Surface Water Treatment: The New Rules

On December 31, 1990, the new Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR) will begin to affect the operation of every public US water system that uses surface water as a source‐and some that use groundwater, too. Compliance deadlines for various systems range from December 31, 1990, into 1993. The basic effect of the SWTR is that practically all water systems using surface water will have to use a treatment technique; usually filtration and/or disinfection. This article reviews the purpose of the regulation, treatment required, removal/inactivation goals, and the effect on water systems.