The EPA has begun the process for developing a national primary drinking water regulation (NPDWR) for perchlorate. The Safe Drinking Water Act describes the EPA's requirements for regulating contaminants. In accordance with these requirements, the EPA will consider the Science Advisory Board's guidance on how to best interpret perchlorate health information to derive a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal for perchlorate. The agency is also evaluating the feasibility and affordability of treatment technologies to remove perchlorate from drinking water and will examine the costs and benefits of a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) and alternative MCLs. The EPA is also seeking input through informal and formal processes from the National Drinking Water Advisory Council, the Department of Health and Human Services, state and tribal drinking water programs, the regulated community (public water systems), public health organizations, academia, environmental and public interest groups, and other interested stakeholders on a number of issues relating to the regulation of perchlorate. A consent decree entered by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York states that EPA shall propose a NPDWR with a proposed MCLG for perchlorate in drinking water no later than 10/31/18 and finalize a MCLG and NPDWR for perchlorate in drinking water no later than 12/19/19.