IEPA Holds Four Compliance Meetings for Operators
Volume 60, Number 3-- October 2001
Revisions to the 1976 radionuclide regulations were
finalized by U.S. EPA on Dec. 7, 2000, retaining the existing
MCLs of five picoCuries per liter for combined radium, and 15
picoCuries per liter for gross alpha particle activity.
Supplies in noncompliance with the MCLs are expected
to achieve compliance as soon as possible. The IEPA is providing
an opportunity for supplies to demonstrate a "good faith
effort" for achieving compliance by submitting a signed radionuclide
compliance commitment (RCC) that basically identifies activities
needed to achieve compliance and offers a tentative schedule with
interim milestones for completing these activities.
Whether or not a supply submits a RCC, compliance
by Dec. 8, 2003, is required to avoid possible sanctions for failing
to meet the regulations.
More supplies are expected to exceed the standards
The new rule changes the sample collection location
from the distribution to the entry point. As a result, even some
supplies currently in compliance are likely to exceed the standards
when the new rules go into effect.
To familiarize community water supply operators
with the requirements, a series of four meetings are scheduled
around the state during October. In addition to IEPA staff, a
representative of Region 5, U.S. EPA will be on hand to discuss
the U.S. EPA's perspective. Other topics will include a summary
of the regulations and compliance monitoring requirements; radionuclide
compliance commitments, enforcement and consent decrees after
Dec. 8, 2003; treatment options and permit issues; and financial
assistance programs. Question and answer sessions will follow
the formal program.
Meeting times and places include:
Oct. 16: 2-5 p.m., DeKalb City Hall council
chambers
Oct. 17: 9 a.m.-noon, Joliet Junior College,
1215 Houbolt Road, main campus theater
Oct. 23: 2-5 p.m., Fireplace Lounge at Illinois
Valley Community College, 815 N. Orlando Smith Ave., Oglesby
Oct. 24: Knox County Health Department, 1361
W. Fremont St., Galesburg.
