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United States
Environmental
Protection Agency
January 1992
EPA 570/9-91-030FS
Office of Water (WH 550E)
&EPA Mobilization
Working Together
to Keep Drinking
Water Safe
SAFE DRINKING WATER
Most of us drink water provided by a public water supply—either at home,
work, school, or elsewhere. The safety of this water is monitored and con-
trolled under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and State
regulations required by the 1986 Amendments to the Federal Safe Drinking
Water Act (SDWA), a much stronger law than the original 1974 legislation.
These new Amendments mean added public health protection, but only if
public water systems are able to fulfill their increased responsibilities.
Compliance won't be easy. Several important challenges must be met if the
goals of the new regulations are to become reality:
• Small systems need help—with training and technical/management
assistance.
• State programs need additional resources—to implement the regulations.
• Public attitudes must change—because additional health protection
may mean higher rates.
Mobilization means different organizations working together with EPA and
the States to meet the challenges of the 1986 Amendments to the SDWA.
Your organization can help by contributing its talents, skills, and resources to
this effort.
MOBILIZATION
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WHY MOBILIZATION?
Because the national drinking water program is chang-
ing quickly and dramatically. The new regulations are
designed to ensure that our public water supplies are
as safe as possible. However, compliance won't
be easy for several reasons.
More Contaminants Must Be Monitored. The num-
ber of contaminants that public water systems must
monitor has increased substantially.
More Surface Water Treatment May Be Required.
Most systems using surface water will need to filter
and/or disinfect. This may mean additional or
improved treatment.
More Small Systems Must Comply. Small systems
that have very limited financial and technical
resources must comply-some for the first time-
with essentially the same requirements as larger
water systems.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Mobilize! In one way or another you have a role to
play! Consider how your skills and those of your fel-
low employees or organization members can help meet
the SOW A challenges.
Small Systems Need Help. Small systems often have
special needs for financial, technical, and managerial
assistance to comply with the new requirements. Does
your organization have expertise providing technical
assistance, comprehensive planning, training, or public
education?
States Need Resources. State drinking water agencies
are responsible for ensuring that water systems comply
with the federal requirements. What can your organi-
zation do to reach decision makers? Do you have
expertise in coalition building?
Public Attitudes Must Change. Most people take
drinking water for granted. People need to understand
that increased protection means increased costs. How
can you highlight the importance of drinking water to
members of your organization?
SUGGESTED ACTIONS
Contact your State Drinking Water Program and EPA
Regional Mobilization Coordinator to let them know
how you plan to put your organization's skills into
action! Perhaps you can
• develop and deliver training programs, work-
shops, and seminars.
• distribute fact sheets and pamphlets.
• develop technical guides, outreach programs,
and technical assistance programs.
• host community information forums.
MORE INFORMATION FROM
U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline
Toll Free: 1-800-426-4791
U.S. EPA
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
Mobilization and Training Section (WH 550E)
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
202-260-5526
Regional Mobilization Coordinators
Region I (617) 565-3608
(Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
Rhode Island, Vermont)
Region II (212) 264-1800
(New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands)
Region III (215) 597-9053
(D.C., Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia,
West Virginia)
Region IV (404) 347-2913
(Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee)
Region V (312) 886-9546
(Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin)
Region VI (214) 655-7155
(Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico)
Region VII (913) 551-7032
(Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska)
Region VIII (303) 293-1413
(Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota,
South Dakota)
Region IX (415) 744-1850
(Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Am. Samoa, Guam)
Region X (206) 553-1223
(Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington)
Together We Can Do It!
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