42 U.S.C. § 300j–19 — Algal toxin risk assessment and management

(a) Strategic plan. Within 90 days of August 7, 2015, the EPA had to send Congress a strategic plan for assessing and managing algal toxin risks in drinking water from public water systems. The plan needed steps and timelines to: evaluate the health risk from algal-toxin-contaminated drinking water; create, publish, and keep updating a list of algal toxins the EPA decides could harm human health at likely exposure levels; summarize the known health effects of listed toxins and the factors that make toxin-producing algae grow and release toxins; for each listed toxin, decide whether to issue health advisories, set guidance on how to test for the toxin, and set guidance on how often to monitor for it; recommend workable treatment options — including equipment and source-water protection steps — to reduce harm from listed toxins; and enter into agreements with, and give technical help to, affected states and water systems to manage the risks of listed toxins. The EPA must update and resend this plan to Congress as needed. (b) Information coordination. In carrying this out, the EPA must: find gaps in its own understanding of algal toxins, including their health effects and how to test and monitor for them; consult, as appropriate, with other federal agencies, states, water system operators, international agencies, foreign governments, research institutions, and companies offering treatment options; and gather and publish information from any federal agency that has studied cyanobacteria, algal toxins, or harmful algal blooms. (c) Use of science. The EPA must follow the scientific-standards requirements in section 300g–1(b)(3)(A) when carrying out this section. (d) Feasible. The word "feasible" in this section has the same meaning it has in section 300g–1(b)(4)(D).