Drinking Water Protection Act

“1459. Cyanotoxin risk assessment and management

“(a) Strategic plan

“(1) Development—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall develop and submit to Congress a strategic plan for assessing and managing risks associated with cyanotoxins in drinking water provided by public water systems. The strategic plan shall include steps and timelines to—

“(A) evaluate the risk to human health from drinking water provided by public water systems contaminated with cyanotoxins;

“(B) establish, publish, and update a comprehensive list of cyanotoxins determined by the Administrator to be harmful to human health when present in drinking water provided by public water systems;

“(C) summarize—

“(i) the known adverse human health effects of cyanotoxins included on the list published under subparagraph (B) when present in drinking water provided by public water systems; and

“(ii) factors that cause cyanobacteria to proliferate and express toxins;

“(D) with respect to cyanotoxins included on the list published under subparagraph (B), determine whether to—

“(i) publish health advisories pursuant to section 1412(b)(1)(F) for such cyanotoxins in drinking water provided by public water systems;

“(ii) establish guidance regarding feasible analytical methods to quantify the presence of cyanotoxins; and

“(iii) establish guidance regarding the frequency of monitoring necessary to determine if such cyanotoxins are present in drinking water provided by public water systems;

“(E) recommend feasible treatment options, including procedures and equipment, to mitigate any adverse public health effects of cyanotoxins included on the list published under subparagraph (B); and

“(F) enter into cooperative agreements with, and provide technical assistance to, affected States and public water systems, as identified by the Administrator, for the purpose of managing risks associated with cyanotoxins included on the list published under subparagraph (B).

“(2) Updates—The Administrator shall, as appropriate, update and submit to Congress the strategic plan developed under paragraph (1).

“(b) Information coordination—In carrying out this section the Administrator shall—

“(1) identify gaps in the Agency’s understanding of cyanobacteria, including—

“(A) the human health effects of cyanotoxins included on the list published under subsection (a)(1)(B); and

“(B) methods and means of testing and monitoring for the presence of harmful cyanotoxins in source water of, or drinking water provided by, public water systems;

“(2) as appropriate, consult with—

“(A) other Federal agencies that—

“(i) examine or analyze cyanobacteria; or

“(ii) address public health concerns related to harmful algal blooms;

“(B) States;

“(C) operators of public water systems;

“(D) multinational agencies;

“(E) foreign governments; and

“(F) research and academic institutions; and

“(3) assemble and publish information from each Federal agency that has—

“(A) examined or analyzed cyanobacteria; or

“(B) addressed public health concerns related to harmful algal blooms.

“(c) Use of science—The Administrator shall carry out this section in accordance with the requirements described in section 1412(b)(3)(A), as applicable.

“(d) Feasible—For purposes of this section, the term feasible has the meaning given such term in section 1412(b)(4)(D).”