AWWA JAW34223

Compliance with federal drinking water regulations is monitored by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Water utilities that fail to comply with a regulation are tracked for enforcement action. A report summarizing the number of public water systems, the national picture of water utility compliance, and USEPA and state enforcement actions is published annually by USEPA. The results and implications of the most recent report, released April 23, 1993, for fiscal year (FY) 1992, are summarized here. FY 1992 began October 1, 1992, and ended September 30, 1992. Following a summary of monitoring requirements and the basis of the information presented, the author discusses major issues and trends indicated by the raw data: nationally, the compliance trend remains steady, microbial standards are most frequently violated, small systems have greatest problems with chemical-radiological noncompliance, and enforcement actions are "timely and appropriate," and enforcement action drives compliance. The author also raises the question, Can 100 percent compliance be achieved? Many tables and graphs provide statistical data. Includes reference, tables, figures.