Environmental Regulations
EPA Drinking Water Standards: Key Contaminants in PPB and PPM
Review primary EPA National Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR), Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), and action levels expressed in PPB and PPM.
S
Sarah Jenkins, MS
Environmental Science Specialist
EPA Drinking Water Standards: Key Contaminants in PPB and PPM
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for public water systems to protect human health.
Key Contaminant Benchmarks:
- Arsenic: MCL is 10 PPB (0.010 PPM / 0.010 mg/L).
- Lead: Action level is 15 PPB (0.015 PPM / 15 µg/L).
- Copper: Action level is 1.3 PPM (1300 PPB).
- Nitrate: MCL is 10 PPM (10,000 PPB).
- Benzene: MCL is 5 PPB (0.005 PPM).