maximum contaminant level (MCL)

« Back to Glossary Index

The maximum contaminant level or MCL is the greatest amount of a contaminant that can be present in drinking water without causing a risk to human health.

It is the designation given by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to water-quality standards promulgated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

REVISED NOTICE: Economic feasibility analysis in consideration of a hexavalent chromium MCL
DAILY DIGEST, 4/30:California water wars heat up with multiple lawsuits filed; A recap of all the letters and lawsuits; State Water Board hosts virtual workshop on chromium-6; Ranchers sue Trump administration, arguing water rollback is federal overreach; and more …
DAILY DIGEST, 4/27: What’s flushed today can be a problem months from now; Researchers retracing the steps of a century-old expedition to see how CA’s birdlife has changed; From meadow to marsh, habitats may take a hit during pandemic; and more …
DAILY DIGEST, weekend edition: Marchlike storm could be last of the season; Dan Walters on the state budget; Temporary restraining order sought to restore water flows to Klamath River; Questions simmer about Lake Powell’s future; and more …
DAILY DIGEST, 5/21: As California beaches reopen, seawall construction becomes legislative battleground; Tiny bugs can clean Valley drinking water but at what price?; Less water could sustain more Californians if we make every drop count; and more …

« Back to Glossary Index