Code of Colorado Regulations
1000 - Department of Public Health and Environment
1002 - Water Quality Control Commission (1002 Series)
5 CCR 1002-31 - REGULATION NO. 31 - THE BASIC STANDARDS AND METHODOLOGIES FOR SURFACE WATER
Section 5 CCR 1002-31.33 - STATEMENT OF BASIS, SPECIFIC STATUTORY AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE: DECEMBER, 1996 HEARING

1. Summary

In this rulemaking proceeding, the Commission adopted a revised basic standard for surface water for plutonium (Pu) and established an additional basic standard for surface water for americium (Am).

2. Background

The Commission previously adopted a basic standard for plutonium of 15 pCi/L and had no basic standard for americium. A basic standard was considered in this hearing for americium because it is closely associated with plutonium and these two radionuclides generally occur together. The current basic standard of 15 pCi/L plutonium was calculated using methodologies in the 1976 National Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations and was consistent with a goal of keeping exposures below 4 millirems per year. The Basis and Purpose indicated that it was necessary and important to restrict levels because of the difficulty of removing this radionuclide by conventional treatment procedures and because the potential adverse effect on human health suggests that extreme caution be exercised in its release to State waters. Since plutonium is predominantly an alpha emitter, the basic standard was made consistent with the 15 pCi/L alpha standard. (A site-specific standard, based on ambient conditions, was set in 1990. Note that this hearing also addressed site-specific standards, which are further discussed in section 3.8.48 of this Statement of Basis and Purpose.)

3. Basis for Commission Decision

Since the previous basic standard was set, several changes have occurred:

The 15 pCi/L dose-based approach was calculated using a "reference-man" and considered exposure during his working life. It was an approach designed to address questions related to occupational exposure. It did not consider sex, age and organ-specific factors over a lifetime. In contrast, the new slope factor methodology, used in EPA's 1989 Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund Sites, is more complete, more applicable to a general population and has become the standard practice for calculating risk.

The Commission adopted a basic standard of 0.15 pCi/L for plutonium and americium, calculated using a 1x10^-6 risk level, based on residential use. This risk level is consistent with the Commission's policy for human health protection.

1. State of Colorado Division of Wildlife

2. U.S. Department of Energy

3. Kaiser-Hill Company, LLC

4. City of Broomfield

5. City of Westminster

6. U.S. EPA Region VIII

7. City of Thornton

8. City of Arvada

9. City of Northglenn