Water Systems

The Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation supporting the second cycle (UCMR 2) of monitoring was signed on December 20, 2006. The UCMR 2 includes 25 contaminants using five analytical methods. These contaminants are divided into two types: Assessment Monitoring and Screening Survey.

• UCMR 2: Reference Guide
  EPA 815-R-06-016, December 2006
  • Download PDF (43 pp, 314 K) (About PDF)
• UCMR 2: Frequently Asked Questions PDF (9 pp, 32 K) (About PDF)
• UCMR 2: Fact Sheet for Assessment Monitoring for List 1 Contaminants PDF (2 pp, 53 K) (About PDF)
  EPA 815-F-06-005, December 2006
  Assessment Monitoring uses common analytical method technologies used by drinking water laboratories. All public water systems (PWSs) serving more than 10,000 people, and 800 representative PWSs serving less than 10,001 people are required to monitor for the 10 “List 1” contaminants during a 12-month period during January 2008-December 2010.
• • All water systems serving more than 10,000 people must arrange and coordinate sampling, arrange for sample analysis, and act upon data in the data reporting system, the Safe Drinking Water Accession and Review System (SDWARS).
  • Water systems serving less than 10,001 people selected to participate in assessment monitoring must sample using kits provided by EPA, and send samples to the assigned lab.
• UCMR 2: Fact Sheet for Screening Survey for List 2 Contaminants PDF (2 pp, 53 K) (About PDF)
  EPA 815-F-06-006, December 2006
  Screening Survey monitoring uses specialized analytical method technologies not commonly used by drinking water laboratories. All PWSs serving more than 100,000 people, 320 representative PWSs serving 10,001-100,000 people, and 480 representative PWSs serving less than 10,001 people are required to monitor for the 15 “List 2” contaminants during a 12-month period during January 2008-December 2010.
• • All water systems serving more than 100,000 people must arrange and coordinate sampling, arrange for sample analysis, and act upon data in the data reporting system, the Safe Drinking Water Accession and Review System (SDWARS).
  • Water systems serving more than 10,000 people selected to participate in screening survey must arrange and coordinate sampling, arrange for sample analysis, and act upon data in the data reporting system, the Safe Drinking Water Accession and Review System (SDWARS). 
  • Water systems serving less than 10,001 people selected to participate in screening survey must sample using kits provided by EPA, and send samples to the assigned lab.

Note: If you have questions about your applicability, please call the UCMR 2 Message Center at (800) 949-1581.