On July 19, 2021, EPA published the Draft Fifth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 5). The CCL is a list of contaminants that are currently not subject to any proposed or promulgated national primary drinking water regulations, but are known or anticipated to occur in public water systems. Contaminants listed on the CCL may require future regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

The Draft CCL 5 includes 66 chemicals, three chemical groups (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), cyanotoxins, and disinfection byproducts (DBPs)), and 12 microbes, which were selected from a universe of chemicals used in commerce, pesticides, biological toxins, disinfection byproducts, and waterborne pathogens. EPA is seeking comment on the Draft CCL 5 and the process used to select the contaminants. Instructions on how to submit comments are included in the Federal Register notice and may also be submitted using the docket link above.  Comments must be received on or before September 17, 2021.

Draft CCL 5 Summary Tables and Support Documents

Future Consultation with EPA’s Science Advisory Board

EPA plans to consult with the Science Advisory Board (SAB) on the Draft CCL 5 in the fall of 2021. EPA will consider public comments and SAB feedback in developing the Final CCL 5.

Previous Request for Contaminant Nominations

In developing the Draft CCL 5, EPA considered the nominations received from the public in response to the Agency’s 2018 request to identify chemicals, microbes or other potential drinking water contaminants.