[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 125 (Thursday, June 28, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38523-38530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15727]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 141

[EPA-HQ-OW-2012-0288; FRL-9693-4]


Expedited Approval of Alternative Test Procedures for the 
Analysis of Contaminants Under the Safe Drinking Water Act; Analysis 
and Sampling Procedures

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action announces the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency's (EPA's) approval of alternative testing methods for use in 
measuring the levels of contaminants in drinking water and determining 
compliance with national primary drinking water regulations. The Safe 
Drinking Water Act (SDWA) authorizes EPA to approve the use of 
alternative testing methods through publication in the Federal 
Register. EPA is using this streamlined authority to make 10 additional 
methods available for analyzing drinking water samples required by 
regulation. This expedited approach provides public water systems, 
laboratories, and primacy agencies with more timely access to new 
measurement techniques and greater flexibility in the selection of 
analytical methods, thereby reducing monitoring costs while maintaining 
public health protection.

DATES: This action is effective June 28, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-
4791 or Glynda Smith, Technical Support Center, Standards and Risk 
Management Division, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (MS 
140), Environmental Protection Agency, 26 West Martin Luther King 
Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268; telephone number: (513) 569-7652; email 
address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    Public water systems are the regulated entities required to measure 
contaminants in drinking water samples. In addition, EPA Regions as 
well as States and Tribal governments with authority to administer the 
regulatory program for public water systems under SDWA may also measure 
contaminants in water samples. When EPA sets a monitoring requirement 
in its national primary drinking water regulations for a given 
contaminant, the Agency also establishes in the regulations 
standardized test procedures for analysis of the contaminant. This 
action makes alternative testing methods available for particular 
drinking water contaminants beyond the testing methods currently 
established in the regulations. EPA is providing public water systems 
required to test water samples with a choice of using either a test 
procedure already established in the existing regulations or an 
alternative test procedure that has been approved in this action or in 
prior expedited approval actions. Categories and entities that may 
ultimately be affected by this action include:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Category                         Examples of potentially regulated  entities      NAICS \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State, Local, & Tribal Governments..............  States, local and Tribal governments that analyze       924110
                                                   water samples on behalf of public water systems
                                                   required to conduct such analysis; States, local
                                                   and Tribal governments that themselves operate
                                                   community and non-transient non-community water
                                                   systems required to monitor.
Industry........................................  Private operators of community and non-transient        221310
                                                   non-community water systems required to monitor.
Municipalities..................................  Municipal operators of community and non-               924110
                                                   transient non-community water systems required
                                                   to monitor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ North American Industry Classification System.

    This table is not exhaustive, but rather provides a guide for 
readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this action. This 
table lists the types of entities that EPA is now aware could 
potentially be affected by this action. Other types of entities not 
listed in the table could also be impacted. To determine whether your 
facility is affected by this action, you should carefully examine the 
applicability language in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 
CFR 141.2 (definition of public water system). If you have questions 
regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, 
consult the person listed in the preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section.

B. How can I get copies of this document and other related information?

    Docket. EPA established a docket for this action under Docket ID 
No. EPA-HQ-OW-2012-0288. Publicly available docket materials are 
available either electronically through www.regulations.gov or in hard 
copy at the Water Docket in the EPA Docket Center, (EPA/DC) EPA West, 
Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW.,

[[Page 38524]]

Washington, DC. Copyrighted materials are available only in hard copy. 
The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The 
telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the 
telephone number for the Water Docket is (202) 566-2426.
Abbreviations and Acronyms Used in This Action
ANOVA: Analysis of Variance
APHA: American Public Health Association
CAS: Chemical Abstracts Service
CFR: Code of Federal Regulations
DIC: Differential Interference Contrast
EDTA: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
FA: Fluorescence Assay
GC/MS: Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
HCCPD: Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
IMS: Immunomagnetic Separation
LC-MS/MS: Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry
MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level
NaHMP: Sodium Hexametaphosphate
NAICS: North American Industry Classification System
NEMI: National Environmental Methods Index
PCB: Polychlorinated Biphenyl
QC: Quality Control
SDWA: Safe Drinking Water Act
VCSB: Voluntary Consensus Standard Bodies

II. Background

A. What is the purpose of this action?

    In this action, EPA is approving 10 analytical methods for 
determining contaminant concentrations in samples collected under SDWA. 
Regulated parties required to sample and monitor may use either the 
testing methods already established in existing regulations or the 
alternative testing methods being approved in this action or in prior 
expedited approval actions. The new methods are listed along with other 
previously expedited methods in Appendix A to Subpart C of Part 141 and 
on EPA's drinking water methods Web site at http://water.epa.gov/scitech/drinkingwater/labcert/analyticalmethods_expedited.cfm.

B. What is the basis for this action?

    When EPA determines that an alternative analytical method is 
``equally effective'' (i.e., as effective as a method that has already 
been promulgated in the regulations), SDWA allows EPA to approve the 
use of the alternative method through publication in the Federal 
Register. (See Section 1401(1) of SDWA.) EPA is using this streamlined 
approval authority to make 10 additional methods available for 
determining contaminant concentrations in samples collected under the 
SDWA. EPA has determined that, for each contaminant or group of 
contaminants listed in Section III, the additional testing methods 
being approved in this action are as effective as one or more of the 
testing methods already approved in the regulations for those 
contaminants. Section 1401(1) of SDWA states that the newly approved 
methods ``shall be treated as an alternative for public water systems 
to the quality control and testing procedures listed in the 
regulation.'' Accordingly, this action makes these additional 10 
analytical methods legally available as options for meeting EPA's 
monitoring requirements.
    This action does not add regulatory language, but does, for 
informational purposes, update an appendix to the regulations at 40 CFR 
Part 141 that lists all methods approved under Section 1401(1) of SDWA. 
Accordingly, while this action is not a rule, it is updating CFR text 
and therefore is being published in the ``Final Rules'' section of the 
Federal Register.

III. Summary of Approvals

    EPA is approving 10 methods that are equally effective relative to 
methods previously promulgated in the regulations. By means of this 
notice, these 10 methods are added to Appendix A to Subpart C of 40 CFR 
Part 141.

A. Methods Developed by EPA

    1. EPA Method 536 (USEPA 2007) is a direct injection liquid 
chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the 
determination of atrazine and simazine, which are regulated in drinking 
water as specified at 40 CFR 141.61(c). The analytes are separated and 
identified by comparing the retention times and acquired mass spectra 
to the retention times and reference spectra for calibration standards 
acquired under identical LC-MS/MS conditions. The concentration of each 
analyte is determined by internal standard calibration using procedural 
standards. EPA Method 536 simplifies sample preparation because it does 
not require labor- intensive clean-up or pre-concentration using solid 
phase extraction. It also provides laboratories with the opportunity to 
use liquid chromatography for the analytical separation instead of gas 
chromatography, which is used in the approved methods for the 
determination of atrazine and simazine.
    The currently approved methods for monitoring atrazine and simazine 
in drinking water are listed at 40 CFR 141.24(e)(1). EPA Method 525.2, 
Revision 2.0 (USEPA 1995) is the only approved method that employs mass 
spectrometry for detection of atrazine and simazine. Therefore, the 
method performance characteristics of EPA Method 536 were compared to 
the characteristics of EPA Method 525.2, Revision 2.0 for both atrazine 
and simazine. EPA has found that EPA Method 536 is equally effective 
for measuring atrazine and simazine concentrations in drinking water, 
relative to the approved method. The basis for this determination is 
discussed in Smith and Wendelken (2012a). Therefore, EPA is approving 
EPA Method 536 for determining atrazine and simazine in drinking water.
    A copy of EPA Method 536 can be accessed and downloaded directly 
on-line at http://water.epa.gov/drink.
    2. EPA Method 523 (USEPA 2011) is a gas chromatography mass 
spectrometry (GC/MS) method for the determination of atrazine and 
simazine, which are regulated in drinking water as specified at 40 CFR 
141.61(c). The method analytes are extracted and concentrated from the 
water sample using solid phase extraction. Extracts are injected onto a 
capillary GC column and analyzed with a mass spectrometer. The method 
analytes are identified by comparing retention times and the acquired 
mass spectra to retention times and reference spectra for calibration 
standards acquired under identical GC/MS conditions. The concentration 
of each analyte is determined using the internal standard technique.
    As discussed with EPA Method 536, EPA Method 523 can be used for 
the determination of atrazine and simazine in finished drinking water. 
EPA Method 523 and the approved EPA Method 525.2, Revision 2.0 (USEPA 
1995) are both GC/MS methods; however, one of the advantages that EPA 
Method 523 offers relative to the approved method is the use of solid 
reagents, ammonium acetate and 2-chloroacetamide, for sample 
preservation instead of hydrochloric acid. This allows sample bottles 
to be prepared in the laboratory prior to shipment to the field, thus 
eliminating the need to ship a hazardous liquid acid. The method 
performance characteristics of EPA Method 523 were compared to the 
characteristics of the approved EPA Method 525.2, Revision 2.0 for 
atrazine and simazine. EPA has found that EPA Method 523 is equally 
effective for measuring atrazine and simazine concentrations, relative 
to the approved method. The basis for this determination is discussed 
in Smith and Wendelken (2012a). Therefore, EPA is approving EPA Method 
523 for

[[Page 38525]]

determining atrazine and simazine in drinking water.
    A copy of EPA Method 523 can be accessed and downloaded directly 
on-line at http://water.epa.gov/drink.
    3. EPA Method 525.3 (USEPA 2012) is a GC/MS method for the 
determination of semivolatile organic compounds in finished drinking 
water. The method analytes are extracted and concentrated from the 
water sample using solid phase extraction. Extracts are injected onto a 
capillary GC column and analyzed using mass spectrometry. The analytes 
are identified by comparing retention times and the acquired mass 
spectra to retention times and reference spectra for calibration 
standards acquired under identical GC/MS conditions. The concentration 
of each analyte is determined using the internal standard technique.
    EPA Method 525.3 is a revision of EPA Method 525.2, Revision 2.0 
(USEPA 1995) which is currently approved at 40 CFR 141.24(e)(1) for 
analysis of drinking water compliance samples for 17 semivolatile 
organic contaminants: Alachlor, atrazine, polychlorinated biphenyls 
(PCBs), benzo[a]pyrene, chlordane, di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, di(2-
ethylhexyl) phthalate, endrin, lindane (HCH-[gamma]), heptachlor, 
heptachlor epoxide, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclopentadiene 
(HCCPD), methoxychlor, pentachlorophenol, simazine, and toxaphene. It 
should be noted that for PCBs, the approved method can only be used as 
a screen; compliance with the PCB maximum contaminant level (MCL) is 
based on quantitative analysis using EPA Method 508A (USEPA 1989) as 
specified at 40 CFR 141.24(h)(13)(iii). Likewise, EPA Method 525.3 can 
only be used for PCBs as a screen. Some of the advantages afforded by 
the revised method include:
     Use of solid preservation reagents (ascorbic acid, 
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and potassium dihydrogen 
citrate), which eliminates the requirement to ship liquid hydrochloric 
acid to the field;
     Incorporation of flexibility that allows analysts to take 
advantage of multiple types of solid phase extraction media and GC/MS 
instrumentation options to improve method sensitivity and data quality; 
and
     Improved guidance for handling the data reduction 
associated with multi-component contaminants such as toxaphene, 
chlordane, and PCBs.

The method performance characteristics of EPA Method 525.3 were 
compared to the characteristics of the approved EPA Method 525.2, 
Revision 2.0 for each of the 17 regulated semivolatile organic 
contaminants. EPA has determined that EPA Method 525.3 is equally 
effective for measuring each of these 17 contaminants relative to the 
approved method. The basis for this determination is discussed in 
Munch, Grimmett and Smith (2012). EPA is therefore approving the use of 
Method 525.3 for the above named 17 contaminants when analyzing 
drinking water compliance samples.
    A copy of EPA Method 525.3 can be accessed and downloaded directly 
on-line at http://www.epa.gov/nerlcwww/ordmeth.htm.
    4. EPA Method 1623.1 (USEPA 2012) is a microbiological method for 
the detection of the water-borne parasite, Cryptosporidium (CAS 
Registry Number 137259-50-8), in drinking water treatment plant source 
waters by concentration, immunomagnetic separation (IMS), and 
immunofluorescence assay microscopy. Cryptosporidium is characterized 
using 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining and differential 
interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. Cryptosporidium concentrations 
are reported as oocysts/L.
    EPA Method 1623.1 is a revision of EPA Method 1623 (USEPA 2005), 
which is approved at 40 CFR 141.704(a) for the detection of 
Cryptosporidium in water. The primary change in EPA Method 1623.1 
relative to the approved method is the addition of sodium 
hexametaphosphate (NaHMP) after filtration of the water sample. Miller 
(2012a) describes two EPA studies that showed improved accuracy and 
precision for detecting the concentration of Cryptosporidium oocysts in 
water when NaHMP was added: (1) A single laboratory side-by-side 
analysis that compared samples from nine public water system sources 
processed by both EPA Method 1623 and EPA Method 1623.1, and showed an 
average Cryptosporidium recovery improvement of 18 percentage points (p 
= 0.0001); and (2) a multi-laboratory side-by-side analysis that 
resulted in an average Cryptosporidium recovery improvement of 15 
percentage points with the addition of NaHMP for the three source 
waters that were tested (p = 0.0197). The more significant improvement 
in Cryptosporidium recovery during the side-by-side studies was 
particularly associated with samples that had low initial recovery 
using Method 1623.
    Miller (2012b) contains the study report that details the 
validation of EPA Method 1623.1. Fourteen laboratories demonstrated a 
mean Cryptosporidium recovery from source water of 61% with an average 
within-laboratory relative standard deviation of 13%. The precision and 
recovery for EPA Method 1623.1 were compared to the precision and 
recovery observed in the validation study for the approved EPA Method 
1623. The Cryptosporidium reagent water and source water mean percent 
recoveries for EPA Method 1623.1 are at least 20 percentage points 
higher than the recoveries cited in the validation study for EPA Method 
1623. In addition, the mean relative standard deviation for 
Cryptosporidium measurements was lower in both matrices for the revised 
EPA Method 1623.1 demonstrating improved precision.
    The data from the EPA Method 1623.1 validation studies were used to 
develop new quality control (QC) criteria for laboratory performance. 
For each QC criterion, the distribution of recovery was estimated using 
random effects analysis of variance (ANOVA). The recovery limits were 
estimated at the 5th percentile of the predictive distribution for each 
criterion. The lower limit for acceptable recovery of Cryptosporidium 
detected in reagent and source water increased by 22 and 19 percentage 
points, respectively, over EPA Method 1623 criteria. Thus, laboratories 
performing EPA Method 1623.1 should have more accurate detection and 
will be meeting more stringent QC criteria than laboratories following 
Method 1623.
    Based on the validation results, EPA has determined that EPA Method 
1623.1 is equally effective for detecting Cryptosporidium oocysts, 
relative to the approved method. Therefore, EPA is approving EPA Method 
1623.1 for detecting Cryptosporidium in drinking water source waters. A 
copy of EPA Method 1623.1 can be accessed and downloaded directly on-
line at http://water.epa.gov/drink.

B. Methods Developed by Voluntary Consensus Standard Bodies (VCSB)

    1. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater 
(Standard Methods). EPA compared the most recent versions of two 
Standard Methods to earlier versions of those methods that are 
currently approved in 40 CFR Part 141. Changes between the earlier 
approved version and the most recent version of each method are 
summarized in Smith (2012). The revisions primarily involve editorial 
changes (e.g., corrections of errors, procedural clarifications, and 
reorganization of text). The revised methods are the same as the 
earlier approved versions with respect to the chemistry, sample 
handling protocols, and method performance data. The new

[[Page 38526]]

versions are thus equally effective relative to those that are 
currently approved in the regulations. Therefore, EPA is approving the 
use of the two updated Standard Methods for the contaminants and their 
respective regulations listed in the following table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Standard method revised version     Approved method           Contaminant                  Regulation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3125, 21st edition (APHA 2005)...  3125, 20th edition   Uranium.................  40 CFR 141.25(a)
                                    (APHA 1998).
3112 B-09, on-line version (APHA   3112 B-99, on-line   Mercury.................  40 CFR 141.23(k)(1)
 2009).                             version (APHA
                                    1999).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The 21st edition can be obtained from the American Public Health 
Association (APHA), 800 I Street NW., Washington, DC 20001-3710. Online 
versions of Standard Methods are available at http://www.standardmethods.org.
    2. ASTM International. EPA compared the most recent versions of 
three ASTM International methods (ASTM Methods D859-10, D1179-10 B, and 
D5673-10) to the earlier versions of those methods that are currently 
approved in 40 CFR part 141. Changes between the earlier approved 
version and the most recent version of each method are summarized in 
Smith (2012). The revisions primarily involve editorial changes (e.g., 
updated references, definitions, terminology, and reorganization of 
text). The revised methods are the same as the approved versions with 
respect to sample collection and handling protocols, sample 
preparation, analytical methodology, and method performance data, and 
thus, are equally effective relative to the approved methods.
    An additional ASTM Method, D6239-09, was submitted for evaluation 
as an alternate test method to EPA Method 908.0 (USEPA 1980) for the 
analysis of uranium in drinking water. ASTM Method D6329-09 involves 
the analysis of uranium in drinking water by alpha scintillation with 
pulse shape discrimination. This technique offers high alpha counting 
efficiency since the electronic pulse shape discrimination reduces 
background counts associated with beta-gamma interference. ASTM Method 
D6239-09 incorporates selective solvent extraction to separate and 
concentrate uranium from drinking water samples for subsequent alpha 
liquid scintillation counting. With pulse shape discrimination, the 
method provides sufficient resolution to yield limited isotopic 
activity levels for uranium-238 and uranium-234 as well as total 
uranium activity. EPA Method 908.0, which relies on co-precipitation of 
uranium with iron hydroxide followed by ion exchange separation to 
isolate uranium, is not capable of distinguishing among the uranium 
radioisotopes. The approved methods for uranium are listed at 40 CFR 
141.25(a). The performance characteristics of ASTM Method D6239-09 were 
compared to the performance characteristics of the approved method, EPA 
Method 908.0. Smith and Wendelken (2012b) summarizes the research and 
validation data associated with development of ASTM Method D6239-09. 
EPA has determined that ASTM Method D6239-09 is equally effective, 
relative to EPA Method 908.0, for the determination of total uranium 
activity in drinking water.
    EPA is thus approving the use of the following ASTM methods for the 
contaminants and their respective regulations listed in the following 
table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       ASTM Revised version          Approved method           Contaminant                  Regulation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D859-10 (ASTM 2010a).............  D859-00 (ASTM 2000)  Silica..................  40 CFR 141.23(k)(1)
D1179-10 B (ASTM 2010b)..........  D1179-99 B (ASTM     Fluoride................  40 CFR 141.23(k)(1)
                                    1999).
D5673-10 (ASTM 2010c)............  D5673-03 (ASTM       Uranium.................  40 CFR 141.25(a)
                                    2003).
D6239-09 (ASTM 2009).............  EPA Method 908.0...  Uranium.................  40 CFR 141.25(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The ASTM methods are available from ASTM International, 100 Barr 
Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959 or http://www.astm.org.

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    As noted in Section II, under the terms of SDWA Section 1401(1), 
this streamlined method approval action is not a rule. Accordingly, the 
Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, does not apply 
because this action is not a rule for purposes of 5 U.S.C. 804(3). 
Similarly, this action is not subject to the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
because it is not subject to notice and comment requirements under the 
Administrative Procedure Act or any other statute. In addition, because 
this approval action is not a rule, but simply makes alternative 
testing methods available as options for monitoring under SDWA, EPA has 
concluded that other statutes and executive orders generally applicable 
to rulemaking do not apply to this approval action.

V. References

American Public Health Association (APHA). 1998. 20th Edition of 
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 
American Public Health Association, 800 I Street NW., Washington, DC 
20001-3710.
American Public Health Association (APHA). 1999. Standard Method 
3112 B-99. Metals by Cold-Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. 
Approved by Standard Methods Committee 1999. Standard Methods 
Online. (Available at http://www.standardmethods.org.)
American Public Health Association (APHA). 2005. 21st Edition of 
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 
American Public Health Association, 800 I Street NW., Washington, DC 
20001-3710.
American Public Health Association (APHA). 2009. Standard Method 
3112 B-09. Metals by Cold-Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. 
Approved by Standard Methods Committee 2009. Standard Methods 
Online. (Available at http://www.standardmethods.org.)
ASTM International. 1999. ASTM D1179-99 B. Standard Test Methods for 
Fluoride Ion in Water. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, 
West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2000. ASTM D859-00. Standard Test Method for 
Silica in Water. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West 
Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2003. ASTM D5673-03. Standard Test Method for 
Elements in Water by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. 
ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 
19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2009. ASTM D6239-09. Standard Test Method for 
Uranium in Drinking Water by High-Resolution Alpha-Liquid-
Scintillation Spectrometry.

[[Page 38527]]

ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 
19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2010a. ASTM D859-10. Standard Test Method for 
Silica in Water. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West 
Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2010b. ASTM D1179-10 B. Standard Test Methods 
for Fluoride Ion in Water. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor 
Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2010c. ASTM D5673-10. Standard Test Method for 
Elements in Water by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. 
ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 
19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
Miller, C. 2012a. Memo to the record describing basis for expedited 
approval of EPA Method 1623.1. January 20, 2012.
Miller, C. 2012b. Method 1623.1 validation study report, ``Results 
of the Inter-laboratory Method Validation Study using U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency Method 1623.1: Cryptosporidium and 
Giardia in Water by Filtration/IMS/FA,'' EPA 816-R-12-002, February 
2012.
Munch, J., Grimmett, P., and Smith, G. 2012. Memo to the record 
describing basis for expedited approval of EPA Method 525.3. January 
23, 2012.
Smith, G. 2012. Memo to the record describing basis for expedited 
approval of updated methods from Standard Methods and ASTM 
International. January 19, 2012.
Smith, G. and Wendelken, S. 2012a. Memo to the record describing 
basis for expedited approval of EPA Methods 523 and 536. January 20, 
2012.
Smith, G. and Wendelken, S. 2012b. Memo to the record describing ATP 
evaluation of ASTM Method D6239-09 and basis for expedited approval. 
January 20, 2012.
USEPA. 1980. EPA Method 908.0, ``Uranium in Drinking Water--
Radiochemical Method 908.0'' in Prescribed Procedures for the 
Measurement of Radioactivity in Drinking Water, EPA 600/4-80-032, 
August 1980. (Available at the U.S. Department of Commerce, National 
Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5301 Shawnee Road, Alexandria, 
VA 22312 (703-605-6040). PB 80-224744. http://www.ntis.gov.)
USEPA. 1989. EPA Method 508A, Revision 1.0, ``Screening for 
Polychlorinated Biphenyls by Perchlorination and Gas 
Chromatography'' in Methods for the Determination of Organic 
Compounds in Drinking Water, EPA/600/4-88-039, December 1988 
(Revised July 1991). (Available at https://www.nemi.gov.)
USEPA. 1995. EPA Method 525.2, Revision 2.0, ``Determination of 
Organic Compounds in Drinking Water by Liquid-Solid Extraction and 
Capillary Column Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry'' in Methods 
for the Determination of Organic Compounds in Drinking Water, 
Supplement III, EPA/600/R-95-131, August 1995. (Available at https://www.nemi.gov.)
USEPA. 2005. EPA Method 1623, ``Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Water 
by Filtration/IMS/FA,'' EPA-815-R-05-002. December 2005. (Available 
at http://www.epa.gov/nerlcwww/online.html.)
USEPA. 2007. EPA Method 536, ``Determination of Triazine Pesticides 
and their Degradates in Drinking Water by Liquid Chromatography 
Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS),'' 
EPA-815-B-07-002. October 2007. (Available at http://water.epa.gov/drink.)
USEPA. 2011. EPA Method 523, ``Determination of Triazine Pesticides 
and their Degradates in Drinking Water by Gas Chromatography/Mass 
Spectrometry (GC/MS),'' EPA-815-R-11-002. February 2011. (Available 
at http://water.epa.gov/drink.)
USEPA. 2012. EPA Method 525.3, ``Determination of Semivolatile 
Organic Chemicals in Drinking Water by Solid Phase Extraction and 
Capillary Column Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS),'' 
EPA/600/R-12/010. February 2012. (Available at http://www.epa.gov/nerlcwww/ordmeth.htm.)
USEPA. 2012. EPA Method 1623.1. ``Cryptosporidium and Giardia in 
Water by Filtration/IMS/FA,'' EPA-816-R-12-001. January 2012. 
(Available at http://water.epa.gov/drink.)

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 141

    Environmental protection, Chemicals, Indians--lands, 
Intergovernmental relations, Radiation protection, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Water supply.

    Dated: June 21, 2012.
Pamela S. Barr,
Acting Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, 40 CFR Part 141 is amended 
as follows:

PART 141--NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS

0
1. The authority citation for Part 141 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 300f, 300g-1, 300j-4, and 300j-9.


0
2. Appendix A to Subpart C of Part 141 is amended as follows:
0
a. By revising entries for ``Fluoride,'' ``Mercury,'' and ``Silica'' in 
the table entitled ``Alternative testing methods for contaminants 
listed at 40 CFR 141.23(k)(1).''
0
b. By adding entries for ``Alachlor,'' ``Atrazine,'' and 
``Benzo(a)pyrene'' after the entry for ``2,4,5-TP (Silvex)'' in the 
table entitled ``Alternative testing methods for contaminants listed at 
40 CFR 141.24(e)(1)''
0
c. By adding the entry for ``Chlordane'' after the entry for 
``Carbofuran'' in the table entitled ``Alternative testing methods for 
contaminants listed at 40 CFR 141.24(e)(1).''
0
d. By adding entries for ``Di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate'' and ``Di(2-
ethylhexyl)phthalate'' after the entry for ``Dalapon'' in the table 
entitled ``Alternative testing methods for contaminants listed at 40 
CFR 141.24(e)(1).''
0
e. By adding the entry for ``Endrin'' after the entry for ``Dinoseb'' 
in the table entitled ``Alternative testing methods for contaminants 
listed at 40 CFR 141.24(e)(1).''
0
f. By adding entries for ``Heptachlor,'' ``Heptachlor Epoxide,'' 
``Hexachlorobenzene,'' ``Hexachlorocyclopentadiene,'' ``Lindane,'' and 
``Methoxychlor'' after the entry for ``Glyphosate'' in the table 
entitled ``Alternative testing methods for contaminants listed at 40 
CFR 141.24(e)(1).''
0
g. By adding the entry for ``PCBs (as Aroclors)'' after the entry for 
``Oxamyl'' in the table entitled ``Alternative testing methods for 
contaminants listed at 40 CFR 141.24(e)(1).''
0
h. By revising the entry for ``Pentachlorophenol'' in the table 
entitled ``Alternative testing methods for contaminants listed at 40 
CFR 141.24(e)(1).''
0
i. By adding entries for ``Simazine'' and ``Toxaphene'' after the entry 
for ``Picloram'' in the table entitled ``Alternative testing methods 
for contaminants listed at 40 CFR 141.24(e)(1).''
0
j. By revising the entry for ``Uranium'' in the table entitled 
``Alternative testing methods for contaminants listed at 40 CFR 
141.25(a).''
0
k. By adding the table entitled ``Alternative testing methods for 
contaminants listed at 40 CFR 141.704(a)'' after the table entitled 
``Alternative testing methods for contaminants listed at 40 CFR 
141.402(c)(2).''
    The additions and revisions read as follows:

Appendix A to Subpart C of Part 141--Alternative Testing Methods 
Approved for Analyses Under the Safe Drinking Water Act

* * * * *

[[Page 38528]]



                                       Alternative Testing Methods for Contaminants Listed at 40 CFR 141.23(k)(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Contaminant        Methodology           EPA Method        SM 21st  Edition \1\      SM Online \3\             ASTM \4\                Other
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
Fluoride..........  Ion                .....................  4110 B                 .....................  .....................  .....................
                     Chromatography.
                    Manual             .....................  4500-F- B, D           .....................  .....................  .....................
                     Distillation;
                     Colorimetric
                     SPADNS.
                    Manual Electrode.  .....................  4500-F- C              .....................  D 1179-04, 10 B        .....................
                    Automated          .....................  4500-F- E              .....................  .....................  .....................
                     Alizarin.
                    Arsenite-Free      .....................  .....................  .....................  .....................  Hach SPADNS 2 Method
                     Colorimetric                                                                                                   10225 \22\
                     SPADNS.
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
Mercury...........  Manual, Cold       .....................  3112 B                 3112 B-09              .....................  .....................
                     Vapor.
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
Silica............  Colorimetric.....  .....................  .....................  .....................  D859-05, 10            .....................
                    Molybdosilicate..  .....................  4500-SiO2 C            .....................  .....................  .....................
                    Heteropoly blue..  .....................  4500-SiO2 D            .....................  .....................  .....................
                    Automated for      .....................  4500-SiO2 E            .....................  .....................  .....................
                     Molybdate-
                     reactive Silica.
                    Axially viewed     200.5, Revision 4.2    .....................  .....................  .....................  .....................
                     inductively        \2\.
                     coupled plasma-
                     atomic emission
                     spectrometry
                     (AVICP-AES).
                    Inductively        .....................  3120 B                 .....................  .....................  .....................
                     Coupled Plasma.
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                       Alternative Testing Methods for Contaminants Listed at 40 CFR 141.24(e)(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Contaminant                      Methodology                   EPA Method              SM 21st  Edition \1\            SM Online \3\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
Alachlor............................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
Atrazine............................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\, 523 \26\         ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
                                      Liquid Chromatography        536 \25\                     ...........................  ...........................
                                       Electrospray Ionization
                                       Tandem Mass Spectrometry
                                       (LC/ESI-MS/MS).
Benzo(a)pyrene......................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
Chlordane...........................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
Di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate.............  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate...........  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
Endrin..............................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
Heptachlor..........................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
Heptachlor Epoxide..................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
Hexachlorobenzene...................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
Hexachlorocyclo-pentadiene..........  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
Lindane.............................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).

[[Page 38529]]

 
Methoxychlor........................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
PCBs (as Aroclors)..................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
Pentachlorophenol...................  Gas Chromatography/Electron  ...........................  6640 B                       6640 B-01
                                       Capture Detection (GC/ECD).
                                      Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
Simazine............................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\, 523 \26\         ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
                                      Liquid Chromatography        536 \25\                     ...........................  ...........................
                                       Electrospray Ionization
                                       Tandem Mass Spectrometry
                                       (LC/ESI-MS/MS).
Toxaphene...........................  Solid Phase Extraction/Gas   525.3 \24\                   ...........................  ...........................
                                       Chromatography/Mass
                                       Spectrometry (GC/MS).
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                     Alternative Testing Methods for Contaminants Listed at 40 CFR 141.25(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Contaminant                    Methodology           SM 21st  Edition \1\            ASTM \4\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naturally Occurring:
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
    Uranium......................  .........................  ........................  ........................
                                   Radiochemical............  7500-U B                  ........................
                                   ICP-MS...................  3125                      D5673-05, 10
                                   Alpha spectrometry.......  7500-U C                  D3972-09
                                   Laser Phosphorimetry.....  ........................  D5174-07
                                   Alpha Liquid               ........................  D6239-09
                                    Scintillation
                                    Spectrometry.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

                    Alternative Testing Methods for Contaminants Listed at 40 CFR 141.704(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Organism                                Methodology                          EPA Method
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cryptosporidium.......................  Filtration/Immunomagnetic Separation/     1623.1 \27\
                                         Immunofluorescence Assay Microscopy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

 
 
\1\ Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 21st
  edition (2005). Available from American Public Health Association, 800
  I Street NW., Washington, DC 20001-3710.
\2\ EPA Method 200.5, Revision 4.2. ``Determination of Trace Elements in
  Drinking Water by Axially Viewed Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic
  Emission Spectrometry.'' 2003. EPA/600/R-06/115. (Available at http://www.epa.gov/nerlcwww/ordmeth.htm.)
\3\ Standard Methods Online are available at http://www.standardmethods.org. The year in which each method was approved by
  the Standard Methods Committee is designated by the last two digits in
  the method number. The methods listed are the only online versions
  that may be used.
\4\ Available from ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West
  Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959 or http://astm.org. The methods listed are
  the only alternative versions that may be used.
 * * * * * * *
\22\ Hach Company Method, ``Hach Company SPADNS 2 (Arsenic-free)
  Fluoride Method 10225--Spectrophotometric Measurement of Fluoride in
  Water and Wastewater,'' January 2011. 5600 Lindbergh Drive, P.O. Box
  389, Loveland, Colorado 80539. (Available at http://www.hach.com.)
 * * * * * * *
\24\ EPA Method 525.3. ``Determination of Semivolatile Organic Chemicals
  in Drinking Water by Solid Phase Extraction and Capillary Column Gas
  Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS).'' 2012. EPA/600/R-12/010.
  (Available at http://www.epa.gov/nerlcwww/ordmeth.htm.)
\25\ EPA Method 536. ``Determination of Triazine Pesticides and their
  Degradates in Drinking Water by Liquid Chromatography Electrospray
  Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS).'' 2007. EPA-815-B-
  07-002. (Available at http://water.epa.gov/drink.)
\26\ EPA Method 523. ``Determination of Triazine Pesticides and their
  Degradates in Drinking Water by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
  (GC/MS).'' 2011. EPA-815-R-11-002. (Available at http://water.epa.gov/drink drink.)
\27\ EPA Method 1623.1. ``Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Water by
  Filtration/IMS/FA.'' 2012. EPA-816-R-12-001. (Available at http://water.epa.gov/drink.)


[[Page 38530]]

[FR Doc. 2012-15727 Filed 6-27-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P