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Calm Water Ripples

Get Ahead of UCMR 6

Prepare your lab for the next round of UCMR testing.

EPA’s proposed Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) includes 30 contaminants across four analytical methods, with monitoring proposed to begin in 2028. Explore the proposed methods, contaminants, timelines, and laboratory considerations, and see how EST and PromoChrom’s automated solutions can support your lab as UCMR 6 requirements evolve.

UCMR 6 testing

What is UCMR 6?

safe drink water act

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) requires public water systems to monitor for certain contaminants that are not currently subject to federal drinking water standards. The data collected through UCMR monitoring helps the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assess the occurrence of these contaminants and determine whether additional regulatory action may be needed.

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EPA proposed UCMR 6 on July 1, 2026. The proposed rule includes 30 contaminants across four analytical methods and is currently open for public comment through August 31, 2026.

30

 

Contaminants

4

EPA Analytical Methods

2028-2030

Monitoring 

Window

≥ 3,300

PWS population threshold

Who Must Monitor?
Am I required to monitor?

Requirements to Monitor UCMR 6

EPA Methods & Contaminants

EPA’s proposed UCMR 6 includes 30 contaminants across four analytical methods, each with specific sample preparation and instrumentation requirements. Explore the methods, contaminants, and key laboratory considerations to help your laboratory prepare for UCMR 6 monitoring.

EPA METHOD 524.3

7 Analytes

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

  • 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
     

  • 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane
     

  • 1,2,3-Trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP)
     

  • 1,2,4 Trimethylbenzene
     

  • Hexachlorobutadiene
     

  • Naphthalene
     

  • Total 1,3-dichloropropene (cis- & trans-)

EPA METHOD 525.3

13 Analytes

Semivolatile Organic
Compounds (SVOCs)

  • 2,4-Dinitrotoluene
     

  • 2,6-Dinitrotoluene
     

  • Anthracene
     

  • Chlorothalonil
     

  • Dichlorvos (DDVP)
     

  • Fluorene
     

  • Isophorone
     

  • Metribuzin
     

  • N,N-diethyl-m- toluamide (DEET)
     

  • Phorate
     

  • Pyrene
     

  • Tetrachlorvinphos (Stirofos)
     

  • Trifluralin

EPA METHOD 540

3 Analytes

Pesticide Metabolites
Breakdown

  • Chlorpyrifos oxon
     

  • Phorate sulfone
     

  • Phorate sulfoxide

EPA METHOD 563

7 Analytes

Ultrashort Organofluorine Compounds

  • Bistriflimide (TFSI)
     

  • Perfluoro-2-methoxyacetic acid (PFMOAA)
     

  • Perfluoroethanesulfonic acid (PFEtS)
     

  • Perfluoropropanesulfonic acid (PFPrS)
     

  • Perfluoropropanoic acid (PFPrA)
     

  • Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFMS)
     

  • Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)

ucmr6-table21.png

Contaminant group notes

  • VOCs (EPA 524.3): solvents and chemical intermediates, including chlorinated compounds and one pesticide.

  • SVOCs (EPA 525.3): pesticides, pesticide degradates, PAHs, and nitroaromatics.

  • Pesticide metabolites (EPA 540): breakdown products of widely used organophosphate pesticides.

  • Ultrashort PFAS (EPA 563): next-generation PFAS not captured by UCMR 5's methods (EPA 533/537.1) — too small and mobile for those sorbents to retain.

Calm Water Ripples

One partner. Four methods.

Four methods. Multiple contaminants. One partner for automated solutions.


Velaris brings together PromoChrom and EST Analytical to provide automated solutions across all four UCMR 6 analytical methods currently available. Our solutions help laboratories build efficient, reliable workflows while reducing the complexity of sourcing and supporting equipment from multiple vendors.

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And our support goes beyond the instruments. Regional technical teams and dedicated resources provide application expertise and ongoing technical support to help your lab prepare for and implement UCMR 6 workflows.

EPA 563
EPA 525.3
EPA 540
EPA 524.3

Application Notes

01

EPA Method 524.3  | Available

  • How to Shorten Cycle Times for  USEPA Method 524.3 Using the Evolution 2 Purge and Trap Concentrator 

  • The Effects of Purge Flow on USEPA Method 524.3 Compounds

  • A USEPA Method 524.3 Purge Volume Comparison Using the Evolution 2 Purge and Trap Concentrator

  • Purge Flow Effects on USEPA Method 524.3 Compounds  

02

EPA Method 525.3  | Available

  • An Efficient Approach to Extract over 100 Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds using SPE Mini-disks with Automated SPE Systems 

03

EPA Method 540 | Release est. Nov 2026

 Join Waitlist

04

EPA Method 563 | Coming soon

Check out early access

Explore application notes demonstrating how PromoChrom and EST Analytical solutions can support automated workflows for UCMR 6-related methods. Get practical insights into sample preparation, method performance, and workflow considerations to help your laboratory prepare for UCMR 6.

dline for laboratories to apply for UCMR 6 approval?

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Complete the Form to Read More of Our Application Notes

Frequently asked questions

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