Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring

The Elkins Public Water System participated in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5). Under this nationwide program, participating water systems collected samples between 2023 and 2025 for 30 substances: 29 PFAS and lithium.

What is UCMR 5?

UCMR 5 is an EPA-directed nationwide drinking water monitoring program for the presence of PFAS and lithium. PFAS are a group of manufactured chemicals, while lithium is a naturally occurring element. By collecting results from water systems across the country, the EPA can learn how often these substances are found and at what levels. The information helps the agency decide whether further study or action is needed.

Why did Elkins participate in UCMR 5 monitoring?

UCMR 5 required public water systems serving 3,300 or more people to monitor. Elkins participated because it met that requirement. Being required to test does not indicate a finding that the water is unsafe.

View the Elkins results

Download the Elkins Public Water System’s 2023-2025 UCMR 5 results (PDF)

None of the 25 PFAS listed in this report was found at or above the program’s reporting level. This does not necessarily mean they were entirely absent; smaller amounts would not be shown as measured results.

Why are there no 2026 results?

UCMR 5 required water systems to collect samples between 2023 and 2025. That monitoring period has ended, so there are no UCMR 5 results for 2026.

The EPA has proposed the next monitoring program, UCMR 6, with sample collection beginning in 2028. UCMR 6 will monitor for a new group of unregulated contaminants.

For more information about the program, visit the EPA’s UCMR 5 page.