Arsenic and Uranium in Nebraska's Public Water Supply Systems
Background Information
Arsenic (As) and Uranium (U) in drinking water are considered to be contributors to increased risk of getting cancer. In Nebraska, the sources of both contaminants are from erosion from natural deposits (http://epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html).
Because of the potential health risks, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have required public water supply (PWS) systems to adopt strictor regulations:
- Effective January 2006, the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic (As) was lowered from 50 ug/L to 10 ug/L (parts per billion)
- Effective December 2003, the MCL for Uranium (U) promulgated at 30 ug/L
Currently there are two strategies for As remediation:
- Find a new source of drinking water; or
- Employ a treatment technology which could cost each household as high as $327 (USEPA).
Long-Term Goal
Provide a comprehensive research-based, decision-support infrastructure for public water supplies.
Long-Term Objectives
- Develop alternative mitigation strategies for addressing current Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) issues.
- Develop methods to assess economic affordability and implementation of mitigation options.
