A nonbinding resolution introduced in the House of Representatives on February 17 calls on EPA to complete its human health assessment of chromium-6 and establish new drinking water standards for the contaminant.
Sponsored by Rep. Al Green (D-Tex.), the measure (H.Res. 147) would not direct EPA to take any action on chromium-6. Instead, the nonbinding resolution simply “encourages” EPA to establish a drinking water regulation for the contaminant and calls on “agencies at all levels of government” to determine what causes chromium-6 pollution and to take appropriate mitigation actions. The resolution also calls on state and local governments to set their own “reasonable” drinking water standards for chromium-6 and “encourages consideration” of tax breaks for people who purchase filtration systems to remove chromium-6 from their drinking water.
Rep. Green’s resolution appears to be prompted by a recent analysis by the Environmental Working Group that purported to find chromium-6 in drinking water supplies nationwide. H.Res. 147’s findings cite this study, noting that it claimed to find high levels of the contaminants in a zip code that is part of Rep. Green’s district. Some AMWA members have previously questioned the methods of the Environmental Working Group’s report, which counted up all instances that chromium-6 was detected during testing carried out pursuant to the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule.
The House of Representatives is not expected to take any action on H.Res. 147.