The Nation - News from March 31, 1987

All customers of public water supply systems would be warned about the risk of lead contamination, regardless of whether lead standards are being violated, under new regulations proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA also would require that drinking-water suppliers speed up notification for violations of standards governing all contaminants. The proposed regulations were drafted to carry out amendments passed in June to the Safe Drinking Water Act. The EPA proposals were expected to be published this week in the Federal Register in advance of a public comment period and hearings. “The public notice requirements are intended to inform and educate consumers about the quality of their drinking water and whether their system operator is violating the law,” said Lawrence J. Jensen, EPA’s assistant administrator for water.