Acton News Index7-26-06 New federal arsenic standards for drinking water will be discussed at a community forum Wednesday, July 26, for Acton and Agua Dulce residents.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires that drinking water contain fewer than 10 parts per billion, down from the previous standard of 50 ppb. The requirement went into effect in 2002, though the department allowed water systems until Jan. 23 of this year to come into compliance. "There have been several instances of people who want to build, or who have drilled, brand-new wells and have a water supply, and the arsenic levels are too high," said Norm Hickling, an aide to Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. Antonovich, whose 5th District includes the region, called for the community meeting for residents with questions,
Hickling said. The county's Department of Health Services has invited staff from the EPA to attend the meeting and discuss the standard, which applies to community water systems serving 25 residents or 15 locations year-round. "The great bulk of what most people consider private wells, serving one, two, three or eight people, those people may want to use the maximum contaminant levels as guidelines, but there is no way we could impose those requirements on them," said Jon Merkle, a senior environmental scientist with the EPA.
Arsenic occurs naturally in rocks, soil, water, air, plants and animals. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at High Desert Middle School, 3620 Antelope Woods Road, Acton.