Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5)

The City of Richmond’s drinking water meets all current health and safety guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The EPA sets the National Primary Drinking Water Standards as part of their authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).  The SDWA requires that once every five years the EPA issue a list of unregulated contaminants to be monitored by public water systems.

In accordance with the EPA’s Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Rule (UCMR 5), drinking water providers like the City of Richmond, were required to measure the level of lithium – a metal/pharmaceutical - and 29 specific per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) chemicals. PFAS, is a group of man-made chemicals used in a variety of industrial and consumer products. These chemicals are known for their heat, stain, grease, and water resistance properties. Due to their persistence in the environment and potential health risks, PFAS are sometimes referred to as "forever chemicals". 

Under the new rule, water systems are required to conduct initial monitoring for six PFAS before 2027, followed by ongoing compliance monitoring. In 2029, water systems which exceed one or more of these limits must take action to reduce levels of these PFAS in their drinking water and must provide notification to the public of the violation. 

Quarterly samples have been collected and analyzed over a 12-month period in treated tap water from all six water treatment plants. In May of 2024, the City of Richmond’s Water released results from a year’s worth of water quality testing to determine the presence of lithium and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the city’s drinking water. Richmond’s results reveal little to no detectable traces of PFAS in the City’s drinking water. Because PFAS levels were either not detected or lower than EPA regulatory limits, no additional treatment to address these substances are required at this time.

UCMR 5 Test Results

UCMR 5 test results are shown in parts per trillion (ppt) in the table below.  For reference, one part per trillion is equal to:

• One drop of water in 20 Olympic sized swimming pools
• One cent out of $10 billion

 *Asterisks indicate chemicals to be regulated in 2027 and the proposed limits set by the EPA

All results from the City’s UCMR 5 monitoring can be found here.

What are PFAS?

PFAS are a diverse group of thousands of man-made chemicals used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products since the 1940’s due to their resistance to grease, oil, water, and heat. These qualities allowed them to be applied to nearly any material, to make them water, oil, and stain resistant. PFAS are used in fabrics, carpeting, non-stick pans, cleaning products, paints, personal care products, food-packaging, fire-fighting foams, and other products. While some PFAS have been phased out in the US, they may still be used in imported products, and US manufacturers continue to make and use other PFAS in their place.

Commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS do not easily break down. Studies have shown that some types of PFAS accumulate in the environment and in the bodies of fish, animals, and humans. The widespread use of PFAS and their ability to remain in the environment means that PFAS levels from past and current uses can result in increasing levels of environmental contamination over time.

Upcoming PFAS Regulations

Six PFAS compounds identified by the EPA will soon be regulated. The EPA is now working to determine how water utilities will have to test and treat drinking water.

The timeline for these regulations to take effect is:

• 2023 – 2027: Nationwide, water utilities are participating in the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rules (UCMR 5) testing. Results will be used to determine requirements for testing, treatment, and future regulations.
• 2027 – 2029: Rules about sampling for PFAS and reporting results will go into effect.
• 2029 and beyond: Treatment processes that are required to remove PFAS from drinking water must be in place and working effectively.

Richmond’s Water UCMR 5 results will be used to determine future requirements for testing. At this time, no additional treatment is required.

Because PFAS levels were either not detected or lower than EPA regulatory limits, no additional treatment to address these substances is required at this time. Additional information about UCMR5 can be found at the following link:

https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas

Important Information About Your Drinking Water

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) selected City of Richmond Main System and MUD 121 to participate in gathering data under the EPA’s Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Rule (UCMR5).  Unregulated contaminants are those that don’t yet have a drinking water standard set by EPA. The purpose of monitoring for these contaminants is to assist EPA in determining the occurrence of unregulated contaminants in drinking water and whether future regulation is warranted.  As our customers, you have a right to know that this data is available.

Click here to see current UCMR5 test results for City of Richmond Main System.

Click here to see current UCMR5 test results for MUD 121.

Click here to learn more about PFAS.

Click here to learn more about Lithium in drinking water.

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