WEF Files Comments on U.S. EPA’s Proposed Methods Update

On May 20, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) filed comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Methods Update proposed rule. WEF’s comments centered on specific methods and provided specific recommendations to EPA’s proposals. In addition, WEF comments requested that EPA clarify a number of items where requirements seemed redundant or did not seem consistent with technical practices. WEF’s Laboratory Practices committee and the Government Affairs Regulatory subcommittee are coordinating in this effort.

EPA approves analytical methods for measuring regulated pollutants in wastewater, as contained in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 40 Part 136. The regulated community and laboratories use these approved methods for determining compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits or other monitoring requirements. Often, these entities have a choice in deciding which approved method they will use to measure a pollutant because more than one approved method is available.

To keep these methods updated as technology advances, EPA maintains a program where method developers may apply for an EPA review and potentially for approval of alternate test procedures.