Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL)

• Established by USEPA for all regulated drinking water pollutants
• Takes into account available health risk assessments, and cost-benefit analysis
• A level that may be achieved with the use of Best Available Technology (BAT) treatment techniques
• All public water systems must meet these standards
• Technical and financial feasibility are taken into account by USEPA (MCLGs may not be feasible)
• As new health effects data becomes available, MCLs are adjusted