§300j–19 Algal Toxin Risk Assessment and Management

Summary

The EPA Administrator must, within 90 days after August 7, 2015, send Congress a plan to assess and manage risks from algal toxins in drinking water from public water systems. The plan must spell out steps and a timeline to evaluate health risks; make and keep an updated list of algal toxins that could harm people at likely exposure levels; summarize known health effects of listed toxins and what causes toxic algal blooms; decide for each listed toxin whether to issue health advisories, recommend testing methods, and recommend how often to monitor; recommend practical treatment, equipment, and source-water protection options; and work with and help affected States and public water systems. The EPA must update and resubmit the plan to Congress as needed. The EPA must also identify gaps in what we know about health effects and testing or monitoring methods. It must consult with other federal agencies, States, water system operators, multinational groups, foreign governments, researchers, and companies, and collect and publish federal information about cyanobacteria, algal toxins, and harmful algal blooms. The EPA must follow the scientific rules in section 300g–1(b)(3)(A) when doing this. Feasible — see the meaning given in section 300g–1(b)(4)(D).