Water: Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3
You are here: Water
Laws & RegulationsRegulatory InformationSafe Drinking Water ActUnregulated Contaminant Monitoring ProgramUnregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3Methods and Contaminants for the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 (UCMR 3)
Laws & RegulationsRegulatory InformationSafe Drinking Water ActUnregulated Contaminant Monitoring ProgramUnregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3Methods and Contaminants for the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 (UCMR 3)Methods and Contaminants for the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 (UCMR 3)
Sampling for the third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 3) will occur during 2013-2015. UCMR 3 includes monitoring for 30 contaminants (28 chemicals and 2 viruses).
- Assessment Monitoring (List 1 Contaminants) - uses common analytical method technologies used by drinking water laboratories. List 1 includes 21 chemical contaminants.
- Screening Survey (List 2 Contaminants) - uses specialized analytical method technologies not as commonly used by drinking water laboratories. List 2 includes seven chemical contaminants.
- Pre-Screen Testing (List 3 Contaminants) - uses newer method technologies not as commonly used by drinking water laboratories. List 3 includes two viruses.
- Related Links
UCMR 3 Contaminants and Corresponding Analytical Methods
Assessment Monitoring (List 1 Contaminants)
| Contaminant | CAS Registry Number1 | Minimum Reporting Level | Sampling Points2 | Analytical Methods  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Volatile Organic Compounds | EPTDS | EPA 524.3 | ||
| 1,2,3-trichloropropane | 96-18-4 | 0.03 µg/L | ||
| 1,3-butadiene | 106-99-0 | 0.1 µg/L | ||
| chloromethane (methyl chloride) | 74-87-3 | 0.2 µg/L | ||
| 1,1-dichloroethane | 75-34-3 | 0.03 µg/L | ||
| bromomethane (methyl bromide) | 74-83-9 | 0.2 µg/L | ||
| chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22) | 75-45-6 | 0.08 µg/L | ||
| bromochloromethane (halon 1011) | 74-97-5 | 0.06 µg/L | ||
| One Synthetic Organic Compounds | EPTDS | EPA 522 | ||
| 1,4-dioxane | 123-91-1 | 0.07 µg/L | ||
| Six Metals | EPTDS & DSMRT | EPA 200.8 Rev 5.4, ASTM D5673-10, Standard Methods 3125 (1997) (excluding chromium-6) | ||
| vanadium | 7440-62-2 | 0.2 µg/L | ||
| molybdenum | 7439-98-7 | 1 µg/L | ||
| cobalt | 7440-48-4 | 1µg/L | ||
| strontium | 7440-24-6 | 0.3 µg/L | ||
| chromium3 | N/A4 | 0.2 µg/L | ||
| chromium-6 | 18540-29-9 | 0.03 µg/L | EPA 218.7 | |
| One Oxyhalide Anion | EPTDS & DSMRT | EPA 300.1, ASTM D6581-08, Standard Methods 4110D (1997) | ||
| chlorate | 14866-68-3 | 20µg/L | ||
| Six Perfluorinated Compounds | EPTDS | EPA 537 Rev 1.1 | ||
| perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) | 1763-23-1 | 0.04 µg/L | ||
| perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | 335-67-1 | 0.02 µg/L | ||
| perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) | 375-95-1 | 0.02 µg/L | ||
| perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) | 355-46-4 | 0.03 µg/L | ||
| perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) | 375-85-9 | 0.01 µg/L | ||
| perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) | 375-73-5 | 0.09 µg/L |
Screening Survey (List 2 Contaminants)
| Contaminant | CAS Registry Number1 | Minimum Reporting Level | Sampling Points2 | Analytical Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Hormones | EPTDS | EPA 539 | ||
| 17-β-estradiol | 50-28-2 | 0.0004 µg/L | ||
| 17-α-ethynylestradiol (ethinyl estradiol) | 57-63-6 | 0.0009 µg/L | ||
| 16-α-hydroxyestradiol (estriol) | 50-27-1 | 0.0008 µg/L | ||
| equilin | 474-86-2 | 0.004 µg/L | ||
| estrone | 53-16-7 | 0.002 µg/L | ||
| testosterone | 58-22-0 | 0.0001 µg/L | ||
| 4-androstene-3,17-dione | 63-05-8 | 0.0003 µg/L |
Pre-Screen Testing (List 3 Contaminants)
| Contaminant | CAS Registry Number1 | Minimum Reporting Level | Sampling Points2 | Analytical Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two Viruses | EPTDS | EPA 1615 | ||
| enteroviruses | N/A4 | N/A | ||
| noroviruses | N/A | N/A |
Notes
1 Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) Registry Number
2 Sample Points
a. Entry points to the distribution system (EPTDS)
b. Distribution system maximum residence time (DSMRT)
3 Monitoring for total chromium – in conjunction with UCMR 3 Assessment Monitoring – is required under the authority provided in Section 1445(a)(1)(A) of SDWA
4 Not Applicable
Related Links
- Reporting - Information on reporting requirements, data elements and the electronic reporting system
- Statistical Protocol for the Determination of the Single-Laboratory Lowest Concentration Minimum Reporting Level (LCMRL) and Validation of Laboratory Performance at or Below the Minimum Reporting Level (MRL) - Protocol for developing Lowest Concentration MRLs (LCMRLs) and deriving MRLs from the LCMRL; and a downloadable tool to calculate LCMRLs