United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
vvEPA Public Notification
Handbook for
Transient
Noncommunity
Water Systems
Document updated and prepared for Transient Noncommunity Water
Systems: EPA 816-R-09-009, March 2010
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(Original Public Notification Handbook Document:
EPA 816-R-00-010, June 2000)
(Document updated and prepared for Transient Noncommunity Water
Systems: EPA 816-R-07-004, March 2007)
(Revised Document updated and prepared for Transient Noncommunity Water
Systems: EPA 816-R-09-009, March 2010)
Office of Water (4606)
EPA-816-R-09-009
www.epa.gov/safewater
March 2010
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This handbook provides guidance to states, public water systems, and the general public concerning
how the Environmental Protection Agency (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 notification
(PN) regulations are in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) under Chapter 40, Part 141, Subpart Q,
beginning at section 40 CFR 141.201. The most recent version of the rule can be found at www.epa.gov/
safewater/publicnotifi cation.
This document includes public notification requirements and information for all regulations through May
2009.
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Contents
Acronyms iii
1. Introduction 1
2. How to Use this Handbook 3
3. Summary of Public Notification Requirements 5
What kinds of violations and situations require public notice? 5
What information is required in my notice? 6
Special notices 7
When and how do I need to notify my consumers? 9
Deadlines for issuing public notice 10
Required methods of delivery 10
Are there formatting requirements for public notices? 11
Will I need to translate my notice? 11
4. Suggestions for Layout of the Notice 13
How should the notice be formatted to get people's attention? 13
How can I make a notice easier to read? 13
How should I tailor the notice to my situation? 14
5. Suggestions for Effective Public Notice Delivery 15
How can I make posting effective? 15
What other methods are available to reach all consumers? 15
After providing the notice, what information must I provide my state? 16
Appendices
Appendix A Templates for Transient Noncommunity Water Systems 19
Appendix B NPDWR Violations and Other Situations 81
Appendix C Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification 85
Appendix D Translated Phrases 91
Appendix E The Public Notification Rule (40 CFR Part 141 Subpart Q) 95
List of Tables
Table 1. Violations and Situations Requiring Public Notice 5
Table 2. Requirements for Issuing a Public Notice 9
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Acronyms
CFE Combined Filter Effluent
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DBP Disinfection Byproducts
EPA United States (US) Environmental Protection Agency
FBRR Filter Backwash Recycling Rule
FDA United States (US) Food and Drug Administration
GWR Ground Water Rule
HPC Heterotrophic Plate Count
IESWTR Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
LT1 ESWTR Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
LT2ESWTR Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
MCL Maximum Contaminant Level
mg/l Milligrams per Liter
MRDL Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
MRDLG Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal
NPDWR National Primary Drinking Water Regulation
NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit
PN Public Notification
PWS Public Water System
Stage 1 DBPR Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
SWTR Surface Water Treatment Rule
TCR Total Coliform Rule
TT Treatment Technique
UV Ultraviolet Light
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1. Introduction
The purpose of this handbook is to explain the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Public
Notification (PN) Rule and provide specific examples of public notices. This handbook is geared to the
specific needs of transient noncommunity water systems that must issue a notice when faced with a violation
or situation affecting their water supply. Transient noncommunity water systems provide drinking water
to a population that changes day to day. They include, among others, campgrounds, hotels, rest areas, and
restaurants with their own water supplies. The majority of these systems are very small, serving 500 people or
less.
The PN requirements are designed to protect public health. One of the best ways that water system
operators can contribute to public health protection is to make sure that as many people as possible
who consume water from a particular water system know about water quality issues and how to protect
themselves from potential risks.
While the risks associated with violations at transient noncommunity water systems (and the public
notification needs and delivery methods) are different than those for other water system types, all water
system operators share an obligation to protect the health of their consumers. Regardless of the system type,
all consumers have the same general health risk concerns; what is unique about a transient noncommunity
water system's PN requirements is the limited scope of the necessary message and the delivery options.
Throughout this document you will find tips and suggestions to help you effectively meet the Public
Notification Rule requirements. The suggestions contained in this document are based on the guiding
principles for good risk communication and public education.
This handbook complements EPA's Revised Public Notification Handbook (EPA 816-R-09-013), which was
written for community water systems and non-transient noncommunity water systems. The Revised Public
Notification Handbook provides more detail on risk communication and public education strategies, with a
focus on reaching large, diverse populations via a wide variety of communication methods, including radio
and television. Transient noncommunity water system operators may benefit from reading that version as
well.
In addition to increasing the effectiveness of public notices, this handbook should make transient
noncommunity water system owners' and operators' jobs easier and help them comply with federal and state
PN requirements. This handbook contains templates designed for posted notices for several violations and
situations that are relevant to transient systems. The templates are located in Appendix A.
Throughout this document, the terms "state" and "states" are used to refer to all types of primacy agencies
including states, US territories, Native American tribes, and EPA Regions that maintain state primacy. Note
that the PN requirements described in this handbook are based on federal regulations. Citations provided
within the document refer to specific sections found in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (e.g., 40
CFR 141.201). States or tribes may have alternate public notice requirements or more stringent drinking
water standards. You should check with your state to make sure you meet its specific requirements.
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2. How to Use this Handbook
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 state to determine if there are additional public notification requirements or if more
stringent public notification requirements apply. Listed below are the steps we recommend that you take to
respond to a drinking water violation or other situation requiring notice:
1. Determine what tier of public notification your violation or situation requires.
See Table 1 in Chapter 3 for violations or situations requiring public notice listed by Tier.
2. Consult your state if required.
For violations and situations requiring Tier 1 notice, consult with your state as soon as practical,
but no later than 24 hours after you learn of the violation or situation [40 CFR I4l.202(b)]. You
must issue the notice within 24 hours of learning of the violation, even if you are unable to contact the
state.
If you treat surface water or groundwater under the direct influence of surface water, and have a
single exceedance of turbidity limits or a two-day turbidity maximum contaminant level (MCL)
violation, immediately consult with your state when you learn of the violation. Your state will
determine whether the violation needs to be elevated to Tier 1 [40 CFR I4l.203(b)].
3. Review the requirements for public notices. Read Chapter 3 on "Summary of Public Notification
Requirements," which describes content, mandatory language, formatting, and distribution requirements
that are applicable to all notices.
4. Determine the appropriate method(s) of delivery. For transient noncommunity water systems, this is
generally posting or hand delivery, plus another method. Table 2 in Chapter 3 summarizes requirements
for issuing a public notice. See Chapter 5 on "Suggestions for Effective Public Notice Delivery" for other
ideas on appropriate delivery methods for different situations.
5. Develop a notice; you can use the templates that fit your situation or write your own. Templates
for violations or situations are provided in Appendix A of this handbook. The reverse of each template
(the instructions) includes specific suggestions for modifying each template. These templates are also
available in Microsoft Word format on EPA's Web site at www.epa.gov/safewater/publicnotification/
compliancehelp templates.html. If there is no template for your violation or situation, write your
own notice using the list of 10 required elements provided in the "Required Elements of a Public
Notice" box in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 provides tips for formatting an effective notice. In addition, EPA
has developed a Web-based tool (PNiWriter) to create notices. You can access this program on the EPA
Web site at http://www.pniwriter.com.
6. Translate the notice. If a large proportion of the people who receive your water do not speak English
[40 CFR I4l.205(c)], translate the notice into the appropriate language(s). Templates NC-1A and NC-
4A are Spanish versions of the nitrate and fecal coliformAE. coli violation templates.
7. Provide your notice to persons served as soon as practical and within the required time frame. Use
the method of delivery chosen in step 4 above.
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Send a copy of each type of notice issued (including repeat notices) to your state within ten days
after you distribute the notice, along with a statement certifying that all public notification requirements
have been met [40 CFR I4l.31(d)].
Plan In Advance For Public Notification
Any advance work that you can do to prepare for a public notification effort will really pay off if you are
faced with a violation or situation.
> Create a list of emergency contacts, including staff at the state, people who can help copy or
distribute a notice on short order, or people who can translate your notice.
> Know in advance what languages are spoken by your customers. In many areas of the country
operators should plan on providing notices in English and Spanish, at a minimum. See the discussion
of translations in Chapter 3.
> Think about methods of delivery that would most effectively reach your consumers. Posting will reach
transient populations in many situations, but other methods may be needed. See Chapter 5 for ideas.
> If your water system is "prone" to certain types of violations (e.g., nitrate exceedances in agricultural
areas) be prepared to deal with these, especially during the growing season, when fertilizers are
applied.
> Prepare to have bottled water or an alternative water supply available if needed.
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3. Summary of Public Notification Requirements
You should read this handbook before a violation or other situation occurs to familiarize yourself with
the public notification process and requirements. This chapter summarizes PN requirements for transient
noncommunity water systems. See Appendix E for a copy of this regulation. Also, check with your state to
see if they have stricter requirements.
What kinds of violations and situations require public notice?
EPA has assigned each violation and situation requiring notice to one of three categories, or tiers, based on
the risk of adverse health effects. Table 1 summarizes the violations and situations requiring notice included
in each tier. For a list of violations and situations and their respective tiers that are applicable to transient
noncommunity water systems, refer to Appendix B of this handbook.
Table 1: Violations or Situations Requiring Public Notice
Tier 1 Violations or Situations (40 CFR 141.202)
Violations of the MCL for total coliforms when fecal coliform or E. coli are present, or failure to test for
fecal coliform/E coli after any repeat sample tests positive for coliform.
Nitrate, nitrite, or total nitrate and nitrite MCL violation or failure to take a confirmation sample within 24
hours of the first exceedance.
Exceedance of the nitrate MCL of 10 milligrams per liter (mg/l) (but not more than 20 mg/l) when
permitted by the state (see special notice discussion in this Chapter).
Chlorine dioxide maximum residual disinfectant level (MRDL) violation when one or more of the samples
taken in the distribution system exceed the MRDL 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.
Violation of turbidity MCL based on an average of two consecutive days for systems avoiding filtration, if
elevated by state, or if a consultation does not occur.
Treatment technique violation involving single exceedance of the maximum turbidity limit, if elevated by
state, or if a consultation does not occur.
Detection of E. coli, enterococci, or coliphage in a ground water source sample.
Waterborne disease outbreak or other waterborne emergency.
Other violations or situations as determined by the state.
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Tier 2 Violations or Situations (40 CFR 141.203)
All MCL, MRDL, and treatment technique violations not included in Tier 1.
Monitoring violations as determined by the state.
Violations of the conditions of a variance or exemption.
For ground water systems providing 4-log treatment for viruses, failure to maintain treatment for more
than 4 hours.
Failure to take corrective action within the required timeframe or be in compliance with a state-
approved corrective action plan and schedule for a fecal indicator-positive ground water source
sample under the Ground Water Rule (GWR).
Failure to take corrective action within the required timeframe or be in compliance with a state-
approved corrective action plan and schedule for a significant deficiency under the Ground Water Rule
(GWR). (See special notice discussion in this Chapter).
Special public notice for repeated failure to conduct monitoring for Cryptosporidium (40 CFR 141.211).
Tier 3 Violations or Situations (40 CFR 141.204)
Monitoring violations, except those in Tier 1 or 2.
Failure to comply with testing procedures, except those in Tier 1.
Operation under a variance or exemption.
What information is required in my notice?
Your public notice must include specific information listed in the following text box in order to be
considered complete.
Required Elements of a Public Notice [40 CFR 141.205(a)]
1. A description of the violation or situation.
2. When the violation or situation occurred (e.g., date the sample was collected or was supposed to be
collected).
3. Potential adverse health effects, using required language in Appendix B to Subpart Q or language for
monitoring and testing procedure violations [40 CFR 141.205(d)(2)].
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.
10. Standard language encouraging distribution to all persons served, where applicable.
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To address the third element listed in the box above, a public notice must include the following
standard language [40 CFR I4l.205(d)]:
* Health effects language. For violations of a maximum contaminant level (MCL), a maximum residual
disinfectant level (MRDL), a treatment technique, or the conditions of a variance or exemption, you
must include the health effects language specified in Appendix C of this handbook or Appendix B to
Subpart Q [40 CFR I4l.205(d)(l)]. When no mandatory language is specified, you must develop
wording to describe potential health effects for these other situations.
* Standard language for monitoring and testing procedure violations. You must include the
following language for all monitoring and testing procedure violations with blanks filled in
[40CFRl4l.205(d)(2)]:
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.
> Standard language to encourage distribution. To address the tenth required element, encouraging
distributions to all persons served, each public notice must include the following standard language
[40CFRl4l.205(d)(3)]:
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.
Special notices
Some violations and situations that require public notice have special conditions of form, manner, and/or
content.
> Special notice for nitrate MCL exceedances for noncommunity water systems only.
Some noncommunity water systems may have been granted permission by the state to exceed the
nitrate MCL (10 mg/1) up to a level of 20 mg/1. These systems must provide continuous posting in
a conspicuous location of the fact that nitrate levels exceed 10 mg/1 and the potential health effects
of exposure (40 CFR 141.209). You must include the required content elements summarized in this
handbook. Your state may only grant permission to exceed the MCL if you can demonstrate that
the water will not be available to children under 6 months of age [40 CFR I4l.209(b)]. See sample
template NC-3 in Appendix A of this handbook for this situation.
> Special notice for repeated failure to conduct monitoring of the source water for Cryptosporidium for
surface water systems only [40 CFR 141.21 l(d)]. (The date to begin compliance for this requirement
varies depending on your system size. You should check with your state to determine when this
requirement applies to you.)
Surface water systems that do not collect any 3 months of monitoring of the source water for
Cryptosporidium, must provide notice within 30 days. The notice must be posted in a conspicuous
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location. In addition, you must use a second delivery method reasonable calculated to reach other
people. The notice must include a description of what the system is doing to correct the violation,
when the system expects to return to compliance or resolve the violation, and the following
mandatory language:
We are required to monitor the source of your drinking water for Cryptosporidium. Remits of the
monitoring are to be used to determine whether (treatmentplant name) is sufficient to adequately treat the
water for Cryptosporidium. We are required to complete this monitoring and make this determination
by (required bin determination date). We "did not monitor or test" or "did not complete all monitoring or
testing" 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, (date). For more
information, please call (name of water system contact) of (name of water system) at (phone number).
See sample template NC-15 in Appendix A of this handbook for this violation.
Special notice for failure to determine a bin classification (filtered surface water systems) or mean
Cryptosporidium level (unfiltered surface water systems) [40 CFR 141.21 l(d)]. The date to begin
compliance for this requirement varies depending on your system size. You should check with your state
to determine when this requirement applies to you.
Surface water systems that filter and do not determine a bin classification and surface water systems
that do not filter and do not determine a mean Cryptosporidium level, must provide notice within
30 days. The notice must be posted in a conspicuous location as well as another delivery method
reasonable calculated to reach other people. The notice must include a description of what the
system is doing to correct the violation, when the system expects to return to compliance or resolve
the violation, and the following mandatory language:
We are required to monitor the source of your drinking water for Cryptosporidium in order to determine
by (date) whether water treatment at the (treatmentplant name) is sufficient to adequately remove
Cryptosporidium from your drinking water. We have not made this determination by the required date.
Our failure to do this may jeopardize our ability to have the required treatment modifications, if any,
completed by the required deadline of (date). For more information, please call (name of water system
contact) of (name of water system) at (phone number).
See sample templates NC-16 and NC-17 in Appendix A of this handbook for these violations.
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SPECIAL NOTICE FOR UNCORRECTED SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCIES
Special notice may be required under the Ground Water Rule, beginning December 1, 2009, if the state identifies a
significant deficiency and it is uncorrected (after a specified amount of time).
For nonco mm unity systems, this special notice is required if the significant deficiency has not been completely corrected
within 12 months of notification of the deficiency. This notice is required regardless of whether the violation listed in Table 1
in this Chapter has occurred. This special notice is not a public notification requirement and therefore, the content and form
and manner requirements do not apply. However, the special notice must include: the nature of the significant deficiency; the
date it was identified by the state; the state-approved plan and schedule for correction including interim measures, progress
to date, and any interim measures completed; and if you have a large proportion of non-English speaking consumers, as
determined by the state, information in the appropriate language(s) regarding the importance of the notice or a telephone
number or address where consumers may contact you to obtain a translated copy of the notice or assistance in the appropriate
language.
When and how do I need to notify my consumers?
After you learn of a violation or situation, public notice must be provided. The deadlines for issuing public
notice and repeat notices, and the delivery methods, vary by tier and are summarized in Table 2.
Table 2: Requirements for Issuing a Public Notice
Violation
Tier
1
2
3
Deadline for
Initial Notice
24 hours**
30 days ***
1 year****
Repeated
Notices *
As directed
by the state
Every 3
months
Annually
Delivery Methods to Use
1 . Posting, hand delivery, radio and/or television. In
consultation with the state, additional methods may be
required.
1 . Posting, hand delivery, or mail
2. Plus any other method calculated to reach others not
reached by the first method such as publication in a local
newspaper or delivery to community centers.
1 . Posting, hand delivery, or mail
2. Plus any other method calculated to reach others not
reached by the first method such as publication in a local
newspaper or delivery to community centers.
* Repeated notices are required if the violation or situation persists, unless otherwise directed by the state.
** For Tier 1 notices, systems must also initiate consultation with the state 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 state 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.
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Deadlines for issuing public notice
As shown in Table 2, the deadline for issuing a public notice varies by tier.
>• For Tier 1 public notices, you must provide the notice as soon as practical but no later than 24 hours
after you learn of the violation or situation. In addition, you must contact the state within 24 hours to
determine additional public notice requirements such as the length of time to the notice must be posted
and if repeat notices are needed.
>• For Tier 2 public notices, you must provide the notice as soon as practical but no later than 30 days after
you learn of the violation or situation. If you post the notice, you must keep it posted for as long as the
violation or situation lasts, but in no case for less than seven days (even if you resolve the violation or
situation before seven days). You must repeat the notice every three months as long as the violation or
situation lasts.
>• For Tier 3 public notices, you must provide the notice no later than one year after you learn of the
violation or situation. If you post the notice, you must keep it posted for as long as the violation or
situation lasts, but in no case for less than seven days (even if you resolve the violation or situation before
seven days). You must repeat the notice annually for as long as the violation or situation lasts.
Generally, a violation or situation is considered resolved when the system has returned to compliance as
defined by the regulation in question; however, you may wish to contact your state to determine whether a
violation or situation is considered resolved.
Required methods of delivery
As shown in Table 2, the delivery methods vary by tier as follows:
* For violations and situations requiring Tier 1 notification, you must use one of the following methods to
distribute required notices: posting, hand delivery, newspapers, or radio and/or television. You may need
to use another method such as publication in a community newspaper or posting at a community center
to reach other persons served [40 CFR I4l.202(c)].
* For violations and situations requiring Tier 2 or 3 notification, you must use posting, hand delivery, or
mail, plus another method such as publication in a newspaper or posting at a community center to reach
others if they would not normally be reached by the first method.
Posting will probably be the most effective delivery method for the vast majority of transient noncommunity
water systems. Your state may allow you to use a different method of delivery for any tier. See Chapter 5 on
"Suggestions for Effective Public Notice Delivery" for additional ideas on how various types of businesses
can meet notice delivery requirements.
You must also post every notice for as long as the violation or situation exists to let visitors or new employees
know of the situation. If the violation or situation has already been resolved, Tier 2 and 3 notices must still
be posted for at least seven days [40 CFR I4l.203(b); 40 CFR I4l.204(b)]. If you can reach all persons
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served with the first method you choose, you may not need to use additional methods. At a gas station, for
instance, posting in the bathrooms and front door may be sufficient to reach all persons served.
Are there formatting requirements for public notices?
All public notices must meet certain formatting standards. These requirements will 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.
* Not contain language which nullifies the purpose of the notice.
Will I need to translate my notice?
You may also be required to translate part of your notice if a large proportion of the population served
does not speak English [40 CFR I4l.205(c)]. 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 state may have established criteria for what constitutes a large proportion of the
people you serve; check with the state to be sure.
While the transient nature of your consumer base may make it difficult to find exact statistics about the
English proficiency of the people you serve, as a business owner, you should have a general "feel" for
the languages spoken by your consumers. If you are unsure about this, ask staff who work directly with
customers about what languages they hear spoken by visitors.
To facilitate translations, especially for violations or situations requiring Tier 1 notification, establish contacts
with institutions and people who can translate notices into other languages for you in advance. Community
centers and universities can help provide translations. If your system is in an area where a language other
than English is predominant (for example in the Southwest, where Spanish is commonly spoken), there is
a good chance that some of your employees may also speak that language. These employees can be valuable
assets if you need to translate a notice or respond to questions. Spanish-language templates for nitrate and
fecal coliform violations are provided in Appendix A of this handbook (see templates NC-1A and NC-4A).
Appendix D provides translations of several useful phrases that convey the importance of the message and
the need to have it translated.
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4. Suggestions for Layout of the Notice
In addition to meeting the formatting requirements discussed in Chapter 3, notices for transient
noncommunity water systems should be appropriate to the consumers' situation. For example, visitors at a
rest stop just need to be aware they shouldn't drink the water, rather than being told to boil it. See Templates
NC-1 through NC-28 in Appendix A of this handbook for examples of postings.
Formatting Hints
Limit the notice to one page.
Display important elements in bold and/or large type and/or all upper case letters.
List each of the most important elements on a separate line and center the text, leaving a blank line
between each element.
Other required elements, such as health effects and your corrective actions, can be provided in paragraph
format, with a title for each paragraph if space permits.
How should the notice be formatted to get people's attention?
A person walking by a posted notice is unlikely to read the entire notice. Therefore, you should format the
notice so that consumers will see and read the most important information first. Posters should include a
title designed to catch people's attention. It should highlight the population at risk (if applicable), provide
actions consumers should take, state a very short description of the violation or situation, and tell where to
obtain alternative sources of water if alternative water supplies should be used.
How can I make a notice easier to read?
Assume that consumers will only read the top half of the notice (or what can be read in ten seconds). The
most important information, especially instructions to protect consumers' health, should be placed on the
top half of the notice in large print. Bullets and bold text are also effective. 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.
Remember that some of your consumers may have limited reading abilities. It is important that notices do
not contain overly technical or confusing language. Whoever on your staff is responsible for responding to
questions about the notice should keep in mind that it may be necessary to read or explain the entire notice.
If many of the visitors to your system are young children, remember that they do not read at an adult level,
and their parents may not see a posted notice (for example, at a rest stop, children may use the bathrooms
while their parents wait outside).
If your system serves a large proportion of non-English speaking people, include the appropriate translated
phrases provided in Appendix D. Appendix D also includes simple pictures that convey the concept of "do
not drink the water," that would be understood by someone who cannot read. These pictures would also
grab the attention of people passing by.
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How should I tailor the notice to my situation?
If you are providing bottled or other sources of water:
>• List the location from which you are distributing or selling it.
* If you use water for cooking or ice making (e.g., at a restaurant), be sure to let customers know that you
are using bottled water for this purpose.
>• Confirm ahead of time and periodically reconfirm that available bottled water supplies meet the US Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) or state safety standards by asking bottlers for their most recent testing
results.
If your system supplies water to people for cooking (such as a campground), your notice should provide
instructions on how to use the water to cook. The following are examples for nitrate and fecal coliform or E.
coli violations:
*• For a nitrate violation, instruct consumers that boiling the water will not make the water safe for infants
as boiling only makes nitrates more concentrated. In this scenario, the water should not be provided to
infants.
> For a fecal coliform or E. coli violation, instruct consumers to use boiled water for brushing teeth,
washing dishes, and food preparation.
TNCWS Public Notification Handbook 14 March 2010
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5. Suggestions for Effective Public Notice Delivery
Most transient noncommunity water systems can probably use some combination of posting and hand
delivery. For instance, a campground should post notices in bathrooms or at water pumps and hand out
flyers to campers as they register. A resort or hotel should hand deliver notices to guests' rooms or cottages,
as well as post notices in common areas.
How can I make posting effective?
Post notices at all water fountains, kitchen and bathroom sinks, ice machines, soda machines, coffee makers,
on bulletin boards, outside administrative offices, and at any other appropriate central locations. Posted
notices must remain posted for as long as the violation or situation lasts, but in no case less than seven
days, even if the violation or situation is resolved [40 CFR I4l.203(b) and 40 CFR I4l.204(b)]. This is
especially important for transient systems, where consumers are continuously entering and leaving the area
served.
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.
You can make door hangers for hand delivery. Knot a rubber band through a hole punched in the notice
and put the rubber band around door knobs. This method will be useful at a hotel or a campground with
cabins.
What other methods are available to reach all consumers?
You may also want to use some of these ideas, in addition to one of the required methods listed above:
>• Spoken word — If you are hand delivering notices and time permits, take the time to explain the
situation as you deliver the notice, or have a meeting to explain the situation to your employees, students,
etc. For notifications at a hotel or campground; speak to guests as they register.
>• Sound trucks — Sound trucks (or police cars with speakers) might be useful as a supplement to hand
delivery for violations or situations that have potential for serious adverse health effects as a result of short
term exposure. They are most appropriate for distribution at a time of day when most people are expected
to be in a concentrated area such as a beach or campground.
* Answering machines — Consider including public notice information on the greeting of your answering
machine or voicemail. The greeting can be updated as you make progress in resolving the violation
or situation. It also enables you to at least partially answer your customers' questions and address the
violation at the same time.
*• Community organizations — You might distribute multiple copies to nearby social service agencies or
clinics. This way doctors or case workers will be informed if their patients or clients ask them about the
implications of the violation or situation.
>• Automatic dialers — Some phone systems can be programmed to send voicemail to every extension. This
might be useful to notify guests at a hotel or resort.
>• In-house/ Cable TV — Some hotels have in-house cable television systems in which you can put
information about the violation on the "hotel information" station. For potentially serious adverse health
effects as a result of short term exposure, ask a local TV station or cable company to put "scrollers" across
the screen similar to National Weather Service announcements for tornado watches.
TNCWS Public Notification Handbook 15 March 2010
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After providing the notice, what information must I provide my state?
After you provide the notice to your consumers, you must, within ten days, send your state 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 PN requirements [40 CFR I4l.31(d)]. You must send certifications for both initial and
any repeat notices.
A sample certification "box" with appropriate language is provided below. Although a certification is
mandatory, the example is only one suggested format. Contact your state; they may have a certification form
they require be submitted to them. If your state does not have a required certification form for you to use,
you may wish to copy this certification (with appropriate blanks filled in) onto the bottom or reverse of the
copy of the public notice you send to the state.
PWS Name: [give system name]
PWSID#: [provide PWS numberl
For Violation: [describe violation or situation]
Occurring on: [insert date] .
The public water system (PWS) 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 state (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
TNCWS Public Notification Handbook 16 March 2010
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Appendices
TNCWS Public Notification Handbook
17
March 2010
-------
Page Intentionally Left Blank.
TNCWS Public Notification Handbook 18 March 2010
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Appendix A
Templates for Transient Noncommunity Water Systems
The pages that follow contain templates recommended for use by transient noncommunity water systems.
They are generally designed for posting, and are tailored to systems where consumers will not be able to boil
or otherwise treat their water. Along with each template are instructions on how to complete the template,
and suggestions for methods of delivery and modifying individual sections of the notice. These suggestions
are designed to supplement the handbook, so you may see much of the information repeated here.
Mandatory language on health effects or mandatory language on unknown risks for monitoring
violations, which must be included as written (with blanks filled in), is presented in italics in each
notice [40 CFR I4l.205(d)}.
You must also include the following italicized language in all notices, where applicable. This language will
encourage word-of-mouth communication of the problem. Use of this language does not relieve you of
your obligation to take steps reasonably calculated to notify persons served [40 CFR I4l.202(c), 40 CFR
I4l.203(c), 40 CFR I4l.204(c)]:
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
Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice -Template NC-1
Spanish Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice -Template NC-1 A
Nitrate Failure to Take a Confirmation Sample Notice - Template NC-2
Noncommunity PWSs Allowed Up to 20 mg/L Nitrate Notice - Template NC-3
TCR Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice - Template NC-4
Spanish TCR Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice - Template NC-4A
Unresolved Total Coliform Notice - Template NC-5
Monitoring Violation Notice -Template NC-6
Problem Corrected Notice -Template NC-7
Waterborne Disease Outbreak Notice - NC-8
IESWTR or LT1ESWTR CFE Maximum Turbidity Exceedance, or Turbidity Single Exceedance as Tier 1
Notice - NC-9
Stage 1 DBPR Chlorine Dioxide MRDL (Tier 1) Notice - NC-10
SWTR Failure to Filter Notice - NC-11
SWTRs Turbidity Exceedance Notice - NC-12
SWTR Disinfection Treatment Notice - NC-13
LT2ESWTR Uncovered Finished Water Reservoir Treatment Technique Violation Notice - NC-14
LT2ESWTR Failure to Conduct Required Cryptosporidium Monitoring for Any Three Months Notice -
NC-15
LT2ESWTR Filtered System Failure to Determine and Report Bin Classification Notice - NC-16
LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Calculate and Report Mean Cryptosporidium Level Notice -
NC-17
TNCWS Public Notification Handbook 19 March 2010
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Appendix A
Templates for Transient Noncommunity Water Systems Continued
LT2ESWTR Failure to Provide or Install an Additional Level of Treatment Notice - NC-18
LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Achieve Required Inactivation Level Notice - NC-19
LT2ESWTR Filtered System Failure to Achieve Required Treatment Credit Notice - NC-20
LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Maintain Required Inactivation Level Notice - NC-21
LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Install Second Disinfectant Notice - NC-22
LT2ESWTR Monitoring Violation (Tier 3) Notice - NC-23
Filter Backwash Recycling Rule Treatment Technique Violation Notice - NC-24
GWR Fecal Indicator-Positive Source Sample Notice - NC-25
GWR Failure to Take Corrective Action within Required Time Frame Notice - NC-26
GWR Failure to Maintain 4-log Treatment of Viruses Notice - NC-27
Failure to Develop a Profile and/or Calculate a Benchmark Notice - NC-28
TNCWS Public Notification Handbook 20 March 2010
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Instructions for Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice - Template NC-1
Template on Reverse
Since exceeding the nitrate maximum contaminant level of 10 mg/l requires Tier 1 notification, you must provide
public notice to persons served as soon as practical but no more than 24 hours from learning of the violation [40
CFR 141.202(b)]. During this time period, you must also contact your state. This template can also be used for
nitrite and total nitrate and nitrite violations. You must use one or more of the following methods to deliver the
notice to consumers [40 CFR 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.
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements and leave the mandatory language
unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with blanks
filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may not have
received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either
end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the notice, this language is not
applicable and can be omitted.
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 US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) and/or state bottled water safety standards.
Repeat Notices
If this is a repeat notice, you may wish to include an explanation similar to the following:
As you may recall, on [give date], you were also notified of high nitrate levels that occurred during the [give
quarter e.g., first, second, third or fourth] of the year. Since that time the water system has been monitoring
the nitrate concentration every three months. Seasonal fluctuations in nitrate concentrations have been
observed due to nitrates contained in fertilizer. It appears the high nitrates occur during the later summer
and fall. Note that previous tests prior to [give year] show that we were meeting drinking water standards for
nitrate.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below is some sample language describing
steps 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 or mixing
the water with low-nitrate water from another source.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have regular
customers. See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
-------
Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice - Template NC-1
DRINKING WATER WARNING
FOR PARENTS OF INFANTS 6 MONTHS AND YOUNGER
DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS
OLD OR USE IT TO MAKE FORMULA OR JUICE
High nitrate levels were detected on [give date].
Bottled water should be used for infants. [We are providing
bottled water for infants and their families at ].
Adults and children older than 6 months can drink the water.
On [give date], we received notice that the sample collected on [give date] showed a nitrate
concentration in the drinking water of [level and units]. This is above the nitrate standard, or
maximum contaminant level, of [state/federal MCL].
Possible Health Effects
*lnfants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the
maximum contaminant level could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms
include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome. * Blue baby syndrome is indicated by
blueness of the skin. Nitrate is a concern for infants because they can't process nitrates in the
same way adults can.
Symptoms in infants can develop rapidly, with health deteriorating over a period of days. If
symptoms occur in a child less than 6 months old, seek medical attention immediately. If you
are pregnant or have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action.]
We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame]. We will inform you when
this problem has been corrected. For more information, please contact [name of contact] of
[system] at [phone number] or [location/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:
-------
Instructions for Spanish Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice - Template NC-1A
Template on Reverse
The template on reverse is a Spanish translation of Template NC-1 for a nitrate violation. All the
instructions for Template NC-1 apply. If you modify the English template, you should modify this
template accordingly. Schools or universities may be able to provide low cost translations. See the
discussion on translations in Chapter 3 for suggestions on preparing multilingual notices.
-------
Spanish Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice - Template NC-1A
AVISO SOBRE SU AGUA POTABLE
PARA LOS PADRES DE BEBES DE SEIS MESES DE EDAD Y
MENORES
NO DE A BEBER EL AGUA A BEBES MENORES DE SEIS MESES
DE EDAD, Nl LA USE PARA LA PREPARACION DE SU JUGO O
LECHE EN POLVO
Altos niveles de nitratos fueron detectados en [date].
Debera usarse agua em hotel la da para los bebes. [Tenemos agua
embotellada disponible para bebes y sus familias, en ].
Adultos y bebes mayores de seis (6) meses de edad pueden
tomar el agua del grifo.
Recibimos un aviso el (fecha) que la muestra tomada el (fecha la muestra fue tomada) demuestra una
concentracion de nitrato de (nivel unidades). Este nivel esta por encima de la norma, o nivel maximo
de contamination (NMC) de [state/federal MCL in Spanish].
Posibles Efectos a la Salud
*Bebes menores de seis (6) meses que ingieran agua con nitratos en exceso del nivel maximo de
contaminacion (NMC) se pueden enfermarde gravedady, de no sertratados, pueden morir. Los
sintomas incluyen dificultad en respirary sindrome de bebe azul.*E\ sfndrome de bebe azul se refiere
al color azulado que toma la piel del bebe. Los nitratos son daninos para los bebes porque ellos no
pueden procesarlos en la misma manera que los adultos pueden hacerlo.
Los sintomas en los bebes pueden desarrollarse con rapidez, con el deterioro de su salud en los dfas
subsiguientes. Si los sintomas ocurren en bebes menores de seis (6) meses de edad, busque atencion
medica inmediatamente. Si usted esta embarazada o tiene algun problema de salud en particular,
puede optar por hacer una consulta con su medico.
Lo Que Estamos Haciendo Al Respecto
[Describe corrective action in Spanish.]
Anticipamos que resolveremos el problema el [date of expected resolution in Spanish day-month-year].
Nosotros le informaremos cuando este problema haya sido corregido. Para mayor information, por
favor pongase en contacto con [name of contact] de [system] al [phone number] o [location/address].
*Por favor comparta esta informacion con todo aquel que puede que tome de esta agua, sea
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, 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:
-------
Instructions for Nitrate Failure to Take a Confirmation Sample Notice -
Template NC-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
no more than 24 hours from learning of the violation [40 CFR 141.202(b)]. During this time period you must also
contact your state. 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 [40 CFR 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.
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and leave the
mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language for monitoring and testing procedure violations [40 CFR 141.205(d)] must be included as
written (with blanks filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may not have
received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either
end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the notice, this language is not
applicable and can be omitted.
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 US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) and/or state bottled water safety standards.
Repeat Notices
If this is a repeat notice, 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 [give year] we were meeting
drinking water standards for nitrate.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below is some sample language describing
steps commonly taken by water systems with nitrate/nitrite violations. You can use the following language, if
appropriate, or develop your own text:
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 state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have regular
customers. See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
-------
Nitrate Failure to Take a Confirmation Sample Notice - Template NC-2
DRINKING WATER WARNING
FOR PARENTS OF INFANTS 6 MONTHS AND YOUNGER
DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD
OR USE IT TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA OR JUICE
[System] did not take a confirmation sample to determine if the
water has high levels of nitrate.
Bottled water should be used for infants. [We are providing
bottled water for infants and their families at ].
Adults and children older than 6 months can drink the water.
*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. During
[compliance period] we ['did not monitor or test' or 'did not complete all monitoring or testing'] for nitrate
and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of your drinking water during that time.*
On [give date], we received notice that the sample collected on [give date] showed nitrate levels 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.
Nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern for infants less than six months old.
Possible Health Effects
Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the maximum
contaminant level could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of
breath and blue baby syndrome. Blue baby syndrome is indicated by blueness of the skin. Nitrate is a
concern for infants because they can't process nitrates in the same way adults can.
Symptoms in infants can develop rapidly, with health deteriorating over a period of days. If symptoms
occur in a child less than 6 months old, seek medical attention immediately. If you are pregnant or have
specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action.]
We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame]. We will inform you when this
problem has been corrected. For more information, please contact [name of contact] of [system] at
[phone number] or [location/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:
-------
Instructions for Noncommunity PWSs Allowed Up to 20 mg/L Nitrate
Notice - Template NC-3
Template on Reverse
Noncommunity water systems that have received approval by their state 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 no more than 24 hours from learning of the situation [40 CFR 141.202(b)]. You must use one or
more of the following methods to deliver the notice to consumers [40 CFR 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.
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and
leave the mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with
blanks filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may
not have received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an
asterisk on either end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the
notice, this language is not applicable and can be omitted.
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 US 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 required [40 CFR
141.209(b)].
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
-------
Noncommunity PWSs Allowed Up to 20 mg/L Nitrate Notice - Template
NC-3
DRINKING WATER WARNING
FOR PARENTS OF INFANTS 6 MONTHS AND YOUNGER
DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD
OR USE IT TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA OR JUICE
High nitrate levels were detected on [give date].
Adults and children older than 6 months can drink the water.
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 [state] 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.
Possible Health Effects
*lnfants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the maximum
contaminant level could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of
breath and blue baby syndrome.* Blue baby syndrome is indicated by blueness of the skin. Nitrate is a
concern for infants because they can't process nitrates in the same way adults can.
Symptoms in infants can develop rapidly, with health deteriorating over a period of days. If symptoms
occur in a child less than 6 months old, seek medical attention immediately. 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]. State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
-------
Instructions for TCR Fecal Coliform or E. co/iNotice - Template NC-4
Template on Reverse
This template is intended for systems where consumers will not be able to boil water. See the suggestions below
on how you can modify this template for other situations. Since exceeding the fecal coliform or £. coli maximum
contaminant level requires a Tier 1 notification, you must provide public notice to persons served as soon as
practical but no more than 24 hours from learning of the violation [40 CFR 141.202(b)]. During this time period
you must also contact your state. You must use one or more of the following methods to deliver the notice to
consumers [40 CFR 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.
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and leave the
mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with blanks
filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may not have
received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either
end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the notice, this language is not
applicable and can be omitted.
Instructions to Consumers
You may need to modify the instructions in the public notice based on your system type. For instance, at a
campground, you might tell consumers to boil the water before drinking or using for food preparation.
Alternative Sources of Water
If you are 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 US Food and Drug
Administration and state bottled water standards for bacteria and other contaminants.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by
water systems with fecal coliform or £. coli violations. You can use one or more of the following statements, if
appropriate, or develop your own text:
We are chlorinating and flushing the water system.
We are increasing sampling for coliform bacteria to identify the source of contamination.
We are repairing the wellhead seal.
We are repairing, cleaning, and disinfecting the storage tank.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have regular
customers. See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
-------
TCR Fecal Coliform or E. co/iNotice - Template NC-4
DRINKING WATER WARNING
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER
Fecal coliform [or E. coli] bacteria were found in the water supply
on [give date].
Bottled water is available from [provide location].
Possible Health Effects
*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. *
People at increased risk should seek advice from their health care providers about
drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action.]
We will inform you when additional samples show no [fecal coliform/E. coli] bacteria
and you may drink the water. We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated
time frame]. For more information, please contact [name of contact] of [system] at
[phone number] or [location/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 TCR Fecal Coliform or E. co/iNotice - Template
NC-4A
Template on Reverse
The template on reverse is a Spanish translation of Template NC-4 for a Fecal Coliform or E. coli
violation. All the instructions for Template NC-4 apply. If you modify the English template, you should
modify this template accordingly. Schools or universities may be able to provide low cost translations.
See the discussion on translations in Chapter 3 for suggestions on multilingual notices.
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Spanish TCR Fecal Coliform or E. ro/7Notice - Template NC-4A
AVISO SOBRE SU AGUA POTABLE
NOBEBAELAGUA
Bacterias coliformes fecales [o E. coli] fueron encontradas en su
servicio de agua el dia de [date].
Agua embotellada esta disponible en ].
Posibles Efectos a la Salud
*Coliformes fecales y E. coli son bacterias cuya presencia indica que el agua esta
contaminada con desechos humanos o de animales. Microbios en estos desechos
pueden causar diarrhea, colicos, nausea, do/ores de cabeza u otros smtomas.
Presentan ademas un riesgo especial para la salud de bebes, ninos y ninas de corta
edad y personas con sistemas immunologicos en alto riesgo. *
Personas en situaciones de alto riesgo deben consultar con sus proveedores de
servicios medicos sobre agua apta para beber.
Lo Que Estamos Haciendo Al Respecto
[Describe corrective action in Spanish.]
Nosotros le informaremos cuando muestras adicionales indiquen que no existen
bacterias coniformes presentes y que es permitido nuevamente beber de esta 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 [name of
contact] de [system] al [phone number] o [location/address].
*Por favor comparta esta informacion con todo aquel que puede que tome de esta
agua, sea colocando este aviso en lugares visibles, o remit! endolo por correo, o
entregandolo manualmente. Es importante distribuir este aviso ampliamente en
caso que Ud. lo reciba en representacion de un edificio de apartamentos, negocio,
hospital, hogar de infantes, hogar de ancianos o comunidad residencial. *
Este aviso ha sido enviado a usted por [system].
Numero de Identification: . Fecha de distribution:
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Instructions for Unresolved Total Coliform Notice - Template NC-5
Template on Reverse
This template is intended for systems where consumers will not need to boil their water or where they will not
have the facilities to do so. Since exceeding the total coliform bacteria maximum contaminant level requires a Tier
2 notification, you must provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical and within 30 days after you
learn of the violation [40 CFR 141.203(b)]. Persistent total coliform problems can pose a serious health risk, and
your state may elevate such situations to Tier 1. Check with your state to make sure you meet all its requirements.
You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation persists.
Noncommunity water systems must use one of the following methods [40 CFR 141.203(c)]:
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
• Mail
You must also use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first
method [40 CFR 141.203(c)].
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and leave the
mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with blanks
filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may not have
received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either
end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the notice, this language is not
applicable and can be omitted.
Description of the Violation
The template on the reverse is intended for use by systems taking fewer than 40 coliform bacteria samples a
month. You can modify the template using the following language if you are required to take 40 or more samples
per month:
We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. During [provide month], [give
percentage] percent of our samples showed the presence of total coliform bacteria. The standard is that no
more than 5 percent of samples may do so.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. If you know what is causing the coliform problem,
explain this in the notice. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by water systems with total coliform
violations. You can use one or more of the following statements, if appropriate, or develop your own text:
We are chlorinating and flushing the water system.
We are increasing sampling for coliform bacteria to identify the source of contamination.
We are repairing the wellhead seal.
We are repairing, cleaning, and disinfecting the storage tank.
We will inform you when additional samples show no coliform bacteria.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have regular
customers. See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
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Unresolved Total Coliform Notice - Template NC-5
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
Tests Show Presence of Coliform Bacteria in Water
We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. We took [number]
samples during [month]. [Number] of those samples showed the presence of total coliform
bacteria. The standard is that no more than one sample per month may do so.
What This Means
This is not an emergency. Total coliform bacteria themselves are generally not harmful.
*Coliforms 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 systems.
You may drink the water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are
elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers
about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action.]
We will inform you when additional samples show no coliform bacteria. We anticipate resolving
the problem within [estimated time frame]. For more information, please contact [name of
contact] of [system] at [phone number] or [location/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 Monitoring Violation Notice - Template NC-6
Template on Reverse
Since most monitoring violations are included in Tier 3, you must provide public notice to persons served within
one year after you learn of the violation [40 CFR 141.204(b)]. Multiple monitoring violations can be serious, and
your state may have more stringent requirements. Check with your state to make sure you meet its requirements.
Noncommunity water systems must use one of the following methods [40 CFR 141.204(c)]:
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
• Mail
In addition, you must use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by
the first method [40 CFR 141.204(c)].
You must post the notice until the violation is resolved. If the violation has already been resolved, you must post
the notice for at least seven days [40 CFR 141.204(b)]. If you mail, post, or hand deliver, you should print your
notice on your system's letterhead, if available.
The template on the reverse is appropriate for use as an annual notice combining notification for several
violations, as well as for notices for individual violations. This template presents violations in a table; however, you
may write out an explanation for each violation if you wish.
You may need to modify the notice if you had any monitoring violations for which monitoring later showed a
maximum contaminant level or other violation. In such cases, you should refer to the public notice you issued at
that time. If you do modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements and leave the mandatory
language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language for monitoring and testing procedure violations [40 CFR 141.205(d)] must be included as
written (with blanks filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may not have
received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either
end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the notice, this language is not
applicable and can be omitted.
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. Choose the appropriate language, or develop your own text:
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
Be sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
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Monitoring Violation Notice - Template NC-6
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
Monitoring Requirements Not Met for [System]
We violated a drinking water requirement. Even though this is not an emergency, as our customers, you
have the right to know what happened and what we 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 'did not complete all monitoring'] for [contaminant(s)] and
therefore cannot be sure of the quality of our drinking water during that time.*
What This Means
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 (frequency) 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
Coliform (example)
Required
sampling
frequency
Two samples per
month
Number of
samples taken
1
When samples
should have
been taken
July 1, July 15,
August 1
When samples
were (or will
be) taken
July 1, August 1
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action.]
For more information, please contact [name of contact] of [system] at [phone number] or [location/
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 Problem Corrected Notice - Template NC-7
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 state may require you to issue one. You should coordinate
with your local health department as well. You should use the same delivery methods you used for the
original notice.
The template on the reverse is very general and can be used for any violation or situation. 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 NC-7
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].
State Water System ID#: .
Date distributed:
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Instructions for Waterborne Disease Outbreak Notice - Template NC-8
Template on Reverse
This template is intended for systems where consumers will not be able to boil water. See the suggestions below on
how you can modify this template for other situations. Since a waterborne disease outbreak is a Tier 1 situation, you
must provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but no more than 24 hours from learning of the
situation [40 CFR 141.202(b)]. You must contact your state 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 state 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/healthywater/disease/index.html, 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 [40 CFR 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.
Instructions to Consumers
You may need to modify the instructions in the public notice based on your system type. For instance, at a campground,
you might tell consumers to boil the water before drinking or using for food preparation. Instructions should also depend
on whether your system has elevated nitrate levels; boiling water concentrates nitrates and makes levels higher. 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. If you do modify the notice on the
reverse, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and leave the mandatory language
unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
This template includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may not have received
the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either end. However, if
you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the notice, this language is not applicable and can be
omitted.
No mandatory health effects language exists for waterborne disease outbreaks. You may wish to use the sentence
below, if appropriate, or contact your state 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.
Alternative Sources of Water
If you are 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 US Food and Drug Administration and
state bottled water standards for bacteria and other contaminants.
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 statements, if appropriate, or
develop your own text:
We are repairing our filtration system.
We are increasing sampling for disease-causing organisms.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have regular
customers. See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
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Waterborne Disease Outbreak Notice - Template NC-8
DRINKING WATER WARNING
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER
Disease-causing Organisms Have Entered [System's] Water
Supply
Bottled water is available from [provide location].
These organisms are causing illness in people served by [system]. We learned of a waterborne
disease outbreak from [agency] on [give date].
Possible Health Effects
• [Describe symptoms of the waterborne disease.] Symptoms may include nausea,
cramps, diarrhea, jaundice, and associated headaches and fatigue.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are
elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers
about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe the outbreak, corrective action, and when the outbreak might end.] We will inform
you when this problem is corrected and you may drink the water. We anticipate resolving the
problem within [estimated time frame].
For more information, please contact [name of contact] of [system] at [phone number] or
[location/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 IESWTR or LT1ESWTR CFE Maximum Turbidity Exceedance,
or Turbidity Single Exceedance as Tier 1 Notice - Template NC-9
Template on Reverse
This template is intended for systems where consumers will not be able to boil water. If your state has designated this turbidity
single exceedance as a Tier 1 violation [40 CFR 141.202(a)], you must provide public notice to persons served within 24
hours after it has been designated Tier 1 [40 CFR 141.202(b)]. Turbidity violations are Tier 2 by default, but may frequently
be elevated to Tier 1 by your state. In addition, violations are automatically elevated if you are unable to consult with your
state 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. You must use one or more of the following
methods to deliver the notice to consumers [40 CFR 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.
Instructions to Consumers
You may need to modify the instructions in the public notice based on your system type. For instance, at a campground, you
might tell consumers to boil the water before drinking or using for food preparation. If you do modify the notice, you must still
include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and leave the mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with blanks filled in) and is
presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may not have received the
notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either end. However, if you post the
notice such that all possible users have access to the notice, this language is not applicable and can be omitted.
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 US Food and Drug Administration and state
bottled water standards for bacteria and other contaminants.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by water systems with
a single turbidity exceedance. You can use one or more of the following statements, if appropriate, or develop your own text:
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
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have regular customers.
See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
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IESWTR or LT1ESWTR CFE Maximum Turbidity Exceedance, or Turbidity
Single Exceedance as Tier 1 Notice - Template NC-9
DRINKING WATER WARNING
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER
[System] Has High Turbidity Levels
Bottled water is available from [provide location].
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.
Possible Health Effects
*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. * 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.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are
elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers
about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe reason for the high turbidity, corrective action, and when the system expects to
return to compliance.] We will inform you when turbidity returns to appropriate levels and you
may drink the water.
For more information, please contact [name of contact] of [system] at [phone number] or
[location/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 Stage 1 DBPR Chlorine Dioxide MRDL (Tier 1) Notice -
Template NC-10
Template on Reverse
When one or more of the samples taken in the distribution system exceeds the chlorine dioxide MRDL on the day
after a chlorine dioxide measurement taken at the entrance to the distribution system exceeds the MRDL, or when
required samples are not taken in the distribution system, you must provide Tier 1 public notice to persons served
as soon as practical but no more than 24 hours from learning of the violation [40 CFR 141.202(b)]. You must also
contact your state 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
[40 CFR 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.
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and leave the
mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with blanks
filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may not have
received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either
end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the notice, this language is not
applicable and can be omitted.
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 US Food and Drug
Administration and state bottled water standards for bacteria and other contaminants.
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 statements, if appropriate, or
develop your own text:
We are resetting the chlorine dioxide generator to generate the correct amount of chlorine dioxide.
We are repairing the chlorine dioxide 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 state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have regular
customers. See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
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Stage 1 DBPR Chlorine Dioxide MRDL (Tier 1) Notice - Template NC-10
DRINKING WATER WARNING
PREGNANT WOMEN AND YOUNG CHILDREN SHOULD NOT
DRINK THE WATER
Bottled water is available from [provide location].
On [give date], we received notice that the sample collected on [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.
Possible Health Effects
• *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.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame].
We will inform you when this problem has been corrected.
For more information, please contact [name of contact] of [system] at [phone number] or
[location/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 SWTR Failure to Filter Notice - Template NC-11
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 [40 CFR
141.203(b)]. You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation persists.
Your state 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 state to make sure you meet all
requirements.
Noncommunity water systems must use one of the following methods [40 CFR 141.203(c)]:
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
Mail
You must also use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached
by the first method [40 CFR 141.203(c)].
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and
leave the mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with
blanks filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may
not have received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an
asterisk on either end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the
notice, this language is not applicable and can be omitted.
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 statements, if appropriate, or develop your own text:
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.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have
regular customers. See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
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SWTR Failure to Filter Notice - Template NC-11
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
[System] Does Not Meet Treatment Requirements
On [give date], the [state] 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 This Means
This is not an emergency. 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.
You may drink the water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are
elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from you health care providers
about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
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] of [system] at [phone number] or [location/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 SWTRs Turbidity Exceedance Notice - Template NC-12
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 [40 CFR 141.203(b)]. You must issue
a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation persists. Your state 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 state to
make sure you meet all requirements. This template may also be adapted for use with turbidity MCL violations.
For Exceedances of Single Turbidity Limits
You must consult with your state as soon as
practical but within 24 hours of learning of the
violation. During the consultation, the state 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 NC-9).
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 [give 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 [standard]
units."
Noncommunity water systems must use one of the following methods [40 CFR 141.203(c)]:
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
• Mail
You must also use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method [40
CFR141.203(c)].
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and leave the mandatory
language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with blanks filled in) and is
presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may not have received the
notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either end. However, if you post the
notice such that all possible users have access to the notice, this language is not applicable and can be omitted.
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 statements, if appropriate, or develop your
own text:
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 Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have regular customers.
See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
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SWTRs Turbidity Exceedance Notice - Template NC-12
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
[System] Did Not Meet Treatment Requirements
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 on previous page].
What This Means
This is not an emergency. We do not know of any cases of contamination, and none of our
testing has shown disease-causing organisms in the drinking water.
*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.
You may drink the water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are
elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers
about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
A problem occurred with the treatment system at the water plant. [Describe the reason for high
turbidity, corrective actions, and when the system returned or expects to return to compliance.]
For more information, please contact [name of contact] of [system] at [phone number] or
[location/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 SWTR Disinfection Treatment Notice - Template NC-13
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 [40 CFR 141.203(b)]. Some
disinfection problems may be serious. Your state 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 state to make sure you meet all
requirements.
Noncommunity water systems must use one of the following methods [40 CFR 141.203(c)]:
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
• Mail
You must also use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method [40
CFR141.203(c)].
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and leave the mandatory
language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with blanks filled in) and is
presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may not have received the
notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either end. However, if you post the
notice such that all possible users have access to the notice, this language is not applicable and can be omitted.
Description of the Violation
Include one of 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 [give dates], disinfectant residual was undetectable in more than 5% of
samples. The requirement 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 [give numbers of
hours] hours. The requirement is that levels may not drop below 0.2 milligrams per liter 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 statements, if appropriate, or develop
your own text:
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 Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have regular customers.
See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
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SWTR Disinfection Treatment Notice - Template NC-13
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
[System] Does/Did Not Meet Treatment Requirements
[Describe the violation - use descriptions from instructions on reverse.]
What This Means
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours. 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. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to
seek medical advice.
You may drink the water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are
elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers
about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe why the violation occurred and the corrective action.]
[Disinfectant residual levels/contact times] so far this month have met all requirements.
For more information, please contact [name of contact] of [system] at [phone number] or
[location/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 LT2ESWTR Uncovered Finished Water Reservoir Treatment
Technique Violation Notice - Template NC-14
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 [40 CFR 141.203(b)]. You must issue a repeat notice every
three months for as long as the violation persists. Your state 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 state to make sure you meet all
requirements.
Noncommunity systems must use one of the following methods [40 CFR 141.203(c)]:
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
Mail
You must also use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method [40
CFR141.203(c)].
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and leave the mandatory
language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with blanks filled in) and is
presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may not have received the
notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either end. However, if you post the
notice such that all possible users have access to the notice, this language is not applicable and can be omitted.
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 Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR) treatment technique violation. You can use
one or more of the following statements, if appropriate, or develop your own text:
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 three
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 three months.
We are currently working with state 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 three months.
We are currently working with state 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 three
months.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have regular customers.
See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
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LT2ESWTR Uncovered Finished Water Reservoir Treatment Technique
Violation Notice - Template NC-14
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
Uncovered Finished Water Reservoir Violation at [System]
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 This Means
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours.
Uncovered finished water reservoirs are a pathway for contaminants to enter the
drinking water supply. Therefore, it is necessary to cover the reservoirs or treat the
discharge.
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.
You may drink the water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your
doctor.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or
are elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care
providers about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time
frame].
For more information, please contact [name of contact] of [system] at [phone number]
or [location/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 LT2ESWTR Failure to Conduct Required Cryptosporidium
Monitoring For Any Three Months Notice - Template NC-15
Template on Reverse
A surface water system's failure to conduct required Cryptosporidium monitoring of its source water
for any three months is a monitoring violation that requires Tier 2 notification and special notice. (Note:
failure to collect one or two of the scheduled samples requires Tier 3 notification. See Template NC-23
for an example.) You must provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30
days after you learn of the violation [40 CFR 141.203(b)]. You must issue a repeat notice every three
months for as long as the violation persists. Your state 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 state to make sure you meet all requirements.
Noncommunity systems must use one of the following methods [40 CFR 141.203(c)]:
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
Mail
You must also use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached
by the first method [40 CFR 141.203(c)].
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and
leave the mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory special notice language [40 CFR 141.211(d)(1)] must be included as written (with blanks
filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either end.
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
statements, if appropriate, or develop your own text:
• We will begin collecting the required source water monitoring samples on [give date].
• We have since taken the required samples for source water monitoring.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
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LT2ESWTR Failure to Conduct Required Cyrptosporidium Monitoring for
Any Three Months Notice - Template NC-15
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
Monitoring Requirements Not Met for [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 water treatment at the [treatment
plant name] is sufficient to adequately remove Cryptosporidium from your drinking water.
We are required to complete this monitoring and make this determination by [required bin
determination date]. We "did not monitor or test" or "did not complete all monitoring or testing"
on schedule and, therefore, we may not be able to determine by the required date what
treatment modifications, if any, must be made to ensure adequate Cryptosporidium removal.
Missing this deadline may, in turn, jeopardize our ability to have the required treatment
modifications, if any, completed by the deadline required, [give date].*
Cryptosporidium is a disease-causing microorganism that may be present in our raw water
source.
What This Means
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours.
You may drink the water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are
elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers
about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action.] We will collect all required samples by [give date].
*For more information, please call (name of water system contact) of (name of water system)
at (phone number). *
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 LT2ESWTR Filtered System Failure to Determine and
Report Bin Classification Notice - Template NC-16
Template on Reverse
A filtered system's failure to determine and report their bin classification by the required date is a treatment
technique violation that requires Tier 2 notification and special notice. The template on the reverse meets both
of these requirements. You must provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days
after you learn of the violation [40 CFR 141.203(b)]. You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as
long as the violation persists. Your state 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 state to make sure you meet all
requirements.
Noncommunity systems must use one of the following methods [40 CFR 141.203(c)]:
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
• Mail
You must also use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first
method [40 CFR 141.203(c)].
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and leave the
mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) and special notice language [40 CFR
141.211 (d)(2)] must be included as written (with blanks filled in) and are presented in this notice in italics with an
asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may not have
received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either
end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the notice, this language is not
applicable and can be omitted.
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 the following language, if appropriate, or
develop your own text:
We determined our bin classification on [give date], and have notified the state.
We are in the process of determining our bin classification and will notify the state upon completion.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have regular
customers. See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
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LT2ESWTR Filtered System Failure to Determine and Report Bin
Classification Notice - Template NC-16
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
[System] Did Not Determine Required Treatment Based on
Cryptosporidium Level
*We are required to monitor the source of your drinking water for Cryptosporidium in order
to determine by [give date] whether water treatment at the [provide treatment plant name] is
sufficient to adequately remove Cryptosporidium from your drinking water. We have not made
this determination by the required date. Our failure to do this may jeopardize our ability to have
the required treatment modifications, if any, completed by the required deadline of [give date]*
Cryptosporidium is a disease-causing microorganism that may be present in our raw water
source.
What This Means
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. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to
seek medical advice.
You may drink the water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are
elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers
about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame]
(or the problem was resolved on [give date]).
Tor more information, please call (name of water system contact) of (name of water system)
at (phone number). *
*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 LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Calculate and
Report Mean Cryptosporidium Level Notice - Template NC-17
Template on Reverse
An unfiltered system's failure to calculate and report its mean Cryptosporidium level by the required date is a
treatment technique violation that requires Tier 2 notification and special notice. The template on the reverse
meets both of these requirements. You must provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but
within 30 days after you learn of the violation [40 CFR 141.203(b)]. You must issue a repeat notice every three
months for as long as the violation persists. Your state 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 state to make sure
you meet all requirements.
Noncommunity systems must use one of the following methods [40 CFR 141.203(c)]:
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
• Mail
You must also use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first
method [40 CFR 141.203(c)].
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and leave the
mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) and special notice language [(40 CFR
141.211 (d)(2)] must be included as written (with blanks filled in) and are presented in this notice in italics with an
asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may not have
received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either
end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the notice, this language is not
applicable and can be omitted.
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 the following language, if appropriate, or
develop your own text:
We determined our mean Cryptosporidium level on [give date], and have notified the state.
We are in the process of determining our mean Cryptosporidium level and will notify the state upon
completion.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have regular
customers. See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
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LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Calculate and Report Mean
Cryptosporidium Level Notice - Template NC-17
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
[System] Did Not Determine Cryptosporidium Level
*We are required to monitor the source of your drinking water for Cryptosporidium in order
to determine by [give date] whether water treatment at the [provide treatment plant name] is
sufficient to adequately remove Cryptosporidium from your drinking water. We have not made
this determination by the required date. Our failure to do this may jeopardize our ability to have
the required treatment modifications, if any, completed by the required deadline of [give date]*
Cryptosporidium is a disease-causing microorganism that may be present in our raw water
source.
What This Means
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. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to
seek medical advice.
You may drink the water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are
elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers
about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame]
(or the problem was resolved on [give date]).
Tor more information, please call (name of water system contact) of (name of water system)
at (phone number). *
*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 LT2ESWTR Filtered System Failure to Provide or Install an
Additional Level of Treatment Notice - Template NC-18
Template on Reverse
A filtered system's failure to provide or install an additional level of treatment appropriate for its Long
Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR) bin classification 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 [40 CFR
141.203(b)]. You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation persists.
Your state 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 state to make sure you meet all
requirements.
Noncommunity systems must use one of the following methods [40 CFR 141.203(c)]:
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
Mail
You must also use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached
by the first method [40 CFR 141.203(c)].
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and
leave the mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with
blanks filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may
not have received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an
asterisk on either end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the
notice, this language is not applicable and can be omitted.
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 statements, if appropriate, or develop your own text:
• We are currently working to [install treatment/adjust our treatment processes] to achieve the
required level of additional treatment.
• We are currently working with state officials to finalize plans for water treatment that will satisfy
this requirement once it is installed.
• We have [installed treatment/made adjustments to our treatment processes] and are now
achieving the required level of additional treatment.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have
regular customers. See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
-------
LT2ESWTR Filtered System Failure to Provide or Install an Additional Level
of Treatment Notice - Template NC-18
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
[System] Did Not Provide the Appropriate Level of Treatment
Within Required Time Frame
Cryptosporidium is a disease-causing microorganism that has been found in our raw water
source. Our water system [give system name] was required to provide an additional level of
treatment to address Cryptosporidium by [provide date]. We failed to do this by the required
date.
What This Means
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours. We
do not know of any cases of contamination. However, until we provide an additional level of
treatment, there is an increased chance that Cryptosporidium 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.
You may drink the water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are
elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers
about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action.] We expect to achieve this additional level of treatment by [give
date].
For more information, please contact [name of contact] of [system] at [phone number] or
[location/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:
-------
Instructions for LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Achieve Required
Inactivation Level Notice - Template NC-19
Template on Reverse
Based on Cryptosporidium monitoring results, unfiltered system's must meet inactivation requirements
for Cryptosporidium by a required date. Failure to do this 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 [40 CFR 141.203(b)]. You must issue a repeat notice every
three months for as long as the violation persists. Your state 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 state to make sure you meet all requirements.
Noncommunity systems must use one of the following methods [40 CFR 141.203(c)]:
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
Mail
You must also use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached
by the first method [40 CFR 141.203(c)].
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and
leave the mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with
blanks filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may
not have received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an
asterisk on either end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the
notice, this language is not applicable and can be omitted.
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 statements, if appropriate, or develop your own text:
• We are currently working to adjust our treatment processes to achieve the required level of
treatment.
• We are currently working with state officials and our engineers to finalize plans for water
treatment that will satisfy this requirement once it is installed.
• We have made adjustments to our treatment processes and are now achieving the required
level of treatment.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have
regular customers. See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
-------
LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Achieve Required Inactivation
Level Notice - Template NC-19
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
[System] Did Not Provide the Appropriate Level of Treatment
Within Required Time Frame
Cryptosporidium is a disease-causing microorganism that may be in our raw water source.
Our water system [give system name] was required to provide a specified level of treatment to
address Cryptosporidium by [provide date]. We failed to do this by the required date.
What This Means
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours. We do
not know of any cases of contamination. However, until we a specified level of treatment, there
is an increased chance that Cryptosporidium 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.
You may drink the water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are
elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers
about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action.] We expect to achieve this specified level of treatment by [give
date].
For more information, please contact [name of contact] of [system] at [phone number] or
[location/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:
-------
Instructions for LT2ESWTR Filtered System Failure to Achieve Required
Treatment Credit Notice - Template NC-20
Template on Reverse
Based on Cryptosporidium monitoring results, some filtered systems are required to achieve additional
treatment credit using a microbial toolbox option. A filtered system's failure to achieve required
treatment credit to meet the bin classification requirements, 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 [40 CFR 141.203(b)]. You must issue a repeat
notice every three months for as long as the violation persists. Your state 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 state to make sure you meet all requirements.
Noncommunity systems must use one of the following methods [40 CFR 141.203(c)]:
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
Mail
You must also use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached
by the first method [40 CFR 141.203(c)].
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and
leave the mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with
blanks filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may
not have received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an
asterisk on either end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the
notice, this language is not applicable and can be omitted.
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 statements, if appropriate, or develop your own text:
• We are taking steps to ensure the required level of treatment can be maintained at all times.
• The reason for the lapse in treatment has been identified and addressed.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have
regular customers. See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
-------
LT2ESWTR Filtered System Failure to Achieve Required Treatment Credit
Notice - Template NC-20
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
[System] Did Not Maintain the Required Level of Treatment
Cryptosporidium is a disease-causing microorganism that has been found in our raw water
source. Our water system [give system name] was required to maintain a specified level of
additional treatment to address Cryptosporidium. During [provide date range], our system fell
below this level.
What This Means
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours. We do
not know of any cases of contamination. However, until we consistently maintain an additional
level of treatment, there is an increased chance that Cryptosporidium 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.
You may drink the water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are
elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers
about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action and when the system returned or expects to return to compliance.]
For more information, please contact [name of contact] of [system] at [phone number] or
[location/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:
-------
Instructions for LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Maintain Required
Inactivation Level Notice - Template NC-21
Template on Reverse
Based on Cryptosporidium monitoring results, an unfiltered system must maintain specified inactivation
levels to ensure adequate treatment for Cryptosporidium. Failure to do this 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 [40 CFR 141.203(b)]. You must issue
a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation persists. Your state 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 state to make sure you meet all requirements.
Noncommunity systems must use one of the following methods [40 CFR 141.203(c)]:
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
Mail
You must also use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached
by the first method [40 CFR 141.203(c)].
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and
leave the mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with
blanks filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may
not have received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an
asterisk on either end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the
notice, this language is not applicable and can be omitted.
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 statements, if appropriate, or develop your own text:
• We are taking steps to ensure the required level of treatment can be maintained at all times.
• The reason for the lapse in treatment has been identified and addressed.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have
regular customers. See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
-------
LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Maintain Required Inactivation
Level Notice - Template NC-21
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
[System] Did Not Maintain the Required Level of Treatment
Cryptosporidium is a disease-causing microorganism that may be in our raw water source. Our
water system [give system name] was required to maintain a specified level of treatment to
address Cryptosporidium. During [provide date range], our system fell below this level.
What This Means
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours. We do
not know of any cases of contamination. However, until we consistently maintain the specified
level of treatment, there is an increased chance that Cryptosporidium 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.
You may drink the water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are
elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers
about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action and when the system returned or expects to return to compliance.]
For more information, please contact [name of contact] of [system] at [phone number] or
[location/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:
-------
Instructions for LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Install Second
Disinfectant Notice - Template NC-22
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 [40 CFR 141.203(b)]. You must issue a repeat
notice every three months for as long as the violation persists. Your state 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 state to make sure you meet all requirements.
Noncommunity systems must use one of the following methods [40 CFR 141.203(c)]:
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
• Mail
You must also use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first
method [40 CFR 141.203(c)].
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and leave the
mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with blanks
filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may not have
received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either
end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the notice, this language is not
applicable and can be omitted.
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 statements, if appropriate, or develop your own text:
We will install a second disinfectant by [provide date] to satisfy this requirement.
We are currently working with state officials and our engineers to finalize plans for water treatment that
will satisfy this requirement once it is installed.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have regular
customers. See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
-------
LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Install Second Disinfectant Notice -
Template NC-22
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
[System] Failed to Provide the Appropriate Level of Treatment
Within Required Time Frame
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.)/chlorine dioxide/ozone] disinfection system installed by the required
date.
What This Means
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours. We do
not know of any cases of contamination. However, until the second disinfectant is installed,
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.
You may drink the water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are
elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers
about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
We expect to have the [U.V./chlorine dioxide/ozone] disinfection system installed by [give date].
We will also continue to disinfect the water with chlorine, as we have in the past.
For more information, please contact [name of contact] of [system] at [phone number] or
[location/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:
-------
Instructions for LT2ESWTR Monitoring Violation (Tier 3) Notice -
Template NC-23
Template on Reverse
The template on the reverse is another example of a monitoring violation. The example in this
template is for Cryptosporidium monitoring under LT2ESWTR. If a system fails to conduct
Cryptosporidium monitoring of its source water for one or two months, they are required to
issue Tier 3 notification. (Note: failure to conduct required Cryptosporidium monitoring for
any three months requires Tier 2 notification and special notice. See Template NC-15 for an
example.) This notice can also be modified for E. coll or turbidity monitoring violations under
LT2ESWTR. All the instructions of Template NC-6 apply.
-------
LT2ESWTR Monitoring Violation (Tier 3) Notice - Template NC-23
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
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 Cryptosporidium and therefore cannot
be sure of the quality of your drinking water during that time. *
Cryptosporidium is a disease-causing microorganism that may be present in our raw
water source.
What This Means
This is not an emergency. There is nothing you need to do at this time.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action.] We began collecting our monthly samples for
Cryptosporidium on [give date] and will continue to follow our required monitoring
schedule.
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:
-------
Instructions for Filter Backwash Recycling Rule Treatment Technique
Violation Notice - Template NC-24
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, are violations that require Tier 2 notice,
you must provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the
violation [40 CFR 141.203(b)]. You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation
persists. Your state 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 state to make sure you meet all requirements.
Noncommunity systems must use one of the following methods [40 CFR 141.203(c)]:
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
• Mail
You must also use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first
method [40 CFR 141.203(c)].
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and leave the
mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with blanks
filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may not have
received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either
end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the notice, this language is not
applicable and can be omitted.
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 statements, if appropriate, or develop
your own text:
On [give date], we will no longer recycle our filter backwash and will not be in violation of this requirement.
On [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 requirement.
On [give date], the filter backwash and all other current recycle flows will be discharged to waste as
approved by the state.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have regular
customers. See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
-------
Filter Backwash Recycling Rule Treatment Technique Violation Notice -
Template NC-24
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
[System] Did Not Meet Treatment Requirements
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 This Means
This is not an emergency. 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.
You may drink the water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your
doctor.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or
are elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care
providers about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time
frame].
For more information, please contact [name of contact] of [system] at [phone number]
or [location/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:
-------
Instructions for GWR Fecal Indicator-Positive Source Sample Notice -
Template NC-25
Template on Reverse
This template is intended for systems where consumers will not be able to boil water. See the suggestions below
on how you can modify this template for other situations. Since detection of a fecal indicator (£. coli, enterococci,
coliphage) in a ground water source sample is a situation requiring Tier 1 notice, you must provide public
notice to persons served as soon as practical but no more than 24 hours from learning of the violation [40 CFR
141.202(b)]. During this time period you must also contact your state. You must use one or more of the following
methods to deliver the notice to consumers [40 CFR 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.
Instructions to Consumers
You may need to modify the instructions in the public notice based on your system type. For instance, at a
campground, you might tell consumers to boil the water before drinking or using for food preparation. If you
do modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and leave the
mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with blanks
filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may not have
received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either
end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the notice, this language is not
applicable and can be omitted.
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 US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) and state bottled water standards for bacteria and other contaminants.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by
water systems that have detected a fecal indicator in their ground water source. You can use one or more of the
following statements, if appropriate, or develop your own text:
We are increasing sampling at our sources to determine the source of the contamination.
We are working with state officials to implement corrective actions to ensure water supplies are protected
against contamination.
We are providing water from an alternative source until the problem is resolved.
We have discontinued use of the contaminated well and will rely on our other sources to meet demand.
We are abandoning the contaminated well and will replace it with a well constructed to standards.
We are pursuing treatment options for disinfection of the water from this source.
We have installed temporary disinfection while we pursue long term treatment or other options to
eliminate contamination from this source.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have regular
customers. See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
-------
GWR Fecal Indicator-Positive Source Sample Notice - Template NC-25
DRINKING WATER WARNING
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER
[System]'s [Source] Tested Positive for Fecal Indicator (E. coll,
Enterococci, Coliphage) on [Give Date].
Bottled water is available from [provide location].
Possible Health Effects
*Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be
contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause
short-term health 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. *
People at increased risk should seek advice from their health care providers
about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action.]
We will inform you when you may drink the water. We anticipate resolving the
problem within [estimated time frame]. For more information, please contact
[name of contact] of [system] at [phone number] or [location/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: .
-------
Instructions for GWR Failure to Take Corrective Action Within Required
Time Frame Notice - Template NC-26
Template on Reverse
A system's failure to take corrective action within the required timeframe or be in compliance with a state-
approved corrective action plan and schedule fora fecal indicator-positive ground water source sample or
significant deficiency under the Ground Water Rule (GWR) 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 [40 CFR 141.203(b)]. You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the
violation persists. Your state may have more stringent requirements for treatment technique violations. Check with
your state to make sure you meet all requirements.
If this notice is for failing to address a fecal indicator-positive source sample, a Tier 1 notice for detecting a fecal
indicator in the source water should have already been issued. Consider providing the history of the situation in
this notice (i.e., what events lead to requiring corrective action) to avoid confusing the public when this second
notice is issued.
Noncommunity systems must use one of the following methods [40 CFR 141.203(c)]:
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
• Mail
You must also use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first
method [40 CFR 141.203(c)].
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and leave the
mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with blanks
filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may not have
received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either
end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the notice, this language is not
applicable and can be omitted.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by
water systems with Ground Water Rule treatment technique violations. You can use one or more of the following
statements, if appropriate, or develop your own text:
Although we did not meet our deadline, we are now in consultation with the state to develop a corrective
action plan.
The [source of contamination/significant deficiency] has been identified and addressed.
We have implemented a short term plan to address the immediate issue while we pursue the long-term
solution.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have regular
customers. See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
-------
GWR Failure to Take Corrective Action Within Required Time Frame
Notice - Template NC-26
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
[System] Failed to [Correct a Significant Deficiency/Address a Fecal
Indicator-Positive Source Sample] Within Required Time Frame
Our water system [give system name] was required to take action to [correct a significant
deficiency/address a fecal-indicator positive source sample] by [give date]. However, we failed
to take action by the required date.
What This Means
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours. We do
not know of any cases of contamination. However, until the problem is corrected, 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.
You may drink the water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are
elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers
about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action.] We expect to have the [significant deficiency/source of fecal
contamination] corrected by [give date].
For more information, please contact [name of contact] of [system] at [phone number] or
[location/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:
-------
Instructions for GWR Failure to Maintain 4-log Treatment of Viruses
Notice - Template NC-27
Template on Reverse
Aground water system's failure to maintain required 4-log treatment of viruses fora period greater than 4 hours
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 [40 CFR 141.203(b)]. You must
issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation persists. Your state 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 state to make sure you meet all requirements.
Noncommunity systems must use one of the following methods [40 CFR 141.203(c)]:
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
Mail
You must also use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first
method [40 CFR 141.203(c)].
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and leave the
mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language on health effects (from Appendix B to Subpart Q) must be included as written (with blanks
filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics with an asterisk on either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may not have
received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on either
end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the notice, this language is not
applicable and can be omitted.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by
water systems with Ground Water Rule treatment technique violations. You can use one or more of the following
statements, if appropriate, or develop your own text:
We are increasing disinfection to maintain our proper residual levels.
We are pursuing improvements to our treatment system so that we can maintain required treatment at all
times.
After Issuing the Notice
Make sure to send your state 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 [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
It is a good idea to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved, especially if you have regular
customers. See Template NC-7 for a "problem corrected" notice template.
-------
GWR Failure to Maintain 4-log Treatment of Viruses Notice - Template
NC-27
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
[System] Failed to Meet Treatment Requirements
Our water system [give system name] is required to [treat/disinfect] our drinking water
source. From [give date] to [give date], we failed to provide the required [treatment/
disinfection].
What This Means
This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours.
We do not know of any cases of contamination. However, until we consistently provide
the required treatment, 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.
You may drink the water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your
doctor.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or
are elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care
providers about drinking this water.
Steps We Are Taking
[Describe corrective action.] We expect to have the problem resolved by [give date] (or
the problem was resolved on [give date]).
For more information, please contact [name of contact] of [system] at [phone number]
or [location/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:
-------
Instructions for Failure to Develop a Profile and/or Calculate a Benchmark
Notice - Template NC-28
Template on Reverse
Failure to develop a disinfection profile for Giardia lamblia and viruses or calculate a benchmark prior to
making a significant change to your disinfection practice requires Tier 3 notification. A profile for viruses
may be applicable under Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT1ESWTR) and is
required under Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR). You must provide
public notice to persons served within one year after you learn of the violation [40 CFR 141.204(b)].
Failure to develop a profile or calculate a benchmark can be serious and your state may have more
stringent requirements. Check with your state to make sure you meet all requirements.
Noncommunity water systems must use one of the following methods [40 CFR 141.204(c)]:
Posting in conspicuous locations
Hand or direct delivery
• Mail
In addition, you must use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be
reached by the first method [40 CFR 141.204(c)].
You must post the notice until the violation is resolved. If the violation has been resolved, you must post
the notice for at least seven days [40 CFR 141.204(b)]. If you mail, post, or hand deliver, you should
print your notice on your system's letterhead, if available.
If you modify the notice, you must still include all required PN elements from 40 CFR 141.205(a) and
leave the mandatory language unchanged (see below).
Mandatory Language
Mandatory language for monitoring and testing procedure violations [40 CFR 141.205(d)] must be
included as written (with blanks filled in) and is presented in this notice in italics and with an asterisk on
either end.
This template also includes mandatory language encouraging further distribution to persons who may
not have received the notice [40 CFR 141.205(d)] and is presented in this notice in italics and with an
asterisk on either end. However, if you post the notice such that all possible users have access to the
notice, this language is not applicable and can be omitted.
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 profiling and benchmarking violation. You can use the following
language, if appropriate, or develop your own text:
• We are in the process of developing our disinfection profile and will calculate a benchmark as
soon as the profile is complete.
After Issuing the Notice
Be sure to send your state a copy of each notice and a certification that you have met all the public
notification requirements within ten days after issuing the notice [40 CFR 141.31(d)].
-------
Failure to Develop a Profile and/or Calculate a Benchmark Notice -
Template NC-28
DRINKING WATER NOTICE
Monitoring Requirements Not Met for [System]
[Prior to making any change to our disinfection practices, we are required to develop
a year-long profile of our disinfection system to determine our inactivation levels for
certain pathogenic organisms. Development of a profile requires monitoring disinfection
parameters. We did not meet this requirement.] AND/OR
[Since we (are making/made) a change to our disinfection practice, we [are/were]
required to calculate a benchmark to determine our lowest monthly inactivation level
over the year. We did not calculate a benchmark.]
*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 the profile parameters and therefore cannot be sure of the
quality of our drinking water during that time. *
What This Means
This is not an emergency. There is nothing you need to do at this time.
Steps We Are Taking
We collected all required samples on [give date]. [Describe corrective action.]
For more information, please contact [name of contact] of [system] at [phone number]
or [location/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:
-------
Appendix B
NPDWR Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice1
(Excerpts from Appendix A of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2008, that are Applicable
to Transient Noncommunity Water Systems)
Contaminant
MCL/MRDLATT Violations2
Tier of Public
Notice Required
Citation
Monitoring & Testing
Procedure Violations
Tier of Public
Notice
Required
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
11. Ground Water Rule
violations
2
1
2
25, 1
25, 1
2
27
2
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
141.404
3
14, 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
222, 3
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
141.402(h),
141.403(d)
TNCWS Public Notification Handbook
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March 2010
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Appendix B
NPDWR Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice1
(Excerpts from Appendix A of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2008, that are Applicable
to Transient Noncommunity Water Systems)
Contaminant
MCL/MRDLATT Violations2
Tier of Public
Notice Required
Citation
Monitoring & Testing
Procedure Violations
Tier of Public
Notice
Required
Citation
B. Inorganic Chemicals (lOCs)
11. Nitrate
12. Nitrite
13. Total Nitrate and Nitrite
1
1
1
141.62(b)
141.62(b)
141.62(b)
1,312
1,312
3
141.23(a), (d)
141.23(f)(2)
141.23(a), (e)
141.23(f)(2)
141.23(a)
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).13
4. Chlorite
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
2
2
•I 16
141.64(a)
141.65(a),
141.133(c)(3)
141.65(a),
141.133(c)(3)
3
215, 3
1
141.132(a)-(b)
141.132(a), (c)
141.133(c)(2)
141.132(3), (c)
141.133(c)(2)
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:
B. Exceedance of nitrate MCL
for noncommunity systems, as
allowed by state
D. Waterborne disease
outbreak
E. Other waterborne
emergency20
F. Source Water Sample
Positive for GWR Fecal
indicators: E. coli, enterococci,
or coliphage
G. Other situations as
determined by state
1
1
1
1
1,2, 321
141.11(d)
141.2,
141.71(c)(2)(ii)
N/A
141.402(g)
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
TNCWS Public Notification Handbook
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March 2010
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Appendix B Endnotes
1. 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 state within 24 hours after learning of
the violation. Based on this consultation, the state may subsequently decide to elevate the
violation to Tier 1. If a system is unable to make contact with the state 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 state within 24 hours after learning of
the violation. Based on this consultation, the state may subsequently decide to elevate the
violation to Tier 1. If a system is unable to make contact with the state 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.
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 transient noncommunity 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.
TNCWS Public Notification Handbook 83 March 2010
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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.
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.
TNCWS Public Notification Handbook 84 March 2010
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Appendix C
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(Excerpts from Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2008, that are Applicable
to Transient Noncommunity Water Systems)
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
Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the
environment and are used as an indicator that other,
potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms
were found in more samples than allowed and this was a
warning of potential problems.
1b. Fecal coliform/E coli
Zero
Zero
Fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence
indicates that the water may be contaminated with
human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes
can cause 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.
1c. Fecal Indicators (GWR)
i. E. coli
ii. enterococci
iii. coliphage
Zero
None
None
TT
TT
TT
Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates
that the water may be contaminated with human or
animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-
term health 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 (MCL)4
None
NTU5/
NTU
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 (SWTRTT)6
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
LT1 ESWTR TT)8
None
TT
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.
TNCWS Public Notification Handbook
85
March 2010
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Appendix C
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(Excerpts from Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2008, that are Applicable
to Transient Noncommunity Water Systems)
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/I ESWTR/
LT1 ESWTR)
5. Heterotrophic plate
count (HPC) bacteria9
(SWTR/I ESWTR/
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)
18. Nitrate
19. Nitrite
20. Total Nitrate and
Nitrite
10
1
10
10
1
10
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.
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).18
83. Chlorite
0.08
1.0
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.
TNCWS Public Notification Handbook
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Appendix C
Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification
(Excerpts from Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2008, that are Applicable
to Transient Noncommunity Water Systems)
Contaminant
MCLG1
mg/L
MCL2
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 exceedances
at the treatment facility only, not within the distribution
system which delivers water to consumers. Continued
compliance with chlorine dioxide levels within the
distribution system minimizes the potential risk of these
violations to consumers.
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.
TNCWS Public Notification Handbook
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Appendix C 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 state.
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 state. 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
TNCWS Public Notification Handbook 88 March 2010
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must meet turbidity limits set by the state.
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, IESWTR, and LT1ESWTR treatment technique violations that involve turbidity
exceedances may use the health effects language for turbidity instead.
18. Subpart H transient noncommunity 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 noncommunity systems that use chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant
or oxidant must comply with the chlorine dioxide MRDL beginning January 1, 2004.
22. MRDLG - Maximum residual disinfectant level goal.
23. MRDL- Maximum residual disinfectant level.
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TNCWS Public Notification Handbook 90 March 2010
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Appendix D
Translated Phrases
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Tmslafcd Ptwases
English
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or =.peai v\ith someoae wbo uadHstmite it.
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Traisloted Ptmsca
English
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Appendix D
Traisloted Ptvases
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ymir iJTinkrng water
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-------
Appendix E
The Public Notification Rule (40 CFR Part 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q)
§141.201
than 2.0 NTU in two consecutive meas-
urements taken 15 minutes apart at
any time in each of two consecutive
months, the system must report the
filter number, the turbidity measure-
ment, and the date(s) on which the ex-
ceedance occurred. In addition, the sys-
tem must arrange for the conduct of a
comprehensive performance evaluation
by the State or a third party approved
by the State no later than 30 days fol-
lowing the exceedance and have the
evaluation completed and submitted to
the State no later than 90 days fol-
lowing the exceedance.
(c) Additional reporting requirements.
(1) If at any time the turbidity exceeds
1 NTU in representative samples of fil-
tered water in a system using conven-
tional filtration treatment or direct
filtration, the system must inform the
State as soon as possible, but no later
than the end of the next business day.
(2) If at any time the turbidity in
representative samples of filtered
water exceeds the maximum level set
by the State under §141.173(1)) for filtra-
tion technologies other than conven-
tional filtration treatment, direct fil-
tration, slow sand filtration, or diato-
maceous earth filtration, the system
must inform the State as soon as pos-
sible, but no later than the end of the
next business day.
[63 FR 69516, Dec. 16, 1998, as amended at 66
FR 3779, Jan. 16, 2001]
Subpqrt Q—Public Notification of
Drinking Water Violations
SOURCE: 65 FR 26035, May 4, 2000, unless
otherwise noted.
§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 be-
comes 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 Octo-
ber 31, 2000. Prior to these dates, public
water systems must continue to com-
40 CFR Ch. I (7-1-08 Edition)
ply with the public notice require-
ments in §141.32 of this part. The term
"primacy agency" is used in this sub-
part 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 sub-
part.
(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 drink-
ing 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. Ap-
pendix A to this subpart identifies the
tier assignment for each specific viola-
tion or situation requiring a public no-
tice.
TABLE 1 TO §141.201—VIOLATION CATEGORIES
AND OTHER SITUATIONS 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.
(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.
TNCWS Public Notification Handbook
95
March 2010
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Environmental Protection Agency
§141.202
TABLE 1 TO §141.201—VIOLATION CATEGORIES
AND OTHER SITUATIONS REQUIRING A PUBLIC
NOTICE—Continued
(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 re-
quired for each violation or situation?
Public notice requirements are divided
into three tiers, to take into account
the seriousness of the violation or situ-
ation 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 def-
inition 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 sys-
tems 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 consecu-
tive system; the consecutive system is
responsible for providing public notice
to the persons it serves.
(2) If a public water system has a vio-
lation in a portion of the distribution
system that is physically or hydrau-
lically isolated from other parts of the
distribution system, the primacy agen-
cy may allow the system to limit dis-
tribution 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 accord-
ance with the requirements under
§141.31(d).
§141.202 Tier 1 Public Notice—Form,
manner, and frequency of notice.
(a) Which violations or situations re-
quire a Tier 1 public notice? Table 1 of
this section lists the violation cat-
egories and other situations requiring
a Tier 1 public notice. Appendix A to
this subpart identifies the tier assign-
ment for each specific violation or sit-
uation.
TABLE 1 TO §141.202—VIOLATION CATEGORIES
AND OTHER SITUATIONS REQUIRING A TIER 1
PUBLIC NOTICE
(1) Violation of the MCL for total coliforms
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 coliforms 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;
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96
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§141.203
40 CFR Ch. I (7-1-08 Edition)
TABLE 1 TO §141.202—VIOLATION CATEGORIES
AND OTHER SITUATIONS REQUIRING A TIER 1
PUBLIC NOTICE—Continued
(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;
(6) Violation of the Surface Water Treatment
Rule (SWTR), Interim Enhanced Surface
Water Treatment Rule (IESWTR) or Long
Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treat-
ment Rule (LT1ESWTR) treatment tech-
nique requirement resulting from a single
exceedance of the maximum allowable tur-
bidity 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) Detection of E. coli, enterococci, or
coliphage in source water samples as
specified in §141.402(a) and §141.402(b);
(9) 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 viola-
tion;
(2) Initiate consultation with the pri-
macy 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 pub-
lic 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 consulta-
tion with the primacy agency. Such re-
quirements may include the timing,
form, manner, frequency, and content
of repeat notices (if any) and other ac-
tions 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 pub-
lic 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 deliv-
ery:
(1) Appropriate broadcast media
(such as radio and television);
(2) Posting of the notice in con-
spicuous locations throughout the area
served by the water system;
(3) Hand delivery of the notice to per-
sons served by the water system; or
(4) Another delivery method approved
in writing by the primacy agency.
[65 FR 26035, May 4, 2000, as amended at 67
FR 1836, Jan. 14, 2002; 71 FR 65652, Nov. 8,
2006]
§141.203 Tier 2 Public Notice—Form,
manner, and frequency of notice.
(a) Which violations or situations re-
quire a Tier 2 public notice? Table 1 of
this section lists the violation cat-
egories and other situations requiring
a Tier 2 public notice. Appendix A to
this subpart identifies the tier assign-
ment for each specific violation or sit-
uation.
TNCWS Public Notification Handbook
97
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Environmental Protection Agency
§141.203
TABLE 1 TO §141.203—VIOLATION CATEGORIES
AND OTHER SITUATIONS 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.
(4) Failure to take corrective action or failure
to maintain at least 4-log treatment of vi-
ruses (using inactivation, removal, or a
State-approved combination of 4-log virus
inactivation and removal) before or at the
first customer under § 141.403(a).
(b) When is the Tier 2 public notice to
be provided?
(1) Public water systems must pro-
vide the public notice as soon as prac-
tical, 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 appro-
priate 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 appro-
priate 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 situa-
tions requiring a Tier 2 public notice.
Extensions granted by the primacy
agency must be in writing.
(2) The public water system must re-
peat the notice every three months as
long as the violation or situation per-
sists, unless the primacy agency deter-
mines that appropriate circumstances
warrant a different repeat notice fre-
quency. In no circumstance may the
repeat notice be given less frequently
than once per year. It is not appro-
priate for the primacy agency to allow
less frequent repeat notice for an MCL
violation under the Total Coliform
Rule or a treatment technique viola-
tion under the Surface Water Treat-
ment Rule or Interim Enhanced Sur-
face 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 re-
peat notice frequency for other ongoing
violations requiring a Tier 2 repeat no-
tice. 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 speci-
fied 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 no-
tice under §141.202(a) is required to pro-
tect public health. When consultation
does not take place within the 24-hour
period, the water system must dis-
tribute 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 require-
ments under §141.202(b) and (c). Con-
sultation with the primacy agency is
required for:
(i) Violation of the turbidity MCL
under §141.13(b); or
(ii) Violation of the SWTR, IESWTR
or LT1ESWTR treatment technique re-
quirement resulting from a single ex-
ceedance of the maximum allowable
turbidity limit.
(c) What is the form and manner of the
Tier 2 public notice? Public water sys-
tems must provide the initial public
notice and any repeat notices in a form
and manner that is reasonably cal-
culated 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 min-
imum meet the following require-
ments:
(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
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§141.204
40 CFR Ch. I (7-1-08 Edition)
water is delivered by the public water
system; and
(ii) Any other method reasonably cal-
culated to reach other persons regu-
larly 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 dwell-
ers, 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 commu-
nity organizations.
(2) Unless directed otherwise by the
primacy agency in writing, non-com-
munity 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 deliv-
ery to each customer and service con-
nection (where known); and
(ii) Any other method reasonably cal-
culated to reach other persons served
by the system if they would not nor-
mally be reached by the notice re-
quired in paragraph (c)(2)(l) of this sec-
tion. Such persons may include those
served who may not see a posted notice
because the posted notice is not in a lo-
cation they routinely pass by. Other
methods may include: Publication in a
local newspaper or newsletter distrib-
uted to customers; use of E-mail to no-
tify employees or students; or, delivery
of multiple copies in central locations
(e.g., community centers).
[65 FR 26035, May 4, 2000, as amended at 67
FR 1836, Jan. 14, 2002; 71 FR 65652, Nov. 8,
2006]
§141.204 Tier 3 Public Notice—Form,
manner, and frequency of notice.
(a) Which violations or situations re-
quire a Tier 3 public notice? Table 1 of
this section lists the violation cat-
egories and other situations requiring
a Tier 3 public notice. Appendix A to
this subpart identifies the tier assign-
ment for each specific violation or sit-
uation.
TABLE 1 TO §141.204—VIOLATION CATEGORIES
AND OTHER SITUATIONS 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;
(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 pro-
vide 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 no-
tice, the public water system must re-
peat the notice annually for as long as
the violation, variance, exemption, or
other situation persists. If the public
notice is posted, the notice must re-
main in place for as long as the viola-
tion, variance, exemption, or other sit-
uation persists, but in no case less than
seven days (even if the violation or sit-
uation is resolved).
(2) Instead of individual Tier 3 public
notices, a public water system may use
an annual report detailing all viola-
tions and situations that occurred dur-
ing 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 sys-
tems 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
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Environmental Protection Agency
§141.205
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 cal-
culated to reach other persons regu-
larly 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 dwell-
ers, 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 de-
livery to community organizations.
(2) Unless directed otherwise by the
primacy agency in writing, non-com-
munity 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 deliv-
ery to each customer and service con-
nection (where known); and
(ii) Any other method reasonably cal-
culated to reach other persons served
by the system, if they would not nor-
mally be reached by the notice re-
quired in paragraph (c)(2)(l) of this sec-
tion. Such persons may include those
who may not see a posted notice be-
cause 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 em-
ployees or students; or, delivery of
multiple copies in central locations
(e.g., community centers).
(d) In what situations may the Con-
sumer Confidence Report be used to meet
the Tier 3 public notice requirements? For
community water systems, the Con-
sumer Confidence Report (CCR) re-
quired under Subpart O of this part
may be used as a vehicle for the initial
Tier 3 public notice and all required re-
peat 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).
[65 FR 26035, May 4, 2000; 65 FR 38629, June 21,
2000]
§ 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 sys-
tem violates a NPDWR or has a situa-
tion requiring public notification, each
public notice must include the fol-
lowing elements:
(1) A description of the violation or
situation, including the contaminant(s)
of concern, and (as applicable) the con-
taminant level(s);
(2) When the violation or situation
occurred;
(3) Any potential adverse health ef-
fects from the violation or situation,
including the standard language under
paragraph (d)(l) or (d)(2) of this sec-
tion, 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 sup-
plies 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 cor-
rect the violation or situation;
(8) When the water system expects to
return to compliance or resolve the sit-
uation;
(9) The name, business address, and
phone number of the water system
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§141.205
40 CFR Ch. I (7-1-08 Edition)
owner, operator, or designee of the pub-
lic water system as a source of addi-
tional information concerning the no-
tice; and
(10) A statement to encourage the no-
tice 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;
(ill) A brief status report on the steps
the system is taking to install treat-
ment, find alternative sources of water,
or otherwise comply with the terms
and schedules of the variance or ex-
emption; and
(iv) A notice of any opportunity for
public input in the review of the vari-
ance or exemption.
(2) If a public water system violates
the conditions of a variance or exemp-
tion, the public notice must contain
the ten elements listed in paragraph (a)
of this section.
(c) How is the public notice to be pre-
sented?
(1) Each public notice required by
this section:
(i) Must be displayed in a con-
spicuous way when printed or posted;
(ii) Must not contain overly technical
language or very small print;
(ill) 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 multi-
lingual 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 appro-
priate language(s) regarding the impor-
tance of the notice or contain a tele-
phone number or address where persons
served may contact the water system
to obtain a translated copy of the no-
tice or to request assistance in the ap-
propriate language.
(ii) In cases where the primacy agen-
cy has not determined what con-
stitutes a large proportion of non-
English speaking consumers, the public
water system must include in the pub-
lic notice the same information as in
paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section,
where appropriate to reach a large pro-
portion of non-English speaking per-
sons served by the water system.
(d) What standard language must pub-
lic water systems include in their public
notice? Public water systems are re-
quired to include the following stand-
ard language in their public notice:
(1) Standard health effects language
for MCL or MRDL violations, treat-
ment technique violations, and viola-
tions of the condition of a variance or
exemption. Public water systems must
include in each public notice the
health effects language specified in Ap-
pendix B to this subpart corresponding
to each MCL, MRDL, and treatment
technique violation listed in Appendix
A to this subpart, and for each viola-
tion of a condition of a variance or ex-
emption.
(2) Standard language for monitoring
and testing procedure violations. Pub-
lic water systems must include the fol-
lowing language in their notice, includ-
ing the language necessary to fill in
the blanks, for all monitoring and test-
ing procedure violations listed in Ap-
pendix 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 [com-
pliance period], we "did not monitor or test"
or "did not complete all monitoring or test-
ing" for [contaminant(s)], and therefore can-
not 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 sys-
tems must include in their notice the
following language (where applicable):
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.
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§141.208
§ 141.206 Notice to new billing units or
new customers.
(a) What is the requirement for commu-
nity 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 situa-
tions 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-commu-
nity water systems must continuously
post the public notice in conspicuous
locations in order to inform new con-
sumers of any continuing violation,
variance or exemption, or other situa-
tion requiring a public notice for as
long as the violation, variance, exemp-
tion, or other situation persists.
§141.207 Special notice of the avail-
ability of unregulated contaminant
monitoring results.
(a) When is the special notice to be
given? The owner or operator of a com-
munity 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 sam-
pling 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 re-
quirements 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 num-
ber 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 max-
imum contaminant level (SMCL) of 2
mg/1 as specified in §143.3 (determined
by the last single sample taken in ac-
cordance with §141.23), but do not ex-
ceed the maximum contaminant level
(MCL) of 4 mg/1 for fluoride (as speci-
fied 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 cus-
tomers 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 no-
tice is posted, the notice must remain
in place for as long as the SMCL is ex-
ceeded, but in no case less than seven
days (even if the exceedance is elimi-
nated). On a case-by-case basis, the pri-
macy agency may require an initial no-
tice 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 no-
tices) 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 no-
tice must contain the following lan-
guage, including the language nec-
essary 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 con-
centration 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 con-
tact 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 stand-
ard) 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 dis-
cover that the fluoride levels in your drink-
ing water exceed 2 mg/1 because of this cos-
metic dental problem.
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§141.209
40 CFR Ch. I (7-1-08 Edition)
For more information, please call [name of
water system contact] of [name of commu-
nity water system] at [phone number]. Some
home water treatment units are also avail-
able to remove fluoride from drinking water.
To learn more about available home water
treatment units, you may call NSF Inter-
national 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 per-
mission by the primacy agency under
§141.11(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 pri-
macy agency to exceed the nitrate
MCL under §141.11(d) must provide con-
tinuous 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 de-
livery 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 sys-
tem? The primacy agency may give the
notice required by this subpart on be-
half 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 op-
erator of the public water system re-
mains responsible for ensuring that the
requirements of this subpart are met.
§141.211 Special notice for repeated
failure to conduct monitoring of the
source water for Cryptosporidiutn
and for failure to determine bin
classification or mean
Cryptosporidiutn level.
(a) When is the special notice for re-
peated failure to monitor to be given? The
owner or operator of a community or
non-community water system that is
required to monitor source water under
§141.701 must notify persons served by
the water system that monitoring has
not been completed as specified no
later than 30 days after the system has
failed to collect any 3 months of moni-
toring as specified in §141.701(c). The
notice must be repeated as specified in
§141.203(b).
(b) When is the special notice for failure
to determine bin classification or mean
Cryptosporidium level to be given? The
owner or operator of a community or
non-community water system that is
required to determine a bin classifica-
tion under §141.710, or to determine
mean Cryptosporidium level under
§141.712, must notify persons served by
the water system that the determina-
tion has not been made as required no
later than 30 days after the system has
failed report the determination as
specified in §141.710(e) or §141.712(a), re-
spectively. The notice must be re-
peated as specified in §141.203(b). The
notice is not required if the system is
complying with a State-approved
schedule to address the violation.
(c) What is the form and manner of the
special notice? The form and manner of
the public notice must follow the re-
quirements for a Tier 2 public notice
prescribed in §141.203(c). The public no-
tice must be presented as required in
§141.205(c).
(d) What mandatory language must be
contained in the special notice? The no-
tice must contain the following lan-
guage, including the language nec-
essary to fill in the blanks.
(1) The special notice for repeated
failure to conduct monitoring must
contain the following language:
We are required to monitor the source of
your drinking water for Cryptosporidium. Re-
sults of the monitoring are to be used to de-
termine whether water treatment at the
(treatment plant name) is sufficient to ade-
quately remove Cryptosporidium from your
drinking water. We are required to complete
this monitoring and make this determina-
tion by (required bin determination date).
We "did not monitor or test" or "did not
complete all monitoring or testing" on
schedule and, therefore, we may not be able
to determine by the required date what
treatment modifications, if any, must be
made to ensure adequate Cryptosporidium re-
moval. Missing this deadline may, in turn,
jeopardize our ability to have the required
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Environmental Protection Agency
treatment modifications, if any, completed
by the deadline required, (date).
For more information, please call (name of
water system contact) of (name of water sys-
tem) at (phone number).
(2) The special notice for failure to
determine bin classification or mean
Cryptosporidium level must contain the
following language:
We are required to monitor the source of
your drinking water for Cryptosporidium in
order to determine by (date) whether water
treatment at the (treatment plant name) is
sufficient to adequately remove
Cryptosporidium from your drinking water.
§141.211
We have not made this determination by the
required date. Our failure to do this may
jeopardize our ability to have the required
treatment modifications, if any, completed
by the required deadline of (date). For more
information, please call (name of water sys-
tem contact) of (name of water system) at
(phone number).
(3) Each special notice must also in-
clude a description of what the system
is doing to correct the violation and
when the system expects to return to
compliance or resolve the situation.
[71 FR 768, Jan. 5, 2006]
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