Summary of Drinking Water Regulations

 

Concern about the quality of the nation's drinking water supplies prompted the U.S. Congress to pass PL 93-523, the "Safe Drinking Water Act", in 1974. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was directed to establish national standards. The Safe Drinking Water Act has had a significant effect on improvements in both water quality and water supply management. Increasing concerns with toxins in the drinking water led Congress to amend the original Act in 1986, and again in 1996, making it stricter and more inclusive. The Florida Legislature enacted a similar "Safe Drinking Water Act" which is contained in Sections 403.850 - 403.864, Florida Statutes. This statute directs the Department of Environmental Protection to formulate and enforce rules pertaining to Drinking Water. These rules adopt the national primary and secondary drinking water standards of the Federal Government and create additional rules to fulfill state requirements. They are contained in Chapters 62-550, 62-555, and 62-560, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).

CHAPTER 62-550, F.A.C., Drinking Water Standards, Monitoring, and Reporting, adopts EPA rules and regulates the water produced by public water systems and covers the following topics:

• Glossary of drinking water terms.
• Maximum contaminant limits applied to finished drinking water.
• Monitoring requirements and frequencies water systems must adhere to when testing for contamination.
• Surveillance, record keeping, and reporting required of water systems.
• Forms and instructions for laboratories to use when reporting chemical   monitoring results.

Download Chapter 62-550, F.A.C., in Adobe PDF (156K).

 

CHAPTER 62-555, F.A.C., Permitting and Construction of Public Water Systems, are state rules which apply to water systems. The chapter covers the following:

• Construction, operation, and maintenance standards for public water systems.
• Rules governing general permits for water systems.
• Rules governing construction permits for water systems.
• Treatment and monitoring requirements for water systems which use surface water.
• Forms and instructions for water systems to use.

Download Chapter 62-555, F.A.C., in Adobe PDF.

 

CHAPTER 62-560, F.A.C., Requirements for Public Water Systems that are out of Compliance, adopts EPA rules on the actions a water system must take when it is not in compliance with the established standards. This chapter covers the following:

• Definitions of violations.
• Provisions governing variances, exemptions, and waivers.
• Best available technology and treatment techniques for use by water systems that are out of compliance.

Download Chapter 62-560, F.A.C., in Adobe PDF.

Download Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification. The publication is in Adobe PDF.

 

CHAPTER 62-550.800, F.A.C., Control of Lead and Copper. This rule covers the following requirements:

• In-home tap sampling for large, medium, and small systems.
• Source water and water quality parameters sampling.
• Lead and Copper action levels
• Corrosion Control Treatment.
• Public education and notification

Download 40 CFR 141, Subpart I, October 10, 2007 Edition (290K), in Adobe PDF.  This is the official version of the Lead and Copper Rule Short-Term Revisions that was adopted by Florida on October 1, 2010 with a few clarifications as shown in Chapter 62-550.800 F.A.C.

Download a copy of EPA’s Short Term Revisions and Clarifications, Final Rule from the Federal Register.