Keeping up with and adhering to continually evolving regulatory standards and recent environmental concerns is no small task.
Organizations and municipalities must work to ensure that public health, regulatory, and environmentally conscious practices are upheld. We've compiled a list of some of our most recent FAQs to help you keep track.
What is an MCL?
The environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has several functions of regulating the level of contaminants found in drinking water. Maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) is derived from a review of health effects data used to establish a regulatory standard that is ultimately non-enforceable but aspirational.
MCL is an enforceable measure derived from the MCLG based on EPAs standards and may be held at a slightly higher threshold. This is because there are contraints in the types of technologies and costs of treatments needed that outweigh public health benefits.
Read more about MCLs, including the proposed MCL for PFAS here.
What are PFAS?
Created in the 1950's, per-and polyfluoroakyl substances (PFAS) - termed "forever chemicals" - are man-made chemicals used to coat products to resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. PFAS can be found in all types of household products including furniture, cosmetics, clothing, and more. Due to their inability to break down naturally and susceptibility to contaminate soil and leach into water supply, they pose a significant risk to public health.
To find out more about how PFAS are currently being addressed, read more.
What is a Climate Action Plan (CAP)?
A CAP is an outline used to regulate and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and similar climate impacts. Municipalities use CAPs to make informed decisions and align with their goals on sustainability and environmental municipal goals. Typically, a CAP encapsulates all levels of regulation and maintenance. At the very least, it sets a framework for developing policies and funding initiatives to address and minimize overall carbon footprint.
Read more about why municipalities should create a CAP here.
