2021-20436. Program Requirement Revisions Related to the Public Water System Supervision Programs for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of Rhode Island

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Notice is hereby given that the State of Rhode Island and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are revising their respective approved Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) programs to meet the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

DATES:

All interested parties may request a public hearing for any of the above EPA determinations. A request for a public hearing must be submitted by October 22, 2021 to the Regional Administrator at the address shown below. Frivolous or insubstantial requests for a hearing may be denied by the Regional Administrator.

However, if a substantial request for a public hearing is made by this date, a public hearing will be held. If no timely and appropriate request for a hearing is received, and the Regional Administrator does not elect to hold a hearing on his/her own motion, this determination shall become final and effective October 22, 2021.

Any request for a public hearing shall include the following information: (1) The name, address, and telephone number of the individual organization, or other entity requesting a hearing; (2) a brief statement of the requesting person's interest in the Regional Administrator's determination; (3) information that the requesting person intends to submit at such hearing; and (4) the signature of the individual making the request, or if the request is made on behalf of an organization or other entity, the signature of a responsible official of the organization or other entity.

ADDRESSES:

All documents relating to this determination are available for inspection between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the following office(s) below. Please call to arrange a visit.

U.S. Environmental Protection, Water Division, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100, Boston, MA 02109-3912

For state-specific documents:

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Drinking Water Program, One Winter Street, Boston, MA 02108,

Rhode Island Department of Public Health, Division of Drinking Water Quality, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908-5097

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jeri Weiss, U.S. EPA—New England, Water Division, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has adopted a drinking water regulation for the Revised Total Coliform Rule (78 FR 10269) promulgated on February 13, 2013. After review of documentation submitted by the Commonwealth, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that the Commonwealth's Revised Total Coliform Rule is no less stringent than the corresponding federal regulations.

The State of Rhode Island has adopted a drinking water regulation for the Revised Total Coliform Rule (78 FR 10269) promulgated on February 13, 2013. After review of documentation submitted by the state, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that the state's Revised Total Coliform Rule is no less stringent than the corresponding federal regulations.

Authority: Section 1401 (42 U.S.C 300f) and Section 1413 (42 U.S.C. 300g-2) of the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (1996), and (40 CFR 142.10) of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations.

Dated: September 14, 2021.

Deborah A. Szaro,

Acting Regional Administrator, EPA Region 1—New England.