vvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
(4606)
EPA 816-R-99-004
April, 1999
Public Notification
Handbook-Draft for
Comment
The Required Elements of a Public Notice
2) When the
violation
occurred — •
3) Potential
health
effects
6) Actions —
consumers
should take
7) What Is v
being done\
to correct the
violation
10) Required -^
distribution
language
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Tests Show Presence or Coliform Bacteria
• TceJonesvulcwatersystonroutindyniDnitoisforcoIifonnbacteria. Seven percent of our '
samples tested positive during theraonthofMv. ThcstandardisthatnomorethanS percenter
samples may test positive WetookatotalofSt) samples. Since that time, we have been in
What doeithb mean?
Tnis is not an emergency. lfithadbecn.youwouldhavcbcennotifiedimmcdiatcly. Total
coufonn bactena arc generally not harmful themselves.
Coliforms are bacteria w/ifcft are naturally present in the environment and are used as an
indicator that other, potenaalt^iannful. bacteria may be present. Conforms »ere found in
more samples than allowed and this \*ax a wanting ofpotentialproblerns. ^
Whatihouldldo?
—-
YOD do not need to boll your water. However, if vou have specific hold cone*™, aannt.
yourdoctor. Usually coWcrmsarcasign that therccouIdbcaproWem with thcsystcm's _^J
treatraentordistribution systems. Some people, including immuno-compramised, some dderly
mdm&ntsmayb^atincreasedrid:. TTicsepeoplesbcnildscekadviceaboutdrinkingwatcr
uomtheirhealthcareprovideTs. <3indclines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes
arcavajIablefiDmtheSareDnDking Water Hotiincatl (800)426-4791.
Wbtt Is the JoneniUewiteriyitcm doing?
* We loot additional samples for colifonn bacteria which an came back negative. As an added
precaution, we chlormateu and flushed the pipes in the distribution system to make sure bacteria
For more nJotniation^or to learn more about protecting your drinking water please contact John
ODCS " ~
IfoDvr People, «Kb •< let»B(x mtdenti. DiHent.. rtudenti. or emolovee.. re«h-e w.ter
from vou. it it imnortmnt t i»t von nnvide ttili notice to tlietnhTiJoit m? it in *
conipirooM loc.tioB or bv dit4ct h.r,d or mill deHverv °E"in.
/1) Description
of the
violation
5) Should
sltBrnstG
water
supplies
be used
. —
4) The
population
at risk
8) When the
system will
return to
compliance
- 9) Phone
number for
more
Information
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APR 27 1999
To Interested Parties:
We are pleased to release this draft Public Notification Handbook for your review and
comment. The Handbook will assist water systems in implementing the revised public
notification regulations to incorporate new statutory provisions under the 1996 Safe Drinking
Water Act (SDWA) amendments. EPA recently released for comment through the Federal
Register the proposed new public notification regulations. We strongly encourage you to review
the proposed new regulations and the Handbook together, and work with EPA and ASDWA to
make the final Handbook useful and effective in helping water systems.
The Public Notification Handbook is intended to make public water system owners' and
operators' jobs easier and public notices more effective. EPA and ASDWA developed the draft
Handbook wider a Steering Committee comprised of representatives from the American Water
Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Water
Companies, National Rural Water Association, and League of Women Voters. We held two
public meetings in June and September, 1998 to review and test the effectiveness of early drafts
of the handbook. The draft Handbook is the result of that collaboration.
If you have suggestions that may improve the usefulness and effectiveness of the
Handbook, please let us know. We welcome comment on all aspects of the Handbook. In
addition to soliciting written comments, we are planning several meetings to improve the
Handbook before its release in final form. These meetings will be scheduled between now and
late summer. For information on the status of the Handbook or the schedule of meetings, please
contact the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
Please submit written comments on the Handbook by July 3 1, 1999 to EPA, Attn: Carl
Reeverts, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (4604), 401 M Street, S.W., Washington,
D.C. 20460. You may also submit comments to Carl via E-mail at reeverts.carl@epa.gov.
Sincerely,
M-
Robert Blanco, Director Vanessa Leiby, Executive Director
Implementation and Assistance Division Association of State Drinking Water
Office of Ground Water and Administrators (ASDWA)
Drinking Water (OGWDW)
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Public Notification Handbook-
Draft for Comment
April 27,1999
-------
Disclaimer: This handbook is a supplement to, not a
substitute for, the public notification regulations. Thus, it
cannot impose legally-binding requirements on EPA, states,
or water suppliers and may not apply to a particular situation.
EPA and State decisionmakers retain the discretion to adopt
approaches on a case-by-case basis that differ from the
handbook, where appropriate. You should read the
regulations thoroughly to ensure that you are in compliance.
The public notice regulations are in the Code of Federal
Regulations under Chapter 40, Part 141, Subpart Q,
beginning at section 141.200.
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Contents
Acronyms j|j
1. Introduction 1
2. How to Use This Handbook 3
Appropriate Use of the Templates 4
3. Summary of Requirements 5
When and how do I need to notify my consumers? 5
Whom must I inform when a violation occurs? 5
What kinds of violations require public notice? 6
What information do I need to include in each notice for a violation? 8
What standard language do I have to include in my notices? 10
What information do I need to include for special notices for fluoride and for unregulated
contaminant monitoring? 10
What information do I need to include if I've been issued a variance or exemption? . . 10
Are there formatting requirements for public notices? 11
Will I have to provide notices in languages other than English? 11
What information must I provide my primacy agency? 12
4. Making Public Notification Work 13
How can I prepare for public notification before a violation occurs? 13
How can I make a notice more easily readable? 14
How can I ensure that the media distributes an accurate notice? 14
What other steps should I take after issuing a notice? 15
How can I prevent overreaction to a public notice? 15
5. Tier 1 Notice Requirements and Suggestions 17
What is the deadline for issuing a Tier 1 notice? 17
Which methods of delivery must I use? 17
Suggestions for Effective Public Notification Delivery 18
Suggestions for Layout of the Notice 19
TIER 1 TEMPLATES 21
Nitrate Notice-Template 1-1 23
Spanish Nitrate Notice-Template 1-1A 25
Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice—Template 1-2 27
Spanish Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice -Template 1-2A 29
Waterborne Disease Outbreak Notice-Template 1-3 31
Notice for Turbidity Single Exceedance as Tier 1-Template 1-4 33
Tier 1 "Problem Corrected" Notice—Template 1-5 35
6. Tier 2 Notice Requirements and Suggestions 37
What is the deadline for issuing a Tier 2 notice? 37
Public Notification Handbook " I DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
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Which methods of delivery must I use? 37
Suggestions for Effective Public Notification Delivery 38
Suggestions for Layout of the Notice 39
i
TIER 2 TEMPLATES \ 41
Unresolved Total Coliform Notice—Template 2-1 43
Resolved Total Coliform Notice-Template 2-2 45
Chemical or Radiological MCLs Notice-Template 2-3 47
SWTR Failure to Filter Notice-Template 2-4 49
SWTR Turbidity Single Exceedance Notice-Template 2-5 51
SWTR Turbidity Monthly Exceedance Notice-Template 2-6 53
SWTR Disinfection Treatment Notices-Template 2-7 55
Lead Public Education Notice—Template 2-8 57
LCR Failure to Install Corrosion Control—Template 2-9 59
7. Tier 3 Notice Requirements and Suggestions 61
What is the deadline for issuing a Tier 3 notice? 61
Which methods of delivery must I use? 61
Suggestions for Effective Public Notification Delivery 62
How can I coordinate Tier 3 notices with the CCR? 62
Suggestions for the Layout of the Notice 63
i
TIER 3 TEMPLATES [ 65
Monitoring Violation Notice—Template 3-1 67
8. Special Needs of Non-Community Systems ., 69
Summary of Public Notification Requirements — A Recap 69
What are the required methods of delivery? 69
Suggestions for the Layout of the Notice '. 71
How should the notice be formatted to get people's attention? 71
How should I tailor the notices to my situation? I 72
Suggestions for Effective Public Notice Delivery 72
How can I make posting effective? • 72
What other methods are available for non-community systems to reach all consumers? 73
TEMPLATES FOR NON-COMMUNITY SYSTEMS 75
Nitrate Notice-Template NC-1 ! 77
Fecal Coliform or £. coli Notice-Template NC-2 79
Unresolved Total Coliform Notice—Template NC-3 81
Appendix A
NPDWR Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice 85
Appendix B
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification 91
Appendix C
Translated Phrases 101
Public Notification Handbook ii DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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Acronyms
CCR
CWS
DBP
EPA
IESWTR
IOC
LCR
MCL
MCLG
MRDL
NCWS
NPDWR
NTNCWS
OGWDW
OW
PN
PWS
SDWA
SMCL
SOC
SWTR
TCR
TT
TWS
VOC
WQP
Consumer Confidence Report
Community Water System
Disinfection Byproduct
Environmental Protection Agency
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
Inorganic Chemical
Lead and Copper Rule
Maximum Contaminant Level
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
Non-Community Water System
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
Non-Transient Non-Community Water System
EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
Office of Water
Public Notification
Public Water System
Safe Drinking Water Act
Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level
Synthetic Organic Chemical
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Total Coliform Rule
Treatment Technique
Transient Non-Community Water System
Volatile Organic Chemical
Water Quality Parameters
Public Notification Handbook
iii
DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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1. Introduction
This handbook is intended to make public water system owners' and
operators' jobs easier and public notices more effective. State and Tribal
primacy agencies should find this handbook useful as well. By explaining
the revised public notification rule and providing specific examples of notices,
EPA hopes to streamline the public notification process and enhance water
systems' ability to comply with Federal and State requirements. Public
notification of drinking water violations provides a means to protect public
health, build trust with consumers through open and honest sharing of
information, and establish an ongoing, positive relationship with the community.
Public notice can also help consumers understand rate increases and support
increased funding for drinking water treatment and protection.
The handbook is designed to meet the needs of public water systems of all
sizes. Throughout the handbook there are suggestions and instructions
targeted to very small community systems (systems that serve 500 people or
less). These suggestions, along with other useful hints for creating effective
notices, are set aside in shaded boxes throughout the handbook. Some of
these instructions may also be applicable to small systems serving more than
500. In addition, Chapter 8 specifically addresses the requirements for non-
community systems.
Public Notification Handbook 1 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
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2. How to Use This Handbook
This handbook contains information to help you prepare and issue a public
notice. We strongly recommend that you read this handbook,
especially Chapters 2-4, before you are faced with a violation. Listed
below are the required actions you must take to respond to a drinking water
violation:
1. Determine what tier your violation falls into. Use Table 2 on page 7 for
a summary of major violations and your deadline for providing public
notice. You can also refer to Appendix A for a listing by contaminant.
2. For Tier 1 violations, immediately consult with your primacy agency
when you learn of the violation. You must issue the notice within 24
hours as required, even if you are unable to contact the primacy agency.
3. Familiarize yourself with the requirements for public notices. Read the
"Summary of Requirements" chapter starting on page 5, which describes
content, mandatory language, formatting, and distribution requirements
that are applicable to all notices. Chapter 4 provides guidance on working
with the media and planning ahead.
4. Determine the appropriate method(s) of delivery. Chapters 5, 6, and 7
describe the method of delivery requirements for Tier 1, 2, and 3 notices,
respectively, as well as ideas for creating the most effective notice
possible. Required methods vary based on system type. If you are a non-
community system, go to Chapter 8, which begins on page 69, for
assistance on delivery methods.
5. Develop a notice, modifying the templates to fit your situation. At the
ends of Chapters 5, 6, and 7 are templates for commonly occurring
violations, along with violation-specific instructions for modifying each
template. Chapter 8 contains templates tailored to non-community
systems. The instructions for each template are on the front of the page;
the corresponding template is on the back. Most violations have required
health effects language, which is found in Appendix B and in some
templates.
6. Provide your notice to all persons served as soon as practicable but
within the allowed time frame. Use the method of delivery chosen in step 4
above.
7. Send a copy of the notice to your primacy agency within ten days after
you distribute the notice, along with a letter certifying that all public
notification requirements have been met.
Public Notification Handbook 3 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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2. How to Use This Handbook
Appropriate Use
of the Templates
The templates in this handbook are designed to help operators create public
notices for a variety of violations. However, it is important to note that the
templates included here are not inclusive and may not be appropriate for
all violations. Depending on the severity of your violation, it may be
necessary to modify the instructions you give to consumers and to change the
timing of the notice. For instance, if trichloroethylene levels are ten times the
standard (rather than a slight exceedance), you would not want to tell your
customers that they could continue to drink the water. If turbidity exceeds five
turbidity units, depending on other factors, you may need to issue a boil water
notice. In these cases, you should issue a notice immediately, rather than wait
up to 30 days. It is important to consult your local health department or primacy
agency in such situations. In some cases, your primacy agency may instruct
you to make these changes.
Note that the public notice requirements described in this handbook are based
on Federal regulations. States or Tribes may have alternate public notice
requirements or more stringent drinking water standards. You should check
with your primacy agency to make sure you meet its specific
requirements.
Public Notification Handbook
DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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3. Summary of Requirements
When and how do I
need to notify my
consumers?
EPA has assigned each violation to one of three categories, or tiers, based on
the risk of adverse health effects. After you learn of a violation, public notice
must be provided following the requirements summarized in Table 1 below.
Delivery requirements for community water systems (CWSs) and non-
community water systems (NCWSs) differ. Additionally, every new billing
customer or hookup must be notified of any ongoing violations.
Table 1
Requirements for Issuing Public Notice (Based on Proposed Rule)
Tier
1
2
3
Deadline for
Notice
24 hours*
30 days **
1 year***
Methods to Use
Radio or television or hand delivery or posting
CWS: Mail or hand delivery (+ another method as
needed)
NCWS: Posting, hand delivery, or mail (+ another
method as needed)
CWS: Mail or hand delivery (+ another method as
needed)
NCWS: Posting, hand delivery, or mail (+ another
method as needed)
Go to. . .
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 8
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
* For Tier 1 , systems must consult with the primacy agency during this time period as well.
** The primacy agency may extend this deadline to up to 3 months.
*** EPA strongly recommends consolidating all Tier 3 violations occurring within a given year
into an annual notice, including the Consumer Confidence Report where applicable.
Whom must I
inform when a
violation occurs?
If you are faced with a violation or situation requiring public notification, you
must provide the notice to all persons served by your system. This means
you must take all steps reasonably calculated to inform people if they would not
be reached by the most commonly used methods of notification.
For example, if a community water system mailed a notice to billing customers
only, people who do not receive water bills, such as tenants whose utilities are
included in their rent or people who work in the area served by the system but
live elsewhere, would not receive a notice. Publishing a notice in the
newspaper, or providing copies of the notice to landlords to distribute to their
tenants would help reach those people. At a non-community system, hand
delivery of notices would reach only those consumers who are present when
the notices are distributed. Posting would reach visitors or newcomers.
Public Notification Handbook
DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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3. Summary of Requirements
The requirement to include standard language to encourage distribution of the
notice to all persons served is designed to increase public awareness of the
situation. Use of this language does not relieve you of your obligation to notify
all persons served, however.
What kinds of
violations require
public notice?
In general, public notice is required for any of the following violations:
• Exceedances of maximum contaminant levels (MCLs);
• Violation of treatment techniques;
• Monitoring and testing procedure violations; and
• Failure to comply with the schedule of a variance or exemption.
I
j
Other situations (not violations) which require notice include:
• Occurrence of a waterborne disease outbreak;
• Operation under a variance or exemption;
• Exceedance of the secondary maximum contaminant level for fluoride;
and
• Availability of unregulated contaminant monitoring results.
Table 2 on the next page shows the organization of violations and situations
into tiers, based on the seriousness of any potential adverse health effects. For
a complete list of contaminants and their appropriate tiers, refer to Appendix A.
Public Notification Handbook
DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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3. Summary of Requirements
Table 2
Violations and Situations Requiring Public Notice
(Based on Proposed Rule)
Notice Required Within 24 Hours
Tier 1 Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice:*
1. Violation of the maximum contaminant level (MGL) for total coliform, when fecal coliform or E. coli are present
in the water distribution system (as specified in 40 CFR Part 141.63(b)), or failure to test for fecal coliform or
E coli after the presence of coliform bacteria in the distribution system has been confirmed (as specified in
40 CFR 141.21(e);
2. Violation of the MCLfor nitrate, nitrite, or combined nitrate+nitrite, as defined in 40 CFR Part 141.62 and
determined according to 40 CFR Part 141.23(l)(3);
3. Violation of the maximum residual disinfectant level (MRDL) for chlorine dioxide, when one or more repeat
samples taken in the distribution system exceed the MRDL, or when required repeat samples are not taken
in the distribution system, as defined in 40 CFR Part 141.65(a);
4. Occurrence of a waterborne disease outbreak, as defined in 40 CFR Part 141.2; and
5. Other violations or situations with significant potential to have serious adverse effects on human health as a
result of short term exposure, as determined by the primacy agency either in its regulations or on a case-by-
case basis.
* If your system has any of these violations, in addition to issuing public notice, you are required to consult with
your primacy agency as soon as possible but within 24 hours after you learn of the violation. See Chapter 6
on Tier 1 public notice for more details.
Notice Required Within 30 Davs**
Tier 2 Violations Requiring Public Notice
1. AH violations of the MCL, MRDL, and treatment technique requirements not included in Tier 1;
2. Violations of the monitoring requirements where the primacy agency determines that a Tier 2 public notice is
required, taking into account potential health impacts and persistence of the violation; and
3. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of any variance or exemption in place.
** Primacy agencies may extend this to 90 days.
Notice Required Within 1 Year
Tier 3 Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice
1. Monitoring violations, unless the primacy agency determines that the violation requires a Tier 2 notice;
2. Failure to comply with an established testing procedure;
3. Operation under a variance granted under §1415 or exemption granted under §1416 of the Safe Drinking
Water Act; and
4. Any other violations and situations determined by the primacy agency to require a Tier 3 public notice
including exceedance of the secondary MCL for fluoride and the availability of monitoring data for
unregulated contaminants.
Public Notification Handbook
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3. Summary of Requirements
What information Your public notice must include specific information in order to be considered
do I need to include complete. For each violation and for the occurrence of a waterborne disease
in each notice for a outbreak, you must provide a clear and readily understandable explanation of
the following:
violation?
1. The violation, including the contaminant of concern, and (as applicable)
the contaminant level;
2. When the violation occurred;
i
3. Any potential adverse health effects from drinking the water;
4. The population at risk, including subpopulations particularly vulnerable
if exposed to the contaminant in their drinking water;
5. Whether alternative water supplies should be used;
6. What actions consumers should take, including when they should seek
medical help, if known;
7. What you are doing to correct the violation;
8. When you expect to return to compliance;
9. Your phone number or the number of a designee of the public water
system as a source of additional information concerning the notice;
and
10. A statement encouraging notice recipients to distribute the notice to
other persons served, using the standard language given on page 10.
Some required elements may not be applicable to your violation. However, you
must still address the element in the notice. For example, if it is unnecessary
for consumers to boil their water or drink bottled water, you should tell them
they do not need to do so. This is especially important for Tier 2 notices, where
a violation may have been resolved by the time the notice is issued or may
have been the result of a monthly average. You should consult with your
primacy agency or a local health department for the appropriate information for
some elements of the notice, such as the actions consumers should take. The
local health department also can help you determine what other system-
specific information, such as population at risk, should be included in your
notice. Figure 1 contains an example showing how all the content elements fit
into a notice.
Public Notification Handbook
DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
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3. Summary of Requirements
Figure 1
The Required Elements of a Public Notice
2) When the
violation
occurred v.
3) Potential
health
effects
6) Actions v.
consumers
should take
7) What is \
being done
to correct
the violation
10) Required -
distribution
language
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Tests Show Presence of Coliform Bacteria
The Jonesville water system routinely monitors for coliform bacteria. ^
During the month of July, 7 percent of our samples tested positive. The
standard is that no more than 5 percent of samples may test positive. We
took a total of 50 samples. Since that time, we have been in compliance
with the standard.
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified
immediately. Total coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves.
Coliforms are bacteria -which are naturally present in the environment and
are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be
present. Coliforms ~were found in more samples than allowed and this "was a
•warning of potential problems.
What should I do?
You do not need to boil your water. However, if you have specific health
concerns, consult your doctor. Usually coliforms are a sign that there could
be a problem with the system's treatment or distribution systems. Some ~—~
people, including immune-compromised, some elderly, and infants may be
infection by microbes are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at
1(800)426-4791.
What is the Jonesville water system doing?
We took additional samples for coliform bacteria which all came back
negative. As an added precaution, we chlorinated and flushed the pipes in >
the distribution system to make sure bacteria were eliminated. This situation
is now resolved.
For more information, or to learn more about protecting your drinking water
please contact John Jones at 555-1212.
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or
employees, receive water from you, it is important that you provide this
notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous location or by direct hand
or mail delivery.
1) Description
^ of the
violation
5) Should
alternate
water
supplies
be used
4) The
— population
at risk
8) When the
x system will
/ return to
compliance
9) Phone
number for
more
information
Public Notification Handbook
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3. Summary of Requirements
What standard
language do I have
to include in my
notices?
Language to encourage distribution of the notice to all persons served. You
must include the following language in all notices. Use of this language
does not relieve you of your obligation to notify all persons served:
"If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or
employees, receive water from you, it is important that you provide
this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous location or by
direct hand or mail delivery."
I
Health effects language for MCL violations, treatment technique violations,
and violations of the conditions of a variance or exemption. You must
include the health effects language specified in Appendix B for such
violations.
What information
do I need to include
for special notices
for fluoride and for
unregulated
contaminant
monitoring?
What information
do I need to include
if I've been issued
a variance or
exemption?
• Language for monitoring violations (including testing procedure violations).
You must include the following language for all monitoring and testing
procedure violations:
i
t
"Because we ["did not monitor or test" or "failed to monitor or test
completely"] during [compliance period], we do not know whether the
contaminant was present in your drinking water, and we are unable to
tell you whether your health was at risk during this time."
• Fluoride. If your system exceeds the secondary maximum contaminant
level of 2.0 mg/l for fluoride but does not exceed the MCL of 4.0 mg/l, you
must include the special fluoride language provided in Appendix B in your
notice and fill in the blanks as appropriate. You do not need to include the
ten elements listed above, as these are addressed in the language. You
must follow the Tier 3 schedule for delivery. You may include this
information in your Consumer Confidence Report.
I
• Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring. If you monitor for unregulated
contaminants, you must issue a public notice stating that the results of the
monitoring are available and give a phone number to call for those results.
You do not have to include the actual results, unless you are a community
water system, in which case you must report the results in your Consumer
Confidence Report. You do not need to include the ten elements listed
above, but you must follow the Tier 3 schedule. You may include this
information in an annual notice for Tier 3 situations and violations if you are
a non-transient non-comrpunity system.
Notices for operating under a variance or exemption have different content
requirements than notices for the violations described above. If you are
operating under a variance or exemption, you must notify your consumers
within one year of obtaining it and repeat the notice annually for as long as the
variance or exemption exists. You must include the following in your notice:
Public Notification Handbook
10
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3. Summary of Requirements
Are there
formatting
requirements for
public notices?
Will I have to
provide notices in
languages other
than English?
»^ An explanation of the reason(s) for the variance or exemption;
^ The date on which the variance or exemption was issued;
•^ A brief status report on the steps you are taking to install treatment,
find alternative sources of water, or otherwise comply with the terms
and schedules of the variance or exemption; and
!/" A notice of any opportunity for public input in the review of the variance
or exemption.
All public notices must meet certain formatting standards. These requirements
help prevent the notice from being buried in a newspaper and help ensure that
consumers can easily read and understand the notice. Notices must:
/ Be displayed in a conspicuous way (where applicable);
^ Not contain overly technical language or very small print;
•/ Not be formatted in a way that defeats the purpose of the notice; and
.^ Not contain language which nullifies the purpose of the notice.
Your primacy agency may have special formatting requirements. Check to be
sure that you meet all its requirements.
Your primacy agency may have established criteria for what constitutes a large
proportion of the people you serve. Check to find out what these criteria are. If
a large proportion of the population you serve does not speak English, you are
required to provide at least partially multilingual notices. If this is the case, your
notice must contain information in the appropriate language(s) regarding the
importance of the notice, or it must provide a phone number or address to call
or write for a translated copy of the notice or for information or assistance in the
appropriate language.
You may wish to provide notices in multiple languages if non-English-speaking
populations are in your service area, whether or not you have a large
proportion of such people. Although you are not required to provide full
translations of notices, translation is strongly recommended for Tier 1 notices
and for other violations that pose a serious health risk. Primacy agencies may
be able to provide you with some assistance in finding translators, but it is your
responsibility to get the notice translated. Schools and universities often have
students who can translate notices. Make contacts ahead of time with
universities, high school teachers, and other services for low-cost translations.
Spanish templates for nitrate and fecal coliform notices are included with the
templates for Tier 1 violations at the end of Chapter 5. These templates are
exact translations of the English Tier 1 templates, so if the English templates
have to be modified, the Spanish ones must also change. In addition,
translations in several languages of important phrases such as "do not drink
the water" and "boil your water before using" are included in Appendix C.
Public Notification Handbook
11
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3. Summary of Requirements
What information After you provide the notice to your consumers, you must send your primacy
must I provide my agency a copy of each type of notice you distribute (e.g., newspaper, radio,
primacy agency? ma'' notices) and a letter certifying you have met all the public notification
requirements. Sample certification language is provided below:
The public water system indicated above hereby confirms that public
notice has been provided to consumers in accordance with the delivery
requirements and deadlines given for each tier in 40 CFR Part 141.202
to 141.204. Further, the system certifies that the content and format of
this notice meets the requirements of 40 CFR Parts 141.205,141.207,
and 141.208.
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4. Making Public Notification Work
How can I prepare
for public
notification before
a violation occurs?
Integrate planning for Tier 1 public notification into your community
emergency management plan. When a serious violation occurs, you will
already have an established chain of command and have other
departments available to assist you, including working with your local
health department or sanitarian. Consumers may call the health
department for information; if you coordinate with the department, you will
be able to give out consistent information. Also work with your
community's emergency managers to establish ties with the state office
that works with NOAA/National Weather Service (NWS) to access the
Emergency Alert System (HAS). Through memoranda of agreement
between states and the NWS, communities can broadcast alerts of non-
weather emergencies, including drinking water violations, via NOAA
Weather Radio and NOAA Weather Wire Service.
As part of planning for Tier 1 notification, work with the media ahead of
time. Explain to them what constitutes an emergency. Explain to them what
your needs will be during a crisis.
Establish contacts with institutions and people who can translate notices
into other languages for you. See page 11 for more on multilingual notices.
Obtain fact sheets on contaminants from EPA's Safe Drinking Water
Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791 or the Agency's website at
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwhealth.html. This way, if your consumers
call to ask for information, you will be able to help them. The fact sheets
are updated periodically, so make sure you have the most recent version.
The Hotline also can provide phone numbers for state lab certification
offices, where you can get a list of labs certified to analyze tap water.
If you are going to provide or recommend bottled water, especially for a
Tier 1 violation, you should confirm ahead of time and periodically
reconfirm that available bottled water supplies meet the Food and Drug
Administration safety standards.
Implement ongoing public education programs for contaminants at risk of
violation; that is, contaminants whose levels are below the MCL but have
the potential in the future to exceed it (or have previously exceeded it).
This would apply to naturally occurring contaminants, such as radium,
fluoride, or arsenic, and for recurring pollution problems (e.g., nitrate,
pesticides). With an education program in place, consumers will be better
informed if a violation occurs.
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4. Making Public Notification Work
How can I make a
notice more easily
readable?
Assume that consumers only read the top half of the notice (or what can be
read in five seconds). The most important information, especially
instructions to protect consumers' health, should be placed on the top half
of the notice in large print. Smaller type is appropriate for the less critical
elements, e.g., what the system is doing, an explanation of the cause of
the violation, etc.
How can I ensure
that the media
distributes an
accurate notice?
Try to limit the wordiness of the notice. A question and answer format is
easy to read and guides readers to the important information that is likely
to concern them. Bullets and bold text are also effective.
Highlight the name of your system with bold letters, especially where
people in your area are served by more than one water system. You may
want to print the notices on your system's letterhead which, coupled with
the title of the notice, will make people immediately recognize that the
notice is important.
i
If you write a press release or get a reporter to write a story for the
newspaper, give the newspaper the list of required elements and tell the
press that these elements must be included. The most important
information, including the violation, the population at risk, the instructions to
consumers, and potential health effects, should be near the beginning. Be
sure to include a contact pame and telephone number so the press can call
you for more information.
When you send the notice to radio and TV stations and newspapers,
write "PRESS RELEASE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY" at the top of the notice to
emphasize its importance.
If the newspaper will not publish a story or press release, you may need to
buy space to print the notice in its entirety. You should buy an
advertisement as close to the front of the paper as possible and make it
large enough that people will easily see it. Legal notices are not
recommended because they rarely meet the formatting requirements for
notices and are not widely read.
If the press will not run a story on your violation, ask an official from your
emergency management department to participate by reading the notice
on the air or agreeing to an interview. The press may be more likely to air a
notice connected to such officials.
Develop an ongoing relationship with the media. Hold an annual media
day where you can explain how your system operates, including any
improvements you may be implementing. In addition, look into whether
local news outlets hold community outreach days-this is another way to
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4. Making Public Notification Work
What other steps
should I take after
issuing a notice?
How can I prevent
overreaction to a
public notice?
form a relationship with the media. The more informed the members of the
media are about the water system in general, the more accurate and
positive they will be when writing about a violation. They will also be more
likely to give your story the space it needs. Designate one person on your
staff to serve as a liaison to the media.
Your primacy agency may require you to do follow-up or "problem corrected"
notices for violations, particularly for Tier 1 violations. If it does not, you should
consider issuing such a notice anyway. Sometimes, initial notices can not
provide information on the source of the contamination. Providing a notice with
updated information demonstrates that you are working on the problem.
Consumers will expect to receive official word that the problem is solved or
being addressed. Template 1-5 at the end of Chapter 5 is an example of a
notice for a corrected violation.
Public education can minimize overreaction to a water problem and can help
focus community attention on the source of a problem. Public education about
contaminants, what a public notice means, and specific types of water
problems is an excellent public relations tool. It helps create a sense of
partnership between you and your customers and reduces the prevalence of
the "us versus them" mentality.
Public notification for recurring problems such as nitrate is more effective if
supplemented by a public education program. There are a number of ways to
create awareness of a contaminant problem and of what it means for public
health. These include factsheets, public meetings at community centers,
newspaper or local TV and radio coverage, working with local libraries to
establish a reference section on the problem, newsletters or factsheets mailed
with monthly bills or otherwise distributed broadly throughout the community.
Information that is helpful to the public includes:
• Descriptions of the contaminant(s);
• Information on how contaminants get into the water;
• What you are doing to prevent or correct the problem;
• Why the problem recurs, and what the public can do to prevent a
recurrence;
If and why protection measures have a limited effectiveness; and
• The impact on the consumer.
While ongoing problems warrant implementing an early and ongoing public
education campaign, public response to a notice can point you to other areas
in which public education would be useful. For example, if you receive a high
number of calls about a notice, there is probably a need for greater public
understanding of the problem.
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5. Tier 1 Notice Requirements and Suggestions
What is the
deadline for issuing
a Tier 1 notice?
Tier 1 notices must be issued for: violations of the MCL for total coliform
where fecal coliform or E. coli are present or for failure to test for fecal
coliform or £ coli after the presence of total coliform is confirmed;
violations of the MCL for nitrate, nitrite, or combined nitrate and nitrite;
violations of the maximum residual disinfectant level (MRDL) for chlorine
dioxide where required repeat samples in the distribution system exceed the
MRDL or are not taken; the occurrence of a waterborne disease outbreak; or
other situations which could cause serious health effects, as determined by
your primacy agency. Notices must meet content, format, and multilingual
requirements described in Chapter 3, "Summary of Requirements."
As soon as practicable but within 24 hours, you must:
• Issue a public notice.
• Consult with your primacy agency.
Required Elements of a
Public Notice
1. A description of the violation;
2. When the violation occurred;
3. Potential adverse health effects;
4. Population(s) at risk;
5. Whether alternative water supplies should be used;
6. Actions consumers should take, .including when
they should seek medical help, if known;
7. What you are doing to correct the violation;
8. When you expect to return to compliance;
9. Phone number for additional information; and
10. Standard language encouraging distribution to all.
persons served.
The consultation with the primacy agency
is independent of the public notice itself.
You must issue the notice within 24
hours, even if you are unable to contact
anyone at the primacy agency. As a
result of the consultation, your primacy
agency may set additional public notice
requirements. It may ask you to issue
repeat notices for continuing violations,
"problem corrected" notices, or, if your
initial notice does not meet the
requirements, another initial notice.
Remember to send a copy of the notice
and certification to your primacy agency
within ten days.
Which methods of
delivery must I
use?
You must use one or more of the following: broadcast media (radio and
television), posting, or hand delivery. The method(s) you choose must be
reasonably calculated to reach all persons served. Therefore, you may need to
use other methods in addition to those previously mentioned. For instance, you
could provide the notice to local radio and television stations; then, to reach
people who don't watch or listen to the news, you could also put the notice in
the newspaper. You must use at least one of the required methods and
whatever other methods are necessary to help you reach all consumers.
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5. Tier 1 Notice Requirements and Suggestions
Suggestions for
Effective Public
Notification
Delivery
Tips for Very Small Community
Systems
Very small community systems (those
serving 500 people or less) in most cases
can use hand delivery supplemented by posting.
If your system is relatively small but serves more than
500 people, hand delivery and posting may work for you.
If the population served is unlikely to hear a notice over
the radio or if a radio station is not in range, hand delivery
combined with posting at grocery stores or banks is
appropriate. Alternatively, a system serving a rural town of
2,000 might not have a radio station but could be within
range of a radio station in a larger town. Such a station
might be more willing to air a notice than a station in a
large city. The unaffected population may be less alarmed
than in a metropolitan area, since listeners are
accustomed to hearing news about other communities in
the region. You may still need to use additional methods
of notification.
When choosing a method for public notification, you should consider
several issues, including the population served, population density (i.e., is
the system rural, urban, or suburban), available manpower, and proximity
to and relationship with radio and television stations and newspapers.
Non-community systems should
refer to Chapter 8 of this handbook,
"Special Needs of Non-Community
Systems."
Large systems should use a
combination of broadcast media and
newspaper, if available. You should
also supplement media notices by
posting in public buildings and
delivering multiple copies to clinics or
community centers.
When you write a notice for radio or
television, assume that it will only
receive a few seconds of air time.
Make sure the most important
information, including a phone
number to call for more information,
will be included.
For TV notices, ask the station or cable company to put "scrollers" across
the screen similar to National Weather Service announcements for tornado
watches. This is a good way to put the notice on TV and reach people who
don't watch the news, as well as target a subsection of the TV audience.
You can also work the appropriate state office to broadcast alerts on
NOAA Weather Radio and NOAA Weather Wire Service.
Selecting a Delivery Method
Here are some questions to consider when determining how to deliver your notice:
My system is in a suburban area. How can I write the notice so that it will not alarm the rest of the
metropolitan area when delivered through the media? Can I be:sure the radio or TV station will give
the notice the air time it needs?
Will the local newspaper write an accurate article about the violation? Will it prominently publish a
press release? Will I need to buy an ad or notice?
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5. Tier 1 Notice Requirements and Suggestions
Send a broadcast fax. Program your fax machine with the fax numbers of
all radio and television stations in the area so that the push of a button
sends the notice to all of them.
It is strongly recommended that you fully translate Tier 1 notices into other
languages if there are non-English-speaking populations in your service
area. At a minimum, you must include some information in the appropriate
language. See page 11 for more information.
See Chapter 4, "Making Public Notification Work," for tips on working with
the media.
Suggestions for
Layout of the
Notice
Tier 1 notices should convey the urgency of the situation and make clear to
consumers what actions they must take. Templates 1-1 through 1-4 at the end
of this chapter offer sample language and instructions for preparing Tier 1
public notices. Template 1-1A contains Spanish language for a Nitrate notice;
Template 1-2A contains Spanish language for a fecal coliform or E. coll notice.
1. Title - Public notices for Tier 1 violations, especially those used for
posting, hand delivery, or in a newspaper, should have an eye-catching
and attention-getting title. For example, "WARNING" is better than "Public
Notice." This should be followed by the targeted audience or the population
at risk, such as "People served by Water System" for notices alerting
consumers of fecal coliform violations or disease outbreaks, or "Infants
under 6 months" for notices alerting consumers of nitrate violations. These
lines should be in large and/or bold type and centered across the top of the
page. Notices for TV, radio, or newspaper articles need a more descriptive
headline, such as "Water System Detects Fecal Bacteria, Consumers
Should Boil Their Water."
2. Consumer Actions - The instructions to consumers should be next in your
notice. This should be a short phrase in large type, such as "Boil Your
Water" or "Do Not Drink the Water."
3. Description of the Violation - A short description of the violation should
follow instructions to consumers in large type. As soon as consumers read
"Boil Your Water" for a fecal coliform notice, they will ask why they should
do so. However, since this is a headline, it should be kept short and
concise. As another example, for nitrate violations, you could say, "High
nitrate levels have been detected." Then the level detected should be listed
in normal type, followed by the maximum contaminant level (MCL), or
action level, if applicable. A more detailed explanation of the violation
should be given in the body of the notice.
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5. Tier 1 Notice Requirements and Suggestions
4. Other Consumer Actions — For nitrate violations, the notice should instruct
consumers not to boil water, since that may be their first reaction, and
explain why. For microbiological violations, provide detailed instructions on
using boiled water for brushing teeth, cooking, making ice, etc. If you
instruct consumers to use bottled water, you should make sure that locally
available brands meet standards.
5. Other Elements — The following order is suggested for the remaining
elements: whether (and where) consumers should seek alternative drinking
water sources, potential health effects (using the language in Appendix B),
date the violation was found, corrective action the system is taking, when
the system expects to return to compliance, and a phone number for more
information. If you are coordinating with the local health department, you
may wish to also list its phone number. Do not alter the health effects
language in any way.
6. Optional Elements — If you know the source of the contamination, include
it in the notice. This information helps the consumer understand why there
is a violation and what is necessary to resolve it. It also reinforces the fact
that drinking water is a vulnerable resource that must be protected.
7. Public Water System ID Number— You should include your PWS ID
number at the bottom of the notice. This will help your primacy agency
track compliance and prevent tracking errors between systems with similar
names.
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TIER 1 TEMPLATES
The pages that follow contain templates for Tier 1 violations, as listed below. Along with each template
are instructions, including the required method of delivery and instructions for completing individual
sections of the notice.
Mandatory language on health effects, which must be included exactly as written, is presented
in italics.
You must also include the following language in all notices. Use of this language does not relieve you
of your obligation to notify all persons served:
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water
from you, it is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous
location or by direct hand or mail delivery.
Templates
Nitrate Notice-Template 1-1
Spanish Nitrate Notice—Template 1-1A
Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice-Template 1-2
Spanish Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice -Template 1-2A
Waterborne Disease Outbreak Notice-Template 1-3
Turbidity Single Exceedance as Tier 1—Template 1-4
Tier 1 "Problem Corrected" Notice-Template 1-5
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Instructions for Nitrate Notice—Template 1-1
Template on Reverse
Since exceeding the nitrate maximum contaminant level is a Tier 1 violation, you must provide public
notice to all persons served as soon as possible but within 24 hours after you learn of the violation. During
this time period you must also contact your primacy agency. You should also coordinate with your local
health department. This template is also applicable to nitrite and nitrate+nitrite violations. You must
use one or more of the following methods to deliver the notice to consumers:
• Radio
• Television
• Hand or direct delivery
• Posting
You may need to use additional methods (e.g., newspaper, delivery of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics,
or apartment buildings) if necessary to reach all persons served.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or a newspaper notice. However, you may wish
to shorten it before using it for a radio or TV notice. If you modify the notice, you must leave the health
effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory.
Alternative Sources of Water
If you are providing alternative sources of water for infants, your notice should say where to obtain it.
Remember that bottled water can also be contaminated. If you are not providing water and you instruct
consumers to buy bottled water, find out which brands have been tested and meet the standard for
nitrates and tell your consumers.
Repeat Notices
If this is a repeat notice (as required by your primacy agency), or if your system's nitrate levels fluctuate
around the MCL, you may wish to include an explanation similar to the following:
As you may recall, on [date], you were also notified of high nitrate levels that occurred during the
quarter of the year. Since that time the water system has been monitoring the nitrate concentration every
three months. Seasonal fluctuations in nitrate concentrations have been observed, due to nitrates
contained in fertilizer. It appears that high nitrates occur during the later summer and fall. Note that
previous tests prior to [year] show that we were meeting drinking water standards for nitrate.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken
by water systems with nitrate/nitrite violations. Use the following language, if appropriate, or develop your
own:
• We are investigating water treatment and other options. These may include drilling a new well or
mixing the water with low-nitrate water from another source.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of the notice and a letter certifying you have met all the
public notice requirements within ten days. You should also issue a follow-up notice in addition to meeting
any repeat notice requirements your primacy agency sets.
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Nitrate Notice—template 1-1
WARNING
FOR PARENTS OF INFANTS 6 MONTHS AND YOUNGER
Served by [system]
DO NOT USE THE WATER FOR INFANT FORMULA
High nitrate levels have been detected. A routine sample showed a nitrate concentration in the drinking
water of [level and units]. This is above the nitrate standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), of
[state/federal MCL].
What does this mean to me? ;
• Do not boil the water. Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not reduce the nitrate
level. In fact, boiling water can make the nitrates more concentrated. Water, juice, and formula for
children under six months of age should not be prepared with tap water. Bottled water or some other
water low in nitrates should be used.
• Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could
become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby
syndrome. Blue baby syndrome is indicated by blueness of the skin.
• Symptoms in infants can develop rapidly, with health deteriorating over a period of days. If symptoms
occur in a child less than 6 months old, seek medical attention immediately.
• Continue to use bottled water for infants until further notice. Adults and children older than six months
can drink the tap water. However, if you are pregnant or have specific health concerns, you may wish
to consult your doctor.
• We learned of the nitrate levels on [date].
What is the water system doing?
[Describe corrective action.] [
• We will inform you when this problem has been corrected. We anticipate resolving the problem by
[date.]
I
• For more information, please contact at .
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water from you,
it is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous location or by direct
hand or mail delivery.
Water System ID:
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Instructions for Spanish Nitrate Notice—Template 1-1A
Template on Reverse
The template on reverse is an exact Spanish translation of template 1-1 for nitrate. All the instructions of
template 1-1 apply. If you modify the English template, you should modify this template accordingly.
Schools or universities may be able to provide low cost translations. See page 11 for suggestions on
multilingual notices.
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Spanish Nitrate Notice—Template 1-1A
AVISO
PADRES DE FAMILIA CON BEBES DE 6 MESES DE EDAD Y
MENORES
Servidos por [system] o en la vecindad de [area]
NO USEN EL AGUA PARA PREPARAR ALIMENTOS PARA
BEBES
Altos niveles de nitratos han sido detectados. Una muestra de rutina mostrd una concentracibn de
nitrates en el agua de [level and units in Spanish]. Este nivel esta por encima de la norma, o nivel
maximo de contaminacion (NMC) de [state/federal MCL in Spanish].
iQue significa esto para mi?
• No hierva el agua. Hervir, congelar, filtrar o dejar el agua en reposo no reduce el nivel de nitratos.
De hecho, al hervir el agua puede aumentar aun mas la concentracibn de nitratos. Agua, jugo o leche
en polvo para bebes menores de seis (6) meses de edad no debe prepararse con agua de la pluma.
Debe emplear agua embotellada u otra agua baja en nitratos.
• Bebes menores de seis (6) meses que ingieran agua con nitratos en exceso del nivel maximo de
contaminacidn (NMC) pueden enfermar seriamentey, de no sertratados, pueden morir. Los
sfntomas induyen dificultad en respirar y sfndrome de bebe azul. El sfndrome de bebe azul se refiere
al color azulado que toma la piel del bebe.
• Los sfntomas en los bebes pueden desarrollarse con rapidez, con el deterioro de su salud en los dfas
subsiguientes. Si los sintomas ocurren en infantes menores de seis (6) meses de edad, busque
atenci6n medica inmediatamente.
• Continue dandole agua embotellada a sus bebes hasta prbximo aviso. Adultos e infantes mavores de
seis (6) meses de edad pueden tomar el aqua de la pluma. Sin embargo, si usted esta embarazada o
tiene algun problema de salud en particular, puede optar por hacer una consulta con su medico.
• Supimos del nivel de nitratos en la siguiente fecha: [date in Spanish day-month-year]
iQue esta haciendo :Ia Oficina de Agua Potable?
[describe corrective action in Spanish]
• Le informaremos cuando el problema haya sido corregido. Anticipamos que resolveremos el
problema el [date in Spanish day-month-year]
• Para mayor informacidn, por favor p6ngase en contacto con al .
SI otras personas, tales como inquilinos, residentes, pacientes, estudiantes o empleados reciben agua de
usted, es importante que usted les provea copia de esta notificacidn, ya sea colocandola en un lugar
visible, distribuyendola a mano, o mediante el correo.
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Instructions for Fecal Conform or E. coll Notice—Template 1-2
Template on Reverse
Since exceeding the fecal coliform or E. coll maximum contaminant level is a Tier 1 violation, you must
provide public notice to all persons served as soon as possible but within 24 hours after you learn of the
violation. During this time, you must also contact your primacy agency. You should also coordinate with
your local health department. One or both agencies should tell you whether to instruct consumers to boil
water. You must use one or more of the following methods to deliver the notice to consumers:
• Radio
• Television
• Hand or direct delivery
• Posting
You may need to use additional methods (e.g., newspaper, delivery of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics,
or apartment buildings) if necessary to reach all persons served.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or a newspaper notice. However, you may wish
to shorten it before using it for a radio or TV notice. If you modify the notice, you must leave the health
effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory.
Population Served
Make sure it is clear who is served by your water system—you may need to list the municipalities you
serve.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken
by water systems with fecal coliform or E. caff violations. Use the following language, if appropriate, or
develop your own:
• We are chlorinating and flushing the water system.
• We are increasing sampling for coliform bacteria to determine the source of the contamination.
• We are repairing the wellhead seal.
• We are repairing the storage tank.
• We are restricting water intake from the river/lake/reservoir to prevent additional bacteria from
entering the water system and restricting water use to emergencies.
After Issuing the Notice
• Send a copy of the notice and a certification letter to your primacy agency within ten days from the
time you issue the notice.
• It is a good idea to issue a "problem corrected" notice when the violation is resolved. See Template
1-5.
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Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice—Template 1-2
WARNING
Effective Immediately
People served by [system]
|
BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING
Fecal coliform [or E. co//] bacteria were found in your water supply on [date].
• Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled
or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food
preparation until further notice.
What does this mean to me?
• Fecal conforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated
with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea,
headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and
people with severely compromised immune systems.
• The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water, but may be caused by
other factors. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek
medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health
care providers.
What is the water system doing?
[Describe corrective action.]
• We will inform you when tests show no bacteria and you no longer need to boil your water. We
anticipate resolving the problem by [date.]
• For more information on this situation, please contact at . Guidelines on ways to lessen the
risk of infection by microbes are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791.
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water from
you, it is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous location or
by direct hand or mail delivery.
Water System ID:
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Instructions for Spanish Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice -Temp/ate 1-2A
Template on Reverse
The template on reverse is an exact Spanish translation of template 1-2 for fecal coliform or E. coli. All the
instructions of template 1-2 apply. If you modify the English template, you should modify this template
accordingly. Schools or universities may be able to provide low cost translations. See page 11 for
suggestions on multilingual notices.
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Spanish Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice -Template 1-2A
AVISO
Efectivo Inrnediatamente
Personas Servidas por [system]
HIERVAN EL AGUA ANTES DE USARLA
Bacterias coliformes fecales (E. coli) fueron encontradas en su servicio de agua el dia [date in Spanish
day-month-year].
Hierva toda el agua, dejela hervir por un minuto, y dejela reposar antes de usarla, o utilize agua
embotellada. Agua hen/ida o embotellada debe ser usada para beber, hacer hielo, lavarse los dientes,
lavar los platos y para preparar la comida hasta proximo aviso.
iQue significa esto para mi?
• Coliformes fecales o E. coli son bacterias cuya presencia indica que el agua esta contaminada con
desechos humanos o de animates. Microbios de esos desechos pueden causar diarrhea, c6licos,
nausea, dolores de cabeza u otros sintomas. Pueden representar un peligro para la salud de
infantes, niftos y nifias de corta edad y personas con sistemas immunolbgicos en alto riesgo.
• Los sfntomas descritos arriba no ocurren solamente debido a los microbios. Tambien pueden ser
causados por otros motives. Si usted siente estos sintomas y estos persisten, usted puede optar por
hacer una consulta con su medico. Personas en sjtuaciones de alto riesgo deben consultar con sus
proveedres de servfcios medicos.
£,Que esta haciendo la Oficina de Agua Potable?
[describe corrective action in Spanish]
• Le informaremos cuando las pruebas demuestren que no hay bacterias y que usted ya no necesita
hervir su agua. Anticipamos que resolveremos el problema el [date in Spanish day-month-year]
• Para mayor informaci6n, por favor p6ngase en contacto con al .
Gufas sobre metodos para reducir el riesgo de contraer una infeccion por microbios esta disponible
en la Linea Caliente Sobre Agua Potable en el 1-800-426-4791.
Si otras personas, tales como inquilinos, residentes, pacientes, estudiantes o empleados reciben agua de
usted, es importante que usted les provea copia de esta notificacidn, ya sea colocandola en un lugar
visible, distribuyendola a mano, o mediante el correo.
Public Notification Handbook 30 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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Instructions for Waterborne Disease Outbreak Notice-Template 1-3
Template on Reverse
Since a waterborne disease outbreak is a Tier 1 situation, you must provide public notice to all persons
served as soon as possible but within 24 hours after you learn of the violation. You must also contact your
primacy agency during this time. You should also coordinate with your local health department. One or
both agencies should tell you whether to instruct consumers to boil water. You must use one or more of
the following methods to deliver the notice to consumers:
• Radio
• Television
• Hand or direct delivery
• Posting
You may need to use additional methods (e.g., newspaper, delivery of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics,
or apartment buildings) if necessary to reach all persons served.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or a newspaper notice. However, you may wish
to shorten it before using it for a radio, TV notice, or posting. Within 10 days after issuing the notice, send
a copy to your primacy agency.
Describing the Outbreak
If known, list any organisms detected, the number of affected people, any water treatment problems
contributing to the outbreak, and any sources of contamination, such as flooding.
Potential Health Effects
No mandatory health effects language exists for waterborne disease outbreaks. You may wish to use the
sentence below, if appropriate, or contact your primacy agency or health department. These symptoms
are common to many diseases caused by microscopic organisms:
• Symptoms may include nausea, cramps, diarrhea, jaundice, and associated headaches and fatigue.
Population at Risk
Some people who contract waterborne diseases can be affected more severely than others, as described
on the reverse page. The specific language on the reverse is not mandatory, but you must provide
information on the population at risk. In addition, make sure it is clear who is served by your water system-
-you may need to list the municipalities you serve.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe the corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly
taken by water systems with waterborne disease outbreaks. Use the following language, if appropriate, or
develop your own:
• We are repairing our filtration system.
• We are increasing sampling for disease-causing organisms.
It is a good idea to issue a "problem corrected" notice when the outbreak is under control. See Template
1-5.
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of the notice and a letter certifying you have met all the
public notice requirements within ten days.
Public Notification Handbook 31 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
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Waterborne Disease Outbreak Notice-Template 1-3
WARNING
Effective Immediately
i
i :
People served by [system]
i '-
BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING
Disease-causing organisms have gotten into the water supply. We learned of an outbreak from [agency]
on [date].
• Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled
or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and food
preparation until further notice.
What does this mean to me?
i
• These organisms are causing illness in people served by the water system, according to the
Health Department. [Describe the outbreak].
• [Describe symptoms of the waterborne disease.] If you experience one or more of these symptoms
and they persist, contact your doctor.
• Some people, including immuno-compromised people, some elderly, and infants may be at increased
risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
What is the water system doing?
[Describe corrective action.]
• We will inform you when you no longer need to boil your water. We anticipate resolving the problem
by [date].
• For more information on the situation, please contact at . Guidelines on ways to lessen the
risk of infection by microbes are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791.
•
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive
water from you, it is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a
conspicuous location or by direct hand or mail delivery.
: Water System ID:.
Public Notification Handbook 32 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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Instructions for Notice for Turbidity Single Exceedance as Tier 1-Tempfate
Template on Reverse
If your primacy agency has designated this turbidity single exceedance as a Tier 1 violation, you must
provide public notice to all persons served within 24 hours after you learn of the violation. (Turbidity is not
Tier 1 by regulation, but may frequently be elevated to Tier 1 by the primacy agency. Water systems are
subject to different turbidity standards depending on system type and size. Some systems have limits of 5
NTU, while others have limits of 1 NTU.) You should also coordinate with your local health department.
One or both agencies should tell you whether to instruct consumers to boil water. You must use one or
more of the following methods to deliver the notice to consumers:
• Radio
• Television
Hand or direct delivery
• Posting
You may need to use additional methods (e.g., newspaper, delivery of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics,
or apartment buildings) if necessary to reach all persons served.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or a newspaper notice. However, you may wish
to shorten it before using it for a radio or TV notice or posting. If you modify the notice, you must leave the
health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory.
Population Served
Make sure it is clear who is served by your water system-you may need to list the municipalities you
serve.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken
by water systems with turbidity single exceedance. Use the following language, if appropriate, or develop
your own:
• We are sampling both untreated and treated water for the presence and concentration of coliform
bacteria.
• We are monitoring chlorine levels and will adjust the amount of chlorine added as necessary.
• We shut down the water plant and cleaned all the filters.
Source of the Problem
If you know why the turbidity is high, explain it in your notice. For instance, unusual conditions, such as
heavy rains and flooding, can overburden the water plant, and treated water may therefore not meet the
standards.
After Issuing the Notice
• Send a copy of the notice and a certification letter to your primacy agency within ten days after you
issue the notice.
• It is a good idea to issue a "problem corrected" notice when the violation is resolved. See Template
1-5.
Public Notification Handbook 33 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
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Turbidity Single Exceedance Elevated to Tier 1-Template 1-4
WARNING
Effective Immediately
People served by [system]
BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE DRINKING
Turbidity (cloudiness) levels in your water supply were above the limit of 5 turbidity units on [date]. Levels
reached [number] turbidity units.
I
• Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled
or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and food
preparation until further notice.
What does this mean to me?
• We routinely monitor your water for turbidity, which tells us whether we are effectively filtering and
disinfecting the water supply.
• Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium
form/crab/a/ growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease causing organisms. These
organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea,
cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.
• The symptoms above, however, are not caused only by organisms in drinking water, but also by other
factors. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical
advice.
• Some people, including immuno-compromised people, some elderly, and infants may be at increased
risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
What is the water system doing?
[Describe corrective action.]
• We anticipate resolving the problem by [date.] We will inform you when turbidity returns to appropriate
levels and when you no longer need to boil your water.
• For more information on this situation, please contact at . Guidelines on ways to lessen the
risk of infection by microbes are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791.
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water
from you, it is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous
location or by direct hand or mail delivery.
Water System ID:
Public Notification Handbook
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Instructions for Tier 1 "Problem Corrected" Notice—Temp/ate 1-5
Template on Reverse
It is a good idea to issue a notice when a serious violation has been resolved. Although EPA regulations
do not require such notices, your primacy agency may require you to issue one. You should coordinate
with your local health department as well. Below are some recommended methods for a "problem
corrected" notice. You should but are not required to use the same methods you used for the original
notice.
• Radio
• Television
• Newspaper
• Hand or direct delivery
• Posting
You may wish to use additional methods (e.g., delivery of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics, or apartment
buildings) if necessary to reach all persons served.
The notice on the reverse is very general and can be used for any violation. However, to help restore
consumers' confidence in the water system, you should modify the notice to fit your situation. Although the
public should have seen your initial notice, there may be additional information you learned after the notice
was issued. Therefore, you should describe the violation again and discuss how the problem was solved.
Public Notification Handbook 36 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
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Tier 1 "Problem Corrected" Notice—Template 1-5
DRINKING WATER PROBLEM CORRECTED
Customers of [system] were recently notified of a problem with their drinking water and were advised to
[describe recommended action]. We are pleased to be able to report that the problem has been corrected
and that it is no longer necessary to [describe recommended action]. We apologize for any inconvenience
and thank you for your patience.
As always, you may call at with any comments or questions.
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water from you, it is
important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous location or by direct hand or
mail delivery.
Water System ID:
Public Notification Handbook 36 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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6. Tier 2 Notice Requirements and Suggestions
What is the
deadline for
issuing a Tier 2
notice?
Which methods of
delivery must I
use?
Tier 2 notices are required for violations of maximum contaminant levels
(MCLs), maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs), and treatment
technique requirements not included in Tier 1; monitoring
violations (if required by the primacy agency); and failure to comply with
the terms and conditions of a variance or exemption. Tier 2 notices are
considered less urgent than Tier 1 violations because there is little immediate
risk to consumers or the system may have already returned to compliance by
the time the notice is issued. Tier 2 notices must meet the content, format and
multilingual requirements described in detail in Chapter 3.
Tier 2 notices must be issued as soon as practicable but within 30 days after a
violation is discovered. Extensions of the 30-day deadline to up to three
months from the date of the violation may be granted by the primacy agency;
you should check with your agency.
Following the initial notice, you must repeat the notice every three months for
as long as the violation persists, unless your primacy agency determines the
situation warrants a different repeat notice frequency. In such cases, repeat
notices must be no less frequent than once a year. If the public notice is
posted, it must remain in place during the length of the violation. For total
coliform MCL violations, for example, you are not in compliance again until
samples collected during the month following the violation meet the standard.
You must also notify new billing customers or hookups of any ongoing
violations prior to or at the time their service begins.
Unless directed otherwise by the primacy agency, if you operate a community
water system, you must provide notice by:
1.
1. A description of the violation;
2. When the violation occurred;
3. Potential adverse health effects;
4. Population(s) at risk;
5. Whether alternative water supplies should be used;
6. Actions consumers should take, including when they
should seek medical help, if known;
7. What you are doing to correct the violation;
8. When you expect to return to compliance;
9. Phone number for additional information; and
10. Standard language encouraging distribution to all
persons served.
Mail or other direct delivery to each customer receiving a bill or other
service connections, and
2. Any other method reasonably
calculated to reach other people
regularly served by the system if they
would not normally be reached by the
first method. Such methods may
include publication in a local
newspaper, posting in public places, or
delivery to community organizations.
Required Elements of a
Public Notice
Unless directed otherwise by the primacy
agency, if you operate a non-community
water system, you must provide notice by
the following methods (see Chapter 8 for
more information):
Public Notification Handbook
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6. Tier 2 Notice Requirements and Suggestions
Suggestions for
Effective Public
Notification
Delivery
Compare the cost of mailing
and labor for hand delivery
before choosing a method. Because notice
delivery is not required immediately after
this type of violation, hand delivery may not
be necessary. However, it may be cheaper
and in some cases may take less time than
putting together a mailing. If your notice
deadline coincides with your billing
schedule, you may be able to include your
notice in the bill at no extra cost. Whichever
method you choose, you should
supplement it with posting in common
areas and gathering places, such as
banks, grocery stores, and restaurants. If a
daily or weekly newspaper is available, you
may wish to purchase an ad to publish the
notice, or have the newspaper write a story
on the violation.
1. Posting the notice in conspicuous locations or by mail or direct delivery to
each consumer, and
2. Any other method reasonably calculated to reach other people served by
the system if they would not normally be reached by the first method. Such
methods may include publication in a local newspaper or newsletter
distributed to consumers, use of e-mail to notify employees or students, or
delivery of multiple copies in central locations.
For both system types, there are a few cases where you may be able to
reach all persons served with the first method you choose. In such cases, you
may not need to use additional methods. At a gas'station, for instance, posting
would be sufficient to reach all persons served.
• If you mail the notice, send it to all service connections, if possible, and not
just billing customers. Be sure to tell owners or managers of home owners
associations, apartment buildings, or resort rental properties to pass the
information along to their tenants. You may wish to send multiple copies of
the notice to building managers. Billing customers can be reached via
inserts in their water bills, if the bills are distributed and received within 30
days of the violation.
• Notices in newspapers may be in the form of an article or a paid
advertisement. However, articles are more effective than paid notices
because they are more likely to be noticed and read. Work with the local
newspaper to write an article on the violation and what
the system is doing to correct it. Be sure that anyone
at the paper who writes or edits ah article knows what
items must be included to meet the requirements for
public notification. If your system is located in the
suburban area of a large city, you should request that
your notice be placed in the weekly community news
section. Also, focus on getting articles published in
smaller community newspapers, homeowners
association newsletters, or similar publications.
Tips for Very Smali
Community Systems
Paid advertisements offer an advantage because
you are guaranteed the notice will appear exactly
as you write it. Try to purchase ad space in the
front section of the paper. Legal notices tend to get
lost in the back of the paper where few people
read them. If your notice must appear with other
paid notices, a descriptive title becomes very
important. The header "notice" may be overlooked,
but the mention of the community's drinking water
supply gets people's attention.
Public Notification Handbook
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6. Tier 2 Notice Requirements and Suggestions
Suggestions for
Layout of the
Notice
Tier 2 notices should answer the most common questions people will have
about the violation: What does this mean to me? What should I do? What is the
water system doing? The tone of a Tier 2 notice is less urgent than that of a
Tier 1 notice. A question and answer format that anticipates consumers'
concerns is recommended for each section. Templates 2-1 through 2-9 at the
end of this chapter offer sample language and instructions for preparing Tier 2
public notices.
1. Title - The notice should have a descriptive title but should not be overly
alarming. The title "Drinking Water Notice" or "Important Information about
Your Drinking Water" would be more appropriate than "Drinking Water
Alert." Follow with a subtitle describing the situation, such as: "Tests Show
Levels of [Contaminant] Above Drinking Water Standards."
2. Describe What Happened - The notice should briefly describe what
happened and give some background as to how the violation was
discovered. For example, say that you routinely test the water and that the
most recent samples showed a violation. Provide a context for the
exceedance by giving the applicable drinking water standard and whether
the exceedance is a monthly, quarterly, or other type of average. If the
problem has already been corrected, be sure to communicate this clearly.
3. Explain How the Violation Affects Consumers - Be clear that the situation
is not an emergency and that consumers would have been notified
immediately if it had been. In the case of treatment technique violations,
explain that treatment is important to preventing disease outbreaks but that
there is no evidence of disease or bacteria in the water. For turbidity
exceedances, explain how high turbidity levels may be related to the
presence of organisms in drinking water.
4. Explain What Consumers Should Do - Next, the notice should tell
customers what they need to do, even if no action is necessary. This will
usually be: "you do/do not need to seek other sources of drinking water."
Since people's first reaction is to boil their water, explain the effect of
boiling (i.e., whether boiling is necessary, has no effect, or is harmful). Tell
consumers that if they have specific health concerns, especially for the
young, old, or immuno-compromised (undergoing chemotherapy, HIV-
positive, or other immune system problems), they may want to consult their
doctors.
5. Describe What You Are Doing to Correct the Problem - Inform consumers
of the steps you are taking to correct the problem, such as the installation
of new treatment, increased frequency or type of monitoring, or your
collaboration with the appropriate state agency. Tell them when you expect
the drinking water to again meet the standard. Provide the name and
telephone number of someone who can answer any questions consumers
may have. When'giving out contact information, invite people to learn more
Public Notification Handbook
39
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6. Tier 2 Notice Requirements and Suggestions
about protecting their drinking water by saying: "for more information, or to
learn more about protecting your drinking water, please contact..."
6- Optional Elements — If you know the source of the contamination, include
it in the notice. This helps reassure consumers that you have investigated
the problem and are taking steps to address it. It also reinforces the fact
that drinking water is a vulnerable resource that must be protected.
7. Public Water System ID Number— You should include your PWS ID
number at the bottom of the notice. This will help your primacy agency
track compliance and prevent tracking errors between systems with similar
names.
Public Notification Handbook 40 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
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TIER 2 TEMPLATES
The pages that follow contain templates for Tier 2 violations. Along with each template are
instructions, including the required method of delivery and instructions for completing individual
sections of the notice.
Mandatory language on health effects, which must be included exactly as written, is presented
in italics.
You must also include the following language in all notices. Use of this language does not relieve you
of your obligation to notify all persons served:
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water
from you, it is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous
location or by direct hand or mail delivery.
Templates
Unresolved Total Coliform Notice-Template 2-1
Resolved Total Coliform Notice-Template 2-2
Chemical or Radiological MCLs Notice-Template 2-3
SWTR Failure to Filter Notice-Template 2-4
SWTR Turbidity Single Exceedance Notice-Template 2-5
SWTR Turbidity Monthly Exceedance Notice-Template 2-6
SWTR Disinfection Treatment Notices—Template 2-7
Lead Public Education Notice-Template 2-8
LCR Failure to Install Corrosion Control—Template 2-9
Public Notification Handbook 41 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
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-------
Instructions for Unresolved Total Coliform Notice-Template 2-1
Template on Reverse
This template is applicable to systems required to take less than 40 samples per month. See below for
language applicable to systems taking 40 or more samples. Since exceeding the total coliform bacteria
maximum contaminant level is a Tier 2 violation, you must provide public notice to all persons served as
soon as possible but within 30 days after you learn of the violation. Persistent total coliform problems can
be serious. Check with your primacy agency to make sure you meet all requirements. You must issue a
repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation persists, unless your primacy agency
determines the situation warrants a different repeat notice frequency.
Community systems must use one of the following methods:
• Hand or direct delivery
• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods:
• Posting
• Hand delivery
• Mail
In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably calculated
to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method. Such methods could include
newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to shorten it
before using it for posting. If you modify the notice, you must leave the health effects language in italics
unchanged. This language is mandatory.
Description of the Violation
Use the following language if you are required to take 40 or more samples per month:
• We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. We took [number] samples
during the month of [month]. During [month], percent of our samples showed the presence of
total coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more than 5 percent of samples may do so.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. If you know what is causing the coliform
problem, explain. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by water systems with total coliform
violations. Use the following language, if appropriate, or develop your own:
• We are chlorinating and flushing the water system.
• We are increasing sampling for coliform bacteria.
• We are repairing the wellhead seal.
• We are repairing the storage tank.
• We will inform you when additional samples show no coliform bacteria.
Make sure to send a copy of the notice and a letter certifying you have met all the public notice
requirements to your primacy agency within ten days. It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the
violation has been resolved. See Template 1-5 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
Public Notification Handbook 43 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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Unresolved Total Coliform Notice-Template 2-1
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Tests Show Presence of Coliform Bacteria
We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. We took [number] samples during
the month of [month]. During [month], [number] of our samples showed the presence of total coliform
bacteria. The standard is that no more than 1 sample per month may do so.
What does this mean? ,
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. Total coliform bacteria
are generally not harmful themselves.
, i i
Coliforms are bacteria which are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that
other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed
and this was a warning of potential problems.
Usually, coliforms are a sign that there could be a problem with the system's treatment or distribution
systems.
Some people, including immuno-compromised people, some elderly, and infants may be at increased risk.
These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. Guidelines on
ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at
1(800)426-4791.
What should I do?
You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have specific
health concerns, consult your doctor.
What is the water system doing?
[Describe corrective action.]
We will inform you when additional samples show no coliform bacteria. We anticipate resolving the
problem by [date.]
For more information, or to leam more about .protecting your drinking water please contact at .
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water from
you, it is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous location or
by direct hand or mail delivery. :
Water System ID:.
Public Notification Handbook 44 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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Instructions for Resolved Total Coliform Notice—Template 2-2
Template on Reverse
This template is applicable to systems required to take less than 40 samples per month. See below for
language applicable to systems taking 40 or more samples. Since exceeding the total coliform bacteria
maximum contaminant level is a Tier 2 violation, you must provide public notice to all persons served as
soon as possible but within 30 days after you learn of the violation, unless your primacy agency extends
this deadline. Some states have more stringent requirements for coliform violations. Check with your
primacy agency to make sure you meet all its requirements.
Community systems must use one of the following methods:
• Hand or direct delivery
• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods:
• Posting
• Hand delivery
• Mail
In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably calculated
to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method. Such methods could include
newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to shorten it
before using it for posting. If you modify the notice, you must leave the health effects language in italics
unchanged. This language is mandatory.
Description of the Violation
Make sure that the notice is clear about the fact that the coliform problem has been resolved, and there is
no current cause for concern.
Use the following language if you are required to take 40 or more samples per month:
• We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. We took [number] samples
during the month of [month]. During [month], percent of our samples showed the presence of
total coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more than 5 percent of samples may do so.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you have taken. Listed below are some steps commonly taken
by water systems with total coliform violations. Use the following language, if appropriate, or develop your
own:
• We have increased sampling for coliform bacteria to catch the problem early if it recurs.
• The well and/or distribution system has been disinfected and additional samples do not show
presence of coliform bacteria.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send a copy of the notice along with a letter certifying you have met ail the public notice
requirements to your primacy agency within ten days.
Public Notification Handbook 45 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
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Resolved Total Coliform Notice-Template 2-2
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Tests in [month] Showed Presence of Coliform Bacteria
We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. We took [number] samples during
the month of [month]. During [month], [number] of our samples tested positive for the presence of total
coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more than one sample per month may do so. Subsequent tests
indicate that the bacteria are no longer present in the water supply.
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. Total coliform bacteria
are generally not harmful themselves.
Conforms are bacteria which are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that
other, potentially-harmful, bacteria maybe present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed
and this was a warning of potential problems.
Usually, conforms are a sign that there could be a problem with the system's treatment or distribution
systems.
What should I do?
1 !
You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective action. However, if you have specific
health concerns, consult your doctor.
What did the water system do?
[Describe corrective action.]
For more information, or to learn more about protecting your drinking water please contact at
i ' i
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water from
you, it is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous location or
by direct hand or mail delivery.
Water System ID:
Public Notification Handbook 46 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
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Instructions for Chemical or Radiological MCLs Notice—Template 2-3
Template on Reverse
Since exceeding chemical or radiological maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) is a Tier 2 violation, you
must provide public notice to all persons served as soon as possible but within 30 days after you learn of
the violation, unless your primacy agency extends this deadline. You must issue a repeat notice every
three months for as long as the violation persists, unless your primacy agency determines the situation
warrants a different repeat notice frequency.
Community systems must use one of the following methods:
• Hand or direct delivery
• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods:
• Posting
• Hand delivery
• Mail
In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably calculated
to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method. Such methods could include
newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to shorten it
before using it for posting. (The health effects language on the reverse is generic. You must replace
it with the specific language on your contaminant from Appendix B of the handbook.)
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Do not use overly technical terminology when
describing treatment methods. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by water systems with
chemical or radiological violations. Use the following language, if appropriate, or develop your own:
• We are working with [local/state agency] to evaluate the water supply and research options to correct
the problem. These options may include treating the water to remove [contaminant] or connecting to
's water supply.
• We have stopped using the contaminated well. We have increased pumping from other wells, and we
are investigating drilling a new well.
• We will increase the frequency at which we test the water for [contaminant].
• We have since taken samples at this location and had them tested. They show that we meet the
standards.
Repeat Notices
If this is an ongoing violation and/or you fluctuate above and below the MCL, it is a good idea to give the
history behind the violation, including the source of contamination, if known. You should list the date of the
initial detection, as well as how levels have changed over time. If levels are changing as a result of
treatment you can indicate this.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of the notice and a letter certifying you have met all public
notification requirements within ten days.
Public Notification Handbook 47 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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Chemical or Radiological MCLs Notice-Template 2-3
! ' I , . ' I I
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Tests Show Levels of above Drinking Water Standards
The system routinely monitors for the presence of drinking water contaminants. Testing results we
received on [date] show that the system exceeds the standard, or maximum contaminant level, for
[contaminant]. [[Contaminant] was found at [Ievel]/The average level of [contaminant over the last four
quarters was [level].] The standard for [contaminant] is [MCL].
' i ' ' i " i ' ;
What does this mean to me?
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. However, some
people who drink water containing [contaminant] [well] in excess of the maximum contaminant level over
many years could experience [health effect] [or may have an increased risk of cancer].
What should I do?
You do not need to use an alternative (e.g., bottled) water supply. However, if you have specific
health concerns, consult your doctor.
What is the water system doing?
I • • ,. I '
[Describe corrective action.]
We will inform you when [contaminant] levels meet the standards. We anticipate resolving the problem by
[date.]
For more information, or to learn more about protecting your drinking water please contact at .
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water from
you, it is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuqus location or
by direct hand or mail delivery.
Water System ID:.
Public Notification Handbook 48 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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Instructions for SWTR Failure to Filter Notice-Template 2-4
Template on Reverse
Since surface water treatment technique violations are included in Tier 2, you must provide public notice
to all persons served as soon as possible but within 30 days after you learn of the violation, unless your
primacy agency extends this deadline. You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as
the violation persists, unless your primacy agency determines the situation warrants a different repeat
notice frequency.
Community systems must use one of the following methods:
• Hand or direct delivery
• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods:
• Posting
• Hand delivery
• Mail
In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably calculated
to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method. Such methods could include
newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to shorten it
before using it for posting. If you modify the notice, you must leave the health effects language in italics
unchanged. This language is mandatory.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken
by water systems with surface water treatment technique violations. Use the following language, if
appropriate, or develop your own:
• Our filtration system needs upgrades to meet the requirements.
• We are installing filtration. We expect that the filtration system will be operational by [month, year].
• We are monitoring for turbidity (cloudiness), disinfectant levels, and the presence of bacteria. We
continue to meet the standards for these measurements.
Repeat Notices
For repeat notices, you should state how long the violation has been ongoing and remind consumers of
when you sent out the previous notice. If you are making progress in installing filtration, describe it.
Alternatively, if funding or other issues are delaying installation, let the consumers know.
After Issuing the Violation
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of the notice and a certification letter within ten days after
you issued the notice.
Public Notification Handbook 49 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
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SWTR Failure to Filter Notice-Template 2-4
,i ' , i , ,
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Water System Does Not Meet Treatment Requirements
: i I
The water you drink is treated by water system before it reaches you. However, this treatment does
not meet ali the current State and Federal requirements for drinking water.
The water currently is treated with chlorine or other disinfectants to kill bacteria. However, disinfection
does not always kill other disease-causing organisms, such as giardia and other parasites. Filtration is an
effective way to remove such parasites. We are required to filter the water, but have not yet installed a
filtration system.
What does this mean to me?
This is not an emergency. If it had been you would have been notified immediately. We do not know of any
cases of contamination. However, until improvements are made, there is an increased chance that
disease-causing organisms could contaminate the water supply.
Some people, including Immune-compromised people, some elderly, and infants may be at increased risk.
These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. Guidelines on
ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at
1(800)426-4791.
Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria,
viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated
headaches. These symptoms, however, are not caused only by organisms in drinking water, but also by
other factors. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical
advice.
What should I do?
You do not need to boil your water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor. A
home filter will not necessarily solve the problem, because not all home filters protect against parasites.
Call NSF International at 1 (800) NSF-8010 or the Water Quality Association at 1 (800) 749-0234 for
information on appropriate filters.
What is the water system doing?
Filtration is the best method to remove these organisms.
[Describe corrective action.]
We anticipate resolving the problem by [date.] Until filtration is installed, you will receive a notice similar to
this every three months.
If you would like more information, please call at .
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water from
you, it is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous location or
by direct hand or mail delivery.
Water System ID:
Public Notification Handbook 50 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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Instructions for SWTR Turbidity Single Exceedance Notice-Template 2-5
Template on Reverse
Since surface water treatment filtration treatment technique violations are included in Tier 2, you must
provide public notice to all persons served as soon as possible but within 30 days after you learn of the
violation, unless your primacy agency extends this deadline. Turbidity exceedances can be serious, and
some states have more stringent requirements. Check with your primacy agency to make sure you meet
all its requirements. In addition, turbidity standards vary by system type and size-if you are subject to the
requirements of the Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, you may be subject to stricter
turbidity limits of 1 NTU. The limit of 5 NTU still applies to other systems. Check with your primacy agency
if you are unsure which limits apply to you.
Community systems must use one of the following methods:
• Hand or direct delivery
• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods:
• Posting
• Hand delivery
• Mail
In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably calculated
to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method. Such methods could include
newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to shorten it
before using it for posting. If you modify the notice, you must leave the health effects language in italics
unchanged. This language is mandatory.
Explaining Turbidity
If space permits, you may wish to explain the common causes of high turbidity and how it can overload the
capabilities of the water treatment plant.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken
by water systems with filtration treatment technique violations. Use the following language, if appropriate,
or develop your own:
• We added chemicals that reduce turbidity.
• We sampled both untreated and treated water for the presence of coliform bacteria.
• We monitored chlorine levels and will adjust the amount of chlorine added as necessary.
• We shut down the water plant and cleaned all the filters. '
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send a copy of the notice and a letter certifying you have met all public notice requirements
to your primacy agency within ten days.
Public Notification Handbook 51 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
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SWTR Turbidity Single Exceedance Notice-Template 2-5
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Water System Does/Did Not Meet Treatment Requirements
People served by [system] or living in [area]
• We routinely monitor your water for turbidity (cloudiness), which tells us whether we are effectively
filtering and disinfecting the water supply. Turbidity levels in your water supply were turbidity
units on [date]. This is above the limit of 5 [or 1] turbidity units.
What does this mean to me?
• This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. A problem
occurred with the treatment system at the water plant.
• Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium
for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease causing organisms. These
organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea,
cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.
• These symptoms are not caused only by organisms in drinking water and may be caused by other
factors. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical
advice.
• Some people, including immuno-compromised people, some elderly, and infants may be at increased
risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
Guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the Safe Drinking
Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791. ;
What should I do?
• You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have specific
health concerns, consult your doctor.
What is the water system doing?
[Describe corrective action.]
• Turbidity levels since [date] have been below the limit.
• For more information, please contact at .
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water from
you, it is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous location or
by direct hand or mail delivery.
Water System ID:.
Public Notification Handbook 52 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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Instructions for SWTR Turbidity Monthly Exceedance Notice—Template 2-6
Template on Reverse
Since surface water treatment filtration treatment technique violations are included in Tier 2, you must
provide public notice to all persons served as soon as possible but within 30 days after you learn of the
violation, unless your primacy agency extends this deadline. Turbidity standards vary by system type and
size. If you are subject to the requirements of the Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, you
may be subject to stricter turbidity limits of 0.3 NTU. The limit of 0.5 NTU [or 1 NTU for some systems] still
applies to other systems. Check with your primacy agency if you are unsure which limits apply to you.
Community systems must use one of the following methods:
• Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods:
• Posting
• Hand delivery
• Mail
In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably calculated
to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method. Such methods could include
newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to shorten it
before using it for posting. If you modify the notice, you must leave the health effects language in italics
unchanged. This language is mandatory.
Explaining Turbidity
If space permits, you may wish to explain the common causes of high turbidity and how it can overload the
capabilities of the water treatment plant.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken
by water systems with filtration treatment technique violations. Use the following language, if appropriate:
• We are sampling/we sampled both untreated and treated water for the presence of coliform bacteria.
• We are sampling/we sampled chlorine levels and will adjust/adjusted the amount of chlorine added as
necessary.
Return to Compliance
Depending on whether or not turbidity levels meet the standards, use one of the following sentences:
• We expect to have turbidity returned to appropriate levels by [date].
• Turbidity levels so far this month have been at appropriate levels.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send a copy of the notice to your state along with a letter certifying you have met all public
notice requirements within ten days.
Public Notification Handbook 53 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
-------
SWTR Turbidity Monthly Exceedance Notice—Template 2-6
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Water System Does/Did Not Meet Treatment Requirements
We routinely monitor for turbidity (cloudiness). This measurement tells us whether we are effectively
filtering and disinfecting the water supply.
...''I.. • ; 'i •• •
During the month of [month], percent of turbidity samples were above 0.5 [or 0.3] turbidity units. The
standard is that no more than 5 percent of samples may exceed 0.5 [or 0.3] turbidity units.
What does this mean to me?
i , , j
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. The turbidity levels
are relatively low, but their persistence is a concern.
; , ! j ',
Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for
microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease causing organisms. These organisms
include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea
and associated headaches.
These symptoms are not caused only by organisms in drinking water and may be caused by other factors.
If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice.
i
Some people, including immune-compromised people, some elderly, and infants may be at increased risk.
These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. Guidelines on
ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at
1(800)426-4791.
What should! do?
, . |
You do not need to boil your water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
What is the water system doing?
[Describe corrective action.]
! ' ' !'
[Describe when you expect to return to compliance.]
For more information, or to learn more about protecting your drinking water please contact at .
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water from
you, it is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous location or
by direct hand or mail delivery.
Water System ID:.
Public Notification Handbook
54
DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
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Instructions for SWTR Disinfection Treatment Notices-Template 2-7
Template on Reverse
Since surface water treatment disinfection treatment technique violations are included in Tier 2, you must
provide public notice to all persons served as soon as possible but within 30 days after you learn of the
violation, unless your primacy agency extends this deadline.
Community systems must use one of the following methods:
• Hand or direct delivery
• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods:
• Posting
• Hand delivery
• Mail
In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably calculated
to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method. Such methods could include
newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations.
You must leave the health effects language in italics unchanged.
Description of the Violation
Choose from the following descriptions of contact time or disinfectant residual violations, and modify to fit
your situation.
Contact Time - In order to ensure proper disinfection, water in the treatment plant must be in contact with
chlorine or a similar disinfectant for a minimum amount of time. On [date], this did not occur.
Although chlorine quickly kills most bacteria, it is less effective against organisms such as viruses and
parasites. For this reason, water needs to mix with chlorine for a longer time period to kill such organisms.
The amount of time necessary, or the "contact time," depends on the amount of disinfectant in the water
and the temperature of the water.
Disinfectant Residual - We routinely monitor for disinfectant residual in the distribution system. This
measurement tells us whether we are effectively disinfecting the water supply. Disinfectant residual is the
amount of chlorine or related disinfectant present in the pipes of the distribution system. If the amount of
disinfectant is too low, organisms could survive in the pipes.
Monthly exceedance - During the months of , disinfectant residual was undetectable in more
than 5% of samples. The standard is that disinfectant may be undetectable in no more than 5% of
samples each month for two months in a row.
Single exceedance - On [date], disinfectant levels dropped below 0.2 milligrams per liter for hours.
The standard is that levels may not drop below 0.2 for more than four hours.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken
by water systems with filtered systems technique violations. Use the following language, if appropriate, or
develop your own:
• We are sampling/we sampled both untreated and treated water for the presence of coliform bacteria.
• We are sampling/we sampled disinfectant levels and will adjust/adjusted the amount of disinfectant
added as necessary to maintain adequate levels.
Make sure to send a copy of the notice and a certification letter to your primacy agency.
Public Notification Handbook 55 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
-------
SWTR Disinfection Treatment Notices-Template 2-7
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Water System Does/Did Not Meet Treatment Requirements
[Description of the violation - use descriptions from instructions on reverse.]
What does this mean to me?
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. Tests taken during
this same time period did not indicate the presence of bacteria in the water.
Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria,
viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated
headaches. :
These symptoms, however, are not caused only by organisms in drinking water, but also by other factors.
If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice.
i
i
Some people, including immunp-comprornised people, some elderly, and infants may be at increased risk.
These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers Guidelines on
ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at
1(800)426-4791.
What should I do?
' f
You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have specific
health concerns, consult your doctor.
I »
What is the water system doing?
[Describe corrective action.]
[Disinfectant residual levels/contact times] so far this month have met all requirements.
For more information, or to learn more about protecting your drinking water please contact at .
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water from
you, it is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous location or
by direct hand or mail delivery.
Water System ID:
Public Notification Handbook 56 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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Instructions for LCR Lead Public Education Notice—Temp/ate 2-8
Template on Reverse
Since lead and copper treatment technique violations are included in Tier 2, you must provide public
notice to all persons served as soon as possible but within 30 days after you learn of the violation, unless
your primacy agency extends this deadline. You must also conduct a lead education program.
Community systems must use one of the following methods:
• Hand or direct delivery
• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods:
• Posting
• Hand delivery
• Mail
In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably calculated
to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method. Such methods could include
newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to shorten it
before using it for posting. If you modify the notice, you must leave the health effects language in italics
unchanged. This language is mandatory.
Corrective Actions
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken
by water systems with lead public education violations. Use the following language, if appropriate, or
develop your own:
• We will be providing brochures with more detailed information on lead by [date]. This information will
also be given to schools, hospitals, the health department, and other organizations.
• We will be installing corrosion control treatment to help reduce lead levels by [date].
If consumers ask for information on testing their water, you should have on hand the names of
laboratories consumers can call. You can also give them information about filters. Not all home filters are
appropriate for removing lead. Tell consumers to call NSF International at 1(800) NSF-8010 or the Water
Quality Association at 1 (800) 749-0234 for information on appropriate filters.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of the notice and a letter certifying that you have met all
the public notice requirements within ten days.
When corrosion control or other treatment has been effective at reducing lead levels, you may wish to
inform your consumers by sending a "problem corrected" notice. See Template 1-5.
Public Notification Handbook 57 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
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. Lead Public Education Notice-Template 2-8
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABpUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
^ Water System Did Not Conduct Lead Education Program
Your drinking water may pick up lead from lead and brass pipes and plumbing fixtures as it travels from
the treatment plant into your home. At the treatment plant, the water [does not contain lead/contains
milligrams per liter of lead], but it may pick up additional lead from your home if your plumbing contains
lead or brass.
We routinely sample water at consumers' taps for lead. If more than 10 percent of our samples show
lead levels above 0.015 milligrams per liter (the federally established "action level"), we are required to
conduct a public education program for lead. Samples taken during [months] showed that. percent of
samples had lead levels above the action level. We should have completed the education program within
60 days after we learned the results of the sampling. We have not yet conducted this program.
What should I do?
You can take the following steps to reduce your exposure to lead.
• Call the number below if you want to find out how to get your water tested for lead.
• Find out whether your house contains lead pipes or solder.
• Run your water for 15-30 seconds before using it for drinking or cooking. This flushes any standing
lead from the pipes.
• Don't use hot tap water for cooking; instead, heat cold tap water on the stove. Lead dissolves more
easily in hot water.
• Do not boil your water. Boiling water makes the lead more concentrated.
What does this mean to me?
Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level could experience delays
in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning
abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood
pressure. '•
What is the water system doing?
[Describe corrective action.]
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. We anticipate meeting
requirements for lead treatment by [date]. We will conduct another education program in one year if lead
levels are still high.
For more information, contact at .
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water from
you, it is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous location or
by direct hand or mail delivery.
Water System ID:.
Public Notification Handbook 58 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
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Instructions for LCR Failure to Install Corrosion Control—Template 2-9
Template on Reverse
Since lead and copper treatment technique violations are included in Tier 2, you must provide public
notice to all persons served as soon as possible but within 30 days after you learn of the violation, unless
your primacy agency extends this deadline. You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as
long as the violation persists, unless your primacy agency determines the situation warrants a different
repeat notice frequency.
Community systems must use one of the following methods:
• Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one Of the following methods:
• Posting
• Hand delivery
• Mail
In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably calculated
to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method. Such methods could include
newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to shorten it
before using it for posting. If you modify the notice, you must leave the health effects language in italics
unchanged. This language is mandatory.
Explaining the Violation
If the delay in installation is related to outside circumstances, such as funding, you can explain these.
Consumers will be more supportive of rate increases or may pressure local authorities to provide funds.
This template is written for systems which are required to install corrosion control after exceeding lead
action levels. Some large systems must install corrosion control even if they have never exceeded the
lead action level. You may need to modify the template if this applies to you.
The following may help you explain the violation:
• This is a treatment violation, but it does not mean there is lead in your drinking water. However, it is
important that we take measures to control lead levels in the water, because ingesting lead can cause
serious health consequences.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken
by water systems with lead and copper treatment technique violations. Use the following language, if
appropriate, or develop your own:
• We conducted a lead public education program in [month, year]. You should have received a brochure
explaining in more detail steps you can take to reduce exposure.
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of the notice and a letter certifying you have met all the
public notice requirements within ten days.
Public Notification Handbook 59 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
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L.CR Failure to Install Corrosion Control-Template 2-9
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Lead Treatment Violation
i'
We routinely sample water for lead at consumers' taps. Your drinking water may pick up lead from lead
and brass pipes and plumbing fixtures as it travels from the treatment plant into your home. At the
treatment plant, the water [does not contain lead/contains milligrams per liter of lead], but it may pick
up additional lead from your home if your plumbing contains lead or brass.
As a result of lead levels in the water above the limit, or "action level," we are required to install corrosion
control treatment. This treatment helps prevent lead in the pipes from dissolving into the water. Corrosion
control should have been installed by [date], but installation is incomplete.
What should I do?
You can take the following steps to reduce your exposure to lead.
• Call the number below to find out how to get your water tested for lead.
• Find out whether your house contains lead pipes or solder.
• Run your water for 15-30 seconds before using it for drinking or cooking. This flushes any standing
lead from the pipes.
• Don't use hot tap water for cooking; instead, heat cold tap water on the stove. Lead dissolves more
easily in hot water.
• Do not boil your water. Boiling water makes the lead more concentrated.
What does this mean to me?
Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the Action Level could experience delays
In their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning
abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems, high blood
pressure, or may be at an increased risk of getting cancer.
What is the water system doing?
[Describe corrective action.]
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. Corrosion control will
be in place by [date].
For more information, contact at .
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water from
you, it is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous location or
by direct hand or mail delivery.
Water System ID:.
Public Notification Handbook 60 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27,1999
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7. Tier 3 Notice Requirements and Suggestions
What is the
deadline for
issuing a Tier 3
notice?
Tier 3 notices are required for testing procedure violations, monitoring
violations (except failure to monitor for fecal coliform (or E. coli) and any
monitoring violations elevated to Tier 1 or 2 by the primacy agency),
operation under a variance or exemption, and special notices for fluoride
secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) exceedances and availability
of unregulated contaminant monitoring data. Tier 3 notices must meet
content (including standard language), format, and multilingual requirements
described in Chapter 3, "Summary of Requirements."
You must issue a public notice for a Tier 3 violation or situation within one year
of learning of the violation or situation and must issue a repeat notice annually
thereafter for as long as the violation or situation exists. You may wish to
streamline Tier 3 public notification by inserting your notices into the Consumer
Confidence Report (CCR) required for community water systems or by issuing
a separate annual or semi-annual notice
containing all the monitoring violations
that occurred in the past year or six
months.
Required Elements of a
Public Notice
1. A description of the violation;
2. When the violation occurred;
3. Potential adverse health effects;
4. Population^) at risk;
5. Whether alternative water supplies should be used;
6. Actions consumers should take, including when they
should seek medical help, if known;
7. What you are doing to correct the violation;
8. When you expect to return to compliance;
9. Phone number for additional information; and
10, Standard language encouraging distribution to all
persons served.
Following the initial notice, you must
repeat the notice annually for as long as
the violation or situation exists. If the
public notice is posted, it must remain in
place during the length of the violation.
For monitoring violations, for example,
you are not in compliance again until
samples during the following monitoring
period are taken. You must also notify
new billing customers or hookups of any
ongoing violations prior to or at the time
their service begins.
Which methods of
delivery must I
use?
Unless directed otherwise by the primacy agency, if you operate a community
water system, you must provide notice by:
1.
2.
Mail or other direct delivery to each customer receiving a bill or other
service connections, and
Any other method reasonably calculated to reach other people regularly
served by the system if they would not normally be reached by the first
method. Such methods may include publication in a local newspaper,
posting in public places, or delivery to community organizations.
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7. Tier 3 Notice Requirements and Suggestions
Unless directed otherwise by the primacy agency, if you operate a non-
community water system, you must provide notice by the following methods
(see Chapter 8 for more information):
]
1. Posting the notice in conspicuous locations or by mail or direct delivery
to each consumer, and
2^ Any other method reasonably calculated to reach other persons served
by the system if they would not normally be reached by the first
method. Such methpds may include publication in a local newspaper or
newsletter distributed to consumers, use of e-mail to notify employees
or students, or delivery of multiple copies in central locations.
If you post a notice, it must remain posted for as long as the violation persists!
If the violation is already resolved by the time you write the notice, you should
post the notice for at least one week.
Suggestions for
Effective Public
Notification
Delivery
How can I
coordinate Tier 3
notices with the
OCR?
For both system types, there are a few cases where you may be able to
reach all persons served with the first method you choose. In such cases, you
may not need to use additional methods. In a community water system, such
as a small town, a second method would be necessary to reach non-resident
employees or restaurant customers. At a gas station, on the other hand,
posting would be sufficient to reach all persons served.
I | 'ill
If you have multiple Tier 3 violations or other situations requiring notice, you
should strongly consider combining such notices into one annual notice. An
annual notice can help you save preparation, delivery, and printing costs. If you
are a community water system, you should include these notices in the
Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), whenever possible. Most Tier 3
situations and violations
must already be included in
the CCR under the CCR
regulation. If you are a
non-community system,
you should consider
compiling an annual notice.
CCRs must be published in
July of every year and
must include information
from the previous calendar
year. Under this schedule,
notice of any Tier 3
violations that occurred in
the first half of the previous
calendar year may not
reach consumers until
Tips for Very Small
Community
Systems
It is strongly recommended that you include
Tier 3 violations and situations in your CCR.
Whether you use the CCR or issue a
separate notice, compare the cost of mailing
and labor for hand delivery before choosing a
method. Hand delivery may be cheaper and
in some cases may take less time than
preparing a mailing. However, you may be
able to include your notice with the bill at no
extra cost. Supplement whichever method
you choose by posting notices in common
areas and gathering places/such as banks,
grocery stores, and restaurants, or by
publishing it in a newspaper.
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7. Tier 3 Notice Requirements and Suggestions
more than a year later. This is a violation of public notice requirements. To
avoid this problem but still be able to use the CCR for public notification, you
should consult with your primacy agency about publishing the CCR early. If
you publish as soon after the end of the previous calendar year as possible,
most or all of your violations will meet the one-year deadline. In addition, if you
use the CCR for public notification, it must be provided to all persons served,
as described on the previous pages, or you must provide a separate public
notice to those who will not receive the CCR.
Suggestions for
the Layout of the
Notice
The format of a Tier 3 notice depends on your circumstances and on the
number of violations you are reporting. If you have multiple monitoring
violations, it may be simpler and shorter to list them in a table. The table could
include columns for monitoring periods, number of samples required during this
period, number of samples actually taken, and whether samples were taken
during the following monitoring period. However, not all monitoring violations
are the same. A coliform violation in which one of 100 samples was missed is
less serious than missing one of two required samples. You may feel it is more
appropriate to describe each violation in a paragraph. Template 3-1 at the end
of this chapter offers sample language and instructions for preparing public
notices for monitoring violations.
In a notice for monitoring violations, it is important to tell consumers the
implications of the violation. They may wonder why they weren't told earlier,
whether there is any health risk, and why the samples were not taken. You
should respond to their concerns. A statement clarifying that no emergency
exists, that the notice is for informational purposes, and that subsequent
monitoring showed no problems will help reassure consumers.
You should include your PWS ID number at the bottom of the notice. This will
help your primacy agency track compliance and prevent tracking errors
between systems with similar names.
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TIER 3 TEMPLATES
Following is a template for a monitoring violation notice. Along with the template are instructions,
including the required method of delivery and instructions for completing individual sections of the
notice.
Mandatory language on unknown risk, which must be included exactly as written, is presented
in italics.
You must also include the following language in all notices. Use of this language does not relieve you
of your obligation to notify all persons served:
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water
from you, it is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous
location or by direct hand or mail delivery.
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Instructions for Monitoring Violation Notice-Template 3-1
Template on Reverse
Since most monitoring violations are included in Tier 3, you must provide public notice to all persons
served within one year after you learn of the violation. However, it is good public relations policy to provide
the notice as soon as possible after learning of the violation. Multiple monitoring violations can be serious,
and your primacy agency may have more stringent requirements. Check with your primacy agency to
make sure you meet its requirements.
Community systems must use one of the following:
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following:
• Posting
• Hand delivery
• Mail
In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably calculated
to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method. Such methods could include
newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you post the notice, it must remain posted
until the violation is resolved (until samples required in the current monitoring period are taken). If the
violation has been resolved, you should post the notice for at least one week.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for insertion in the CCR or other annual report, as well as for
notices for individual violations. This example presents violations in a table; however, you may write out an
explanation for each violation if you wish. For any monitoring violation for volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) or other groups, you may list the group name in the table, but you must provide the name of every
chemical in the group in a footnote.
You may need to modify the notice if you had any monitoring violations for which monitoring later showed
a maximum contaminant level or other violation. In such cases, you should refer to the public notice you
issued at that time.
If you modify the notice, you may not alter the language in italics. This language is mandatory.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of the notice and a letter certifying you have met all the
public notice requirements within ten days.
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Monitoring Violation Notice-Template 3-1
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Monitoring Requirements Not Met
' , • • •:" f ' '
[System] did not test for several contaminants as required by State and Federal laws. Because we did not
monitor or failed to monitor completely during [compliance period], we did not know whether the
contaminants were present in your drinking water, and we are unable to tell you whether your health was
at risk during that time.
: ' ^
Samples taken since then show that all results met acceptable limits.
I • • j
What does this mean to me?
This is not an emergency. You do not need to boil water or use an alternative source of water at this
time.
• i . . i. . i
The contaminants we did not monitor for are listed in the table below, with the period during which
samples should have been taken, the number of samples of each contaminant required, the number
taken, and the date on which foilow-up samples were (or will be) taken.
Contaminant
VOCs1
Total Coliform
Bacteria
Monitoring
Period
1/96-12/98
10/1/98-
10/31/98
Number of
Samples
Required
1
100
Number of
Samples Taken
During
Monitoring
Period
0
93
Date Additional
Samples Were
or Will Be
Taken
2/99
11/1/98-
11/31/98
if you have any questions or comments about these violations, please call at.
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water from
you, it is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous location or
by direct hand or mail delivery.
Water System ID:
1VOCs, also known as volatile organic compounds, are tested by collecting one sample and testing that
sample for all the VOCs. VOCs include benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 1,4-
dichlorobenzene, 1,2-dichloroethane, cis-dichloroethylene, trans-dichloroethylene, dichloromethane, 1,2-
dichloropropane, ethylbenzene, styrene, tetrachlorethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, toluene, 1,2,4-
trichlorobenzene, 1,1-dichloroethyIene, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, vinyl chloride, and xylene.
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8. Special Needs of Non-Community Systems
Chapter 2: "How to Use the Handbook"
Chapter 3: "Summary of Requirements"
Chapter 4: "Making Public Notification
Work"
See Chapters 5-7 for additional
templates and more detailon the
delivery requirements for Tier 1; 2, and
3 notices:
This chapter discusses ways to tailor public notices for non-community
systems (e.g., schools, businesses, gas stations, campgrounds, and
restaurants). Non-community systems have different delivery
requirements than community systems, although in practice, the delivery
methods used by non-community systems and very small community systems
will be similar. This chapter also contains templates for total coliform, fecal
coliform, and nitrate violations designed for posting.
Transient non-community water systems provide water
to a population that changes day-to-day. They include
campgrounds, rest areas, hotels, and restaurants.
Transient non-community water systems are required only
to meet drinking water standards for nitrate and coliform
and the requirements of the Surface Water Treatment
Rule. Operators of these systems should in most cases not
need any templates other than those included in this
chapter; however, you may need to refer to other chapters
for more details on the requirements.
Also Read
Summary of
Public
Notification
Requirements - A
Recap
What are the
required methods
of delivery?
Nontransient non-community systems are non-
community water systems that provide water to the same
people at least six months a year. Examples of
nontransient systems include schools and office
buildings. Nontransient non-community water systems
are subject to the same requirements as community water
systems (except they are not subject to rules on fluoride, radionuclides, and
arsenic). Operators of these systems will need to refer to templates in other
chapters of this handbook for chemical or treatment technique violation notices.
Table 3 on the following page summarizes the violations included in each tier,
the deadlines for issuing a public notice, and the approved methods of delivery.
Refer to the "Summary of Requirements" starting on page 5 for a complete
description of the violations and timeframes. For a complete list of violations
and their respective tiers, refer to Appendix A. You should check with your
primacy agency to make sure you meet its specific requirements.
Read the other chapters of this handbook before a violation occurs to
familiarize yourself with the public notification process and its
requirements.
For Tier 1 violations, you must use one of the following methods to distribute
required notices: posting, hand delivery, newspapers, or radio and/or
television. You may need to use another method if needed to reach all persons
served. You must use posting, hand delivery, or mail for Tier 2 and 3, plus
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8. Special Needs of Non-Community Systems
another method to reach others if they would not normally be reached by the
first method.
There are a few situations where you may be able to reach all persons served
with the first method you choose. In such cases, you may not need to use
additional methods. A gas station, for instance, would likely reach all potential
consumers by posting.
Table 3
Public Notice Requirements for Non-Community Systems
(Based on proposed rule)
Tier
1
2
3
Violation Categories or Situations in Tier*
(see also Appendix A)
• Presence of fecal coliform or £. coli or failure to test
for fecal coliform/E. coli after coliform is confirmed.
• Nitrate, nitrite, or combined nitrate and nitrite
maximum contaminant level.
Chlorine dioxide MRDL.
• Waterbome disease outbreak.
• Other violations or situations as determined by the
primacy agency.
All MCL, MRDL, and treatment technique violations
not included in Tier 1 .
• Monitoring violations as determined by the primacy
agency.
• Violations of the conditions of a variance or
exemption.
• Monitoring violations not requiring Tier 2 notice.
Failure to comply with testing procedures.
Operation under a variance or exemption.
• Any other violations and situations determined by
the primacy agency to require a Tier 3 public notice
including exceedance of the secondary MCL for
fluoride and the availability of monitoring data for
unregulated contaminants (as listed in Appendix A).
Deadline—
Within...
24 hours**
30 days ***
1 year****
Methods to Use
(see Chapters 5-7)
Posting, hand delivery,
radio, and/or television
Plus any other method
calculated to reach others
not reached by the first
method
Posting, hand delivery, or
mail
Plus any other method
calculated to reach others
not reached by the first
method
Posting, hand delivery, or
mail
!
Plus any other method
calculated to reach others
not reached by the first
method
* Transient systems are not subject to MRDLs, MCLs (except coliform, nitrate/nitrite/nitrate+nitrite) or
treatment techniques (except for those specified the Surface Water Treatment Rule).
** You must also notify the State primacy agency within 24 hours of learning of the violation.
*** The primacy agency may extend this deadline to up to 3 months.
**** You should consider combining Tier 3 violations or situations into an annual notice.
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8. Special Needs of Non-Community Systems
Required Elements of a
Public Notice
1. A description of the violation;
2. When the violation occurred;
3. Potential adverse health effects;
4; Populatiori(s) at risk;
5. Whether alternative water supplies should be
1 used; .-.''• .:'. ' •• .-'• '..'•.'•- ' '..'••' . . ''.;•.
6. Actions consumers should take, including
when they should seek medical help, if
known;
7. What you are doing to correct the violation;
8. When you expect to return to compliance;
9. Phone number for additional information; and
10. Standard language encouraging distribution
to all persons served.
In addition to the elements shown in the
box, a public notice also must include the
following standard language:
S Standard health effects language for MCL
violations, treatment technique violations,
and violations of the condition of a variance
or exemption (specified in Appendix B); and
S Standard language for monitoring and
testing procedure violations.
See page 10 for more details on standard
language. You may also be required to
translate part of your notice if a large proportion
of the population served does not speak
English. See page 11 for a more detailed
description. Spanish-language templates for
nitrate and fecal coliform violations are provided
with the Tier 1 templates in Chapter 5.
Suggestions for
the Layout of the
Notice
How should the
notice be formatted
to get people's
attention?
In addition to being concise and readable, notices for non-community systems
should be appropriate to the consumers' situation. For example, visitors at a
rest stop just need to be aware they shouldn't drink the water, rather than be
told to boil it. See Templates NC-1 through NC-3 at the end of this chapter for
examples of postings. See Chapter 3 for a description of the formatting
requirements for public
notices.
A person walking by a
posted notice is unlikely to
read the entire notice.
Therefore, you should
format the notice so that
consumers will see and
read the most important
information first. This
should consist of a title
designed to catch their
attention, information on
the population at risk (if
applicable), actions
consumers should take, a
very short description of
the violation, and where to
Formatting
Hints
Limit the notice to one page. Be concise.
Display important elements in bold and/or
large type and/or all upper case letters.
List each of the most important elements on a
separate line and center the text, leaving a
blank line between each element.
Other required elements, such as health
effects and your corrective actions, can be
provided in paragraph format, with a title for
each paragraph if space permits.
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8. Special Needs of Non-Community Systems
obtain alternative sources of water if alternative water supplies should be used.
How should I tailor
the notices to my
situation?
Suggestions for
Effective Public
Notice Delivery
If you are providing bottled or other sources of water, list the location from
which you are distributing or selling it. If you use water for cooking (e.g., you
are a restaurant or a rest stop), be sure to let customers know that you are
using bottled water for this purpose.
If your system supplies water to people for cooking (such as a campground),
your notice should provide instructions on how to use the water to cook. For
example, in the case of a nitrate violation, instruct consumers not to boil the
water. For fecal coliform or E. co// violations, instruct them to use boiled water
for brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation.
i
: , ;: •' |
For transient systems (such as a restaurant or a rest stop) or nontransient
systems (such as schools or office buildings) with fecal coliform or E coli
violations, where the water is used for drinking only, simply tell consumers not
to drink the water.
How can I make
posting effective?
For systems serving a large proportion of non-English speaking people, such
as some schools, national or state parks, or rest areas, you should include the
appropriate translated phrases provided in Appendix C.
: ' .1 . . .
Most non-community systems can probably use some combination of posting
and hand delivery. For instance, a transient system such as a campground
could post notices in bathrooms or at pumps and hand out flyers to campers as
they register. A school could post notices at water fountains and send a notice
home with students for their parents. A resort could hand deliver notices to
guests' rooms or cottages as well as post them in common areas. A system
serving a seasonal resort town could even mail notices to service
connections.
If you have multiple monitoring violations throughout the year, you may wish to
consolidate notices into one annual notice prepared at the end of the year.
This may save money by reducing the amount of time you spend on posting,
copying, and delivering. However, you may find it easier to issue notices as
violations occur, rather than trying to pull up records and compile them at the
end of the year. It may also make more sense to issue individual notices if you
are a transient system. An annual notice at such a system would not have
much relevance to someone who passed through the area served by the
system one day out of the year.
Post notices at all water fountains and sinks, on bulletin boards, outside
administrative offices, and at any other appropriate central location. Posted
notices must remain posted for as long as the violation persists. For example,
total coliform violations are not resolved unless the following month's samples
meet the standards. Postings about resolved violations should remain in place
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8. Special Needs of Non-Community Systems
for at least one week. This is especially important in transient systems where
consumers are continuously entering and leaving the area served.
What other
methods are
available for non-
community
systems to reach
all consumers?
You may also want to use some of these ideas in addition to one of the
required methods listed above:
• The Internet (e-mail and home pages) — This method is most appropriate for
systems where users regularly use computers and e-mail, such as a
business or a college. Posting or some other method of notification would
still be required for visitors who may not have access to e-mail. Home pages
are a good place to furnish updates and more detailed information after the
initial notice is provided.
• Sound trucks — Sound trucks might be useful as a supplement to hand
delivery. They are most appropriate for distribution at a time of day when
most people are expected to be home or in a concentrated area such as a
beach or campground.
• Spoken word — If you are doing hand delivery and time permits, take the
time to explain the situation as you hand deliver the notice.
• Answering machines — Include public notice information on the greeting of
your machine. The greeting can be updated as you make progress in
resolving the violation. It also enables you to at least partially answer your
customers' questions^and fix the problem at the same time.
• Newsletters — If you have a corporate or college newsletter, include your
notice in your next issue.
• Community organizations — Distribute multiple copies to social service
agencies or clinics. This way doctors or case workers will be informed if their
patients or clients ask them about the implications of the violation.
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TEMPLATES FOR NON-COMMUNITY SYSTEMS
The pages that follow contain templates for nitrate, fecal coliform, and total coliform for non-community
systems. They are designed for posting, and their instructions to consumers are tailored to systems
where consumers will not be able to boil or otherwise treat their water. Along with each template are
instructions, including the required method of delivery and instructions for completing individual sections
of the notice.
Mandatory language on health effects, which must be included exactly as written, is presented in
italics.
You must include the following language in all notices. Use of this language does not relieve you of your
obligation to notify all persons served:
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water from
you, it is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous location or by
direct hand or mail delivery.
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Instructions for Nitrate Notice—Template NC-1
Template on Reverse
Since exceeding the nitrate maximum contaminant level is a Tier 1 violation, you must provide public
notice to all persons served as soon as possible but within 24 hours after you learn of the violation. During
this time period, you must also contact your primacy agency. This template is also applicable to nitrite
and nitrate+nitrite violations. You must use one or more of the following methods to deliver the notice to
consumers:
• Posting
• Hand or direct delivery
• Radio
• Television
You may need to use additional methods if necessary to reach all persons served. Such methods could
include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for posting. If you modify the notice, you must leave the health
effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory.
Alternative Sources of Water
If you are selling or providing bottled water, your notice should say where to obtain it. You should make
sure that any water you make available or instruct consumers to buy meets nitrate standards.
Repeat Notices
If this is a repeat notice (as required by your primacy agency), or if your system's nitrate levels fluctuate
around the MCL, you may wish to include an explanation similar to the following:
As you may recall, on [date], you were also notified of high nitrate levels that occurred during the ._
quarter of the year. Since that time the water system has been monitoring the nitrate concentration every
three months. Seasonal fluctuations in nitrate concentrations have been observed, due to nitrates
contained in fertilizer. It appears the high nitrates occur during the later summer and fall. Note that
previous tests prior to [year] show that we were meeting drinking water standards for nitrate.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken
by water systems with nitrate/nitrite violations. Use the following language, if appropriate:
• We are investigating water treatment and other options. These may include drilling a new well or mixing
the water with low-nitrate water from another source.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of the notice and a letter certifying that you have met all
the public notification requirements within ten days.
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Nitrate Notice-Template NC-1
WARNING
FOR PARENTS OF INFANTS 6 MONTHS AND YOUNGER
DO NOT USE THE WATER FOR INFANT
FORMULA
High nitrate levels were detected on [date]
Bottled water should be used. [We are providing bottled water for
infants and their families at ]
" ! - ' ' •, " "i:. '
Adults and children older than 6 months can drink the water
A routine sample on [date] showed a nitrate concentration in the drinking water of [level and units]. This is
above the nitrate standard, or maximum contaminant level, of [state/federal MCL].
Possible Health Effects
Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the maximum
contaminant level could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of
breath and blue baby syndrome. Blue baby syndrome is indicated by blueness of the skin.
Symptoms in infants can develop rapidly, with health deteriorating over a period of days. If symptoms
occur in a child less than 6 months old, seek medical attention immediately.
'. '•"' | I ,, ' : |, •
If you are pregnant or have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor.
Steps We Are Taking
|:
[Describe corrective action.]
We anticipate resolving the problem by [date.] We will inform you when this problem has been corrected.
For more information, please contact at .
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water from you, it is
important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous location or by direct hand or
mail delivery.
Water System ID:.
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\nstructions for Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice—Template NC-2
Template on Reverse
This template is intended for systems where consumers will not be able to boil water. See the instructions
below on how to modify for other situations. Since exceeding the fecal coliform or £. coli maximum
contaminant level is a Tier 1 violation, you must provide public notice to all persons served within 24 hours
after you learn of the violation. During this time period you must also contact your primacy agency. You
must use one or more of the following methods to deliver the notice to consumers:
• Posting
• Hand or direct delivery
• Radio
• Television
You may need to use additional methods if necessary to reach all persons served. Such methods could
include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for posting. If you modify the notice, you must leave the health
effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory.
Instructions to Consumers
You may need to modify the instruction based on your system type. For instance, at a campground, you
might tell consumers to boil the water before drinking or using for food preparation.
Alternative Sources of Water
If you are providing alternative sources of water, your notice should say where it can be obtained. You
should make sure that any water you make available meets standards for bacteria and other
contaminants.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken
by water systems with fecal coliform violations. Use the following language, if appropriate:
• We are chlorinating and flushing the water system.
• We are increasing sampling for coliform bacteria.
• We are repairing the wellhead seal.
• We are repairing the storage tank.
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Fecal Coliform or £. co/7 Notice-Template NC-2
WARNING
i ' ' ' i
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER
i • 'i1
Fecal coliform [or E. coli\ bacteria were found in the water supply
; qrt [date]
Bottled water is available from
Possible Health Effects
Fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated
with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches,
or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with
severely compromised immune systems.
Steps We Are Taking
» , 'mi "I1 ' I i , , '' f
[Describe corrective action.]
We will inform you when additional samples show no coliform bacteria and you may drink the water. We
anticipate resolving the problem by [date.]
i . ' , , , 'i i
For more information, please contact at .
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water from you, it is
important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous location or by direct hand or
mail delivery.
People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
Guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the Safe Drinking Water
Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791.
Water System ID:
Public Notification Handbook
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Instructions for Unresolved Total Coliform Notice—Template NC-3
Template on Reverse
This template is intended for systems where consumers will not need to boil their water and where they
will not have the facilities to do so. Since exceeding the total coliform bacteria maximum contaminant level
is a Tier 2 violation, you must provide public notice to all persons served as soon as possible but within 30
days after you learn of the violation. Persistent total coliform problems can pose a serious health risk, and
your primacy agency may elevate such situations to Tier 1. Check with your primacy agency to make
sure you meet all its requirements. You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the
violation persists, unless the primacy agency determines the situation warrants a different repeat notice
frequency. Alternative language for systems required to take more than 40 samples a month is provided
below.
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods:
• Posting
• Hand delivery
• Mail
You must also use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by
the first method. Such methods could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community
organizations.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for posting. If you modify the notice, you must leave the health
effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory.
Description of the Violation
Use the following language if you are required to take 40 or more samples per month:
• We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. During the month of [month],
percent of our samples showed the presence of total coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more
than 5 percent of samples may do so.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. If you know what is causing the coliform
problem, explain. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by water systems with total coliform
violations. Use the following language, if appropriate, or develop your own:
• We are chlorinating and flushing the water system.
• We are increasing sampling for coliform bacteria.
• We are repairing the wellhead seal.
• We are repairing the storage tank.
• We will inform you when additional samples show no coliform bacteria.
Make sure to send a copy of the notice and a letter certifying you have met all the public notice
requirements to your primacy agency within ten days.
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have
regular customers. See Template 1-5 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
Public Notification Handbook 81 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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Unresolved Total Coliform Notice-Template NC-3
i ".' . I • ;
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
Tests Show Presence of Coliform Bacteria in Water
We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. We took [number] samples during
the month of [month]. During [month], [number] of our samples showed the presence of total coliform
bacteria, the standard is that no more than one sample per month may do so.
r ]„• | i ' i :,, •, j
What This Means
- ' ' • • ' ; 'I
This is not an emergency. Total coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves.
II | ; ,. i' , • ' , . I • • • ]
Coliforms are bacteria which are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that
other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed
and this was a warning of potential problems.
Usually, conforms are a sign that there could be a problem with the system's treatment or distribution
systems.
! • ' ' j
I! ' i J .,'. !
You may drink the water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
i • . • |
Some people, including immuno-compromised people, some elderly, and infants may be at increased risk.
These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. Guidelines on
ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at
1(800)426-4791.
Steps We Are Taking
din ii, i i
[Describe corrective action.]
We will inform you when additional samples show no coliform bacteria. We anticipate resolving the
problem by [date.]
For more information, or to learn more about protecting your drinking water please contact at
If other people, such as tenants, residents, patients, students, or employees, receive water from you, it
is important that you provide this notice to them by posting it in a conspicuous location or by direct
hand or mail delivery.
Water System ID:
Public Notification Handbook
82
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;„:,;;:' ifii
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Appendices
-------
-------
Appendix A
NPDWR Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice1
(From Appendix A of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q)
Contaminant
MCLfMRDUTT Violations2
Tier of Public ,
Notice Required
Citation
Monitoring & Testing Procedure
• Violations
Tier of Public
.Notice
Required
Citation
I. Violations of National Primarv Drinkina Water Reaulations f NPDWR):3
Microbiological Contaminants
Total coliform
Fecal coliform/E. coli
Turbidity
Surface Water Treatment Rule
violations
Interim Enhanced Surface
Water Treatment Rule
violations
2
1
2
2
2
141.63(a)
141.63(b)
141.13, 141.71(c)
141.70-141.73
141. 170- 141. 1734
3
1
3
3
3
141.21(a-d)
141 .21(e)
141.22
141.74
141.172
141.174
Inorganics
Antimony
Arsenic
Asbestos (fibers >10 urn)
Barium
Beryllium
Cadmium
Chromium (total)
Cyanide
Fluoride
Mercury (inorganic)
Nitrate
Nitrite
Nitrate+Nitrite
Selenium
Thallium
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
141.62(b)
141.11(b)
141.23(n)
141.62(b)
141.62(b)
141.62(b)
141.62(b)
141.62(b)
141.62(b)
141.62(b)
141.62(b)
141.62(b)
141.62(b)
141.62(b)
141.62(b)
141.62(b)
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
141.23(a, c)
141.23(a, I, m)
141.23(a-b)
141.23(a, c)
141.23(a, c)
141.23(a, c)
141.23(a, c)
141 .23(a, c)
141.23(a, c)
141.23(a, c)
141.23(a, d)
141.23(f)(2)
141.23(a,e)
141.23(f)(2)
141 .23(a)
141.23(3, c)
141.23(a,c)
Lead and Copper Rule (Action Level for lead is 0.015 mg/L, for copper is 1 .3 mg/L)
Lead and Copper Rule
2
141.80-141.85
3
141.86-141.89
Synthetic Organic Chemicals (VOCS)
2,4-D
2,4,5-TP (Silvex)
Alachlor
Atrazine
Benzo(a)pyrene (PAHs)
Carbofuran
Chlordane
Dalapon
Di (2-ethylhexyl-) adipate
Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
141. 61 (c)
141.61(c)
141.61(c)
141.61(c)
141.61(c)
141. 61 (c)
141. 61 (c)
141. 61 (c)
141. 61 (c)
141. 61 (c)
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
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Appendix A
NPDWR Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice1
(From Appendix A of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q)
Contaminant
Dibromochloropropane
Dinoseb
Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD)
Diquat
Endothall
Endrin
Ethylene dibromide
Glyphosate
Heptachlor
Heptachlor epoxide
Hexachlorobenzene
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
Lindane
Methoxychlor
Oxamyl (Vydate)
Pentachlorophenol
Picloram
Polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs)
Simazine
Toxaphene
MCUMRDUTT Violations*
Tier of Public
Notice Required
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Citation
141. 61 (c)
141. 61 (c)
141.61(c)
141. 61 (c)
141 .61(c)
141.61(0)
141.61(0)
141.61(0)
141.61(0)
141.61(0)
141.61(0)
141.61(c)
141.61(0)
141.61(0)
141.61(0)
141.61(0)
141.61(0)
141.61(0)
141.61(0)
141.61(0)
Monitoring & Testing Procedure
Violations
Tier of Public
Notice
Required
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Citation
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
141.24(h)
Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs)
Benzene
Carbon tetrachloride
Chlorobenzene
(monochlorobenzene)
o-Dichlorobenzene
p-Dichlorobenzene
1 ,2-Dichloroethane
1 , 1 -Dichloroethylene
c/s-1 ,2-DichIoroethylene
trans-"\ ,2-Dichloroethylene
Dichloromethane
1 ,2-Dichloropropane
Ethylbenzene
Styrene
Tetrachloroethylene
Toluene
1 ,2,4-TrichIorobenzene
1,1,1 -Trichloroethane
1,1 ,2-Trichloroethane
Trichloroethylene
Vinyl chloride
Xvlenes (total)
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
141 .61 (a)
141 .61 (a)
141 .61 (a)
141 .61 (a)
141 .61 (a)
141 .61 (a)
141 .61 (a)
141 .61 (a)
141. 61 (a)
141 .61 (a)
141 .61 (a)
141. 61 (a)
141. 61 (a)
141 .61 (a)
141 .61 (a)
141 .61 (a)
141. 61 (a)
141. 61 (a)
141. 61 (a)
141. 61 (a)
141 .61 (a)
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
141.24(1=)
141.24(f)
141.24(f)
141.24(f)
141 .24(1)
141.24(f)
141 .24(1)
141.24(f)
141.24(f)
141.24(f)
141.24(f)
141.24(f)
141.24(f)
141.24(f)
141.24(1=)
141.24(f)
141.24(1=)
141.24(f)
141.24(f)
141.24(1)
141.24(1=)
Public Notification Handbook
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Appendix A
NPDWR Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice1
Contaminant
* ^ *>
MCL/MRDUTT Violations2. ^
Tier of Public
Notice Required
Citation
Monitoring & Testing Procedure
Violations .
Tier of Public
Notice
Required
Citation
Radioactive Contaminants
Beta/photon emitters
Alpha emitters
Combined radium (226 & 228
2
2
2
141.16
141.15(b)
141.15(a)
3
3
3
Disinfection Bvoroducts (DBPsl. Byproduct Precursors. Disinfectant Residuals Wher
used in the treatment of drinking water, disinfectants combine with organic and inorg;
present in water to form chemicals called disinfection byproducts (DBFs). EPA also s
for controlling the levels of disinfectants and DBPs in drinking water, which includes 1
(THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs).5
Total trihalomethanes
(TTHMs)
-Chloroform
-Bromodichloromethane
-Dibromochloromethane
-Bromoform
Haloacetic Acids (HAAS)
-Monochloroacetic acid
-Dichloroacetic acid
-Trichloroacetic acid
-Monobromoacetic acid
-Dibromoacetic acid
Bromate
Chlorite
Chlorine (MRDL)
Chloramine (MRDL)
Chlorine dioxide (MRDL), ;>2
consecutive samples at entry
point only are above MRDL
Chlorine dioxide (MRDL),
sample(s) in distribution
system above MRDL
Control of DBP precursors—
TOC (TT)
Bench marking and
disinfection profiling
Development of monitoring
plan
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
N/A
N/A
141. 12,6
141.64(a)
141.64(a)
141 .64(a)
141.64(a)
141 .65(a)
141.65(a)
141.65(a),
141.133(c)(2)
141.65(a),
141.133(c)(2)
141.135(a-b)
N/A
N/A
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
3
3
3
141.25(a)
141.26(b)
141.25(3)
141.26(3)
141.25(a)
141.26(a)
e disinfection is
inic matter
ets standards
rihalomethanes
141.30,
141.132(a-b)
141.132(3-b)
141.132(a-b)
141.132(a-b)
141.132(a, c)
141.132(a, c)
141.132(3, c)
141.133(c)(2)
141.132(3, c)
141.133(c)(2)
141.1 32(3, d)
141.172
141.132(f)
Other Treatment Techniques
Acrylamide ( 1 I )
Epichlorohyarm ( i i )
2
2
141.111
141.111
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
II. Unreaulated Contaminant Monitorinq Results:7
Unregulated contaminants
Nickel
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3
3
141.40
141.23(c, k)
Public Notification Handbook
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Appendix A
NPDWR Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice1
(From Appendix A of 46 CFR 141, Subpart Q)
Contaminant
MCL/MRDL/Tt Violations2
Tier of Public
Notice Required
Citation
Monitoring & Testing Procedure
Violations
Tier of Public
Notice
Required
'•'',•". . ' "
Citation
ill. Public Notification for Variances and Exemptions:
Operation under a variance or
exemption
Violation of conditions of a
variance or exemption
3
2
1415, 14168
1415, 1416
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
IV. Other Situations Requiring Public Notification:
Fluoride secondary maximum
contaminant level (SMCL)
exceedance
Availability of unregulated
contaminant monitoring data
Waterbome disease outbreak
Other situations as determined
by primacy agency
3
3
1
9
143.3
141.40
141.2,
141.71(c)(2)(ii)
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Appendix A Endnotes
;li:'' , ;. '! ; • • : • I „' ' ,
1, Violations and other situations not listed in this table do not require notice, unless otherwise determined
by the primacy agency. Primacy agencies may move violations requiring public notice to a higher tier as
well (e.g., Tier 3 to Tier 2).
2. MCL - Maximum contaminant level, MRDL - Maximum residual disinfectant level, TT - Treatment
technique
3. The term Violations of National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) is used here to include
violations of MCL, MRDL, treatment technique, monitoring, and testing procedure requirements.
4. Most of the requirements of the Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (63 FR 69477)
(§§141.170-141.171,141.73-141.174) become effective December 16, 2001 for Subpart H systems
(surface water systems and ground water systems under the direct influence of surface water) serving
more than 10,000. The Surface Water Treatment Rule (§§141.70-141.73, 141.74) remains in effect for
these systems until that time. However, §141.172 has some requirements that become effective as soon
as April 16,1999.
,, ! I • ' • I;
5. Subpart H community and non-transient non-community systems serving ;> 10,000 must comply with
new DBP MCLs, disinfectant MRDLs, and related monitoring requirements beginning December 16, 2001.
All other community and non-transient non-community systems must meet the MCLs and MRDLs
beginning December 16,2003.
6. §141.12 is deleted after December 16, 2003.
: , '»!' " ' '. "' :' nil' , i „
7. Monitoring is currently required for 34 unregulated contaminants listed in §141.40. These include
aldicarb, aldicarb sulfone, and aldicarb sulfoxide.
Public Notification Handbook
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8. Thvs citation refers to §§1415 and 1416 of the Safe Drinking Water Act There are no regulations
requiring water systems to comply with the conditions of a variance or exemption. However, §§1415 and
1416 require that "a schedule prescribed .,. for a public water system granted a variance [or exemption]
shall require compliance by the system
9. Primacy agencies may place other situations in any tier they believe appropriate, based on threat to
public health.
Public Notification Handbook
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-------
Appendix B
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q)
Contaminant
MCLG1
mg/L
MCL2
mg/L
Standard Health Effects Language for Public
Notification
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations fNPDWR):
Microbiological Contaminants
1 a. Total coliform
Zero
Presence5
Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the
environment and are used as an indicator that other,
potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms
were found in more samples than allowed and this was a
warning of potential problems.
1b. Fecal coliform/E coli
Zero
Presence
Fecal conforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence
indicates that the water may be contaminated with human
or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause
short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea,
headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special
health risk for infants, young children, and people with
severely compromised immune systems.
2. Turbidity
None
1 NTU4/
5NTU5
Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can
interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for
microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of
disease-causing organisms. These organisms include
bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms
such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated
headaches.
Interim Enhanced
Surface Water Treatment
Rule (IESWTR)
violations:
3. Giardia lamblia
4. Viruses
5. Heterotrophic plate
count (HPC) bacteria6
6. Legionella
7. Cryptosporidium
Zero
Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing
organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses,
and parasites which can cause symptoms such as
nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.8
Inorganics
8. Antimony
0.006
0.006
Some people who drink water containing antimony well in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience
increases in blood cholesterol and decreases in blood
sugar.
9. Arsenic
None
0.05
Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess
of the MCL over many years could experience skin
damage or problems with their circulatory system, and
may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
10. Asbestos (>10 urn)
7MFL9
7MFL
Some people who drink water containing asbestos in
excess of the MCL over many years may have an
increased risk of developing benign intestinal polyps.
11. Barium
Some people who drink water containing barium in excess
of the MCL over many years could experience an increase
in their blood pressure.
Public Notification Handbook
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Appendix B
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q)
Contaminant
12. Beryllium
13. Cadmium
14. Chromium (total)
15. Cyanide
16. Fluoride
17. Mercury (inorganic)
18. Nitrate
19. Nitrite
20. Nitrate+Nitrite
21. Selenium
22. Thallium
MCLG1
mg/L
0.004
0.005
0.1
0.2
4.0
0.002
10
1
10
0.05
0.0005
MCL2
mg/L
0.004
0.005
0.1
0.2
4.0
0.002
10
1
10
0.05
0.002
Standard Health Effects Language for Public
Notification
Some people who drink water containing beryllium well in
excess of the MCL over many years could develop
intestinal lesions.
Some people who drink water containing cadmium in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience
kidney damage.
Some people who use water containing chromium well in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience
allergic dermatitis.
Some people who drink water containing cyanide well in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience
nerve damage or problems with their thyroid.
Some people who drink water containing fluoride in excess
of the MCL over many years could get bone disease,
including pain and tenderness of the bones. Children may
get mottled teeth.
Some people who drink water containing inorganic
mercury well in excess of the MCL over many years could
experience kidney damage.
Infants below the age of six months who drink water
containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become
seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include
shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome.
Infants below the age of six months who drink water
containing nitrite in excess of the MCL could become
seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include
shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome.
Infants below the age of six months who drink water
containing nitrate and nitrite in excess of the MCL could
become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms
include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome.
Selenium is an essential nutrient. However, some people
who drink water containing selenium in excess of the MCL
over many years could experience hair or fingernail
losses, numbness in fingers or toes, or problems with their
circulation.
Some people who drink water containing thallium in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience hair
loss, changes in their blood, or problems with their
kidneys, intestines, or liver.
Lead and Copper Rule
23. Lead
Zero
-rjio
Infants and children who drink water containing lead in
excess of the action level could experience delays in their
physical or mental development. Children could show
slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities.
Adults who drink this water over many years could develop
kidney problems or high blood pressure.
Public Notification Handbook
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Appendix B
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q)
Contaminant
24. Copper
MCLG1
mg/L
1.3
MCL2
mg/L
TT11
Standard Health Effects Language for Public
Notification
Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink
water containing copper in excess of the action level over
a relatively short amount of time could experience
gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water
containing copper in excess of the action level over many
years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with
Wilson's Disease should consult their personal doctor.
Synthetic Organic Compounds
25. 2,4-D
26. 2,4,5-TP (Silvex)
27. Alachlor
28. Atrazine
29. Benzo(a)pyrene
(PAHs)
30. Carbofuran
31. Chlordane
32. Dalapon
33. Di (2-ethylhexyl)
adipate
34. Di(2-ethylhexyl)
phthalate
35.
Dibromochloropropane
(DBCP)
0.07
0.05
Zero
0.003
Zero
0.04
Zero
0.2
0.4
Zero
Zero
0.07
0.05
0.002
0.003
0.0002
0.04
0.002
0.2
0.4
0.006
0.0002
Some people who drink water containing the weed killer
2,4-D well in excess of the MCL over many years could
experience problems with their kidneys, liver, or adrenal
glands.
Some people who drink water containing silvex in excess
of the MCL over many years could experience liver
problems.
Some people who drink water containing alachlor in
excess of the MCL over many years could have problems
with their eyes, liver, kidneys, or spleen, experience
anemia, or may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing atrazine well in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience
problems with their cardiovascular system or reproductive
difficulties.
Some people who drink water containing benzo(a)pyrene
in excess of the MCL over many years may experience
reproductive difficulties or may have an increased risk of
getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing carbofuran in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience
problems with their blood, or nervous or reproductive
systems.
Some people who drink water containing chlordane in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience
problems with their liver, or nervous system, and may
have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing dalapon well in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience
minor kidney changes.
Some people who drink water containing di (2-ethylhexyl)
adipate well in excess of the MCL over many years could
experience general toxic effects or reproductive difficulties.
Some people who drink water containing di (2-ethylhexyl)
phthaiate in excess of the MCL over many years may
have problems with their liver, or experience reproductive
difficulties, and may have an increased risk of getting
cancer.
Some people who drink water containing DBCP in excess
of the MCL over many years could experience
reproductive difficulties and may have an increased risk of
getting cancer.
Public Notification Handbook
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Appendix B
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q)
Contaminant
36. Dinoseb
37. Dioxin (2,3,7,8-
TCDD)
38. Diquat
39. Endothall
40. Endrin
41. Ethylene dibromide
42. Glyphosate
43. Heptachlor
44. Heptachlor epoxide
45. Hexachlorobenzene
46. Hexachlorocyclo-
pentadiene
47. Lindane
48. Methoxychlor
49. Oxamyl (Vydate)
MCLG1
mg/L
0.007
Zero
0.02
0.1
0.002
Zero
0.7
Zero
Zero
Zero
0.05
0.0002
0.04
0.2
MCL2
mg/L
0.007
3x1 0-6
0.02
0.1
0.002
0.00005
0.7
0.0004
0.0002
0.001
0.05
0.0002
0.04
0.2
Standard Health Effects Language for Public
Notification
Some people who drink water containing dinoseb well in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience
reproductive difficulties.
Some people who drink water containing dioxin in excess
of the MCL over many years could experience
reproductive difficulties and may have an increased risk of
getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing diquat in excess
of the MCL over many years could get cataracts.
Some people who drink water containing endothall in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience
problems with their stomach or intestines.
Some people who drink water containing endrin in excess
of the MCL over many years could experience liver
problems.
Some people who drink water containing ethylene
dibromide in excess of the MCL over many years could
experience problems with their liver, stomach,
reproductive system, or kidneys, and may have an
increased risk of getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing glyphosate in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience
problems with their kidneys or reproductive difficulties.
Some people who drink water containing heptachlor in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience liver
damage and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing heptachlor
epoxide in excess of the MCL over many years could
experience liver damage, and may have an increased risk
of getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing
hexachlorobenzene in excess of the MCL over many
years could experience problems with their liver or
kidneys, or adverse reproductive effects, and may have an
increased risk of getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing
hexachlorocyclopentadiene well in excess of the MCL over
many years could experience problems with their kidneys
or stomach .
Some people who drink water containing lindane in excess
of the MCL over many years could experience problems
with their kidneys or liver.
Some people who drink water containing methoxychlor in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience
reproductive difficulties.
Some people who drink water containing oxamyl in excess
of the MCL over many years could experience slight
nervous system effects.
Public Notification Handbook
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Appendix B
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q)
Contaminant
50. Pentachlorophenol
51. Picloram
52. Polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs)
53. Simazine
54. Toxaphene
MCLG1
mg/L
Zero
0.5
Zero
0.004
Zero
MCL2
mg/L
0.001
0.5
0.0005
0.004
0.003
Standard Health Effects Language for, Public
; Notification , ,
Some people who drink water containing
pentachlorophenol in excess of the MCL over many years
could experience problems with their liver or kidneys, and
may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing picloram in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience
problems with their liver.
Some people who drink water containing PCBs in excess
of the MCL over many years could experience changes in
their skin, problems with their thymus gland, immune
deficiencies, or reproductive or nervous system difficulties,
and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing simazine in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience
problems with their blood.
Some people who drink water containing toxaphene in
excess of the MCL over many years could have problems
with their kidneys, liver, or thyroid, and may have an
increased risk of getting cancer.
Volatile Organic Chemicals
55. Benzene
56. Carbon tetrachloride
57. Chiorobenzene
(monochlorobenzene)
58. o-Dichlorobenzene
59. p-Dichlorobenzene
60. 1 ,2-Dichloroethane
61. 1,1-Dichloroethylene
62. c/s-1,2-
Dichloroethylene
63. frans-1,2-
Dichloroethylene
Zero
Zero
0.1
0.6
0.075
Zero
0.007
0.07
0.1
0.005
0.005
0.1
0.6
0.075
0.005
0.007
0.07
0.1
Some people who drink water containing benzene in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience
anemia or a decrease in blood platelets, and may have an
increased risk of getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing carbon
tetrachloride in excess of the MCL over many years could
experience problems with their liver and may have an
increased risk of getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing chlorobenzene in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience
problems with their liver or kidneys.
Some people who drink water containing o-
dichlorobenzene well in excess of the MCL over many
years could experience problems with their liver, kidneys,
or circulatory systems.
Some people who drink water containing p-
dichlorobenzene in excess of the MCL over many years
could experience anemia, damage to their liver, kidneys,
or spleen, or changes in their blood.
Some people who drink water containing 1 ,2-
dichloroethane in excess of the MCL over many years
may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing 1,1-
dichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years
could experience problems with their liver.
Some people who drink water containing cis-1 ,2-
dichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years
could experience problems with their liver.
Some people who drink water containing trans-1 ,2-
dichloroethylene well in excess of the MCL over many
years could experience problems with their liver.
Public Notification Handbook
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Appendix B
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q)
Contaminant
64. Dichloromethane
65. 1,2-Dichloropropane
66. Ethylbenzene
67. Styrene
68. Tetrachloroethylene
69. Toluene
70. 1,2,4-
Trichlorobenzene
71. 1,1,1-Trichloroethane
72. 1,1,2-Triehloroethane
73. Trichloroethylene
74. Vinyl chloride
75. Xylenes (total)
MCLG1
mg/L
Zero
Zero
0.7
0.1
Zero
1
0.07
0.2
0.003
Zero
Zero
10
MCL2
mg/L
0.005
0.005
0.7
0.1
0.005
1
0.07
0.2
0.005
0.005
0.002
10
Standard Health Effects Language for Public
Notification
Some people who drink water containing dichloromethane
in excess of the MCL over many years could have liver
problems and may have an increased risk of getting
cancer.
Some people who drink water containing 1 ,2-
dichloropropane in excess of the MCL over many years
may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing ethylbenzene
well in excess of the MCL over many years could
experience problems with their liver or kidneys.
Some people who drink water containing styrene well in
excess of the MCL over many years could have problems
with their liver, kidneys, or circulatory system.
Some people who drink water containing
tetrachloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years
could have problems with their liver, and may have an
increased risk of getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing toluene well in
excess of the MCL over many years could have problems
with their nervous system, kidneys, or liver.
Some people who drink water containing 1 ,2,4-
trichlorobenzene well in excess of the MCL over many
years could experience changes in their adrenal glands.
Some people who drink water containing 1,1,1-
trichloroethane in excess of the MCL over many years
could experience problems with their liver, nervous
system, or circulatory system.
Some people who drink water containing 1,1,2-
trichloroethane well in excess of the MCL over many years
could have problems with their liver, kidneys, or immune
systems.
Some people who drink water containing trichloroethylene
in excess of the MCL over many years could experience
problems with their liver and may have an increased risk of
getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing vinyl chloride in
excess of the MCL over many years may have an
increased risk of getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing xylenes in
excess of the MCL over many years could experience
damage to their nervous system.
Radioactive Contaminants
76. Beta/photon emitters
Zero
4
mrem/yr12
Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit forms of
radiation known as photons and beta radiation. Some
people who drink water containing beta and photon
emitters in excess of the MCL over many years may have
an increased risk of getting cancer.
Public Notification Handbook
96
DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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Appendix B
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q)
Contaminant
77. Alpha emitters
78. Combined radium
(226 & 228)
MCLG1
mg/L ,
Zero
Zero
MCL2
mg/L
15
pCi/L13
5
pCi/L
Standard Health Effects Language for Public
Notification
Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit a form of
radiation known as alpha radiation. Some people who
drink water containing alpha emitters in excess of the MCL
over many years may have an increased risk of getting
cancer.
Some people who drink water containing radium 226 or
228 in excess of the MCL over many years may have an
increased risk of getting cancer.
Disinfection Byproducts (DBFs). Byproduct Precursors, and Disinfectant Residuals: Where disinfection
is used in the treatment of drinking water, disinfectants combine with organic and inorganic matter
present in water to form chemicals called disinfection byproducts (DBFs). EPA also sets standards for
controlling the levels of disinfectants and DBPs in drinking water, which include trihalomethanes
(THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs).14
79. Total trihalomethanes
(TTHMs)
-Chloroform
-Bromodichloromethane
-Dibromochloromethane
-Bromoform
80. Haloacetic Acids
(HAAS)
-Monochloroacetic acid
-Dichloroacetic acid
-Trichloroacetic acid
-Monobromoacetic acid
-Dibromoacetic acid
81. Bromate
82. Chlorite
83. Chlorine
84. Chloramines
Zero15
Zero
0.06
Zero
None
Zero
0.3
None
None
Zero
0.08
4
(MRDLG)19
4
(MRDLG)
0.10/
0.08016'17
0.06018
0.010
1.0
4.0
(MRDL)20
4.0
(MRDL)
Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes
in excess of the MCL over many years may experience
problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous
system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing HAAs in excess
of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk
of developing cancer.
Some people who drink water containing bromate in
excess of the MCL over many years may have an
increased risk of developing cancer.
Some infants and young children who drink water
containing chlorite in excess of the MCL could experience
nervous system effects. Similar effects may occur in
fetuses of pregnant mothers who drink water containing
chlorite in excess of the MCL. Some people may
experience anemia.
Some people who contact drinking water containing
chlorine well in excess of the MRDL could experience
irritating effects to their eyes and nose. Some people who
drink water containing chlorine well in excess of the MRDL
could experience stomach discomfort.
Some people who contact drinking water containing
chloramines well in excess of the MRDL could experience
irritating effects to their eyes and nose. Some people who
drink water containing chloramines well in excess of the
MRDL could experience stomach discomfort or anemia.
Public Notification Handbook
97
DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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Appendix B
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q)
Contaminant
MCLG1
mg/L
MCL2
mg/L
Standard Health Effects Language for Public
Notification
85a. Chlorine dioxide, z2
consecutive samples at
entry point only are
above MRDL
0.8
(MRDLG)
0.8 (MRDL)
Some infants and young children who drink water
containing chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL could
experience nervous system effects. Similar effects may
occur in fetuses of pregnant mothers who drink water
containing chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL. Some
people may experience anemia.
The chlorine dioxide violations reported today are the
result of exceedances at the treatment facility only, not
within the distribution system which delivers water to
consumers. Continued compliance with chlorine dioxide
levels within the distribution system minimizes the potential
risk of these violations to consumers.
85b. Chlorine dioxide,
sample(s) in distribution
system are above MRDL
0.8
(MRDLG)
0.8 (MRDL)
Some infants and young children who drink water
containing chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL could
experience nervous system effects. Similar effects may
occur in fetuses of pregnant mothers who drink water
containing chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL. Some
people may experience anemia.
The chlorine dioxide violations reported today include
exceedances of the EPA standard within the distribution
system which delivers water to consumers. Violations of
the chlorine dioxide standard within the distribution system
may harm human health based on short-term exposures.
Certain groups, including fetuses, infants, and young
children, may be especially susceptible to nervous system
effects from excessive chlorine dioxide exposure.
86. Control of DBF
precursors (TOC)
None
Total organic carbon (TOC) has no health effects.
However, total organic carbon provides a medium for the
formation of disinfection by products. These byproducts
include trihalomethanes (THMs) and haioacetic acids
(HAAs), which may lead to adverse health effects, liver or
kidney problems, or nervous system effects.
Other Treatment Techniques
87. Acrylamide
Zero
TT
Some people who drink water containing high levels of
acrylamide over a long period of time could have problems
with their nervous system or blood, and may have an
increased risk of getting cancer.
88. Epichlorohydrin
Zero
Some people who drink water containing high levels of
epichlorohydrin over a long period of time could
experience stomach problems, and may have an
increased risk of getting cancer.
Appendix B Endnotes
1. MCLG - Maximum contaminant level goal
2. MCL - Maximum contaminant level
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DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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3. For water systems analyzing at least 40 samples per month, no more than 5.0 percent of the monthly
samples may be positive for total coliforms. For systems analyzing fewer than 40 samples per month, no
more than one sample per month may be positive for total coliforms.
4. NTU - Nephelometric turbidity unit
5. The MCL for the monthly turbidity average is 1 NTU; the MCL for the 2-day average is 5 NTU. The
standard language for turbidity may be also be used where a turbidity exceedance is the reason for a
treatment technique violation.
6. The bacteria detected by HPC are not necessarily harmful. HPC is simply an alternative method of
determining disinfectant residual levels. The number of such bacteria is an indicator of whether there is
enough disinfectant in the distribution system.
7. TT - Treatment technique
8. This language may be used for both SWTR and IESWTR violations.
9. Millions of fibers per liter
10. Action Level = 0.015 mg/L
11. Action Level = 1.3 mg/L
12. Millirems per year
13. Picocuries per liter
14. Surface water systems and ground water systems under the direct influence of surface water are
regulated under Subpart H of 40 CFR 141. Subpart H community and non-transient non-community
systems serving :> 10,000 must comply with DBP MCLs and disinfectant maximum residual disinfectant
levels (MRDLs) beginning December 16, 2001. All other community and non-transient noncommunity
systems must meet the MCLs and MRDLs beginning December 16, 2003.
15. The MCLG for chloroform may change if the final DBP rule changes.
16. The MCL of 0.10 mg/l for TTHMs is in effect until December 16, 2001 for Subpart H community water
systems larger than 10,000. This MCL is in effect until December 16, 2003 for community water systems
with a population larger than 10,000 using only ground water not under the direct influence of surface
water. After these deadlines, the MCL will be 0.080 mg/l. On December 16, 2003, all systems serving
less than 10,000 will be have to comply with the new MCL as well.
17. The MCL for total trihalomethanes is the sum of the concentrations of the individual trihalomethanes.
18. The MCL for haloacetic acids is the sum of the concentrations of the individual haloacetic acids.
19. MRDLG - Maximum residual disinfectant level goal
20. MRDL - Maximum residual disinfectant level
Public Notification Handbook 99 DRAFT FOR COMMENT April 27, 1999
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Appendix C
Translated Phrases
Language
Spanish
French
Chinese
Korean
Vietnamese
"This report contains very important
information about your drinking water.
Translate it, or speak with someone who
understands it."
Este informe contiene informaci6n muy
importante sobre su agua beber.
Traduzcalo o hable con alguien que lo
entienda bien.
Ce rapport contient des informations
importantes sur votre eau potable.
Traduisez-le ou parlez en avec quequ'un qui
le comprend bien.
l^*£*irft4;j[iK£4wrt
w*fr *xjk$&iAfai*ktok
&mA\L " '
°W Bfe Wl H% 4ft \\ £i$ jjjy} £f j|«| ft
4* "Wit fl&i +& »l!B|fe«PRffiJ[lr
^M^M:
"Don't drink the
water"
No tome el agua.
Ne buvez pas
I'eau.
*
"Boil your water
before using"
Hiervan el agua
antes de usarla.
Faites
premierement
bouillir I'eau avant
de I'utiliser.
Public Notification Handbook
101
DRAFT-March 26, 1999
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The water glass pictured below may be useful in a posted notice that would be seen by many non-English
speaking people to illustrate that they should not drink the water.
Public Notification Handbook
102
DRAFT-March 28,1999
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