EPAFinal Rule

National Primary Drinking Water Regulations; Radionuclides [W-00-12-II-A-1]

EnvironmentHealthcare

Summary

This EPA regulation sets safety limits for radioactive substances (like uranium and radium) that can be found in drinking water supplies. Water utilities must test for these radioactive materials and treat water if levels are too high to protect people's health.

Key Points

  • 1Water suppliers must regularly test drinking water for radioactive elements that can cause health problems like cancer and bone disease
  • 2If radioactive materials exceed safe limits, water utilities must remove them or inform the public and take corrective action
  • 3The regulation applies to all public water systems that serve communities, protecting millions of Americans from contaminated drinking water
  • 4Water companies have specific deadlines to comply with testing and treatment requirements
  • 5This rule updates previous standards to better protect against long-term exposure to low levels of radiation in tap water

Key Dates

Published

April 17, 2025

This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.

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