Asbestos

FAQ

• Who must comply with the asbestos monitoring requirements?
  • Community water systems and non-transient non-community water systems must comply with the asbestos monitoring requirements.
• What is the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for asbestos?
  • 7 Million Fibers/Liter (MFL) – (longer than 10 micrometers)
• How does asbestos get into my drinking water?
  • Asbestos may occur naturally in the source water through erosion, runoff, and improper disposal of asbestos containing wastes; and in the distribution system through the deterioration of asbestos-cement pipes due to the corrosivity of the finished water and source water conditions.
• What is North Dakota’s asbestos waiver concept?
  • A public water system may be granted an asbestos waiver from sampling for asbestos based on consideration of:
    • Potential asbestos contamination of the water source
    • The use of asbestos-cement pipe for finished water distribution
    • The corrosive nature of the water
  • A new waiver is required in the first compliance period of each nine year compliance cycle. No sampling is required when granted a waiver.

Links

• Enviromental Protection Agency, Asbestos website