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Latest summary of EPA actions to ensure safe drinking water in Utah

Release Date: 11/22/2010
Contact Information: Lisa Kahn, 303-312-6896, [email protected]

(Denver, Colo. – November 22, 2010) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 issued 4 administrative orders under the Safe Drinking Water Act in Utah from April 1 through September 30, 2010.

Although the State of Utah is authorized to implement the Safe Drinking Water Act, EPA can take federal action against public water systems in the state that violate the Act and its regulations. EPA issued administrative orders to Utah public water systems with multiple violations for which no State enforcement action was planned. An administrative order requires the public water system to comply with the drinking water regulations and includes action items for returning to compliance.

EPA issued administrative orders to the following Utah public water systems:

Chrysler Dodge, North Logan, Utah, due to its failure to monitor for volatile organic and synthetic organic contaminants, nitrate, and lead and copper. The administrative order was issued on September 9, 2010, and the system is not yet in compliance with the requirements specified in the administrative order

Chekshani Cliffs, New Harmony, Utah, due to its failure to monitor for nitrate, lead and copper, volatile organic contaminants, and radionuclides, and its exceedance of the maximum contaminant level for total coliform bacteria. The administrative order was issued on May 17, 2010, and the system is currently complying with the requirements specified in the order.

Dalton Springs Campground, Manti-La Sal National Forest, Utah, due to its failure to monitor for nitrate and total coliform bacteria. The administrative order was issued on August 3, 2010, and the system is currently complying with the requirements specified in the administrative order.

Gunlock Special Service District, Gunlock, Utah, due to its failure to monitor for total coliform bacteria, nitrate, inorganic contaminants, synthetic organic contaminants, chlorine residual, lead and copper, and disinfection byproducts. The administrative order was issued on April 19, 2010. The system was cited for violations of the administrative order on October 6, 2010, but is now complying with the various requirements specified in the order.

The Safe Drinking Water Act establishes specific regulations to assure the safety of public drinking water. EPA Region 8 directly implements the drinking water program throughout Indian country in the Region and in Wyoming and also oversees implementation of the Act in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Utah