What does EPA consider when it sets drinking water standards?

The 1996 Amendments to Safe Drinking Water Act require EPA to go through several steps to determine, first, whether setting a standard is appropriate for a particular contaminant, and if so, what the standard should be.  Peer-reviewed science and data support an intensive technological evaluation, which includes many factors: occurrence in the environment; human exposure and risks of adverse health effects in the general population and sensitive subpopulations; analytical methods of detection; technical feasibility; and impacts of regulation on water systems, the economy and public health.  Considering public input throughout the process, EPA must identify drinking water problems; establish priorities; and set standards.  Additional information on drinking water standards is available at http://water.epa.gov/drink/standardsriskmanagement.cfm.

• Regarding EPA's regulatory determinations for priority contaminants on the first drinking water contaminant candidate list (CCL), what was the final determination for regulating sulfate?
• What is the detection limit for uranium radioanalysis?
• Are drinking water analytical methods approved by EPA as part of the Alternate Test Procedure (ATP) Program available for use in all states?