Mass. Establishes First Perchlorate Standard

07/28/2006

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) established a drinking water standard for perchlorate of 2 ppb. Massachusetts is the first US state to establish a perchlorate standard. Its 2 ppb limit is significantly more stringent than 24.5 ppb limit proposed by the US EPA in January 2006.

Perchlorate, a constituent in blasting agents and fireworks, has been detected in several Massachusetts public water supplies, but there was no risk-based standard available to determine the level required for cleanup. Now, public water systems must be regularly tested for perchlorate and parties responsible for perchlorate contamination must notify MADEP in accordance with the Massachusetts Contingency Plan.

Other states are in the process of establishing their own standards for perchlorate. California has proposed a 6 ppb standard. Arizona, Michigan, and New Hampshire are awaiting data collection before moving forward. New Jersey has drafted a rule that sets the MCL for perchlorate at 5 ppb that would become the groundwater quality standard, groundwater remediation standard, and drinking water standard. New Jersey is also considering the addition of perchlorate to the hazardous substance list for Spill Compensation Control Act Fund purposes.