Addressing Uncertainty and Conflicting Cost Estimates in Revising the Arsenic MCL

摘要: The current effort to revise the arsenic drinking water standard is one of first times that promulgation a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for has been influenced explicitly by benefit-cost considerations. Different stakeholders have developed different estimates costs, benefits, and appropriate decision-making criteria lower standard. In this study, alternative analyses prepared U.S. EPA independent researchers are compared. large discrepancies in aggregate national cost shown result largely from differences engineering treatment processes. Further research needed resolve these discrepancies. Alternative regulatory approaches, such as providing point-of-use or exempting systems with high household compliance yield only modest improvement overall cost-effectiveness standards but effective at addressing serious affordability problems small percentage (primarily small) where predicted occur. may wish provide more explicit guidance state regulators utilities conditions under which options will be acceptable.