Water Lines
Safe
DKirmiNG i
Watch H4tlii>(c
December 2003
Monthly Report
SDW Hotline Report
In This Issue
What's New	
	1
Did You Know	
	1
Monthly Trends	
	2
Freauentlv Asked Qs & As	
	2
Hotline Stats	
	4
Appendix A	
	6
Top Ten Topics
Topic
Questions
(phone & e-
mail)
Percent of
Total*
Questions
Local Drinking Water
Quality
135
9
Tap Water Testing
125**
8
Coliforms
100
7
Non-EPA
Environmental
70
5
Lead
66
4
Public Notification
65
4
Household Wells
60
4
Other EPA
57
4
Home Water
Treatment Units
55
4
MCL List
51
3
*A total of 1,483 questions were answered by
the Hotline (via telephone and e-mail) in
December 2003.
**Citizens who obtain their drinking water from
private household wells asked 21 percent of the
tap water testing questions.
Calls
E-mails
Total***
932
200
1,132
***A single call or e-mail may generate multiple
questions.
Published Monthly
See past reports at
http://intranet.epa.gov/ow/hotline
Safe Drinking Water Hotline: National
Toll-free No.: (800) 426-4791
For More Information Contact:
Harriet Hubbard, EPA Project Officer
(202) 564-4621
Operated by Booz Allen Hamilton
Under Contract #GS-10F-0090J
What's New
New Publications:
Water Supply Guidance: Memorandum on Applicability of the Safe Drinking
Water Act to Submetered Properties, December 16, 2003, is now available at
www.epa.gov/safewater/wsq/memo wsq submeterinq.pdf.
Individual modules of the Response Protocol Toolbox: Planning for and
Responding to Contamination Threats to Drinking Water Systems are now
available at www.epa.gov/safewater/securitv/index.html or by contacting the
Safe Drinking Water Hotline.
Strategic Planning: A Handbook for Small Water Systems - One of the
Simple Tools for Effective Performance (STEP) Guide Series (EPA816-R-03-
015) is now available at www.epa.gov/safewater/smallsvs/ssinfo.htm or by
contacting the Safe Drinking Water Hotline.
Support documents for the Contaminant Candidate List regulatory
determinations are now available at www.epa.gov/safewater/ccl/
cclregdetermine.html.
Calendar:
Who?
What?
Where?
When?
More
Information
SAB
Face to Face
Meeting with
OW and ORD
Washington,
DC
12/10/2003
For more
information:
www.epa.gov/sab
GWPC
UIC
Conference
Houston, TX
1/20/2004 -
1/22/2004

NDWAC
CCL Work
Group
Washington,
DC
1/22/2004 -
1/23/2004

NDWA
CCL Work
Group
Washington,
DC
3/4/2004 -
3/5/2004

ASDWA
Member
Meeting
Alexandria,
VA
3/17/2004 -
3/19/2004

GWPC
Annual Policy
Conference
Washington,
DC
3/21/2004 -
3/23/2004

Did You Know?
Approximately 10-20 percent of the human exposure to lead is
attributable to lead in drinking water.
(Environmental Protection Agency,
Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water)

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December 2003
Monthly Trends
The popularity of two recently published small system capacity-development documents can be seen by examining the
number of each document ordered in the months of November and December 2003. The documents, entitled Asset
Management: A Handbook for Small Water Systems (EPA816-R-03-016, September 2003), and Small Systems Guide to
Safe Drinking Water Act Regulations: The First STEP to Providing Safe and Reliable Drinking Water (EPA816-R-03-017,
September 2003), received almost three times the number of requests in December than in November (see chart below).
Capacity development is a state effort to help drinking water systems improve their finances, management, infrastructure,
and operations so they can provide safe drinking water consistently, reliably, and cost-effectively. A third small system
capacity development document, Strategic Planning: A Handbook for Small Water Systems - One of the Simple Tools for
Effective Performance (STEP) Guide Series (EPA
816-R-03-015, September 2003), was posted on EPA's Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water Web site on December
15, 2003 but no orders were placed in November 2003.
Simple Tools for Effective Performance (STEP) Guidelines
80
70
60
6
o 40
.Q
E
2 30
20
10
0
~ Nov-03
Dec-03
Management
Guide to SDWA	Strategic Planning
Frequently Asked Qs & As
This section provides answers to frequently asked
questions not necessarily represented in one of the
Top Ten Topic categories.
Q: Why do public water systems flush water mains?
A: Flushing water mains removes sediments or
other contaminants that can accumulate in pipes
overtime and lead to taste and odor problems.
Flushing in dead-end lines can also improve
disinfectant residual levels (Guidance Manual for
Conducting Sanitary Surveys of Public Water
Systems; Surface Water and Ground Water Under
the Direct Influence (GWUDI), (EPA815-R-99-016,
April 1999). In addition to protecting water quality,
regular flushing can help reduce corrosive conditions
associated with biofilm growth that can often lead to
pipeline leaks and breaks (Potential Contamination
Due to Cross-Connections and Backflow and the
Associated Health Risks, August 13, 2002).
Q: Why is the maximum contaminant level (MCL)
for asbestos in drinking water measured in terms of
fibers greater than 10 micrometers in length?
A: EPA's standard of 7 million fibers/liter (for fibers
greater than 10 micrometers in length) is based
upon evidence of benign polyps occurring in male
rats following oral administration of intermediate size
chrysotile fibers (i.e., >10 micrometer range). The
study did not indicate potential adverse health
effects for short-range fibers (56 FR 3526, 3535;
November 13, 1985).
Q: I tried to access my community water system's
(CWS) water quality report online at the following
URL: www.epa.gov/safewater/ dwinfo.htm. The link
to my community water system's online report is not
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December 2003
working properly. Can you provide access to the
online version?
A: No. EPA is not responsible for the content or the
accessibility of the CWS Web sites. Links to online
versions of annual drinking water quality reports on
EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
Web site are provided by community water
suppliers. You may wish to contact your local water
system to obtain a hard copy of the water quality
report.
Q: Human consumption has been interpreted to
include drinking, bathing, showering, cooking,
dishwashing, and maintaining oral hygiene (Water
Supply Guidance Memo; Meaning of "Human
Consumption" and "Graywater Uses" as it Relates to
Public Water Systems, August 1989). Under this
interpretation, does the term "bathing" include
swimming?
A: Bathing does not include swimming in an open
canal or incidental contact with water from an open
canal in connection with such activities as
agricultural work, canal maintenance, or lawn and
garden care. The term "bathing" means the use of
water for personal hygiene purposes in a home,
business setting, school, etc. (63 FR 41940, 41941;
August 5, 1998).
Q: EPA recommends that action be taken to limit
exposure or reduce lead in water whenever lead
level concentrations in school drinking water
exceeds 20 ppb (Lead in School Drinking Water,
EPA570-9-89-001, January 1989). What is the
rationale for the 20 ppb recommended level when
the action level for public water systems is 15 ppb?
A: The two lead action levels differ because of the
different problems they seek to detect and the
different monitoring protocols used in the two
situations. The 20 ppb action level and sampling
protocol for lead in schools is designed to pinpoint
specific water fountains and outlets that require
remediation (e.g., water cooler replacement). The
15 ppb action level and sampling protocol is
designed to identify system-wide problems and not
problems in single outlets (56 FR 26460, 26479;
June 7, 1991).
Q: A public water system (PWS) must collect total
coliform repeat samples within 24-hours of being
notified of the positive results unless the state grants
an extension due to logistical sample collection
problems (40 CFR 141.21(b)(1)). How does EPA
define logistical problem?
A: There is no regulatory definition of logistical
problem. However, the June 29, 1989 Federal
Register provides several examples of logistical
problems that could prevent a PWS from collecting
repeat samples within a 24-hour timeframe. These
examples include the laboratories inability to ship
empty sample bottles or receive water sample (54
FR 27544, 27554).
Q: Under a state's operator certification program,
each community and nontransient noncommunity
water system must be under the direct supervision of
a certified operator. To become certified, water
system operators must take and pass an
examination (64 FR 5916, 5919; February 5, 1999).
Is the state agency required to provide the
certification exams in foreign languages (e.g.,
Spanish)?
A: According to Jenny Bielanski, OGWDW, EPA's
operator certification guidelines do not require a
state to or restrict a state from offering operator
certification examinations in languages other than
English. The decision is ultimately up to the state.
A state may want to consider the following factors
before offering an exam in a second language:
1.	Ensure the candidate meets all of the
requirements for certification (education and
experience); passing the test is just one of the
requirements.
2.	If the candidate's normal form of communication
is not English, consideration should be given to how
the state will provide continuing education credits.
Once an operator becomes certified, the operator
must take training to renew certification as required
by state law.
3.	Does the state have personnel that can
communicate with persons who may not speak
English as a first language?
4.	Would the community/population served by a
water system benefit from an operator who is either
bilingual or doesn't speak English as a first
language?
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December 2003
Hotline Statistics
Monthly Summary of
Hotline Service
Total number of calls answered
932
Total number of e-mails received
200
Average wait time (in seconds)
0:31
Percent of calls satisfied immediately
99.9%
Percent of all calls answered in < 1 min 88%
Percent of callbacks answered in 5 days
100%
Percent of e-mails answered in 5 days
100%
Number of times callers were transferred to

the WSC Wellcare Hotline
222
Number of times callers listened to recorded

message about CCRs
232
Number of times callers listened to recorded

message about local drinking water quality

for PWS customers
212
Number of times callers listened to recorded

message about tap water testing and quality

for household well owners
118
Number of times callers listened to recorded

message about tap water testing for PWS

customers
225
Comparison to Previous Year

Calls
E-mails
December 2003
932
200
December 2002
1,374
236
Top Ten Referrals
Inquiry Referred to:
Number of
Referrals
Percent of
Total*
Referrals
1. EPA Internet
162
17
2. Local Water System
155
16
3. State PWSS
122
12
4. State Lab Certification
104
11
5. NSF/WQA/UL
75
8
6. AGWT/WSC
50
5
7. EPA Regions
45
5
8. Other Hotlines
40
4
9. Non-EPA Internet
39
4
10. Local Public Health
36
4
*A total of979 referrals to other resources, agencies, and
organizations were provided by the Hotline in December 2003.
Customer Profiles
Customer
Calls
E-mails
Analytical Laboratories
15
1
Citizen - Private Well
68
23
Citizen - PWS
500
76
Consultants/lndustry/Trade (DW)
49
9
Consultants/lndustry/Trade (Other)
61
16
Environmental Groups
0
1
EPA
12
1
Other Federal Agency
2
1
Government, Local
11
5
Government, State
21
9
Government, Tribal
0
1
Spanish Speaking
2
1
International
5
14
Media
4
1
Medical Professional
4
1
Public Water System
105
15
Schools/University
28
25
Other
45
0
TOTALS
932
200
Daily Call Data

Total Calls
Answered
Average Wait Time
mm:sec
1-December
47
00:49
2-December
63
00:21
3-December
61
00:43
4-December
57
00:27
5-December
39
00:30
8-December
53
00:30
9-December
54
00:20
10-December
32
00:29
11-December
50
00:34
12-December
43
00:27
15-December
91
00:26
16-December
43
00:34
17-December
46
00:36
18-December
32
00:37
19-December
26
00:33
22-December
34
00:11
23-December
33
00:17
24-December
15
00:32
29-December
40
00:47
30-December
38
00:52
31-December
35
00:19
TOTALS
932
00:31
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December 2003
Hotline Statistics
Topic Categories
Category
Calls
E-mails
Microbials/Disinfection Byproducts
Chlorine
7
1
Coliforms
87
13
Cryptosporidium
12
1
Disinfection/Disinfection


Byproducts (Other)
14
1
Disinfection - Home Water
6
1
Other Microbials
12
1
Storage - Home Water
2
1
Surface Water Treatment (SWTR,


ESWTR, LT1FBR)
29
9
Trihalomethane (THM)
0
0
Inorganic Chemicals (IOC)/Synthetic
Organic Chemicals (SOC)
Arsenic
20
1
Fluoride
2
1
Methyl-ferf/a/y-butyl-ether (MTBE)
5
0
Perchlorate
0
1
Phase I, II & V
12
7
Sodium Monitoring
2
0
Sulfate
0
0
Lead and Copper
Copper
9
1
Lead
63
3
Lead Contamination Control Act


(LCCA)/Lead Ban
3
0
Radionuclides
Radionuclides (Other)
10
3
Radionuclides (Radon)
24
0
Secondary DW Regulations
Secondary DW Regulations
22
7
SDWA Background/Overview
Definitions & Applicability
20
5
MCL List
44
7
Other Background
32
13
SDWA
46
1
Category
Calls
E-mails
Water on Tap
13
2
Other DW Regulations
Analytical Methods (DW)
12
4
Contaminant Candidate List/


Drinking Water Priority List
7
0
Consumer Confidence Report (DW)
45
4
DW Primacy (PWS)
1
0
Operator (PWS) Certification
5
1
Other Drinking Water Security
28
12
Public Notification (PWS)
64
1
Security Planning Grants
6
0
State Revolving Fund (DW)
1
1
Unregulated Contaminant
Monitoring Rule (UCMR)
20
1
Other Drinking Water
Additives Program
2
2
Bottled Water
18
12
Complaints about PWS
34
14
Compliance & Enforcement
(PWS)
15
9
Home Water Treatment Units
44
11
Infrastructure/Cap. Development
18
1
Local DW Quality
117
18
Tap Water Testing
110
15
Treatment/BATs (DW)
9
9
Drinking Water Source Protection
Ground Water Rule
3
2
Sole Source Aquifer
0
0
Source Water/Wellhead Protection
10
1
UIC Program
10
6
Out of Purview
Household Wells
45
15
Non-Environmental
13
4
Non-EPA Environmental
36
34
Other EPA (Programs)
41
16
TOTALS
1,210
273
EPA DISCLAIMER
Answers to questions in the Safe Drinking Water Hotline monthly report are intended to be purely informational and are based on SDWA
provisions, EPA regulations, guidance, and established policy effective at the time of publication. The answers given reflect EPA staffs best
judgment at the time and do not represent a final or official EPA interpretation. This report does not substitute for the applicable provisions of
statutes and regulations, guidance, etc., nor is it a regulation itself. Thus, it does not impose legally-binding requirements on EPA, States, or the
regulated community. An answer to a question in this report may be revised at any time to reflect EPA's revisions to existing regulations,
changes in EPA's approach to interpreting its regulations or statutory authority, or for other reasons. EPA may provide a different answer to a
question in this report in the future.
Also, an answer provided in this report may not apply to a particular situation based upon the circumstances. Any decisions regarding a
particular case will be made based on the applicable statutes and regulations. Therefore, interested parties are free to raise questions and
objections about the appropriateness of the application of an answer in this report to a particular situation, and EPA will consider whether or not
the recommendations or interpretations in the answer are accurate and appropriate in that situation. The information in this report is not intended,
nor can it be relied upon, to create any rights enforceable by any party in litigation with the United States.
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SAFE DRINKING WATER HOTLINE MONTHLY REPORT
December 2003
Appendix A: Federal Register Summaries
NOTICES
"Notice of Tentative Approval and Solicitation of Request for a Public Hearing for Public
Water System Supervision Program Revisions for the State of Maryland"
December 9, 2003 (68 FR 68625)
EPA gave notice of tentative approval that the State of Maryland has revised its Public Water
Supervision Program by adopting revisions to the Public Notification Rule as well as minor
revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule. If no hearing request or comments are received by
January 8, 2004, the determination will become effective.
"Fall 2003 Regulatory Agenda"
December 22, 2003 (68 FR 73540)
EPA published the Semiannual Regulatory Agenda to update the public about regulations and
major policies currently under development; reviews of existing regulations and major policies;
and regulations and major policies completed or canceled since the last agenda.
"Notice of Finalization of Revised Policy Regarding the Applicability of the Safe Drinking
Water Act to Submetered Properties"
December 23, 2003 (68 FR 74233)
EPA finalized a memorandum that outlined its revised policy regarding regulatory requirements
under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) for submetered properties. Under SDWA section
1411, the national primary drinking water regulations apply to public water systems (PWS) that
have their own water source, treat, or "sell" water. EPA staff and program managers have
previously issued memoranda stating that any building or property owner who meets the
definition of a PWS and receives water from a regulated public water system, but bills tenants
separately for this water, is "selling" the water and therefore is independently subject to SDWA's
drinking water requirements. As a way to promote full cost and conservation pricing to achieve
water conservation, EPA is changing its interpretation of section 1411 as it applies to submetered
properties. EPA believes that the addition of a submeter should not in any way change the
quality of water provided to customers on these properties. In general, the scope of this policy is
not intended to extend where the property in question has a large distribution system, serves a
large population or serves a mixed (e.g., commercial/residential) population (e.g., many military
installations/facilities or large mobile home parks).
"Notice of Public Meetings of the Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List
Classification Process Work Group of the National Drinking Water Advisory Council"
December 31, 2003 (68 FR 75503)
Notice was provided of the forthcoming meetings of the Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate
List (CCL) Classification Process Work Group of the National Drinking Water Advisory Council
(NDWAC), established under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The dates for the
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NDWAC CCL Work Group meetings will be as follows: January 22-23, 2004, and March 4-5,
2004. All meetings will be held from 9 AM-5 PM, Eastern Time on the first day, and 8 AM-3:30
PM, Eastern Time on the second day. All meetings of the CCL Work Group will be held at
RESOLVE Inc., 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 275, Washington, DC.
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