EPA Water Contaminant Information Tool Adds Contaminant Data, Analytical Method Compendium, and Contamination Response Advisor

摘要

Drinking water and wastewater systems face the threat of accidental or intentional contamination. To helprnthe Water Sector better prepare for and respond to serious contamination incidents, the U.S.rnEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) collaborates with partners in the sector to develop and enhancernsupporting tools and resources.rnAmong the tools developed by EPA is the Water Contaminant Information Tool (WCIT), a secure,rnpassword-protected online database housing details on regulated and non-regulated chemical, biological,rnand radiochemical contaminants that could pose a threat to public health if introduced into drinking waterrnor wastewater systems. WCIT supports preparedness planning, incident response, response training, andrncontaminant research. It includes functions such as an updated search feature enabling users to performrnfull-text searches of critical data fields in WCIT. Since introducing WCIT in 2005, EPA has regularlyrnexpanded its data and capabilities. This presentation will review recent updates, as discussed, below.rn1. EPA recently enhanced WCIT by adding profiles on nine new contaminants of particular concernrnto drinking water and wastewater utilities. Four of the new contaminants are chemicals regularlyrnused in drinking water treatment processes. These chemicals could contaminate drinking water orrnplant facilities through accidental or intentional introduction into drinking water or wastewaterrntreatment facilities, threatening public health or employee safety. The additional fiverncontaminants pose particular threats to wastewater treatment plants. These substances have thernpotential to upset wastewater treatment processes and could endanger public health if ingested, orrnharm the environment if discharged into receiving waters.rn2. In addition, EPA augmented WCIT’s capabilities by adding a compendium of more than 200rnanalytical methods for specific chemical, biological, and radiochemical analytes. The new methodrncompendium allows users to access details on methods for both analyte screening andrnconfirmation. Using the compendium, WCIT users can search, summarize, and download fullrnanalytical methods used for both regular drinking water monitoring and emergency contaminationrnresponse.rn3. To increase WCIT’s value as an emergency response resource, EPA added an “expert system”rnmodule that guides users through all phases of response to a contamination incident. The expertrnsystem response advice tool is an interactive tool that users can query for information on allrnaspects of responding to a drinking water or wastewater contamination incident, from initialrnthreat evaluation and site characterization to sampling procedures and analytical methodrnselection.rnIn addition to describing the new data and features of WCIT, this presentation also will review thernprocedures for applying for access to WCIT.