CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORTS
BUILDING PUBLIC TRUST
Every year, all water suppliers that serve the same people year round must prepare a consumer confidence report, or water quality report,
for their customers. The report tells customers where their drinking water comes from, what's in it, and how they can protect it.
Below are success stories and tips that show how consumer confidence reports can help build communities' trust in their water utilities.
Contra Costa Water District's Open Door Policy
The Contra Costa Water District serves 450,000 people in California's central and eastern
Contra Costa County. When water system officials produced the 2002 Consumer
Confidence Report, they knew it was important to their customers. So they included a
section, "How to Get Involved In the Quality of Your Water." The section includes the times
and places of water district board of directors meetings and city council meetings, and
instructions for requesting agendas.
The report also lists names and phone
numbers of contact people in each
city or water district population.
"This is about the water that our
customers get out of the tap every
day," says Gina Oilman, public
information specialist. "The level of
importance of this document to the
consumer told us we needed to have
an open door policy."
The contact people listed in the
report are not public information
specialists, Oilman says. Rather,
"They're waler qualily people al Ihe
planls, so callers are going direclly lo
Ihe source. They are la Iking lo Ihe
people who sample and lesl Ihe
waler. They are gelling firsl-hand
informalion."
Oilman says Ihe Conlra Cosla Waler
Dislricl consislenlly has public
participalion in meelings. In addilion
lo lisling meeling info in Ihe CCRs,
Ihey include a calendar in Iheir newsletters and olher publicalions. Members of Ihe public
have responded by calling and attending meelings. They raise issues of local concern and
even respond lo news articles on nalional waler issues, such as conservalion.
The dislricl also published a Spanish-language report and plans lo do il again nexl year. The
English-language CCR slales how lo requesl copies and how lo reach a bilingual slaff
member wilh any queslions. "Il helps lo have somebody speaking Spanish answering Ihe
phone," Oilman says.
Regardless of language, whal helps Conlra Cosla connecl is a personal louch. "We wanled
people lo feel comfortable calling up and asking queslions aboul Iheir drinking waler. When
you have somebody's name, you feel righl off Ihe bal more comfortable picking up Ihe
phone and calling."
Consumer Confidence Report Major Requirements
Communily Waler Syslems (CWS) wilh 15 or more conneclions or serving al leasl 25
year round residenls musl prepare and dislribule a CCR lo all billing unils or service
conneclions.
April 7Deadline for CWS lhal sells waler lo anolher CWS lo deliver Ihe
informalion necessary for Ihe buyer CWS lo prepare Iheir CCR (req. oullined in 40
CFR 141.152)
July 1Deadline for annual dislribulion of CCR lo cuslomers and Slale or local
primacy agency for report covering January 1 - December 31 of previous calendar
year
October 7(or 90 days after dislribulion of CCR lo cuslomers, whichever is
firsl)Deadline for annual submission of proof of dislribulion lo Slale or local
primacy agency
A syslem serving 100,000 or more persons musl also posl ils currenl year's report
on a publicly accessible sile on Ihe Inlernel. Many syslems choose lo posl Iheir
reports al Ihe following EPA websile http://yosemite.epa.gov/ogwdw/ccr.nsf/
america
All syslems musl make copies of Ihe report available on requesl
Comparisons Help Readers Visualize Numbers
Often Ihe measures used for delecled conlaminanls are confusing lo
consumers. Terms such as one part per million and one part per billion are hard
lo visualize and grasp. Consider using comparisons lo explain Ihe Conlaminanl
amounls found in waler:
Think of one part per million as:
1 inch in 16 miles
1 minute in 2 years
1 cenlin $10,000
Think of one part per billion as:
1 inch in 16,000 miles
1 second in 32 years
1 cenl in $10 million
Using Ihese comparisons may help your cuslomers understand Ihe significance
of a delecled level in your drinking waler.
El Paso Water Utilities' Curious Customers
All drinking waler conlains nalurally occurring minerals and olher subslances. Often,
subslances have no harmful effecls, bul lead lo inleresling queslions from Ihe public.
"We receive a number of calls relaled lo lilhium," says John Balliew, waler syslems
division manager of El Paso Waler Ulililies. A small amounl of lilhium, a chemical
somelimes used lo Ireal menial illness, occurs nalurally in El Paso's waler. Allhough Ihe
amounl is much smaller lhan a
medical dose, Ihe lilhium does
generale inleresl. "Periodically Ihe
newspaper will run an article,"
Balliew says. "There's speculalion
lhal il corresponds wilh a low rale of
violenl crime here. People call up,
even from olher counlries, saying
Ihey've heard aboul il, is il correct?"
To pul il inlo perspeclive, Ihe ulilily's
2002 Consumer Confidence Report
has a Frequenlly Asked Queslions
seclion lhal includes, "Is lilhium
presenl in El Paso's Waler? Does il
have an effecl on people's moods?"
The answer puls numbers inlo
conlexl. "To gel Ihe same amounl of
lilhium as in one slandard capsule,
you would have lo drink aboul 600
glasses of waler."
Curious reporters and members of Ihe public seem lo appreciale Ihe informalion, Balliew
says. "Mosl people lhal have called in and lalked lo us aboul il find il very helpful."
Anolher issue Ihe Frequenlly Asked Queslions sels slraighl is Ihe hardness of El Paso
waler. "The soft waler/hard waler issue gels balled around a lol because Ihere are a lol of
salespeople around selling waler softeners," says Balliew. "Mosl people, if you ask Ihem,
why do you have a waler Irealmenl syslem, or buy bottled waler, Ihe number one
response is lasle. Number Iwo is hardness."
The CCR describes El Paso's waler as "moderalely hard lo hard," based on calcium and
magnesium conlenl. The report explains lhal allhough excessively hard waler can cause
corrosion in pipes and cause fasler wear of certain appliances, Ihe ulilily does nol
recommend lhal cuslomers inslall waler softeners.
"I Ihink il helps Ihe consumer save money," Balliew says. "We're jusl Irying lo lell Ihe
consumer lhal Ihey should really Ihink Iwice aboul accepling lhal lype of informalion (from
salespeople)."
Water System Information
Name/phone number of conlacl person
Informalion on public participalion opporlunilies (lime and place for meelings or
hearings)
Informalion for non-English speaking populalions (if applicable)
Source of Water
Type (ex. ground waler or surface waler), commonly used name, and localion of
waler sources (ex. Polomac River; Snake River Plain Aquifer, elc.) (Exacl localions/
coordinales of wells and inlakes should nol be included for securily reasons.)
Availabilily of source waler assessmenl
Brief summary on polenlial sources of conlaminalion (if available)
Definitions
Maximum Conlaminanl Level (MCL)
Maximum Conlaminanl Level Goal (MCLG)
Trealmenl Technique (Tl) (if applicable)
Maximum Residual Disinfeclanl Level (MRDL) (if applicable)
Maximum Residual Disinfeclanl Level Goal (MRDLG) (if applicable)
Aclion Level (AL) (if applicable)
Variances and Exemplions (if applicable)
Detected Contaminants
Table summarizing dala on delecled regulaled and unregulaled conlaminanls lhal
were delecled during Ihe lasl round of sampling
Known or likely source of each delecled Conlaminanl
Heallh effecls language for any violalions, exceedances or when Arsenic levels are
> 0.010 mg/Lor<0.05 mg/L
Informalion on Cryptosporidium, Radon, and olher conlaminanls (if applicable)
Compliance with Drinking Water Regulations
Explanalion of violalions, lenglh of violalions, polenlial heallh effecls, and sleps
laken lo correcl Ihe violalions
Explanalion of variance/exemplion (if applicable)
Required Educational Information
Explanalion of conlaminanls and Iheir presence in drinking waler including bottled
waler
Warning for vulnerable or immunocompromised populalions aboul Cryplosporidium
Informalional slalemenls on arsenic, nilrale, lead, and TTHM (if applicable)
EPA'S Safe Drinking Waler Holline 1-800-426-4791
Des Moines Water Works Promotes Prevention
In Iowa's Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers, nilrale conlaminalion has been on an upward
Irend for nearly Ihree decades, reaching record levels in 2001. It's been a well-publicized
issue, raising concern among communily members and prompling farmers lo relhink Iheir
praclices. There have also been beach closings and warnings nol lo swim in walers
because of E. coll. So Des Moines Waler Works devoled ils enlire from page lo source
waler conlaminalion and whal people can do lo prevenl it.
"DMWW slrongly believes lhal people need lo
understand Ihe problem before Ihey can become
part of Ihe solulion," says Melissa Sharer of Des
Moines Waler Works' communicalions slaff.
"DMWW Iries lo provide ils cuslomers wilh
concrele ideas for prevenlion slralegies by
explaining Ihe source waler conlaminanls and
Ihen suggesling specific sleps lhal can be laken
lo prevenl pollulion."
The report explains how nilrales, bacleria and
olher conlaminanls can enler ground waler and
surface waler sources, and describes how
individuals can make a difference al home and in
Ihe communily. Il also lells readers how lo order
copies of source waler assessmenls. This
informalion involves readers personally, enlicing Ihem lo lurn Ihe page and learn aboul Ihe
qualily of Iheir drinking waler.
In addilion lo consumer confidence reports, Des Moines Waler Works roulinely educales
cuslomers Ihrough ils monlhly newsletter, annual report, and various facl sheels
dislribuled Ihroughoul Ihe year. Informalion is designed for all ages, from elemenlary
schoolchildren lo adull cuslomers.
The educalion campaign has paid off. In a recenl survey of ils cuslomers, Des Moines
Waler Works ranked highesl in lerms of reliabilily regarding waler qualily and safely
informalion sources. The ulilily ranked ahead of lelevision, newspapers, governmenl
agencies, and heallh care professionals. Cuslomers said Ihey apprecialed lhal Ihe
informalion from Ihe ulilily came from wilhin, nol an oulside public relalions company
repackaging Ihe informalion wilh a posilive spin. One respondenl said Ihe ulilily was "good
in informing public when, and if, Ihere could be any problem in Ihe qualily of waler."
United Water Delaware: Honesty Wins Trust
Uniled Waler Delaware provides waler services lo 103,000 people in New Caslle Counly.
When a Irealmenl technique violalion occurred in 2001, public waler syslem officials
immediately coordinaled wilh Ihe heallh departmenl and nolified Iheir consumers. The
2002 Consumer Confidence report included delailed informalion aboul Ihe lurbidily
violalion. As required by Ihe
There's a definite correlation between CCR reguiaiion, ii also included
honesty and building public trust. a clear ***«««*»
Dave Fournier, United Water Delaware
happened, whal aclions were
laken immediately lo nolify
cuslomers, locale and fix Ihe
problem. The report explained lhal Ihe lurbidily had nol interfered wilh disinfeclion, and
Ihere was adequate chlorine residual lo ensure lhal Ihere was no risk lo public heallh.
Planl manager Dave Fournier says lhal years ago, mosl public waler syslem officials were
reluclanl lo disclose informalion on violalions, wary of backlash from a frightened public.
Today, wilh annual CCRs and improved public nolificalion requiremenls and cuslomer
relalions, "Ihere is much more focus on elhics and reporting."
"There's a definile correlalion belween honesly and building public Irusl," Fournier says.
"When somelhing does go wrong, Ihey wanl lo know if a ulilily is hiding anylhing. Our
public perceplion is very important We find il better lo lake a proaclive approach, ralher
lhan silling Ihere wailing for Ihe public lo lei us know."
In addilion lo reassuring cuslomers, Fournier says Ihe CCR is a vehicle for encouraging
Ihem lo Ihink aboul Iheir environmenl and where Iheir waler comes from. For example, il
helps Ihem understand whelher a problem has originated al Ihe Irealmenl planl or pollulion
of Ihe waler source. "Il mighl encourage Ihem lo start Ihinking aboul taking care of Iheir
waler sources and environmenl."
EPA's CCRiWriter: Just Add Data and Customize
The CCRiWriter is a free web-based program lhal allows waler syslem personnel lo
enler dala and generale a consumer confidence report. After logging in, you answer
queslions aboul your system's source waler and delecled conlaminanls. After you
finish answering, you can edil, cuslomize, and prim!
Required informalion is already included lo save you lime. As federal drinking waler
requiremenls change, Ihe CCRiWriter is updatedno need lo worry aboul new
changes. You can add in any addilonal slate requiremenls.
The informalion is password prelected lo make sure only you and people you
aulhorize are able lo access or edil your CCR.
If you operate more lhan one waler syslem, create separate CCRs for as many
syslems as you need; Ihere is no limit. And by saving reports under different names,
you can use CCRiWriter year after year.
To access Ihe program, go lo www.ccriwriter.com.
www.epa.gov/safewater Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-8OO-426-4791
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(SB) National Primary Drinking Water Standards
Acryl amide
Alachlor
Alpha particles
Antimony
Asbestos (fibers >10
micrometers)
Atrazine
Benzo(a)pyrene (PAHs)
Beryllium
Beta particles and
photon emitters
Potential health effects from
exposure above the MCL
Common sources of contaminant
in drinking water
Nervous system or blood problems;
increased risk of cancer
Added to water during sewage/wastewater
treatment
Eye, liver, kidney or spleen problems;
anemia; increased risk of cancer
Runoff from herbicide used on row crops
Increased risk of cancer
Erosion of natural deposits of certain minerals
that are radioactive and may emit a form of
radiation known as alpha radiation
Increase in blood cholesterol;
decrease in blood sugar
Discharge from petroleum refineries; fire
retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder
Skin damage or problems with circulatory
systems, and may have increased risk of
getting cancer
Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards,
runoff from glass & electronics production wastes
Increased risk of developing benign
intestinal polyps
Decay of asbestos cement in water mains;
erosion of natural deposits
Cardiovascular system or
reproductive problems
Runoff from herbicide used on row crops
Increase in blood pressure
Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal
refineries; erosion of natural deposits
Anemia; decrease in blood platelets;
increased risk of cancer
Discharge from factories; leaching from gas
storage tanks and landfills
Reproductive difficulties; increased
risk of cancer
Leaching from linings of water storage tanks
and distribution lines
Intestinal lesions
Discharge from metal refineries and coal-burning
factories; discharge from electrical, aerospace,
and defense industries
Increased risk of cancer
Decay of natural and man-made deposits of
certain minerals that are radioactive and mayemit
forms of radiation known as photons and beta
radiation
Cadmium
Increased risk of cancer
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
Kidney damage
Corrosion of galvanized pipes; erosion of natural
deposits; discharge from metal refineries; runoff
from waste batteries and paints
Problems with blood, nervous system,
or reproductive system
Leaching of soil fumigant used on rice
and alfalfa
Liver problems; increased risk of cancer
Discharge from chemical plants and other
industrial activities
Chloramines (as CL)
Eye/nose irritation; stomach
discomfort, anemia
Water additive used to control microbes
Chlordane
Liver or nervous system problems;
increased risk of cancer
Residue of banned termiticide
Chlorobenzene
Copper
Anemia; infants & young children:
nervous system effects
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
Liver or kidney problems
Discharge from chemical and agricultural
chemical factories
Allergic dermatitis
Discharge from steel and pulp mills;
erosion of natural deposits
Short term exposure: Gastrointestinal
distress. Long term exposure: Liver or kidney
damage. People with Wilson's Disease
should consult their personal doctor if the
amount of copper in their water exceeds the
action level
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion
of natural deposits
Cryptosporidium
Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., diarrhea,
vomiting, cramps)
Human and fecal animal waste
Cyanide (as free cyanide)
2,4-D
Nerve damage or thyroid problems
Discharge from steel/metal factories; discharge
from plastic and fertilizer factories
Kidney, liver, or adrenal gland problems
Runoff from herbicide used on row crops
Ethylbenzene
Liver or kidneys problems
Discharge from petroleum refineries
Ethylene dibromide
Problems with liver, stomach, reproductive
system, or kidneys; increased risk of cancer
Discharge from petroleum refineries
Public
Health Goal
0.006
7 MEL
Chlorine (as CI2)
Chlorine dioxide (as CI02)
MRDL=4.01
MRDL=0.81
Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort
Anemia; infants & young children: nervous
system effects
Water additive used
Water additive used
to control microbes
to control microbes
MRDLG = 41
MRDLG=0.81
Dalapon
1,2-Dibromo-3-
chloropropane (DBCP)
o-Dichlorobenzene
p-Dichlorobenzene
1,2-Dichloroethane
1,1-Dichloroethylene
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene
Dichloromethane
1,2-Dichloropropane
Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
Dinoseb
Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD)
Diquat
Endothall
Endrin
Epichlorohydrin
0.2 1 Minor kidney changes
0.0002 1 Reproductive difficulties; increased
risk of cancer
0.6
0.075
Liver, kidney, or circulatory system problems
Anemia; liver, kidney or spleen damage;
changes in blood
0.005 1 Increased risk of cancer
0.007 J Liver problems
0.07
0.1
0.005
Liver problems
Liver problems
Liver problems; increased risk of cancer
0.005 1 Increased risk of cancer
0.4 1 Weight loss, live problems, or possible
reproductive difficulties
0.006 1 Reproductive difficulties; liver problems;
^^ increased risk of cancer
0.007 1 Reproductive difficulties
0.00000003 I Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of
cancer
0.02
0.1
0.002
TT8
Cataracts
Stomach and intestinal problems
Liver problems
Increased cancer risk, and over a long
period of time, stomach problems
Runoff from herbicide used on rights of way
Runoff/leaching from soil fumigant used on
soybeans, cotton, pineapples, and orchards
Discharge from industrial chemical factories
Discharge from industrial chemical factories
Discharge from industrial chemical factories
Discharge from industrial chemical factories
Discharge from industrial chemical factories
Discharge from industrial chemical factories
Discharge from drug and chemical factories
Discharge from industrial chemical factories
Discharge from chemical factories
Discharge from rubber and chemical factories
Runoff from herbicide used on soybeans
and vegetables
Emissions from waste incineration and other
combustion; discharge from chemical factories
Runoff from herbicide use
Runoff from herbicide use
Residue of banned insecticide
Discharge from industrial chemical factories; an
impurity of some water treatment chemicals
0.2
zero
0.6
0.075
zero
0.007
0.07
0.1
zero
zero
0.4
zero
0.007
zero
0.02
0.1
0.002
zero
Contaminant
Fluoride
Giardia lamblia
Glyphosate
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Heptachlor
Heptachlor epoxide
Heterotrophic plate
count (HPC)
Hexachlorobenzene
Hexachlorocyclo-
pentadiene
Lead
Legionella
Lindane
Mercury (inorganic)
Methoxychlor
Nitrate (measured as
Nitrogen)
Nitrite (measured as
Nitrogen)
Oxamyl (Vydate)
Pentachlorophenol
Picloram
Polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs)
Radium 226 and
Radium 228 (combined)
Selenium
Simazine
Styrene
Tetrachloroethylene
Thallium
Toluene
Total Coliforms (including
fecal coliform and £ colt)
Total Trihalometharres
(TTHMs)
Toxaphene
2,4,5-TP (Silvex)
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Trichloroethylene
MCL or TT1 Potential health effects from
(mg/L)2 exposure above the MCL
4.0 gg
^ i
0.7
0.060 |
0.0004
0.0002
TT3 |
0.001
0.05
TT7; Action I
Level = 0.015 m
TT3 I
0.0002
0.002
0.04
10
1
0.2
0.001
0.5 |
0.0005
5 pCi/L
0.05 ^
0.004
0.1
0.005
0.002
1
5.0%4
0.10
0.080 after '
12/31/03
0.003
0.05
0.07
0.2
0.005
0.005
JBone disease (pain and tenderness of the
bones); Children may get mottled teeth
Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., diarrhea,
vomiting, cramps)
1 Kidney problems; reproductive difficulties
Increased risk of cancer
1 Liver damage; increased risk of cancer
1 Liver damage; increased risk of cancer
HPC has no health effects; it is an analytic
method used to measure the variety of
bacteria that are common in water. The
lower the concentration of bacteria in
drinking water, the better maintained the
water system is.
1 Liver or kidney problems; reproductive
difficulties; increased risk of cancer
1 Kidney or stomach problems
1 Infants and children: Delays in physical or
mental development; children could show
slight deficits in attention span and learning
abilities; Adults: Kidney problems; high
blood pressure
Legionnaire's Disease, a type of pneumonia
1 Liver or kidney problems
1 Kidney damage
1 Reproductive difficulties
1 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.
1 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.
1 Slight nervous system effects
1 Liver or kidney problems; increased
cancer risk
e/er problems
in changes; thymus gland problems;
immune deficiencies; reproductive or nervous
system difficulties; increased risk of cancer
1 Increased risk of cancer
1 Hair or fingernail loss; numbness in
fingers or toes; circulatory problems
eoblems with blood
/er, kidney, or circulatory system
pioblems
1 Liver problems; increased risk of cancer
1 Hair loss; changes in blood; kidney,
intestine, or liver problems
1 Nervous system, kidney, or liver problems
Not a health threat in itself; it is used to
indicate whether other potentially harmful
bacteria may be present5
Liver, kidney or central nervous system
problems; increased risk of cancer
1 Kidney, liver, or thyroid problems;
increased risk of cancer
1 Liver problems
1 Changes in adrenal glands
1 Liver, nervous system, or circulatory
problems
1 Liver, kidney, or immune system problems
1 Liver problems; increased risk of cancer
Common sources of contaminant
in drinking water
Water additive which promotes strong teeth;
erosion of natural deposits; discharge from
fertilizer and aluminum factories
Human and animal fecal waste
Runoff from herbicide use
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
Residue of banned termiticide
Breakdown of heptachlor
HPC measures a range of bacteria that are
naturally present in the environment
Discharge from metal refineries and agricultural
chemical factories
Discharge from chemical factories
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion
of natural deposits
Found naturally in water; multiplies in
heating systems
Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on
cattle, lumber, gardens
Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from
refineries and factories; runoff from landfills
and croplands
Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on
fruits, vegetables, alfalfa, livestock
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic
tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic
tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits
Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on
apples, potatoes, and tomatoes
Discharge from wood preserving factories
Herbicide runoff
Runoff from landfills; discharge of waste chemicals
Erosion of natural deposits
Discharge from petroleum refineries; erosion
of natural deposits; discharge from mines
Herbicide runoff
Discharge from rubber and plastic factories;
leaching from landfills
Discharge from factories and dry cleaners
Leaching from ore-processing sites; discharge
from electronics, glass, and drug factories
Discharge from petroleum factories
Coliforms are naturally present in the environment
as well as feces; fecal coliforms and £ coli only
come from human and animal fecal waste.
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on
cotton and cattle
Residue of banned herbicide
Discharge from textile finishing factories
Discharge from metal degreasing sites and
other factories
Discharge from industrial chemical factories
Discharge from metal degreasing sites and
other factories
Public
Health Goal
4.0
zero
0.7
n/a6
zero
zero
n/a
zero
0.05
zero
zero
0.0002
0.002
0.04
10
1
0.2
zero
0.5
zero
zero
0.05
0.004
0.1
zero
0.0005
1
zero
n/a6
zero
0.05
0.07
0.20
0.003
zero
Turbidity
Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of
water. It is used to indicate water quality
and filtration effectiveness (e.g., whether
disease-causing organisms are present).
Higher turbidity levels are often associated
with higher levels of disease-causing micro-
organisms such as viruses, parasites and
some bacteria. These organisms can cause
symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea,
and associated headaches.
Soil runoff
Viruses (enteric)
Xylenes (total)
ncreased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity
Erosion of natural deposits
n/a
ncreased risk of cancer
Leaching from PVC pipes; discharge from plastic factories zero
Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., diarrhea,
vomiting, cramps)
Human and animal fecal waste
Nervous system damage
Discharge from petroleum factories;
discharge from chemical factories
Dinsinfectant
Disinfection Byproduct
Organic Chemical
Radionuclides
* Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG)The level of a contaminant in drinking water below
which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety and are
non-enforceable public health goals.
* Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking
water. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology
and taking cost into consideration. MCLs are enforceable standards.
* Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG)The level of a drinking water disinfectant
below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of
the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
* Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL)The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking
water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial
contaminants.
* Treatment Technique (TT)A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in
drinking water.
Units are in milligrams per liter (mg/L) unless otherwise noted. Milligrams per liter are equivalent to
parts per million (ppm).
EPA's surface water treatment rules require systems using surface water or ground water under the
direct influence of surface water to (1) disinfect their water, and (2) filter their water or meet criteria for
avoiding filtration so that the following contaminants are controlled at the following levels:
>10,000 and 1/14/05 for systems serving
Giardia lamblia: 99.9% removal/inactivation
Viruses: 99.99% removal/inactivation
Legionella: No limit, but EPA believes that if Giardia and viruses are removed/inactivated, Legionella
will also be controlled.
Turbidity: At no time can turbidity (cloudiness of water) go above 5 nephelolometric turbidity units
(NTU); systems that filter must ensure that the turbidity go no higher than 1 NTU (0.5 NTU for
conventional or direct filtration) in at least 95% of the daily samples in any month. As of January 1,
2002, for systems servicing >10,000, and January 14, 2005, for systems sen/icing <10,000,
turbidity may never exceed 1 NTU, and must not exceed 0.3 NTU in 95% of daily samples in any
month.
HPC: No more than 500 bacterial colonies per milliliter
Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment (Effective Date: January 14, 2005): Surface water
systems or (GWUDI) systems sen/ing fewer than 10,000 people must comply with the applicable
Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule provisions (e.g. turbidity standards, individual
filter monitoring, Cryptosporidium removal requirements, updated watershed control requirements
for unfiltered systems).
No more than 5.0% samples total coliform-positive in a month. (For water systems that collect fewer
than 40 routine samples per month, no more than one sample can be total coliform-positive per month.)
Every sample that has total coliform must be analyzed for either fecal coliforms or E. coli if two consecutive
TC-positive samples, and one is also positive for f. coli fecal coliforms, system has an acute MCL
violation.
Fecal coliform and f. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated
with human or animal wastes. Disease-causing microbes (pathogens) in these wastes can cause
diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. These pathogens may pose a special health
risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems.
Although there is no collective MCLG for this contaminant group, there are individual MCLGs for some
of the individual contaminants:
* Haloacetic acids: dichloroacetic acid (zero): trichloroacetic acid (0.3 mg/L)
Trihalomethanes: bromodichloromethane (zero): bromoforn
mg/L)
(zero): dibromochloromethane (0.06
Lead and copper are regulated by a Treatment Technique that requires systems to control the
corrosiveness of their water. If more than 10% of tap water samples exceed the action level,
water systems must take additional steps. For copper, the action level is 1.3 mg/L, and for lead is
0.015 mg/L.
Each water system must certify, in writing, to the state (using third-party or manufacturers certification)
that when it uses acrylamide and/or epichlorohydrin to treat water, the combination (or product) of
dose and monomer level does not exceed the levels specified, as follows: Acrylamide = 0.05% dosed
at 1 mg/L (or equivalent): Epichlorohydrin = 0.01% dosed at 20 mg/L (or equivalent).
National Secondary Drinking
Water Standards
National Secondary Drinking Water Standards are non-enforceable guidelines regulating
contaminants that may cause cosmetic effects (such as skin or tooth discoloration) or
aesthetic effects (such as taste, odor, or color) in drinking water. EPA recommends
secondary standards to water systems but does not require systems to comply. However,
states may choose to adopt them as enforceable standards.
Contaminant
Aluminum
Chloride
Color
Copper
Corrosivity
Fluoride
Foaming Agents
Iron
Manganese
Odor
pH
Silver
Sulfate
Total Dissolved Solids
Zinc
Secondary Standard
0.05 to 0.2 mg/L
250 mg/L
15 (color units)
1.0 mg/L
noncorrosive
2.0 mg/L
0.5 mg/L
0.3 mg/L
0.05 mg/L
3 threshold odor number
6.5-8.5
0.10 mg/L
250 mg/L
500 mg/L
5 mg/L
For More
Information
EPA Office of Ground Water
& Drinking Water
www.epa.gov/safewater
Safe Drinking Water Hotline
1-800-426-4791
EPA/OGWDW
(202) 564-3750
4* EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water (4606M)
EPA 816-H-03-002
www.epa.gov/safewater
June 2003
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