Final answer:
The EPA sets the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes at 80 ppb in drinking water, a standard also observed and often exceeded by the IBWA. This level is enforceable, with potential penalties for non-compliance. Water suppliers must monitor their water regularly and use treatments to ensure safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The allowable levels of trihalomethane (THMs), a group of chemical compounds that can be found as water pollutants, are strictly regulated due to their potential health risks. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL for total THMs at 80 parts per billion (ppb) in drinking water. This concentration is an enforceable standard and if water suppliers exceed this MCL for THMs, penalties could be imposed. The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) adheres to these standards and often sets more stringent voluntary standards for their members.
Monitoring methods are in place to ensure compliance with these levels, and advancements in treatment techniques help in achieving such compliance. Water filters, such as inline filters, help in reducing THM levels, and other contaminants, to meet or exceed regulatory requirements. The SDWA amendment of 1986 further extended the range of contaminants regulated, including organic and inorganic chemicals, and set out provisions for public notification if severe water quality issues arise.