&EPA Revised Public
Notification
Handbook
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
(Original Document: EPA 816-R-00-010, June 2000)
(Revised Document: EPA 816-R-07-003, March 2007)
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This handbook provides guidance to States, public water systems, and the general public
concerning how EPA interprets its public notification regulations. This document does not,
however, substitute for the public notification regulations, nor is it a regulation itself. Thus, it
cannot impose legally-binding requirements on EPA, States, or water suppliers and may not apply to
a particular situation. This document is not intended, nor can it be relied upon, to create any rights
enforceable by any party in litigation with the United States. EPA may decide to follow the guidance
provided in this document, or to act at variance with the guidance based on its analysis of the specific
facts present. This guidance may be revised without public notice to reflect changes in EPA's approach to
implementing public notice, or to clarify and update text.
You should read the regulations thoroughly to ensure that you are in compliance. The public notice (PN)
regulations are in the Code of Federal Regulations under Chapter 40, Part 141, Subpart Q, beginning
at section 141.201. The most recent version of the rule can be found at www.epa.gov/safewater/
publicnotification. A copy of Subpart Q of the Federal Register notice for the final PN rule (May 4, 2000)
is in Appendix D.
This document includes public notification requirements and information for all regulations up through
July 2006. It does not include public notification requirements and information for the Ground Water Rule
(GWR) published November 8, 2006.
Office of Water (4606) EPA-816-R-07-003 www.epa.gov/safewater March 2007
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Acronyms[[[ v
1. Introduction [[[ 1
Why is Effective Public Notification Important? 1
2. to 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 or situation occurs? 6
Does every notice need to be sent to everyone in the distribution system? 6
What if I sell water to other systems? 6
What kinds of violations and situations require public notice? 6
What information do \ need to include in each notice for a violation or situation? 9
What standard language do I have to include in my notices? 11
What information do I need to include for special notices for fluoride SMCL exceedances? 11
What do I need to include for special notices for unregulated contaminant monitoring? 11
What if I have been issued a variance or exemption? 12
Are there formatting requirements for public notices? 12
Will I have to provide notices in languages other than English? 12
What information must I provide to my primacy agency? 13
4. Pyblic Notification Work - Plan In Adwance [[[15
Planning in Advance for Public Notification 15
Assemble Your Response Team 15
Understand Your Audience and How to Reach Them 16
Create Your Communication Channels 17
Prepare Your Messages 18
Have Materials Readily Available 19
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5, Tier 1 Suggestions[[[25
What is the deadline for issuing a Tier 1 notice? 26
Which methods of delivery must I use? 26
Suggestions for Effective Public Notification Delivery 27
Suggestions for Layout of the Notice 29
TIER1 TEMPLATES 31
Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice-Template 1-1 33
Spanish Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice-Template 1-1A.............................................. 35
Nitrate Failure to Take a Confirmation Sample Notice-Template 1-2 37
Non-community PWSs Allowed Up to 20 mg/L Nitrate Notice-Template 1-3 39
Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice-Template 1-4 41
Spanish Fecal Coliform or £ coli Notice-Template 1-4A............................................... 43
Waterborne Disease Outbreak Notice-Template 1-5 45
IESWTR or LT1 CFE Maximum Turbidity Exceedance, or Turbidity
Single Exceedance as Tier 1 Notice-Template 1-6 47
Chlorine Dioxide MRDL Notice-Template 1-7[[[ 49
Tier 1 "Problem Corrected" Notice-Template 1-8 51
i. Tier 2 Notice Requirements Suggestions 53
What is the deadline for issuing a Tier 2 notice? 53
When might a Tier 2 violation be elevated to Tier 1? 54
Which methods of delivery must I use? 54
Suggestions for Effective Public Notification Delivery 55
Suggestions for Layout of the Notice 56
TIER 2 TEMPLATES 59
Unresolved Total Coliform Notice-Template 2-1[[[ 61
Resolved Total Coliform Notice-Template 2-2 63
Chemical or Radiological MCLs Notice-Template 2-3[[[ 65
Fluoride MCL Notice-Template 2-4 67
SWTR Failure to Filter Notice-Template 2-5 [[[ 69
SWTR Turbidity Exceedance Notice-Template 2-6 71
SWTR Disinfection Treatment Notices-Template 2-7 73
LCR Failure to Install Corrosion Control Notice-Template 2-8 75
LT2ESWTR Failure to Install Treatment Notice-Template 2-9a ....................................... 77
LT2ESWTR Uncovered Finished Water Reservoir Treatment Notice-Template 2-9b 79
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Stage 1 DBPRTTHM or HAA5 MCL Violation Notice-Template 2-10 85
Stage 2 TTHM or HAA5 MCL Violation Notice-Template 2-11 87
Filter Backwash Recycling Rule Treatment Technique Violation Notice-Template 2-12 89
Failure to Comply with the Conditions of an Exemption Notice-Template 2-13............ 91
Monitoring Violation Elevated to Tier 2 Notice -Template 2-14 93
7. Tier 3 Notice Requirements Suggestions 95
What is the deadline for issuing a Tier 3 notice? 95
Which methods of delivery must I use? 96
Suggestions for Effective Public Notification Delivery 96
May I combine notices for multiple Tier 3 violations or situations? 97
Suggestions for the Layout of the Notice 98
TIER 3 TEMPLATES 99
Monitoring Violations Annual Notice-Template 3-1A................................................ 101
Monitoring Violations Annual Notice-Template 3-1B 103
Failure to Comply with a Testing Procedure Notice-Template 3-2 ............................. 105
Operating Under an Exemption Notice -Template 3-3 107
Special Notice for Availability of Unregulated Contaminant
Monitoring Data -Template 3-4 109
Fluoride SMCL Notice-Template 3-5 [[[ 111
Appendix A ¥iolations Situations Public ...............115
Appendix B for Public Notification ..........................123
Appendix C Translated Phrases[[[133
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Public Notification Handbook iv March 2007
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Acronyms
CCR Consumer Confidence Report
CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CFE Combined Filter Effluent
CWS Com m u n ity Water System
DBP Disinfection Byproduct
EAS Emergency Alert System
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
FBRR Filter Backwash Recycling Rule
HAA5 Haloacetic acids (five)
HPC Heterotrophic Plate Count
IESWTR Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
IOC Inorganic Chemical
LCR Lead and Copper Rule
LT1 ESWTR Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
LT2ESWTR Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
MCL Maximum Contaminant Level
MCLG Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
MRDL Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
MRDLG Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal
NCWS Non-Community Water System
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NPDWR National Primary Drinking Water Regulation
NTNCWS Non-Transient Non-Community Water System
NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit
NWS National Weather Service
OGWDW Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
OW Office of Water
PN Public Notification
PWS Public Water System
SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act
SMCL Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level
SOC Synthetic Organic Chemical
SWTR Surface Water Treatment Rule
TCR Total Coliform Rule
TT Treatment Technique
TTHM Total Trihalomethanes
TNCWS Transient Non-Community Water System
VOC Volatile Organic Chemical
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Public Notification Handbook vi March 2007
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The purpose of this handbook is to explain EPA's Public Notification Rule and provide examples of effective
public notices. This 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.
This version of the handbook updates the June 2000 version. It reflects some recent EPA regulations,
including the Filter Backwash Recycling Rule, Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, Long
Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, and Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts
Rule. New templates for some violations under these rules are included. Also, Chapter 4 includes new
information on effective risk communication. This version of the handbook does not include public
notification requirements and information for the Ground Water Rule (GWR) published November 8, 2006.
is
Public notification is designed to protect public health. As a public water supplier, you are required by law to
prepare and distribute public notification to consumers. One of the best ways water systems can contribute
to community health is to make sure as many people as possible within a service area know about water
quality issues and how to protect themselves from potential risks. Public notification of drinking water
violations and other situations provides a way to educate the public, protect public health, build trust with
consumers through open and honest sharing of information, and establish an ongoing, positive relationship
with your community. The greater the effort your water system makes to reach and inform everyone in
your service area on your system, the more they will trust your commitment to delivering safe water and
protecting public health.
This guidance is designed to help water systems understand public notification requirements and deliver
effective information to educate their public and protect community health. Throughout this document
are tips and suggestions to help you create an effective communication strategy for meeting the public
notification requirements. The suggestions contained in this document are based on the guiding principles
for good risk communication and public education, including:
1. Accept and involve the public as a legitimate partner.
2. Plan carefully and evaluate your efforts.
3. Listen carefully to the public's concerns.
4. Be honest, frank, and open.
5. Coordinate and collaborate with other credible sources.
6. Meet the needs of the media.
7. Speak clearly and with compassion.1
The communication strategy outlined in this document will help water systems plan for effective public
notification by analyzing the population they serve, determining the best ways to reach consumers, and
creating effective channels for distributing public notices.
'From: Covcllo, V.T. and Sandman, P.M. 2001. "Risk Communication: Evolution and Revolution." In: Wolbarst, A, cd. Solutions to and
Environment in Peril. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, pp 164-178.
Public Notification Handbook 1 March 2007
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Ill addition to increasing the effectiveness of public notices, this handbook will help public water system
owners and operators comply with Federal and State requirements. State and Tribal primacy agencies will
find this handbook useful as well. The Public Notification Rule provides flexibility to primacy agencies,
allowing them to set different requirements on both a case-by-case and a rule-by-rule basis. Systems should
keep this in mind when using the handbook.
Finally, as you read, you will notice references in parentheses throughout the document. These are references
to the appropriate federal regulatory requirement found in the Federal Public Notification Rule (see
Appendix D) and are included to help you understand the particular requirement being discussed.
Public Notification Handbook 2 March 2007
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This handbook contains information to help you prepare and issue a public notice. Before you are faced with a
violation or situation requiring public notification, you should read this handbook. You should also check
with your local health department or other primacy agency to see if your state has additional public notification
requirements or if more stringent public notification requirements apply. The steps to take to respond to a drinking
water violation or other situation requiring notice are listed below:
1. Determine what tier your violation or situation falls into. Use Table 2 in Chapter 3 for a summary of
major violations and situations requiring notice and your deadline for providing public notice. You can
also refer to Appendix A for a listing by contaminant (I4l.201(a)).
2. Consult your primacy agency if required.
For Tier 1 violations and situations, immediately consult with your primacy agency when yon
learn of the violation or situation (I4l.202(b)). You must issue the notice within 24 hours, even if you
are unable to contact the primacy agency.
For single exceedances of turbidity limits or for a two-day turbidity MCL violation, immediately
consult with your primacy agency when you learn of the violation. Your primacy agency will
determine whether the violation needs to be elevated to Tier 1 (I4l.203(b)).
3. Review the requirements for public notices. Read Chapter 3 "Summary of Requirements" which
describes content, mandatory language, formatting, and distribution requirements that are applicable to
all notices. Chapter 4 provides guidance on effective public communication.
4. Determine the appropriate method(s) of delivery. Chapters 5, 6, and 7 describe required delivery
methods 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 and tier. If you operate a transient non-
community water system, read the "Public Notification Handbook for Transient Non-Community
Water Systems" (EPA 816-R-07-004) for assistance on delivery methods.
5. Develop a notice; you can use the templates that fit your situation or write your own. A list of
templates is provided in the table of contents. At the ends of Chapters 5, 6, and 7 are templates for
commonly occurring violations and situations, along with violation-specific instructions for modifying
each template. The instructions for each template are on the front of the page; the corresponding
template is on the back. If there is no template for your violation or situation, write your own notice
using the list of required elements in Chapter 3 or other applicable requirements provided in Chapter
3, and follow the suggestions on layout in Chapters 5 through 7. Some situations and all violations,
including monitoring violations, have required language regarding health effects (I4l.205(d)). This
language is discussed in Chapter 3 and is found in Appendix B and in the templates.
6. Translate the notice if a large proportion of the population you serve does not speak English
(I4l.205(c)). See Chapter 3 for more on how to determine if you need translations and how to get help
translating notices.
Public Notification Handbook 3 March 2007
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7. Provide your notice to persons served as soon as practical but within the allowed time frame. Use the
method of delivery chosen in step 4 above.
8. Send a copy of each type of notice issued (including repeat notices) to your primacy agency within
ten days after you distribute the notice, along with a statement certifying that all public notification
requirements have been met (I4l.31(d)). See the sample certification statement in Chapter 3.
of
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 ate not inclusive and
may not be appropriate for all violations and situations. Depending on the severity of your violation
or situation, it may be necessary to modify the instructions you give to consumers or to change the timing
of the notice. For instance, if trichloroethylene levels are ten times the standard (rather than a slight
exceedance), you should not tell your customers that they can continue to drink the water. In these cases,
you should issue a notice immediately, rather than waiting 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 modify the timing or the notice to fit the situation.
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 obtain approval from the primacy agency in order to meet its specific requirements.
Public Notification Handbook 4 March 2007
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3.Summary of Requirements
This chapter summarizes the federal PN rule requirements. Except where noted, all requirements in this chapter can be
found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q, beginning at Section 141.201. See Appendix
D for a copy of this regulation. Check with your primacy agency to see if more stringent requirements apply.
When and how do I need to notify my consumers?
EPA has assigned each violation and situation requiring notice to one of three categories, or tiers, based on
the risk of adverse health effects (see Appendix A). After you learn of a violation or situation, public notice
must be provided as summarized in Table 1 below. Delivery requirements for community water systems
(CWSs) and non-community water systems (NCWSs) differ, as indicated below. Transient non-community
water system operators should refer to the "Public Notification Handbook for Transient Non-Community
Water Systems" (EPA 816-R-07-004) to see requirements that are specific to them.
Table 1. Requirements for Issuing a Public Notice
Violation
Tier
1
2
3
Deadline for
initial notice
24 hours***
30 days ****
1 year*****
Repeated
Notices *
As dictated
by the
primacy
agency
Every 3
months
Annually
Delivery Methods to Use **
1) Broadcast media (radio or television) or hand delivery
or posting
2) Another method as needed to reach consumers not
likely to receive a notice from methods noted in item
#1.
CWS:
1) Mail or hand delivery
2) Another method as needed to reach consumers not
likely to receive a notice from methods noted in item
#1.
NCWS:
1) Posting, hand delivery, or mail
2) Another method as needed to reach consumers not
likely to receive a notice from methods noted in item
#1.
CWS:
1) Mail or hand delivery (public notice delivery may be
provided by CCR if one year requirement is met.)
2) Another method as needed to reach consumers not
likely to receive a notice from methods noted in item
#1.
NCWS:
1) Posting, hand delivery, or mail
2) Another method as needed to reach consumers not
likely to receive a notice from methods noted in item
#1.
Go To...
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
* Repeated notices are required if the violation or situation persists, unless otherwise directed by the primacy agency.
Posted notices must remain posted and may need periodic updating.
** Primacy agencies may approve other methods.
*** For Tier 1 , systems must also initiate consultation with the primacy agency within 24 hours.
**** Systems with turbidity MCL violations based on the average of samples over two days or with turbidity single
exceedance treatment technique violations must consult with the primacy agency within 24 hours after learning of the
violation.
***** EPA recommends consolidating all Tier 3 violations and situations occurring within a given year into an annual notice.
Public Notification Handbook
March 2007
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I a or
If you are faced with a violation or situation requiring public notification, you must provide the notice
to persons served by your system. This means you must take all reasonable steps to inform people if they
would not be reached by the most commonly used methods of notification. This does not mean that every
person in the area served by the system must be notified (this may be impossible), but you must identify
different types of consumers and make an effort to reach them. Additionally, every new billing customer or
unit must be notified of any ongoing violations or situations for which notice has previously been issued (at
non-community systems notices must be posted for as long as a violation or situation lasts). Remember that
the most effective public notices—those that protect public health and build consumer understanding and
trust—reach the largest possible group of people.
For example, if a community water system mails a notice to its 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 and
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.
You are required to include standard language in your notices that encourages distribution of the notice,
where applicable. This language is described in Chapter 3 and is intended to increase public awareness of
the situation. Use of this language does not relieve you of your obligation to notify persons served, however.
to be to in
In general, notices must be provided to people who are served throughout the distribution system. In some
very limited cases, however, if you can show that a violation affects a portion of the distribution system
that is physically or hydraulically isolated from the rest of the distribution system, your primacy agency
may allow you to notify only those people in the portion of the system that is out of compliance. You must
receive written permission from your primacy agency to limit distribution of a notice.
if I to
The obligation to notify persons served includes notifying owners or operators of other systems that buy or
otherwise obtain water from you. The owners or operators of those systems are responsible for notifying their
customers before the appropriate deadline, with the "clock" starting when the purchasing system learns of
the violation or situation from you. Sometimes, however, it may be easier and less confusing for consumers if
one system notifies all the customers in consecutive systems (e.g., if the notice is broadcast over television or
radio). In that case, you should send copies of your notice to purchasing systems prior to notifying the media
if time permits. You should incorporate procedures and chains of communication for such situations into
your emergency management or communications plan. In addition, any memoranda of understanding you
sign with other water systems should spell out each system's public notification responsibilities.
Public Notification Handbook 6 March 2007
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of
111 general, public notice is required for any of the following violations:
> Exceedances of maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) or maximum residual disinfectant levels Violation
of treatment techniques;
* Monitoring and testing procedure violations; and
> Failure to comply with the schedule of a variance or exemption.
Other situations (not violations) which require notice include:
>• Operation under a variance or exemption;
> Occurrence of a waterborne disease outbreak or other waterborne emergency;
> Exceedance of the secondary maximum contaminant level for fluoride;
> Availability of unregulated contaminant monitoring results; and
> Exceedance of the nitrate MCL in non-community systems that have been granted permission by the
primacy agency to continue to exceed the nitrate MCL of 10 mg/1 (although they must not exceed 20
mg/1).
Primacy agencies may also require notice for other violations and situations.
Table 2 on the next page shows the organization of violations and situations into tiers, based on the
seriousness of potential adverse health effects. For a complete list of contaminants and their appropriate tiers,
refer to Appendix A.
Public Notification Handbook 7 March 2007
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Table 2. Violations and Situations Requiring Public Notice
Tier 1 Violations Other Situations Requiring Notice Within 24 Hours*
1. Violation of the MCL for total coliform, when fecal col/form or E. coli are present in the water
distribution system, or failure to test for fecal coliform or E, coli when any repeat sample tests positive for
coliform;
2. Violation of the MCL for nitrate, nitrite, or total nitrate nitrite; or when a confirmation sample is
not taken within 24 hours of the system's receipt of the first sample showing exceedance of the nitrate or
nitrite MCL;
3, Exceedance of the nitrate MCL (10 mg/l) by non-community water systems, where permitted to exceed
the MCL (up to 20 mg/l) by the primacy agency;
4. Violations of the MRDL for chlorine dioxide when one or more of the samples taken in the distribution
system on the day after exceeding the MRDL at the entrance of the distribution system or when required
samples are not taken in the distribution system;
5. Violation of the turbidity MCL of 5 NTU, where the primacy agency determines after consultation that
a Tier 1 notice is required or where consultation does not occur in 24 hours after the system learns of
violation;
6, Violation of the treatment technique requirement resulting from a single exceedance of the maximum
allowable turbidity limit, where the primacy agency determines after consultation that a Tier 1 notice is
required or where consultation does not take place in 24 hours after the system learns of violation;
7. Occurrence of a w/aieriborne disease outbreak, as defined in 40 CFR 141.2, or other waterborne
emergency, and
8. Other violations or situations with significant potential for 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 or situations, in addition to issuing public notice, you must
initiate consultation with your primacy agency as soon as practical but within 24 hours after you learn of
the violation or situation. See Chapter 5 for more details.
Tier 2 Violations Requiring Notice Within 30 Days**
1. All violations of the MCL, MRDL, and treatment technique requirements except where Tier 1 notice is
required;
2. Violations of 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.
** If you exceed the maximum allowable turbidity level, as identified in Appendix A, you must consult with
your primacy agency as soon as practical but no later than 24 hours after learning of the violation. See
Chapter 6 for more details.
Tier 3 Violations and Other Situations Requiring Notice Within 1 Year
1. Monitoring violations, except where Tier 1 notice is required or the primacy agency determines that the
violation requires a Tier 2 notice;
2. Failure to comply with an established testing procedure, except where Tier 1 notice is required or the
primacy agency determines that the violation requires a Tier 2 notice;
3. Operation under a variance granted under §141 5 or exemption granted under §1416 of the Safe
Drinking Water Act;
4. Availability of unregulated contaminant monitoring results; and
5. Exceedance of the secondary maximum contaminant level for fluoride.
Public Notification Handbook
March 2007
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do I to in for a or
situation?
Your public notice must include specific information in order to be considered complete. For each
violation and situation requiring notice (except for fluoride SMCL exceedances, availability of unregulated
contaminant monitoring data, and operation under a variance or exemption), you must provide a clear and
easy-to-understand explanation of the following:
1. The violation or situation, including the contaminant(s) of concern, and (as applicable) the contaminant
level (s);
2. When the violation or situation occurred;
3. Any potential adverse health effects from drinking the water, using mandatory language described in
Chapter 3;
4. The population at risk, including subpopulations that may be particularly vulnerable if exposed to the
contaminant in their drinking water;
5. Whether alternate 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 or situation;
8. When you expect to return to compliance or resolve the situation;
9. Your name, business address, and phone number or those 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 others, where applicable, using the
standard language given in this chapter.
Some required elements may not apply to every violation or situation. However, you must still address these
elements in your 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 not be an immediate health risk.
You should ask your primacy agency or a local health department for the appropriate information for some
elements of the notice, such as actions consumers should take to protect their health. The local health
department also can help you identify other system-specific information, such as vulnerable populations
(e.g., children, dialysis patients) and effective communication channels for reaching them.
If you do not know when your system will return to compliance, give your consumers an idea of how long
it may take-for example, a few days for an E. w/? violation or months for failure to install corrosion control.
If you do not know when your system will return to compliance, state that honestly. When talking about
potential health risks, you should always be straightforward even if that means admitting you don't know
something. If you are overly optimistic in your estimate of the time required to address a problem and
your system does not meet your estimate, you may see public trust in your system's credibility erode. Some
situations, such as waterborne emergencies, may not have mandatory health effects language, but you must
still describe potential health effects. You may be able to adapt the language from a treatment technique or
MCL violation. Figure 1 contains an example showing how all the required elements fit into a public notice.
Public Notification Handbook 9 March 2007
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Figure 1
The Required Elements of a Public Notice
2) When the
violation
occurred -x.
6) Actions *****^
consumers
should take
3) Potential
health
effects,
7) What is
being done to
correct the
violation
10) Required
distribution
language
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Tests Show Coliform Bacteria in [System] Water
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.
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.
You do not need to use an alternate (e.g., bottled) water supply.
People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and •
some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek
advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by
microbes are available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at
1-800-426-4791.
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified
immediately. 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
may be present. Conforms 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 system (pipes). Whenever we detect
coliform bacteria in any sample, we do follow-up testing to see if other
bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are
present. We did not find any of these bacteria in our subsequent
testing.
What was done?
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. -4
For more information, or to learn more about protecting your drinking
water please contact John Jones at 555-1212.-
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this
water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly
(for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and
businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This is being sent by the Jonesville Water System.
State Water System ID#1234567. Date Distributed: 8/8/06
1) Description
,of the
violation
4) Should alternate
.^ water smpplies be
used
5) The
•**' population
at risk
8) When the
system will
— return to
compliance
9) Phone
number for
more
information
Public Notification Handbook
10
March 2007
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do I to in my
Health effects language for MCL andMRDL 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. You must also describe potential health effects for other situations, even if there is no
mandatory language.
Language to encourage the widest possible distribution of the notice to all persons served. You must include the
following language in all notices. However, there are situations where this may not apply—for example this
language would probably not be necessary on a posted notice, since posting makes the notice available to
everyone who passes by. It would also not be needed for a notice provided by broadcast and print media.
Use of this language does not relieve you of your obligation to notify persons served:
"Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who
may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes,
schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing
copies by hand or mail."
Language for monitoring violations (including testing procedure violations). You must include the following
language for all monitoring and testing procedure violations:
"We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis.
Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not your drinking water meets health
standards. During [compliance period], we ['did not monitor or test' or 'did not complete all
monitoring or testing'] for [contaminant(s)], and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of your
drinking water during that time."
do I to for for
Community water systems that exceed the secondary maximum contaminant level of 2 mg/1 for fluoride but
do not exceed the MCL of 4 mg/1 must include the special fluoride language shown in Template 3-5 and fill
in the blanks as appropriate. You do not need to include the ten elements listed in Figure 1 above, as these
are addressed in the language. You must provide notice as soon as practical but no later than 12 months after
you learn of the exceedance and repeat the notice annually as long as the exceedance persists. See Chapter
7 for more information. Primacy agencies may require earlier initial notification or more frequent repeat
notification on a case-by-case basis.
do I to for for
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 need to include
the ten elements listed in Figure 1 above, but you must follow the Tier 3 schedule. You may include this
information in an annual notice for Tier 3 situations and violations.
Public Notification Handbook 11 March 2007
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if I a or
Notices for operating under a variance or exemption have different content requirements than notices for
the violations and situations 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:
* 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.
for
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 printed or posted);
* 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 of its
requirements.
I to m
Remember that your goal is to inform and protect the public and the best way to do that is to make it easy
for them to understand your message. Messages are easiest to understand when they are presented in the
audience's first language. When it comes to communicating about risks, it is important to make it as easy as
possible for your audience to understand your message; clarity and simplicity help people understand risks
and put them in perspective.
If a large proportion of the population you serve does not speak English, the PN rule requires you to provide
at least partially multilingual notices. If translations are needed, your notice must, at a minimum, contain
information in the appropriate language(s) regarding the importance of the notice, or it must provide a
phone number or address where a translated notice or information or assistance in the appropriate language
is available. Your primacy agency may have established criteria for what constitutes a large proportion of the
people you serve; check with the agency to be sure. If your primacy agency does not define what constitutes
a large proportion of non-English speaking consumers, it is up to you to make this determination. You
should rely on your knowledge of your consumer base or contacts with community representatives. As a
guideline in making your determination, some states have used a threshold often percent of the population
or 1,000 people, whichever is less, for providing multilingual information in Consumer Confidence Reports
(CCRs). See Chapter 4 for more on identifying whether translated notices are needed, and how to reach
non-English speaking people.
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You should be more proactive in deciding whether to translate PNs than you would be for CCRs. Keep in
mind that public notices are about violations of drinking water standards or other situations that pose a
health risk, whereas CCRs are educational. You may wish to provide notices in multiple languages if non-
English speaking populations are in your service area, whether or not they constitute a large proportion
of your service population. Although you are not required to provide full translations of notices, this
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.
Chapter 5 includes Spanish templates for nitrate and fecal coliform notices along with the templates for Tier
1 violations and situations. In addition, Appendix C includes translations in several languages of important
phrases, such as "do not drink the water," "boil your water before using," and others.
What information must I provide to my primacy agency?
After you provide the notice to your consumers, you must, within ten days, send your primacy agency a
copy of each type of notice you distribute (e.g., newspaper article, press release to TV/radio, mail notices)
and a certification that you have met all the public notification requirements (I4l.31(d)). You must send
certifications for both initial and any repeat notices. When you certify, you are also stating that you will
meet future requirements for notifying new billing units of the violation or situation.
A sample certification "box" with appropriate language is provided below. The box is not mandatory (only a statement
is); however, it is a useful tool for tracking and noting required activities. Contact your primacy agency; they may
have a certification form they require to be submitted to them. If your primacy agency does not have a required
certification form for you to use, you may wish to copy this certification onto the bottom or reverse of the copy of the
notice you send to the primacy agency.
PWS Name: fsvstem namel
PWSID#: fPWS numberl
For Violation: [describe violation or situation]
Occurring on: [insert date]
The public water system indicated above hereby affirms that public notice has been provided to consumers
in accordance with the delivery, content, and format requirements and deadlines in [regulatory citation].
D Consultation with primacy agency (if required) on [insert date]
D Notice distributed by [insert method] on [insert date]
D Notice distributed by [insert method] on [insert date]
D Content - required elements.
Signature of owner or operator Date
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Effective risk communication, particularly when potentially serious health risks are involved, requires
advanced planning, effective communication, and follow-up. The discussion that follows describes some of
the key steps you can take before, during, and after a situation that requires public notification. It includes
suggestions for making your communication efforts as effective as possible. Systems are not required to
perform all of the activities discussed in this chapter; however, it will be helpful to them if they do.
in for
Any advanced work you can do to prepare for a public notification effort will pay off if you are faced with
a violation or situation. Advanced planning will allow accurate information to be transferred quickly to all
affected consumers with ease and will allow for time to correct issues if situations do not go as planned.
When your community and water system conduct emergency planning, include Tier 1 public notification
requirements in your plans. When a serious violation, waterborne disease outbreak, or other emergency
occurs you will already have in place an established process, chain of command, and knowledge of the best
communication channels and delivery methods for reaching your public. You will also have the relationships,
contacts, and understanding of key stakeholders that you will need if you are faced with a very short
turnaround time for communicating required information to the public.
Your
> Develop a working relationship and response plan with your local health department so you have an
agreed-upon process for sharing information about water-related health risks and communicating with
the public. Consumers may call the health department for information about health risks described in
your communications; if you coordinate in advance, you can help to ensure that, regardless of whom they
call, your public hears consistent messages that will help them understand the risks and how to manage
them.
• Remember, situations that require public notices will probably affect health professionals in your
community. They will need accurate and clear information on contaminants and health risks so that
they can help your public understand the risks and how to manage them. Health professionals need to
understand how the violation or situation affects their patients (especially those professionals wrho treat
children, the elderly, or people with compromised immune systems). Public health officials may know
the most effective channels for reaching your community's health providers. Discuss this in advance
so that you are not trying to find every clinic, doctor, and nurse in your community at the same time
that you are trying to solve a contamination problem. The local health department or sanitarian is also
likely to have valuable information to share about the populations you serve, particularly about the
subpopulations most vulnerable to water-related illnesses and ways to reach them.
> Work with your community's emergency managers to establish ties with the state office that works with
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Weather Service (NWS) to access
the Emergency Alert System (EAS). Through memoranda of agreement between states and the NWS,
communities can broadcast alerts of non-weather emergencies, including drinking water violations and
situations, via NOAA Weather Radio and NOAA Weather Wire Service. This is a very effective delivery
method to have at your disposal in case of a violation requiring a Tier 1 public notice.
Public Notification Handbook 15 March 2007
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> Create a list of emergency contact numbers for all of the people who will be critical to your outreach
efforts, including public health representatives; Web masters that support your web site and key web sites
hosted by the local government, health department, etc.; media contacts; local government officials and
leaders from the subpopulation groups you identify in your service community. Ensure this list is kept
up to date for future notices. Identify printers or copying services that have the capacity to generate high
volumes of copies, and other vendors that supply services that you may need in an emergency.
>• Find out whom you should contact at the primacy agency for cases where consultation is required.
Determine whether there are alternative procedures for notifying the agency when violations or situations
occur on weekends or holidays. Also, be sure you have a way to contact them during an emergency, such
as a power failure, that may cause them to not be at their place of business. This is especially true if you
routinely communicate via e-mail.
Your to
Water systems need to know their customers before they are faced with a critical need to reach and inform
them. One of the most effective steps you can take to plan in advance for a public notice distribution
is to analyze and segment your service population. The key to segmenting your audience for effective
communication is to identify the number of discrete subgroups within your community that receive
information in different ways than other groups. For example, your community may consist of several
language groups, several groups with different reading proficiencies, and multiple groups that obtain
their information from different media sources. If you can identify the number of subgroups within your
community and identify what differentiates each group, you will be well prepared to reach each group
effectively. Questions to research in advance include:
* What languages are spoken in your service area?
* Within each language community, what percentage of people is also proficient in English?
* Are there large numbers of people in your service area with low literacy levels?
* If so, are low-literacy groups "clustered" in certain zip codes or neighborhoods?
* What sources of information do these groups trust?
> To find information on the languages spoken in your area, see the U.S. Census Bureau's website, http://
factfinder.census.gov to find information about your community. The census database includes answers
to questions about literacy levels, what languages besides English are spoken at home and the level of
English proficiency. (English proficiency is important, because if a group tends to speak a language at
home, but is also able to read and understand English, a notification in a second language may not
be necessary.) You should also be able to find out the number of people who speak each language. See
Chapter 3 for information on the multi-lingual requirements for public notices.
> Consider your local media as another good source of information on your audience. It is the media's job
to know the community inside and out. Media outlets have an economic need to understand how to
reach various segments of the audience, and typically have a mission to "serve" the community. These
two goals mean that they likely have knowledge of various subgroups in your community; and contacts
with key leaders within the community who have strong relationships or access to specific subgroup.
Since you need to establish relationships with your media anyway (as partners in communication), one
way to develop allies within the media is to recognize their knowledge and ability by asking them for
valuable information about your service population.
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> Identify community and ethnic group leaders and discuss with them your commitment to provide safe
drinking water to their constituents. These "grassroots" groups have a high level of contact with target
demographic groups, and tend to be trusted by them. Establish and maintain working alliances with these
grassroots organizations so that if you need to quickly distribute a message about the drinking water in
the future, you already have channels in place to reach your diverse audience. This can demonstrate your
concern for the community they serve and establish a level of trust that will increase the likelihood that
they will assist you when needed.
> Consider local government officials, neighborhood and civic associations, community leaders, large
employers, church leaders, grocery store owners, barber shop owners... everyone who has the ear of a
particular subgroup within your community is a potential ally.
• Ethnic organizations, churches/mosques/synagogues, and multicultural centers are in touch with the
needs and concerns of specific racial, religious, or ethnic groups, including people who cannot speak or
read English.
• Health care providers, hospital and nursing home directors, social service providers, are a first source
of information for many people, especially vulnerable populations, such as parents of small children or
HIV/AIDS patients.
> Determine the key local media that each subgroup looks to for information. For example, identify non-
English radio stations, television shows on cable access, popular hip-hop stations, and local public radio
stations that may appeal to your various target subgroups. Identify local Foreign-language newspapers,
and determine which of these reach the most people. Remember that some may only be published
weekly, and would therefore not be appropriate for Tier 1 situations.
Consider how you can deliver your messages most effectively to each subgroup in your community. Different
audiences demand different messages because they have differing concerns and, sometimes, different
ways of absorbing information. In the discussion of how to make materials more readable below, you will
find suggestions for including graphics and other visual cues to help your audience understand printed
information. Also consider that some of your audience may have low-literacy skills or visual impairments
that make it difficult to process written information and consider how you can provide information to them
through television, radio, in public meetings or through word-of mouth. You may want to ensure radio or
televised announcements are provided late at night and early in the morning to help ensure consumers on
such schedules receive the information. Also, remember that all of your customers are not residential and
some of your commercial customers may want information about how the violation or situation affects
them (e.g., can a restaurant owner use the water for cooking, can a landscape business use the water on their
plants, etc.).
Your
Once you have analyzed your population and have an idea of the multiple groups you will want to reach in
the event of a public notice, establish the relationships and processes you will need to have in place to work
through those groups to reach your target audiences. For example, if you know you have a large Hispanic
population in your service area and that many members of the community tend to listen to specific radio
stations, watch certain television programs, read particular periodicals and convene at specific locations,
make advance connections to those sources of information.
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> Call on the media that can help you reach your target communities and explain your commitment to
providing safe drinking water and that you sometimes need to reach as many people as possible in a short
time period to share important health messages. Enlist them in your cause and establish a process for
sharing information with these "third-party communicators" so that they can help you distribute public
notices. Explain ahead of time what constitutes an emergency and what it means if you contact them in
the future to request help with distribution of a public notice.
* Develop relationships with the media. Hold an annual media day where you can offer tours and explain
how your system operates, including any improvements you may be implementing. In addition, find
out if local news outlets hold community outreach days. The more informed your local media is
about your water system, the more accurate and positive they will be when writing about a violation
or situation. Cultivate a positive image—that your water system is a resource to protect, not simply
another "utility." Designate one person on your staff to serve as a liaison to the media. Establish a
relationship with a key reporter, e.g., someone who covers environmental or public health issues, so
that you can make quick contact with them in an emergency. A good relationship will improve the
likelihood that your message is aired the way that you want it to be.
* Ask your media contacts what kind of information about water quality issues they would find valuable
in case of an emergency and prepare draft materials for the media. If you make it easy for the media to
cover your story correctly, they are more likely to do so.
>• Establish contacts with institutions and people who can translate notices into other languages for you
and help you target non-English speaking populations to receive translated notices. Community centers,
universities, high school teachers, and community activists can help provide translations. Make contacts
ahead of time for low-cost translations. Consider word-of-mouth as a good way to get notices to non-
English speaking consumers, especially if there are no television or radio stations or newspapers in those
languages. To stimulate word-of-mouth transfer of information, you need to have relationships with
opinion leaders who are well connected within each community you want to reach. It is also important
to work with community or ethnic organizations, such as churches, mosques, temples, and community
associations to make sure the notice gets to non-English speaking consumers. See Chapter 3 for
information on the multi-lingual requirements for public notices.
> Each public notification tier has required methods of delivery. Review this handbook in advance of a
violation or situation so that you are prepared to distribute information as quickly and widely as possible.
Your
Do not wait for a violation or situation to occur to begin preparing your messages. Think ahead about
the key concerns that each of your subgroups may have in the case of different violations or situations and
identify specific subgroups that may face particular health risks from different contaminants to treatment
problems. This is especially true if your system is at risk of a violation, for example if contaminant levels are
below the MCL but have the potential in the future to exceed it, or if there are recurring pollution problems
associated with naturally occurring contaminants or land uses in your area.
Even emergency situations will generate a number of common concerns. When a violation or situation
affects their drinking water, people will be most concerned with what they need to do, whether they or their
family are at risk, and what is being done to address the situation.
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> If possible, test your messages ahead of time with groups who can serve as surrogate audiences. The
Public Notice templates in this handbook have been tested with focus groups for readability and
understandability. Consider organizing focus groups and special interest groups (e.g., the elderly, non-
English speaking, renters, etc.) to evaluate your notification process and provide feedback. Of course, any
time you are faced with a situation that requires a public notice, you should pay attention to the reactions
among your consumers, so if you are faced with a similar situation, any difficulties will not be repeated.
>• Train spokespersons, build web pages, create fact sheets and brochures and develop agendas for public
meetings in advance. In the wake of a crisis you will be glad to have draft materials ready for final review
and quick distribution.
>• If applicable, consider including a statement in your message that the primacy agency regulations are
more stringent than the federal regulations.
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 you issue a public notice
in the future, you will already have the explanatory materials your consumers may ask for after receiving
your notice. EPA's fact sheets are updated periodically, so check EPA's web site regularly to make sure that
you have the most recent version. You may consider including the Agency's website on the public notice
so that consumers may obtain information directly regarding public notification and the contaminant of
concern. In addition, you may consider including your system's website on the public notice if you plan
to have up-to-date information regarding the situation on the website. The EPA Hotline can also provide
phone numbers for state laboratory certification offices, where you can get a list of labs certified to analyze
tap water.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a good source of information on drinking
water contaminants that can cause disease, including Cryptosporidium (http://www.cdc.gov, 1-800-311-
3435). For instance, guidelines on notification for cryptosporidiosis are available in Cryptosporidium
and Water: A Public Health Handbook. This handbook discusses the decision-making process for issuing
boil water advisories, provides information on preparing news releases, and contains educational fact
sheets on preventing disease. Much of the information in the handbook is also applicable to other types
of disease outbreaks and emergencies. The handbook, along with fact sheets and other publications on
Cryptosporidium are available at: http://www.cdc.gov/iicidod/dpd/parasites/cryptosporidiosis/default.
htm. Information on other diseases is available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/water/index.htm.
Remember, your primacy agency may have more stringent requirements for when to issue a boil water
notice.
You may need to provide bottled water, especially for a Tier 1 violation or situation, so you should confirm
ahead of time and periodically reconfirm that available bottled water supplies meet the Food and Drug
Administration or state safety standards by asking bottlers for their most recent testing results. Make sure
your bottled water supplier understands your emergency plan and has its own plan for providing you with
large quantities of water on short notice; they should also commit to providing water to you before others in
an emergency situation.
Public Notification Handbook 19 March 2007
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a or
I a to
Most readers only read the top half of a notice (or what can be read in ten seconds) and focus on large
text such as headings and bolded text. 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 or
situation, etc. You must still include all the required elements in the notice.
* Try to limit wordiness. A question and answer format is easy to read and guides readers to the
information that is likely to concern them. Each paragraph should only deal with one topic and it is very
important to limit the number of different messages you include in your communications. When dealing
with potential health risks, people become emotional and have difficulty processing information. The
best way to help your public understand your public notice messages is to present a limited number of
messages and to strive for consistency of messaging across all communications media. If people hear your
few, simple messages over and over again, they are more likely to accurately estimate their risks and to
take the right steps to manage them.
> The templates for public notices contained in Chapters 5, 6, and 7 provide examples of concise messages
that meet the requirements of the Public Notification Rule in a clear, understandable manner. The most
important components of the message (i.e., those that have the greatest implications for protecting public
health) are presented at the top of the templates, in large text.
> Use a font for your public notice that is easy to read. The font used for the public notice examples in this
document is Arial which is a sans serif font.
> Use graphics, such as photographs or drawings, to illustrate your messages. Wherever possible, provide an
image that describes the actions the public should take to protect themselves from potential health risks.
Appendix C includes simple pictures that convey the concept of "do not drink the water," that would be
understood by someone who cannot read.
* Highlight the name of your system, especially where people in your area are served by more than one
water system. You may also want to prepare a map showing the area you serve, especially if it extends
beyond city limits. You may want to print the notices on your system's letterhead which, coupled with
the title of the notice, will help people recognize that the notice is important.
I an notice?
When you need to work with the media to distribute a public notice, call on your contacts who already
understand your mission to inform and protect the public. Having established relationships with editors,
writers, producers, and program hosts will help you to get your message out to the public quickly. However,
you should not rely solely on the media to distribute your notice. To ensure key facilities are properly
notified, keep and maintain a listing of these facilities and their contacts and notify them directly.
If you write a press release or get a reporter to write a story for the newspaper, TV, or radio, explain what
information you are trying to communicate and why (i.e., the ten elements required on each public notice).
Explain to the media in clear and open terms what you are required to do to communicate about a violation
Public Notification Handbook 20 March 2007
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or situation and make it easy for them to identify the most important information, including a description
of the violation or situation, the population at risk, the instructions to consumers, and potential health
effects. The easier you make it for the media to accurately cover your story, the more likely you are to get the
results you want. Whenever possible, visit your media contacts in person to request coverage.
> Draft a press release for the media and make sure it highlights the key information and includes a contact
name and number 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.
> Offer to be interviewed on the air by a TV or radio station. Ideally, spokespeople should understand and
be trained to deal with the pressures associated with an interview, so that they will appear calm (and not
evasive or defensive).
> Write a draft story or an op-ed for the newspaper and give a completed draft to an editor.
> Provide radio and television programs with talking points, sources for impartial information (e.g., links to
the EPA or CDC, contacts at the health department, etc.) and suggestions of people they can interview
for a story.
> Provide statistics, charts, graphics (photographs, video footage, drawings, maps, etc.) along with your text
to make it easy for different types of media to broadcast your story.
> Always take phone calls from the media whether you can answer their questions or not.
STUDY
City of Laccy, Washington
To alert residents of an E, coli violation, the City of Lacey and the Washington State Department of Health
issued a joint press release. (The City also hand-delivered notices in the affected neighborhood.) Co-
issuing the notice gave the press release greater credibility and showed that the City and State were
providing consistent information. At the same time, the City contacted Seattle and Tacoma television
and radio stations and newspapers. The local newspaper also interviewed system personnel daily. While
Lacey received positive feedback on its efforts within the affected neighborhood, it also learned an
important lesson about working with the media. Many unaffected consumers were unnecessarily alarmed
because lengthy television interviews were edited to short sound bites, some of which did not mention
that only 450 homes in the system's 40,000-person distribution area were affected. Lacey addressed
the misperception through the local newspaper and a special consumer hotline. This taught the City the
importance of prioritizing information for the press and making sure the press knows what information the
public critically needs.
If the media will not run a story on your violation or situation, ask an official from your emergency
management department to participate by reading the notice on the air or agreeing to an interview. The
media may be more likely to air a public notice connected to such officials.
If a 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
Public Notification Handbook 21 March 2007
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large enough that people will easily see it. Legal notices are not recommended because they rarely meet the
formatting requirements for public notices and are not widely read.
General Tips on Working with the
> Be truthful and up-front about local water quality issues.
> Don't be defensive when answering questions.
> Answer questions as well as you can, but don't be afraid to say that you need to check on
something if there is a question you can't answer (once you find the information, quickly report
back on what you've found).
> Keep in mind that reporters are not familiar with state or federal requirements for safe drinking
water - avoid technical jargon!
> Provide additional sources of information (for instance, referrals to state contacts or EPA fact
sheets).
> Be sensitive to the fact that reporters may be working on tight deadlines.
> Provide a list of the elements that the media must address to adequately inform the public about
potential risks and how to manage them.
> Don't be upset if a newspaper article isn't exactly as you would want it, but politely tell a reporter
if a significant piece of information is wrong or missing.
When you send a press release to local television and radio stations, try to get them to commit to airing the
story. Watch or listen to the news to be sure the public notice is aired. It is possible that, despite your
best attempts, the story will be incomplete or the TV/radio station will not air the notice. If this happens,
distribute a written follow-up notice as soon as possible, even if the deadline has passed. Include any
additional information that has become available since the initial notice was prepared. Although a partial
notice telling consumers what to do is better than no notice, your obligation under the PN rule is not
satisfied until a complete notice is distributed.
1 a
Notify local health professionals about the violation or situation. People may call their health care providers
with questions about how the violation or situation may affect their health, and these professionals should
have the information they need to respond appropriately. In addition, health professionals, including
dentists, use tap water during their procedures and need to make plans to use uncontaminated water.
To address sensitive populations, maintain a list of key facilities and their contacts and notify them directly.
This will be beneficial in instances where the media may be unreliable or these facilities may otherwise not
receive the notice in a timely manner.
Customers will call you with questions. The people staffing the phone lines should understand the violation
that prompted the notice, and be prepared to respond to people's concerns: what they need to do, whether
they are at risk, and how quickly the situation will be resolved (if known). Consider preparing a list of
possible questions and answers for people answering the phones.
As with the media, it is important not to be evasive or defensive in responding to questions. Remember that
some callers may not be proficient in English. You may need to have someone on your staff that is bilingual
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or enlist the help of a grassroots organization or translator. Consider asking community volunteers to
support a multi-lingual telephone bank in the event of an emergency and make sure people who answer the
phones are prepared to read or explain the entire notice to callers if necessary.
Consider providing handouts and additional information at places like the public library, town hall, and
supermarkets, etc.
Your system's web page can also be a valuable communications tool; it is a good place to furnish updates and
more detailed information after the initial notice is provided. (This is especially true in "well-connected"
communities where a high percentage of the population has Internet access. It is also appropriate for some
non-community water systems where users regularly use computers and e-mail, such as an office building, a
business or a college.) Add a date and time stamp to your page and update it frequently (even if the content
of the message does not change). People want to know that the information they are reading is as current
as possible. This could help limit the volume of calls you receive. Web products should be accessible to the
visually disabled. Most software that creates web pages or word processing software allows the text to be read
aloud by a computer.
Your primacy agency may require you to do follow-up or "problem corrected" notices for violations
or situations, particularly for Tier 1. If it does not, you should consider issuing such a notice anyway.
Sometimes, information on the source of the contamination is not available at the time of an initial notice.
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 -8 at the end of
Chapter 5 is an example of a notice for a corrected violation.
I to a
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 partnership between you and
your customers that demonstrates your commitment to providing safe water, 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 public meetings at community centers, newspaper or local TV and
radio coverage, working with local libraries to establish a reference section on the problem, or newsletters
or fact sheets 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
Public Notification Handbook 23 March 2007
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you receive a high number of calls about a notice, there is probably a need for greater public understanding
of the problem.
Another way to prevent over-reaction is to recruit spokespeople who are perceived by the public as neutral
experts to share your message. Examples include university experts with relevant expertise; local doctors and
health professionals; or leaders of local non-profit or advocacy groups with an environmental, community, or
public health focus. Communications that are solely through water system staff, politicians, and consultants
could be perceived as biased.
Begin your communications with a genuine expression of empathy. Do not try to downplay the issues that
your public expresses concern about. Instead, state your awareness and understanding of their concerns and
your commitment to keeping them informed so that they know everything that you know. People feel more
comfortable about risk when they know the people communicating with them believe their concerns are
valid.
is
Implement ongoing public education programs about contaminants for which you are 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.
Continue to demonstrate your commitment to public health. Schedule public meetings to discuss the
violation or situation and to explain necessary treatments (if they are needed) or how citizens can protect the
water supply so that future violations are less likely. Invite the public to tour your facility. Maintain good
relationships with the media or civic leaders so that they will provide fair news and information about the
water system—whether you have another PN situation or not.
Follow-up testing can help ensure that the message in the notice was received as intended and that all target
audiences understood the notice. The results of such an analysis can help mold future efforts.
* Media surveys can assess how well the information was reported by television and radio stations and the
press. Media coverage can be monitored by reviewing the Web sites of local media outlets, or purchasing
the services of media surveillance firms. Relevant information includes the frequency of stories, the media
through which they were reported, and the content of the stories (e.g., whether the most important facts
were covered or if any erroneous information was reported).
> Polling citizens can directly gauge their opinion of the outreach by determining citizens' awareness of
the violation, how they perceived the information, and if they were satisfied with and could understand
it. The telephone is the most common polling avenue; however, phone polls should be undertaken and
interpreted with caution, as the subjects of a phone survey would not include low income residents with
no telephone (door-to-door surveys are an option in these areas). Pollsters should be able to speak all of
the languages represented in the service area. Grassroots organizations may be surveyed as well.
>• To ensure accuracy and ease in developing future notices, you should evaluate your notification process
and update your contacts annually.
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Tier 1 notices must be issued for the following violations or situations and must meet the content, format,
and multilingual requirements described in Chapter 3, "Summary of Requirements" (I4l.202(a)):
> Total coliform MCL violations where fecal coliform or E. colt are present, or failure to test for fecal
coliform or E. coli when any repeat sample tests positive for coliform (some times referred to as an acute
violation of the Total Coliform Rule);
> Nitrate, nitrite, or total nitrate and nitrite MCL violations, or failure to take a confirmation sample for
nitrate or nitrite within 24 hours after learning that an initial sample exceeded the MCL;
> Exceedance of the nitrate MCL by non-community water systems that have been granted permission
by the primacy agency to continue to exceed the MCL of 10 mg/1, although they must not exceed 20
mg/1;
> Chlorine dioxide MRDL violations when one or more of the samples taken in the distribution
system exceeded the MRDL on the day after a chlorine dioxide measurement taken at the entrance to
the distribution system exceeded the MRDL, or when required samples are not taken in the distribution
system;
> Turbidity MCL violations of 5 NTU or more, if elevated to Tier 1 by the primacy agency, or if
consultation does not occur within 24 hours of the violation (see Chapter 6);
>• Treatment technique violations resulting from a single exceedance of turbidity limits, if elevated to
Tier 1 by the primacy agency, or if consultation does not occur within 24 hours of the violation (see
Chapter 6);
> The occurrence of a waterborne disease outbreak or other waterborne emergency such as a treatment
failure, chemical spill or overfeed, sewage spill, or natural disaster; and
* Other violations or situations which could cause serious health effects, as determined by your primacy
agency.
CASE STUDY
Pyblic Notification of
When a construction crew accidentally ruptured a sewer line one mile from its wellfield, the Town of
Walkersville, MD immediately issued a precautionary boil water advisory for infants, the elderly, and
people with severely compromised immune systems. While no drinking water contamination was evident,
the Town was concerned that its treatment plant might not be capable of removing or inactivating
Cryptosporidium that might be present in the sewage. To notify consumers, volunteer fire department
staff knocked on doors at 3,000 homes and businesses, and Walkersville notified the cable company and
other local media. Walkersville also provided water in tanker trucks to a local nursing home and spoke to
medical professionals in the area. Three days later, when tests of untreated well water showed increasing
bacteria concentrations (but before any contamination was detected in the finished water) the boil water
advisory was extended to all residents, including those using private wells. The volunteer fire department
again assisted with notification. Tanker trucks were set up in four locations. The advisory was rescinded
when Walkersville temporarily connected to the nearby Frederick, MD water supply. Even though
bacteria levels reached 30,000 organisms/100 ml in well water and Cryptosporidium was confirmed in the
sewage, no residents became ill due to the incident, in large part due to the early public notification and
quick response by the Town.
Public Notification Handbook 25 March 2007
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is for a Tier 1
As soon as practical but within 24 hours of learning of a violation or situation, you must:
* Issue a public notice.
* Initiate consultation with your primacy agency (I4l.202(b)).
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. Most primacy
agencies have 24-hour emergency hotlines, so consultation should be possible at any time. As a result of the
consultation, your primacy agency may set additional public notice requirements (I4l.202(b)). It may ask
you to issue repeat notices for continuing violations or situations, "problem corrected" notices, or, if your
initial notice does not meet the requirements, another initial notice. The agency may also require you to
provide notice to specific groups, such as health care providers.
Remember to send a copy of each type of notice and a certification statement to your primacy agency
within ten days after providing the initial and any repeat notice (I4l.31(d)). You must also notify new
billing customers of ongoing violations or situations for which you've previously provided notice (141.206).
of a Public (141.205(a))
1. A description of the violation or situation;
2. When the violation or situation occurred;
3. Potential adverse health effects, using language in Appendix B or language for monitoring violations;
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 or situation;
8. When you expect to return to compliance;
9. Name, business address, and phone number for additional information; and
10.Standard language encouraging distribution to all persons served, where applicable.
of I
You must use one or more of the following: broadcast media (radio and television), posting in conspicuous
locations, hand delivery, or a method approved by the primacy agency in advance or during consultation.
The method(s) you choose must be reasonably calculated to reach all persons served, including residents,
employees, and travelers. Therefore, you may need to use other methods in addition to those previously
mentioned. For instance, in a large system, you should provide the notice to local radio and television
stations; then, to reach people who don't watch or listen to the news, you should also put the notice in the
newspaper. You must use at least one of the required methods and whatever other methods are necessary to
reach all consumers (I4l.202(c)).
Be sure that people understand the importance of notifying others who may travel through the distribution
area of the violation or situation. For instance, people who patronize restaurants or work in office buildings
in the distribution area but live elsewhere may not be aware of the violation or situation. Owners of these
establishments should know what they need to tell their customers and are encouraged to tell their customers
about the violation or situation.
Public Notification Handbook 26 March 2007
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for
When choosing a method for public notification, you should consider several issues, including the
population served, population density (i.e., is the area rural, urban, or suburban), available assistance, and
your proximity to radio and television stations and newspapers.
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 of notices 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. See Chapter 4, "Making Public Notification Work - Plan in Advance," for tips on working with
the media.
The Internet offers the advantage of being very dynamic; Web sites can be updated as new information
becomes available or to address people's concerns and answer their questions. However, access to the
Internet is limited and is skewed toward affluent citizens. Add a date and time stamp to your page and
update it frequently (even if the content of the message does not change). People want to know that the
information they are reading is as current as possible. E-mail is an effective way to contact most of the
students at a college or university.
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 with
the appropriate state office to broadcast alerts on NOAA Weather Radio and NOAA Weather Wire Service.
Tips for ¥ery Community
> Here are some suggestions for these systems to use to reach the people they serve:
> Hand delivery combined with posting at grocery stores, banks, public bus stops, train stations, etc., may
be appropriate for you, especially if radio and/or TV are impractical.
> In rural areas within range of a radio or TV station in a larger town, ask the station to air the notice
(make sure that they clearly identify the area affected so as to not cause undue alarm to people in
unaffected areas). You may still need to use additional methods of notification.
> Hold community meetings, especially where consumers have low reading ability or don't speak English
(where the operator or a community member can translate).
Automatic phone dialers may be effective in large systems as a supplement to broadcast media. Some cities
and counties have a computer-based rapid-call system which can be integrated with geographic information
systems to target a specific service area. Dialers should not be relied on too heavily; consumers may hang
up on recorded messages, children may answer the phone and not transmit the message to their parents, or
residents of some homes may not speak English.
Prepare written notices on your water system's letterhead. This gives the notice additional credibility and
makes it easily recognizable as official word from the water system. Also, consider putting date on notice.
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It is strongly recommended that you folly translate Tier 1 notices into other languages or provide a phone
number for assistance in other languages if there are non-English speaking populations in your service area.
See Chapter 4 for more information on translating and getting the notice to these groups. At a minimum,
you must include some information in the appropriate language if there is a large proportion of such people
(I4l.205(c)). You may also target the blind and deaf communities and people with low reading abilities.
Selecting a Deliwery 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 or situation? Will it prominently
publish the information in a press release? Will I need to buy an ad or notice?
> Do I have the time and resources to deliver the notice door-to-door?
> Are volunteers available to assist me?
Send a broadcast e-mail or fax. Create an "address list" in your e-mail software that includes contacts at
each newspaper and radio or television station in the area. Program your fax machine with the fax numbers
of all local media contacts so that the push of a button sends the notice to all of them.
You can make door for hand delivery that will not easily blow away. Knot a rubber band through a
hole punched in the notice and put the rubber band around consumers' door knobs.
If you post a notice, be sure that the notice is durable. It should not blow away if posted outdoors.
Consider laminating notices that will be placed over sinks or outside, especially if they are likely to remain
there for an extended time.
CASE STUDY
City of Lacey, Washington
Throughout the course of an E. coli violation, the City of Lacey water system maintained close contact with
the lab, seeking its insight on tests, protocols, and ramifications. This enabled the system to make timely
decisions or at least prepare for likely outcomes. The system could then anticipate and initiate the next
outreach or public awareness piece. As soon as it became evident that repeat samples for E. coli would be
positive, the water system mobilized city employees to conduct an early evening door-to-door notification
to about 450 homes in the affected area. Employees rang doorbells to talk to residents and provided
door hangers that included a boil water order, health effects language on E. coli, and information on a
community meeting to be held the next day. City employees also staffed a hotline for consumers. Lacey
set up a temporary bulletin board in the affected neighborhood to post updates. The electronic and print
media also ran stories on the situation. When the boil water order was lifted, the system held another
meeting and again hand-delivered door hangers, which included customer evaluation forms. Ninety
percent of the respondents gave Lacey a rating of satisfactory or higher for its handling of the event, citing
the City's proactive outreach effort as the reason for the solid rating.
Public Notification Handbook 28 March 2007
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for of
Tier 1 notices should convey the urgency of the situation and make it clear to consumers what actions they
must take. Templates 1-1 through 1-9 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
1-4A contains Spanish language for a fecal coliform or E. colt notice. Make sure your notice clearly displays
the following information:
1. Title - Public notices for Tier 1 violations and situations, especially those used for posting, hand
delivery, or in a newspaper, should have an 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 for fecal coliform violations or disease outbreaks,
or "Infants under 6 months" for notices for nitrate violations. If the area you serve does not follow
municipal boundaries or if only a portion of the distribution system is affected, define the area at the top
of your notice or include a map. Titles should be in large and/or bold type and centered across the top
of the page.
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 or Situation - A short description in large type of the violation or
situation should follow instructions to consumers. As soon as consumers read "Boil Your Water" for a
fecal coliform notice, they will want to know 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 or situation should be given in the body of the notice.
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 that boiling the water will concentrate the
nitrate and may make levels even higher. For microbiological violations or waterborne disease outbreaks
or other emergencies, 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 any water you
provide meets standards. Be sure to provide instructions for those who are not at high risk as well. For
example, nitrates at levels below 20 mg/1 are not generally considered hazardous to adults. Fecal coliform
might only be present in part of the distribution system, and unaffected consumers (i.e., people outside
of a narrow area impacted who do not need to boil their water) should be told they do not need to take
action but have a right to be informed of the problem.
5. Otter 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 - do not alter the health effects language in any way); the date the violation or situation
occurred; corrective action you are taking; when you expect to return to compliance or resolve the
situation; and the name, address, and phone number of a person to contact for more information. If you
are coordinating with the local health department, you may wish to also list its phone number.
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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 or other situation and what is
necessary to resolve it. It also reinforces the fact that drinking water is a vulnerable resource that must be
protected and that treatment can be costly.
7. Public Water System ID Number/Date of Distribution— 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. Also include the date you distributed the notice.
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Tier 1 notices must be issued for the following violations or situations:
* Total coliform MCL violations where fecal coliform or E. coli are present, or failure to test for fecal
coliform or E. coli when any repeat sample tests positive for coliform (some times referred to as an acute
violation of the Total Coliform Rule);
> Nitrate, nitrite, or total nitrate and nitrite MCL violations, or failure to take a confirmation sample for
nitrate or nitrite within 24 hours after learning that an initial sample exceeded the MCL;
> Exceedance of the nitrate MCL by non-community water systems that have been granted permission
by the primacy agency to continue to exceed the MCL of 10 mg/1, although they must not exceed 20
rng/1;
> Chlorine dioxide MKDL violations when one or more of the samples taken in the distribution
system exceeded the MRDL on the day after a chlorine dioxide measurement taken at the entrance to
the distribution system exceeded the MRDL, or when required samples are not taken in the distribution
system;
> Turbidity MCL violations of 5 NTU or more, if elevated to Tier 1 by the primacy agency, or if
consultation does not occur within 24 hours of the violation (see Chapter 6);
> Treatment technique violations resulting from a single exceedance of turbidity limits, if elevated to
Tier 1 by the primacy agency, or if consultation does not occur within 24 hours of the violation (see
Chapter 6);
> The occurrence of a waterborne disease outbreak or other waterborne emergency such as a treatment
failure, chemical spill or overfeed, sewage spill, or natural disaster; and
> Other violations or situations which could cause serious health effects, as determined by your primacy
agency.
The pages that follow contain templates for these Tier 1 violations or situations, as listed below. Along with
each template are instructions, including the required method of delivery and suggestions for completing
individual sections of the notice. These instructions are designed to supplement Chapter 5, so you may see
much of the information repeated here.
Mandatory language on health effects, which must be included as written with blanks filled in, is
presented in italics (I4l.205(d)).
You must also include the following italicized language in all notices, where applicable (I4l.205(d)). Use of
this language does not relieve you of your obligation to take steps reasonably calculated to notify all persons
served:
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may
not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and
businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
Public Notification Handbook 31 March 2007
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Templates
Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice-Template 1-1
Spanish Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice-Template 1-1A
Nitrate Failure to Take a Confirmation Sample Notice-Template 1-2
Non-community PWSs Allowed Up to 20 mg/L Nitrate Notice-Template 1-3
Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice-Template 1-4
Spanish Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice-Template 1-4A
Waterborne Disease Outbreak Notice-Template 1-5
IESWTR or LTl CFE Maximum Turbidity Exceedance, or Turbidity Single Exceedance as Tier 1
Notice-Template 1-6
Chlorine Dioxide MRDL (Tier 1) Notice-Template 1-7
Tier 1 "Problem Corrected" Notice-Template 1-8
Public Notification Handbook 32 March 2007
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Instructions for Nitrate MCL Exceedance 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
persons served as soon as practical but within 24 hours after you learn of the violation (141.202(b)). 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 total nitrate and nitrite violations. You must use one or more of the
following methods to deliver the notice to consumers (141.202(c)):
Radio
Television
Hand or direct delivery
Posting in conspicuous locations
You may need to use additional methods (e.g., newspaper, delivery of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics, or
apartment buildings), since notice must be provided in a manner reasonably calculated to reach all persons served.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or a newspaper notice. However, you may wish to modify it
before using it for a radio or TV notice. If you do, you must still include all required elements and leave the health
effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)). If you post or hand deliver, print your
notice on letterhead, if available.
Alternative Sources of Water
If you are providing alternative sources of water for infants, your notice should say where it can be obtained.
Remember that bottled water can also be contaminated. If you are providing bottled water, make sure it meets the
standard for nitrates by contacting the bottler and asking for the most recent test results.
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:
You were initially notified of high nitrate levels on [give date]. Since that time we have 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 prior to
[year] we were meeting drinking water standards for nitrate.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. The bullet below describes one action commonly taken by
water systems with nitrate/nitrite violations. You can 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, mixing the water
with low-nitrate water from another source, or buying water from another water system.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met all the
public notice requirements within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)). You should also issue a follow-up
notice in addition to meeting any repeat notice requirements your primacy agency sets.
You should notify health professionals in the area of the violation. People may call their doctors with questions, and
the doctors should have the information they need to respond appropriately. They also need to make sure the water
is not provided to infants in their care.
Public Notification Handbook
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March 2007
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Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice - Template 1-1
DRINKING WATER WARNING
[System] water has high levels of nitrate -
DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD
OR USE IT TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA
Water sample results received [give date] showed nitrate levels of [level and units]. This is
above the nitrate standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), of [state/federal MCL]. Nitrate
in drinking water is a serious health concern for infants less than six months old.
Nitrate in drinking water can come from natural, industrial, or agricultural sources (including
septic systems and run-off). Levels of nitrate in drinking water can vary throughout the year.
What should I do? What does this mean?
• DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS. 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, seek medical
attention immediately.
Water, juice, and formula for children under six months of age should not be prepared with
tap water. Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used for infants until further
notice.
DO NOT BOIL THE WATER. Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not
reduce the nitrate level. Excessive boiling can make the nitrates more concentrated,
because nitrates remain behind when the water evaporates.
• Adults and children older than six months can drink the tap water (nitrate is a concern for
infants because they can't process nitrates in the same way adults can). However, if you are
pregnant or have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor.
What is being done?
[Describe corrective action and when system expects to return to compliance.]
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
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Instructions for Spanish Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice - Template 1-1A
Template on Reverse
The template on reverse is a Spanish translation of Template 1-1 for nitrate. All the instructions
of Template 1-1 apply. This template is an exact translation of the English template, so if you
need to modify the English templates, you should modify this template accordingly. Schools or
universities may be able to provide low cost translations. See Chapter 4 for suggestions on
creating effective multilingual notices.
Public Notification Handbook
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March 2007
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Spanish Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice - Template 1-1A
AVISO SOBRE SU AGUA POTABLE
Agua del sistema [system name] tiene altos niveles de nitrates -
NO DAR DE BEBER ESTA AGUA A BEBES MENORES DE 6
MESES DE EDAD Nl USARLA PARA HACER LECHE DE
FORMULA
Resultados de mustras de agua recibidos en [date of violation in Spanish (day-month-year)] muestran
concentraciones 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]. Nitrates en agua
potable puede generar series problemas de salud para bebes menores de 6 meses de edad.
Nitrates en el agua pueden provenirde fuentes naturales, industriales orde la agricultura (incluyendo
descargas de tanques septicos y lluvias). Las concentraciones de nitrates en el agua potable varian a lo
largo del ano.
debo hacer? <-,Que es la significa de este?
NO LE DE ESTA AGUA A BEBES. Bebes menores de seis (6) meses que ingieran agua con
nitratos en exceso del nivel maximo de contaminacion (NMC) se pueden enfermar seriamente
y, de no ser tratados, pueden morir. Los sintomas incluyen dificultad en respirar y sindrome
de bebe azul. El sindrome de bebe azul se refiere al color azulado que toma la piel del bebe. Los
sintomas en los bebes pueden desarrollarse con rapidez, con el deterioro de su salud en los dias
subsiguientes. Si los sintomas ocurren en infantes menores de seis (6) meses de edad, busque
atencion medica inmediatamente.
Agua, jugo o leche en polvo para bebes menores de seis (6) meses de edad no debe prepararse con
agua del grifo. Debe emplear agua embotellada u otra agua baja en nitratos hasta proximo aviso.
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 concentration de nitratos, debido a que los
nitratos permanecen cuando parte del agua se evapora.
Adultos e infantes mayores de seis (6) meses de edad pueden tomar el agua del grifo. (Los nitratos
son peligrosos para los bebes debido a que ellos no pueden procesar los nitratos de la misma
manera que los adultos). Sin embargo, si usted esta embarazada o tiene algun problema de salud
en particular, puede optar por hacer una consulta con su medico.
se esta haciendo al respecto?
[Describe corrective action and when the system expects to return to compliance in Spanish.]
Para mayor informacion, favor contactar a [name of contact] al telefono [phone number] o escribiendo a
[mailing address].
Por favor comparta esta informacion con otros que pueden tomar de esta agua, colocando este aviso
en lugares visibles, o remitiendolo por correo, o entregandolo manualmente. Es de particular interes
distribuir este aviso ampliamente si usted lo recibe representando un negocio, un hospital u hogar de
infantes u hogar de ancianos o comunidad residencial.
Este aviso ha sido enviado a usted por [system]. Numero de Identification : .
Fecha de distribution: .
Public Notification Handbook
36
March 2007
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Instructions for Nitrate Failure to Take a Confirmation Sample Notice - Template 1-2
Template on Reverse
Since failure to take a confirmation sample for nitrate within 24 hours after learning that an initial sample
exceeded the MCL is a Tier 1 violation, you must provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical
but within 24 hours after you learn of the violation (141.202(b)). 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 total nitrate and nitrite violations. You must use one or more of the following methods to
deliver the notice to consumers (141.202(c)):
Radio
Television
Hand or direct delivery
Posting in conspicuous locations
You may need to use additional methods (e.g., newspaper, delivery of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics, or
apartment buildings), since notice must be provided in a manner reasonably calculated to reach all persons
served.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or a newspaper notice. However, you may wish to
modify it before using it for a radio or TV notice. If you do, you must still include all required elements and leave
the health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)). If you post or hand
deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available.
Alternative Sources of Water
If you are providing alternative sources of water for infants, your notice should say where it can be obtained.
Remember that bottled water can also be contaminated. If you are providing bottled water, make sure it meets
the standard for nitrates by contacting the bottler and asking for the most recent test results.
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:
You were initially notified of our system's failure to take a confirmation sample following high nitrate level on
[give date]. Since that time we have taken a confirmation sample on [give date] that also resulted in a high
nitrate level. We are currently 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 prior to [year] we were meeting drinking water standards for
nitrate.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. The bullet below describes one action commonly
taken by water systems with nitrate/nitrite violations. You can use the following language, if appropriate, or
develop your own:
We are in the process of collecting a confirmation sample to determine if we have high nitrate levels. If the
sample shows we are meeting our drinking water standards, you will not receive another notice. However,
if the sample shows that we do have high nitrate levels in our water, another notification will be issued
within 24 hours after we receive the results
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met all
the public notice requirements within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)). You should also issue a
follow-up notice in addition to meeting any repeat notice requirements your primacy agency sets.
You should notify health professionals in the area of the violation. People may call their doctors with questions,
and the doctors should have the information they need to respond appropriately. They also need to make sure
Public Notification Handbook
37
March 2007
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Nitrate Failure to Take a Confirmation Sample Notice - Template 1-2
DRINKING WATER WARNING
[System] did not take a confirmation sample to determine if the
water has high levels of nitrate -
DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD
OR USE IT TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA
We are required to monitor your drinking water for nitrate on a regular basis. Results of regular
monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets health standards. Water
sample results received on [give date] showed nitrate levels of above the nitrate standard, or
maximum contaminant level (MCL), of [MCL]. We were required to take a confirmation sample
within 24 hours. We did not complete the required confirmation sample monitoring and therefore
cannot be sure of the quality of our drinking water during that time. Nitrate in drinking water is a
serious health concern for infants less than six months old.
Nitrate in drinking water can come from natural, industrial, or agricultural sources (including septic
systems and run-off). Levels of nitrate in drinking water can vary throughout the year.
What should I do? What does this mean?
• DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS. 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, seek medical attention immediately.
Water, juice, and formula for children under six months of age should not be prepared with tap water.
Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used for infants until further notice.
DO NOT BOIL THE WATER. Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not reduce the
nitrate level. Excessive boiling can make the nitrates more concentrated, because nitrates remain
behind when the water evaporates.
Adults and children older than six months can drink the tap water (nitrate is a concern for infants
because they can't process nitrates in the same way adults can). However, if you are pregnant or
have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor.
What is being done?
[Describe corrective action and when system expects to return to compliance.] After receiving the results
of our first sample, we failed to collect a second sample within 24 hours to confirm the results of the first
sample. We have since collected the second sample and are waiting for the results.
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not
have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and
businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system].
Date distributed:
State Water System ID#:.
Public Notification Handbook
38
March 2007
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Instructions for Non-community PWSs Allowed Up to 20 mg/L Nitrate Notice -
Template 1-3
Template on Reverse
Non-community water systems that have received approval by their primacy agency to exceed the nitrate
maximum contaminant level of 10 mg/l but no more than 20 mg/l are required to provide Tier 1
notification. You do not incur a violation but are still required to provide public notice to persons served
as soon as practical but within no more than 24 hours of learning of the situation (141.202(b)). You must
use one or more of the following methods to deliver the notice to consumers (141.202(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
Radio
Television
You may need to use additional methods if needed to reach all persons served.
The language encouraging distribution of the notice is included on this template; however, if you post this
notice, omit the mandatory language to encourage distribution. If you modify the notice, you must leave
the health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)).
Alternative Sources of Water
If you are selling or providing bottled water, your notice should say where it can be obtained. Remember
that bottled water can also be contaminated. If you are providing bottled water, make sure it meets U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and/or state bottled water safety standards.
Continuous Notices
As long as nitrate levels exceed 10 mg/L, continuous posting of this notice is a requirement (141.209(b))
After Issuing the Notice
Be sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met
all the public notification requirements within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)).
Public Notification Handbook
39
March 2007
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Non-community PWSs Allowed Up to 20 mg/L Nitrate Notice - Template 1-3
DRINKING WATER WARNING
[System] water has high levels of nitrate -
DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD
OR USE IT TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA
Water sample results show nitrate levels of [level and units]. This is above the nitrate standard
or maximum contaminant level (MCL), of 10 mg/l. Nitrate in drinking water is a serious health
concern for infants less than six months old.
We have been given permission by [primacy agency] to provide water in excess of the standard
as long as:
Nitrate levels do not exceed 20 mg/l.
The water is not made available to children under 6 months of age.
We continuously post this notice meeting all public notice requirements.
Local and state health officers are notified annually.
No adverse health effects result.
What should I do? What does this mean?
• DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS. 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, seek medical
attention immediately.
Water, juice, and formula for children under six months of age should not be prepared with
tap water. Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used for infants until further
notice.
DO NOT BOIL THE WATER. Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not
reduce the nitrate level. Excessive boiling can make the nitrates more concentrated,
because nitrates remain behind when the water evaporates.
• Adults and children older than six months can drink the tap water (nitrate is a concern for
infants because they can't process nitrates in the same way adults can). However, if you are
pregnant or have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor.
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system].
Date distributed:
State Water System ID#:
Public Notification Handbook
40
March 2007
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Instructions for Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice - Template 1-4
Template on Reverse
Since exceeding the fecal coliform or E. coli maximum contaminant level is a Tier 1 violation, you must
provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 24 hours after you learn of the
violation (141.202(b)). During this time, you must also contact your primacy agency. You should also
coordinate with your local health department. You may also have to modify the template if you also have
high nitrate levels or other coliform MCL violations. You must use one or more of the following methods to
deliver the notice to consumers (141.202(c)):
Radio
Television
Hand or direct delivery
Posting in conspicuous locations
You may need to use additional methods (e.g., newspaper, delivery of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics,
or apartment buildings), since notice must be provided in a manner reasonably calculated to reach all
persons served.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or a newspaper notice. However, you may wish
to modify it before using it for a radio or TV notice. If you do, you must still include all required elements
and leave the health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)). If
you post or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if you have it.
Population Served
Make sure it is clear who is served by your water system-you may need to list the areas 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. coli violations. You can use one or more of the following
actions, if appropriate, or develop your own:
We are chlorinating and flushing the water system.
We are switching to an alternate drinking water source.
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 each type of notice and a certification that you have met all the public notice requirements
to your primacy agency within ten days from the time you issue the notice (141.31(d)).
It is recommended that you notify health professionals in the area of the violation. People may call their
doctors with questions about how the violation may affect their health, and the doctors should have the
information they need to respond appropriately. In addition, health professionals, including dentists, use
tap water during their procedures and need to know of contamination so they can use bottled water.
It is a good idea to issue a "problem corrected" notice when the violation is resolved. See Template 1-8.
Public Notification Handbook
41
March 2007
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Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice- Template 1-4
DRINKING WATER WARNING
[System] water is contaminated with [fecal coliform/E. coli]
BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING
Fecal coliform [or E. coli] bacteria were found in the water supply on [give date]. These bacteria
can make you sick, and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems.
Bacterial contamination can occur when increased run-off enters the drinking water source (for
example, following heavy rains). It can also happen due to a break in the distribution system
(pipes) or a failure in the water treatment process.
What should I do? What does this mean?
• DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it
boil for one minute, and let it 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. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
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. 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 being done?
[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 within [estimated time frame].
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the
EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
Public Notification Handbook 42 March 2007
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Instructions for Spanish Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice - Template 1-4A
Template on Reverse
The template on reverse is a Spanish translation of Template 1-4 for fecal coliform or E. coli. All
the instructions of Template 1-4 apply. This template is an exact translation of the English
template, so if you need to modify the English templates, you should modify this template
accordingly. Schools or universities may be able to provide low cost translations. See Chapter 4
for suggestions on creating effective multilingual notices.
Public Notification Handbook
43
March 2007
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Spanish Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice - Template 1-4A
AVISO SOBRE SU AGUA POTABLE
El Agua del Sistema [system name] esta contaminado con
[bacterias coliformes fecales/E. coli]
HIERVAN EL AGUA ANTES DE USARLA
Bacterias coliformes fecales (o E. coli) fueron encontradas en su servicio de agua el dia [date of
violation in Spanish (day-month-year)]. Estas bacterias pueden enfermarle, y son
especialmente peligrosas para personas con las defensas bajas o sistemas imunologicos
debiles.
Contamination bacteriana puede ocurrir cuando exceso de aguas rebasan sus cauces y entran
a las fuentes de agua potable (por ejemplo, luego de una lluvia fuerte). Tambien pueden ocurrir
cuando se rompe un sistema de recoleccion de aguas negras, o cuando hay una falla en el
tratamiento de agua.
debo hacer? <-,Que es la significa de este?
NO BEBA EL AGUA SIN ANTES HERVIRLA. Hierva toda el agua, dejela hervir por un
minuto, y dejela reposar antes de usarla, o utilize agua embotellada. Agua hervida o
embotellada debe ser usada para beber, hacer hielo, lavarse los dientes, lavar los platos y
para preparar la comida hasta proximo aviso. Hierviendo morta a bacteria y otros
organismos en el agua.
Coliformes fecales o E. coli son bacterias cuya presencia indica que el agua esta
contaminada con desechos humanos o de an/males. Microbios de esos desechos pueden
causar diarrhea, colicos, nausea, do/ores de cabeza u otros sintomas. Pueden representar
un peligro para la salud de bebes, ninos y ninas de corta edad y personas con sistemas
immunologicos en alto riesgo.
Los sintomas descritos arriba no ocurren solamente debido a los microbios. Tambien
pueden ser causados por otros motivos. Si usted siente estos sintomas y estos persisten,
usted puede optar por hacer una consulta con su medico. Personas en situaciones de alto
riesgo deben consultar con sus proveedores de servicios medicos.
se esta haciendo al respecto?
[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 of expected resolution in Spanish day-month-year].
Para mayor informacion, por favor pongase en contacto con [contact name] al [phone number]
o escribiendo a [mailing address].
Por favor comparta esta informacion con otros que pueden tomar de esta agua, colocando este
aviso en lugares visibles, o remitiendolo por correo, o entregandolo manualmente. Es de
particular interes distribuir este aviso ampliamente si usted lo recite representando un negocio,
un hospital u hogar de infantes u hogar de ancianos o comunidad residencial.
Este aviso ha sido enviado a usted por [system]. Numero de Identification : .
Fecha de distribution:
Public Notification Handbook 44 March 2007
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Instructions for Waterborne Disease Outbreak Notice - Template 1-5
Template on Reverse
Since a waterborne disease outbreak is a Tier 1 situation, you must provide public notice to persons served as
soon as practical but within 24 hours after you learn of the situation (141.202(b)). You must contact your
primacy agency during this time. You should coordinate with your local health department as well. You must
also issue a public notice if you are experiencing a waterborne emergency other than a waterborne
disease outbreak, such as one caused by flooding or treatment failure. In such cases, you may be able
to modify this template to apply to your situation. Check with your primacy agency for more direction. More
information on waterborne disease outbreaks and emergencies is available from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/health/diseases.htm, 1 (800) 311-3435). For a waterborne disease
outbreak or other emergency, you must use one or more of the following methods to deliver the notice to
consumers (141.202(c)):
Radio
Television
Hand or direct delivery
Posting in conspicuous locations
You may need to use additional methods (e.g., newspaper, delivery of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics, or
apartment buildings), since notice must be provided in a manner reasonably calculated to reach all persons
served. If you post or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available. The notice on the reverse is
appropriate for hand delivery or a newspaper notice. However, you may wish to modify it before using it for a
radio, TV notice, or posting.
Describing the Outbreak
If known, list any organisms detected, the number of affected people, any water treatment problems
contributing to the waterborne disease 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 areas 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. You can use one or more of the following actions, if
appropriate, or develop your own:
We are repairing our filtration system.
We are increasing sampling for disease-causing organisms.
Make sure to send a copy of each type of notice and a statement certifying that you've met all public notification
requirements to your primacy agency within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)). It is a good idea to
issue a "problem corrected" notice when the waterborne disease outbreak is under control. See Template 1-8.
It is recommended that you notify health professionals in the area of the outbreak. People may call their doctors
with questions about how the situation may affect their health, and the doctors should have the information they
need to respond appropriately. In addition, health professionals, including dentists, use tap water during their
procedures and need to know of contamination so they can use bottled water.
Public Notification Handbook
45
March 2007
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Waterborne Disease Outbreak Notice - Template 1-5
DRINKING WATER WARNING
BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING
Disease-causing organisms have entered [system's] water
supply.
These organisms are causing illness in people served by [system]. We learned of a
waterborne disease outbreak from [agency] on [give date].
What should I do? What does this mean?
• DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a
boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it 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. Boiling kills bacteria and other
organisms in the water.
• [Describe symptoms of the waterborne disease.] If you experience one or more of
these symptoms and they persist, contact your doctor. People with severely
compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk.
These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care
providers.
What is being done?
[Describe the corrective action and when the outbreak might end.]
We will inform you when you no longer need to boil your water.
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing
address]. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are
available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water,
especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people
in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting
this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
Public Notification Handbook 46 March 2007
-------
Instructions for IESWTR or LT1 CFE Maximum Turbidity Exceedance, or Turbidity
Single Exceedance as Tier 1 Notice - Template 1-6
Template on Reverse
If your primacy agency has designated this turbidity single exceedance as a Tier 1 violation (141.202(a)),
you must provide public notice to persons served within 24 hours after it has been designated Tier 1
(141.202(b)). Turbidity violations are Tier 2 by default, but may frequently be elevated to Tier 1 by your
primacy agency. In addition, violations are automatically elevated if you are unable to consult with your
primacy agency within 24 hours. In such cases, you must issue a notice within the next 24 hours.
You may elevate the violation to Tier 1 yourself as well. 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 (141.202(c)):
Radio
Television
Hand or direct delivery
Posting in conspicuous locations
You may need to use additional methods (e.g., newspaper, delivery of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics,
or apartment buildings), since notice must be provided in a manner reasonably calculated to reach all
persons served. If you post or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if you have it.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or a newspaper notice. However, you may wish
to modify it before using it fora 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 (141.205(d)).
Population Served
Make sure it is clear who is served by your water system-you may need to list the areas you serve.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken
by water systems with a single turbidity exceedance. You can use one or more of the following actions, if
appropriate, or develop your own:
We are adding chemicals that reduce turbidity.
We are sampling both untreated and treated water for the presence of coliform bacteria.
We are monitoring chlorine levels and will adjust them as needed to compensate for filtration
problems.
We are inspecting and repairing 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. In addition, run-off from parts of the watershed could contain increased concentrations of
sediment and animal waste.
After Issuing the Notice
Send a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met public notice requirements to
your primacy agency within ten days after you issue the notice (141.31(d)). It is a good idea to issue a
"problem corrected" notice when the violation is resolved. See Template 1-8.
It recommended that you notify health professionals in the area of the violation. People may call their
doctors with questions about how the violation may affect their health, and the doctors should have the
information they need to respond appropriately. In addition, health professionals, including dentists, use
tap water during their procedures and need to know of potential microbiological contamination so they
can use bottled water.
Public Notification Handbook
47
March 2007
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IESWTR or LT1 CFE Maximum Turbidity Exceedance, or Turbidity Single Exceedance
as Tier 1 Notice - Template 1-6
DRINKING WATER WARNING
[System] has high turbidity levels
BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING
We routinely monitor your water for turbidity (cloudiness). This tells us whether we are
effectively filtering the water supply. A water sample taken [give date] showed turbidity levels of
[number] turbidity units. This is above the standard of [standard] turbidity units. Because of
these high levels of turbidity, there is an increased chance that the water may contain disease-
causing organisms.
What should I do? What does this mean?
• DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it
boil for one minute, and let it 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.
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. People with
severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk.
These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience
any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice.
What is being done?
[Describe corrective action and when the system expects to return to compliance.]
We will inform you when turbidity returns to appropriate levels and when you no longer need to
boil your water.
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the
EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
Public Notification Handbook
48
March 2007
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Instructions for Chlorine Dioxide MRDL (Tier 1) Notice - Template 1-7
Template on Reverse
Since exceeding the chlorine dioxide MRDL when one or more of the samples taken in the distribution system
on the day after exceeding the MRDL at the entrance of the distribution system or when required samples are
not taken in the distribution system is a Tier 1 violation, you must provide public notice to persons served as
soon as practical but within 24 hours after you learn of the violation (141.202(b)). (Exceeding the chlorine
dioxide MRDL at the entry point to the distribution system only is a Tier 2 violation; modify this template or
Template 2-3 to create a Tier 2 notice.) You must also contact your primacy agency within 24 hours of
learning of the violation or situation. You should also coordinate with your local health department. You must
use one or more of the following methods to deliver the notice to consumers (141.202(c)):
Radio
Television
Hand or direct delivery
Posting in conspicuous locations
You may need to use additional methods (e.g., newspaper, delivery of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics, or
apartment buildings), since notice must be provided in a manner reasonably calculated to reach all persons
served. If you post or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if you have it.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or a newspaper notice. However, you may wish to
modify it before using it for a radio or TV notice. If you do, you must still include all required elements and leave
the health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)).
Alternative Sources of Water
If you are selling or providing bottled water, your notice should say where it can be obtained. Remember that
bottled water can also be contaminated or be high in chlorine dioxide if the bottler uses municipal water. Make
sure the bottled water meets the standard by contacting the bottler and asking for the most recent test results.
Population at Risk
The language on the reverse lists "young children" as one of the groups at increased risk. Because the
potential health effects of chlorine dioxide are based on tests on laboratory animals, there is no way to
determine at exactly what age the water is safe to drink. If your consumers have questions, encourage them to
err on the side of caution.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by
water systems with chlorine dioxide violations. You can use one or more of the following actions, if appropriate,
or develop your own:
We are resetting the generator to generate the correct amount of chlorine dioxide.
We are repairing the generator.
We have already fixed the problem but it will take additional time for the extra chlorine dioxide to be flushed
from the distribution system (pipes).
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met all
the public notice requirements within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)). You should also issue a
follow-up notice in addition to meeting any repeat notice requirements your primacy agency sets.
It is a good idea to issue a "problem corrected" notice when the violation is resolved. See Template 1-8.
It recommended that you notify health professionals in the area of the violation. People may call their doctors
with questions about how the violation may affect their health, and the doctors should have the information they
need to respond appropriately.
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Chlorine Dioxide MRDL (Tier 1) Notice - Template 1-7
DRINKING WATER WARNING
PREGNANT WOMEN AND YOUNG CHILDREN
SHOULD NOT DRINK THE WATER
Sampling results received [give date] showed chlorine dioxide levels of [level and units]. This is
above the standard, or maximum residual disinfectant level (MRDL) of 0.8 milligrams per liter.
Chlorine dioxide is used for disinfection, but too much of it over a short period of time may harm
the development of children, infants, and fetuses.
Chlorine dioxide is used in small amounts every day to kill bacteria and other organisms that
may be in your drinking water. A problem occurred with our chlorine dioxide generator, and too
much chlorine dioxide was released.
What should I do? What does this mean?
• DO NOT USE THIS WATER IF YOU ARE PREGNANT OR GIVE IT TO YOUNG
CHILDREN. Bottled water should be used until further notice. 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. There are
no obvious symptoms, but chlorine dioxide can affect development of the nervous system.
Water, juice, and formula for young children and for pregnant women should not be
prepared with tap water.
• Adults who are not pregnant and older children can drink the tap water because their
nervous systems are already developed. However, if you have specific health concerns, you
may wish to consult your doctor.
What is being done?
[Describe corrective action and when you expect to return to compliance.]
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
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Instructions for Tier 1 "Problem Corrected" Notice - Template 1-8
Template on Reverse
It is a good idea to issue a notice when a serious violation or situation 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 use the same delivery methods you used for the original notice.
Radio
Television
Newspaper
Hand or direct delivery
Posting in conspicuous locations
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. If you post or hand deliver, print your notice
on letterhead, if available.
The notice on the reverse is very general and can be used for any violation or situation. 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 or situation again and discuss
how the problem was solved.
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'Problem Corrected" Notice - Template 1-8
DRINKING WATER PROBLEM CORRECTED
Customers of [system] were notified on [give date] of a problem with our drinking water
and were advised to [describe recommended action]. We are pleased 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.
[Add further details here when appropriate.]
As always, you may contact [contact name] at [phone number] or [mailing address] with
any comments or questions.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water,
especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people
in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting
this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system].
Date distributed:
State Water System ID#:
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Tier 2 notices must meet the content, format, and multilingual requirements described in detail in Chapter
3 and are required for the following violations or situations (I4l.203(a)):
> Maximum contaminant level (MCL), maximum residual disinfectant level (MRDL), and treatment
technique requirement violations, except where Tier 1 notification is required by regulation or by the
primacy agency;
> Monitoring or testing procedure violations (if required by the primacy agency); and
* Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of a variance or exemption.
Tier 2 violations are considered less urgent than Tier 1 violations or situations because there is little
immediate risk to consumers, or because the system may have already returned to compliance by the time
the notice is issued. Primacy agencies may have more stringent requirements.
is for a Tier 2
Tier 2 notices must be issued as soon as practical but within 30 days after a violation is discovered
(I4l.203(b)).
For any unresolved violation, following an initial Tier 2 notice, you must repeat the notice every three
months for as long as the violation persists. You are not in compliance again until your primacy agency
determines you are. Posted notices must remain posted for as long as the violation persists. If the violation
is already resolved when you post the notice, you must post the notice for at least seven days (1.4l.203(b)).
You must also notify new billing customers or units of any ongoing violations for which you have
previously provided notice prior to or at the time their service begins (141.206).
Remember to send a copy of the notice and a certification statement to your primacy agency within ten
days after providing the initial and any repeat notice to the public (141.31 (d)).
of a Pyblic (141.205(a))
1. A description of the violation;
2. When the violation occurred;
3. Potential adverse health effects, using language in Appendix B or language for monitoring violations;
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. Name, business address, and phone number for additional information; and
10. Standard language encouraging distribution to all persons served, where applicable.
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a Tier 2 be to Tier 1?
Every violation is unique, and primacy agencies will consider several factors in deciding whether a violation
should be elevated. For example, cases where a turbidity exceedance is significantly higher than the limit or
exceeds the limit over the course of multiple measurements are more likely to be elevated to Tier 1.
Primacy agencies may also review the amount of disinfection that occurs after filtration and the current and
historical quality of your source water. The determination may also depend on the type of filtration in place
and your system's turbidity limits.
The primacy agency may also elevate Tier 2 violations to Tier 1 based on the results of consultations required
under other rules, such as the Total Coliform Rule and Surface Water Treatment Rule. (These rules require
you to report coliform MCLs and treatment technique violations to your primacy agency as soon as possible
but no later than the end of the next business day. These reporting requirements are separate from those
in the Public Notification Ride and are intended to allow primacy agencies to oversee corrective actions,
but states may also use these conditions to elevate Tier 2 violations to Tier 1.) For coliform violations, if
the percentage of samples testing positive for coliform is significantly higher than the MCL, if coliform
is present in multiple areas of the distribution system, or if coliforms are linked to a break in distribution
system integrity, primacy agencies will be more likely to require Tier 1 notice.
24-Hoyr for Turbidity
Systems with certain violations involving exceedance of turbidity limits must consult with their primacy
agencies as soon as practical but no later than 24 hours after learning of the violation (141,203(b)). This
requirement applies to: (1) treatment technique violations resulting from single exceedances of turbidity
limits (5 NTU) under the Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), (2) treatment technique violations resulting
from single exceedances of turbidity limits (1 NTU) under the Interim Enhanced SWTR or the Long Term 1
Enhanced SWTR, and (3) turbidity MCL violations determined by the average of turbidity measurements
over two consecutive days (5 NTU). It does not apply to violations of monthly turbidity requirements. As a
result of this consultation, primacy agencies may decide to elevate such violations to Tier 1. If consultation
does not occur, the violation automatically is elevated to Tier 1. You have 24 hours from the time the
violation is elevated to issue the notice.
Remember, as the system operator, you are a guardian of the quality of your water supply and of public
health. If you believe that a violation or situation warrants 24-hour notice, you can issue a notice at any
time, elevating the violation to Tier 1 yourself. You do not have to wait for the primacy agency to make a
determination. Depending on the severity of the violation or situation, you may also choose to issue a Tier 2
notice in much less than 30 days.
of I
Unless directed otherwise by the primacy agency, if you operate a community water system, you must
provide notice by (I4l.203(c)):
1. Mail or other direct delivery to each customer receiving a bill and other service connections to which
water is delivered, and
2. Any other method reasonably calculated to reach others regularly served, if they would not normally
be reached by the method above. Such people include those who do not pay water bills or do not have
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sendee connection addresses, (e.g., tenants, college students, nursing home patients, prison inmates).
Methods may include publication in a local newspaper, posting in public places, delivery of multiple
copies to landlords or office building managers, or delivery to community organizations.
Unless directed otherwise by the primacy agency, if you operate a non-community water system, you must
provide notice by the following methods (I4l.203(c):
1. Posting the notice in conspicuous locations throughout the system or by direct delivery or mail to each
customer and known sendee connection, and
2. Any other method reasonably calculated to reach others served, if they would not normally be reached
by the method above. Such people may include those who may not see a posted notice because it is not
in a location they routinely pass by. 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 (e.g., community centers).
If you are a transient system, you may also refer to the "Public Notification Handbook for Transient Non-
Community Water Systems" (EPA 816-R-07-004) for information specific to transient water systems.
For both system types, there may be a few cases where you would 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 probably be sufficient to reach all persons served. Consult your primacy agency
if there are other delivery methods you believe would be more effective in your situation; they may allow
alternate methods of delivery.
for
If you mail the notice, send it to all service connections, if possible, and not just billing customers, since
there may be many people in addition to your billing customers who drink your water. Billing customers
can be reached via inserts in their water bills, if the bills are distributed and received within 30 days of the
violation. Be sure to tell owners or managers of businesses, home-owners' associations, apartment buildings,
or resort rental properties to pass the information along to their employees and tenants. You may wish to
send multiple copies of the notice to building managers. See Chapter 3 for a discussion of standard language
to encourage distribution to all persons served.
If you post a notice, be sure it is durable. It should not blow away if posted outdoors. Consider laminating
notices that will be placed over sinks or outside, especially if they are likely to remain there for an extended
time.
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 an 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.
E-mail is an effective way to contact most of the students at a college or university.
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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.
Consider holding public meetings in neighborhoods throughout your sendee area. This is especially
beneficial for ongoing situations, or where additional treatment may be needed (and could impact their
water rates). Coordinate with churches, civic centers, and local politicians to secure space and recruit
attendees.
Tips for ¥ery Commynity
> Compare the costs of mailing and labor for hand delivery before choosing a method.
> Hand delivery may not be necessary to meet your deadline, but it may be cheaper or less time-
consuming than putting together a mailing.
> Alternatively, if your notice deadline coincides with your billing schedule, you may be able to include
your notice in the bill at no extra cost.
> Supplement with posting in common areas and gathering places, such as banks, grocery stores, and
restaurants.
> Ask your local newspaper to write a story on the violation (let the reporter know which elements must
be included), or purchase an ad to publish the notice.
for of
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 happened and why? 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 2-14 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, suppose 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. If this is a repeat
notice, explain why the violation continues (e.g., you are in the process of installing new treatment). If
the violation is intermittent, explain that the water is in and out of compliance with standards, or (if
appropriate) that the contamination levels are only slightly above allowable standards.
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The message should also vary depending on the contaminant. For instance, several inorganic and
radioactive chemicals, such as arsenic and radium, are naturally occurring. This fact can help in
explaining the options for treatment. For example, it may be difficult to drill a new well if high
contaminant levels occur throughout an aquifer. Disinfection byproducts, on the other hand, form when
naturally occurring organic matter combines with disinfectants added to kill microorganisms. You should
explain that the risk of disease from drinking water that is not disinfected is more immediate than that
of getting cancer from drinking water containing disinfection byproducts. For turbidity exceedances,
discuss the possible causes of high turbidity. A frequent cause is heavy rain, which washes large amounts
of soil into rivers and lakes. The rain may also wash animal wastes into the water supply.
3. 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 may be 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 people with compromised immune systems (undergoing
chemotherapy, HIV-positive, or other immune system problems), they may wish to consult their
doctors.
4. 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. Consumers may wonder why
they are getting a notice, especially if the problem is resolved or not serious; it may help to explain that
you are informing them because you are required to do so and that they have the right to know about
problems with their water even if there is no immediate (or any) health threat. In the case of filtration
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.
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. Although you probably will be unable to give an exact date,
you can give your customers a general idea of how long it will take (e.g., a few days for a coliform MCL,
several months for a chemical MCL). Provide the name, address, and telephone number of someone who
can answer any questions consumers may have.
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. If you do not
know the actual source, you should at least provide common or possible sources such as those listed in
the guidance for the Consumer Confidence Report.
7. Public Water System ID Number/Date of Distribution— 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. Include the date you distributed the notice.
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Tier 2 notices are required for the following violations or situations:
* Maximum contaminant level (MCL), maximum residual disinfectant level (MRDL), and treatment
technique requirement violations, except where Tier 1 notification is required by regulation or by the
primacy agency;
> Monitoring or testing procedure violations (if required by the primacy agency); and
* Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of a variance or exemption.
The pages that follow contain templates for these Tier 2 violations or situations, as listed below. Along with
each template are instructions, including the required method of delivery and suggestions for completing
individual sections of the notice. These instructions are designed to supplement Chapter 6, so you may see
much of the information repeated here.
Mandatory language on health effects, which must be included as written with blanks filled in, is
presented in italics (I4l.205(d)).
You must also include the following italicized language in all notices, where applicable (I4l.205(d)). Use of
this language does not relieve you of your obligation to take steps reasonably calculated to notify all persons
served:
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may
not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and
businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
Templates
Unresolved Total Coliform Notice-Template 2-1
Resolved Total Coliform Notice-Template 2-2
Chemical or Radiological MCLs Notice-Template 2-3
Fluoride MCL Notice-Template 2-4
SWTR Failure to Filter Notice-Template 2-5
SWTRTurbidity Exceedance Notice-Template 2-6
SWTR Disinfection Treatment Notices-Template 2-7
LCR Failure to Install Corrosion Control Notice-Template 2-8
LT2ESWTR Failure to Install Treatment Notice-Template 2-9a
LT2ES WTR Uncovered Finished Water Reservoir Treatment Notice-Template 2-9b
LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Install Treatment Notice-Template 2-9c
LT2ESWTR Failure to Conduct Source Water Monitoring (Initial or Second Round) Notice-
Template 2-9d
Stage 1 DBPRTTHM or HAA5 MCL Violation Notice-Template 2-10
Stage 2 DBPRTTHM: or HAA5 MCL Violation Notice-Template 2-11
Filter Backwash Recycling Rule Treatment Technique Violation Notice-Template 2-12
Failure to Comply with the Conditions of an Exemption Notice -Template 2-13
Monitoring Violation Elevated to Tier 2 Notice - Template 2-14
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Instructions for Unresolved Total Coliform Notice - Template 2-1
Template on Reverse
Since exceeding the total coliform bacteria maximum contaminant level is a Tier 2 violation, you must
provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the
violation (141.203(b)). Persistent total coliform problems can be serious. Some states have more stringent
requirements for coliform violations. 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.
Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.203(c)). Such methods
could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand
deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. If you modify the notice, you must still
include all the required elements and leave the health effects language in italics unchanged. This
language is mandatory (141.205(d)).
Description of the Violation
The description of the violation and the MCL vary depending on the number of samples you take. The
following table should help you complete the second paragraph of the template.
If You Take Less Than 40 Samples a Month
State the number of samples testing positive for
coliform. The standard is that no more than one
sample per month may be positive.
If You Take More Than 40 Samples a Month
State the percentage of samples testing positive for
coliform. The standard is that no more than five
percent of samples may test positive each month.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. If you know what is causing the coliform
problem, explain this in the notice. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by water systems with
total coliform violations. Use one or more of the following actions, if appropriate, or develop your own:
We are chlorinating and flushing the water system.
We are increasing sampling for coliform bacteria.
We are investigating the source of contamination.
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 each type of notice and a certification that you have met all the public notice
requirements to your primacy agency within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)). It is a good idea
to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved. See Template 1-8 for a "problem
corrected" notice template.
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Unresolved Total Coliform Notice - Template 2-1
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Tests Show Coliform Bacteria in [System] Water
Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this is not an
emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do,
and what we are doing to correct this situation.
We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. We took [number]
samples for coliform bacteria during [month]. [Number/percentage] of those samples showed
the presence of coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more than [1 sample per month/5
percent of our samples] may do so.
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.
People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at
increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care
providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are
available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
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 may be present. Conforms 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 treatment or distribution
system (pipes). Whenever we detect coliform bacteria in any sample, we do follow-up testing to
see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present. We did
not find any of these bacteria in our subsequent testing. If we had, we would have notified
you immediately. However, we are still finding coliforms in the drinking water.
What is being done?
[Describe corrective action.]
We are still detecting coliform bacteria. We will inform you when our sampling shows that no
bacteria are present. We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame].
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
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Instructions for Resolved Total Coliform Notice - Template 2-2
Template on Reverse
Since exceeding the total coliform bacteria maximum contaminant level is a Tier 2 violation, you must
provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the
violation (141.203(b)). 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 (141.203(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.203(c)). Such methods
could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand
deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify it
before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the health
effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)).
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. The description of the violation and the MCL vary depending on the number
of samples you take. The following table should help you complete the second paragraph of the template.
If You Take Less Than 40 Samples a Month
State the number of samples testing positive for
coliform. The standard is that no more than one
sample per month may be positive.
If You Take More Than 40 Samples a Month
State the percentage of samples testing positive for
coliform. The standard is that no more than five
percent of samples may test positive each month.
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 one or more of the following actions, if appropriate, or
develop your own:
We have increased sampling for coliform bacteria to catch the problem early if it happens again.
The well and/or distribution system has been disinfected and additional samples do not show the
presence of coliform bacteria.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send a copy of each type of notice along with a certification that you have met all the public
notice requirements to your primacy agency within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)).
Public Notification Handbook
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March 2007
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Resolved Total Coliform Notice - Template 2-2
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Tests Showed Coliform Bacteria in [System] Water
Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this incident was not an
emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did to
correct this situation.
We routinely monitor for drinking water contaminants. We took [number] samples to test for the
presence of coliform bacteria during [month]. [Number/percentage] of our samples showed the
presence of total coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more than [1 sample per month/5
percent of samples] may do so.
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.
People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at
increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care
providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are
available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. 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
may be present. Conforms 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 system (pipes). Whenever we detect coliform bacteria in any sample, we do follow-
up testing to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are
present. We did not find any of these bacteria in our subsequent testing.
What is being done?
[Describe corrective action.] Further testing shows that this problem has been resolved.
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
Public Notification Handbook 64 March 2007
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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 persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the
violation (141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation
persists. Your primacy agency may have more stringent requirements for MCL violations; e.g., it may
require you to provide water from an alternate source. Check with your agency to make sure you meet all
requirements. Use Template 2-4 for fluoride MCL violations.
Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.203(c)). Such methods
could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand
deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify it
before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and you may not
modify the mandatory health effects language (141.205(d)).
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. You can use one or more of the following actions, if appropriate, or
develop your own:
We are working with [local/state agency] to evaluate the water supply and are researching options to
correct the problem. These options may include treating the water to remove [contaminant] or
connecting to [system]'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 have increased the frequency that we will 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, you should give the history
behind the violation, including the source of contamination, if known. List the date of the initial detection,
as well as how levels have changed overtime. 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 each type of notice and a certification that you have
met all public notification requirements within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31 (d)).
Public Notification Handbook
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March 2007
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Chemical or Radiological MCLs Notice - Template 2-3
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
[System] Has Levels of [Contaminant] Above Drinking Water Standards
Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this is not an
emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you
should do, and what we did (are doing) to correct this situation.
We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. Testing results
we received on [give date] show that our system exceeds the standard, or maximum
contaminant level (MCL), for [contaminant]. The standard for [contaminant] is [MCL].
The average level of [contaminant] over the last year has been [level], or [Contaminant]
was found at [level].
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 does this mean?
This is not an immediate risk. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately.
However, [Insert relevant health effects language from Appendix B.]
What is being done?
[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time
frame].
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing
address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water,
especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people
in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting
this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
Public Notification Handbook
66
March 2007
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Instructions for Fluoride MCL Notice - Template 2-4
Template on Reverse
Since exceeding the fluoride maximum contaminant level (MCL) is a Tier 2 violation, you must provide
public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the violation
(141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation persists. If
you exceed the secondary maximum contaminant level of 2 milligrams per liter but not the MCL of 4
milligrams per liter, you must issue a special notice with different health effects language. See Chapter 3
or Template 3-5 for more information.
Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.203(c)). Such methods
could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand
deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify it
before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and you may not
modify the mandatory health effects language (141.205(d)).
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
fluoride violations. You can use one or more of the following actions, if appropriate, or develop your own:
We are working with [local/state agency] to evaluate the water supply and researching options to
correct the problem. These options may include treating the water to remove fluoride or connecting to
[system]'s water supply.
We have adjusted the amount of fluoride added to the water so that levels are lower and we meet the
standards.
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 fluoride.
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. You should list the date of the initial detection, as well as how levels have
changed overtime. If levels are changing as a result of treatment you should indicate that fact.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have
met all public notification requirements within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31 (d)).
Public Notification Handbook
67
March 2007
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Fluoride MCL Notice - Template 2-4
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
[System] Has Levels of Fluoride Above Drinking Water Standards
Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this is not an
emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you
should do, and what we did (are doing) to correct this situation.
We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. Testing results
we received on [give date] show that our system exceeds the standard, or maximum
contaminant level (MCL), for fluoride. The average level of fluoride in samples taken
during the last year was [level and units]. The standard for fluoride is that the average of
samples taken over the last year may not exceed [MCL].
What should I do?
• Children under the age of nine should use an alternative source of water that
is low in fluoride. In addition, you may want to consult your dentist about whether
to avoid dental products containing fluoride. Adults and children over age nine
should consult their dentist or doctor and show him/her this notice to determine if an
alternate source of water low in fluoride should be used.
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately.
Fluoride in small amounts helps prevent tooth decay. However, 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. Fluoride in drinking water at half the MCL
or greater may cause mottling of children's teeth, usually in children less than nine years
old. Mottling, also known as dental fluorosis, may include brown staining and/or pitting
of the permanent teeth. This problem occurs only in developing teeth, before they erupt
from the gums. Although it takes many years of exposure to fluoride for bone disease to
develop, mottling can occur after a relatively short period of exposure.
What is being done?
[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time
frame].
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing
address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water,
especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people
in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting
this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed: .
Public Notification Handbook 68 March 2007
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Instructions for SWTR Failure to Filter Notice - Template 2-5
Template on Reverse
Since surface water treatment technique violations require Tier 2 notification, you must provide
public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the
violation (141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation
persists. Your primacy agency may have more stringent requirements for treatment technique
violations; e.g., it may require you to provide water from an alternate source. Check with your
agency to make sure you meet all requirements.
Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.203(c)). Such
methods could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post,
or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify
it before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the
health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)).
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. You can use one or more
of the following actions, if appropriate, or develop your own:
Our treatment plant 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 consumers know.
After Issuing the Violation
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you
have met the public notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31 (d)).
Public Notification Handbook 69 March 2007
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SWTR Failure to Filter Notice - Template 2-5
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
[System] Does Not Meet Treatment Requirements
Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this situation does not
require that you take immediate action, as our customers, you have a right to know what
happened, what you should do, and what we did (are doing) to correct this situation.
On [give date], the [primacy agency] ordered us to filter the water in addition to disinfecting. We
are required to install this filtration because we do not have an adequate watershed control
program in place. However, we have not yet installed a filtration system.
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.
People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at
increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care
providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are
available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
What does this mean?
This is not a situation requiring that you take immediate action. 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.
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. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek
medical advice.
What is being done?
Filtration is the best method for removing these organisms. [Describe corrective action.]
We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame]. Until filtration is installed, you
will receive a notice similar to this every three months.
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
Public Notification Handbook 70 March 2007
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Instructions for SWTR Turbidity Exceedance Notice - Template 2-6
Template on Reverse
Since surface water treatment filtration treatment technique violations require Tier 2 notification, you must provide
public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the violation (141.203(b)).
This template may also be adapted for use with turbidity MCL violations. Your primacy agency may have more
stringent requirements for treatment technique violations; e.g., it may require you to provide water from an alternate
source. Check with your agency to make sure you meet all requirements.
For Exceedances of Single Turbidity Limits
You must consult with your primacy agency as soon
as practical but within 24 hours of learning of the
violation. During the consultation, the agency may
choose to elevate your turbidity exceedance to Tier 1. If
consultation does not occur, the violation is
automatically elevated to Tier 1 (use Template 1-6). For
a Tier 2 notice, describe your violation as follows in the
second paragraph of the notice:
"Normal turbidity levels at our plant are [number]
turbidity units. A water sample taken [date] showed
levels of [number] turbidity units. This was above the
standard of [standard] units. Because of these high
levels of turbidity, there is an increased chance that the
water may contain disease-causing organisms."
For Exceedances of Monthly Turbidity Limits
Use the following language to describe your violation
and insert into the second paragraph of the template:
"Water samples for [month] showed that [percentage]
percent of turbidity measurements were over [standard]
turbidity units - the standard is that no more than 5
percent of samples may exceed [standard] turbidity units
per month. The turbidity levels are relatively low.
However, their persistence is a concern. Normal turbidity
levels at our plant are [number] units."
Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.203(c)). Such methods could include newspapers, e-
mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if
available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify it before using it
for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the health effects language in italics
unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)).
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. You can use one or more of the following actions, 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 adjusted them as needed to compensate for the filtration problems.
We inspected and cleaned the filters.
After Issuing the Violation
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met the public
notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)).
Public Notification Handbook
71
March 2007
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SWTR Turbidity Exceedance Notice - Template 2-6
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
[System] Did Not Meet Treatment Requirements
Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this was not an
emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do,
and what we did (are doing) to correct this situation.
We routinely monitor your water for turbidity (cloudiness). This tells us whether we are
effectively filtering the water supply. [Insert appropriate description of the violation from
instructions.]
What should I do?
• You do not need to boil your water or take other actions. We do not know of any
contamination, and none of our testing has shown disease-causing organisms in the
drinking water.
People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at
increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care
providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are
available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. 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. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you
may want to seek medical advice.
What is being done?
[Describe the corrective actions and when the system returned or expects to return to
compliance.]
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
Public Notification Handbook
72
March 2007
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Instructions for SWTR Disinfection Treatment Notices - Template 2-7
Template on Reverse
Since surface water treatment disinfection treatment technique violations require Tier 2 notification, you must provide
public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the violation (141.203(b)).
Some disinfection problems may be serious. Your primacy agency may have more stringent requirements for
treatment technique violations; e.g., it may require you to provide water from an alternate source. Check with your
agency to make sure you meet all requirements.
Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.203(c)). Such methods could include newspapers, e-
mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if
available. If you modify the notice, you must leave the mandatory health effects language in italics unchanged
(141.205(d)).
Description of the Violation
Choose from the following descriptions of violations, and modify to fit your situation.
Not Enough Disinfection During Treatment - In order to ensure proper disinfection, water in the treatment plant must
be in contact with enough chlorine or a similar disinfectant for a minimum amount of time. On [give 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 grow 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 [give 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 disinfection treatment technique violations. You can use one or more of the following actions, 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.
After Issuing the Violation
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met the public
notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)).
Public Notification Handbook
73
March 2007
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SWTR Disinfection Treatment Notices - Template 2-7
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
[System] Does/Did Not Meet Treatment Requirements
Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this situation does not
require that you take immediate action, as our customers, you have a right to know what
happened, what you should do, and what we did (are doing) to correct this situation.
[Describe the violation - use descriptions from instructions on reverse.]
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.
People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at
increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care
providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are
available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
What does this mean?
This situation does not require that you take immediate action. 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.
What is being done?
[Describe corrective action.]
[Disinfectant residual levels/contact times] so far this month have met all requirements.
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
Public Notification Handbook 74 March 2007
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Instructions for LCR Failure to Install Corrosion Control Notice - Template 2-8
Template on Reverse
Since lead and copper treatment technique violations are included in Tier 2, you must provide public notice to
persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the violation (141.203(b)). You must
issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation persists. Your primacy agency may have
more stringent requirements for treatment technique violations; e.g., it may require you to provide water from
an alternate source. Check with your agency to make sure you meet all requirements.
Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.203(c)). Such methods could include
newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand deliver, print your notice
on letterhead, if available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify it before
using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the health effects
language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)).
Explaining the Violation
If the delay in installation is related to outside circumstances, such as funding, you should explain these.
Consumers may be more supportive of rate increases or may pressure local authorities to provide funds if they
understand the circumstances.
This template is written for systems which are required to install corrosion control after exceeding lead action
levels. The Lead and Copper Rule requires some large systems to 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. You can 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 until corrosion control is in place.
If consumers ask for information on testing their water, you should have on hand the names of laboratories
consumers can call. 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. For more information on lead, have
consumers call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or the National Lead Information
Center Hotline 1(800) LEAD-FYI.
After Issuing the Violation
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met the
public notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)).
Public Notification Handbook
75
March 2007
-------
LCR Failure to Install Corrosion Control Notice - Template 2-8
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
[System] Water Contains High Levels of Lead
Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Even though this is not an emergency, as
our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we did (are
doing) to correct this situation.
We routinely sample water at consumers' taps for lead. The tests show lead levels in the water above the
limit, or "action level," so 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
[give date], but installation is incomplete.
What should I do?
Listed below are some steps you can take to reduce your exposure to lead:
Call us at the number below to find out how to get your water tested for lead.
Find out whether your pipes contain lead or lead solder.
Run your water for 15-30 seconds or until it becomes cold before using it for drinking or cooking. This
flushes any standing lead from the pipes.
Don't cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead dissolves more easily into hot water.
Do not boil your water to remove lead. Excessive boiling water makes the lead more concentrated
- the lead remains when the water evaporates.
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. Typically, lead enters
water supplies by leaching from lead or brass pipes and plumbing components. New lead pipes and
plumbing components containing lead are no longer allowed for this reason; however, many older homes
may contain lead pipes. Your water is more likely to contain high lead levels if water pipes in or leading to
your home are made of lead or contain lead solder.
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 being done?
[Describe corrective action.] Corrosion control will be in place by [give date].
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may
not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools,
and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by
hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system].
Date distributed: .
State Water System ID#:.
Public Notification Handbook
76
March 2007
-------
Instructions for LT2ESWTR Failure to Install Treatment Notice- Template 2-9a
Template on Reverse
A system's failure to provide the level of treatment appropriate for its LT2ESWTR bin classification by the
required treatment date is a treatment technique violation and requires Tier 2 notification. You must
provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the
violation (141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation
persists. Your primacy agency may have more stringent requirements for treatment technique violations;
e.g., it may require you to provide water from an alternate source. Check with your agency to make sure
you meet all requirements.
Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.203(c)). Such methods
could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand
deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify it
before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the health
effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)).
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken
by water systems with LT2ESWTR treatment technique violations. You can use one or more of the
following actions, if appropriate, or develop your own:
We will install treatment by [provide date] that will satisfy this requirement.
We are currently working with state health department officials and our engineers to finalize plans for
additional water treatment that will satisfy this requirement once it is installed.
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 treatment, describe it.
Alternatively, if funding or other issues are delaying installation of treatment, let consumers know.
After Issuing the Violation
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have
met the public notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)).
Public Notification Handbook
77
March 2007
-------
LT2ESWTR Failure to Install Treatment Notice - Template 2-9a
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
[Name of System] Failed to Provide the Appropriate Level of Treatment Within
Required Timeframe.
Our water system [give system name] was required to provide additional treatment for
Cryptosporidium by [provide date]. Cryptosporidium is a disease-causing microorganism that
may occur in our raw water source.
We failed to provide the required treatment by the required date. Although this situation is not an
emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we are doing
to correct this situation.
What should I do?
There is nothing you need to do unless you have a severely compromised immune system,
have an infant, or are elderly. These people may be at increased risk and should seek
advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to
lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water
Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. If you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
• You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. If a situation arises
where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours. We will
announce any emergencies on [give TV and/or radio stations where they can get additional
information].
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours.
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 is being done?
[Describe corrective action.] We expect to have the additional treatment installed by [give date].
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system name]. State Water System ID# .
Date distributed:
Public Notification Handbook 78 March 2007
-------
Instructions for LT2ESWTR Uncovered Finished Water Reservoir Treatment Notice -
Template 2-9b
Template on Reverse
A system's failure to cover an uncovered finished water reservoir, provide treatment of the reservoir's discharge, or
be in compliance with a state-approved schedule to cover the reservoir(s) or treat the reservoir(s) discharge by April
1, 2009 is a treatment technique violation and requires Tier 2 notification. You must provide public notice to persons
served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the violation (141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat
notice every three months for as long as the violation persists. Your primacy agency may have more stringent
requirements for treatment technique violations; e.g., it may require you to provide water from an alternate source.
Check with your agency to make sure you meet all requirements.
Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.203(c)). Such methods could include newspapers, e-
mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if
available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify it before using it
for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the health effects language in italics
unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)).
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by water
systems with this type of LT2ESWTR treatment technique violation. You can use one or more of the following actions,
if appropriate, or develop your own:
We are developing plans to cover our uncovered finished water storage reservoir. We expect to have the
reservoir covered by [give date]. Until our finished water reservoir is covered, you will receive a notice similar to
this every 3 months.
We are developing plans to treat the water when it leaves our uncovered finished water storage reservoir. We
expect to have the treatment in place by [give date]. Until the water leaving our finished water reservoir is
treated, you will receive a notice similar to this every 3 months.
We are currently working with state health department officials to revise our schedule for covering our uncovered
finished water storage reservoir. We expect to have the state-approved schedule in place by [give date] and the
reservoir covered by [give date]. Until our schedule receives state approval, you will receive a notice similar to
this every 3 months.
We are currently working with state health department officials to revise our schedule for treating the discharge
from our uncovered finished water storage reservoir. We expect to have the state-approved schedule in place by
[give date] and treatment in place by [give date]. Until the schedule receives state approval, you will receive a
notice similar to this every 3 months.
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 covering your reservoirs or providing treatment, describe
it. Alternatively, if funding or other issues are delaying coverage, let consumers know.
After Issuing the Violation
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met the public
notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)).
Public Notification Handbook
79
March 2007
-------
LT2ESWTR Uncovered Finished Water Reservoir Treatment Notice - Template 2-9b
Uncovered Finished Water Reservoir Violation at [System]
Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this situation is not an
emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did (are
doing) to correct this situation.
Water systems with uncovered finished water reservoirs are required to cover these reservoirs,
treat the discharge from these reservoirs, or be in compliance with a state-approved schedule to
cover the reservoir(s) or provide treatment by April 1, 2009. We have failed to meet this
requirement.
What should I do?
There is nothing you need to do unless you have a severely compromised immune system,
have an infant, or are elderly. These people may be at increased risk and should seek
advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to
lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water
Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. If you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
• You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. If a situation arises
where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified with 24 hours.
What does this mean?
This situation does not require that you take immediate action. If it had been, you would have
been notified immediately.
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 is being done?
[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame].
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
Public Notification Handbook 80 March 2007
-------
Instructions for LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Install Treatment Notice -
Template 2-9c
Template on Reverse
An unfiltered system's failure to install a second disinfectant to treat for Cryptosporidium by the
required date is a treatment technique violation and requires Tier 2 notification. You must provide
public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the
violation (141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation
persists. Your primacy agency may have more stringent requirements for treatment technique
violations; e.g., it may require you to provide water from an alternate source. Check with your
agency to make sure you meet all requirements.
Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.203(c)). Such
methods could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post,
or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify
it before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the
health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)).
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly
taken by unfiltered water systems with LT2ESWTR treatment technique violations. You can use one
or more of the following actions, if appropriate, or develop your own:
We will install treatment by [provide date] to satisfy this requirement.
We are currently working with state health department officials and our engineers to finalize
plans for water treatment that will satisfy this requirement once it is installed.
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 treatment, describe
it. Alternatively, if funding or other issues are delaying installation of treatment, let consumers know.
After Issuing the Violation
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you
have met the public notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)).
Public Notification Handbook
81
March 2007
-------
LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Install Treatment Notice - Template 2-9c
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
[Name of System] Failed to Provide the Appropriate Level of Treatment
Within Required Timeframe.
Our unfiltered water system [give system name] was required to use a minimum of two
disinfectants to meet our treatment requirement by [give date].
We failed to have the new ultraviolet light (U.V.) disinfection system installed by the required
date. Although this situation is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know
what happened and what we did (are doing) to correct this situation.
What should I do?
There is nothing you need to do unless you have a severely compromised immune system,
have an infant, or are elderly. These people may be at increased risk and should seek
advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to
lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water
Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. If you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
• You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. If a situation arises
where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours. We will
announce any emergencies on [give TV and/or radio stations where they can get additional
information].
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours.
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 is being done?
We expect to have the U.V. disinfection system installed by [give date]. We continue to disinfect
the water with chlorine as we have in the past.
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system name]. State Water System ID# .
Date distributed:
Public Notification Handbook
82
March 2007
-------
Instructions for LT2ESWTR Failure to Conduct Source Water Monitoring (Initial or
Second Round) Notice -Template 2-9d
Template on Reverse
A system's failure to conduct an initial or second round of Cryptosporidium monitoring by the
required date is a monitoring violation that requires Tier 2 notification. You must provide public notice
to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the violation
(141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation persists.
Your primacy agency may have more stringent requirements for this monitoring violation; e.g., it may
require you to provide water from an alternate source. Check with your agency to make sure you
meet all requirements.
Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.203(c)). Such
methods could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post,
or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify
it before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the
health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)).
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly
taken by water systems with LT2ESWTR monitoring violations. You can use one or more of the
following actions, if appropriate, or develop your own:
We will begin collecting the required source water monitoring samples on [give date].
We have since taken the required samples for initial monitoring and will begin collecting our
second round of sampling on [give date].
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 treatment, describe
it. Alternatively, if funding or other issues are delaying installation of treatment, let consumers know.
After Issuing the Violation
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you
have met the public notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)).
Public Notification Handbook
83
March 2007
-------
LT2ESWTR Failure to Conduct Source Water Monitoring (Initial or Second Round)
Notice -Template 2-9d
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Monitoring and Reporting Requirements Not Met for [Name of System]
We are required to monitor the source of your drinking water for Cryptosporidium. Results of the
monitoring are to be used to determine whether [name of treatment plant] is sufficient to
adequately treat the water for Cryptosporidium. We are required to complete this monitoring and
make this determination by [give date]. We did not monitor or test on schedule and, therefore,
we may not be able to determine by the required date what treatment modifications, if any, must
be made. Missing this deadline may, in turn, jeopardize our ability to have the required
treatment modifications, if any, completed by the deadline required, [give date].
What should I do?
There is nothing you need to do. You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective
actions. You may continue to drink the water. If a situation arises where the water is no longer
safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours. We will announce any emergencies on [give
TV and/or radio stations where they can get additional information].
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours.
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general
population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing
chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other
immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections.
These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriates means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium
and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-
426-4791).
What is being done?
[Describe corrective action.]
For more information, please contact [provide contact name] at [provide contact phone number]
or write to [provide address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system name]. State Water System ID# .
Date distributed:
Public Notification Handbook
84
March 2007
-------
Instructions for Stage 1 DBPR TTHM or HAAS MCL Violation Notice - Template 2-10
Template on Reverse
If your system's running annual average for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) exceeds the MCL of
0.080 mg/L or the running annual average for Haloacetic Acid 5 (HAAS) exceeds the MCL of
0.060 mg/L, you must provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30
days after you learn of the violation (141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat notice every three
months for as long as the violation persists.
Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.203(c)). Such
methods could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail,
post, or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to
modify it before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements
and leave the health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory
(141.205(d)).
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below is one step commonly
taken by water systems with TTHM or HAAS MCL violations. You can use the following action, if
appropriate, or develop your own:
We are pilot testing [name treatment type] treatment to ensure it will reduce concentrations
of [Contaminant, i.e., Total Trihalomethanes or Haloacetic Acid 5] in our finished water.
Testing will be completed by [provide date] at which time we will evaluate effectiveness and
begin installation.
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
treatment, describe it. Alternatively, if funding or other issues are delaying coverage, let
consumers know.
After Issuing the Violation
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that
you have met the public notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice
Public Notification Handbook
85
March 2007
-------
Stage 1 DBPR TTHM or HAAS MCL Violation Notice - Template 2-10
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
[Contaminant, i.e., Total Trihalomethanes or Haloacetic Acid 5] MCL
Violation at [System]
Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this incident was not an
emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did (are
doing) to correct this situation.
We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. Testing results from [date
range] show that our system exceeds the standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), for
[contaminant]. The standard for [contaminant] is [MCL]. It is determined by averaging all
samples collected by our system for the last 12 months. The level of [contaminant] averaged at
our system for [date range] was [level].
What should I do?
There is nothing you need to do unless you have a severely compromised immune system,
have an infant, or are elderly. These people may be at increased risk and should seek
advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
• You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. If a situation arises
where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours. We will
announce any emergencies on [give TV and/or radio stations where they can get additional
information].
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been an emergency, you would have been notified within 24
hours.
[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.] Or
[People who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over many years may
have an increased risk of getting cancer.]
What is being done?
[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame].
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
Public Notification Handbook 86 March 2007
-------
Instructions for Stage 2 DBPR TTHM or HAAS MCL Violation Notice - Template 2-11
Template on Reverse
If your system's locational running annual average for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) exceeds the MCL of
0.080 mg/L or the locational running annual average for Haloacetic Acid 5 (HAAS) exceeds the MCL of
0.060 mg/L at one or more sampling locations, you must provide public notice to persons served as soon
as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the violation (141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat
notice every three months for as long as the violation persists.
Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.203(c)). Such methods
could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand
deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify it
before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the health
effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)).
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below is one step commonly taken by
water systems with TTHM or HAAS MCL violations. You can use the following action, if appropriate, or
develop your own:
[TTHM are four volatile organic chemicals] [HAAS are five haloacetic acid compounds] which form
when disinfectants react with natural organic matter in the water. We are working to minimize the
formation of [TTHM or HAAS] while ensuring we maintain an adequate level of disinfectant. We have
taken additional samples at this location and throughout the system to determine if our efforts have
been effective. The samples show that we now meet the standards.
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 treatment, describe it.
Alternatively, if funding or other issues are delaying coverage, let consumers know.
After Issuing the Violation
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have
met the public notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)).
Public Notification Handbook
87
March 2007
-------
Stage 2 DBPR TTHM or HAAS MCL Violation Notice - Template 2-11
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
[Contaminant, i.e., Total Trihalomethanes or Haloacetic Acid 5] MCL
Violation at [System]
Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this incident was not an
emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did (are doing)
to correct this situation.
We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. Testing results from [date
range] show that our system exceeds the standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), for
[contaminant]. The standard for [contaminant] is [MCL]. It is determined by averaging all the samples
collected at each sampling location for the past 12 months. The level of [contaminant] averaged at
one of our system's locations for [date range] was [level].
What should I do?
There is nothing you need to do unless you have a severely compromised immune system, have
an infant, or are elderly. These people may be at increased risk and should seek advice about
drinking water from their health care providers.
You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. If a situation arises where the
water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours. We will announce any
emergencies on [give TV and/or radio stations where they can get additional information].
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been an emergency, you would have been notified within 24
hours.
[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.] Or
[People who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over many years may
have an increased risk of getting cancer.]
What is being done?
[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame] (or
the problem was resolved on [give date]).
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who
may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes,
schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing
copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
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Instructions for Filter Backwash Recycling Rule Treatment Technique Violation
Notice - Template 2-12
Template on Reverse
Since failure to recycle spent filter backwash, thickener supernatant, and liquids from dewatering
processes before all processes of the direct filtration treatment train, failure to obtain state approval
for the use of an alternative recycle location, or failure to pursue capital improvements is a Tier 2
violation, you must provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days
after you learn of the violation (141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat notice every three months for
as long as the violation persists. Your primacy agency may have more stringent requirements for
treatment technique violations; e.g., it may require you to provide water from an alternate source.
Check with your agency to make sure you meet all requirements.
Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.203(c)). Such
methods could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post,
or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify
it before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and you may
not modify the mandatory health effects language (141.205(d)).
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Do not use overly technical terminology
when describing treatment methods. You can use one or more of the following actions, if
appropriate, or develop your own:
• As of [give date], we will no longer recycle our filter backwash and will not be in violation of this
standard.
As of [give date], the filter backwash will be piped to the beginning of our water treatment
process and we will no longer be in violation of this standard.
As of [give date], the filter backwash and all other current recycle flows will be discharged to
waste as approved by the primacy agency.
Repeat Notices
If this is an ongoing violation, you should give the history behind the violation, if known.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you
have met all public notification requirements within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31 (d)).
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Filter Backwash Recycling Rule
Treatment Technique Violation Notice - Template 2-12
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this is not an
emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do,
and what we did (are doing) to correct this situation.
The Filter Backwash Recycling Rule requires water systems that recycle liquids used for water
treatment to recycle these liquids through the system's existing filtration system or to an
alternate location approved by the state. Our system did not return its water treatment recycle
flows to the required location or a state-approved location by the required date of [give date].
What should I do?
There is nothing you need to do unless you have a severely compromised immune system,
have an infant, or are elderly. These people may be at increased risk and should seek
advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to
lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water
Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. If you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
• You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. If a situation arises
where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours. We will
announce any emergencies on [give TV and/or radio stations where they can get additional
information].
What does this mean?
This is not an immediate risk. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately.
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 is being done?
[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame].
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
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Instructions for Failure to Comply with the Conditions of an Exemption Notice -
Template 2-13
Template on Reverse
Since failure to comply with the conditions of an exemption requires Tier 2 notification, you must provide
public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the violation
(141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation persists.
Your primacy agency may have more stringent or alternative requirements for exemption violations; e.g.,
it may require you to provide water from an alternate source. Check with your agency to make sure you
meet all requirements.
Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.203(c)). Such methods
could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand
deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify it
before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the health
effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)).
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below is an example of a step that might
be taken in response to this violation. You can use the following action, if appropriate, or develop your
own:
We have agreed upon a new deadline of [give date] to secure the funding needed in order to
purchase [contaminant] removal treatment equipment. Once we have secured funding, we will
purchase and begin installation of the selected treatment technology by [estimated time frame].
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. Include updated information regarding meeting the measures and
schedules in your corrective action plan. Alternatively, if funding or other issues are delaying your
progress, let consumers know.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have
met the public notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)).
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Failure to Comply with the Conditions of an Exemption Notice - Template 2-13
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
[System] Failed to Meet the Conditions of a [contaminant] Exemption.
Our water system recently violated one of the conditions of our [contaminant] exemption. An
exemption allows eligible systems additional time to build capacity in order to comply with a
drinking water standard. [Name of system] was granted an exemption for the [contaminant]
standard so that we could raise funds for a new treatment process to remove [contaminant]. As
a condition of the exemption, we agreed to secure funding by [give date]. We did not meet this
deadline.
What should I do?
There is nothing you need to do. You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective
actions. You may continue to drink the water. If a situation arises where the water is no
longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours. We will announce any emergencies
on [give TV and/or radio stations where they can get additional information]. We will also
post this information on our web site at www.ourwatersystem.com.
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been an emergency, you would have been notified within 24
hours.
(Example language provided for arsenic. Enter appropriate language for your specific
contaminant.)
[Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years may
have an increased risk of getting cancer.]
What is being done?
[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame]
(or the problem was resolved on [give date]).
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
You can also visit our web site at www.ourwatersystem.com.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
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Instructions for Monitoring Violation Elevated to Tier 2 Notice - Template 2-14
If your primacy agency has designated a failure to monitor as a Tier 2 violation (141.203(a)),
you must provide public notice to persons served within 30 days after it has been designated
Tier 2 (141.203(b)). Monitoring violations are Tier 3 by default, but may be elevated to Tier 2 by
your primacy agency. You may elevate the violation to Tier 2 yourself as well. You must issue a
repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation persists.
Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.203(c)). Such
methods could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail,
post, or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to
modify it before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements
and you may not modify the mandatory health effects language (141.205(d)).
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you took or are taking. Listed below are some steps
commonly taken by water systems with monitoring violations. You can use the following
language, if appropriate, or develop your own:
We have since taken the required samples, as described in the last column of the table
above. The samples showed we are meeting drinking water standards.
We have since taken the required samples, as described in the last column of the table
above. The sample for [contaminant] exceeded the limit. [Describe corrective action; use
information from public notice prepared for violating the limit.]
We plan to take the required samples soon, as described in the last column of the table
above.
Repeat Notices
If this is an ongoing violation, you should give the history behind the violation, if known.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that
you have met all public notification requirements within ten days after issuing the notice
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Monitoring Violation Elevated to Tier 2 Notice - Template 2-14
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Monitoring Requirements Not Met for [System]
We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular
basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water
meets health standards.
During [compliance period] we ['did not monitor or test' or 'did not complete all
monitoring or testing'] for [contaminant(s)] and, therefore, cannot be sure of the quality
of our drinking water during that time. Even though this is not an emergency, as our
customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did (are doing) to
correct this situation.
What should I do?
There is nothing you need to do at this time.
The table below lists the contaminant(s) we did not properly test for, how often we are
supposed to sample for [this contaminant/these contaminants] and how many samples
we are supposed to take, how many samples we took, when samples should have been
taken, and the date on which follow-up samples were (or will be) taken.
Contaminant
Nitrate
(example)
Required
sampling
frequency
One sample
annually
Number of
samples
taken
0
When samples
should have
been taken
2006
When
samples were
taken
February 2007
What is being done?
[Describe corrective action.]
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing
address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially
those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in
apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this
notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#:
Date distributed:
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Tier 3 notices must meet the content (including mandatory language), format, and multilingual
requirements described in Chapter 3, and are required for the following violations or situations (I4l.204(a)):
> Monitoring violations (except for the following: failure to monitor for fecal coliform or E. colt when
repeat samples are positive for coliform, failure to take a confirmation sample for nitrate or nitrite within
24 hours, and failure to take required samples for chlorine dioxide in the distribution system, which
require Tier 1 notice; and any monitoring violations elevated to Tier 1 or 2 by the primacy agency);
> Testing procedure violations, except where elevated to Tier 2 by the primacy agency;
* Operation under a variance or exemption;
> Special notice for availability of unregulated contaminant monitoring data; and
>• Special notice for fluoride secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) exceedances.
Remember that notices for variances or exemptions, fluoride SMCL exceedances, and availability of
unregulated contaminant monitoring data have different content requirements than notices for violations.
(See Chapter 3.)
is a Tier 3
You must issue a public notice for a Tier 3 violation or situation within 12 months of learning of the
violation or situation (I4l.204(b)). Keep in mind that your primacy agency may require earlier notice for
some monitoring violations, especially if it believes such violations could affect public health.
Remember to send a copy of the notice and a certification statement to your primacy agency within ten
days after providing an initial or repeat notice to the public (141.31 (d)).
Following the initial notice, you must repeat the notice annually for as long as the violation or situation
persists (l4l.204(b)). You are not in compliance again until your primacy agency determines so. You must
also notify new billing customers or units, prior to or at the time their service begins, of any ongoing
violations or situations for which you have previously provided notice (141.206).
of a Pyblic (141.205(a))
1. A description of the violation;
2. When the violation occurred;
3. Potential adverse health effects; using mandatory language for monitoring violations in Chapter 3;
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. Name, business address, and phone number for additional information; and
10. Standard language encouraging distribution to all persons served, where applicable.
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of I
Unless directed otherwise by the primacy agency, if you operate a community water system, you must
provide notice by (I4l.204(c)):
1. Mail or other direct delivery to each customer receiving a bill and other service connections to which
water is delivered, and
2. Any other method reasonably calculated to reach others regularly served, if they would not normally
be reached by the method above. Such people include those who do not pay water bills or do not have
service connection addresses, (e.g., tenants, college students, nursing home patients, prison inmates).
Methods may include publication in a local newspaper, posting in public places, delivery of multiple
copies to landlords or office building managers, or delivery to community organizations.
Unless directed otherwise by the primacy agency, if you operate a non-community water system, you must
provide notice by the following methods (I4l.204(c)):
1. Posting the notice in conspicuous locations throughout the system or by direct delivery or mail to each
customer and known service connection, and
2. Any other method reasonably calculated to reach others served, if they would not normally be reached
by the method above. Such people may include those who may not see a posted notice because it is not
in a location they routinely pass by. 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 (e.g., community centers).
Refer to the "Public Notification Handbook for Transient Non-Community Water Systems" (EPA 816-R-
07-004) for more information.
If you post a notice, it must remain posted for as long as the violation or situation persists. If the violation or
situation is already resolved by the time you write the notice, you must post the notice for at least seven days
(I4l.204(b)). Be sure that the notice Is durable. It should not blow away if posted outdoors. Consider
laminating notices that will be placed over sinks or outside, especially if they are likely to remain there for an
extended time.
For both system types, there may be a few cases where you were 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.
for
If you mail the notice, send it to all service connections, if possible, and not just billing customers, since
there are many people in addition to your billing customers who drink your water. Billing customers can
be reached via inserts in their water bills. E-mail may be appropriate to contact most of the students at a
college or university.
Community water systems whose consumers do not have service connections, such as nursing homes or
prisons, should notify all those drinking the water.
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Notices in newspapers may be in the form of an article or a paid advertisement. Also, try to get articles
published in smaller community newspapers, homeowners' association newsletters, or similar
publications. 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.
I for Tier 3 or
If you have multiple monitoring or testing procedure violations or other situations within a 12-month
period, you should strongly consider combining notification for them into a single annual Tier 3 notice
(I4l.204(d)). An annual notice can help you save preparation, delivery, and printing costs. You can issue
such a notice at any time, as long as the earliest violation included occurred less than 12 months before the
notice is provided to consumers. For example, if your water system violates the monitoring requirement for
VOCs on March 31 and also violates the monitoring requirements for the Total Coliform Rule in January,
August, and December, you may issue a single notice on January 1 of the subsequent year listing all the
violations since the previous January 1.
Tips for ¥cry Small Commynity
> Consider combining notices for multiple Tier 3 violations and situations into one annual notice,
> Compare mailing and labor costs before selecting a delivery method. Hand delivery may be cheaper and
faster than preparing a mailing. However, you may be able to include your notice with the bill at no
extra cost.
> Supplement your chosen delivery method by posting in banks, grocery stores, town halls, and
restaurants, or by publishing in a newspaper.
If you are a community water system, you may also wish to consider using the Consumer Confidence
Report (CCR) for Tier 3 notices. Unlike a separate annual notice, however, using the CCR to meet the
public notification obligation requires that you tailor the release of your CCR to meet the unique PN
requirements. Using the CCR may reduce some production costs and may reduce redundancy since the
violations and situations requiring public notice must also eventually be included in the CCR
Including your Tier 3 public notice as part of the CCR could also provide the context that more accurately
describes what has happened. Before you decide, however, remember that the timing and delivery
requirements for CCRs differ from those for PNs. If you use the CCR for public notification, be very
careful to adhere to the PN requirement that public notice for Tier 3 violations be completed no later than
12 months from the date the violation occurred. In addition, if you use the CCR, it must be provided
to persons served that are not necessarily only the billing customers who would receive the CCR. Keep
in mind, small community water systems that have a mailing waiver for CCR will not satisfy PN delivery
requirements.
An example illustrates the coordination challenge that water systems will face in using the CCR as the
vehicle for the annual Tier 3 notice. CCRs must be published by July 1 of every year and must include
information from the previous calendar year, according to the CCR regulation. A CCR published in July
2000 must include violations or situations that occurred between January 1, 1999 and December 31,1999.
Under this schedule, public notice requirements for Tier 3 violations or situations that occurred between
Public Notification Handbook 97 March 2007
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January and June 1999 could not be met since the CCR would reach consumers more than a year after they
occurred. Any violations or situations that occur more than one year before the CCR is published must be
reported in a separate PN notice. To minimize the timing conflict, you can:
> Publish the CCR early-as soon after the end of the calendar year as possible, or
*• Mail a separate public notice for the violations occurring in January through June of the current year in
the same envelope as your CCR covering the previous calendar year's violations.
for of
The format of a Tier 3 notice depends on your circumstances and on the number of violations or situations
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 the required sampling frequency, the number of samples
taken, when the samples should have been taken, and when the samples were or will be taken. However,
not all monitoring violations are the same. A coliform monitoring 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. Templates 3-1A and 3-1B 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.
A notice for a fluoride SMCL exceedance need only contain the mandatory language found in Template
3-5 with the blanks filled in appropriately (141.208). You should also include the language that encourages
distribution. Notices must be provided as soon as practical but no later than 12 months after you learn of
the exceedance. Due to the staining effect of fluoride at levels above the SMCL on the teeth of children
under nine, consider issuing these notices quickly to prevent damage to their teeth.
A notice of the availability of unregulated contaminant data need only state that the monitoring results are
available and provide a phone number to call to obtain them (141.207). You may use an annual notice or
insert this notice into your CCR, provided public notification timing and delivery requirements can be met.
You do not need to include the results themselves, unless you are a community water system using the CCR
to provide the notice. CCR regulations require systems to include data on all detected contaminants.
You should include your PWS ID number at the bottom of any notice. This will help your primacy agency
track compliance and prevent tracking errors between systems with similar names. Also include the date on
which you distributed the notice.
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Tier 3 notices are required for the following violations or situations:
>• Monitoring violations (except for the following: failure to monitor for fecal coliform or E. colt when
repeat samples are positive for coliform, failure to take a confirmation sample for nitrate or nitrite within
24 hours, and failure to take required samples for chlorine dioxide in the distribution system, which
require Tier 1 notice; failure to collect 3 or more samples for Cryptosporidium, which requires Tier 2
notice; and any monitoring violations elevated to Tier 1 or 2 by the primacy agency);
> Testing procedure violations, except where elevated to Tier 2 by the primacy agency;
> Operation under a variance or exemption;
> Special notice for availability of unregulated contaminant monitoring data; and
> Special notice for fluoride secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) exceedances.
The pages that follow contain templates for Tier 3 violations and situations. Along with the templates are
instructions, including the required method of delivery and suggestions for completing individual sections
of the notices. These instructions are designed to supplement Chapter 7, so you may see much of the
information repeated here.
Mandatory on unknown for monitoring violations, which must be included as written
with blanks filled in, is presented in italics (I4l.205(d)). All the language in the fluoride SMCL
template (except the language discussed below) is mandatory (141.208).
You must also include the following italicized language in all notices, where applicable (I4l.205(d)). Use of
this language does not relieve you of your obligation to take steps reasonably calculated to notify all persons
served:
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may
not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and
businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
Templates
Monitoring Violations Annual Notice-Template 3-1A
Monitoring Violations Annual Notice-Template 3-IB
Failure to Comply with a Testing Procedure Notice - Template 3-2
Operating Under an Exemption Notice - Template 3-3
Special Notice for Availability of Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Data - Template 3-4
Fluoride SMCL Notice-Template 3-5
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Instructions for Monitoring Violations Annual Notice - Template 3-1A
Template on Reverse
If you are required to provide Tier 3 notification, you must provide public notice to persons served within
one year after you learn of the violation (141.204(b)). 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 (141.204(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following (141.204(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.204(c)). 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. If the violation has been resolved, you must post the notice
for at least seven days (141.204(b)). If you mail, post, or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if
available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for insertion in an annual notice or the Consumer Confidence
Report (CCR), as long as public notification timing and delivery requirements are met (141.204(d)). You
may need to modify the template for a notice for individual monitoring 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 on the notice, e.g., 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.
Include in your notice the standard language for monitoring and testing procedure violations in italics
(141.205(d)(2)). If you modify the notice, you may not alter this mandatory language.
Corrective Actions
In your notice, describe corrective actions you took or are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly
taken by water systems with monitoring violations. You can use the following language, if appropriate, or
develop your own:
We have since taken the required samples, as described in the last column of the table above. The
samples showed we are meeting drinking water standards.
We have since taken the required samples, as described in the last column of the table above. The
sample for [contaminant] exceeded the limit. [Describe corrective action; use information from public
notice prepared for violating the limit.]
We plan to take the required samples soon, as described in the last column of the table above.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have
met all the public notice requirements within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)).
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Monitoring Violations Annual Notice - Template 3-1A
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Monitoring Requirements Not Met for [System]
Our water system violated drinking water standards over the past year. Even though these were
not emergencies, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did
to correct these situations.
We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis.
Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets health
standards. During [compliance period] we ['did not monitor or test' or 'did not complete all
monitoring or testing'] for [contaminant(s)] and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of our
drinking water during that time.
What should I do?
There is nothing you need to do at this time.
The table below lists the contaminant(s) we did not properly test for during the last year, how
often we are supposed to sample for [this contaminant/these contaminants] and how many
samples we are supposed to take, how many samples we took, when samples should have
been taken, and the date on which follow-up samples were (or will be) taken.
Contaminant
VOCs1 (example)
Required
sampling
frequency
1 sample every
three years
Number of
samples taken
0
When samples
should have
been taken
2000-2002
When samples
were taken
February 2003
What is being done?
[Describe corrective action.]
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
VOCs, also know as volatile organic compounds, are tested by collecting one sample and testing that
sample for all the VOCs. VOCs are commonly used in industrial and manufacturing processes. VOCs include
benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, 1,2-dichloroethane, cis-
dichloroethane, trans-dichloroethane, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloropropane, ethylbenzene, styrene,
tetrachloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, toluene, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, 1,1-dichloroethylene,
1,1,2-trichloroethane, vinyl chloride, and xylene.
Public Notification Handbook
102
March 2007
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Instructions for Monitoring Violations Annual Notice - Template 3-1B
Template on Reverse
The template on reverse is another example of a monitoring violation. The example in
this template is for Bromate under the Stage 2 DBPR. All the instructions of Template
3-1A apply.
Public Notification Handbook
103
March 2007
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Monitoring Violations Annual Notice - Template 3-1B
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Monitoring Requirements Not Met for [System]
On [give date] we became aware that our system recently failed to collect the correct
number of drinking water samples. Although this incident was not an emergency, as our
customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did (are doing) to correct
this situation.
We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis.
Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets
health standards. During [compliance period] we ['did not monitor or test' or 'did not
complete all monitoring or testing'] for b mm ate and therefore cannot be sure of the quality
of our drinking water during that time. We were allowed to take 1 sample per quarter rather
than 1 sample per month. In [give date], we no longer qualified for reduced quarterly
bromate monitoring. Beginning in [give date], we failed to begin monitoring monthly for
bromate.
What should I do?
There is nothing you need to do. You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective
actions. You may continue to drink the water. If a situation arises where the water is no
longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours. We will announce any emergencies
on [give TV and/or radio stations where they can get additional information]. We will also
post this information on our web site at www.ourwatersystem.com.
What is being done?
[Describe corrective action.] We began monitoring monthly for bromate on [give date] and
will continue to monitoring on this schedule until (unless) we qualify for reduced monitoring.
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing
address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system].
Date distributed:
State Water System ID#:
Public Notification Handbook
104
March 2007
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Instructions for Failure to Comply with a Testing Procedure Notice - Template 3-2
Template on Reverse
Failure to comply with a testing procedure requires Tier 3 notification. You must provide public
notice to persons served within one year after you learn of the violation (141 .204(b)). Multiple
testing 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 (141.204(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following (141.204(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.204(c)). 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. If the violation has been
resolved, you must post the notice for at least seven days (141.204(b)). If you mail, post, or
hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for insertion in an annual notice or the Consumer
Confidence Report (CCR), as long as public notification timing and delivery requirements are
met(141.204(d)).
This example is for a holding time violation. It will need to be modified for other types of testing
violations. However, you must include in your notice the standard language for monitoring and
testing procedure violations (141 .205(d)(2)). If you modify the notice, you may not alter this
mandatory language.
Corrective Actions
In your notice, describe corrective actions you took or are taking. Listed below is a step
commonly taken by water systems with a holding time violation. You can use the following
language, if appropriate, or develop your own that is specific to your testing violation:
On (date) we collected (will collect) a new sample of our finished water in order to have it
analyzed for (contaminant). We sent (will send) the sample to the certified laboratory via
courier to ensure that the sample arrived within the allowed holding time.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that
you have met all the public notice requirements within ten days after issuing the notice
Public Notification Handbook
105
March 2007
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Failure to Comply with a Testing Procedure Notice - Template 3-2
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Failure to Comply With a Testing Procedure
Our water system [name of system] recently failed to comply with a required testing procedure.
Even though this was not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what
happened and what we did to correct the situation.
We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis.
Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets health
standards. During [compliance period] we did not complete all monitoring or testing for
[contaminant(s)] and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of our drinking water during that
time. Any sample we collect must be sent and analyzed by a certified laboratory within a
specified amount of time. We collected the sample on [give date], but did not get our sample to
the laboratory within the allowed holding time.
What should I do?
There is nothing you need to do. You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective
actions. You may continue to drink the water and use it for cooking and bathing. If a
situation arises where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24
hours. We will announce any emergencies on [give TV and/or radio stations where they can
get additional information].
What is being done?
On (date) we collected (will collect) a new sample of our finished water in order to have it
analyzed for (contaminant). We sent (will send) the sample to the certified lab via courier to
ensure that the sample arrived within the allowed holding time. (The sample was analyzed and
(contaminant) was not found at detectable levels.)
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those
who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing
homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or
distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system name]. State Water System ID# .
Date distributed:
Public Notification Handbook
106
March 2007
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Instructions for Operating Under an Exemption Notice - Template 3-3
Template on Reverse
If you are operating under a variance or exemption, you are required to provide Tier 3 notification. You
must provide public notice to persons served within one year after you begin operating under a variance
or exemption (141.204(b)). Systems operating under a variance or exemption are required to include the
following information in their notice (141.205(b)):
An explanation for the reasons for the variance or exemption;
The date on which the variance or exemption was issued;
A brief status report on the steps the system is 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.
Your primacy agency may require additional information. Check with your primacy agency to make sure
you meet its requirements. Failure to comply with a variance or exemption is a Tier 2 violation. Use
Template 2-13 for this type of violation.
Community systems must use one of the following (141.204(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following (141.204(c)):
Posting in conspicuous locations
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 (141.204(c)). 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. If the violation has been resolved, you must post the notice
for at least seven days (141.204(b)). If you mail, post, or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if
available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for insertion in an annual notice or the Consumer Confidence
Report (CCR), as long as public notification timing and delivery requirements are met (141.204(d)).
Corrective Actions
In your notice, describe corrective actions you took or are taking. Listed below is one action commonly
taken by water systems that have been granted an exemption. You can use the following language, if
appropriate, or develop your own:
We have begun the process to secure the necessary funding for a new treatment process. We have
[explain steps taken thus far] and anticipate having funding secured by [date]. At that time we will
[explain the next step, such as purchase and begin installation of the selected treatment technology].
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have
met all the public notice requirements within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)).
Public Notification Handbook
107
March 2007
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Operating Under an Exemption Notice - Template 3-3
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Operating Under an Exemption
Our water system has been granted an exemption from [primacy agency] for
[contaminant] on [give date]. An exemption allows eligible systems additional time to
comply with a drinking water standard. [Name of system] was granted an exemption for
(contaminant) so that we could raise funds for a new treatment process to remove
(contaminant) from our drinking water.
What should I do?
[Provide information about any actions customers or you are required to take as a
condition of the exemption. For example if you are required to provide bottled water
explain where, when and how customers will receive bottled water. If you are not
required to provide bottled water or there are no corrective actions customers should
take, you may state that here].
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been informed within 24
hours.
[Consider including health effects language specific to the contaminant for which the
exemption applies]
What is being done?
We have begun the process to secure the necessary funding for a new treatment
process. We have [explain steps taken thus far] and anticipate having funding secured
by [date]. At that time we will [explain the next step, such as purchase and begin
installation of the selected treatment technology].
[Our exemption will be reviewed by [primacy agency] on [date]. As our customer you
have the opportunity to provide input if you wish.]
For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing
address].
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially
those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in
apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this
notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system name].
Date distributed:
State Water System ID#
Public Notification Handbook
108
March 2007
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Instructions for Special Notice for Availability of Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring
Data- Template 3-4
Template on Reverse
If you are required to monitor under 141.40 for unregulated contaminants, you must
provide Tier 3 notification to persons served within one year after you receive the
monitoring results (141.207(a)). Check with your primacy agency to make sure you
meet its requirements.
Community systems must use one of the following (141.204(c)):
• Hand or direct delivery
• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
Non-community systems must use one of the following (141.204(c)):
• Posting in conspicuous locations
• 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
(141.204(c)). Such methods could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to
community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand deliver, print your notice on
letterhead, if available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for insertion in an annual notice or the
Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), as long as public notification timing and delivery
requirements are met (141.207(a)).
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification
that you have met all the public notice requirements within ten days after issuing the
notice (141.31 (d)).
Public Notification Handbook
109
March 2007
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Special Notice for Availability of Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Data-
Template 3-4
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Availability of Monitoring Data for Unregulated Contaminants for [System]
Our water system has sampled for a series of unregulated contaminants. Unregulated
contaminants are those that don't yet have a drinking water standard set by USEPA.
The purpose of monitoring for these contaminants is to help EPA decide whether the
contaminants should have a standard. As our customers, you have a right to know that
this data is available. If you are interested in examining the results, please contact
[name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].
This notice is being sent to you by [system].
Date distributed:
State Water System ID#:
Public Notification Handbook
110
March 2007
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Instructions for Fluoride SMCL Notice - Template 3-5
Template on Reverse
For any exceedance of the fluoride secondary maximum contaminant level SMCL, you must
provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 12 months after you
learn of the exceedance (141.208), using the provided mandatory language and filling in the
blanks. Your primacy agency may have more stringent deadlines or other requirements.
Because fluoride at levels above the SMCL can permanently discolor children's teeth, you are
urged to issue this notice as soon as practical. Non-community systems that monitor for fluoride
(federal law does not require non-community systems to monitor) are encouraged to notify their
consumers if they exceed the SMCL, especially at water systems serving children. If you
exceed the MCL of 4 mg/l, you must provide notice within 30 days of learning of the violation
(141.203(a)). See Template 2-4.
Community systems must use one of the following (141 .204(c)):
Hand or direct delivery
Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill
In addition, you must use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would
not be reached by the first method (141.204(c)). Such methods could include newspapers, e-
mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you post the notice, it must remain posted until
the exceedance is resolved. If the exceedance has been resolved, you must post the notice for
at least seven days (141.204(b)). If you mail, post, or hand deliver, print your notice on
letterhead, if available.
The notice on the reverse is appropriate for insertion in an annual notice or the CCR, as long as
public notification timing and delivery requirements are met (141.204(d)), as well as for a
separate individual notice. The language on the template is mandatory and may not be
modified, although you may add to the notice, as suggested below (141.208).
Explaining the Situation
Use the following language, if applicable:
Fluoride contamination is rarely due to human activity. Fluoride occurs naturally in some
areas and is found in high concentrations in the aquifer in our source water.
If the fluoride levels in the water have returned to below the SMCL, be sure to make this clear in
your notice.
Corrective Actions
In your notice, you should describe corrective actions you took or are taking, if any. The bullet
below describes one action commonly taken by water systems with fluoride SMCL
exceedances. You can use this language, or develop your own:
We are continuing to monitor fluoride levels. We will inform you if they exceed the limit of 4
mg/l.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that
you have met all the public notice requirements within ten days after issuing the notice
Public Notification Handbook 111 March 2007
-------
Fluoride SMCL Notice - Template 3-5
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Elevated Fluoride Levels Detected
This is an alert about your drinking water and a cosmetic dental problem that might
affect children under nine years of age. At low levels, fluoride can help prevent cavities,
but children drinking water containing more than 2 milligrams per liter (mg/l) of fluoride
may develop cosmetic discoloration of their permanent teeth (dental fluorosis). The
drinking water provided by your community water system [name] has a fluoride
concentration of [insert value] mg/l.
Dental fluorosis in its moderate or severe forms, may result in a brown staining and or
pitting of the permanent teeth. This problem occurs only in developing teeth, before they
erupt from the gums. Children under nine should be provided with alternative sources of
drinking water or water that has been treated to remove the fluoride to avoid the
possibility of staining and pitting of their permanent teeth. You may also want to contact
your dentist about proper use by young children of fluoride-containing products. Older
children and adults may safely drink the water.
Drinking water containing more than 4 mg/l of fluoride (the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's drinking water standard) can increase your risk of developing bone
disease. Your drinking water does not contain more than 4 mg/l of fluoride, but we're
required to notify you when we discover that the fluoride levels in your drinking water
exceed 2 mg/l because of this cosmetic dental problem.
For more information, please call [name of water system contact] of [name of
community water system] at [phone number]. Some home water treatment units are
also available to remove fluoride from drinking water. To learn more about available
home water treatment units, you may call NSF International at 1-877-8-NSF-HELP.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water,
especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people
in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting
this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by [system]: .
State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
Public Notification Handbook
112
March 2007
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Appendices
Public Notification Handbook
113
March 2007
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Public Notification Handbook 114 March 2007
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Appendix A
NPDWR Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice1
(From Appendix A of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006)
Contaminant
MCL/MRDL/TT Violations2
Tier of Public
Notice
Reg ui red
Citation
Monitoring & Testing
Procedure Violations
Tier of Public
Notice
Reg ui red
Citation
I. Violations of National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR):3
A. Microbiological Contaminants
1 . Total coliform
2. Fecal coliform/E. coli
3. Turbidity MCL
4. Turbidity MCL (average of
2 days' samples >5 NTU)
5. Turbidity (for TT violations
resulting from a single
exceedance of maximum
allowable turbidity level)
6. Surface Water Treatment
Rule violations, other than
violations resulting from
single exceedance of max.
allowable turbidity level (TT)
7. Interim Enhanced Surface
Water Treatment Rule
violations, other than
violations resulting from
single exceedance of max.
turbidity level (TT)
8. Filter Backwash Recycling
Rule violations
9. Long Term 1 Enhanced
Surface Water Treatment
Rule violations
10. LT2ESWTR violations
2
1
2
25, 1
26, 1
2
27
2
2
2
141 .63(a)
141.63(b)
141.13(a)
141.13(b)
141.71(a)(2),
141.71(c)(2)(i),
141.73(a)(2),
141.73(b)(2),
141.73(c)(2),
141.73(d),
141.173(a)(2),
141.173(b),
141.551(b)
141.70-141.73
141.170-
141.173,
141.500-
141.553
141.76(c)
141.500-
141.553
141.710-
141.720
3
14,3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
222, 3
141.21(a)-(e)
141.21(e)
141.22
141.22
141.74(a)(1),
141.74(b)(2),
141.74(c)(1),
141.174,
141.560(a)-(c),
141.561
141.74
141.172,
141.174,
141.530-
141.544,
141.560-
141.564
141.76(b), (d)
141.530-
141.544,
141.560-
141.564
141.701-
141. 705 and
141.708-
141.709
B. Inorganic Chemicals (lOCs)
1. Antimony
2. Arsenic
3. Asbestos (fibers >10 jam)
2
2
2
141.62(b)
141.62(b)8
141.62(b)
3
3
3
141.23(a), (c)
141.23(a), (c)11
141.23(a)-(b)
Public Notification Handbook
115
March 2007
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Appendix A
NPDWR Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice
(From Appendix A of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006)
Contaminant
4. Barium
5. Beryllium
6. Cadmium
7. Chromium (total)
8. Cyanide
9. Fluoride
10. Mercury (inorganic)
11. Nitrate
12. Nitrite
13. Total Nitrate and Nitrite
14. Selenium
15. Thallium
MCL/MRDL/TT Violations2
Tier of Public
Notice
Required
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
Citation
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)
Monitoring & Testing
Procedure Violations
Tier of Public
Notice
Required
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
1,312
1,312
3
3
3
Citation
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(a), (c)
141.23(a), (c)
C. Lead and Copper Rule (Action Level for lead is 0.015 mg/L, for copper is 1.3 mg/L)
1. Lead and Copper Rule
(TT)
2
141.80-141.85
3
141.86-141.89
D. Synthetic Organic Chemicals (SOCs)
1.2,4-D
2. 2,4,5-TP (Silvex)
3. Alachlor
4. Atrazine
5. Benzo(a)pyrene (PAHs)
6. Carbofuran
7. Chlordane
8. Dalapon
9. Di (2-ethylhexyl) adipate
10. Di (2-ethylhexyl)
phthalate
11. Dibromochloropropane
12. Dinoseb
13. Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD)
14. Diquat
15. Endothall
16. Endrin
17. Ethylene dibromide
18. Glyphosate
19. Heptachlor
20. Heptachlor epoxide
21. Hexachlorobenzene
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
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)
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)
141.61(c)
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
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)
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)
Public Notification Handbook
116
March 2007
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Appendix A
NPDWR Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice
(From Appendix A of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006)
Contaminant
22. Hexachlorocyclo-
pentadiene
23. Lindane
24. Methoxychlor
25. Oxamyl (Vydate)
26. Pentachlorophenol
27. Picloram
28. Polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs)
29. Simazine
30. Toxaphene
MCL/MRDL/TT Violations2
Tier of Public
Notice
Required
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Citation
141.61(c)
141.61(0)
141.61(0)
141.61(0)
141.61(0)
141. 61 (c)
141.61(0)
141. 61 (c)
141. 61 (c)
Monitoring & Testing
Procedure Violations
Tier of Public
Notice
Required
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)
E. Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs)
1. Benzene
2. Carbon tetrachloride
3. Chlorobenzene
(monochlorobenzene)
4. o-Dichlorobenzene
5. p-Dichlorobenzene
6. 1,2-Dichloroethane
7. 1,1-Dichloroethylene
8. c/s-1,2-Dichloroethylene
9. frans-1,2-Dichloroethylene
10. Dichloromethane
11. 1,2-Dichloropropane
12. Ethylbenzene
13. Styrene
14. Tetrachloroethylene
15. Toluene
16. 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
17. 1,1,1-Trichloroethane
18. 1,1,2-Trichloroethane
19. Trichloroethylene
20. Vinyl chloride
21. Xylenes (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(3)
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(f)
141.24(0
141.24(0
141.24(0
141.24(0
141.24(0
141.24(0
141.24(0
141.24(0
141.24(0
141.24(0
141.24(0
141.24(0
141.24(0
141.24(0
141.24(0
141.24(0
141.24(0
141.24(0
141.24(0
141.24(0
F. Radioactive Contaminants
1. Beta/photon emitters
2. Alpha emitters
3. Combined radium (226
and 228)
2
2
2
141.66(d)
141.66(c)
141.66(b)
3
3
3
141.25(3)
141.26(b)
141.25(3)
141.26(3)
141.25(3)
141.26(3)
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Appendix A
NPDWR Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice
(From Appendix A of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006)
Contaminant
4. Uranium
MCL/MRDL/TT Violations2
Tier of Public
Notice
Required
29
Citation
141 .66(e)
Monitoring & Testing
Procedure Violations
Tier of Public
Notice
Required
310
Citation
141.25(3)
141.26(3)
G. Disinfection Byproducts (DBFs), Byproduct Precursors, 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 (DBPs). EPA sets standards for controlling the levels of disinfectants and DBPs
in drinking water, including trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs).13
1. Total trihalomethanes
(TTHMs)
2. Haloacetic Acids (HAAS)
3. Bromate
4. Chlorite
5. Chlorine (MRDL)
6. Chloramine (MRDL)
7. Chlorine dioxide (MRDL),
where any 2 consecutive
daily samples at entrance to
distribution system only are
above MRDL
8. Chlorine dioxide (MRDL),
where sample(s) in
distribution system the next
day are also above MRDL
9. Control of DBP
precursors — TOC (TT)
10. Benchmarking and
disinfection profiling
11. Development of
monitoring plan
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
116
2
N/A
N/A
141.64(b)14
141.64(b)
141.64(a)
141 .64(a)
141.65(3)
141.65(3)
141 .65(a),
141.133(c)(3)
141 .65(3),
141.133(c)(3)
141.135(3)-(b)
N/A
N/A
3
3
3
3
3
3
215, 3
1
3
3
3
141.132(3)-(b)
141.600-
141.605,
141.620-
141.629
141.132(3)-(b)
141.600-
141.605,
141.620-
141.629
141.132(3)-(b)
141.132(3)-(b)
141.132(3), (c)
141.132(3), (c)
141.132(3), (c)
141.133(c)(2)
141.132(3), (c)
141.133(c)(2)
141.132(3), (d)
141.172,
141.530-
141.544
141.132(f)
H. Other Treatment Techniques
1. Acrylamide (TT)
2. Epichlorohydrin (TT)
2
2
141.111
141.111
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
II. Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring:17
A. Unregulated contaminants
B. Nickel
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3
3
141.40
141.23(c), (k)
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Appendix A
NPDWR Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice
(From Appendix A of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006)
Contaminant
MCL/MRDL/TT Violations2
Tier of Public
Notice
Required
Citation
Monitoring & Testing
Procedure Violations
Tier of Public
Notice
Required
Citation
III. Public Notification for Variances and Exemptions:
A. Operation under a
variance or exemption
B. Violation of conditions of a
variance or exemption
3
2
1415, 141618
1415, 1416,
142. 30719
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
IV. Other Situations Requiring Public Notification:
A. Fluoride secondary
maximum contaminant level
(SMCL) exceedance
B. Exceedance of nitrate
MCL for non-community
systems, as allowed by
primacy agency
C. Availability of unregulated
contaminant monitoring data
D. Waterborne disease
outbreak
E. Other waterborne
emergency20
F. Other situations as
determined by primacy
agency
3
1
3
1
1
1,2, 321
143.3
141.11(d)
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
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
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Appendix A Endnotes
1. Violations and other situations not listed in this table (e.g., failure to prepare Consumer
Confidence Reports), do not require notice, unless otherwise determined by the primary agency.
Primacy agencies may, at their option, also require a more stringent public notice tier (e.g., Tier
1 instead of Tier 2 or Tier 2 instead of Tier 3) for specific violations and situations listed in this
Appendix, as authorized under §141.202(a) and §141.203(a).
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. Failure to test for fecal coliform or E. coli is a Tier 1 violation if testing is not done after any
repeat sample tests positive for coliform. All other total coliform monitoring and testing
procedure violations are Tier 3.
5. Systems that violate the turbidity MCL of 5 NTU based on an average of measurements over
two consecutive days must consult with the primacy agency within 24 hours after learning of the
violation. Based on this consultation, the primacy agency may subsequently decide to elevate
the violation to Tier 1. If a system is unable to make contact with the primacy agency in the 24-
hour period, the violation is automatically elevated to Tier 1.
6. Systems with treatment technique violations involving a single exceedance of a maximum
turbidity limit under the Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), the Interim Enhanced Surface
Water Treatment Rule (IESWTR), or the Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
(LT1ESWTR) are required to consult with the primacy agency within 24 hours after learning of
the violation. Based on this consultation, the primacy agency may subsequently decide to
elevate the violation to Tier 1. If a system is unable to make contact with the primacy agency in
the 24-hour period, the violation is automatically elevated to Tier 1.
7. Most of the requirements of the Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (63 FR
69477) (§§141.170-141.171, 141.173-141.174) become effective January 1, 2002 for Subpart
H systems (surface water systems and ground water systems under the direct influence of
surface water) serving at least 10,000 persons. However, §141.172 has some requirements that
become effective as early as April 16, 1999. The Surface Water Treatment Rule remains in
effect for systems serving at least 10,000 persons even after 2002; the Interim Enhanced
Surface Water Treatment Rule adds additional requirements and does not in many cases
supersede the SWTR.
8. The arsenic MCL citations are effective January 23, 2006. Until then, the citations are
§141.11(b)and§141.23(n).
9. The uranium MCL Tier 2 violation citations are effective December 8, 2003 for all community
water systems.
10. The uranium Tier 3 violation citations are effective December 8, 2000 for all community
water systems.
11. The arsenic Tier 3 violation MCL citations are effective January 23, 2006. Until then, the
citations are §141.23(a), (I).
Public Notification Handbook 120 March 2007
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12. Failure to take a confirmation sample within 24 hours for nitrate or nitrite after an initial
sample exceeds the MCL is a Tier 1 violation. Other monitoring violations for nitrate are Tier 3.
13. 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 January 1, 2002. All other community and non-transient non-community systems
must meet the MCLs and MRDLs beginning January 1, 2004. Subpart H transient non-
community systems serving 10,000 or more persons and using chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant
or oxidant must comply with the chlorine dioxide MRDL beginning January 1, 2002. Subpart H
transient non-community systems serving fewer than 10,000 persons and using only ground
water not under the direct influence of surface water and using chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant
or oxidant must comply with the chlorine dioxide MRDL beginning January 1, 2004.
14. §§141.64(b)(1) 141.132(a)-(b) apply until §§141.620-141.630 take effect under the
schedule in §141.620(c).
15. Failure to monitor for chlorine dioxide at the entrance to the distribution system the day after
exceeding the MRDL at the entrance to the distribution system is a Tier 2 violation.
16. If any daily sample taken at the entrance to the distribution system exceeds the MRDL for
chlorine dioxide and one or more samples taken in the distribution system the next day exceed
the MRDL, Tier 1 notification is required. Failure to take the required samples in the distribution
system after the MRDL is exceeded at the entry point also triggers Tier 1 notification.
17. Some water systems must monitor for certain unregulated contaminants listed in §141.40.
18. This citation refers to §§1415 and 1416 of the Safe Drinking Water Act. §§1415 and 1416
require that "a schedule prescribed. . . for a public water system granted a variance [or
exemption] shall require compliance by the system. . ."
19. In addition to §§1415 and 1416 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 40 CFR 142.307 specifies
the items and schedule milestones that must be included in a variance for small systems.
20. Other waterborne emergencies require a Tier 1 public notice under §141.202(a) for
situations that do not meet the definition of a waterborne disease outbreak given in 40 CFR
141.2 but that still have the potential to have serious adverse effects on health as a result of
short-term exposure. These could include outbreaks not related to treatment deficiencies, as
well as situations that have the potential to cause outbreaks, such as failures or significant
interruption in water treatment processes, natural disasters that disrupt the water supply or
distribution system, chemical spills, or unexpected loading of possible pathogens into the source
water.
21. Primacy agencies may place other situations in any tier they believe appropriate, based on
threat to public health.
22. Failure to collect three or more samples for Cryptosporidium analysis is a Tier 2 violation
requiring special notice as specified in §141.211. All other monitoring and testing procedure
violations are Tier 3.
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Public Notification Handbook 122 March 2007
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Appendix B
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006)
Contaminant
MCLG1
mg/L
MCL2
mg/L
Standard Health Effects Language for Public
Notification
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR):
A. Microbiological Contaminants
1a. Total coliform
Zero
See
footnote3
Conforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the
environment and are used as an indicator that other,
potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. Conforms
were found in more samples than allowed and this was a
warning of potential problems.
1b. Fecal coliform/E. coli
Zero
Zero
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, some of the elderly and people with
severely compromised immune systems.
2a. Turbidity (MCI_r
None
1 NTU7
5NTU
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.
2b. Turbidity (SWTR TT)D
None
TT7
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.
2c. Turbidity (IESWTR and
LT1ESWTR TT)8
None
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.
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Appendix B
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006)
Contaminant
MCLG1
mg/L
MCL2
mg/L
Standard Health Effects Language for Public
Notification
B. Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (IESWTR),
Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT1ESWTR) and the Filter Backwash Recycling
Rule (FBRR) violations
3. Giardia Iambi ia
(SWTR/IESWTR/
LT1 ESWTR)
4. Viruses
(SWTR/IESWTR/
LT1 ESWTR)
5. Heterotrophic plate
count (HPC) bacteria9
(SWTR/IESWTR/
LT1 ESWTR)
6. Legionella
(SWTR/IESWTR/
LT1 ESWTR)
7. Cryptosporidium
(IESWTR/FBRR/
LT1 ESWTR)
Zero
TT10
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.
C. Inorganic Chemicals (lOCs)
8. Antimony
9. Arsenic11
10. Asbestos (10 urn)
11. Barium
12. Beryllium
13. Cadmium
14. Chromium (total)
15. Cyanide
16. Fluoride
0.006
0
7 MFL1^
2
0.004
0.005
0.1
0.2
4.0
0.006
0.010
7MFL
2
0.004
0.005
0.1
0.2
4.0
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.
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.
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.
Some people who drink water containing barium in excess
of the MCL over many years could experience an increase
in their blood pressure.
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. Fluoride in
drinking water at half the MCL or more may cause mottling
of children's teeth, usually in children less than nine years
old. Mottling, also known as dental fluorosis, may include
brown staining and/or pitting of the teeth, and occurs only in
developing teeth, before they erupt from the gums.
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Appendix B
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006)
Contaminant
17. Mercury (inorganic)
18. Nitrate
19. Nitrite
20. Total Nitrate and Nitrite
21. Selenium
22. Thallium
MCLG1
mg/L
0.002
10
1
10
0.05
0.0005
MCL2
mg/L
0.002
10
1
10
0.05
0.002
Standard Health Effects Language for Public
Notification
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.
D. Lead and Copper Rule
23. Lead
24. Copper
Zero
1.3
TT13
TT14
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.
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.
E. Synthetic Organic Chemicals (SOCs)
25. 2,4-D
26. 2,4,5-TP (Silvex)
27. Alachlor
28. Atrazine
0.07
0.05
Zero
0.003
0.07
0.05
0.002
0.003
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, or experience anemia, and
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.
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Appendix B
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006)
Contaminant
29. Benzo(a)pyrene
(PAHs)
30. Carbofuran
31. Chlordane
32. Dalapon
33. Di (2-ethylhexyl)
ad i pate
34. Di(2-ethylhexyl)
phthalate
35. Dibromochloropropane
(DBCP)
36. Dinoseb
37. Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD)
38. Diquat
39. Endothall
40. Endrin
41. Ethylene dibromide
42. Glyphosate
43. Heptachlor
MCLG1
mg/L
Zero
0.04
Zero
0.2
0.4
Zero
Zero
0.007
Zero
0.02
0.1
0.002
Zero
0.7
Zero
MCL2
mg/L
0.0002
0.04
0.002
0.2
0.4
0.006
0.0002
0.007
3x1 0"8
0.02
0.1
0.002
0.00005
0.7
0.0004
Standard Health Effects Language for Public
Notification
Some people who drink water containing benzo(a)pyrene in
excess of the MCL over many years may experience
reproductive difficulties and 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 toxic effects such as weight loss, liver
enlargement or reproductive difficulties.
Some people who drink water containing di (2-ethylhexyl)
phthalate 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.
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.
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Appendix B
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006)
Contaminant
44. Heptachlor epoxide
45. Hexachlorobenzene
46. Hexachlorocyclo-
pentadiene
47. Lindane
48. Methoxychlor
49. Oxamyl (Vydate)
50. Pentachlorophenol
51. Picloram
52. Polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs)
53. Simazine
54. Toxaphene
MCLG1
mg/L
Zero
Zero
0.05
0.0002
0.04
0.2
Zero
0.5
Zero
0.004
Zero
MCL2
mg/L
0.0002
0.001
0.05
0.0002
0.04
0.2
0.001
0.5
0.0005
0.004
0.003
Standard Health Effects Language for Public
Notification
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.
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.
F. Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs)
55. Benzene
56. Carbon tetrachloride
57. Chlorobenzene
(monochlorobenzene)
Zero
Zero
0.1
0.005
0.005
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.
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Appendix B
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006)
Contaminant
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
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-Trichloroethane
73. Trichloroethylene
MCLG1
mg/L
0.6
0.075
Zero
0.007
0.07
0.1
Zero
Zero
0.7
0.1
Zero
1
0.07
0.2
0.003
Zero
MCL2
mg/L
0.6
0.075
0.005
0.007
0.07
0.1
0.005
0.005
0.7
0.1
0.005
1
0.07
0.2
0.005
0.005
Standard Health Effects Language for Public
Notification
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.
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.
Public Notification Handbook
128
March 2007
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Appendix B
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006)
Contaminant
74. Vinyl chloride
75. Xylenes (total)
MCLG1
mg/L
Zero
10
MCL2
mg/L
0.002
10
Standard Health Effects Language for Public
Notification
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.
G. Radioactive Contaminants
76. Beta/photon emitters
77. Alpha emitters
78. Combined radium (226
&228)
79. Uraniumnb
Zero
Zero
Zero
Zero
4
mrem/yr15
17
pCi/L17
5
pCi/L
30 ng/L
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.
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.
Some people who drink water containing uranium in excess
of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of
getting cancer and kidney toxicity.
H. 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 sets standards
for controlling the levels of disinfectants and DBFs in drinking water, including trihalomethanes (THMs)
and haloacetic acids (HAAs)18
80. Total trihalomethanes
(TTHMs)
81 . Haloacetic Acids (HAA)
82. Bromate
83. Chlorite
84. Chlorine
85. Chloramines
N/A
N/A
Zero
0.08
4
(MRDLG)22
4
(MRDLG)
0.08019'20
0.06021
0.010
1.0
4.0
(MRDL)23
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 haloacetic acids in
excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased
risk of getting cancer.
Some people who drink water containing bromate in excess
of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of
getting 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 women who drink water containing chlorite in
excess of the MCL. Some people may experience anemia.
Some people who use 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 use 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
129
March 2007
-------
Appendix B
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006)
Contaminant
MCLG1
mg/L
MCL"
mg/L
Standard Health Effects Language for Public
Notification
86a. Chlorine dioxide,
where any 2 consecutive
daily samples taken at the
entrance to the distribution
system are above the
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 women who drink water containing
chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL. Some people may
experience anemia.
Add for public notification only: The chlorine dioxide
violations reported today are the result of exceed an ces 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.
86b. Chlorine dioxide,
where one or more
distribution system
samples are above the
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 women who drink water containing
chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL. Some people may
experience anemia.
Add for public notification only: 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.
87. Control of DBP
precursors (TOC)
None
Total organic carbon (TOC) has no health effects.
However, total organic carbon provides a medium for the
formation of disinfection byproducts. These byproducts
include trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids
(HAAs). Drinking water containing these byproducts in
excess of the MCL may lead to adverse health effects, liver
or kidney problems, or nervous system effects, and may
lead to an increased risk of getting cancer.
I. Other Treatment Techniques
88. Acrylamide
Zero
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.
89. 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.
Public Notification Handbook
130
March 2007
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Appendix B Endnotes
1. MCLG - Maximum contaminant level goal
2. MCL - Maximum contaminant level
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. There are various regulations that set turbidity standards for different types of systems,
including 40 CFR 141.13, and the 1989 Surface Water Treatment Rule, the 1998 Interim
Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule and the 2002 Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water
Treatment Rule. The MCL for the monthly turbidity average is 1 NTU; the MCL for the 2-day
average is 5 NTU for systems that are required to filter but have not yet installed filtration (40
CFR 141.13).
5. NTU - Nephelometric turbidity unit
6. There are various regulations that set turbidity standards for different types of systems,
including 40 CFR 141.13, and the 1989 Surface Water Treatment Rule, the 1998 Interim
Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule and the 2001 Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water
Treatment Rule. Systems subject to the Surface Water Treatment Rule (both filtered and
unfiltered) may not exceed 5 NTU. In addition, in filtered systems, 95 percent of samples each
month must not exceed 0.5 NTU in systems using conventional or direct filtration and must not
exceed 1 NTU in systems using slow sand or diatomaceous earth filtration or other filtration
technologies approved by the primacy agency.
7. TT - Treatment technique
8. There are various regulations that set turbidity standards for different types of systems,
including 40 CFR 141.13, the 1989 Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), the 1998 Interim
Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (IESWTR) and the 2002 Long Term 1 Enhanced
Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT1ESWTR). For systems subject to the IESWTR (systems
serving at least 10,000 people, using surface water or ground water under the direct influence of
surface water), that use conventional filtration or direct filtration, after January 1, 2002, the
turbidity level of a system's combined filter effluent may not exceed 0.3 NTU in at least 95
percent of monthly measurements, and the turbidity level of a system's combined filter effluent
must not exceed 1 NTU at any time. Systems subject to the IESWTR using technologies other
than conventional, direct, slow sand, or diatomaceous earth filtration must meet turbidity limits
set by the primacy agency. For systems subject to the LT1 ESWTR (systems serving fewer than
10,000 people, using surface water or ground water under the direct influence of surface water)
that use conventional filtration or direct filtration, after January 1, 2005, the turbidity level of a
system's combined filter effluent may not exceed 0.3 NTU in at least 95 percent of monthly
measurements, and the turbidity level of a system's combined filter effluent must not exceed 1
NTU at any time. Systems subject to the LT1 ESWTR using technologies other than
conventional, direct, slow sand, or diatomaceous earth filtration must meet turbidity limits set by
the primacy agency.
9. The bacteria detected by heterotrophic plate count (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.
Public Notification Handbook 131 March 2007
-------
10. SWTR, IESWTR, and LT1ESWTR treatment technique violations that involve turbidity
exceedances may use the health effects language for turbidity instead.
11. These arsenic values are effective January 23, 2006. Until then, the MCL is 0.05 mg/L and
there is no MCLG.
12. Millions fibers per liter.
13. Action Level = 0.015 mg/L
14. Action Level = 1.3 mg/L
15. Millirems per years
16. The uranium MCL is effective December 8, 2003 for all community water systems.
17. Picocuries per liter
18. 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 subpart L DBP MCLs and
disinfectant maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) beginning January 1, 2002. All other
community and non-transient non-community systems must comply with subpart L DBP MCLs
and disinfectant MRDLs beginning January 1, 2004. Subpart H transient non-community
systems serving >10,000 that use chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant or oxidant must comply with
the chlorine dioxide MRDL beginning January 1, 2002. All other transient non-community
systems that use chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant or oxidant must comply with the chlorine
dioxide MRDL beginning January 1, 2004.
19. Community and non-transient non-community systems must comply with subpart V TTHM
and HAAS MCLs of 0.080 mg/L and 0.060 mg/L, respectively (with compliance calculated as a
locational running annual average) on the schedule in §141.620.
20. The MCL for total trihalomethanes is the sum of the concentrations of the individual
trihalomethanes.
21. The MCL for haloacetic acids is the sum of the concentrations of the individual haloacetic
acids.
22. MRDLG - Maximum residual disinfectant level goal.
23. MRDL - Maximum residual disinfectant level.
Public Notification Handbook 132 March 2007
-------
Appendix C
Translated Phrases
From: Washington Department of Health (DOH PUB. # 331-246, February 2004) http://www.doh.wa.qov/ehp/dw/proqrams/public notification.htm
English
This report contains important information about
your drinking water.
Have someone translate it for you,
or speak with someone who understands it.
Boil your water before
using.
Don't drink the water.
Children under 12 months old should not drink the
water.
Don't use the water to make formula.
inn
Amharic
a>£,9°
h!2
Arabic
.* - s • "*
12 t
ij_>jj V
-'•=•'.•'' V ,«UIt
Cambodian
(Khmer)
itntDfnfnnts; nsfint:M9is[vniM
Hfi89nj9is i tinntisnmtnfiaranfratistnnn-fln
d it i/ ct u u ^ =t
unstiniuditJtutistuntnfi f
GIH19fiBJtjSftJS
5sRiBjnii8nt9
Chinese
Simplified
12
Chinese
Traditional
*.'
/^ 12
ot oilaiwl !
Farsi
jt . JtwLye Uw
i 4;
o!
4AU 1 f
French
Ce rapport contient des informations importantes a
propos de votre eau potable. Demander a quelqu'un
de traduire ces informations pour vous ou discuter
avec une personne qui comprend ces informations.
Faire bouillir 1'eau avant
de 1'utiliser.
Ne pasboire 1'eau.
Les enfants des moins de 12 mois ne doivent pas
bo ire 1'eau. Ne pas utiliser 1'eau dans une
preparation lactee pour nourrisson.
-------
-O
C
O"
O
=±.
O
D
Appendix C
Translated Phrases
English
This report contains important information about
your drinking water.
Have someone translate it for you,
or speak with someone who understands it.
Boil your water before
using.
Don't drink the water.
Children under 12 months old should not drink the
water.
Don't use the water to make formula.
Greek
r| av
TO
Ttooifio vepo aa^. Zr|Tr|aTe cmo KOHIOIOV va
oat; TT| |ieTa<|)paaei, f| (ii^ietote \ie Kcmoiov
Ttoi) TT|V
Bpa^ete TO vepo
Tipiv TO
MTJV TtiveTe TO vepo.
Ta TtaiSia KOTCO TCOV 12 jarjvcov 5ev 6a
jrpeTtei va TIIVOW TO vepo. Mr)
%pr|oijj,O7i;oir|(7eTe TO vepo yia va ([rtia
KctTioia
Hebrew
.ODlw n»n\yn >ob yjm iwn vna i^o m nrr
y>oxa wpn
invi»Q ov
.o>on
nnno o>i!7>>
.\yia>\yn
Hindi
12
SJRTT ?t
'WHO'll
fpft?"
Cov mivnyuas kws tsi tau muaj 12 xyoo ts:
haus cov dlej nuav. Txhob muab cov dlej
moog tov mig.
W
^
Hmong
Dlaim ntawv tshaabxu nuav muaj lug tseemceeb
heev nyob rua huv kws has txug cov dlej mej haus.
Kuas ib tug paab txhais rua koj, los nrug ib tug kws
paub lug thaam.
Uantej kws yuav siv mej
cov dlej nuav yuav tau
muab nwg rhaub kuas
npau.
Tsi txhob haus cov dlej
nuav.
tsi txhob
nuav
Japanese
SB.,
on/
Korean
]^ ?|*)-0] AJ^O)] Cfl*}
^^^ 6
12-
Laotian
s coiunsu
Unanuun.
12
Oromo
NJ
o
o
^i
Gabaasii kun odeeffanno barbachisa wa'ee bisaan
dhugaatii qaba. Akkaa isinii turjumaa'uu gaafadhaa
yokaan nama afaan keessan dubbatuu dubbisaa.
Bisaan oso hindhuggneen
duraa akka danffisttan.
Bisaan kan hindhuginaa.
Daa'imman baatii(ji'aa) 12 hingahiin bisaan kan
dhuguun isaan irra hinjiru. Bisaan kana
foormmulaa(Nyaata Ijoolee) qopheessuf itii
hinfayyadamina.
-------
Appendix C
Translated Phrases
English
This report contains important information about
your drinking water.
Have someone translate it for you,
or speak with someone who understands it.
Boil your water before
using.
Don't drink the water.
Children under 12 months old should not drink the
water.
Don't use the water to make formula.
Polish
Nast^pujaxjy raport zawiera wazna^ informacje^ na
temat wody pitnej. Prosze^ poprosic kogos o
przetlumaczenie lub porozmawiac z kirns kto
Nalezy przegotowac
wod§ przed spozyciem.
Prosz§ nie pic wody.
Dzieci w wieku ponizej 12 miesi^cy nie powinny pic
tej wody. Prosze^ nie uzywac tej wody do
przygotowywania formuly.
Punjabi
fen
75?" W §
XH'Q'tfl
3T75 oTai
12HUt?> 31 life" §>ra %
rJ'Jltl'I ^rgyW y
-------
Appendix C
Translated Phrases
English
This report contains important information about
your drinking water.
Have someone translate it for you,
or speak with someone who understands it.
Boil your water before
using.
Don't drink the water.
Children under 12 months old should not drink the
water.
Don't use the water to make formula.
Thai
lathfluuiu
hVftln ul
a cln uwrmw BUUU la EM tn
Tigrigna
-wan
"UK
NIP-
rtfl
12 fflCrfv. HhV
" nn
hflH,
«n
Ukrainian
LI,e noBiflOMjienHH MicTHTb Baaorasy
iH(J)opMaLi;iio npo Bo^y, axy BH n'ere.
HonpociTb Koro-ne6y3b nepeKJiacTH Ban up
noBiflOMjieHHH a6o noroBopiTt 3 jnojpmoio,
axa posyMie noro
Knn'aTiTb
He
y Biu,i AO 12 Micaqi B He noBHrnri HHTH
BOfl,y. He KOpucTyHxeca BO^OIO fljra
npnroTyBaHHH aflanTOBanoi' nHTaHoi' cyMimi
("(popMyjm").
Vietnamese
Tai lieu nay co tin tfic quan trong ve ntfdc
uong cua quy vi. Hay nhd ngifdi dich cho
quy vi, hoac hoi ngtfdi nao hieu tai lieu
nay.
Dun soi ntfdc tnfdc
khi dung.
Du*ng uong nifdc
nay.
Tre em difdi 12 thang khong nen uoing
ntfdc nay. Du"ng dung ntfdc nay de pha sffa
formula.
The water glass and faucet 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.
-------
Appendix D
The Public Notification Rule (40 CFR Part 141, Subpart Q)
Federal Register/Vol. 65, No. 87/Thursday, May 4, 2000/Rules and Regulations
26035
Appendices B and C to Subpart O
[Removed]
15. Appendices B and C to Subpart O
are removed.
16. Section 141.175 is amended by
revising paragraphs (c)(l) and (c)(2) to
read as follows:
§141.175 Reporting and record keeping
requirements.
*****
(c) * * *
(1) If at any time the turbidity exceeds
1 NTU in representative samples of
filtered water in a system using
conventional filtration treatment or
direct filtration, the system must consult
with the primacy agency as soon as
practical, but no later than 24 hours
after the exceedance is known, in
accordance with the public notification
requirements under § 141.203(b)(3).
(2) If at any time the turbidity in
representative samples of filtered water
exceed the maximum level set by the
State under § 142.173(b) for filtration
technologies other than conventional
filtration treatment, direct filtration,
slow sand filtration, or diatomaceous
earth filtration, the system must consult
with the primacy agency as soon as
practical, but no later than 24 hours
after the exceedance is known, in
accordance with the public notification
requirements under § 141.203(b)(3).
17. Part 141 is amended by adding
Subpart Q, to read as follows:
Subpart Q—Public Notification of
Drinking Water Violations
141.201 General public notification
requirements.
141.202 Tier 1 Public Notice—Form,
manner, and frequency of notice.
141.203 Tier 2 Public Notice—Form,
manner, and frequency of notice.
141.204 Tier 3 Public Notice—Form,
manner, and frequency of notice.
141.205 Content of the public notice.
141.206 Notice to new billing units or new
customers.
141.207 Special notice of the availability of
unregulated contaminant monitoring
results.
141.208 Special notice for exceedance of
the SMCL for fluoride.
141.209 Special notice for nitrate
exceedances above MCL by non-
community water systems (NCWS),
where granted permission by the
primacy agency under § 141.11(d).
141.210 Notice by primacy agency on
behalf of the public water system.
Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 141—
NPDWR Violations and Situations
Requiring Public Notice
Appendix B to Subpart Q of Part 141—
Standard Health Effects Language for
Public Notification
Appendix C to Subpart Q of Part 141—List
of Acronyms Used in Public Notification
Regulation
Subpart Q—Public Notification of
Drinking Water Violations
§141.201 General public notification
requirements.
Public water systems in States with
primacy for the public water system
supervision (PWSS) program must
comply with the requirements in this
subpart no later than May 6, 2002 or on
the date the State-adopted rule becomes
effective, whichever comes first. Public
water systems in jurisdictions where
EPA directly implements the PWSS
program must comply with the
requirements in this subpart on October
31, 2000. Prior to these dates, public
water systems must continue to comply
with the public notice requirements in
§ 141.32 of this part. The term "primacy
agency" is used in this subpart to refer
to either EPA or the State or the Tribe
in cases where EPA, the State, or the
Tribe exercises primary enforcement
responsibility for this subpart.
(a) Who must give public notice? Each
owner or operator of a public water
system (community water systems, non-
transient non-community water
systems, and transient non-community
water systems) must give notice for all
violations of national primary drinking
water regulations (NPDWR) and for
other situations, as listed in Table 1.
The term "NPDWR violations" is used
in this subpart to include violations of
the maximum contaminant level (MCL),
maximum residual disinfection level
(MRDL), treatment technique (TT),
monitoring requirements, and testing
procedures in this part 141. Appendix A
to this subpart identifies the tier
assignment for each specific violation or
situation requiring a public notice.
TABLE 1 TO §141.201.—VIOLATION
CATEGORIES AND OTHER SITUA-
TIONS REQUIRING A PUBLIC NOTICE
(1) NPDWR violations:
(i) Failure to comply with an applicable
maximum contaminant level (MCL) or
maximum residual disinfectant level
(MRDL).
(ii) Failure to comply with a prescribed
treatment technique (TT).
(iii) Failure to perform water quality mon-
itoring, as required by the drinking
water regulations.
(iv) Failure to comply with testing proce-
dures as prescribed by a drinking
water regulation.
(2) Variance and exemptions under sections
1415 and 1416 of SDWA:
(i) Operation under a variance or an ex-
emption.
TABLE 1 TO §141.201.—VIOLATION
CATEGORIES AND OTHER SITUA-
TIONS REQUIRING A PUBLIC NO-
TICE—Continued
(ii) Failure to comply with the require-
ments of any schedule that has been
set under a variance or exemption.
(3) Special public notices:
(i) Occurrence of a waterborne disease
outbreak or other waterborne emer-
gency.
(ii) Exceedance of the nitrate MCL by
non-community water systems
(NCWS), where granted permission by
the primacy agency under 141.11(d) of
this part.
(iii) Exceedance of the secondary max-
imum contaminant level (SMCL) for
fluoride.
(iv) Availability of unregulated contami-
nant monitoring data.
(v) Other violations and situations deter-
mined by the primacy agency to re-
quire a public notice under this sub-
part, not already listed in Appendix A.
(b) What type of public notice is
required for each violation or situation?
Public notice requirements are divided
into three tiers, to take into account the
seriousness of the violation or situation
and of any potential adverse health
effects that may be involved. The public
notice requirements for each violation
or situation listed in Table 1 of this
section are determined by the tier to
which it is assigned. Table 2 of this
section provides the definition of each
tier. Appendix A of this part identifies
the tier assignment for each specific
violation or situation.
TABLE 2 TO § 141.201 .—DEFINITION
OF PUBLIC NOTICE TIERS
(1) Tier 1 public notice—required for NPDWR
violations and situations with significant po-
tential to have serious adverse effects on
human health as a result of short-term ex-
posure.
(2) Tier 2 public notice—required for all other
NPDWR violations and situations with po-
tential to have serious adverse effects on
human health.
(3) Tier 3 public notice—required for all other
NPDWR violations and situations not in-
cluded in Tier 1 and Tier 2.
(c) Who must be notified?
(1) Each public water system must
provide public notice to persons served
by the water system, in accordance with
this subpart. Public water systems that
sell or otherwise provide drinking water
to other public water systems (i.e., to
consecutive systems) are required to
give public notice to the owner or
operator of the consecutive system; the
consecutive system is responsible for
Public Notification Handbook
137
March 2007
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26036
Federal Register/Vol. 65, No. 87/Thursday, May 4, 2000/Rules and Regulations
providing public notice to the persons it
serves.
(2) If a public water system has a
violation in a portion of the distribution
system that is physically or
hydraulically isolated from other parts
of the distribution system, the primacy
agency may allow the system to limit
distribution of the public notice to only
persons served by that portion of the
system which is out of compliance.
Permission by the primacy agency for
limiting distribution of the notice must
be granted in writing.
(3) A copy of the notice must also be
sent to the primacy agency, in
accordance with the requirements under
§l4l.3l(d).
§141.202 Tier 1 Public Notice—Form,
manner, and frequency of notice.
(a) Which violations or situations
require a Tier 1 public notice? Table 1
of this section lists the violation
categories and other situations requiring
a Tier 1 public notice. Appendix A to
this subpart identifies the tier
assignment for each specific violation or
situation.
TABLE 1 TO §141.202.—VIOLATION
CATEGORIES AND OTHER SITUA-
TIONS REQUIRING A TIER 1 PUBLIC
NOTICE
(1) Violation of the MCL for total conforms
when fecal coliform or E. coli are present
in the water distribution system (as speci-
fied in § 141.63(b)), or when the water sys-
tem fails to test for fecal conforms or E.
coli when any repeat sample tests positive
for coliform (as specified in § 141.21 (e));
(2) Violation of the MCL for nitrate, nitrite, or
total nitrate and nitrite, as defined in
§ 141.62, or when the water system fails to
take a confirmation sample within 24 hours
of the system's receipt of the first sample
showing an exceedance of the nitrate or
nitrite MCL, as specified in §141.23(f)(2);
(3) Exceedance of the nitrate MCL by non-
community water systems, where permitted
to exceed the MCL by the primacy agency
under §141.11(d), as required under
§141.209;
(4) Violation of the MRDL for chlorine diox-
ide, as defined in § 141.65(a), when one or
more samples taken in the distribution sys-
tem the day following an exceedance of
the MRDL at the entrance of the distribu-
tion system exceed the MRDL, or when
the water system does not take the re-
quired samples in the distribution system,
as specified in § 141.133(c)(2)(i);
(5) Violation of the turbidity MCL under
§ 141.13(b), where the primacy agency de-
termines after consultation that a Tier 1 no-
tice is required or where consultation does
not take place within 24 hours after the
system learns of the violation;
TABLE 1 TO §141.202.—VIOLATION
CATEGORIES AND OTHER SITUA-
TIONS REQUIRING A TIER 1 PUBLIC
NOTICE—Continued
(6) Violation of the Surface Water Treatment
Rule (SWTR) or Interim Enhanced Surface
Water Treatment rule (IESWTR) treatment
technique requirement resulting from a sin-
gle exceedance of the maximum allowable
turbidity limit (as identified in Appendix A),
where the primacy agency determines after
consultation that a Tier 1 notice is required
or where consultation does not take place
within 24 hours after the system learns of
the violation;
(7) Occurrence of a waterborne disease out-
break, as defined in §141.2, or other wa-
terborne emergency (such as a failure or
significant interruption in key water treat-
ment processes, a natural disaster that dis-
rupts the water supply or distribution sys-
tem, or a chemical spill or unexpected
loading of possible pathogens into the
source water that significantly increases
the potential for drinking water contamina-
tion);
(8) Other violations or situations with signifi-
cant potential to have serious adverse ef-
fects on human health as a result of short-
term exposure, as determined by the pri-
macy agency either in its regulations or on
a case-by-case basis.
(b) When is the Tier 1 public notice
to be provided? What additional steps
are required? Public water systems
must:
(1) Provide a public notice as soon as
practical but no later than 24 hours after
the system learns of the violation;
(2) Initiate consultation with the
primacy agency as soon as practical, but
no later than 24 hours after the public
water system learns of the violation or
situation, to determine additional public
notice requirements; and
(3) Comply with any additional public
notification requirements (including any
repeat notices or direction on the
duration of the posted notices) that are
established as a result of the
consultation with the primacy agency.
Such requirements may include the
timing, form, manner, frequency, and
content of repeat notices (if any) and
other actions designed to reach all
persons served.
(c) What is the form and manner of
the public notice? Public water systems
must provide the notice within 24 hours
in a form and manner reasonably
calculated to reach all persons served.
The form and manner used by the
public water system are to fit the
specific situation, but must be designed
to reach residential, transient, and non-
transient users of the water system. In
order to reach all persons served, water
systems are to use, at a minimum, one
or more of the following forms of
delivery:
(1) Appropriate broadcast media (such
as radio and television);
(2) Posting of the notice in
conspicuous locations throughout the
area served by the water system;
(3) Hand delivery of the notice to
persons served by the water system; or
(4) Another delivery method
approved in writing by the primacy
agency.
§141.203 Tier 2 Public Notice—Form,
manner, and frequency of notice.
(a) Which violations or situations
require a Tier 2 public notice? Table 1
of this section lists the violation
categories and other situations requiring
a Tier 2 public notice. Appendix A to
this subpart identifies the tier
assignment for each specific violation or
situation.
TABLE 1 TO §141.203.—VIOLATION
CATEGORIES AND OTHER SITUA-
TIONS REQUIRING A TIER 2 PUBLIC
NOTICE
(1) All violations of the MCL, MRDL, and
treatment technique requirements, except
where a Tier 1 notice is required under
§141.202(a) or where the primacy agency
determines that a Tier 1 notice is required;
(2) Violations of the monitoring and testing
procedure requirements, where the pri-
macy agency determines that a Tier 2 rath-
er than a Tier 3 public notice is required,
taking into account potential health impacts
and persistence of the violation; and
(3) Failure to comply with the terms and con-
ditions of any variance or exemption in
place.
(b) When is the Tier 2 public notice
to be provided?
(1) Public water systems must provide
the public notice as soon as practical,
but no later than 30 days after the
system learns of the violation. If the
public notice is posted, the notice must
remain in place for as long as the
violation or situation persists, but in no
case for less than seven days, even if the
violation or situation is resolved. The
primacy agency may, in appropriate
circumstances, allow additional time for
the initial notice of up to three months
from the date the system learns of the
violation. It is not appropriate for the
primacy agency to grant an extension to
the 30-day deadline for any unresolved
violation or to allow across-the-board
extensions by rule or policy for other
violations or situations requiring a Tier
2 public notice. Extensions granted by
the primacy agency must be in writing.
(2) The public water system must
repeat the notice every three months as
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long as the violation or situation
persists, unless the primacy agency
determines that appropriate
circumstances warrant a different repeat
notice frequency. In no circumstance
may the repeat notice be given less
frequently than once per year. It is not
appropriate for the primacy agency to
allow less frequent repeat notice for an
MCL violation under the Total Coliform
Rule or a treatment technique violation
under the Surface Water Treatment Rule
or Interim Enhanced Surface Water
Treatment Rule. It is also not
appropriate for the primacy agency to
allow through its rules or policies
across-the-board reductions in the
repeat notice frequency for other
ongoing violations requiring a Tier 2
repeat notice. Primacy agency
determinations allowing repeat notices
to be given less frequently than once
every three months must be in writing.
(3) For the turbidity violations
specified in this paragraph, public water
systems must consult with the primacy
agency as soon as practical but no later
than 24 hours after the public water
system learns of the violation, to
determine whether a Tier 1 public
notice under § 141.202(a) is required to
protect public health. When
consultation does not take place within
the 24-hour period, the water system
must distribute a Tier 1 notice of the
violation within the next 24 hours (i.e.,
no later than 48 hours after the system
learns of the violation), following the
requirements under § 141.202(b) and (c).
Consultation with the primacy agency is
required for:
(i) Violation of the turbidity MCL
under §141.13(b); or
(ii) Violation of the SWTR or IESWTR
treatment technique requirement
resulting from a single exceedance of
the maximum allowable turbidity limit.
(c) What is the form and manner of
the Tier 2 public notice? Public water
systems must provide the initial public
notice and any repeat notices in a form
and manner that is reasonably
calculated to reach persons served in
the required time period. The form and
manner of the public notice may vary
based on the specific situation and type
of water system, but it must at a
minimum meet the following
requirements:
(1) Unless directed otherwise by the
primacy agency in writing, community
water systems must provide notice by:
(i) Mail or other direct delivery to
each customer receiving a bill and to
other service connections to which
water is delivered by the public water
system; and
(ii) Any other method reasonably
calculated to reach other persons
regularly served by the system, if they
would not normally be reached by the
notice required in paragraph (c)(l)(i) of
this section. Such persons may include
those who do not pay water bills or do
not have service connection addresses
(e.g., house renters, apartment dwellers,
university students, nursing home
patients, prison inmates, etc.). Other
methods may include: Publication in a
local newspaper; delivery of multiple
copies for distribution by customers that
provide their drinking water to others
(e.g., apartment building owners or large
private employers); posting in public
places served by the system or on the
Internet; or delivery to community
organizations.
(2) Unless directed otherwise by the
primacy agency in writing, non-
community water systems must provide
notice by:
(i) Posting the notice in conspicuous
locations throughout the distribution
system frequented by persons served by
the system, or by mail or direct delivery
to each customer and service connection
(where known); and
(ii) Any other method reasonably
calculated to reach other persons served
by the system if they would not
normally be reached by the notice
required in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this
section. Such persons may include
those served who may not see a posted
notice because the posted notice is not
in a location they routinely pass by.
Other methods may include: Publication
in a local newspaper or newsletter
distributed to customers; use of E-mail
to notify employees or students; or,
delivery of multiple copies in central
locations (e.g., community centers).
§141.204 TierS Public Notice—Form,
manner, and frequency of notice.
(a) Which violations or situations
require a Tier 3 public notice? Table 1
of this section lists the violation
categories and other situations requiring
a Tier 3 public notice. Appendix A to
this subpart identifies the tier
assignment for each specific violation or
situation.
TABLE 1 To §141.204.—VIOLATION
CATEGORIES AND OTHER SITUA-
TIONS REQUIRING A TIER 3 PUBLIC
NOTICE
(1) Monitoring violations under 40 CFR part
141, except where a Tier 1 notice is re-
quired under § 141.202(a) or where the pri-
macy agency determines that a Tier 2 no-
tice is required;
TABLE 1 To §141.204.—VIOLATION
CATEGORIES AND OTHER SITUA-
TIONS REQUIRING A TIER 3 PUBLIC
NOTICE—Continued
(2) Failure to comply with a testing procedure
established in 40 CFR part 141, except
where a Tier 1 notice is required under
§ 141.202(a)) or where the primacy agency
determines that a Tier 2 notice is required;
(3) Operation under a variance granted under
Section 1415 or an exemption granted
under Section 1416 of the Safe Drinking
Water Act;
(4) Availability of unregulated contaminant
monitoring results, as required under
§141.207; and
(5) Exceedance of the fluoride secondary
maximum contaminant level (SMCL), as
required under § 141.208.
(b) When is the Tier 3 public notice
to be provided?
(1) Public water systems must provide
the public notice not later than one year
after the public water system learns of
the violation or situation or begins
operating under a variance or
exemption. Following the initial notice,
the public water system must repeat the
notice annually for as long as the
violation, variance, exemption, or other
situation persists. If the public notice is
posted, the notice must remain in place
for as long as the violation, variance,
exemption, or other situation persists,
but in no case less than seven days
(even if the violation or situation is
resolved).
(2) (2) Instead of individual Tier 3
publiinstead of individual Tier 3
may use an annual report detailing all
violations and situations that occurred
during the previous twelve months, as
long as the timing requirements of
paragraph (b)(l) of this section are met.
(c) What is the form and manner of
the Tier 3 public notice? Public water
systems must provide the initial notice
and any repeat notices in a form and
manner that is reasonably calculated to
reach persons served in the required
time period. The form and manner of
the public notice may vary based on the
specific situation and type of water
system, but it must at a minimum meet
the following requirements:
(1) Unless directed otherwise by the
primacy agency in writing, community
water systems must provide notice by:
(i) Mail or other direct delivery to
each customer receiving a bill and to
other service connections to which
water is delivered by the public water
system; and
(ii) Any other method reasonably
calculated to reach other persons
regularly served by the system, if they
would not normally be reached by the
notice required in paragraph (c)(l)(i) of
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this section. Such persons may include
those who do not pay water bills or do
not have service connection addresses
(e.g., house renters, apartment dwellers,
university students, nursing home
patients, prison inmates, etc.). Other
methods may include: Publication in a
local newspaper; delivery of multiple
copies for distribution by customers that
provide their drinking water to others
(e.g., apartment building owners or large
private employers); posting in public
places or on the Internet; or delivery to
community organizations.
(2) Unless directed otherwise by the
primacy agency in writing, non-
community water systems must provide
notice by:
(i) Posting the notice in conspicuous
locations throughout the distribution
system frequented by persons served by
the system, or by mail or direct delivery
to each customer and service connection
(where known); and
(ii) Any other method reasonably
calculated to reach other persons served
by the system, if they would not
normally be reached by the notice
required in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this
section. Such persons may include
those who may not see a posted notice
because the notice is not in a location
they routinely pass by. Other methods
may include: Publication in a local
newspaper or newsletter distributed to
customers; use of E-mail to notify
employees or students; or, delivery of
multiple copies in central locations
(e.g., community centers).
(d) In what situations may the
Consumer Confidence Report be used to
meet the Tier 3 public notice
requirements? For community water
systems, the Consumer Confidence
Report (CCR) required under Subpart O
of this part may be used as a vehicle for
the initial Tier 3 public notice and all
required repeat notices, as long as:
(1) The CCR is provided to persons
served no later than 12 months after the
system learns of the violation or
situation as required under § 141.204(b);
(2) The Tier 3 notice contained in the
CCR follows the content requirements
under §141.205; and
(3) The CCR is distributed following
the delivery requirements under
§141.204(c).
§141.205 Content of the public notice.
(a) What elements must be included
in the public notice for violations of
National Primary Drinking Water
Regulations (NPDWR) or other
situations requiring a public notice?
When a public water system violates a
NPDWR or has a situation requiring
public notification, each public notice
must include the following elements:
(1) A description of the violation or
situation, including the contaminant(s)
of concern, and (as applicable) the
contaminant level(s);
(2) When the violation or situation
occurred;
(3) Any potential adverse health
effects from the violation or situation,
including the standard language under
paragraph (d)(l) or (d)(2) of this section,
whichever is applicable;
(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 the system is doing to correct
the violation or situation;
(8) When the water system expects to
return to compliance or resolve the
situation;
(9) The name, business address, and
phone number of the water system
owner, operator, or designee of the
public water system as a source of
additional information concerning the
notice; and
(10) A statement to encourage the
notice recipient to distribute the public
notice to other persons served, using the
standard language under paragraph
(d)(3) of this section, where applicable.
(b) What elements must be included
in the public notice for public water
systems operating under a variance or
exemption?
(1) If a public water system has been
granted a variance or an exemption, the
public notice must contain:
(i) An explanation of the reasons for
the variance or exemption;
(ii) The date on which the variance or
exemption was issued;
(iii) A brief status report on the steps
the system is taking to install treatment,
find alternative sources of water, or
otherwise comply with the terms and
schedules of the variance or exemption;
and
(iv) A notice of any opportunity for
public input in the review of the
variance or exemption.
(2) If a public water system violates
the conditions of a variance or
exemption, the public notice must
contain the ten elements listed in
paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) How is the public notice to be
presented?
(1) Each public notice required by this
section:
(i) Must be displayed in a
conspicuous way when printed or
posted;
(ii) Must not contain overly technical
language or very small print;
(iii) Must not be formatted in a way
that defeats the purpose of the notice;
(iv) Must not contain language which
nullifies the purpose of the notice.
(2) Each public notice required by this
section must comply with multilingual
requirements, as follows:
(i) For public water systems serving a
large proportion of non-English
speaking consumers, as determined by
the primacy agency, the public notice
must contain information in the
appropriate language(s) regarding the
importance of the notice or contain a
telephone number or address where
persons served may contact the water
system to obtain a translated copy of the
notice or to request assistance in the
appropriate language.
(ii) In cases where the primacy agency
has not determined what constitutes a
large proportion of non-English
speaking consumers, the public water
system must include in the public
notice the same information as in
paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section, where
appropriate to reach a large proportion
of non-English speaking persons served
by the water system.
(d) What standard language must
public water systems include in their
public notice? Public water systems are
required to include the following
standard language in their public notice:
(1) Standard health effects language
for MCL or MRDL violations, treatment
technique violations, and violations of
the condition of a variance or
exemption. Public water systems must
include in each public notice the health
effects language specified in Appendix
B to this subpart corresponding to each
MCL, MRDL, and treatment technique
violation listed in Appendix A to this
subpart, and for each violation of a
condition of a variance or exemption.
(2) Standard language for monitoring
and testing procedure violations. Public
water systems must include the
following language in their notice,
including the language necessary to fill
in the blanks, for all monitoring and
testing procedure violations listed in
Appendix A to this subpart:
We are required to monitor your drinking
water for specific contaminants on a regular
basis. Results of regular monitoring are an
indicator of whether or not your drinking
water meets health standards. During
[compliance period], we "did not monitor or
test" or "did not complete all monitoring or
testing" for [contaminant(s)], and therefore
cannot be sure of the quality of your drinking
water during that time.
(3) Standard language to encourage
the distribution of the public notice to
all persons served. Public water systems
must include in their notice the
following language (where applicable):
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Please share this information with all the
other people who drink this water, especially
those who may not have received this notice
directly (for example, people in apartments,
nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You
can do this by posting this notice in a public
place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
§141.206 Notice to new billing units or
new customers.
(a) What is the requirement for
community water systems? Community
water systems must give a copy of the
most recent public notice for any
continuing violation, the existence of a
variance or exemption, or other ongoing
situations requiring a public notice to
all new billing units or new customers
prior to or at the time service begins.
(b) What is the requirement for non-
community water systems? Non-
community water systems must
continuously post the public notice in
conspicuous locations in order to
inform new consumers of any
continuing violation, variance or
exemption, or other situation requiring
a public notice for as long as the
violation, variance, exemption, or other
situation persists.
§141.207 Special notice of the availability
of unregulated contaminant monitoring
results.
(a) When is the special notice to be
given? The owner or operator of a
community water system or non-
transient, non-community water system
required to monitor under § 141.40 must
notify persons served by the system of
the availability of the results of such
sampling no later than 12 months after
the monitoring results are known.
(b) What is the form and manner of
the special notice? The form and
manner of the public notice must follow
the requirements for a Tier 3 public
notice prescribed in §§ 141.204(c),
(d)(l), and (d)(3). The notice must also
identify a person and provide the
telephone number to contact for
information on the monitoring results.
§141.208 Special notice for exceedance of
the SMCL for fluoride.
(a) When is the special notice to be
given? Community water systems that
exceed the fluoride secondary
maximum contaminant level (SMCL) of
2 mg/1 as specified in § 143.3
(determined by the last single sample
taken in accordance with § 141.23), but
do not exceed the maximum
contaminant level (MCL) of 4 mg/1 for
fluoride (as specified in § 141.62), must
provide the public notice in paragraph
(c) of this section to persons served.
Public notice must be provided as soon
as practical but no later than 12 months
from the day the water system learns of
the exceedance. A copy of the notice
must also be sent to all new billing units
and new customers at the time service
begins and to the State public health
officer. The public water system must
repeat the notice at least annually for as
long as the SMCL is exceeded. If the
public notice is posted, the notice must
remain in place for as long as the SMCL
is exceeded, but in no case less than
seven days (even if the exceedance is
eliminated). On a case-by-case basis, the
primacy agency may require an initial
notice sooner than 12 months and
repeat notices more frequently than
annually.
(b) What is the form and manner of
the special notice? The form and
manner of the public notice (including
repeat notices) must follow the
requirements for a Tier 3 public notice
in § 141.204(c) and (d)(l) and (d)(3).
(c) What mandatory language must be
contained in the special notice? The
notice must contain the following
language, including the language
necessary to fill in the blanks:
This is an alert about your drinking water
and a cosmetic dental problem that might
affect children under nine years of age. At
low levels, fluoride can help prevent cavities,
but children drinking water containing more
than 2 milligrams per liter (mg/1) of fluoride
may develop cosmetic discoloration of their
permanent teeth (dental fluorosis). The
drinking water provided by your community
water system [name] has a fluoride
concentration of [insert value] mg/1.
Dental fluorosis, in its moderate or severe
forms, may result in a brown staining and/
or pitting of the permanent teeth. This
problem occurs only in developing teeth,
before they erupt from the gums. Children
under nine should be provided with
alternative sources of drinking water or water
that has been treated to remove the fluoride
to avoid the possibility of staining and pitting
of their permanent teeth. You may also want
to contact your dentist about proper use by
young children of fluoride-containing
products. Older children and adults may
safely drink the water.
Drinking water containing more than 4 mg/
L of fluoride (the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's drinking water standard)
can increase your risk of developing bone
disease. Your drinking water does not
contain more than 4 mg/1 of fluoride, but
we're required to notify you when we
discover that the fluoride levels in your
drinking water exceed 2 mg/1 because of this
cosmetic dental problem.
For more information, please call [name of
water system contact] of [name of community
water system] at [phone number]. Some
home water treatment units are also available
to remove fluoride from drinking water. To
learn more about available home water
treatment units, you may call NSF
International at 1-877-8-NSF-HELP."
§141.209 Special notice for nitrate
exceedances above MCL by non-
community water systems (NCWS), where
granted permission by the primacy agency
under §141.11(d)
(a) When is the special notice to be
given? The owner or operator of a non-
community water system granted
permission by the primacy agency
under § I4l.ll(d) to exceed the nitrate
MCL must provide notice to persons
served according to the requirements for
a Tier 1 notice under § 141.202(a) and
(b).
(b) What is the form and manner of
the special notice? Non-community
water systems granted permission by the
primacy agency to exceed the nitrate
MCL under § 141.11(d) must provide
continuous posting of the fact that
nitrate levels exceed 10 mg/1 and the
potential health effects of exposure,
according to the requirements for Tier 1
notice delivery under § 141.202(c) and
the content requirements under
§141.205.
§141.210 Notice by primacy agency on
behalf of the public water system.
(a) May the primacy agency give the
notice on behalf of the public water
system? The primacy agency may give
the notice required by this subpart on
behalf of the owner and operator of the
public water system if the primacy
agency complies with the requirements
of this subpart.
(b) What is the responsibility of the
public water system when notice is
given by the primacy agency? The
owner or operator of the public water
system remains responsible for ensuring
that the requirements of this subpart are
met.
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systems, including 40 CFR 141.13, the 1989
Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), and
the 1998 Interim Enhanced Surface Water
Treatment Rule (IESWTR). For systems
subject to the IESWTR (systems serving at
least 10,000 people, using surface water or
ground water under the direct influence of
surface water), that use conventional
filtration or direct filtration, after January 1,
2002, the turbidity level of a system's
combined filter effluent may not exceed 0.3
NTU in at least 95 percent of monthly
measurements, and the turbidity level of a
system's combined filter effluent must not
exceed 1 NTU at any time. Systems subject
to the IESWTR using technologies other than
conventional, direct, slow sand, or
diatomaceous earth filtration must meet
turbidity limits set by the primacy agency.
9. The bacteria detected by heterotrophic
plate count (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.
10. SWTR and IESWTR treatment
technique violations that involve turbidity
exceedances may use the health effects
language for turbidity instead.
11. The bacteria detected by heterotrophic
plate count (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.
12. Millions fibers per liter.
13. Action Level = 0.015 mg/L
14. Action Level = 1.3 mg/L
15. Millirems per years
16. Picocuries per liter
17. Surface water systems and ground
water systems under the direct influence of
surface water are regulated under Subpart H
of 40 CFR 141. Supbart H community and
non-transient non-community systems
serving > 10,000 must comply with DBF
MCLs and disinfectant maximum residual
disinfectant levels (MRDLs) beginning
January 1, 2002. All other community and
non-transient noncommunity systems must
meet the MCLs and MRDLs beginning
January 1, 2004. Subpart H transient non-
community systems serving 10,000 or more
persons and using chlorine dioxide as a
disinfectant or oxidant must comply with the
chlorine dioxide MRDL beginning January 1,
2002. Subpart H transient non-community
systems serving fewer than 10,000 persons
and systems using only ground water not
under the direct influence of surface water
and using chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant
or oxidant must comply with the chlorine
dioxide MRDL beginning January 1, 2004.
18. The MCL of 0.10 mg/1 for TTHMs is in
effect until January 1, 2002 for Subpart H
community water systems serving 10,000 or
more. This MCL is in effect until January 1,
2004 for community water systems with a
population of 10,000 or more using only
ground water not under the direct influence
of surface water. After these deadlines, the
MCL will be 0.080 mg/1. On January 1, 2004,
all systems serving less than 10,000 will have
to comply with the new MCL as well.
19. The MCL for total trihalomethanes is
the sum of the concentrations of the
individual trihalomethanes.
20. The MCL for haloacetic acids is the
sum of the concentrations of the individual
haloacetic acids.
21. MRDLG—Maximum residual
disinfectant level goal.
22. MRDL—Maximum residual
disinfectant level.
Appendix C to Subpart Q of Part 141—List
of Acronyms Used in Public Notification
Regulation
CCR Consumer Confidence Report
CWS Community Water System
DBF Disinfection Byproduct
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
HPC Heterotrophic Plate Count
IESWTR Interim Enhanced Surface Water
Treatment Rule
IOC Inorganic Chemical
LCR Lead and Copper Rule
MCL Maximum Contaminant Level
MCLG Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
MRDL Maximum Residual Disinfectant
Level
MRDLG Maximum Residual Disinfectant
Level Goal
NCWS Non-Community Water System
NPDWR National Primary Drinking Water
Regulation
NTNCWS Non-Transient Non-Community
Water System
NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit
OGWDW Office of Ground Water and
Drinking Water
OW Office of Water
PN Public Notification
PWS Public Water System
SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act
SMCL Secondary Maximum Contaminant
Level
SOC Synthetic Organic Chemical
SWTR Surface Water Treatment Rule
TCR Total Coliform Rule
TT Treatment Technique
TWS Transient Non-Community Water
System
VOC Volatile Organic Chemical
PART 142—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for Part 142
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300f, 300g-l, 300g-2,
300 g-3, 300g-4, 300 g-5, 300 g-6, 300 j-4,
300 j-9, and300j-ll.
2. Section 142.10 is amended by
revising paragraph (b)(6)(v) to read as
follows:
§142.10 Requirements fora determination
of primary enforcement responsibility.
(b) * * *
(6) * * *
(v) Authority to require public water
systems to give public notice that is no
less stringent than the EPA
requirements in Subpart Q of Part 141
of this chapter and §!42.l6(a).
3. Section 142.14 is amended by
redesignating paragraph (f) as (g) and
adding a new (f), to read as follows:
§142.14 Records kept by States.
A A A A A
(f) Public notification records under
Subpart Q of Part 141 of this chapter
received from public water systems
(including certifications of compliance
and copies of public notices) and any
state determinations establishing
alternative public notification
requirements for the water systems must
be retained for three years.
A A A A A
4. Section 142.15 is amended by
revising paragraph (a)(l), to read as
follows:
§142.15 Reports by States.
A A A A A
(a)A A A
(1) New violations by public water
systems in the State during the previous
quarter of State regulations adopted to
incorporate the requirements of national
primary drinking water regulations,
including violations of the public
notification requirements under Subpart
Q of Part 141 of this chapter;
A A A A A
5. Section 142.16 is amended by
revising paragraph (a), to read as
follows:
§142.16 Special primacy requirements.
(a) State public notification
requirements.
(1) Each State that has primary
enforcement authority under this part
must submit complete and final requests
for approval of program revisions to
adopt the requirements of Subpart Q of
Part 141 of this chapter, using the
procedures in § 142.12(b) through (d).
At its option, a State may, by rule, and
after notice and comment, establish
alternative public notification
requirements with respect to the form
and content of the public notice
required under Subpart Q of Part 141 of
this chapter. The alternative
requirements must provide the same
type and amount of information
required under Subpart Q and must
meet the primacy requirements under
§142.10.
(2) As part of the revised primacy
program, a State must also establish
enforceable requirements and
procedures when the State adds to or
changes the requirements under:
(i) Table I to 40 CFR 141.201(a)(Item
(3)(v))—To require public water systems
to give a public notice for violations or
situations other than those listed in
Appendix A of Subpart Q of Part 141 of
this chapter;
(ii) 40 CFR 141.201(c)(2)—To allow
public water systems, under the specific
circumstances listed in § 141.201(c)(2),
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to limit the distribution of the public
notice to persons served by the portion
of the distribution system that is out of
compliance;
(iii) Table 1 of 40 CFR 141.202(a)
(Items (5), (6), and (8))—To require
public water systems to give a Tier 1
public notice (rather than a Tier 2 or
Tier 3 notice) for violations or situations
listed in Appendix A of Subpart Q of
Part 141 of this chapter;
(iv) 40 CFR 141.202(b)(3)—To require
public water systems to comply with
additional Tier 1 public notification
requirements set by the State
subsequent to the initial 24-hour Tier 1
notice, as a result of their consultation
with the State required under
§§141.202(b)(2);
(v) 40 CFR 141.202(c), 141.203(c) and
141.204(c)—To require a different form
and manner of delivery for Tier 1, 2 and
3 public notices.
(vi) Table 1 to 40 CFR 141.203(a)
(Item (2))—To require the public water
systems to provide a Tier 2 public
notice (rather than Tier (3)) for
monitoring or testing procedure
violations specified by the State;
(vii) 40 CFR 141.203(b)(l)—To grant
public water systems an extension up to
three months for distributing the Tier 2
public notice in appropriate
circumstances (other than those
specifically excluded in the rule);
(viii) 40 CFR 141.203(b)(2)—To grant
a different repeat notice frequency for
the Tier 2 public notice in appropriate
circumstances (other than those
specifically excluded in the rule), but no
less frequently than once per year;
(ix) 40 CFR Ul.203(b)(3}—lQ
respond within 24 hours to a request for
consultation by the public water system
to determine whether a Tier 1 (rather
than a Tier 2) notice is required for a
turbidity MCL violation under
§ 141.13(b) or a SWTR/IESWTR TT
violation due to a single exceedance of
the maximum allowable turbidity limit;
(x) 40 CFR 141.205(c)—To determine
the specific multilingual requirement
for a public water system, including
defining "large proportion of non-
English-speaking consumers."
§142.16 [Amended]
6. Section 142.16(e) introductory text
is amended by removing "§ 141.32".
PART 143—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for Part 143
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.
§143.5 [Removed]
2. Part 143 is amended by removing
§143.5.
[FR Doc. 00-9534 Filed 5-3-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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