| (H) The table(s) must contain information on the likely
source(s) of detected contaminants based on the operator's knowledge.
Specific information regarding contaminants may be available in sanitary
surveys or source water assessments and should be used when available.
If the operator lacks specific information on the likely source, the
report must include one or more typical sources most applicable to
the system for any particular contaminant listed under §290.275
of this title.
(i) If a community water system distributes water to
its customers from multiple hydraulically independent distribution
systems that are fed by different raw water sources, the table(s)
must contain a separate column for each service area, and the report
must identify each separate distribution system. Systems may produce
separate reports tailored to include data for each service area.
(ii) The table(s) must clearly identify any data indicating
violations of MCLs, MRDLs, or TTs. The report must contain a clear
and readily understandable explanation of the violation. The explanation
must include the length of the violation, the potential adverse health
effects, and the actions taken by the system to address the violation.
To describe the potential health effects, the system must use the
relevant language contained under §290.275 of this title.
(5) For detected unregulated contaminants found under §290.275
of this title, for which monitoring is required (except Cryptosporidium ), the table(s) must contain
the average and range of concentrations at which the contaminant was
detected. The report must include the following explanation: "Unregulated
contaminants are those for which EPA has not established drinking
water standards. The purpose of unregulated contaminant monitoring
is to assist EPA in determining the occurrence of unregulated contaminants
in drinking water and whether future regulation is warranted."
(d) Information on Cryptosporidium,
radon, and other contaminants.
(1) If the system has performed any monitoring for Cryptosporidium, the report must include
a summary of the results of any detections and an explanation of the
significance of the results.
(2) If the system has performed any monitoring for
radon, which indicates that radon may be present in the finished water,
the report must include the results of the monitoring and an explanation
of the significance of the results.
(3) If the system has performed additional monitoring,
which indicates the presence of other contaminants in the finished
water, the executive director strongly encourages systems to report
any results which may indicate a health concern. To determine if the
results may indicate a health concern, the executive director recommends
that systems find out if the EPA has proposed a standard in the NPDWR
or issued a health advisory for any particular contaminant. This information
may be obtained by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800)
426-4791. The executive director considers detections that are above
a proposed MCL or health advisory level to indicate possible health
concerns. For such contaminants, the executive director recommends
that the report include the results of the monitoring and an explanation
of the significance of the results. The explanation should note the
existence of a health advisory or a proposed regulation.
(4) Community water systems that exceed the secondary
constituent level for fluoride as described in §290.118 of this
title (relating to Secondary Constituent Levels) but are below the
maximum contaminant level listed in §290.106 of this title (relating
to Inorganic Contaminants) shall notify the public using the mandatory
language as described in 40 CFR §141.208(c).
(e) Compliance with NPDWR. In addition to the requirements
in subsection (c)(4)(H)(ii) of this section, the report must note
any violation that occurred during the year covered by the report
of a requirement listed in paragraphs (1) - (8) of this subsection.
(1) The report must include a clear and readily understandable
explanation of each violation of monitoring and reporting of compliance
data and explain any adverse health effects and steps the system has
taken to correct the violation.
(2) The report must include a clear and readily understandable
explanation of each violation of filtration and disinfection prescribed
by Subchapter F of this chapter (relating to Drinking Water Standards
Governing Drinking Water Quality and Reporting Requirements for Public
Water Systems) and explain any adverse health effects and steps the
system has taken to correct the violation. This applies both to systems
that have failed to install adequate filtration, disinfection equipment,
or processes, and to systems that have had a failure of such equipment
or processes, each of which constitutes a violation. In either case,
the report must include the following language as part of the explanation
of potential adverse health effects: "Inadequately treated water may
contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria,
viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps,
diarrhea, and associated headaches."
(3) The report must include a clear and readily understandable
explanation of each violation of the lead and copper control requirements
prescribed by §290.117 of this title (relating to Regulation
of Lead and Copper). For systems that fail to take one or more actions
prescribed by §290.117(g), (h), and (i) of this title, the report
must include the applicable health effects language of §290.275(3)
of this title for lead, copper, or both and the steps the system has
taken to correct the violation.
(4) The report must include a clear and readily understandable
explanation of each violation of TTs for Acrylamide and Epichlorohydrin
prescribed by §290.107 of this title (relating to Organic Contaminants).
If a system violates these requirements, the report must include the
relevant health effects language from §290.275 of this title
and the steps the system has taken to correct the violation.
(5) The report must include a clear and readily understandable
explanation of each violation of recordkeeping of compliance data
and explain any adverse health effects and steps the system has taken
to correct the violation.
(6) The report must include a clear and readily understandable
explanation of each violation of special monitoring requirements for
unregulated contaminants and special monitoring for sodium as prescribed
by 40 CFR §141.40 and §141.41 and explain any adverse health
effects and steps the system has taken to correct the violation.
(7) For systems required to conduct initial distribution
sampling evaluation (IDSE) sampling in accordance with §290.115(c)(5)
of this title, the system is required to include individual sample
results for the IDSE when determining the range of TTHM and HAA5 results
to be reported in the annual Consumer Confidence Report for the calendar
year that the IDSE samples were taken.
(8) The report must include a clear and readily understandable
explanation of each violation of the terms of a variance, exemption,
administrative order, or judicial order and explain any adverse health
effects and steps the system has taken to correct the violation.
(f) Variances and exemptions. If a system is operating
under the terms of a variance or exemption issued under §290.102(b)
of this title, the report must contain:
(1) an explanation of the variance or exemption;
(2) the date on which the variance or exemption was
issued and on which it expires;
(3) a brief status report on the steps the system is
taking, such as installing treatment processes or finding alternative
sources of water, to comply with the terms and schedules of the variance
or exemption; and
(4) a notice of any opportunity for public input as
the review or renewal of the variance or exemption.
(g) Additional information.
(1) The report must contain a brief explanation regarding
contaminants that may reasonably be expected to be found in drinking
water (including bottled water). This explanation may include the
language contained within subparagraphs (A) - (C) of this paragraph,
or systems may include their own comparable language. The report must
include the language of subparagraphs (D) and (E) of this paragraph.
(A) The sources of drinking water (both tap water and
bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs,
springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land
or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and,
in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting
from the presence of animals or from human activity.
(B) Contaminants that may be present in source water
include:
(i) microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria,
which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural
livestock operations, and wildlife;
Cont'd... |
