What is an MCLG?

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Multiple Choice

What is an MCLG?

An MCLG is a health-based goal for how high a contaminant level in drinking water should be, set to protect human health over a lifetime of exposure. It is established by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act and reflects the level at which no known or expected adverse health effects would occur, including considerations for sensitive populations. Importantly, it is not enforceable and does not take feasibility or cost into account. The enforceable standard that water systems must meet is the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are set as close as feasible to the MCLGs, but they also consider what is technically and economically achievable. So the MCLG guides health protection, while the MCL provides the actual regulatory limit that systems must comply with.

An MCLG is a health-based goal for how high a contaminant level in drinking water should be, set to protect human health over a lifetime of exposure. It is established by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act and reflects the level at which no known or expected adverse health effects would occur, including considerations for sensitive populations. Importantly, it is not enforceable and does not take feasibility or cost into account.

The enforceable standard that water systems must meet is the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). MCLs are set as close as feasible to the MCLGs, but they also consider what is technically and economically achievable. So the MCLG guides health protection, while the MCL provides the actual regulatory limit that systems must comply with.

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