Rule Promulgation

The U.S. EPA is revising the Total Coliform Rule.  The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on July 14, 2010.  Look for it on the U.S. EPA Revised Total Coliform Rule Web page at http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/tcr/regulation_revisions.cfm.

What Recently Happened?

The Water Bureau has promulgated rules effective December 4, 2009.  These rules adopt federal provisions of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations promulgated under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended.  The rules also update and expand Michigan 's long-standing public water supply (PWS) requirements.  The amended rules affect waterworks system construction, planning and operation; required training for water system operators; and provisions to disperse grants for source water protection.  The rule changes affect the rules Supplying Water to the Public, R 325.10101 to 325.12820.

Convenient Links:

Rule Changes:  3-page summary of amendments.
Guide To Amended Drinking Water Rules:  5-page expanded summary of amendments.
Manufactured Housing Communities:  2-page summary of amendments specific to these PWS.
strike/bold format:  The amended rules showing old language in strikeout and new language in bold.
Click here to view the entire rule range Supplying Water to the Public, R 325.10101 to 325.12820.

For more information on the federal rules, click on the links below to visit the USEPA Web sites:

The Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule addresses Cryptosporidium treatment in PWS that use surface water or groundwater under the influence of surface water as a source.  See Rules 611d to 611n and 720b to 720e.

The Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule further limits exposure to disinfection byproducts.  See Rules 610d and 719g to 719n.

The Ground Water Rule establishes a risk-based approach for groundwater PWS that are vulnerable to fecal contamination.  See Rules 612 to 612b, 702, and 739 to 739b.

The Lead and Copper Rule Short Term Revisions revises existing rules that limit exposure to lead and copper in drinking water.  See Rules 604f and 710a to 710d.

Rule Promulgation Steps Completed:
12/04/2009:  Rules filed with the Secretary of State, became effective immediately
11/02/2009:  DEQ adopted rules
10/20/2009:  JCAR received draft rules.  JCAR may take 15 session days to review draft rules.
10/16/2009:  SOAHR certified draft rules
10/12/2009:  LSB certified draft rules
08/19/2009:  SOAHR approved textural changes to the draft rules based on public comments and accepted the JCAR report
06/16/2009:  Public comment period closed
06/12/2009:  Public hearing held
03/10/2009:  SOAHR informally approved draft rules
02/11/2009:  SOAHR approved RIS and RPA and accepted the draft rules for review
08/20/2008:  SOAHR accepted RFR.

Key:
DEQ Department of Environmental Quality
JCAR Michigan Legislature's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules
LSB Legislative Service Bureau
SOAHR State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules
RIS Regulatory Impact Statement
RPA Regulatory Policy Analysis
RFR Request for Rulemaking