The U.S. EPA has announced its intention to increase oversight of state drinking water programs in light of the crisis occurring in Flint, Michigan.  Federal officials will meet with and work with each state agency to improve their implementation of the EPA’s existing rules aimed at controlling lead and copper in drinking water.  Drinking water standards are set by the federal government pursuant to the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA); however, authority to implement the terms of the SDWA has been largely delegated to individual states.

The U.S. EPA has set a new priority on assisting states to implement the SDWA standards and is directing regional offices to work with states to assure that the SDWA standards are being met.

For more information, contact Phillip Hoover.