"California has emerged as the first state to advance limits on hexavalent chromium in drinking water, a contaminant linked to cancer first made famous by Erin Brockovich’s advocacy efforts.

The California Water Resources Control Board’s Drinking Water Program on Monday unveiled a proposal to set a “maximum contaminant level” (MCL) of 10 parts per billion, or ppb, in water.

The board is also proposing to set the “detection limit,” which would trigger reporting, at 0.05 ppb, according to the document. In addition, the board laid out a schedule for utilities across the state to comply — according to staggered deadlines based on their size — within four years."

Hannah Northey reports for E&E News March 23, 2022. [2]