Annual
Change in Burden |
Reason for Change in Annual Burden |
Stage 1 DBPR |
503,623 |
505,606 |
1,983 |
The increase in burden is attributed to a 0.8% increase in the number of public water systems serving more than 10,000. This increase in number of public water systems resulted in an increase in the number of locations that require residual disinfectant sampling under the Stage 1 DBPR. |
Stage 2 DBPR |
48,820 |
47,458 |
(1,361) |
The decrease in burden is attributable to a 1.5% decrease in overall system inventory used to calculate monitoring burden. |
Chemical Phases Rules (Phases II/IIB/V) |
356,602 |
352,665 |
(3,938) |
The decrease in burden is attributable to a 1.5% decrease in overall system inventory used to calculate monitoring burden. |
Radionuclides |
45,631 |
17,689 |
(27,941) |
The decrease in burden is associated to the fact that many public water systems were required to monitor during the previous ICR period. Systems only have to monitor every 9 years for radionuclides. These systems are scheduled to monitor again in 2027. |
Disinfectant Residual Monitoring and Associated Activities under SWTR |
1,059,363 |
1,051,045 |
(8,319) |
The decrease in burden is attributable to a 1.5% decrease in overall system inventory used to calculate monitoring burden. |
Arsenic Rule |
200,280 |
179,473 |
(20,807) |
The decrease in burden is attributable to decrease in overall system inventory used to calculate monitoring burden. The sampling frequency is modeled as the average of a 9-year cycle in this ICR period. |
Lead and Copper Rule |
1,108,924 |
1,036,644 |
(72,280) |
The decrease in burden is attributable to decrease in overall system inventory used to calculate monitoring burden. The 1.6% loss of small PWS inventory drives monitoring burden. |
TOTAL |
3,323,243 |
3,190,581 |
(132,663) |
Adjusted PWS Burden |
Notes:
(2) PWS burden adjustments for all rules in Exhibit 11 take into account burden reductions associated with the anticipated transition from the current SDWIS (the existing compliance database of record) to SDWIS Prime, a cloud-based reporting system. |
Exhibit 12 |
||||
Adjustments to Primacy Agency Burden from Previous ICR Estimates |
||||
Activity |
Previous Annual Burden
Estimate |
2019 Annual |
Annual
Change in Burden |
Reason for Change in Annual Burden |
Stage 1 DBPR |
148,906 |
147,204 |
(1,702) |
The decrease in burden is attributable to a 1.5% decrease in overall system inventory used to calculate monitoring burden. (Primacy agency burden is driven by overall inventory.) |
Stage 2 DBPR |
50,822 |
50,822 |
N/A |
States will continue recordkeeping and compliance activities for additional routine monitoring and operational evaluations. The state compliance schedule, which is based on the standalone ICR, assumes that once systems begin additional routine monitoring and operational evaluations the associated annual state review burden for these activities remains constant. |
Chemical Phases Rules (Phases II/IIB/V) |
1,354,532 |
1,354,532 |
N/A |
The state burden for this rule is based on the State Workload Model, which has not changed. |
Radionuclides |
5,476 |
2,228 |
(3,248) |
The decrease in burden is attributable to a 1.5% decrease in overall system inventory, and the fact that many systems only have to monitor every 9 years and took samples during the previous ICR period, but do not have to take samples during this ICR period. |
Disinfectant Residual Monitoring and Associated Activities under SWTR |
157,975 |
157,278 |
(696) |
The decrease in burden is attributable to a 1.5% decrease in overall system inventory used to calculate monitoring burden. |
Arsenic Rule |
80,704 |
79,345 |
(1,359) |
The decrease in burden is attributable to a 1.5% decrease in overall system inventory used to calculate monitoring burden. The sampling frequency is modeled as the average of a 9-year cycle in this ICR period. |
Lead and Copper Rule |
184,037 |
179,366 |
(4,671) |
The decrease in burden is attributable to a 1.5% decrease in overall system inventory used to calculate monitoring burden. Primacy agency burden is not as responsive to the increase in large PWS as water system burden. |
TOTAL |
1,982,452 |
1,970,776 |
(11,677) |
Adjusted Primacy Agency Burden |
Note: Detail may not add exactly to totals due to rounding. |
Exhibit 13 shows the effect of these adjustments on the bottom line burden. Subtracting 0.13 million hours to account for the adjustment to the PWS burden and subtracting 0.01 million hours to account for the adjustment to the primacy burden yields 5.2 million hours.
Exhibit 13 |
||
Adjustments to Annual Burden Carried Forward from Previous ICR Estimates |
||
(Includes both PWS and Primacy Agency Burden) |
||
Action |
Annual Burden Hours |
Brief Explanation |
None |
5,305,696 |
2016 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR inventory based on current burden inventories (see Exhibit 11). |
Add |
(132,663) |
Adjustment to the PWS burden carried forward from previous ICRs (see Exhibit 12). |
Add |
(11,677) |
Adjustment to the primacy agency burden carried forward from previous ICRs (see Exhibit 13). |
Total |
5,161,356 |
Hours requested in 2019 DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR. |
Note: Detail may not add exactly to totals due to rounding. |
6(g) Burden Statement
The reporting burden for collections included in this ICR is detailed in Exhibit 13 above. The annual respondent burden is estimated to average approximately 5.2 million hours, of which 3.2 million hours are attributable to PWSs and 2.0 million hours to primacy agencies. These estimates include time for gathering information as well as developing and maintaining records.
Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by people to generate, maintain, retain, disclose, or provide information to or for a federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology, and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a request for information collection unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for the EPA’s regulations are listed in 40 CFR Part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15.
To support comment on the EPA's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including the use of automated collection techniques, the EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OW-2011-0439, which is available for online viewing at www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the Water Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), WJC West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the Water Docket is (202) 566-2426. An electronic version of the public docket is available at www.regulations.gov. This site can be used to submit or view public comments, to access the index listing of the contents of the public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. When in the system, select “search,” then key in the Docket ID Number identified above. Comments can also be sent to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503, Attention: Desk Officer for the EPA. Please include the EPA Docket ID Number (EPA-HQ-OW-2011-0439) and the OMB Control Number 2040-0204 in any correspondence.
1 Includes only the SWTR components relating to disinfectant residual monitoring and associated activities. All remaining SWTR requirements are included in the Microbial Rules ICR.
2 Includes only SWTR components relating to disinfectant residual monitoring and associated activities. All remaining SWTR requirements are included in the Microbial Rules ICR.
3 Disinfectant residual monitoring and associated activities are included in the DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR.
4 The burden associated with implementing the public notification requirements is currently addressed in the PWSS Program ICR (OMB No. 2040-0090).
5 Some of the general activities conducted by states are included in the PWSS Program ICR (OMB 2040-0090).
6 The public can access the violation data in SDWIS online at https://ofmpub.epa.gov/apex/sfdw/f?p=108:1:::NO:1::.
7 These definitions were taken from section 601 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).
8 Collection schedule is based on the commencement of monitoring requirements. Startup activities are typically completed prior to these dates.
9 Includes burden for ground water systems only. Disinfectant residual monitoring and associated activities for surface water systems are addressed by the SWTR.
10 New burden estimates from the revised State Workload Model will be incorporated into the subsequent DDBP/Chem/Rads Rules ICR. See section 5(b) of the PWSS ICR for additional information.
11 The EPA burden for activities where EPA acts as a primacy agent counts as primacy agency burden and is included in totals for primacy agency burden.
12 Source: SDWIS/FED Data from October 2018.
13 For several of these entities, primacy activities are actually implemented by EPA regional offices. However, as a simplifying assumption, they are included with the states for respondent calculations under this ICR.
File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
File Title | Draft Information Collection Request for the Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts, Chemical, and Radionuclides Rules |
Author | Katie Palanjian |
File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
File Created | 2021-01-15 |