1320 Action taken by the Commission

INDEPENDENT REGULATORY REVIEW COMMISSION

Action Taken by the Commission

[32 Pa.B. 3675]

   The Independent Regulatory Review Commission met publicly at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 11, 2002, and took the following action:

Regulation Approved:

   Environmental Quality Board #7-368: Safe Drinking Water (amends 25 Pa. Code Chapter 109)

Approval Order

Public Meeting held
July 11, 2002

Commissioners Voting: John R. McGinley, Jr., Chairperson, by proxy; Alvin C. Bush, Vice Chairperson, by phone; Arthur Coccodrilli; Robert J. Harbison, III; John F. Mizner

Environmental Quality Board--Safe Drinking Water; Regulation No. 7-368

   On August 28, 2001, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (Commission) received this proposed regulation from the Environmental Quality Board (EQB). This rulemaking amends 25 Pa. Code Chapter 109. The proposed regulation was published in the September 8, 2001, Pennsylvania Bulletin with a 60-day public comment period. The final-form regulation was submitted to the Commission on June 11, 2002.

   This regulation incorporates new provisions contained in three Federal rulemakings. The amendments are needed for the Department of Environmental Protection to retain primary enforcement authority of drinking water. This regulation makes changes in four areas. First, it requires community water systems to provide their customers an annual consumer confidence report on the quality of their drinking water. Second, it changes the public notification requirements used to alert consumers to potential health risks from violations of drinking water standards. Third, it reduces the regulatory burden of community and nontransient noncommunity water systems regarding lead and copper. Finally, it corrects minor deficiencies to satisfy outstanding primacy issues of the Environmental Protection Agency.

   We have determined this regulation is consistent with the statutory authority of the EQB (Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act, 35 P. S. § 721.4(a) and sections 1917-A and 1920-A of the Administrative Code of 1929, 71 P. S. §§ 510-7 and 510-20(b)) and the intention of the General Assembly. Having considered all of the other criteria of the Regulatory Review Act, we find promulgation of this regulation is in the public interest.

By Order of the Commission:

   This regulation is approved.

JOHN R. MCGINLEY, Jr.,   
Chairperson

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 02-1320. Filed for public inspection July 26, 2002, 9:00 a.m.]