EPA Tweaks Water Tests for Forever Chemicals—Snore Fest
Published Date: 1/21/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is updating the Clean Water Act testing methods to better detect harmful chemicals like PFAS and PCBs in water. This affects industries and towns that report water pollution, making testing easier and more accurate. Comments on these changes are open until February 20, 2025, with no new costs or limits set yet.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Withdrawal of Seven Aroclor PCB Parameters
The EPA proposes to withdraw seven Aroclor PCB parameters (PCB-1016, PCB-1221, PCB-1232, PCB-1242, PCB-1248, PCB-1254, PCB-1260) from Table Ic and replace Aroclor analyses with EPA Method 1628 for PCB congeners (Table Ii). Current NPDES permits remain valid until they expire, and EPA anticipates a multi-year phase-out as permits are renewed (permits are generally renewed every 5 years or less).
EPA Adds New PFAS, AOF, PCB Methods
The EPA proposes to add three new EPA test methods to 40 CFR part 136: EPA Method 1633A for 40 PFAS analytes (Table Ij), EPA Method 1621 for Adsorbable Organic Fluorine (AOF) (Table Ic), and EPA Method 1628 for the 209 PCB congeners and Total PCBs (new Table Ii). If a permitting authority adds any of these parameters to an NPDES permit after they are finalized, use of the approved method will be required for permit monitoring.
Withdraw Outdated Metal and Other Methods
The EPA proposes to withdraw a set of outdated single-metal colorimetric methods for 12 metals, Waters Method D6508 Rev.2 for inorganic anions, and EPA Method 1664A for Oil and Grease (parameter 41) from 40 CFR part 136. The preamble notes more sensitive ICP and graphite furnace methods are already approved and available for these parameters.
Simplified VOC Sampling Preservation Rule
The EPA proposes to change sampling and preservation for acrolein and acrylonitrile from pH 4-5 to pH 2 using hydrochloric acid, aligning them with other purgeable organic compound methods in Table II. The proposal cites a study showing the lower pH does not adversely affect analysis and aims to make sampling and reporting more efficient.
Incorporation of VCSB/Vendor Methods
The EPA proposes to incorporate by reference voluntary consensus standards and vendor methods, including ASTM D8421-24 for PFAS and Standard Methods 4500-PAA (Peracetic Acid) and 4500-H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide). The preamble notes these copyrighted VCSB methods are available from the standards bodies at a cost generally from $60 to $80, while EPA methods are available free on EPA websites.
New PAA and H2O2 Methods for POTWs
The EPA proposes to add parameters and approved methods for Peracetic Acid (PAA) and Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) (Standard Methods 4500-PAA and 4500-H2O2) to Table Ib so POTWs and wastewater treatment permittees that use PAA (an alternative to chlorine disinfectants) have approved procedures to monitor their discharges.
Extend Holding Time for Total Phosphorus
The EPA proposes a new footnote (Footnote 25) allowing the holding time for Total Phosphorus (parameter 50) to be extended to 6 months when using EPA Method 200.7 or another approved ICP/AES method and preserving samples to pH <= 2, instead of the current 28-day holding time when phosphorus is determined by other methods.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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