FACACLASSIC

Note: An Annual Comprehensive Review, as required by §7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, is conducted each year on committee data entered for the previous fiscal year (referred to as the reporting year). The data for the reporting year is not considered verified until this review is complete and the data is moved to history for an agency/department. See the Data From Previous Years section at the bottom of this page for the committee’s historical, verified data.

Details on agency responses to committee recommendations can be found under the Performance Measures section for each committee in the fields “Agency Feedback” and “Agency Feedback Comment.”

EPA - 163 - National Drinking Water Advisory Council - Statutory (Congress Created)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	National Drinking Water Advisory Council	Agency Name	Environmental Protection Agency
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	163
Original Establishment Date	2/26/1975	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL	http://www.epa.gov/ndwac
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	15
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	Designated Federal Officer, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix	Ms.
Current Charter Date	10/1/2024	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Tracey
Date Of Renewal Charter	10/1/2026	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name	M.
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Ward
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(202) 890-9864
Establishment Authority*	Statutory (Congress Created)	Designated Federal Officer Fax*	N/A
Specific Establishment Authority*	42 U.S.C. 300 j5	Designated Federal Officer Email*	ward.tracey@epa.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	12/16/1974
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	National Policy Issue Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	No
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	The National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC) is a federal advisory committee that supports EPA in performing the Agency's duties and responsibilities related to the national drinking water program. The NDWAC was created on December 16, 1974, through a provision in the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) of 1974. The NDWAC meets to discuss current issues in EPA's drinking water program and also advises, consults with, and makes recommendations to EPA. This includes consultations as required by the SDWA on certain rulemakings.
How is membership balanced?*	The NDWAC is authorized under the SDWA, which includes a provision on the composition of the membership of the council. The NDWAC is to have five (5) members from the general public, five (5) members from water interest groups and organizations and five (5) members from state and local agencies. Included in the statute is a requirement that two (2) of the 15 members must be associated with small, rural drinking water systems. EPA seeks to ensure geographic diversity.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	Since the enactment of the 1996 SDWA Amendments, the NDWAC has provided indispensable input into EPA's standard setting, regulatory development, and program implementation activities mandated by the SDWA, as amended. As EPA carries out these statutory mandates, the agency works with the NDWAC to develop and shape future efforts that will ensure the nation's public health protection through safe drinking water. The NDWAC has met one time in FY25.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	Early involvement of the NDWAC provides an excellent forum for EPA to discuss and receive stakeholder input on policy, regulatory development, and program implementation issues/concerns. Moreover, the NDWAC offers an opportunity for fostering consensus advice and recommendations from a balanced and diverse group of experts in the drinking water community who may not reach agreement without working together within the structure of the NDWAC. To reach an appropriate position on difficult and controversial issues, the NDWAC organizes meetings so that all sides of an issue/concern are taken into consideration and recommendations reflect consensus to the extent possible.
Why close or partially close meetings?	No meetings were closed or partially closed.
Recommendation Remarks	All members are Tier 1 (parent committee members). There are no Tier 2 (subcommittee) members serving.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	Yes	Action Reorganize Priorities*	No
Outcome Trust In Government	No	Action Reallocate Resources	No
Outcome Major Policy Changes	No	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	No	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	No	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	No
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	No	Action Other	No
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	No	Action Comment	N/A
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	Yes	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	No	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment		Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	N/A	Grants Review Comment	N/A
Number Of Recommendations*	128	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	NDWAC provided input and recommendations to EPA on the implementation of the national drinking water program. EPA staff consulted with NDWAC on key issues, including most recently the PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR), the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) Rule Revisions, the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), and the Microbial and Disinfection Byproduct (MDBP) Rule Revisions. The meeting was focused on discussing the proposed perchlorate regulation. EPA is currently in the proposal stage of the regulation with a requirement to propose the rule by November 2025. The agency is seeking input from the council to inform the development of the proposed rule.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	0.00%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	Realistically, we are unable to provide a real number over the 35-year history of the Council. EPA considers all recommendations made and implements them as possible. However, in some cases the administration may disagree with the council and/or the regulatory process guides the final action. Additionally, EPA may not be able to respond due to resource constraints.	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	0.00%	Access Publications	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	N/A	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	N/A
Agency Feedback Comment*	EPA provides a written response to the NDWAC's recommendations.	Narrative Description*	The National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC or Council) is a federal advisory committee that supports the EPA in performing its duties and responsibilities related to the national drinking water program. The Council was created on December 16, 1974, through a provision in the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974. NDWAC provides advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on matters related to activities, functions, policies, and regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*	$0.00	1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*	$0.00
2. Payments to Federal Members*	$23,221.00	2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*	$32,568.00
3. Payments to Federal Staff*	$164,129.00	3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*	$170,000.00
4. Payments to Consultants*	$6,204.16	4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*	$6,500.00
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*	$0.00	5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*	$0.00
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*	$0.00	6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*	$0.00
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*	$0.00	7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*	$0.00
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*	$0.00	8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*	$0.00
10. Other Costs	$24,131.00	10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*	$25,000.00
11. Total Costs	$217,685.16	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$234,068.00
Date Cost Last Modified	9/18/2025 3:32 PM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*	1.50
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*	1.50	Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks

Interest Areas

Category Area Environment Environmental Issues Water Water Use

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