EPA to Review LT2 Requirement to Cover Reservoirs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will review a requirement for controlling microbial risks that includes covering reservoirs.

In a letter to U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer on Aug. 19, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson outlined her agency’s review of the Long-Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, which, as an example, would force New York City to spend $1.6 billion to cover a reservoir for public health protection.

In a letter sent to Jackson in July, Schumer called on EPA "not to inflexibly pursue a very costly, burdensome and potentially unnecessary reservoir-covering requirement.”

In her response letter, Jackson agreed that a more cost-effective method of achieving public safety should be found and said her agency will consider innovative approaches for public water systems to meet Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.

Read more in the American Water Works Association’s Streamlines.