EPA’s Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5)
Home / PFAS Regulations / UCMR
Pace® has analyzed tens of thousands of samples under the EPA’s UCMR program, and we are actively working with public water systems (PWS) across the country TO HELP THEM comply with UCMR 5 requirements.
WHAT IS UCMR 5?
The EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) is designed to collect data on contaminants that are suspected to be present in drinking water but do not yet have health-based standards set under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). A revised list of 30 contaminants is selected every five years. UCMR 5 is the fifth UCMR round to be implemented.
WATCH THE UCMR 5 WEBINAR
Pace® conducted a national technical briefing for PFAS and UCMR 5. The replay is now available on demand.
UCMR 5 TIMELINE
Sampling for UCMR 5 will run from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2025. Sampling and reporting requirements can be found on the EPA’s UCMR 5 website. If this is your first time participating in a UCMR program or you need help understanding some of the new rules, please reach out to our UCMR 5 experts. Pace® has been an approved UCMR lab since UCMR 3, and we are here to help with your UCMR 5 testing needs and questions.
COVERED WATER SYSTEMS UNDER UCMR 5
All PWS serving more than 3300 people and a randomly selected set of 800 smaller systems will be required to comply with UCMR. This more than doubles the number of water systems required to participate.
UCMR 5 CONTAMINANTS
The UCMR 5 contaminant list includes 29 PFAS compounds plus the metal lithium. The number of PFAS included shows just how serious the EPA is about monitoring PFAS in the nation’s drinking water. The list of compounds, along with their corresponding CAS# can be found on the EPA’s UCMR 5 fact sheet.
UCMR 5 TEST METHODS
To analyze for all 30 contaminants, UCMR 5 requires three EPA validated test methods. Both EPA Test Methods 537.1 and 533 are required to analyze for the 29 PFAS compounds, and EPA Test Method 200.7 will be required to analyze for lithium. Pace® is approved for all three methods.
UCMR 5 SAMPLING POINTS
UCMR 5 requires fewer sampling points than prior UCMR rounds. Sampling is only required at the entry point to each distribution system and will not include distribution system locations. Sampling of source water will not be required in UCMR 5. More details can be found on the EPA’s UCMR 5 guidance page.
UCMR 5 COST OF TESTING
The EPA has estimated the cost of UCMR 5 testing to be around $950 per sample. Large PWS’s will be required to cover the cost of testing themselves. Pending budget availability, the EPA has the intent to cover all of the testing costs for the small PWS’s (< 10,000 people served) that are required to participate in UCMR 5. Pace® is available to assist large PWS operators in assessing their UCMR 5 testing requirements and creating a budget.
REASONS TO CHOOSE PACE®
EXPERIENCED
Pace® has been an industry leader in persistent organic pollutant testing for over three decades.
CERTIFIED
We’re certified/accredited by NELAC, ISO, DOD, DOE, and in every state with a PFAS lab certification program.
RELIABLE
For emergencies, our Rapid Response Team can provide defensible results in as little as 24 hours.
COMMITTED
We are committed to helping our customers advance their important work through building strong relationships, delivering upon expectations, and providing exceptional customer service.
ADVANCED
We can test for PFAS in both solid and aqueous matrices, including potable and non-potable waters, soils, and biota.
INNOVATIVE
We’re on the leading edge of science, working with EPA, DOD, ASTM, and others to develop new methods for analyzing PFAS.
