Moore

Although your tap water meets EPA's standard for arsenic, it does contain trace levels of this mineral. EPA's guidelines balance current scientific understanding of arsenic's health impacts against removal costs. EPA continues to research how low-level arsenic exposure affects health, as this mineral is known to cause cancer at high concentrations and has been associated with skin damage and circulatory problems.

The Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring (UCM) program helps EPA collect data on substances suspected in tap water but lacking health-based standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Every five years, EPA reviews the contaminant list based largely on the Contaminant Candidate List. The 1996 SDWA Amendments established that:

• No more than 30 contaminants will be monitored every five years
• Only representative samples of public water systems serving fewer than 10,000 people will be monitored
• Results will be stored in a National Contaminant Occurrence Database (NCOD)

UCMR 3 represents the third monitoring cycle under this important rule.

The CDC provides essential guidance on water safety and public health concerns related to municipal water supplies. Their resources help residents understand potential health risks and proper precautions for ensuring water safety in their homes.