Methods Update Rules
The EPA periodically updates the list of approved methods to reflect advances in technology, refine quality assurance and quality control requirements, and provide entities more choices of approved compliance monitoring methods.
On this page:
- Current Action, Methods Update Rule - 2023
- Methods Update Rule - 2021
- Background Information
- Additional Information
Current Action
Methods Update Rule - 2023
The EPA has promulgated a final routine Methods Update Rule (MUR) as allowed under the Clean Water Act on April 16, 2024. In the MUR - 2023, the EPA has improved:
- Revised EPA bacteria methods.
- New or revised methods published by voluntary consensus standard bodies, such as ASTM International and the Standard Methods Committee.
- Methods reviewed under the Alternate Test Procedures (ATP) program.
Documents
All supporting materials for MUR - 2023 can be found on the EPA’s docket at regulations.gov. The Docket Number is EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0901.
- Final MUR - 2023 Federal Register Notice (April 16, 2024).
- Fact Sheet; Final Rule: Clean Water Act Methods Update Rule for the Analysis of Effluent (pdf)
Background Information
For further information on the rule, please contact Tracy Bone (bone.tracy@epa.gov) or 202-564-5257.
Methods Update Rule - 2021
The EPA finalized specific changes to analytical test procedures that are used by industries and municipalities to analyze the chemical, physical, and biological components of wastewater and other environmental samples that are required by regulations under the Clean Water Act. The changes include:
- revised EPA methods;
- new or revised methods published by VCSBs such as ASTM International and the Standard Methods Committee;
- new and updated methods developed by the U.S. Geological Survey;
- methods reviewed under the ATP program; and
- minor changes to quality assurance and quality control within individual methods.
Final Rule
- Federal Register Notice (May 19, 2021)
- Fact Sheet (March 2021)
You can view the submitted public comments at regulations gov. The Docket Number is EPA-HQ-OW-2018-0826.
Background Information
Additional Information
For further information on MURs generally, please contact Tracy Bone (bone.tracy@epa.gov) or 202-564-5257.