Date: 09/07/2012
Final
Proposed Arsenic Water Quality Standard
WATER RESOURCES REVIEW COMMITTEE
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09:26 AM -- Proposed Arsenic Water Quality Standard
Steve Gunderson, Director, Water Quality Control Division, explained that the Water Quality Control Division has been exploring a relaxed standard for arsenic that better reflects available science concerning this hazard (Attachment C). Based on the initial feedback from stakeholders concerning the division's preliminary proposal for arsenic standards, the division decided not to proceed with the standard. The division decided to postpone exploration of the revisions until the 2016 basic standards (Regulation 31) rulemaking process.
09:27 AM
Sarah Johnson, Standards Unit Manager, Water Quality Control Division, explained that arsenic is a known human carcinogen that causes skin, lung, liver, bladder and kidney cancer if consumed in low doses over a long period of time. It can also cause skin lesions and organ failure at higher doses. (Attachment D). Arsenic levels are set to protect people who are exposed to arsenic by drinking the water or eating fish that live in the water, since arsenic can accumulate in fish. She described how state and federal law regulates arsenic levels in drinking water and waste water discharges. She also discussed how the division intents to review the arsenic standard in 2016 including opportunities for the regulated community to participate in this process.
09:32 AM
Ms. Johnson and Mr. Gunderson responded to questions from the committee about the arsenic standards and potential health impacts related to elevated arsenic levels. They also discussed measures to reduce the hazard related to arsenic in drinking water and waste water discharges.