Document dnjrvOdRLwe2xN0q01aEZeZRB

THE HARTFORD COURANT Wednesday, DecembrSV 2h, 1980 Page AT Reaction to Proposal for Rules On Asbestos Water Pipes Mixed By KAY CAHILL Newly proposed state regulations (0 guard against the release of asbestos fibers from water pipes into drinking water have met with a mixed reaction from the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, which petitioned the state to develop the regulations. As the result of a Sept. 16 public hearing, Richard S. Woodhull, chief of the state Department of Health Services water supplies division, revised the ini^ tially proposed regulations for monitoring the asbestos content of water running through asbestos rement water pipes. There are about 800 miles of asbes- tos-cement pipe being used in 80 Con- iel Millstone, litigation director of the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, But, he said, the regulations fail to consider w'bat happens if chemical treatment of the water does not prevent the fibers from entering the water, "That s a major omission. Millstone sa>d- Representatives of the pipe manufacturers could not be reached for cornment Tuesday, but they have argued that the regulations are not needed because the pipes do not pose a health hazard. The General Assembly has banned the installation of asbestos-ce- ment water pipe, but the manufaclurers are challenging the ban. Woodhull's revised version of the reg- _ 1 j_____it,.* it --1 -1;:______________________ 11I. The proposed regulations also re quire that water be chemically treated ' weliminale the fibers if the exposed pipe is found to be corroding and if sig- :f nificant levels of asbestos are found in ' the water. ! "That sounds reasonable," said Dan- taken. This is a provision sought by some environmentalists. Millstone said he approved of that addition to the regulations, but said consumers should be notified if any asbestos is discovered rather than wailing for the level to become statistically significant. I CAPCO JEN 0004313