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EPA Tentatively Approves Arkansas Drinking Water Program Revision; Hearing Requests Due Oct. 23

The EPA has proposed to approve Arkansas's updated Public Water System Supervision program, finding the state's Consumer Confidence Report Rule Revisions no less stringent than federal standards.

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The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a notice of tentative approval for a revision to Arkansas's Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) program, finding that the state has adopted EPA drinking water rules for the Consumer Confidence Report Rule Revisions. The agency determined that the Consumer Confidence Report Rule Revisions submitted by Arkansas are no less stringent than the corresponding federal regulations, and therefore intends to approve the PWSS program revision package. The action is governed by Section 1413 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended in 1996, and 40 CFR part 142 of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations.

The notice, signed on September 14, 2026, by Walter Mason, Regional Administrator for EPA Region 6, solicits public comments and requests for a public hearing. Members of the public, organizations, or other entities wishing to challenge or comment on the determination must submit their comments or a request for a public hearing by October 23, 2026, addressed to the Regional Administrator at the EPA Region 6 address.

The document specifies that if a substantial request for a public hearing is received by October 23, 2026, a public hearing will be held. Frivolous or insubstantial hearing requests may be denied by the Regional Administrator. If no timely and appropriate request for a hearing is received, and the Regional Administrator does not elect to hold a hearing on his own motion, the determination shall become final and effective. EPA states it will publish a subsequent document in the Federal Register announcing the date the determination becomes final and effective.

Any request for a public hearing must include: the name, address, and telephone number of the individual, organization, or other entity requesting the hearing; a brief statement of the requesting person's interest in the Regional Administrator's determination and the information they intend to submit; and the signature of the individual making the request — or, if made on behalf of an organization or other entity, the signature of a responsible official of that organization or entity.

What to watch

  • October 23, 2026 — Deadline for comments or requests for a public hearing to be submitted to the EPA Region 6 Regional Administrator. A substantial request received by this date triggers a mandatory public hearing; the absence of such a request allows the tentative approval to become final and effective.

Related

Sources

14 cited

Every hard fact above is grounded in and cited to a primary source record.

  1. The State of Arkansas is revising its approved Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) program.

    federalregister.gov

  2. Arkansas has adopted the EPA drinking water rules for the Consumer Confidence Report Rule Revisions.

    federalregister.gov

  3. The EPA determined that the Consumer Confidence Report Rule Revisions submitted by Arkansas are no less stringent than the corresponding federal regulations.

    federalregister.gov

  4. The EPA intends to approve the PWSS program revision package.

    federalregister.gov

  5. The action is governed by Section 1413 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (1996), and 40 CFR part 142 of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations.

    federalregister.gov

  6. The notice was signed on September 14, 2026, by Walter Mason, Regional Administrator, Region 6.

    federalregister.gov

  7. Comments or a request for a public hearing must be submitted by October 23, 2026, to the Regional Administrator at the EPA Region 6 address.

    federalregister.gov

  8. If a substantial request for a public hearing is made by October 23, 2026, a public hearing will be held.

    federalregister.gov

  9. Frivolous or insubstantial requests for a hearing may be denied by the Regional Administrator.

    federalregister.gov

  10. If no timely and appropriate request for a hearing is received and the Regional Administrator does not elect to hold a hearing on his own motion, the determination shall become final and effective.

    federalregister.gov

  11. EPA will publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the date the determination becomes final and effective.

    federalregister.gov

  12. Any request for a public hearing must include the name, address, and telephone number of the requesting individual, organization, or other entity.

    federalregister.gov

  13. Any request for a public hearing must include a brief statement of the requesting person's interest in the Regional Administrator's determination and the information they intend to submit.

    federalregister.gov

  14. Any request for a public hearing must include the signature of the individual making the request, or, if made on behalf of an organization or other entity, the signature of a responsible official of that organization or entity.

    federalregister.gov

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