Delaware recently lowered the maximum allowable level of arsenic in its drinking water from 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb. The standard is identical to one proposed at the federal level by the Clinton administration.

Earlier this year, Delaware officials were directed to go forward with the Clinton administration's standard which state officials said should not be a hardship on local government or private water suppliers.

The state will provide testing of water samples and will make low-interest loans available to suppliers that need to establish treatment procedures or find alternative wells.