[미국] 산 카를르소 부족, EPA 식수안전법 준수 위해 시설 개선

산 카를르소 아파치 부족과 산 카를르소 아파치 부족 유틸리티 당국은 미국 환경보호국(EPA)과 합의의 일환으로 연방 식수안전법( Safe Drinking Water Act)을 준수하여 그들의 식수시스템을 가져오는데 합의했다.

EPA의 행정 명령은 2018년 9월 30일까지 설비 전반에 걸쳐 시설 개선을 위해 부족과 부족 유틸리티 권한이 필요하다. 9개의 시스템은 1만4천981명의 주민들에게 제공된다. 2016년 12월 23일까지 그 부족은 연방 표준을 초과하는 비소의 양 때문에 185명의 소다 캐년(Soda Canyon) 시스템 고객에게 대체 식수를 제공할 예정이다.

“우리의 목표는 부족 구성원들의 건강을 보호하고 식수의 안전을 보장하는 것”이라고 EPA 태평양 남서부 지방 행정관인 알렉시스 슈트라우스는 말했다.

[원문보기]

TRIBAL UTILITY AUTHORITY WILL BRING NINE DRINKING WATER FACILITIES INTO COMPLIANCE WITH EPA'S SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT

The San Carlos Apache Tribe and the San Carlos Apache Tribal Utility Authority have agreed to bring nine of their drinking water systems into compliance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act as part of a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA's administrative order requires the tribe and Tribal Utility Authority to make improvements at their facilities throughout the reservations by September 30, 2018. The nine systems serve 14,981 residents. Prior to that, by December 23, 2016 the tribe will provide alternate drinking water to the 185 Soda Canyon system customers due to levels of arsenic that exceed federal standards.

"Our goal is to protect the health of tribal members and ensure their drinking water is safe.” said Alexis Strauss, EPA's Acting Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. "Public drinking water systems must sample water, report the results and address compliance issues in a timely manner."

The EPA's action amends a 2011 settlement in which the tribe agreed to bring their drinking water systems into compliance. The EPA found the San Carlos Apache Tribe and the Tribal Utility Authority violated the terms of the 2011 order and continued to provide water that was not in compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. Specifically, the tribe failed to provide drinking water that complies with the maximum contaminant levels for arsenic and total coliform, failed to monitor for total coliform, arsenic, nitrates, lead and copper and failed to provide notice to its consumers.

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element ubiquitous throughout the west. Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of drinking water standards for many years may experience adverse health effects. These include circulatory, neurological and liver problems. Arsenic also has hormonal effects that can cause diseases such as diabetes. Arsenic is also a known human carcinogen. It can cause lung, bladder, and skin cancers, and may cause liver, kidney and prostate cancers.

EPA will continue to monitor the tribe's efforts to provide safe drinking water, and may levy civil penalties if the tribe fails to meet the compliance provisions in the settlement.

[출처 = Water World / 2016년 11월 9일]