Preparing Your Drinking 

Water Consumer

Confidence Report 

Guidance for Water Suppliers 

2nd Revision: EPA 816-R-09-011, April 2010
(Original Document: EPA 816-R-01-002, January 2001)

(Revised Document: EPA 816-R-05-002, April 2005)

(2nd Revision of Document: EPA 816-R-09-011, April 2010)

Office of Water (4606M)

EPA 816-R-09-011

www.epa.gov/safewater

April 2010
Disclaimer

This document provides guidance to water suppliers on the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency’s (EPA’s) current interpretation of the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) Rule. This

document provides guidance on how to implement national policy. This document is not a 

substitute for EPA’s regulations; nor is it a regulation itself. Thus, it does not impose legally 

binding requirements on EPA, states, or water suppliers and may not apply to a particular 

situation based upon its circumstances. This document does not confer legal rights or impose 

legal obligations upon any member of the public. While EPA has made every effort to ensure the 

accuracy of the discussion in this guidance, statutes, regulations, or other legally binding 

requirements determine the obligations of the regulated community. In the event of a conflict 

between the discussion in this document and any statute or regulation, this document would not 

be controlling. 

The general description provided here may not apply to a particular situation based upon the 

circumstances. Interested parties are free to raise questions and objections about the substance of 

this guidance and the appropriateness of the application of this guidance to a particular situation. 

EPA and other decision makers retain the discretion to adopt approaches on a case-by-case basis 

that differ from those described in this guidance, where appropriate. EPA may change this 

guidance in the future. 

Throughout this document, the terms “state” and “states” are used to refer to all types of primacy 

agencies including states, U.S. territories, Native American tribes, and EPA Regions that 

maintain state primacy.

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Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR i April 2010

Contents

Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 1

I. What is a consumer confidence report?....................................................................................... 4

II. Who must prepare a consumer confidence report? .................................................................... 4

III. When must a water system distribute its report? ...................................................................... 5

IV. What content is required in the report?..................................................................................... 5

Item 1: Required Information about the Water System.............................................................. 7

Item 2: Source(s) of Water.......................................................................................................... 8

Item 3: Definitions...................................................................................................................... 9

Item 4: Reporting Levels of Detected Contaminants................................................................ 10

Multiple Distribution Systems.............................................................................................. 17

Including Tier 3 Public Notices in CCRs ............................................................................. 17

Item 5: Information on Monitoring for Cryptosporidium, Radon, and Other Contaminants... 17

Reporting on Cryptosporidium ............................................................................................. 17

Reporting on Radon .............................................................................................................. 18

Reporting on Additional Monitoring .................................................................................... 19

Item 6: Compliance with Other Drinking Water Regulations.................................................. 19

National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) Violations .................................. 19

Special Notice for Systems Required to Comply with the GWR ......................................... 20

Item 7: Variances and Exemptions........................................................................................... 22

Item 8: Required Educational Information ............................................................................... 22

Special Requirements for Nitrate, Arsenic, and Lead........................................................... 24

Other Educational Information ............................................................................................. 25

V. What should the CCR look like?.............................................................................................. 26

VI. How must the CCR be distributed? ........................................................................................ 26

Reach All Consumers Not Receiving Water Bills.................................................................... 27

Waiving the Mailing Requirement ........................................................................................... 27

VII. Keeping CCR Copies on File ................................................................................................ 28

VIII. References............................................................................................................................ 28
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR ii April 2010

Appendix A – Translations for English Instructions .................................................................... 29

Appendix B – Reporting Monitoring Data ................................................................................... 33

Appendix C – Certification Form ................................................................................................. 53

Appendix D – Information on Source Water Assessment Programs and Conservation Efforts .. 55

Source Water Assessment Program.......................................................................................... 55

Background ........................................................................................................................... 55

Incorporating Source Water Assessment Results in CCRs ...................................................... 56

CCR Examples - Summarizing Source Water Assessment Results and Source Water 

Protection and Water Conservation Tips.................................................................................. 57

Appendix E – Examples of Consumer Confidence Reports......................................................... 61

Appendix F – Regulated Contaminants........................................................................................ 79
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR iii April 2010

Acronyms 

AL Action Level 

CCR Consumer Confidence Report 

CDC Centers for Disease Control

CFR Code of Federal Regulations 

DBPP Disinfection Byproduct Precursor

DER Department of Environmental Resources

DWSRF Drinking Water State Revolving Fund 

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

FBRR Filter Backwash Recycling Rule

FDA Food and Drug Administration

GWR Ground Water Rule 

HAA5 Five Haloacetic Acids 

IDSE Initial Distribution System Evaluation 

IESWTR Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule 

LCR Lead and Copper Rule 

LT1ESWTR Long-Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule 

LT2ESWTR Long-Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule 

LRAA Locational Running Annual Average

MCL Maximum Contaminant Level 

MCLG Maximum Contaminant Level Goal

MDL Method Detection Limit 

mg/L Milligrams per Liters 

mrem Millirem

MRDL Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level 

MRDLG Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal 

ND Non Detect

NPDWR National Primary Drinking Water Regulation 

NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units

pCi/L Picocuries per Liter 

ppb Parts per Billion 

ppm Parts per Million 

ppt Parts per Trillion

PWS Public Water Systems 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR iv April 2010

RAA Running Annual Average

SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act 

Stage 1 DBPR Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule 

Stage 2 DBPR Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule 

SWAP Source Water Assessment Program 

SWTR Surface Water Treatment Rule 

TCR Total Coliform Rule 

TOC Total Organic Carbon 

TT Treatment Technique 

TTHM Total Trihalomethanes 

WHP Wellhead Protection Program 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 1 April 2010

Introduction

This document is intended to be used by water suppliers who are preparing their annual drinking 

water consumer confidence reports (CCRs) [40 CFR Part 141, Subpart O]. This guide explains 

the requirements for report content, format, and distribution that the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA) established in the CCR Rule, published in the Federal Register on 

August 19, 1998 (63 FR 44512), and in subsequent revisions to the rule through calendar year 

2008. 

As the system operator/manager, you are a guardian of the quality of your drinking water supply 

and of the public health in your community. It is important to communicate to your customers, 

and your customers have the right to know, the source of their water and what is in the water 

they drink. CCRs help consumers make informed choices that affect the health of themselves and 

their families. They also encourage consumers to consider and appreciate the challenges of 

delivering safe drinking water. Educated consumers are more likely to help protect their drinking 

water sources and to understand the true costs of safe drinking water. 

Water suppliers, states, and EPA work to educate consumers about the sources, quality, and 

delivery of their drinking water, and to increase their involvement in decisions about it. Systems 

and states encourage citizens to participate in decision-making regarding source water 

assessment and protection programs and use of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund 

(DWSRF), which provides funding for infrastructure upgrades and treatment improvements.

Consumers who are familiar with the basic drinking water information in CCRs will be able to 

participate more effectively in these processes. 

Since the last revision of this document in April 2005, EPA has published the:

• Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage 2 DBPR) – January 4, 

2006. 

• Long-Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR) – January 5, 2006. 

• Ground Water Rule (GWR) – November 8, 2006. 

• Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) Short Term Regulatory Revisions and Clarifications (LCR 

Revisions) – October 10, 2007.

• Miscellaneous corrections to existing rules.

• Miscellaneous revisions or additions to analytical methods, detection limits and 

compliance dates. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 2 April 2010

These rules create new requirements that may be subject to inclusion in a CCR. (Note: if you are 

uncertain about which requirements apply to your system and when, contact your state.) 

• Stage 2 DBPR: Based on a system’s schedule under the Stage 2 DBPR, systems will 

change from reporting their system-wide running annual average (RAA) to reporting the 

highest locational running annual averages (LRAAs) for total trihalomethanes (TTHM) 

and five haloacetic acids (HAA5). Systems will also report the range of sample results for 

all monitoring locations. If more than one location exceeds the TTHM or HAA5 

maximum contaminant level (MCL), the system must include the location running annual 

average for all locations that exceed the MCL. 

During the calendar years that the water system collects samples for the Initial 

Distribution System Evaluation (IDSE), systems must include IDSE sample results when 

reporting the range of TTHM and HAA5. 

Systems must also report in their CCR if they failed to monitor for TTHM or HAA5.

Information regarding this new rule is on pages 12 and 36-40 of this document. 

• LT2ESWTR: Based on a system’s schedule under the LT2ESWTR, a surface water 

system must report violations in their CCR related to this rule. These include: 

–

–

Treatment technique violations for: failure to address an uncovered finished water 

reservoir (i.e., cover or treat); failure to determine and report a bin classification 

(filtered systems); failure to calculate and report a mean Cryptosporidium level 

(unfiltered systems); failure to provide, install or maintain a required level of 

additional treatment (filtered systems); failure to achieve the required inactivation 

level or maintain it once achieved (unfiltered systems); and failure to install a 

second disinfectant (unfiltered systems). 

Monitoring and reporting violations for failure to monitor for Cryptosporidium for 

any three months, failure to monitor for E. coli and turbidity, and failure to notify 

the state before making a change to a disinfection practice. In addition, positive 

results of any Cryptosporidium monitoring must be reported in the CCR, whether 

taken for compliance with LT2ESWTR or voluntarily. 

Note: Surface water systems that collected E. coli samples at the source under 

LT2ESWTR are not required to report these results in their CCR. However, they are 

required to discuss if they failed to monitor for E. coli at the source.

Information regarding this new rule is on pages 14-15 and 48 of this document. 

• GWR: Beginning with the report due July 1, 2010, a ground water system must report 

any detection of a fecal indicator (E. coli, enterococci, coliphage) at the source and 

provide special notice regarding the detect. A ground water system must also provide 

special notice for any significant deficiency that is uncorrected by the end of the calendar 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 3 April 2010

year. In addition, a ground water system must report violations of the GWR in their CCR 

which include: 

– Treatment technique violations for failure to maintain 4-log treatment of viruses 

for more than 4 hours for systems required to treat to 4-log; failure to take 

corrective action within the required timeframe or be in compliance with a stateapproved corrective action plan and schedule for a fecal indicator-positive source 

sample; and 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.

– Monitoring and reporting violations for failure to conduct source water 

monitoring for fecal indicators or failure to conduct compliance monitoring. 

Information regarding this new rule is on pages 13, 15, 20-22, and 59-51 of this 

document. 

• LCR Revisions: Beginning with the report due July 1, 2009, systems whose states 

adopted the LCR Revisions before January 1, 2009, must include a statement about lead 

in every report released to the public. For systems whose states have not adopted the 

revisions by January 1, 2009, the lead information statement must be included in reports 

due by July 1, 2010.

Information regarding these modifications is on page 25 of this document. 

This document includes recommendations for improving the effectiveness of your CCR, 

examples of reporting formats, and completed CCRs. Additional information for completing 

your CCR is available on the EPA Web site at: www.epa.gov/safewater/ccr/index.html. You can 

find specific information about: 

• Appendix A to Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 141, Subpart O 

(referred to as Appendix A to Subpart O in the remainder of this document) which lists 

contaminants, their MCLs in traditional MCL units, conversion factors for converting 

traditional MCL units to the more easily understood MCLs in CCR units, maximum 

contaminant level goals (MCLGs), major sources of contaminants, and health effects 

language (located on EPA’s Web site at www.epa.gov/safewater/ccr/regulations.html and 

in Appendix F of this guidance document). 

• The list of unregulated contaminants applicable for monitoring during 2008 through 2010 

under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (located on EPA’s Web site at 

www.epa.gov/safewater/ccr/regulations.html). 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 4 April 2010

I. What is a consumer confidence report?

In 1996, Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Among other things, this 

amendment added a provision requiring that all community water systems deliver to their 

customers a brief water quality report annually. These CCRs summarize information that your 

water system already collects to comply with regulations. The CCR Rule does not require you to 

engage in any new monitoring to complete your CCR. 

The CCR includes information on your source water, the levels of any detected contaminants, 

compliance with drinking water rules (including monitoring requirements), and some educational 

language. Most reports will fit on a few sheets of paper. A report that contains too much 

information or is full of technical jargon can discourage consumers from learning about their 

drinking water. Beyond a mandatory requirement, a CCR is an opportunity to communicate the 

value of water (both as a product and as a service), to promote wise use, to build community trust 

and customer satisfaction, and to encourage investment in resource protection and infrastructure 

(AwwaRF, 2008). 

II. Who must prepare a consumer confidence report?

Every community water system (serving at least 15 service connections and/or 25 people year 

round) must prepare and distribute a report. These systems typically include cities, towns, 

homeowners associations, residential subdivisions, manufactured housing communities, and 

other institutions where people live full-time such as nursing homes and prisons.

A system may contract with a laboratory to provide monitoring data analysis or CCR 

development assistance. If the system chooses to use a laboratory to assist with the development 

of the CCR, the system must work with the laboratory to make sure that all of the required 

elements are included in the CCR. Otherwise, a system may need to add the missing elements. 

Regardless of whether the laboratory or system prepares the CCR, the system is ultimately 

responsible for the content and must always distribute the CCR to its customers. 

Wholesale systems (drinking water systems that sell water to one or more systems) are not 

responsible for creating a CCR for their consecutive systems (systems that purchase water from 

the wholesale system), nor are they responsible for providing data on contaminants that the 

consecutive system monitors (such as total coliforms, lead, or TTHMs). However, wholesale

systems are responsible for providing the consecutive system with relevant source information 

and monitoring and compliance data so that the consecutive system can include this information 

in their CCR. In some cases, a consecutive system will contract with the wholesale system to 

produce the report. There are several options in this relationship. If the consecutive system had 

no new data to add, it could simply send out the wholesale system’s CCR with a cover letter 

explaining their relationship. If the consecutive system did need to add data, it might choose to 

reprint the wholesaler system’s CCR with a new title/letterhead and the additional data. Either of 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 5 April 2010

these options is acceptable. Regardless of who produces the report, the consecutive system is still 

responsible for ensuring that its customers receive a report containing all required content.

III. When must a water system distribute its report? 

You must deliver your annual report to consumers by July 1 of each year. The reports are based 

on calendar-year data, so your report will include data collected between January and December 

of the previous calendar year. For example, data collected between January and December 2010 

must be reported in the 2010 CCR, which is due to customers by July 1, 2011. A new community 

water system must deliver its first report by July 1 of the year after its first full calendar year in 

operation, and annually thereafter.

A wholesale system must provide the consecutive system with monitoring data and other 

information by April 1 of each year unless the two systems make a different contractual 

agreement. This gives the consecutive system enough time to prepare their CCR before the 

deadline of July 1.

IV. What content is required in the report?

This guidance describes EPA’s requirements for a CCR (using the words “must” and “shall”) 

and suggestions (using the words “encourage,” “should,” and “may”) that will help your 

customers understand the report. Your state’s CCR Rule may require more information, so be 

sure to check with your state drinking water program or other relevant state or local authorities.

EPA encourages you to tailor the content of your CCR to local conditions. If you think that an 

added picture or graph would help your customers to understand your report, add it. If your 

customers would benefit from an explanation of your need for new treatment facilities, tell them.

Provide information to your consumers in a way that they understand. For example, when 

discussing units of measure, explain it in terms that a consumer may understand: if an Olympicsized swimming pool were filled with ping-pong balls, a ppb would be equivalent to one ping

ball in that pool. As long as any additional educational information is consistent with, and not 

detracting from, the purpose of the report, you may add it. For example, the CCR Rule does not 

require a title for your report. However, you should give your report a title to catch the 

customer’s attention. You may call the report a “Consumer Confidence Report,” a “Water 

Quality Report,” or choose another title. 

Customers are most interested in a clear statement of whether or not their drinking water meets 

all EPA and state standards. Although it is not required by the regulations, you will help your 

customers if you tell them whether their water met all drinking water standards. Be cautious in 

using the word “safe” since water that meets standards and is safe for most people might not be 

safe for infants, chemotherapy patients, or people with HIV/AIDS. Also, using the term “safe” if 

you have had an MCL or action level (AL) exceedance can be misleading to the customer. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 6 April 2010

EXAMPLE–Last year, as in years past, your tap water met all EPA and state drinking water 

health standards. Local Water vigilantly safeguards its water supplies and once again, we 

are proud to report that our system has never violated a maximum contaminant level or any 

other water quality standard. [or, if you had a violation, begin with: Last year, we conducted 

more than __ tests for over 80 contaminants. We only detected __ of those contaminants, and 

found only __ at a level higher than EPA allows. As we told you at the time, our water 

temporarily exceeded drinking water standards. For more information, see the paragraph 

marked Violation on the back.] This brochure is a snapshot of last year’s water quality. 

Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it 

compares to EPA and state standards. We are committed to providing you with this 

information because informed customers are our best allies. 

Examples of CCRs are included in Appendix E of this document.

Research conducted by the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AwwaRF, 

2004) described three important phases in facilitating customer understanding of the information 

in a CCR:

• Initial Sort: Customers are less likely to discard the CCR as “junk mail” if it looks 

professional, distinct, and prominently displays the utility’s name. However, glossy fullcolor reports are not necessary. 

• Skimming: For the reader who chooses to skim the document, important and concise 

messages about water quality that are prominently displayed will attract attention.

However, statements about the safety of water should not be over-stated, and specific 

warnings regarding health risks for sensitive sub-populations must be included. The use 

of color will draw attention and can be used to guide the reader through the CCR. Maps, 

simple tables, and photographs present information quickly and effectively.

• Reading: If the above challenges are addressed, a customer will hopefully choose to read 

the entire CCR. The document should not be designed to persuade the reader, it should 

inform the reader. A brief table of contents at the very beginning will help to guide the 

reader. Contaminant tables should be simple and should not require special instructions.

The use of large fonts in an uncrowded format is desirable. Discussions regarding 

detected contaminants are helpful and should promote credibility.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 7 April 2010

Eight basic items must be included in all CCRs. They are: 

Basic CCR Requirements

Item 1: Required Information about the Water 

System 

• Name/phone number of contact person 

• Information on public participation opportunities

• Information for non-English speaking populations, 

if applicable

Item 5: Information on Monitoring for 

Cryptosporidium, Radon, and Other Contaminants 

• Warning for vulnerable populations about 

Cryptosporidium, if detected

• Explanation of radon and its presence in the 

finished water, if detected

• Explanation of unregulated contaminants and their 

presence in drinking water, if detected

Item 2: Source(s) of Water

• Type, name, and general location of water sources 

• Availability of source water assessment

• Information on significant sources of 

contamination, if available

Item 6: Compliance with Other Drinking Water 

Regulations

• Explanation of violations, potential health effects, 

and steps taken to correct the violations

• Special notices for GWR

Item 3: Definitions (specific language)

• MCL

• MCLG 

• Others as needed

Item 7: Variances and Exemptions 

• Explanation of variance/exemption, if applicable

Item 4: Reported Levels of Detected Contaminants

• Table summarizing data on detected regulated & 

unregulated contaminants 

• Known or likely source of each detected 

contaminant 

• Health effects language and explanation for any 

violations or exceedances 

Item 8: Required Educational Information (specific 

language)

• Explanation regarding contaminants that may 

reasonably be expected to be found in drinking 

water, including bottled water 

• Information to customers that some people may be 

more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water

• Explanation of contaminants and their presence in 

drinking water, if detected 

• Informational statements on arsenic and nitrate, if 

necessary, and lead, always required

Each item is discussed in detail below. 

Item 1: Required Information about the Water System 

You must provide the following information about your water system: 

• The name and telephone number of a person at the water system who can answer 

questions about the report. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 8 April 2010

• A list of known opportunities for public participation in decisions that affect drinking 

water quality (e.g., time and place of regularly scheduled water board or city/county 

council meetings). If you do not have regularly scheduled meetings, you should tell 

customers how to get information when meetings are announced. 

Systems that have a large proportion of non-English speaking residents must include 

information in the appropriate language(s) expressing the importance of the CCR or the CCR 

must contain a phone number or address where residents may contact your system to obtain a 

translated copy of the CCR or assistance in the appropriate language. The state or EPA will make 

the determination of which systems need to include this information. 

Translations of the following text are provided in Appendix A of this document:

“This report contains important information about your drinking water. Have someone 

translate it for you, or speak with someone who understands it.”

Item 2: Source(s) of Water 

Describe your water source(s) (ground water, surface water, or a blend) including the commonly 

used name(s) (if such a name exists), and the general location(s). EPA encourages you to provide 

a simple map of your system’s sources without a detailed description of their locations for 

security reasons. 

For some more complicated systems, explaining your various interconnections and back-up 

sources may be difficult, but it is important that consumers understand that the source of their 

water may vary during the year. Remember to include in your table of detected contaminants 

(Item 4) monitoring data for any “additional” sources if you use water from them. If your 

situation is complex, you may need to describe the types of sources and how they are used. 

If a source water assessment has been completed, you should have a copy of it. Let customers 

know how to obtain the results of the assessment. In addition, include in the CCR a brief 

summary of your source water’s susceptibility to contamination based on the findings of the 

assessment. 

In cases where the information is available, EPA encourages you to highlight potential 

significant sources of contamination in the source water area. Including this information in the 

CCR is an opportunity for you to provide customers with an explanation for why a contaminant 

is present in the source water.

EPA also encourages public water suppliers to use the CCR as a way to discuss appropriate 

source water protection actions that are in the planning stages or are already in place. This 

discussion is an ideal opportunity to invite public participation in locally based source water 

protection efforts as well. Systems may also wish to provide tips for consumers in the CCR on 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 9 April 2010

ways they can protect the source water. Remember, this is your opportunity to educate your 

customers about the impacts they and others have on the quality of source water.

Examples of how to include the source water assessment information and source water 

protection tips in your CCR are available in Appendix D, Tables D-2 and D-3 of this document.

Item 3: Definitions

Every CCR must include definitions of key terms that consumers will need to understand the 

contaminant data. You must use the definitions listed below. 

• Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is 

allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best 

available treatment technology. 

• 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.

Include the following definition only if your water system operated under a variance or 

exemption during the calendar year that the CCR describes:

• Variances and Exemptions: State or EPA permission not to meet an MCL or a 

treatment technique under certain conditions.

Include the following definitions only if your CCR requires the use of these terms:

• Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a 

contaminant in drinking water.

• Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers 

treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.

• 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.

• 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 contamination.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 10 April 2010

Item 4: Reporting Levels of Detected Contaminants 

An essential part of the CCR is the table that shows the highest level of each detected 

contaminant (this is usually the value you report to the state to determine compliance) and the 

range of levels of that contaminant you found during the CCR calendar year (assuming more 

than one sample was collected). A detected contaminant is any “regulated” or “unregulated” (as 

required under 40 CFR 141.40) contaminant detected at or above its method detection limit 

(MDL).

See the EPA Web site at www.epa.gov/safewater/ccr/regulations.html for a list of contaminants 

and MDLs. Do not include in the table, contaminants that are not detected or are detected 

below the MDL. Your state may have lower MDLs that take precedence over EPA’s. If you are 

unsure of the MDL for a contaminant, and your laboratory reports a value greater than zero, 

include that in your CCR.

The main table of detected contaminants must contain only data about regulated contaminants 

(contaminants subject to an MCL, MRDL, TT, or AL), and unregulated contaminants for which 

EPA or the state requires monitoring under 40 CFR 141.40. See Item 5 for special instructions 

about Cryptosporidium and radon. You may make several tables to separate regulated 

contaminants from those that do not have MCLs (such as lead and copper or turbidity), or those 

that are currently unregulated. You may want to organize your table(s) by contaminant type (e.g., 

microbial, inorganic) or sampling site (e.g., treatment plant, distribution system). Appendix B of 

this document provides examples for interpreting and reporting detected contaminants in your 

CCR.

To ensure that consumers can easily compare detected contaminant levels to their MCLs, your 

table must display the MCL for each contaminant in units that express it as a number greater than 

1.0. Report the MCLG and level of the detected contaminant in the same units as the MCL. For 

example, atrazine is usually reported in parts per million (ppm) [or milligrams per liters (mg/L)].

It is easier for customers to see that your water contains atrazine at a level 10 times lower than 

the MCL if you report the MCL as 3 parts per billion (ppb) and the detected level as 0.3 ppb than 

if you were to report the MCL as 0.003 ppm and the detected level as 0.0003 ppm. In this case, 

you convert by multiplying the detected level and MCL by 1000. Appendix A to Subpart O 

(available on the EPA Web site at www.epa.gov/safewater/ccr/regulations.html and in Appendix 

F of this document) includes conversion factors for each contaminant for converting the MCL to

a number equal to or greater than 1.0. When you round results to determine compliance, round 

before multiplying the results by the factor listed in the table. If the MCL units for a contaminant 

are already expressed in a number greater than 1.0 (e.g., the MCL for barium is 2 ppm), there is 

no conversion factor to apply to the MCL or detected contaminant level.

Report any additional monitoring data (i.e., voluntary monitoring data) in another section of the 

CCR, separated from the detected contaminant data. If you want to list all the contaminants that 

you monitored for but did not detect, you must do so outside of the table of detected 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 11 April 2010

contaminants. If you choose to report on secondary MCLs, or if your state requires this reporting, 

do so outside of the main table. 

The CCR includes data from monitoring completed during the previous calendar year. However, 

if you have monitoring waivers, or for another reason monitor less than once per year, use your 

most recent data even though it is outside of the calendar year. For example, if you monitor once 

every three years for lindane and detect lindane in a sample, report the same detection level each 

of the three years until you take a new sample. In addition, you do not need to report monitoring 

results that are more than 5 years old. 

If the CCR contains detection data that is not from the calendar year indicated, the table must 

show the date of monitoring and the CCR must contain a brief statement explaining that the data 

presented is from the most recent monitoring done in compliance with regulations. 

EXAMPLE–The state allows us to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year 

because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of our 

data, though representative, are more than one year old. 

THE TABLE MUST CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING, FOR EACH DETECTED 

CONTAMINANT: 

1) If the contaminant is regulated by a MCL or MRDL: 

a) The MCL or MRDL, expressed as a number equal to or greater than 1.0. 

b) The MCLG or MRDLG, expressed in the same units as the MCL or MRDL. 

c) The level of that contaminant expressed in the same units as the MCL and MCLG or 

MRDL and MRDLG.

2) If the contaminant is regulated by a treatment technique (TT):

a) Put the letters “TT” in place of the MCL.

b) Put “N/A” (not applicable) in place of the MCLG when no MCLG is listed in Appendix 

A to Subpart O (available on the EPA Web site at 

www.epa.gov/safewater/ccr/regulations.html and in Appendix F of this document). 

3) If the contaminant is regulated as an action level (AL): 

a) The AL expressed as a number equal to or greater than 1.0. 

b) The MCLG expressed in the same units as the AL for copper and zero for lead. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 12 April 2010

4) If the contaminant is unregulated:

a) The average level of that contaminant and the range of results.

5) The level of the contaminant must be represented as follows:

a) If compliance is determined based on annual or less frequent sampling (many inorganic 

chemical contaminants), include the highest detected level at any sampling point and the 

range of detected levels, if applicable (example table provided in Appendix B).

b) If compliance is determined based on a running annual average of all the samples taken 

from a sampling point (i.e., contaminants monitored more frequently than annual), 

include the highest average as reported to the state for compliance purposes and the range 

of detected levels. As stated above, a detected contaminant is any regulated or

unregulated contaminant (as required under 40 CFR 141.40) detected at or above its 

MDL. 

c) For TTHM and HAA5 samples:

– If compliance is determined based on a system-wide running annual average [under 

the Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage 1 DBPR)], include 

the system-wide average and the detected range for the system (example table 

provided in Appendix B).

– If compliance is determined based on a locational running annual average (under the 

Stage 2 DBPR), include the highest locational running annual average for TTHM and 

HAA5 and the range of individual samples results for all monitoring locations. If 

more than one monitoring location exceeds the TTHM or HAA5 MCL, include the 

locational running annual averages for all locations that exceed the MCL (example 

table provided in Appendix B).

– If you conducted sampling for the Initial Distribution System Evaluation (IDSE) 

under the Stage 2 DBPR, during the calendar years that the water system collected 

samples for the IDSE, systems must include IDSE sample results when reporting the 

range of TTHM and HAA5 but not the average.

d) For turbidity:

– For turbidity regulated as a MCL for systems that must install filtration but have not

(40 CFR 141.13), include the highest monthly average.

– For turbidity regulated as a TT for systems that have met criteria for avoiding 

filtration (40 CFR 141.71), include the highest single measurement found in any 

month. You should explain the reasons for measuring turbidity.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 13 April 2010

EXAMPLE–Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. We monitor it 

because it is a good indicator of water quality. High turbidity can hinder the 

effectiveness of disinfectants. 

– For turbidity regulated as a TT for systems that filter, include the highest single 

measurement and the lowest monthly percentage of samples meeting the turbidity 

limits specified in 40 CFR 141.73, §141.173, or §141.551 for the relevant filtration 

technology (example table provided in Appendix B). You should also explain the 

reasons for measuring turbidity.

EXAMPLE–Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. We monitor it 

because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system. 

e) For lead and/or copper:

– Include the 90th percentile value from the most recent sampling (if it is a number 

greater than zero) and the number of sites that exceeded the action level (do not report 

related water quality parameter data) (example table provided in Appendix B).

f) For total coliforms, fecal coliforms and E. coli under the Total Coliform Rule (TCR):

– For systems that collect fewer than 40 samples per month, include the highest number 

of positive samples collected in any one month (example table provided in Appendix 

B).

– For systems that collect 40 or more samples per month, include the highest 

percentage of positive samples collected in any one month (example table provided in 

Appendix B).

– For fecal coliforms and E. coli, include the number of positive samples collected that 

year.

g) For fecal indicator-positive source samples under the GWR: 

– For E. coli, list the MCL and MCLG as zero.

– For enterococci or coliphage, list “TT” in the column for MCL and “N/A” in the 

column for MCLG.

– For all fecal indicator-positive ground water source samples (E. coli, enterococci, or 

coliphage), include the total number of positive samples for the year and special 

notice language provided in the table or elsewhere in the CCR. Refer to Item 6 for 

more information on special notice language requirements for fecal indicator-positive 

ground water source samples.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 14 April 2010

h) In addition to detected contaminants, the CCR Rule requires that all violations of 

treatment techniques be reported in a detected contaminant table(s). TT violations are 

listed below and are organized by rule (refer to Item 6 for specific information about 

failure to install adequate filtration or disinfection equipment or processes or a failure of 

those processes, violations associated with acrylamide and epichlorohydrin, and 

violations associated with LCR).

– Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR)

 Failure to install adequate filtration or disinfection equipment or processes.

 Failure of the filtration or disinfection equipment or process.

 TT violation associated with acrylamide and epichlorohydrin.

 Failure to have redundant components for disinfection.

 Failure to maintain a distribution system disinfectant residual.

 Failure to maintain at least 0.2 ppm disinfectant residual at the entry point for 

more than 4 hours.

 Failure to meet inactivation requirements at the treatment plant (CT value).

 Failure to meet watershed control program requirements.

– Filter Backwash Recycling Rule (FBRR)

 Failure to return recycle flows through the processes of the existing filtration 

system or to an alternate state-approved location (conventional and direct 

filtration systems only).

– LT2ESWTR

 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.

 Filtered systems

• Failure to determine and report bin classification.

• Failure to provide or install an additional level of treatment using a microbial 

toolbox option by the required date.

• Failure to achieve required treatment credit to meet the bin classification 

requirements using a microbial toolbox option.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 15 April 2010

 Unfiltered systems

• Failure to calculate and report mean Cryptosporidium level.

• Failure to install a second disinfectant to treat for Cryptosporidium by 

required date.

• Failure to achieve required inactivation level by required date.

• Failure to maintain required inactivation level based on mean 

Cryptosporidium results.

– LCR

 Failure to meet corrosion control treatment, source water treatment, lead service 

line replacement, or public education requirements.

– Stage 1 DBPR

 Failure to remove required amount of total organic carbon (TOC) [disinfection 

byproduct precursor (DBPP)] (conventional filtration systems only). 

– GWR

 Failure to maintain at least 4-log treatment of viruses for ground water systems 

that are required to treat. 

 Failure to take corrective action, if necessary based on a fecal indicator-positive 

sample.

 Failure to take corrective action, if necessary based on a significant deficiency.

EPA recommends that systems include TT violations listed in (h) above in a table 

adjacent to the main detected contaminant table. The table must include an explanation of 

the violation, the length of the violation, any potential adverse health effects, and steps 

taken to correct the violation. The following is an example (see Appendix B for 

additional examples).
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 16 April 2010

TT Violation Explanation Length Steps Taken to Correct the 

Violation

Health Effects 

Language

Failed to 

maintain 4-log 

treatment of 

viruses

On January 10, 2011, 

state inspection of our 

water system identified 

a malfunctioning 

chlorine pump. As a 

result, the water from 

one of our wells (Well 

1) was not adequately 

disinfected for 2 weeks.

2 Weeks

As directed by the Department 

of Public Health, we took 

immediate action to resolve this 

problem by repairing the 

malfunctioning chlorine pump. 

Regular testing since the pump 

was repaired has demonstrated 

that we are once again 

providing water that meets the 

state’s standards for 

disinfection to our customers.

Inadequately treated or 

inadequately protected 

water may contain 

disease-causing 

organisms. These 

organisms can cause 

symptoms such as 

diarrhea, nausea, 

cramps, and associated 

headaches.

i) If you detect beta particles in your water at or below 50 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), you 

should report the detected level in pCi/L. So that consumers may have a standard against 

which to compare that detected level, you should include “50 pCi/L*” in the MCL 

column (rather than the actual MCL of 4 mrem/year) and include a footnote to the table 

that says, "*EPA considers 50 pCi/L to be the level of concern for beta particles." If you 

detect beta particles above 50 pCi/L, you must determine the actual radioactive 

constituents present in the water to calculate the dose exposure level in mrem/year, and 

must report both the detected level and MCL as mrem/year (example table provided in 

Appendix B).

j) The likely source of the contaminant, to the best of your knowledge. If the source of 

contamination is known, the CCR should identify a specific point source, such as “Al’s 

chicken houses” or the “Super-shiny Paper Mill.” If you lack reliable information on the 

specific source of a contaminant, include one or more of the typical sources listed in the 

table in Appendix A to Subpart O (available on the EPA Web site at 

www.epa.gov/safewater/ccr/regulations.html and in Appendix F of this document) that is 

most applicable to your situation. 

k) Clear highlighting of any contaminant detected in violation of a MCL, MRDL or TT, or 

exceeding an AL. This indication could, for example, take the form of a different color 

type, a larger or bolder font, or a large star. Near, but not in the table, include an 

explanation of the length of the violation/exceedance, the potential adverse health effects,

and actions you took to address the violation/exceedance. Refer to the table in Appendix 

A to Subpart O (available on the EPA Web site at 

www.epa.gov/safewater/ccr/regulations.html and in Appendix F of this document) for 

health effects language. 

l) The average of all of the year’s monitoring results and the range of detections for any 

detected unregulated contaminants for which state or federal rules require monitoring (40 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 17 April 2010

CFR 141.40). The list of unregulated contaminants applicable for monitoring during 2008 

through 2010 under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule is located on the EPA 

Web site at www.epa.gov/safewater/ccr/regulations.html.

– You may wish to explain the reasons for unregulated contaminant monitoring with a 

statement such as: 

EXAMPLE–Unregulated contaminant monitoring helps EPA to determine where certain 

contaminants occur and whether the Agency should consider regulating those contaminants 

in the future. 

Multiple Distribution Systems 

If your system supplies water through two or more distribution systems that are not physically 

interconnected and that are fed by different raw water sources, you must issue a CCR that 

includes information on the source water, the levels of any detected contaminants, and

compliance with drinking water rules for all distribution systems. You may issue one or multiple 

reports to your customers. If you issue one report, make sure to include a separate column of 

detection data for each service area in the main table of detected contaminants.

Including Tier 3 Public Notices in CCRs

If you are required to provide Tier 3 public notice for a monitoring violation or other type of 

violation or situation, you may consider including the notice in your CCR. If you use the CCR 

for public notification, make sure you meet the content requirements under the Public 

Notification Rule. Also, remember that the timing and delivery requirements for CCRs differ 

from those for public notices. Be careful to adhere to the Public Notification requirement that 

Tier 3 public notice be completed no later than 12 months from the date the violation or situation 

occurred. To minimize the timing conflict, you can publish the CCR early–as soon after the end 

of the calendar year as possible; or mail a separate public notice for the violations occurring in 

January through June of the current year in the same envelope as your CCR covering the 

previous calendar year’s violations.

Item 5: Information on Monitoring for Cryptosporidium, Radon, and 

Other Contaminants 

Reporting on Cryptosporidium

If your system has performed monitoring that indicates the presence of Cryptosporidium in either 

its source water or its finished water, you must include the detected results in your CCR. It is 

recommended that you distinguish whether the data are linked to samples collected at the source 

or samples collected in the finished water by putting the results on different lines in the table. If 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 18 April 2010

the results of your monitoring indicated the presence of Cryptosporidium, you must include the 

following information separate from the detected contaminant table:

• A summary of the results of the monitoring. You may choose whether or not to report the 

actual analytical results as a part of this summary. 

• An explanation of the significance of the results. Tell customers if they need to be 

concerned by the information that the CCR provides. 

EXAMPLE–Cryptosporidium is a microbial pathogen found in surface water throughout the 

U.S. Although filtration removes Cryptosporidium, the most commonly-used filtration 

methods cannot guarantee 100 percent removal. Our monitoring indicates the presence of 

these organisms in our source water and/or finished water. Current test methods do not 

allow us to determine if the organisms are dead or if they are capable of causing disease. 

Ingestion of Cryptosporidium may cause cryptosporidiosis, an abdominal infection. 

Symptoms of infection include nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Most healthy 

individuals can overcome the disease within a few weeks. However, immuno-compromised 

people, infants and small children, and the elderly are at greater risk of developing lifethreatening illness. We encourage immuno-compromised individuals to consult their doctor 

regarding appropriate precautions to take to avoid infection. Cryptosporidium must be 

ingested to cause disease, and it may be spread through means other than drinking water. 

Reporting on Radon 

If your system has performed monitoring that indicates the presence of radon in its finished 

water, you must include in your CCR: 

• The results of monitoring (the analytical values reported by the laboratory). 

• An explanation of the significance of the results. Tell customers if they need to be 

concerned by the information that the CCR provides. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 19 April 2010

EXAMPLE--Radon is a radioactive gas that you cannot see, taste, or smell. It is found 

throughout the U.S. Radon can move up through the ground and into a home through cracks 

and holes in the foundation. Radon can build up to high levels in all types of homes. Radon 

can also get into indoor air when released from tap water from showering, washing dishes, 

and other household activities. Compared to radon entering the home through soil, radon 

entering the home through tap water will in most cases be a small source of radon in indoor 

air. Radon is a known human carcinogen. Breathing air containing radon can lead to lung

cancer. Drinking water containing radon may also cause increased risk of stomach cancer. 

If you are concerned about radon in your home, test the air in your home. Testing is 

inexpensive and easy. (You should pursue radon removal for your home if the level of radon 

in your air is 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) or higher. There are simple ways to fix a 

radon problem that are not too costly. For additional information, call your state radon 

program or call EPA’s Radon Hotline (800-SOS-RADON).

Reporting on Additional Monitoring 

If your system has performed voluntary monitoring that indicates the presence of contaminants 

that you were not required to monitor for in your finished water, EPA strongly encourages you to 

report any results that may indicate a health concern. Public knowledge of potential problems is 

in your interest as well as your customers’. EPA considers any detection above a proposed MCL 

or health advisory level to indicate concern. Call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or visit EPA’s 

Web site for this information. For these contaminants, EPA recommends that the CCR contain: 

• The results of monitoring. 

• An explanation of the significance of the results, noting the existence of the health 

advisory or proposed MCL. 

Item 6: Compliance with Other Drinking Water Regulations 

National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) Violations 

If your water system violated one of the following requirements during the year covered by your 

CCR, you must describe the violation(s) in your CCR. Just as you must explain the potential 

health effects of any MCL violation, you must provide a clear and readily understandable 

explanation of any other violation, potential adverse health effects (if any), and the steps the 

system has taken to correct the violation. For health effects language, refer to the table in 

Appendix A to Subpart O on EPA’s Web site at www.epa.gov/safewater/ccr/regulations.html or 

in Appendix F of this document.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 20 April 2010

1) Treatment techniques. 

• Filtration and disinfection requirements contained in the SWTR. If the violation was a 

failure to install adequate filtration or disinfection equipment or processes, or there was a 

failure of that equipment or process, include the following language:

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.

• Lead and copper control requirements. If the violation was a failure to meet corrosion 

control treatment, source water treatment, or lead service line requirements, include the 

health effects language for lead or copper from Appendix A to Subpart O.

• Acrylamide and Epichlorohydrin. If you violate either treatment technique, you must 

include the relevant health effects language from Appendix A to Subpart O. 

Note: EPA recommends that systems include TT violations listed here in a table adjacent to 

the main detected contaminant table. See Item 4 for more discussion on presenting TT 

violations.

2) Monitoring and reporting of compliance data. If your system failed to take a sample on time

(i.e., failure to monitor), the CCR should say “health effects unknown.” If your system took 

the samples accurately and on time, but mailed the results late, you do not need to discuss 

health effects.

3) Record keeping requirements. 

4) Special monitoring requirements. 

5) Violation of a variance, an exemption, or an administrative or judicial order. 

Special Notice for Systems Required to Comply with the GWR

The GWR requires that you provide special notice in their CCRs for the following two 

situations:
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 21 April 2010

Special Notice for Uncorrected Significant Deficiencies1

If you are a ground water system that receives notice from the state of a significant 

deficiency, you must inform your customers of any significant deficiencies that are not 

corrected by December 31 of the year covered by your CCR. The CCR must include the 

following information:

• The nature of the significant deficiency and 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.

You must continue to inform your customers annually until the state determines the 

significant deficiency is corrected.

Note: The state may also require you to include in your CCR significant deficiencies that 

were corrected by the end of the calendar year. If you are directed by your state to do this, 

you must inform your customers of the significant deficiency, how it was corrected, and 

the date it was corrected in that year’s CCR.

Special Notice for a Fecal Indicator-Positive Ground Water Source Sample

If you are a ground water system that receives notice from a laboratory of a fecal 

indicator-positive ground water source sample and the sample is not invalidated by the 

state, you must inform your customers in the next CCR. The CCR must include the 

following information for a fecal indicator-positive ground water source sample:

• The source of the fecal contamination (if it is known) and the date(s) of the fecal 

indicator-positive source sample.

• If the fecal contamination has been addressed as prescribed by the requirements of the 

GWR and the date the contamination was addressed.

• For fecal contamination that has not been addressed, the state-approved plan and 

schedule for correction, including interim measures, progress to date, and any interim 

measures completed.

 

1 Significant Deficiency: A deficiency that may cause, or have the potential to cause the introduction of 

contamination into finished water. An example of a significant deficiency is an unscreened vent on a storage tank 

that uncorrected may allow water, dirt, waste or other contaminants to enter the tank.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 22 April 2010

• The health effects language for fecal indicators. Refer to Appendix A to Subpart O of 

the Rule for health effects language (available on the EPA Web site at

www.epa.gov/safewater/ccr/regulations.html or in Appendix F of this document).

Since fecal indicator-positive ground water source samples must be included in the 

detected contaminant table, this special notice language can be included below the table or 

elsewhere in the report. Appendix B of this guidance contains an example on how to 

present fecal indicator-positive ground water source samples and the special notice text in 

a CCR.

You must continue to inform customers annually until the fecal contamination in the 

ground water source is addressed as prescribed by the requirements of the GWR.

Item 7: Variances and Exemptions

If your system operated under a variance or exemption at any time during the year covered by 

the CCR, include an explanation of the justification for the variance or exemption, the date that it 

was issued, when it is up for renewal, and a status report on what the system is doing to remedy 

the problem. Also, tell your customers how they may participate in the review or renewal of the 

variance or exemption. 

Item 8: Required Educational Information 

Every CCR must contain certain educational information, prominently displayed somewhere in 

the report.

The following statement is a brief explanation regarding contaminants that may reasonably be 

expected to be found in drinking water, including bottled water.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least 

small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily 

indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential 

health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-

4791). 

The next statement informs customers that some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants 

in drinking water than the general population and encourages those who may be particularly at 

risk from infection to seek advice from their health care provider.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 23 April 2010

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general 

population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing 

chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or 

other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from 

infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care 

providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by 

Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking 

Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791). 

Your CCR must contain basic information about drinking water contaminants. Use the following 

language, or you may write your own comparable language that better fits your specific local 

situation: 

• Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from 

sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and 

wildlife. 

• Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturallyoccurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic 

wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. 

• Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as 

agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses. 

• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic 

chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum 

production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, 

and septic systems. 

• Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result 

of oil and gas production and mining activities. 

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. 

Contaminants that may be present in source water include: 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 24 April 2010

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which 

limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. 

Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled 

water which must provide the same protection for public health.

Special Requirements for Nitrate, Arsenic, and Lead

You must include in your CCR the relevant special educational statement for nitrate, arsenic, and 

lead in the specified situations. If you would like to write your own educational statement or alter 

the statement provided in the regulations, you must consult with your state.

• Nitrate: Systems with nitrate above 5 ppm (50 percent of the MCL), but below 10 ppm 

(the MCL) must include the following statement:

Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six 

months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate 

levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity.

If you are caring for an infant, you should ask for advice from your health care provider.

• Arsenic: Systems with arsenic above 5 ppb (50 percent of the MCL), but at or below 10 

ppb (the MCL) must include the following statement:

While your drinking water meets EPA’s standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of 

arsenic. EPA’s standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s possible health 

effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. EPA continues to research 

the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in 

humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and 

circulatory problems.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 25 April 2010

• Lead: All systems must include the following informational statement:

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant 

women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and 

components associated with service lines and home plumbing. [NAME OF UTILITY] is 

responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of 

materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, 

you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 

minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your 

water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, 

testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe 

Drinking Water Hotline or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Other Educational Information

You are not limited to providing only the required information in your CCR. You may want to 

include:

• An explanation (or include a diagram of) your system’s treatment processes.

• Source water protection tips (refer to Appendix D, Table D-3 for example language 

regarding source water protection tips).

• Water and energy conservation tips (refer to Appendix D, Table D-3 for example 

language regarding water conservation tips).

• The cost of making the water safe to drink including the cost of sustaining the 

infrastructure.

• Efforts your system has made to promote “green infrastructure” (e.g., stormwater 

pollution prevention measures).

• A statement from the mayor or general manager.

• Information to educate customers about: taste and odor issues, affiliations with programs 

such as the Partnership for Safe Water, opportunities for public participation, etc.

You may want to provide the address for EPA’s drinking water Web site 

(www.epa.gov/safewater). The only limitation on this information is that it must not interfere 

with the educational purpose of the CCR.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 26 April 2010

V. What should the CCR look like?

You do not need a fancy computer or a graphic designer to produce a CCR that is easy to read 

and inviting to your customers. The best way to design your CCR is to spend some time looking 

at other CCRs. See what catches your eye, and copy it. A few things to consider: 

• Limit wordiness – write short sentences and keep your paragraphs short as well.

• Do not make your text size too small. You might want to squeeze a few extra sentences in 

your CCR, but if you add too much, people might ignore the entire report.

• Give a draft of your CCR to relatives or friends who are not drinking water experts and 

ask them if it makes sense. Ask customers for their comments when you publish the 

CCR.

• Do not distract from your main message with graphics and/or pictures that do not

complement your message. 

• Be as simple, truthful, and straight forward as possible. Avoid acronyms, initials, and 

jargon. 

• Consider printing the CCR on recycled paper and taking other steps to make the CCR

“environmentally friendly.” If you hope to get your customers involved in protecting 

source water, set a good example for them. 

• Use the CCR as an opportunity to tell your customers about all of the things that you are 

doing well.

VI. How must the CCR be distributed?

You must mail or deliver a copy of your CCR to each of your customers, and make a good faith 

effort to get CCRs to non-bill-paying consumers. Deliver your CCR by July 1 of each year. You 

may include your CCR with water bills, if feasible, or you may send it as a separate mailer.

Sending your CCR as a separate mailer will likely be more effective, and you will reach renters 

who may not receive water bills directly.

Send a copy to the director of the state drinking water program and any other state agency that 

the state drinking water program director identifies when you mail it to customers. Within three 

months of the CCR’s due date, submit to the state a certification (see Appendix C) that you 

distributed the CCR, and that its information is correct and consistent with the compliance 

monitoring data previously submitted to the state. EPA also encourages you to send copies to 

state and local health departments, as well as local TV and radio stations and newspapers.

Systems that serve 100,000 or more people must post their CCRs on the Internet. EPA 

encourages other systems to use this option as well. Many local governments have sites where 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 27 April 2010

you can post your CCR, even if your system itself does not have a Web site. EPA provides a 

mechanism that allows systems to link their CCR to the EPA Web site 

(www.epa.gov/safewater/ccr/compliancehelp.html). You must also make your CCR available to 

the public upon request.

Reach All Consumers Not Receiving Water Bills

It is in your system’s interest to spread the word about the quality of its drinking water. Since 

many consumers of your water may not receive bills (people such as apartment renters) you must 

make serious and “good faith” efforts to reach non-bill paying consumers. A “good faith” effort 

means selecting the most appropriate method(s) to reach those consumers from a menu of 

options that your state recommends. Those options include but are not limited to:

• Posting the CCR on the Internet using Web sites, email notifications, Podcasts, blogs, or 

Tweets.

• Mailing the CCR to all postal patrons.

• Advertising the availability of the CCR in newspapers, TV, and radio.

• Publishing the complete CCR in a local newspaper.

• Posting the CCR in public places such as cafeterias and lobbies of public buildings, 

libraries, churches, and schools. 

• Delivering multiple CCRs for distribution by single-biller customers such as apartment 

buildings or large private employers. 

• Delivering the CCR to community organizations.

Waiving the Mailing Requirement

Your Governor (or Tribal leader or EPA Regional Administrator, if applicable) can waive the 

mailing requirement for water systems that serve fewer that 10,000 people. You may choose to 

mail the CCR even if the Governor has issued a waiver. If you decide to use the waiver, take the 

following steps: 

• Publish the CCR in one or more local newspapers. 

• Inform customers, by notification in newspapers or by other means approved by the state, 

that CCRs will not be mailed. 

• Make the CCRs available upon request. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 28 April 2010

• For specific subpopulations in your community, you may wish to distribute CCRs to 

organizations specific to those groups.

If your system serves 500 or fewer people and the Governor waives the mailing requirement for 

small systems, you do not have to publish the CCR in the newspaper, though you may want to do 

so. At least once a year, you must notify customers through a mailed, delivered, or posted notice 

that the CCR is available from your water system upon request. 

VII. Keeping CCR Copies on File

You must keep copies of your CCRs on file for a minimum of three years.

VIII. References

1. Means, Edward, Zaid Chowdhury, Garret Westerhoff, Laurel Passantino, and John Ruetten. 

2008. Communicating the Value of Water: An Introductory Guide for Water Utilities. AwwaRF, 

Denver, CO. 

2. Lazo, J. K., J. L. Pratt, C. N. Herrick, M. L. Hagenstad, R. S. Raucher, R. E. Hurd, and E. H. 

Rambo. 2004. Understanding and Enhancing the Impact of Consumer Confidence Reports.

AwwaRF, Denver, CO.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 29 April 2010

Appendix A – Translations for English Instructions

Translations are provided courtesy of the State of Washington Department of Health. None of 

these translations has been independently verified.

Translations for the English Text:

“This report contains important information about your drinking water. 

Have someone translate it for you, or speak with someone who understands it.”

Amheric:

Chinese (simplified):

Arabic: 

Cambodian (Khmer): 

Chinese (traditional): Farsi:

French: 

Ce rapport contient des informations importantes à 

propos de votre eau potable. Demander à quelqu’un 

de traduire ces informations pour vous ou discuter 

avec une personne qui comprend ces informations. 

Greek:

Hebrew: Hindi: 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 30 April 2010

Hmong: 

Dlaim ntawv tshaabxu nuav muaj lug tseemceeb 

heev nyob rua huv kws has txug cov dlej mej haus. 

Kuas ib tug paab txhais rua koj, los nrug ib tug kws 

paub lug thaam. 

Japanese: 

Korean: Laotian:

Oromo: Polish: 

Punjabi: Russian:

Samoan: Serbo-Croatian: 

Somali: Spanish: 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 31 April 2010

Tagalog: Thai:

Tigrigna: Ukranian: 

Vietnamese:
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 32 April 2010

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Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 33 April 2010

Appendix B – Reporting Monitoring Data

This Appendix provides examples of monitoring data and instructions on how to report certain 

detects in the CCR. Note all results must be reported in CCR units.

 Example that demonstrates reporting for 1 sample site and monitoring less than 

annually:

• Barium monitoring

• Barium MCL: 2 ppm

• MCL in CCR units: 2 ppm

• March 2006 Result: 0.003 ppm

• Example CCR Table Excerpt for 2008 Report:

MCL MCLG Your 

Water Range Year Sampled Violation Typical source

Barium 

(ppm) 2 2 0.003 N/A 2006 No

Discharge of 

drilling wastes; 

Discharge from 

metal refineries; 

Erosion of natural 

deposits

Note: System will report this same result each CCR year until the next sample is taken.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 34 April 2010

 Example that demonstrates reporting for one sampling site and multiple sampling dates

• Atrazine monitoring

• Atrazine MCL: 0.003 ppm

• MCL in CCR units: 3 ppb

• 2008 Results:

Atrazine 

Monitoring 1st quarter 

2008

2nd quarter 

2008

3rd quarter 

2008

4th quarter 

2008

2008 Analysis 

Results 0.8 ppb 3.8 ppb 2.1 ppb 0.9 ppb

Running Annual 

Average* 1.2 ppb 2.1 ppb 1.4 ppb 1.9 ppb

*Reported RAA for quarters 1-3 are based on results from previous quarters not reported 

on this table.

Note: Highlighted numbers represent the range and the highest RAA. 

• Example CCR Table Excerpt:

MCL MCLG Your 

Water Range Year Sampled Violation Typical source

Atrazine 

(ppb) 3 3 2.1 0.8 - 3.8 2008 No

Runoff from 

herbicide used on 

row crops
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 35 April 2010

 Example that demonstrates reporting for disinfectant residuals

• Monitoring for chloramines

• System size: 1,001-2,500 people

• Samples: 2 times per month

• Chloramines MRDL: 4 ppm

• MRDL in CCR units: 4 ppm

• 2008 Results: 

Samples (ppm) Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept Oct. Nov. Dec.

Sample 1 1.0 2.1 1.4 2.2 1.4 1.4 2.5 2.6 1.4 2.9 3.7 1.8

Sample 2 1.4 1.9 0.8 2.2 2.3 1.6 2.1 2.8 1.4 2.7 2.9 1.8

Monthly 

Average 1.2 2.0 1.1 2.2 1.9 1.5 2.3 2.7 1.4 2.8 3.3 1.8

Quarterly 

RAA* 1.7 2.3 1.9 2.0

*Reported RAA for quarters 1-3 are based on results from previous quarters not reported on this table.

Note: Highlighted numbers represent the range and the highest RAA.

• Example CCR Table Excerpt:

MRDL MRDLG Your 

Water Range Year Sampled Violation Typical source

Chloramines

(ppm) 4 4 2.3 0.8 - 3.7 2008 No

Water additive 

used to control 

microbes
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 36 April 2010

 Example that demonstrates reporting for multiple sampling sites and multiple sampling 

dates:

• Total Trihalomethane monitoring under Stage 1 DBPR and Stage 2 DBPR IDSE.

• TTHM MCL: 0.080 ppm

• MCL in CCR units: 80 ppb

• 2008 Results:

Total Trihalomethane 

Monitoring Results* 

(in ppb)

1st quarter 

2008

2nd quarter 

2008

3rd quarter 

2008

4th quarter 

2008

Site 1 53 62 125 70

Site 2 55 62 119 60

Site 3 50 63 117 70

Site 4 54 69 135 84

System-wide Quarterly 

Average 53 64 124 71

System-wide Running 

Annual Average* 75 77 82 78

*Reported RAA for quarters 1-3 are based on results from previous quarters not reported on this table.

Note: Highlighted numbers represent the range and the average of the results obtained during the calendar 

year. The highest sample result occurred in the third quarter during IDSE sampling (see following table).

IDSE Results 1st quarter 

2008

2nd quarter 

2008

3rd quarter 

2008

4th quarter 

2008

Site 1 45 55 70 50

Site 2 60 85 100 115

Site 3 100 90 140 105

Site 4 45 60 65 50

* The IDSE results must be included in the range in the CCR Table. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 37 April 2010

• Example CCR Table Excerpt:

MCL MCLG Your 

Water Range Sample Year Violation Typical source

TTHM 

(ppb) 80 NA 78 50 - 140 2008 Yes*

Byproduct of 

drinking water 

disinfection

* While the average for the year did not exceed the MCL there was an MCL violation that was 

determined during the year that included results that were collected outside of this calendar year.

Include discussion of the TTHM MCL violation, including health effects language, below the table.

• Notes: 

– Under Stage 1 DBPR for TTHM and HAA5, systems must report the average and 

the range of sample results.

– Since the system collected samples under IDSE during the calendar year, the 

results of the IDSE are included in the reported “range” of results but not the 

average. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 38 April 2010

 Example that demonstrates reporting for multiple sampling sites and multiple sampling 

dates for TTHM with an MCL exceedance at one location:

• Total Trihalomethane monitoring under Stage 2 DBPR

• TTHM MCL: 0.080 ppm

• MCL in CCR units: 80 ppb

• 2012 Results:

Total Trihalomethane 

Monitoring Results

(in ppb)

1st quarter 

2012

2nd quarter 

2012

3rd quarter 

2012

4th quarter 

2012

Site 1 Quarterly Results 45 60 125 70

Site 1- LRAA* 47 51 74 75

Site 2 Quarterly Results 40 55 115 60

Site 2- LRAA* 42 49 71 68

Site 3 Quarterly Results 45 60 105 70

Site 3- LRAA* 40 48 69 70

Site 4 Quarterly Results 50 65 135 75

Site 4- LRAA* 49 55 78 81

*Reported LRAA for quarters 1-3 are based on results from previous quarters not reported on this table.

• Example CCR Table Excerpt:

Monitoring MCL MCLG Your 

Water Range Sample Year Violation Typical source

TTHM 

System (ppb) 80 NA

81 

(highest 

LRAA at 

Site 4)

40 – 135 2012 Yes Byproduct of drinking 

water disinfection

Include discussion of the TTHM MCL violation at Site 4, including health effects language, below the 

table.

• Notes: 

− Under Stage 2 DBPR, for TTHM and HAA5, systems with no LRAA MCL 

exceedances or only one location with an exceedance, must report the highest 

LRAA and the range of quarterly results (for all locations) in their main detected 

contaminant table. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 39 April 2010

 Example that demonstrates reporting for multiple sampling sites and multiple sampling 

dates for TTHM with more than one MCL exceedance:

• Total Trihalomethane monitoring under Stage 2 DBPR

• TTHM MCL: 0.080 ppm

• MCL in CCR units: 80 ppb

• 2012 Results:

Total Trihalomethane 

Monitoring Results

(in ppb)

1st quarter 

2012

2nd quarter 

2012

3rd quarter 

2012

4th quarter 

2012

Site 1 Quarterly Results 62 65 125 100

Site 1- LRAA* 52 87 74 88

Site 2 Quarterly Results 40 55 115 60

Site 2- LRAA* 42 49 71 68

Site 3 Quarterly Results 45 60 105 70

Site 3- LRAA* 40 48 69 70

Site 4 Quarterly Results 50 65 135 62

Site 4- LRAA* 60 55 82 78

*Reported LRAA for quarters 1-3 are based on results from previous quarters not reported on this table.

• Example CCR Table Excerpt:

Monitoring MCL MCLG Your 

Water Range Sample Year Violation Typical source

TTHM

System (ppb) 80 NA

88 

(highest 

LRAA)

40- 135 2012 See Sites 1 

and 4

Byproduct of drinking 

water disinfection

TTHM Site 1

(ppb) 80 NA 88 62 - 125 2012 Yes Byproduct of drinking water disinfection

TTHM Site 4

(ppb) 80 NA 82 50 - 135 2012 Yes Byproduct of drinking water disinfection

Include discussion of the TTHM MCL violation at Sites 1 and 4, including health effects language, below 

the table.

• Notes: 

− Under Stage 2 DBPR, for TTHM and HAA5, systems must report the highest 

LRAA and the range of quarterly results (for all locations) in their main detected 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 40 April 2010

contaminant table. In addition, systems with an LRAA MCL exceedance at more 

than one location, must report the LRAA for each location that exceeded the 

MCL.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 41 April 2010

 Example that demonstrates reporting of lead results:

Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5 Site 6 Site 7 Site 8 Site 9 Site 10

July 2008 ND ND 8 12 19 3 ND ND 4 22

• Notes: 

– To calculate the 90th percentile: The results of all samples taken during a 

monitoring period shall be placed in ascending order from the sample with the 

lowest concentration to the sample with the highest concentration. Each sample 

result shall be assigned a number starting with the number 1 for the lowest value.

The number of samples taken during the monitoring period shall be multiplied by 

0.9. The contaminant concentration in the numbered sample yielded by this 

calculation is the 90th percentile value. 

Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5 Site 6 Site 7 Site 8 Site 9 Site 10

July 2008 ND ND ND ND 3 4 8 12 19 22

• 10 samples x 0.9 = 9 therefore, the ninth value is the 90th percentile value.

– Report in Table: 90th percentile=19 ppb AND the number of sites above action 

level (15 ppb) = 2

• Notes:

– Regardless of whether lead is detected in your system, you must include an 

informational statement about lead in your report, which is provided in Section 

IV, Item 8. 

– Water quality parameter monitoring data that you collect in association with this 

rule should not be included in the report.

• Example CCR Table Excerpt:

MCL MCLG Your 

Water Range Sample 

Year Violation Typical source

Lead

(ppb) AL =15 0 19 2 sites over 

action level 2008 No

Corrosion of 

household plumbing 

systems; erosion of 

natural deposits
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 42 April 2010

 Example that demonstrates reporting turbidity results: 

• When reporting turbidity, systems that provide filtration must report the highest single 

measurement and the lowest monthly percentage of samples meeting the requirements 

specified for that technology. In this situation, direct and conventional filtration systems 

may want to report the data in 2 rows of their table.

• Example CCR Table Excerpt:

MCL MCLG Your 

Water Range Sample Date Violation Typical Source

Turbidity 

TT=1 NTU

0

0.7 NTU N/A No

Soil runoff TT= percentage 

of samples<0.3 

NTU

97 % N/A No

• Notes: 

– Alternative filtration systems would want to report the above information using 

turbidity limits established by the state.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 43 April 2010

 Example that demonstrates reporting TCR detects with no MCL violation:

• Detects of coliform, fecal coliform or E. coli bacteria during routine monitoring must be 

reported, even if no MCL violation occurred.

• For a system that collects at least 40 samples per month (i.e., a system that serves > 

33,000 people), if no more than 5.0 percent of the samples collected during a month are 

positive, the system is in compliance with the MCL for total coliforms.

• For a system that collects fewer than 40 samples/month (i.e., a system serving ≤ 33,000 

people), if no more than one sample collected during a month is positive, the system is in 

compliance with the MCL for total coliforms.

• In these situations, you may wish to report detects as shown below. Check with your state 

to make sure this meets state-specific requirements. 

Systems collecting fewer than 40 total coliform samples per month (Example CCR Table 

Excerpt):

MCL MCLG Your 

Water Range Sample Date Violation Typical source

Total Coliform

1 positive 

sample/month*

0 1 positive 

sample xx/xx/xx No

Naturally 

present in the 

environment

Fecal coliform 

or E. coli

bacteria

0 0 No

Human or 

animal fecal 

waste

* If a system collecting fewer than 40 samples per month has two or more positive samples in one month, 

the system has a MCL violation. 

Systems collecting 40 or more total coliform samples per month (assume for the example 

that the system collects 50 samples per month) month (Example CCR Table Excerpt):

MCL MCLG Your 

Water Range Sample Date Violation Typical Source

Total Coliform 5% of 

monthly 

samples are 

positive

0 1.5% xx/xx/xx No

Naturally 

present in the 

environment

Fecal coliform 

or E. coli

bacteria

0 0 No

Human or 

animal fecal 

waste
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 44 April 2010

 Example that demonstrates TOC reporting (surface water treatment plants with 

conventional treatment or precipitative softening)

• If any of the following apply, you must report a treatment technique violation for 

enhanced coagulation or enhanced softening (if applicable):

– Alternate compliance criteria for enhanced coagulation or enhanced softening 

cannot be met.

– Quarterly TOC monitoring does not demonstrate the percentage removal of TOC 

(demonstrated in the table below).

– A system does not obtain state approval for alternate minimum TOC removal 

(Step 2) requirements.

• The example CCR Table excerpt below is for a conventional surface water treatment 

system with source water TOC between 2-4 mg/L and with a source water alkalinity 

between 0-50 mg/L. It demonstrates how to report this TOC TT violation:

TT Violation Explanation of the 

TT Violation

Length of 

the 

Violation

Steps Taken to 

Correct the 

Violation

Health Effect Language

Failure to 

remove 

required 

amount of 

total organic 

carbon (TOC) 

(DBPP)

On March 3rd, we 

collected samples 

for TOC before and 

after our treatment 

process to determine 

the percentage of 

TOC we were 

removing. Results 

showed that we were

removing 25 percent 

of the TOC. We are

required to remove 

35 percent of the 

TOC.

1 month We examined our 

treatment processes 

to see if we could 

improve our removal 

of TOC. We made 

some adjustments to 

our process on 

March 29th. Samples 

collected after that 

time show that we 

are able to achieve 

35 percent removal.

Total organic carbon (TOC) 

has no health effects. However, 

total organic carbon provides a 

medium for the formation of 

disinfection byproducts. These 

byproducts include 

trihalomethanes (THMs) and 

haloacetic acids (HAAs). 

Drinking water containing 

these byproducts in excess of 

the MCL may lead to adverse 

health effects, liver, or kidney 

problems, or nervous system 

effects, and may lead to an 

increased risk of getting cancer. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 45 April 2010

 Example that demonstrates reporting substitution of gross alpha particle results for 

radium testing

• A gross alpha particle activity measurement may be substituted for the required radium 

measurement provided that the measured gross alpha particle activity does not exceed 5 

pCi/L. 

• In this situation, you may wish to report detects of gross alpha particle activity. Verify 

with the state that this approach meets their requirements.

• Example CCR Table Excerpt:

MCL MCLG Your 

Water Range Sample Date Violation Typical Source

Alpha emitters

pCi/L 15 0 3* xx/xx/xx No Erosion of natural deposits

* If the results of this sample had been above 5 pCi/L, our system would have been required to do 

additional testing for radium. Because the results were below 5 pCi/L, no testing for radium was 

required.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 46 April 2010

 Example that demonstrates reporting substitution of gross alpha particle results for 

uranium testing

• A gross alpha particle activity measurement may be substituted for the required uranium 

measurement provided that the measured gross alpha particle activity does not exceed 15 

pCi/L. 

• In this situation, you may wish to report detects of gross alpha particle activity. Verify 

with the state that this approach meets their requirements.

• Example CCR Table Excerpt:

MCL MCLG Your 

Water Range Sample Date Violation Typical Source

Alpha emitters 

pCi/L 15 0 12* xx/xx/xx No Erosion of natural deposits

* If the results of this sample had been above 15 pCi/L, our system would have been required to 

do additional testing for uranium. Because the results were below 15pCi/L, no testing for uranium 

was required. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 47 April 2010

 Example that demonstrates reporting beta particles results

• The MCL for beta particles is 4 mrem/year. EPA recognizes that laboratories often report 

these results in pCi/L, and that there is no simple conversion between the two units. 

Therefore, it is acceptable for systems to report the detected level for beta particles in 

pCi/L. So that consumers may have a standard against which to compare the detected 

level, systems should place 50 in the MCL column and include a footnote explaining that 

EPA considers 50 pCi/L to be a level of concern for beta particles. 

• Example CCR Table Excerpt:

MCL MCLG Your 

Water Range Sample Date Violation Typical Source

Beta 

particles 

(pCi/L)

50* 0 10** ND-10 xx/xx/xx No Erosion of natural 

deposits

* The MCL for beta particles is 4 mrem/year. EPA considers 50 pCi/L to be the level of concern 

for beta particles. 

** Because the beta particle results were below 50 pCi/L, no testing for individual beta particle 

constituents was required. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 48 April 2010

 Examples that demonstrates treatment technique violation reporting under 

LT2ESWTR 

• For violations of treatment techniques under LT2ESWTR, the system must provide an 

explanation of the violation, an indication of the length of the violation, information on 

steps taken to correct the violation, and health effects language. Because there are no 

standard health effects language provided for these treatment techniques, the system 

would have to write language specific to the violation. You can use the health effect 

language for contaminants as an example or template.

• Example CCR Table Excerpt (note that not all of these violations would have 

occurred in the same year):

TT Violation Explanation Length Steps Taken to Correct the 

Violation

Health Effect 

Language

Uncovered 

and untreated 

finished water 

reservoir

The South Street 

finished water 

reservoir is 

uncovered and the 

discharge is not 

treated. We were 

required to address 

this situation by 

April 1, 2009.

17

months

We have hired an engineering 

firm to design a cover for the 

tank. We intend to have the 

tank covered by September 

2010.

Inadequately protected 

water may contain 

disease-causing 

organisms. These 

organisms can cause

symptoms such as 

diarrhea, nausea, 

cramps, and associated 

headaches.

Determine 

and Report 

Bin 

Classification 

After conducting our 

source water 

monitoring for 

Cryptosporidium, we 

were required to 

determine and report

our Bin 

Classification by 

[date].

1 

month

We have since determined our 

bin classification and reported

this to the DEQ.

Inadequately treated 

water may contain 

disease-causing 

organisms. These 

organisms can cause 

symptoms such as 

diarrhea, nausea, 

cramps, and associated 

headaches.

Provide or

Install an 

Additional 

Level of

Treatment

Based on our bin 

classification, we 

were required to 

provide or install an 

additional level of 

treatment by [date].

6

months

We hired an engineering firm 

to prepare a preliminary 

engineering report. The report 

listed treatment alternatives. 

We selected one of the 

alternatives and are in the 

process of constructing it. We

anticipate that it will be

completed by [date].

Inadequately treated 

water may contain 

disease-causing 

organisms. These 

organisms can cause 

symptoms such as 

diarrhea, nausea, 

cramps, and associated 

headaches.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 49 April 2010

 Example that demonstrates special notice for fecal indicator-positive groundwater 

source sample reporting

• This system was triggered to conduct source water monitoring after a TCR positive sample in 

December of 2009. In this example, both the distribution and the source samples were positive for 

E. coli. The system took five additional source samples and one was positive. Below is an 

example of reporting for both the TCR violation and the GWR special notice. 

• The required special notice language for fecal indicator-positive samples must be provided in the 

CCR. For this example, we have included it as a footnote to the table.

• Example CCR Table Excerpt:

Contaminant MCL MCLG Your 

Water Range Sample Year Violation Source

E. coli (in the 

distribution 

system)

0 0 1 positive 

sample ND-1 2009 Yes*

Human or 

animal fecal 

waste

E. coli (at the 

ground water 

source) **

0 0 2 positive 

samples

ND-1 2009 No

Human or 

animal fecal 

waste

* We were notified on December 9, 2009, of an E. coli positive sample in the distribution system. You 

may remember receiving public notification of this violation on December 10. For reasons discussed in 

the next paragraph, we took Well 1 off-line on December 11. The duration of the violation was two 

days. We are addressing this contaminated well as discussed below. 

** On December 10, 2009, we sampled the sources (Well 1 and Well 2) for the fecal-indicator, E. coli. 

We were notified on December 11 that Well 1 tested positive for E. coli. On December 12, we took five 

additional samples and were notified on December 13 that two of the five samples were positive for E. 

coli. We immediately took Well 1 off-line at that time. Our system is in contact with the state DEQ, and 

we have a state-approved plan to abandon this well and replace it with a new well. We will have the 

new well completed by July 5, 2010, and the old well will be abandoned by July 15, 2010. As an interim 

measure, we have moved to only utilizing this well as an emergency source and have not had to utilize it 

since the sampling revealed the contamination. 

Health Effects: 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.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 50 April 2010

• If the system had sampled for (and found) enterococci or coliphage as their fecal 

indicator, the table would read as shown in the example below. 

Contaminant MCL MCLG Your 

Water Range Sample Year Violation Source

Enterococci (at the 

ground water 

source)*

TT N/A 2 positive 

samples

ND-1 2009 No

Human or 

animal fecal 

waste

Coliphage (at the 

ground water 

source) *

TT N/A 2 positive 

samples

ND-1 2009 No

Human or 

animal fecal 

waste

* Special notice required text and health effects language would be provided in the CCR – possibly in a 

footnote to the table as shown in the example above.

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 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.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 51 April 2010

 Example that demonstrates reporting of TT violation for failure to take corrective 

action for fecal indicator-positive groundwater source sample

• If in the example above, the system did not take corrective action or set a corrective 

action plan with the state within 120 days of the fecal indicator-positive additional 

sample, they will be in violation of a treatment technique.

TT Violation Explanation Length Steps Taken to Correct the 

Violation Health Effect Language

Corrective 

Action for 

GW Fecal 

Indicator 

Source 

Sample(s)

We were 

required to take 

corrective 

action to 

address the 

fecal 

contamination 

in our well. 

3 months

We have contacted the DEQ 

and are now on a corrective 

action plan. We will 

abandon the contaminated 

well and drill a new one. We 

will have the new well 

completed by July 5, 2010, 

and the old well will be 

abandoned by July 15, 2010.

Inadequately protected or 

treated water may contain 

disease-causing 

organisms. These 

organisms can cause 

symptoms such as 

diarrhea, nausea, cramps, 

and associated headaches.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 52 April 2010

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Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 53 April 2010

Appendix C – Certification Form 

(suggested format)

CWS name:___________________________________________________________________

PWS I.D. no:__________________________________________________________________

The community water system named above hereby confirms that its consumer confidence report has been 

distributed to customers (and appropriate notices of availability have been given). Further, the system 

certifies that the information contained in the report is correct and consistent with the compliance 

monitoring data previously submitted to the state.

Certified by:

Name___________________________________________________________

Title_____________________________________________________________

Phone #______________________________ Date______________________

***You are not required by EPA rules to report the following information, but you may want to provide it 

to your state. Check all items that apply. ***

____CCR was distributed by mail or other direct delivery. Specify other direct delivery methods:

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____"Good faith" efforts were used to reach non-bill paying consumers. Those efforts included the 

following methods as recommended by the state:

____posting the CCR on the Internet at www.________________________________

____mailing the CCR to postal patrons within the service area. (attach zip codes used)

____advertising availability of the CCR in news media (attach copy of announcement)

____publication of CCR in local newspaper (attach copy)

____posting the CCR in public places (attach a list of locations)

____delivery of multiple copies to single bill addresses serving several persons such as: 

apartments, businesses, and large private employers

____delivery to community organizations (attach a list)

____(for systems serving at least 100,000 persons) Posted CCR on a publicly-accessible Internet 

site at the address: www.____________________________________________

____Delivered CCR to other agencies as required by the state (attach a list)
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 54 April 2010

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Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 55 April 2010

Appendix D – Information on Source Water Assessment 

Programs and Conservation Efforts

Appendix D provides more detailed information on state Source Water Assessment Programs 

(SWAPs), Wellhead Protection Programs (WHPs), and incorporating source water assessment 

results and source water protection and conservation tips into your CCR.

Source Water Assessment Program

Background

The 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) included a focus on pollution

prevention, which complements the traditional treatment approach to ensuring safe drinking 

water. In Section 1453, the amendments required states to develop Source Water Assessment 

Programs (SWAPs) and submit them for EPA approval by February of 1999. EPA reviewed and 

approved these programs and states subsequently completed source water assessments for all 

public water systems (PWS). These assessments included a delineation of a source water 

protection area, an inventory of potentially significant sources of contamination, and a 

determination of the susceptibility of the PWS to these potential contamination sources. 

As part of an approved program, states must make the results of these assessments available to 

the public - either directly or through a delegated entity. This last requirement can, in part, be 

met through the requirements of the CCR Rule that water systems provide susceptibility 

determinations to the public once an assessment has been completed. Although information 

about source water protection efforts is not specifically required in CCRs, the reports offer an 

excellent opportunity for water systems to explain how a community’s drinking water supply is 

being protected.

In addition to SWAPs, many systems conducted developed and implemented Wellhead 

Protection Programs (WHPs) to satisfy or go beyond the SWAP assessment requirements.

Wellhead programs are either voluntary or mandatory for water systems depending on the states’ 

program, but do include development of wellhead management plans. Most states have 

integrated SWAP and WHP activities. One of the key distinctions between the SWAPs and 

existing wellhead programs and watershed protection programs is that SWAPs explicitly include 

a determination about the susceptibility of the drinking water system to sources of 

contamination. These determinations are useful for the purposes of CCR reporting since the CCR 

Rule requires that reports contain a brief summary of the results of these susceptibility 

determinations.

More information about state SWAP programs, including a list of state source water contacts and 

links to state source water Web sites can be found through www.epa.gov/safewater.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 56 April 2010

Incorporating Source Water Assessment Results in CCRs

Information about source water is an important part of the CCR. Table D-1 is a list of the report 

requirements related to source water. 

Table D-1. CCR Requirements Referencing Source Water Assessment Results

Rule/ Guidance 

Citation 

Requirement

40 CFR 141.153 (b)(1) Each report must identify the source(s) of water delivered by the 

COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM by providing information on: the type of 

water used (i.e., surface water or ground water), the commonly used name (if 

any) and the location of the body (or bodies) of water. 

40 CFR 141.153 (b)(2) For completed source water assessments, the CCR must:

 

1) Notify consumers that this information is available. 

2) Tell the consumers how to obtain the information. 

Where a system has received a source water assessment from the state, the 

report must include a brief summary of the system’s susceptibility to potential 

sources of contamination, using language provided by the state or written by 

the operator. 

Systems are also encouraged to report significant sources of contamination in 

the source area if they have readily available information.

40 CFR 141.153 

(d)(4)(ix) 

Each report must include the likely source(s) of detected contaminants to the 

best of the operator’s knowledge. Specific information regarding the likely 

source (s) of the contaminants may be available in sanitary surveys and source 

water assessments and should be used when available to the operator. If the 

operator lacks specific information on the likely source(s), the report must 

include one or more typical sources given in the Appendix A to Subpart O. 

(See Appendix F of this guidance for the list of typical sources). 

40 CFR 141.153 (e)(1) If a system has performed any monitoring which indicate that 

Cryptosporidium may be present in the raw or finished water, the report must 

include a summary of the results of the monitoring and an explanation of the 

significance of the results. 

40 CFR 141.153 (h)(1) Every CCR must contain a brief explanation about the sources of drinking 

water and contaminants that may be present in the source water. Systems can 

either use the language provided in 40 CFR 141.153(h)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii) or 

develop comparable language.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 57 April 2010

CCR Examples - Summarizing Source Water Assessment Results and 

Source Water Protection and Water Conservation Tips

An example of how source water assessment results and source water protection and water 

conservation tips could appear in a CCR are shown in Tables D-2 and D-3. 

Table D-2. CCR Examples - Source Water Information

Source Water 

Assessment Status

Example Language

Ground water source

• Source water 

assessment 

available

Our water comes from three wells drilled about 500 feet into an underground 

source of water called the Low Plains Aquifer. These wells are located west 

of town on the north side of City Park. The wellhead protection area for 

these wells extends approximately 2000 feet north, 4000 ft south and 1500 ft 

east and west of the well field. (Please see the map). We have a town 

ordinance that prohibits dumping and many other activities that could pollute 

our drinking water in this wellhead area. The Department of Environmental 

Resources (DER) completed an assessment of our source water in January of 

2001 and has reported that our raw water is most susceptible to

contamination from abandoned irrigation wells and farm runoff. The town 

has done a follow-up investigation and has identified two abandoned wells.

They have been properly plugged. Farm runoff continues to be a concern.

Please contact the County Extension Service at [phone number] to get a list 

of area farmers participating in a three county source water protection 

program. You can get a summary of our assessment by calling the DER 

Region 1 office at [phone number]. A full copy of the assessment is available 

in the town clerk’s office or on the Internet [Internet address].

Surface Water 

• Source water 

assessment 

available

• Cryptosporidium

detected

Our utility serves you treated surface water which is taken from the 

Grubstake river near Spitfire Junction. We collect it in the McErtel Reservoir 

and then pipe it to the treatment plant just northwest of town. The state

drinking water program through a source water assessment report has found 

that our drinking water is potentially most susceptible to farm runoff as well 

as three underground storage tanks in Spitfire county. However, we have not 

detected any contaminants from these sources in our drinking water. You can 

get a copy of the source water assessment by calling the state drinking water 

program at [phone number]. 

In 2010, we monitored for Cryptosporidium, a microbial parasite commonly 

found in surface water, and found some evidence of these microbes in the 

raw, but not the finished water. Current test methods do not enable us to 

determine if these organisms are capable of causing disease. We are not 

aware of a specific source of Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium may come 

from wildlife or cattle grazing near the reservoir. Cryptosporidium must be 

ingested for it to cause disease, and may be passed through other means than 

drinking water. Symptoms of infection include nausea, diarrhea, and 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 58 April 2010

Source Water 

Assessment Status

Example Language

abdominal cramps. These symptoms can also be the result of food related 

organisms or flu or ingesting untreated water. Most healthy individuals are 

able to overcome the disease within a few weeks. However, some people 

may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general 

population. Immuno-compromised people, such as persons with cancer 

undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, 

people living with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some 

elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk. These people should seek 

advice from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate 

means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial 

contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-

426-4791).

Table D-3. CCR Examples – Source Water Protection and Water Conservation 

Tips for Consumers

Example Type Example Language

Source Water 

Protection Tips for 

Consumers

Protection of drinking water is everyone’s responsibility. You can help protect 

your community’s drinking water source in several ways:

 Eliminate excess use of lawn and garden fertilizers and pesticides – they 

contain hazardous chemicals that can reach your drinking water source.

 Pick up after your pets.

 If you have your own septic system, properly maintain your system to reduce 

leaching to water sources or consider connecting to a public water system.

 Dispose of chemicals properly; take used motor oil to a recycling center.

 Volunteer in your community. Find a watershed or wellhead protection 

organization in your community and volunteer to help. If there are no active 

groups, consider starting one. Use EPA’s Adopt Your Watershed to locate 

groups in your community, or visit the Watershed Information Network’s 

How to Start a Watershed Team.

 Organize a storm drain stenciling project with your local government or 

water supplier. Stencil a message next to the street drain reminding people 

“Dump No Waste - Drains to River” or “Protect Your Water”. Produce and 

distribute a flyer for households to remind residents that storm drains dump 

directly into your local water body.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 59 April 2010

Example Type Example Language

Water Conservation

Tips for Consumers

Did you know that the average U.S. household uses approximately 400 gallons of 

water per day or 100 gallons per person per day? Luckily, there are many low-cost 

and no-cost ways to conserve water. Small changes can make a big difference – try 

one today and soon it will become second nature.

 Take short showers - a 5 minute shower uses 4 to 5 gallons of water 

compared to up to 50 gallons for a bath.

 Shut off water while brushing your teeth, washing your hair and shaving and 

save up to 500 gallons a month.

 Use a water-efficient showerhead. They are inexpensive, easy to install, and 

can save you up to 750 gallons a month.

 Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can 

save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

 Water plants only when necessary.

 Fix leaky toilets and faucets. Faucet washers are inexpensive and take only a 

few minutes to replace. To check your toilet for a leak, place a few drops of 

food coloring in the tank and wait. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without 

flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it or replacing it with a new, more efficient 

model can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

 Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered. Apply water only as fast as 

the soil can absorb it and during the cooler parts of the day to reduce 

evaporation.

 Teach your kids about water conservation to ensure a future generation that 

uses water wisely. Make it a family effort to reduce next month's water bill!

 Visit www.epa.gov/watersense for more information.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 60 April 2010

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Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 61 April 2010

Appendix E – Examples of Consumer Confidence Reports

EPA is providing the following CCRs as examples of report format. In providing these reports, 

EPA is not endorsing the views nor judging the accuracy of the information contained in the 

reports. These examples do not necessarily meet all current federal and state CCR requirements. 

Be sure to check with your state drinking water program since your state may have different 

requirements from those under which these reports were created. For assistance creating a CCR, 

systems can access the EPA CCRiWriter tool (www.ccriwriter.com).

• The first report, Sampletown Annual Water Quality Report, is fictitious and was created 

as a general example. 

• The second report, Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department, 2008 Water Quality Report

is another example of a large surface water system, but is a good example of a bilingual 

report. 

• The third report, Water Quality – Treatment, Sampling, Monitoring – Department of 

Public Works, Helena Water Treatment Division, 2009 Consumer Confidence Water 

Quality Report, is an example of a smaller surface water system. The system provides 

water to the City of Helena, Montana and does not sell water to any other public water 

system. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 62 April 2010

SAMPLETOWN ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT

May 2009

Spanish (Espanol)

Este informe contiene informacion importante acerca de su aqua potable. Haga que alguien lo 

traduzca para usted, o hable con alguien que lo entienda.

French (Francais)

Ce rapport contient des informations importantes à propos de votre eau potable. Demander à 

quelqu’un de traduire ces informations pour vous ou discuter avec une personne qui comprend 

ces informations.

Is my water safe?

Last year, we conducted tests for over 80 contaminants. We only detected 10 of those 

contaminants, and found only 1 at a level higher than the Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA) allows. As we told you at the time, our water temporarily exceeded drinking water 

standards. (For more information see the section labeled Violations and Exceedances at the end 

of the report.) This report is a snapshot of last year's water quality. Included are details about 

where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by 

regulatory agencies. We are committed to providing you with information because informed 

customers are our best allies.

Do I need to take special precautions?

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general 

population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing 

chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other 

immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. 

These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. 

EPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of 

infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe 

Water Drinking Hotline (800-426-4791).

Where does my water come from? 

Your water comes from three municipal wells sunk about 500 feet into an underground source of 

water called the Low Plain Aquifer. These wells are located west of town. The town owns the 

land around these wells and restricts any activity that may contaminate them. After the water 

comes out of the wells, we treat it to remove several contaminants and we also add disinfectant 

to protect you against microbial contaminants.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 63 April 2010

Source water assessment and its availability

The state performed an assessment of our source water in January of 2005. A source water 

assessment identifies potential sources of contamination to the water we use for your drinking 

water. The assessment concluded that our water source is most susceptible to contamination from 

abandoned irrigation wells and farm runoff. Two abandoned wells have been located and have 

since been properly plugged. Farm runoff continues to be a concern although many local farmers 

are participating in a 3 county source water protection program. Please call us at 111-2233 if you 

would like more information about the assessment.

Why are there contaminants in my drinking water?

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small 

amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that 

water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can 

be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). 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. 

Contaminants that may be present include: Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, 

that may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, 

and wildlife; inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring 

or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial, or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and 

gas production, mining, or farming; pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of 

sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses; organic chemical 

contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of 

industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban 

stormwater runoff, and septic systems; and radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally 

occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that 

tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain 

contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 

regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same 

protection for public health.

How can I get involved?

Our Water Board meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm at Edison High School on 

Maple Lane. Please feel free to participate in these meetings. Your input is important to us!

Monitoring and reporting of compliance data violations

Our water system failed to conduct monitoring for Arsenic on time. We are required to sample 

annually. Due to an oversight, we took the sample 3 months late. Although the late sample was 

below the MCL we are uncertain whether or not there may be any adverse health risks associated 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 64 April 2010

with this violation. We have recently implemented a new monitoring scheduling system which 

should prevent this type of monitoring oversight in the future. 

Additional information for Lead

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant 

women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components 

associated with service lines and home plumbing. Sampletown is responsible for providing high 

quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. 

When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead 

exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or 

cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. 

Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize 

exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Additional information for Nitrate

Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six 

months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate 

levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you 

are caring for an infant, you should ask for advice from your health care provider.

Water Quality Data Table

The table below lists all of the drinking water contaminants we detected that are applicable for 

the calendar year of this report. The presence of contaminants in the water does not necessarily 

indicate that the water poses a health risk. Unless otherwise noted, the data presented in this table 

is from testing done in the calendar year of the report. The EPA or the state requires us to 

monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these 

contaminants do not change.

Contaminants MCLG or 

MRDLG

MCL, 

TT or 

MRDL

Your 

Water

Range Sample 

Date

Violation Typical Sources

Low High

Disinfectant Residual

Chloramine 

(as Cl2) (mg/L)

4 4 1 1 3 2008 No Water additive to 

control microbes.

Inorganic Contaminants

Fluoride (ppm) 4 4 2 1 2 2008 No Erosion of natural 

deposits; water 

additive which 

promotes strong 

teeth; discharge from 

fertilizer and 

aluminum factories.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 65 April 2010

Contaminants MCLG or 

MRDLG

MCL, 

TT or 

MRDL

Your 

Water

Range Sample 

Date

Violation Typical Sources

Low High

Nitrate (measured 

as Nitrogen) (ppm)

10 10 6 ND 6 2008 No Runoff from 

fertilizer use; 

leaching from septic 

tank sewage; erosion 

of natural deposits.

Radioactive Contaminants

Alpha emitters 

(pCi/L)

0 15 4* 1 4 2006 No Erosion of natural 

deposits

Beta/photon 

emitters (pCi/L)

0 50** 10 ND 10 2008 No Decay of natural and 

man-made deposits. 

Synthetic Organic Contaminants including pesticides and herbicides

Dibromochloropropane (DBPC) 

(parts per trillion 

[ppt])

0 200 15 10 15 2008 No Runoff/leaching 

from soil fumigant 

used on soybeans, 

cotton, pineapples 

and orchards.

Atrazine (ppb) 3 3 3.75 0.1 10 2008 Yes Runoff from 

herbicide used on 

row crops.

Volatile Organic Contaminants

Benzene (ppb) 0 5 1 ND 1 2007 No Discharge from 

factories; leaching 

from gas storage 

tanks and landfills.

TTHMs [Total 

Trihalomethanes] 

(ppb)

NA 80 73 40 110 2008 No Byproduct of 

drinking water 

disinfection.

* If the results of this sample had been above 5 pCi/L, our system would have been required to do additional testing 

for radium. Because the results were below 5 pCi/L, no testing for radium was required.

** The MCL for beta particles is 4 mrem/year. EPA considers 50 pCi/L to be the level of concern for beta particles.

Name Reported Level Range

Low High

Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring*

Dimethoate (ppb) 0.07 ND 0.07

* Unregulated contaminants monitoring helps EPA to determine where certain contaminants occur and whether it 

needs to regulate those contaminants. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 66 April 2010

Contaminants MCLG AL Your 

Water

(90th%)

Sample 

Date

# of Samples 

Exceeding 

the AL

Violation Typical Sources

Inorganic Contaminant

Lead – lead at 

consumers tap 

(ppb)

0 15 9 2008 1 of 20 No Corrosion of 

household plumbing 

systems; erosion of 

natural deposits.

Data Table Key: Unit Descriptions

mg/L mg/L: number of milligrams of substance in one liter of water

ppm ppm: parts per million, or milligrams per liter

ppb ppb: parts per billion, or micrograms per liter

ppt ppt: parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter

pCi/L pCi/L: picocuries per liter ( a measure of radioactivity)

NA NA: not applicable

ND ND: not detected

NR NR: monitoring not required, but recommended

Important Drinking Water Definitions

MCLG Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: 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. 

MCL Maximum Contaminant Level: This highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in 

drinking water. MCLs are set as close as feasible using the best available treatment 

technology.

TT Treatment Technique: A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in 

drinking water.

AL Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment 

or other requirements which a water systems must follow.

MRDLG Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal: 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.

MRDL Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level: 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.

Violations and Exceedances: Atrazine

Some people who drink water containing atrazine well in excess of the MCL over many years 

could experience problems with their cardiovascular system or reproductive difficulties. During 

March, April and May a surge in use of atrazine-based herbicides by area farmers caused our 

water to exceed the MCL for atrazine. We sent a notice warning you of the problem when it 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 67 April 2010

occurred and offered to provide alternative water to customers at that time. We are working with 

the state and local farmers to ensure that this never happens again, and we are monitoring 

atrazine levels monthly. We regret exposing you to any potential risk. If you would like more 

information about atrazine or the violation call us at 111-2233 or Sample County's health 

department at 111-3377.

For More Information Please Contact: 

Dan Jones, 111 Main Street, Sampletown, AK 55555

Phone (999) 111-2233, Fax (999) 111-225
On Tap? What’s

Rapò sa a gen enfòmasyon enpòtan sou dlo wap bwè an. 

Oswa si w ta pito resevwa rapò sa a an kreyòl, tanpri rele 

 Water Quality Table, p3 Tabla Sobre la Calidad del Agua, p3

WASD Proudly Introduces the 

2008 Water Quality Report

This report is designed to inform you about the excellent water WASD delivers to you every day. Our 

number one goal is to provide you and your family a safe and dependable supply of drinking 

water. Our nearly 2,700 employees strive to deliver a quality product and protect the 

County’s precious water resources.

To ensure the safety of your water, WASD routinely monitors for contaminants in 

your drinking water according to Federal and State laws, rules and regulations. 

Except where indicated otherwise, this water quality report is based on the 

results of WASD monitoring for the period of January 1, 2008 to December 31, 

2008. Data obtained before January 1, 2008, and presented in this publication 

are from the most recent testing done in accordance with the laws, rules, 

and regulations.

El Departamento de Agua y Alcantarillado 

se Enorgullece en Presentar el Informe 

del 2008 Sobre la Calidad del Agua

Este reporte está diseñado para 

presentarle información sobre la 

excelente calidad de agua que WASD 

le proporciona día tras día. Nuestros 

casi 2,700 empleados se esfuerzan en 

hacerle llegar un producto de calidad 

y en proteger los preciados recursos 

hídricos del Condado. 

De acuerdo con las leyes, reglas 

y regulaciones establecidas por los 

gobiernos estatales y federal, WASD 

periódicamente lleva a cabo pruebas 

para detectar la presencia de contaminantes en su agua potable y así 

garantizar la seguridad de su agua. 

Excepto donde esté indicado de otra 

forma, este informe sobre la calidad 

del agua está basado en el análisis 

llevado a cabo en el período comprendido entre el 1ro de enero y el 31 

de diciembre del 

2008. La información obtenida 

antes del 1ro de enero del 

2008 presentada en este informe 

proviene del examen más reciente 

de acuerdo con las leyes, reglas 

y normas. 

(786) 552-8300.
2

About Our Water, Where It Comes 

From and How It’s Treated

The Alexander Orr, Jr. Plant

Water from the Alexander Orr, Jr. plant receives lime 

treatment to reduce hardness, and is then disinfected 

and filtered. This plant supplies mostly water from the 

Biscayne Aquifer blended with some water from the 

Floridan Aquifer. The Alexander Orr, Jr. Plant serves 

customers who live south of SW 8 Street to about SW 

264 Street. 

The Hialeah & John E. Preston Plants

Water from WASD’s other two regional water treatment 

plants—Hialeah and John E. Preston—comes solely 

from the Biscayne Aquifer. Together with the Alexander Orr, Jr. plant, all three plants supply treated water 

to a common distribution system, running throughout 

most of Miami-Dade County. 

In general, the Hialeah and John E. Preston Plants 

treat water that is supplied to residents who live north of 

SW 8 Street up to the Miami-Dade/Broward Line. 

Water from the Hialeah plant is treated similarly to 

that from the Alexander Orr, Jr. plant, plus fluoridation 

and the addition of air stripping in order to remove volatile organic compounds. 

Because source water supplied to the John E. Preston plant has a higher level of naturally occurring organic materials than the water at the other plants, it goes 

through a slightly different process called enhanced softening. It is disinfected, fluoridated and filtered, then it 

goes through air stripping towers that remove volatile 

organic compounds. This process has the added benefit 

of reducing the yellow tint once present in water supplied 

by the Preston plant. 

The South Dade Water Supply System

The South Dade Water Supply System is comprised of 

five smaller water treatment plants that serve residents 

south of SW 264 Street in the unincorporated areas of 

the county. These five plants pump treated water from 

the Biscayne Aquifer into a common distribution system, which is separate from the main system mentioned above. Water from these plants is disinfected 

and stabilized for corrosion

www.dep.state.fl.us/swapp. 

Miami-Dade’s source of water is groundwater from wells. The wells 

draw solely from the Biscayne Aquifer for a large part of WASD’s 

system. For customers served by the Alexander Orr, Jr. Water 

Treatment Plant, the wells supplying this plant draw water mostly 

from the Biscayne Aquifer and some water from the Floridan Aquifer. 

In 2008 the Department of Environmental Protection performed a Source 

Water Assessment on our system. The assessment was conducted to provide 

information about any potential sources of contamination in the vicinity of our 

wells. There are 92 potential sources of contamination identified for this system 

with low to moderate susceptibility levels. The assessment results are available 

on the FDEP Source Water Assessment and Protection Program website at 

How Our Water Is Treated 

Todo 

Sobre Nuestra 

Agua Potable – De 

Dónde Proviene y 

Como Se Procesa

La única fuente de agua potable para Miami-Dade sigue 

siendo los pozos subterráneos del manto freático. Estos pozos derivan su fuente exclusivamente del Manto 

Freático Biscayne para la mayor parte del sistema del 

Departamento. Para los clientes que reciben su agua de 

la Planta de Procesamiento Alexander Orr, Jr., los pozos 

que suministran agua a esta planta derivan su fuente 

mayormente del Manto Freático Biscayne, y en menor 

cuantía, del Manto Freático Floridan. 

En el 2008 el Departamento de Protección Ambiental 

efectuó una evaluación de nuestro sistema. La evaluación fue realizada para proporcionar información sobre 

la probabilidad de existir alguna fuente de contaminación en la vecindad de nuestros pozos. Se identificaron 

92 fuentes de contaminación potenciales en este sistema con niveles entre bajos y moderados de susceptibilidad. Los resultados de la evaluación están disponibles 

en el sitio web del Departamento de Protección Ambiental de la Florida: www.dep.state.fl.us/swapp. 

A Cuales Tratamientos Se 

Somete Nuestra Agua Potable 

La Planta de Procesamiento 

Alexander Orr, Jr.

El agua de la planta Alexander Orr, Jr. recibe tratamiento de óxido de calcio para reducir su dureza y luego es 

desinfectada y filtrada. Esta planta suministra mayormente agua del Manto Freático Biscayne, la cual se 

mezcla con menos cantidad de agua del Manto Freático 

Floridan. La planta Alexander Orr, Jr. presta servicios a 

los residentes al sur de la calle 8 del Southwest hasta la 

calle 264 del Southwest. 

Las Plantas Hialeah y John E. Preston 

El agua de las otras dos plantas regionales de procesamiento – Hialeah y John E. Preston – procede exclusivamente del Manto Freático Biscayne. Ellas, junto con la 

Planta Alexander Orr, Jr., suministran agua procesada a 

un sistema de distribución común el cual corre a lo largo 

y ancho de la mayor parte del Condado Miami-Dade. 

En general, las plantas Hialeah y John E. Preston procesan el agua que se suministra a los residentes que 

viven al norte de la calle 8 del Southwest hasta la línea 

divisoria entre los condados Miami-Dade y Broward. 

El agua de la planta Hialeah recibe el mismo tratamiento y se le añade fluoruro; además se limpia con aire 

para remover compuestos orgánicos volátiles. 

Debido a que la fuente del agua suministrada a la 

planta Preston tiene un nivel más alto de materiales 

orgánicos que ocurren naturalmente si se le compara con el agua de las otras plantas, se le hace un 

proceso ligeramente diferente conocido como 

“suavizante realzado”. Luego se desinfecta, 

fluoriza y filtra. Después pasa a través de 

la limpieza con aire para removerle compuestos orgánicos volátiles. Este nuevo 

proceso tiene el beneficio adicional de 

reducir el tinte amarillo antes presente 

en el agua suministrada por la 

planta Preston.

El Sistema de Suministro de 

Agua del sur de Miami-Dade

El sistema de suministro de agua del 

sur de Miami-Dade está compuesto 

por cinco pequeñas plantas de 

procesamiento de agua que prestan 

servicios a los residentes al sur 

de la Calle 264 del suroeste en el 

área no incorporada del condado. 

Estas cinco plantas bombean el 

agua procesada a un sistema común 

de distribución, separado del sistema 

principal. El agua de esas plantas es 

y filtrada para controlar 

W

desinfectada 

la

ater Q u alit y R eport 2 0 0 8 I n forme so b re la C alidad del A g u a

Highly trained microbiologists, chemists, and water treatment specialists 

conduct or supervise more than 100,000 analyses of water samples each 

year. Water quality samples are collected throughout the county and tested 

regularly. Samples include untreated and treated water taken at our facilities, 

sample sites throughout the service areas and at customers’ homes. These 

tests are overseen by various federal, state and local regulatory

 control. 

 corrosión.

 agencies. 

Nuestro equipo de microbiólogos, químicos y especialistas altamente entrenados en el 

procesamiento del agua, personalmente analizan o supervisan el análisis de más de 100,000 

muestras de agua anualmente. Estas muestras del agua de todas las áreas del condado 

son recogidos y examinadas regularmente. Las muestras incluyen agua proveniente 

de nuestras plantas, antes y después del 

tratamiento, de sitios de muestra a lo 

largo y ancho del condado y de 

hogares de consumidores. Estos 

exámenes son supervisados 

por diversas agencias 

reguladoras federales, 

estatales y locales.
PARAMETER

Parámetros

FEDERAL

MCL (a)

MCL Federal 

(a)

FEDERAL

GOAL (b)

 Meta 

Federal (b)

STATE

MCL

MCL Estatal

YEAR

TESTED

Año 

Examinado

MAIN SYSTEM

Sistema Principal

SOUTH DADE WATER 

SUPPLY SYSTEM 

Sistema de Suministro 

del Sur de Miami-Dade

AVENTURA

(NORWOOD)

MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS Contaminantes Microbiológicos 

Total Coliform Bacteria (c)

Totales de Bacterias Coliformes (c) 5% 0 5% 08 0.5% 0% 0% Naturally presentSe encuentra natu

DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS Productos Secundarios al Proceso de Desinfectar 

Total Trihalomethanes (ppb) (d)

Total Trialometanos (ppb) (d) 80 N/A 80 08 30 (3 - 85) 17 (4 - 55) 8 (3 - 9) Byproduct of drinProducto secunda

Haloacetic Acids (ppb) (d)

Acidos Haloacéticos (ppb) (d) 60 N/A 60 08 29 (5 - 68) 11 (4 - 30) 21 (6 - 26) Byproduct of drinProducto secunda

DISINFECTANTS Desinfectantes

Chloramines (ppm) (e)

Cloraminos (ppm) (e) MRDL=4.0 MRDLG=4 MRDL=4.0 08 2.5 (ND - 5.1) N/A 2.4 (0.1 - 4.0) Water additive usAditivo utilizado p

Chlorine (ppm) (e)

Cloro (ppm) (e) MRDL=4.0 MRDLG=4 MRDL=4.0 08 N/A 1.6 (0.2-3.5) N/A Water additive usAditivo utilizado p

VOLATILE ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS Contaminantes Orgánicos Volátiles

cis-1, 2-Dichloroethylene (ppb)

cis-1, 2-Dicloroetileno (ppb) 70 70 70 08 ND ND 0.59 (0.28 - 0.59) Discharge from inDesecho de fábrica

INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS Contaminantes Inorgánicos

Antimony (ppb)

Antimonio (ppb) 6 6 6 08 ND 0.8 (ND - 0.8) ND Discharge from fDesecho de resiste

Arsenic (ppb)

Arsénico (ppb) 10 N/A 10 08 1.8 (ND - 1.8) ND ND Erosion of naturaLa erosión de depó

Barium (ppm)

Bario (ppm) 2 2 2 08 0.009 (0.006 - 0.009) 0.02 (0.01 - 0.02) ND Erosion of naturaLa erosión de depó

Copper (ppm) (f) (at tap)

Cobre (ppm) (f) (en la llave) AL = 1.3 1.3 AL = 1.3 08/06 (g)

0.07, 0 homes out of 73 

(0%) exceeded AL

0.07, 0 hogares de 73 

(0%) excedieron AL

0.92, 1 home out of 33 

(3.0%) exceeded AL

0.92, 1 hogar de 33 

(3.0%) excedio AL

0.73, 0 homes out of 

100 (0%) exceeded AL

0.73, 0 hogares de 100 

(0%) excedieron AL

Corrosion of hou

Corrosión del siste

Fluoride (ppm)

Fluoruro (ppm) 4.0 4 4.0 08 (h) 0.7 (0.2 - 0.7) 0.1 1.4 (0.3 - 1.4) Erosion of naturaErosion de depósit

Lead (ppb) (f) (at tap)

Plomo (ppb) (f) (en la llave) AL = 15 0 AL = 15 08/06 (g)

2.8, 1 home out of 73 

(1.4%) exceeded AL

2.8, 1 hogar de 73 

(1.4%) excedieron AL

1.2, 0 homes out of 33 

(0%) exceeded AL

1.2, 0 hogares de 33 

(0%) excedieron AL

4.0, 3 homes out of 100 

(3%) exceeded AL

4.0, 3 hogares de 100 

(3%) excedieron AL

Corrosion of hou

Corrosión del siste

Nickel (ppb)

Níquel (ppb) NE N/A 100 08 ND 1.3 (ND - 1.3) ND Corrosion of bronCorrosión del bron

Nitrate (as N) (ppm)

Nitrato (como N) (ppm) 10 10 10 08 0.8 (ND-0.8) 7 (2 - 7) ND Erosion of naturaErosión de depósit

Sodium (ppm)

Sodio (ppm) NE N/A 160 08 43 (25 - 43) 22 (13 - 22) 38 Erosion of naturaErosión de depós

RADIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS Contaminantes Radiológicos

Alpha Emitters (pCi/L)

Emisores de Alfa (pCi/L) 15 0 15 08 3.4 (ND - 3.4) 8.4 (ND - 8.4) ND Erosion of naturaLa erosión de depó

Combined Radium (pCi/L)

Radio Combinado (pCi/L) 5 0 5 08 0.7 (0.2 - 0.7) 0.9 (0.4 - 0.9) ND Erosion of naturaLa erosión de depó

Uranium (μg/L)

Uranio (μg/L) 30 0 30 08 ND 1.2 (ND - 1.2) ND Erosion of naturaLa erosión de depó

2008 Radon Data Summary

2008 Water Quality Data

Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department

Listed below are 19 parameters detected in Miami-Dade’s water 

during the reporting period. All are below maximum contaminant 

levels allowed. not listed are many others we test for, but that 

were not detected. unless otherwise noted, all parameters were 

tested in

En la tabla siguiente se hallan 19 parámetros detectados en el agua del Condado 

Miami-Dade durante el período del informe. Todos están por debajo de los niveles 

máximos permitidos de contaminantes. La lista no refleja muchos otros que 

examinamos, y que no fueron detectados. De no indicarse lo contrario, todos los 

parámetros fueron examinados en

3

PARAMETER

Parámetros

FEDERAL

MCL (a)

MCL Federal (a)

FEDERAL

GOAL (b)

 Meta Federal (b)

STATE

MCL

MCL Estatal

YEAR

TESTED

Año Examinado

MAIN SYSTEM

Sistema Principal

SOUTH DADE WATER 

SUPPLY SYSTEM 

Sistema de Suministro del Sur 

de Miami-Dade

AVENTURA

(NORWOOD)

Radon (pCi/L)

Radón (pCi/L) NE NE NE 08 174 (22 - 174) 234 (68 - 234) ND Naturally ocOcurre natur

 2008. el 2008. 
4

MAJOR SOURCES

Fuentes Principales

t in the environment

uralmente en el medio ambiente

nking water chlorination

rio al procesar el agua potable con cloro

nking water chlorination

rio al procesar el agua potable con cloro

sed to control microbes

para controlar microbios

sed to control microbes

para controlar microbios

ndustrial chemical factories

cas e industrias de productos químicos

ire retardants, electronics, solder

entes al fuego, electrónicos, soldadura

al deposits

ósitos naturales

al deposits

ósitos naturales

sehold plumbing systems

ema de plomería del hogar

al deposits; water additive which promotes strong teeth

tos naturales; aditivo al agua, el cual promueve dientes sanos

sehold plumbing systems

ema de plomería del hogar

nze

nce

al deposits; runoff from fertilizer use

tos naturales; desecho del uso de fertilizantes

al deposits and sea water

itos naturales y de agua de mar

al deposits

ósitos naturales

al deposits

ósitos naturales

al deposits

ósitos naturales

Definitions / Definiciones

AL = Action Level Nivel de acción

MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level Nivel Máximo 

de Contaminante 

MRDL = Maximum residual disinfectant level Nivel máximo 

del residuo desinfectante

MRDLG = Maximum residual disinfectant level goal 

Meta para el nivel máximo del residuo desinfectante

N/A = Not Applicable No Aplica

ND = Not Detected Nada fue detectado

NE = None Established No está establecido

pCi/L = picoCuries per Liter picoCuríes por Litro

ppb = Parts per billion or micrograms per liter (μg/L) 

Partículas por millar de millones o microgramos 

por litro (μg/L)

ppm = Parts per million or milligrams per liter (mg/L) Partes 

por millón o miligramos por litro (mg/L)

( ) = Ranges (low - high) are given in parentheses where 

applicable Niveles de extensión (bajo - alto) son presentados 

en paréntesis cuando aplica

The value preceding the parentheses is the highest 

detected level reported for the monitoring period except for 

disinfection byproducts and disinfectants, where the running 

annual average is El valor precediendo al paréntesis 

es el nivel más alto detectado que fue reportado durante el 

periodo del examen, excepto por los desinfectantes y sus 

productos secundarios, en cuyo caso se reporta el 

promedio

Abbreviations / Abreviaturas

(a) MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level Nivel Máximo 

de Contaminante

(b) Federal Goal (Metas Federales) = MCLG = Maximum Contaminant Level Goal Meta máxima de nivel de contaminante

(c) The MCL for total coliform bacteria states that drinking 

water must not show the presence of coliform bacteria in ≥ 

5% of monthly samples. A minimum of 390 samples for total 

coliform bacteria testing are collected each month from the 

Main distribution system (55 samples from the South Dade 

Water Supply distribution system) in order to demonstrate 

compliance with regulations. El nivel máximo de la bacteria 

coliforme indica que el agua potable no puede mostrar la 

presencia de dicha bacteria en ≥ 5% de las muestras mensuales. De acuerdo con las regulaciones establecidas, un 

mínimo de 390 muestras para un total de la bacteria coliforme 

son recogidas mensualmente del sistema principal de distribución (55 muestras del sistema de suministro de agua del 

sur de Miami-Dade).

(d) A total of 48 samples for Total Trihalomethane and 

Haloacetic Acid testing are collected per year from the Main 

distribution system (20 samples from the South Dade Water 

Supply distribution system, and 8 from the Aventura distribution system) in order to demonstrate compliance with 

State regulations. Compliance is based on a running annual 

average. This is the value which precedes the parentheses. 

De acuerdo con las regulaciones establecidas, un total de 48 

muestras por sistema principal de distribución (20 muestras 

del sistema de distribución del sur del condado Miami-Dade, 

y 8 del sistema de distribución de Aventura) son revisadas 

anualmente para medir el total de Trialometáno y Acido 

Haloacético. Las exigencias para estar de acuerdo con las regulaciones establecidas se basan en el promedio anual. Esto 

se refleja en las cifras colocadas antes del paréntesis. 

(e) Compliance is based on a running annual average, 

computed quarterly from monthly samples collected during 

total coliform bacteria testing. El cumplimiento se basa en 

un promedio anual corriente, computado trimestralmente 

de muestras recogidas mensualmente durante las pruebas 

totales de bacteria coliforme. 

(f) 90th percentile value reported. If the 90th percentile value 

does not exceed the AL (i.e., less than 10% of the homes have 

levels above the AL), the system is in compliance and is 

utilizing the prescribed corrosion control measures. El 90 por 

ciento del valor fue reportado. Si el 90 por ciento no excede el 

AL, {por consiguiente, menos del 10% de los hogares tienen 

niveles por encima del AL}, el sistema está de acuerdo con 

las regulaciones y está utilizando las medidas prescritas de 

controlar la corrosión.

(g) The 08/06 data presented for the Main System, Aventura, and 

South Dade System respectively is from the most recent testing 

conducted in accordance with regulations. These systems are 

under reduced monitoring which only requires testing every 3 

years. Los datos de los años 2008 y 2006 {08/06} presentados por 

el sistema principal, el sistema de Aventura, y por el sistema de 

distribución del sur de Miami-Dade respectivamente, son de los 

exámenes más recientes llevados a cabo en acuerdo con las regulaciones. Estos sistemas requieren ser inspeccionados solamente 

cada 3 años.

(h) Fluoride testing to demonstrate compliance with State 

regulations is required every 3 years in accordance with the 

State’s monitoring framework. However, fluoride levels are 

monitored daily for the Main System treatment plants where 

fluoride is added to promote strong teeth. Pruebas de fluoruro 

para demostrar concordancia con las regulaciones estatales son requeridas cada 3 años. Sin embargo, en el sistema 

principal, donde se añade fluoruro para promover dentaduras 

fuertes, los niveles de fluoruro son examinados diariamente.

As you can see by the tables, our system had no violations. 

We’re proud that your drinking water meets or exceeds all 

Federal and State 

Como puedo observar en las tablas en este informe, WASD 

no ha incurrido ninguna violación. WASD se enorgullece 

en reportar que su agua potable reúne o supera todos los 

requisitos Federales y

Notes / Anotaciones

In the tables to the left, you may find unfamiliar terms and 

abbreviations. To help you better understand these terms 

we’ve provided the following definitions. En las tablas a mano 

izquierda puede encontrar términos y abreviaturas desconocidos. Para ayudarle a comprender mejor estos términos le 

presentamos las siguientes definiciones. 

Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: The highest level of a 

contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set 

as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available 

treatment technology. Máximo nivel de contaminación: (MCL, 

sus siglas en inglés) – El nivel máximo de un contaminante 

que es permitido en el agua potable. Los MCL se fijan lo más 

cerca posible de los MCLG, utilizando la mejor tecnología de 

tratamiento disponible. 

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or 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. Objetivo del nivel máximo de un contaminante 

(MCLG, sus siglas en inglés) – El nivel de concentración de 

un contaminante en el agua potable por debajo del cual no 

se conoce o anticipa que produzca un riesgo a la salud. Los 

MCLGs tienen en cuenta un margen de seguridad.

Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant 

which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements 

that a water system must follow. Nivel de acción (AL, sus 

siglas en inglés) – La concentración de un contaminante que, 

de ser excedido, provoca el procesamiento u otro requisito a 

seguir por un sistema de agua.

Maximum residual disinfectant level or 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. Nivel máximo de un 

desinfectante secundario (MRDL, sus siglas en inglés) – El nivel 

máximo de un desinfectante permitido en el agua potable. Existe evidencia convincente de que la adición de un desinfectante 

es necesario para el control de contaminantes microbianos.

Maximum residual disinfectant level goal or 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. Objetivo del nivel máximo de un desinfectante 

residual (MRDLG, sus siglas en inglés) – El nivel de un desinfectante de agua potable por debajo del cual no se conoce o 

espera riesgo a la salud. Los MRDLGs no reflejan los beneficios del uso de los desinfectantes para controlar contaminantes microbianos.

“ND” means not detected and indicates that the substance 

was not found by laboratory analysis. ND – No detectado; 

indica que la sustancia no fue hallada por un análisis 

de laboratorio.

Parts per million (ppm) or Milligrams per liter (mg/l) – one 

part by weight of analyte to 1 million parts by weight of the 

water sample. Partes por millón (ppm) o miligramos por litro 

(mg/l) – una parte por peso de lo analizado a un millón de 

partes por peso de la muestra de agua.

Parts per billion (ppb) or Micrograms per liter (μg/l) – one part 

by weight of analyte to 1 billion parts by weight of the water 

sample. Partes por mil millones (ppb) o microgramos por litro 

(μg/l) – una parte por peso de lo analizado a mil millones de 

partes por peso de la muestra de agua. 

picoCurie per liter (pCi/L) - measure of the radioactivity in 

picoCuríe por litro (pCi/L) – medida de la radioactividad del

W

ccurring in soil and rock formations

ralmente en formaciones rocosas y en la tierra

ater Q u alit y R eport 2 0 0 8 I n forme so b re la C alidad del A g u a

4

MAJOR SOURCES

Fuentes Principales

water. 

 agua.

reported. 

 anual.

requirements. 

 Estatales.
5

Carlos Alvarez

Mayor

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Dennis C. Moss Chairman

José “Pepe” Díaz Vice Chairman

Barbara J. Jordan Katy Sorenson

District 1 District 8

Dorrin D. Rolle Dennis C. Moss

District 2 District 9

Audrey M. Edmonson Senator Javier D. Souto District 3 District 10

Sally A. Heyman Joe A. Martínez

District 4 District 11

Bruno A. Barreiro José “Pepe” Díaz

District 5 District 12

Rebeca Sosa Natacha Seijas

District 6 District 13

Carlos A. Giménez

District 7

Harvey Ruvin

Clerk of Courts

George M. Burgess

County Manager

Robert A. Cuevas Jr.

County Attorney

John W. Renfrow, P.E.

Director, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department

Miami-Dade County provides equal access and equal opportunity in 

employment and services and does not discriminate on the basis of disability . 

It is the policy of Miami-Dade County to comply with all of 

the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Public Affairs ..........................................786-552-8088 

Alexander Orr Laboratory ........................ 305-275-3170 

(Residents south of SW 8 Street)

John E. Preston Laboratory .....................305-520-4738 

(Residents north of SW 8 Street)

www.miamidade.gov/wasd

For additional information regarding water quality or health 

effects information in the local area, residents are encouraged 

to call the Department of Environmental Resources Management at (305) 372-6524 or the Florida Department of Health’s 

Miami-Dade County Environmental Health Office at (305) 

623-3500. Also, the Miami-Dade County Board of County 

Commissioners, charged with making decisions relating to the 

Department, meets regularly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 

the Stephen P. Clark Center located in downtown

Thirsty for more information 

about your water?

Call us at any of the numbers listed below

¿Sediento por mas información 

acerca de su agua?

Llámenos a cualquiera de los siguientes números:

Relaciones Públicas ................................786-552-8088 

Laboratorio de la Planta Alexander Orr, Jr. .....305-275-3170 

(Residentes al sur de la Calle 8 del SW)

Laboratorio de la Planta John E. Preston ...305-520-4738 

(Residentes al norte de la Calle 8 del SW)

www.miamidade.gov/wasd

Otras fuentes de información sobre la calidad del agua y 

sobre los riesgos para la salud en la zona local son: El Departamento de Administración de Recursos Ambientales: 

305-372-6524 y la Oficina de Salud Ambiental del Condado 

Miami-Dade del Departamento de Salud de la Florida: 305-

623-3500. Además, la Junta de Comisionados del Condado 

Miami-Dade, la cual es responsable de tomar decisiones 

relativas al departamento, se reúne regularmente los martes y 

jueves en el Centro Stephen P. Clark ubicado en el downtown 

For Customers with Special Health Concerns 

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants 

can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their 

health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 

Para los Consumidores con 

Preocupaciones Especiales de Salud

Puede ser que algunas personas sean más vulnerables a los contaminantes hallados en el agua potable que la 

población en general. Las personas con sistemas inmunológicos afectados por diversas razones como los pacientes de cáncer recibiendo tratamiento de quimioterapia, personas que han recibido un transplante de órgano, 

personas con VIH(Virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana)/SIDA u otra enfermedad del sistema inmunológico, 

algunas personas mayores y niños pueden tener mayor riesgo de infección. Estas personas deben consultar el 

uso de agua potable con su medico. Las pautas del EPA/CDC sobre las maneras apropiadas de reducir el riesgo 

de infección de Cryptoesporidios y otros contaminantes microbiológicos están disponibles a través de la línea 

de información sobre la seguridad del agua potable

Additional Information 

About Your Water 

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.

Contaminants that may be present in source 

water include:

■ Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, 

septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, 

and wildlife.

■ Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, 

which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban 

stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater 

discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.

■ Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a 

variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.

■ Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic 

and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban 

stormwater runoff, and septic systems.

■ Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally 

occurring or be the result of oil and gas production 

and mining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water is 

safe to drink, the EPA prescribes 

regulations, which limit the amount 

of certain contaminants in water 

provided by public water systems. 

The Food and Drug Administration 

(FDA) regulations establish limits 

for contaminants in bottled water, 

which must provide the same protection for public health.

Drinking water, including bottled 

water, may reasonably be expected 

to contain at least small amounts of 

some contaminants. The presence 

of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a 

health risk. More information about 

contaminants and potential health 

effects can be obtained by calling 

the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 

Más Información 

Sobre Su Agua

Las fuentes de agua potable (tanto agua corriente como 

embotellada) incluyen ríos, lagos, riachuelos, lagunas, 

represas, manantiales y pozos. A medida que el agua 

se desplaza sobre la superficie de la tierra o a través de 

los terrenos, disuelve minerales naturales y en algunos 

casos materiales radiactivos y puede recoger sustancias 

que resultan de la presencia humana y de animales. 

Los contaminantes que pudieran encontrarse en las 

fuentes de agua incluyen: 

■ Contaminantes microbianos, tales como virus y bacterias que pueden provenir de plantas de tratamiento de 

aguas negras, sistemas sépticos, empresas agrícolas y 

de ganado, y también de la fauna. 

■ Contaminantes inorgánicos, tales como sales y metales, que pueden ocurrir naturalmente o como resultado de aguas pluviales en zonas urbanas, de descargas industriales o domésticas de aguas albañales, 

de la producción de petróleo o gas, de la minería y de 

la agricultura. 

■ Pesticidas y herbicidas, que pueden venir de una variedad de fuentes como, la agricultura, las aguas pluviales 

en zonas urbanas y usos residenciales. 

■ Contaminantes químicos orgánicos, incluyendo productos químicos orgánicos sintéticos y volátiles que 

también pueden venir de estaciones de gasolina, 

escurrimiento de aguas pluviales de zonas urbanas y 

sistemas sépticos. 

■ Contaminantes radiactivos, los cuales pueden ocurrir 

naturalmente o ser el resultado de la producción de gas o 

petróleo o de actividades mineras. 

Para poder cerciorarse de que el agua de la llave se 

pueda beber, la EPA hace recomendaciones que limitan la cantidad de ciertos 

contaminantes que puede hallarse en 

el agua suministrada por los sistemas 

públicos de agua. Las normas de la Administración de Alimentos y Fármacos 

o FDA (sus siglas en inglés) establecen 

límites máximos de la cantidad de contaminantes que pueden hallarse en 

 el agua embotellada, la cual debe suministrar la misma protección para la 

salud pública. 

Razonablemente, el agua potable, 

incluyendo el agua embotellada, puede contener pequeñas cantidades de 

ciertos materiales contaminantes. La 

presencia de contaminantes no indica 

necesariamente que el agua presente 

un riesgo para la salud. Más información 

sobre los contaminantes y sus posibles 

efectos contra la salud está disponible 

llamando a la Agencia de Protección Ambiental 

Miami-Dade WASD tests its water more than 100,000 times a year to ensure it 

consistently meets state and federal standards for both appearance and

El Departamento de Agua y Alcantarillado de Miami-Dade examina el agua más 

de 100,000 veces al año para asegurar que continuamente alcanza las metas 

estatales y federales de seguridad y

What’s On tap?

W A T E R Q u A L I T y R E P O R T 2 0 0 8 I n F O R M E S O b R E L A C A L I D A D D E L A g u A

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

BCC Box w_Renfrow.indd 1 2/24/09 12:41 PM

1-800-426-4791. 

al 1-800-426-4791.

1-800-426-4791. 

 al 1-800-426-4791.

 safety. 

 aspecto.

 Miami. 

de Miami.
Water and Sewer

3071 SW 38 Avenue

Miami Florida 33146

2008 Water Quality Report

2008 Informe Sobre La Calidad del Agua

What Should You 

Know About Certain 

Contaminants?

Radon

Radon 222, or radon for short, is a colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally in soil, 

air and water. Radon is formed from the radioactive decay products of natural uranium 

that is found in many soils. Most radon in indoor air comes from the soils below the 

foundation of the home, and in some locations can accumulate to dangerous levels in 

the absence of proper ventilation. In most homes, the health risk from radon in drinking water is very small compared to the health risk from radon in indoor air. For more 

information, call the EPA’s Radon Hotline at 1-800-SOS-RADON.

We have detected radon in the finished water supply, as noted in the Radon 

Data Summary table on page 3. There is currently no federal regulation for radon 

levels in drinking water. Exposure to air-transmitted radon over a long period of 

time may cause adverse health effects.

Cryptosporidium

WASD first tested for Cryptosporidium in 1993 and has continued testing 

monthly since 1994. To date, neither Cryptosporidium nor Giardia – another protozoan – have been found in the source water supplying WASD’s water treatment plants.

Nitrate

Although the level of nitrate (refer to the table on water quality data, p. 3) is consistently below the health effect level, the EPA requires the following information be 

included in this report: “Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health 

risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water 

can cause blue-baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of 

time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant, you 

should ask advice from your health care provider.” 

Lead

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially 

for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily 

from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. WASD is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot 

control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential 

for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 

30 seconds to 2 minutes before using 

water for drinking or cooking. If you 

are concerned about lead in your 

water, you may wish to have 

your water tested. Information 

on lead in drinking water, 

testing methods, and steps 

you can take to minimize 

exposure is available from 

the Safe Drinking Water 

Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 

or at http://www.epa.gov/

¿Qué debería saber 

sobre ciertos 

contaminantes?

Radón

Radón 222, mejor conocido simplemente como Radón, es un gas inodoro e incoloro 

que ocurre naturalmente en la tierra, el aire y el agua. El radón proviene del desperdicio radiactivo de productos de uranio natural que se encuentran en muchas 

tierras. La mayoría del radón en el aire interior viene de las tierras debajo de los 

cimientos del hogar y, en algunas zonas puede llegar a acumularse en niveles peligrosos si no hay ventilación apropiada. En la mayoría de los hogares, el riesgo a 

la salud presentado por el radón en el agua potable es muy pequeño, comparable 

al riesgo para la salud presentado por el Radón del aire interior. Para obtener más 

información, llame a la línea sobre el radón de la EPA por el 1-800-SOS-RADON. 

Como aparece en la tabla de información acerca del Radón en la pagina 3, esta 

sustancia ha sido hallada en el punto final del suministro de agua. En la actualidad, 

las reglas federales no han dictado un nivel del radón en el agua potable. Estar expuesto durante un largo periodo de tiempo a gases de radón emitidos a través del 

aire puede causar efectos adversos de salud.. 

Criptoesporidio

En 1993 el Departamento comenzó a hacer pruebas para detectar criptoesporidio. A 

partir del año 1994, estos exámenes se llevan a cabo mensualmente. Hasta la fecha, 

no se ha encontrado ni criptoesporidio ni giardia, otro protozoo, en la fuente de agua 

que suministra a las plantas de tratamiento del Departamento. 

Nitrato

Aunque el nivel de nitrato, (por favor, refiérase a la tabla sobre la calidad del agua 

en la página 3), está reiteradamente por debajo de la concentración en que puede 

tener algún efecto dañino para la salud, la EPA requiere que proveamos la siguiente 

información: “El nitrato, en concentraciones de 10 ppm o más, en el agua potable, 

constituye un riesgo a la salud de bebés de menos de seis meses de edad. Altos 

niveles de Nitrato puedan causar el síndrome de “Bebé Azul” o “Blue Baby”. Los 

niveles de Nitrato pueden subir rápidamente por cortos períodos de tiempo debido a un aumento de lluvia o de actividad agrícola. Si usted cuida de un bebé, 

le recomendamos que consulte con su médico”. 

Plomo

De estar presente, niveles elevados de plomo pueden causar problemas graves 

de salud, especialmente para mujeres embarazadas y niños pequeños. El 

plomo en el agua potable deriva principalmente de materias y componentes asociados con líneas de servicio y tuberías en el hogar. 

WASD es responsable de proporcionar agua potable de alta calidad pero no puede controlar la variedad de materiales utilizados en los componentes de cada sistema de plomería. Si sus 

llaves han estado cerradas por varias horas, usted puede 

disminuir el potencial de haber estado expuesta al plomo 

dejando correr la llave entre 30 segundos a 2 minutos antes de utilizar el agua para beber o cocinar. Si tiene alguna preocupación acerca del posible contenido de plomo 

en su agua potable puede examinarla. Información sobre 

la existencia de plomo en el agua potable, métodos para 

examinarla y pasos que puede tomar para reducir las 

probabilidades que esto ocurra están disponible a través 

de la Línea Directa del Agua al 1-800-426-4791 o en el sitio: 

W

W ater Q u alit y R eport 2 0 0 8 I n forme so b re la C alidad del A g u a

PRSRT STD

US Postage

PAID

Miami, FL

 #2485 Permit

safewater/lead. 

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. 
Water Quality 

Treatment 

Sampling 

Monitoring

Department of Public Works 

Helena Water Treatment Division
2009 Consumer Confidence 

Water Quality Report 

The City of Helena Public Water System 

Identification, (PWSID) Number MT0000241 

currently serves 8100 residential and 2152 

commercial water accounts with a yearly 

average of 5.2 million gallons of water each 

day. Water is supplied to fire hydrants to 

ensure the safety of homes and businesses. 

Last year, the Water Treatment Division 

produced a total of 1.9 billion gallons of 

water with a maximum production of 12.7 

million gallons on a single day. The City of 

Helena’s Source Water Protection Plan for 

Public Water System can be viewed on the 

DEQ Web Site 

http://nris.state.mt.us/wis/swap/SwapQuery.a

sp 

 This year the City will complete the 1.5 

million gallon clear well for disinfection and 

a new energy efficient High Zone Pumping 

Station at MRTP to improve reliability, 

maintain regulatory compliance, and meet 

future growth needs. The City’s Utility 

Maintenance Division will replace sections of 

deteriorated water mains to improve system 

dependability, and reduce water loss due to 

leakage. 

Water System -- To meet Helena’s water 

needs, the City’s Water Treatment Division 

operates two surface water treatment plants; 

the Missouri River Treatment Plant (MRTP) 

east of Helena and the Tenmile Water 

Treatment Facility west of Helena. 

Additional water is produced from the Eureka 

Well located at Cruise and Park Avenues. 

This pure groundwater source does not 

require further treatment. 

Water Treatment – This process consists of 

a series of steps to refine the quality of the 

source or raw water. Chemicals are added to 

the raw water causing small particles to 

adhere to each other making them heavy 

enough to settle into a basin or collect on 

special media. The particles are then flushed 

to waste lagoons. Next the water is filtered 

through layers of fine anthracite coal filters 

and silicate sand removing suspended 

particles. During filtration, turbidity is 

removed and clear water emerges. Prior to the 

water being sent to the distribution system, a 

small amount of chlorine is added to ensure 

the water remains free of any virus or 

bacteria. These treatment processes are 

manned and operated by a team of highly 

trained, state certified water treatment 

professionals, and assisted by computerized 

supervisor control and data acquisition 

systems. (SCADA) 

Sampling – Regular sampling and testing is 

an important assurance of the quality of water 

and includes the following: 

Daily: Chlorine Residuals, Turbidity, pH, 

 Temperature and Color (NTU) 

Weekly: Bacteria (total coliform) 

Quarterly: Trihalomethanes, Haloaecetic 

 Acids 

Yearly: Inorganics, Volatile Organic 

 Contaminants, Nitrates 

3 years Lead & Copper 

4 years Radioactivity 

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause 

serious health problems especially for 

pregnant women and young children. Lead 

in drinking water is primarily from materials 

and components associated with service lines 

and home plumbing. The City of Helena is 

responsible for providing high quality 

drinking water, but can not control the variety 

of materials used in plumbing components. 

When your water has been sitting for several 

hours, you can minimize the potential for 

lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 

seconds to 2 minutes before using water for 

drinking or cooking. If you are concerned 

about lead in your water, you may wish to 

have your water tested. Information on lead 

in drinking water, testing methods, and steps 

you can take to minimize exposure is 

available from the Safe Drinking Water 

Hotline 1-800-426-4791 or 

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead 

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas 

in the earth’s crust. It is soluble in water and 

is tasteless, colorless and odorless. Helena’s 

surface and ground water sources detection 

ranged from 220 pCi\ l to 1770 pCi/L . The 

U.S. EPA is proposing a MCL of 300 pCi\L 

in drinking water with an alternative MCL of 

4000 pCi\L for systems that implement a 

Multi-Media Mitigation Program. There is 

no federal regulation for radon levels in 

drinking water as of this printing. Exposure 

to air transmitted radon over a long period of 

time may cause adverse health effects. For 

additional information call the state radon 

program at 444-5318 or EPA’s Radon 

Hotline (1-800-SOS-RADON). 

Monitoring – Both, Energy Laboratories, 

Inc. & Alpine Analytical Inc. in Helena are at 

the heart of our quality assurance program. 

Their independent testing by certified 

chemists and technicians follows precise 

procedures established by the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Turbidity is a measure of the clarity of 

water. We monitor this as an indicator of the 

effectiveness of our filtration system. 

pH is an expression of the basic or acidic 

condition of a liquid. The pH scale ranges 

from 0 to 14. Neutral being 7, the most 

acidic is 0 the most caustic is 14. Natural 

waters typically have a pH between 6.8 and 

8.5. The pH in our system has a pH of 7.2 to 

8.5 

Hardness is a natural characteristic of water 

caused by dissolved calcium and magnesium. 

 The Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) is 

300 mg/L. 

Tenmile 24.67 mg/L 1.7 grains/gal 

MRTP 135.71 mg/L 9.5 grains/gal 

Eureka 232.00 mg/L 16.8 grains/gal 

Listed below are the substances that were 

detected and analyzed by Energy Lab Inc. 

for the Helena Water Treatment Division. 

The maximum contaminated levels (MCL) 

apply to the water within our distribution 

system, after treatment, including 

groundwater sources. The U.S. EPA and the 

State of Montana have established MCL’s at 

levels that assure public health and safety 

with a very low risk of health impacts. 
This table shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2008. 

Tenmile Water Treatment Plant, MRTP, Hale/Eureka Water Sources 

TEST RESULTS

Contaminant Violation 

Y/N

Sample 

Date

Highest 

Level 

Detected

Range 

Detected/ 

RAA

Unit 

Measure

MCLG MCL Likely Source 

 of Contamination

Microbiological Contaminants 

1.Turbidity 

Tenmile 

MRTP 

 N 

 N 

May 28,08 

Jun 06 08 

0.35 

0.28 

 

NTU NA 

TT = <0.3 

NTU 95% 

of the time 

TT = 1 

NTU max 

Soil run off. 

2. Total Organic Carbon 

Tenmile 

MRTP 

N 

N 

Jun 08 

Jun 08 

7.3 

3.9 

.93-7.3 

(RAA 3.54) 

2.1-3.9 

(RAA 3.1) 

ppm NA TT 

Naturally present in the 

environment. 

3. Chlorine Residual 

Tenmile N 

 

May 08 2.0 0.2 - 2.0 

(RAA 0.75) 

ppm MRDLG=4 MRDL=4 

Water additive to control 

microbes. 

Inorganic Contaminates 

4. Arsenic 

Tenmile 

MRTP 

Hale / Eureka 

 

N 

N 

N 

Jul 17, 08 

Jul 17, 08 

Jul 17, 08 

1.0 

2.0 

2.0 

ppb NA 10 

Erosion of natural 

deposits; runoff from 

orchards; runoff from 

glass and electronics 

production wastes 

 5. Copper 

90th percentile of 30 samples 

taken 

 

N 

 

 

 

Apr 21, 06 0.29 ppm 1.3 AL=1.3 

Corrosion of household 

plumbing systems; 

erosion of natural 

deposits; leaching from 

wood preservatives. 

6. Lead 

90th percentile of 30 samples 

taken 

 

N 

 

 

 

Apr 21, 06 4 ppb 0 AL= 15 

Corrosion of household 

plumbing systems; 

erosion of natural 

deposits. 

 7. Nitrate + Nitrite as N 

Tenmile 

MRTP 

Hale / Eureka 

8. Fluoride 

Tenmile 

MRTP 

Hale / Eureka 

N 

N 

N 

N 

N 

N 

Jul 17, 08 

Jul 17, 08 

May 16 08 

Jul 26, 07 

Jul 26, 07 

Jul 17, 08 

ND 

ND 

1.38 

0.20 

0.8 

0.30 

ppm 

ppm 

10 

4 

10 

4 

Runoff from fertilizer use; 

leaching from septic 

tanks, sewage; 

erosion of natural 

deposits. 

Volatile Organic Contaminants (voc’s) 

9. Total Trihalomethanes 

Tenmile 

MRTP 

Hale/Eureka

N 

N 

N 

May 08 

Jun 08 

Nov 08 

84 

100 

5 

48-84 (RAA 61) 

36-100 (RAA 65) 

4-7 (RAA 5) 

ppb NA 80.0 

RAA 

By-product of drinking 

water chlorination. 

10. Total Haloacetic Acid 

Tenmile 

MRTP 

Hale/Eureka

N 

N 

N 

Feb 08 

Jun 08 

Oct 08 

50 

40 

1 

31-50 (RAA 38) 

29-40 (RAA 34) 

0-1 (RAA 1) 

ppb NA 60.0 

RAA 

By-product of drinking 

water chlorination 
*Abbreviated Definitions:

AL Action level. The concentration of a contaminant, which if exceeded, triggers treatment or other 

requirements. 

NA Not Available. 

ND No Detection. 

TT Treatment Technique. Required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. 

ppm or mg/L Parts Per Million. One part per million corresponds to one minute in two years. 

ppb or ug/L Parts Per Billion. One part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years. 

NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit. A measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just 

noticeable to the average person. 

pCi/L Picocuries per liter--measure of radioactivity in water. 

MCL Maximum Contaminant Level. Highest allowable amount of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking 

water. 

MCLG Maximum Contaminant Level Goal. Level of a contaminant in drinking water below which no known or 

expected risk to health exists. MCLG’s allow for a margin of safety 

MRDL Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level. The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. 

There is convincing evidence that the addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial 

contaminants. 

MRDLG Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal. The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there 

is no known or expected risk to health. 

RAA Running Annual Average. 

All sources of drinking water are 

subject to potential contamination 

by constituents that are naturally 

occurring or man made. Those 

constituents can be microbes, 

organic or inorganic chemicals, or 

radioactive materials. All drinking 

water, including bottled water, may 

reasonably be expected to contain at 

least small amounts of some 

contaminants. The presence of 

contaminants does not necessarily 

indicate that the water poses a 

health risk. More information about 

contaminants and potential health 

effects can be obtained by calling 

the U.S. EPA’s Safe Drinking 

Water Hotline. 

Some people may be more 

vulnerable to contaminants in 

drinking water than others. 

Immuno-compromised persons such 

as persons undergoing 

chemotherapy, persons who have 

undergone organ transplants, people 

with HIV/AIDS or other immune 

system disorders, the elderly, and 

infants can be particularly at risk 

from infections. These people 

should seek advice about drinking 

water from their health care 

providers. The EPA and Centers 

for Disease Control guidelines on 

appropriate means to lessen the risk 

of infection by Cryptosporidium 

and other microbiological 

contaminants are available from the 

Safe Drinking Water Hotline 

In September 2008, The Department 

of Environmental Quality issued a 

noncompliance for monitoring due 

to a sampling procedural error. On 

September 3rd, 2008 The City of 

Helena pulled a bacteriological 

sample and received a false 

positive. On average, the City 

collects 33 samples a month. In 

September we had over 50 samples 

analyzed by 2 independent labs to 

verify that the City’s water was 

indeed safe and not contaminated 

with bacteria. A Public notice was 

advertised as required by the 

regulatory agency. 

If you have any questions about this 

report or concerning your water 

utility, please contact Donald Clark, 

Water/Wastewater Treatment 

Superintendent at 457-8556, or 

e-mail dclark@ci.helena.mt.us. To 

learn more about the City of Helena 

and the City’s Water Utility, visit 

our web site at 

http://www.ci.helena.mt.us/. 

Prepared March 30th 

Julie Muscutt, Certified Operator lI 

Jason Fladland, Water Supervisor 

Reviewed and approved by 

Lynora Rogstad, Coordinator 

Don Clark, Water Superintendent
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 78 April 2010

This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 79 April 2010

Appendix F – Regulated Contaminants

(From Appendix A of Part 141, Subpart O dated June 2009) 

The most recent version of Appendix A to Subpart O can be found on EPA’s Web site at 

www.epa.gov/safewater/ccr/regulations.html. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 80 April 2010

Appendix A to Subpart O – Regulated Contaminants 

Key 

AL=Action Level mrem/year=millirems per year (a measure of radiation ppm=parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/L)

MCL=Maximum Contaminant Level absorbed by the body) ppb=parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (μg/L) 

MCLG=Maximum Contaminant Level Goal n/a=Not Applicable ppt=parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter 

MFL=million fibers per liter NTU=Nephelometric Turbidity Units (a measure of ppq=parts per quadrillion, or picograms per liter 

MRDL=Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level water clarity) TT=Treatment Technique 

MRDLG=Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal pCi/L=picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity) 

Contaminant (units)

Traditional 

MCL in 

mg/L

To convert 

for CCR, 

multiply by

MCL in 

CCR 

units MCLG

Major Sources in Drinking 

Water Health Effects Language

Microbiological Contaminants

Total Coliform Bacteria

MCL: (systems that collect ≥ 40 samples/ 

month) 5% of monthly samples are positive; 

(systems that collect < 40 samples/ month) 1 

positive monthly sample

0 Naturally present in the environment

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.

Fecal coliform and E. 

coli 0 0 0 Human and animal fecal waste

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, and people with 

severely-compromised immune systems.

Fecal Indicators 

(enterococci or 

coliphage) 

TT TT n/a Human and animal fecal waste

Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates 

that the water may be contaminated with human or 

animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause shortterm health effect, 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.

Total Organic Carbon

(ppm) 

TT - TT n/a Naturally present in the environment

Total organic carbon (TOC) has no health effects. 

However, total organic carbon provides a medium for the 

formation of disinfection byproducts. These byproducts 

include trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids 

(HAAs). Drinking water containing these byproducts in 

excess of the MCL may lead to adverse health effects, 

liver, or kidney problems, or nervous system effects, and 

may lead to an increased risk of getting cancer.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 81 April 2010

Contaminant (units)

Traditional 

MCL in 

mg/L

To convert 

for CCR, 

multiply by

MCL in 

CCR 

units MCLG

Major Sources in Drinking 

Water Health Effects Language

Turbidity (NTU) TT - TT n/a Soil runoff

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.

Radioactive Contaminants 

Beta/photon emitters 

(mrem/yr) 4 mrem/yr - 4 0 Decay of natural and man-made 

deposits

Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit forms of 

radiation known as photons and beta radiation. Some 

people who drink water containing beta and photon 

emitters in excess of the MCL over many years may have 

an increased risk of getting cancer.

Alpha emitters (pCi/L) 15 pCi/L - 15 0 Erosion of natural deposits

Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit a form of 

radiation known as alpha radiation. Some people who 

drink water containing alpha emitters in excess of the 

MCL over many years may have an increased risk of 

getting cancer.

Combined radium 

(pCi/L) 5 pCi/L - 5 0 Erosion of natural deposits

Some people who drink water containing radium 226 or 

228 in excess of the MCL over many years may have an 

increased risk of getting cancer. 

Uranium (PCi/L) 30 μg/L - 30 0 Erosion of natural deposits

Some people who drink water containing uranium in 

excess of the MCL over many years may have an 

increased risk of getting cancer and kidney toxicity. 

Inorganic Contaminants 

Antimony (ppb) .006 1000 6 6

Discharge from petroleum refineries; 

fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; 

solder 

Some people who drink water containing antimony well 

in excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

increases in blood cholesterol and decreases in blood 

sugar. 

Arsenic (ppb) 10.010 1000 110 10

Erosion of natural deposits; Runoff 

from orchards; Runoff from glass and 

electronics production wastes 

Some people who drink water containing arsenic in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

skin damage or problems with their circulatory system, 

and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. 

Asbestos (MFL) 7 MFL - 7 7 Decay of asbestos cement water 

mains; Erosion of natural deposits 

Some people who drink water containing asbestos in 

excess of the MCL over many years may have an 

increased risk of developing benign intestinal polyps. 

 1 These arsenic values are effective January 23, 2006. Until then, the MCL is 0.05 mg/L and there is no MCLG.
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 82 April 2010

Contaminant (units)

Traditional 

MCL in 

mg/L

To convert 

for CCR, 

multiply by

MCL in 

CCR 

units MCLG

Major Sources in Drinking 

Water Health Effects Language

Barium (ppm) 2 - 2 2

Discharge of drilling wastes; 

Discharge from metal refineries; 

Erosion of natural deposits 

Some people who drink water containing barium in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience an 

increase in their blood pressure. 

Beryllium (ppb) .004 1000 4 4

Discharge from metal refineries and 

coal-burning factories; Discharge 

from electrical, aerospace, and 

defense industries 

Some people who drink water containing beryllium well 

in excess of the MCL over many years could develop 

intestinal lesions. 

Bromate (ppb) .010 1000 10 0 By-product of drinking water

disinfection 

Some people who drink water containing bromate in 

excess of the MCL over many years may have an 

increased risk of getting cancer. 

Cadmium (ppb) .005 1000 5 5

Corrosion of galvanized pipes; 

Erosion of natural deposits; Discharge 

from metal refineries; Runoff from 

waste batteries and paints 

Some people who drink water containing cadmium in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

kidney damage. 

Chloramines (ppm) MRDL=4 - MRDL=4 MRDLG

=4

Water additive used to control 

microbes 

Some people who use water containing chloramines well 

in excess of the MRDL could experience irritating effects 

to their eyes and nose. Some people who drink water 

containing chloramines well in excess of the MRDL 

could experience stomach discomfort or anemia. 

Chlorine (ppm) MRDL=4 - MRDL=4 MRDLG

=4

Water additive used to control 

microbes 

Some people who use water containing chlorine well in 

excess of the MRDL could experience irritating effects to 

their eyes and nose. Some people who drink water 

containing chlorine well in excess of the MRDL could 

experience stomach discomfort. 

Chlorine Dioxide (ppb) MRDL=.8 1000 MRDL

=800

MRDLG

=800

Water additive used to control 

microbes 

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. 

Chlorite (ppm) 1 - 1 0.8 By-product of drinking water 

disinfection

Some infants and young children who drink water 

containing chlorite in excess of the MRDL 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. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 83 April 2010

Contaminant (units)

Traditional 

MCL in 

mg/L

To convert 

for CCR, 

multiply by

MCL in 

CCR 

units MCLG

Major Sources in Drinking 

Water Health Effects Language

Chromium (ppb) .1 1000 100 100 Discharge from steel and pulp mills; 

Erosion of natural deposits 

Some people who use water containing chromium well in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

allergic dermatitis. 

Copper (ppm) AL=1.3 - AL=1.3 1.3 Corrosion of household plumbing 

systems; Erosion of natural deposits

Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who 

drink water containing copper in excess of the action 

level over a relatively short amount of time could 

experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who 

drink water containing copper in excess of the action 

level over many years could suffer liver or kidney 

damage. People with Wilson’s Disease should consult 

their personal doctor. 

Cyanide (ppb) .2 1000 200 200

Discharge from steel/metal factories; 

Discharge from plastic and fertilizer 

factories 

Some people who drink water containing cyanide well in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

nerve damage or problems with their thyroid. 

Fluoride (ppm) 4 - 4 4

Erosion of natural deposits; Water 

additive which promotes strong teeth; 

Discharge from fertilizer and 

aluminum factories 

Some people who drink water containing fluoride in 

excess of the MCL over many years could get bone 

disease, including pain and tenderness of the bones. 

Fluoride in drinking water at half the MCL or more may 

cause mottling of children’s teeth, usually in children less 

than nine years old. Mottling also known as dental 

fluorosis, may include brown staining and/or pitting of 

the teeth., and occurs only in developing teeth before they 

erupt from the gums. 

Lead (ppb) AL=.015 1000 AL=15 0 Corrosion of household plumbing 

systems; Erosion of natural deposits 

Infants and children who drink water containing lead in 

excess of the action level could experience delays in their 

physical or mental development. Children could show 

slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities.

Adults who drink this water over many years could 

develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. 

Mercury [inorganic] 

(ppb) .002 1000 2 2

Erosion of natural deposits; Discharge 

from refineries and factories; Runoff 

from landfills; Runoff from cropland 

Some people who drink water containing inorganic 

mercury well in excess of the MCL over many years 

could experience kidney damage.

Nitrate (ppm) 10 - 10 10

Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching 

from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of 

natural deposits 

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. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 84 April 2010

Contaminant (units)

Traditional 

MCL in 

mg/L

To convert 

for CCR, 

multiply by

MCL in 

CCR 

units MCLG

Major Sources in Drinking 

Water Health Effects Language

Nitrite (ppm) 1 - 1 1

Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching 

from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of 

natural deposits 

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. 

Selenium (ppb) .05 1000 50 50

Discharge from petroleum and metal 

refineries; Erosion of natural deposits; 

Discharge from mines 

Selenium is an essential nutrient. However, some people 

who drink water containing selenium in excess of the 

MCL over many years could experience hair or fingernail 

losses, numbness in fingers or toes, or problems with 

their circulation. 

Thallium (ppb) .002 1000 2 0.5

Leaching from ore-processing sites; 

Discharge from electronics, glass, and 

drug factories 

Some people who drink water containing thallium in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

hair loss, changes in their blood, or problems with their 

kidneys, intestines, or liver. 

Synthetic Organic Contaminants including Pesticides and Herbicides 

2,4-D (ppb) .07 1000 70 70 Runoff from herbicide used on row 

crops 

Some people who drink water containing the weed killer 

2,4-D well in excess of the MCL over many years could 

experience problems with their kidneys, liver, or adrenal 

glands. 

2,4,5-TP [Silvex](ppb) .05 1000 50 50 Residue of banned herbicide 

Some people who drink water containing silvex in excess 

of the MCL over many years could experience liver 

problems. 

Acrylamide TT - TT 0 Added to water during sewage/ 

wastewater treatment 

Some people who drink water containing high levels of 

acrylamide over a long period of time could have 

problems with their nervous system or blood, and may 

have an increased risk of getting cancer. 

Alachlor (ppb) .002 1000 2 0 Runoff from herbicide used on row 

crops 

Some people who drink water containing alachlor in 

excess of the MCL over many years could have problems 

with their eyes, liver, kidneys, or spleen, or experience 

anemia, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. 

Atrazine (ppb) .003 1000 3 3 Runoff from herbicide used on row 

crops 

Some people who drink water containing atrazine well in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

problems with their cardiovascular system or 

reproductive difficulties. 

Benzo(a)pyrene [PAH] 

(nanograms/L) .0002 1,000,000 200 0 Leaching from linings of water storage tanks and distribution lines 

Some people who drink water containing benzo(a)pyrene 

in excess of the MCL over many years may experience 

reproductive difficulties and may have an increased risk 

of getting cancer. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 85 April 2010

Contaminant (units)

Traditional 

MCL in 

mg/L

To convert 

for CCR, 

multiply by

MCL in 

CCR 

units MCLG

Major Sources in Drinking 

Water Health Effects Language

Carbofuran (ppb) .04 1000 40 40 Leaching of soil fumigant used on 

rice and alfalfa 

Some people who drink water containing carbofuran in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

problems with their blood, or nervous or reproductive 

systems. 

Chlordane (ppb) .002 1000 2 0 Residue of banned termiticide 

Some people who drink water containing chlordane in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

problems with their liver or nervous system, and may 

have an increased risk of getting cancer. 

Dalapon (ppb) .2 1000 200 200 Runoff from herbicide used on rights 

of way 

Some people who drink water containing dalapon well in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

minor kidney changes. 

Di(2-ethylhexyl) 

adipate (ppb) .4 1000 400 400 Discharge from chemical factories 

Some people who drink water containing di (2-

ethylhexyl) adipate well in excess of the MCL over many 

years could experience toxic effects such as weight loss, 

liver enlargement or possible reproductive difficulties. 

Di(2-ethylhexyl) 

phthalate (ppb) .006 1000 6 0 Discharge from rubber and chemical 

factories 

Some people who drink water containing di (2-

ethylhexyl) phthalate in excess of the MCL over many 

years may have problems with their liver, or experience 

reproductive difficulties, and may have an increased risk 

of getting cancer. 

Dibromochloropropane (ppt) .0002 1,000,000 200 0

Runoff/leaching from soil fumigant 

used on soybeans, cotton, pineapples, 

and orchards 

Some people who drink water containing DBCP in excess 

of the MCL over many years could experience 

reproductive problems and may have an increased risk of 

getting cancer. 

Dinoseb (ppb) .007 1000 7 7 Runoff from herbicide used on 

soybeans and vegetables 

Some people who drink water containing dinoseb well in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

reproductive difficulties. 

Diquat (ppb) .02 1000 20 20 Runoff from herbicide use Some people who drink water containing diquat in excess 

of the MCL over many years could get cataracts. 

Dioxin [2,3,7,8-TCDD] 

(ppq) .00000003 1,000,000,000 30 0

Emissions from waste incineration 

and other combustion; Discharge 

from chemical factories 

Some people who drink water containing dioxin in excess 

of the MCL over many years could experience 

reproductive difficulties and may have an increased risk 

of getting cancer. 

Endothall (ppb) .1 1000 100 100 Runoff from herbicide use 

Some people who drink water containing endothall in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

problems with their stomach or intestines. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 86 April 2010

Contaminant (units)

Traditional 

MCL in 

mg/L

To convert 

for CCR, 

multiply by

MCL in 

CCR 

units MCLG

Major Sources in Drinking 

Water Health Effects Language

Endrin (ppb) .002 1000 2 2 Residue of banned insecticide 

Some people who drink water containing endrin in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

liver problems. 

Epichlorohydrin TT - TT 0

Discharge from industrial chemical 

factories; An impurity of some water 

treatment chemicals 

Some people who drink water containing high levels of 

epichlorohydrin over a long period of time could 

experience stomach problems, and may have an increased 

risk of getting cancer. 

Ethylene dibromide 

(ppt) .00005 1,000,000 50 0 Discharge from petroleum refineries 

Some people who drink water containing ethylene 

dibromide in excess of the MCL over many years could 

experience problems with their liver, stomach, 

reproductive system, or kidneys, and may have an 

increased risk of getting cancer. 

Glyphosate (ppb) .7 1000 700 700 Runoff from herbicide use 

Some people who drink water containing glyphosate in

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

problems with their kidneys or reproductive difficulties.

Heptachlor (ppt) .0004 1,000,000 400 0 Residue of banned pesticide 

Some people who drink water containing heptachlor in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

liver damage and may have an increased risk of getting 

cancer.

Heptachlor epoxide 

(ppt) .0002 1,000,000 200 0 Breakdown of heptachlor 

Some people who drink water containing heptachlor 

epoxide in excess of the MCL over many years could 

experience liver damage, and may have an increased risk 

of getting cancer.

Hexachlorobenzene 

(ppb) .001 1000 1 0 Discharge from metal refineries and agricultural chemical factories 

Some people who drink water containing 

hexachlorobenzene in excess of the MCL over many 

years could experience problems with their liver or 

kidneys, or adverse reproductive effects, and may have an 

increased risk of getting cancer. 

Hexachlorocyclopentad

iene (ppb) .05 1000 50 50 Discharge from chemical factories 

Some people who drink water containing 

hexachlorocyclopentadiene well in excess of the MCL 

over many years could experience problems with their 

kidneys or stomach.

Lindane (ppt) .0002 1,000,000 200 200 Runoff/leaching from insecticide used 

on cattle, lumber, gardens 

Some people who drink water containing lindane in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

problems with their kidneys or liver. 

Methoxychlor (ppb) .04 1000 40 40 Runoff/leaching from insecticide used 

on fruits, vegetables, alfalfa, livestock 

Some people who drink water containing methoxychlor 

in excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

reproductive difficulties. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 87 April 2010

Contaminant (units)

Traditional 

MCL in 

mg/L

To convert 

for CCR, 

multiply by

MCL in 

CCR 

units MCLG

Major Sources in Drinking 

Water Health Effects Language

Oxamyl [Vydate] (ppb) .2 1000 200 200 Runoff/leaching from insecticide used 

on apples, potatoes and tomatoes 

Some people who drink water containing oxamyl in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

slight nervous system effects. 

PCBs [Polychlorinated 

biphenyls] (ppt) .0005 1,000,000 500 0 Runoff from landfills; Discharge of waste chemicals 

Some people who drink water containing PCBs in excess 

of the MCL over many years could experience changes in 

their skin, problems with their thymus gland, immune 

deficiencies, or reproductive or nervous system 

difficulties, and may have an increased risk of getting 

cancer.

Pentachlorophenol 

(ppb) .001 1000 1 0 Discharge from wood preserving 

factories 

Some people who drink water containing 

pentachlorophenol in excess of the MCL over many years 

could experience problems with their liver or kidneys, 

and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Picloram (ppb) .5 1000 500 500 Herbicide runoff 

Some people who drink water containing picloram in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

problems with their liver.

Simazine (ppb) .004 1000 4 4 Herbicide runoff 

Some people who drink water containing simazine in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

problems with their blood. 

Toxaphene (ppb) .003 1000 3 0 Runoff/leaching from insecticide used 

on cotton and cattle 

Some people who drink water containing toxaphene in 

excess of the MCL over many years could have problems 

with their kidneys, liver, or thyroid, and may have an 

increased risk of getting cancer. 

Volatile Organic Contaminants 

Benzene (ppb) .005 1000 5 0 Discharge from factories; Leaching 

from gas storage tanks and landfills 

Some people who drink water containing benzene in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

anemia or a decrease in blood platelets, and may have an 

increased risk of getting cancer. 

Carbon tetrachloride 

(ppb) .005 1000 5 0 Discharge from chemical plants and other industrial activities 

Some people who drink water containing carbon 

tetrachloride in excess of the MCL over many years could 

experience problems with their liver and may have an 

increased risk of getting cancer. 

Chlorobenzene (ppb) .1 1000 100 100 Discharge from chemical and 

agricultural chemical factories 

Some people who drink water containing chlorobenzene 

in excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

problems with their liver or kidneys. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 88 April 2010

Contaminant (units)

Traditional 

MCL in 

mg/L

To convert 

for CCR, 

multiply by

MCL in 

CCR 

units MCLG

Major Sources in Drinking 

Water Health Effects Language

o-Dichlorobenzene 

(ppb) .6 1000 600 600 Discharge from industrial chemical 

factories 

Some people who drink water containing odichlorobenzene well in excess of the MCL over many 

years could experience problems with their liver, kidneys, 

or circulatory systems. 

p-Dichlorobenzene 

(ppb) .075 1000 75 75 Discharge from industrial chemical factories 

Some people who drink water containing pdichlorobenzene in excess of the MCL over many years 

could experience anemia, damage to their liver, kidneys, 

or spleen, or changes in their blood. 

1,2-Dichloroethane 

(ppb) .005 1000 5 0 Discharge from industrial chemical factories 

Some people who drink water containing 1,2-

dichloroethane in excess of the MCL over many years 

may have an increased risk of getting cancer. 

1,1-Dichloroethylene 

(ppb) .007 1000 7 7 Discharge from industrial chemical factories 

Some people who drink water containing 1,1-

dichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years 

could experience problems with their liver. 

cis-1,2-

Dichloroethylene (ppb) .07 1000 70 70 Discharge from industrial chemical 

factories 

Some people who drink water containing cis-1,2-

dichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years 

could experience problems with their liver. 

trans-1,2-

Dichloroethylene (ppb) .1 1000 100 100 Discharge from industrial chemical 

factories 

Some people who drink water containing trans-1,2-

dichloroethylene well in excess of the MCL over many 

years could experience problems with their liver. 

Dichloromethane (ppb) .005 1000 5 0 Discharge from pharmaceutical and 

chemical factories 

Some people who drink water containing 

dichloromethane in excess of the MCL over many years 

could have liver problems and may have an increased risk 

of getting cancer. 

1,2-Dichloropropane 

(ppb) .005 1000 5 0 Discharge from industrial chemical 

factories 

Some people who drink water containing 1,2-

dichloropropane in excess of the MCL over many years 

may have an increased risk of getting cancer. 

Ethylbenzene (ppb) .7 1000 700 700 Discharge from petroleum refineries 

Some people who drink water containing ethylbenzene 

well in excess of the MCL over many years could 

experience problems with their liver or kidneys. 

Haloacetic Acids 

(HAA) (ppb) .060 1000 60 n/a By-product of drinking water disinfection 

Some people who drink water containing haloacetic acids 

in excess of the MCL over many years may have an 

increased risk of getting cancer. 

Styrene (ppb) .1 1000 100 100 Discharge from rubber and plastic 

factories; Leaching from landfills 

Some people who drink water containing styrene well in 

excess of the MCL over many years could have problems 

with their liver, kidneys, or circulatory system. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 89 April 2010

Contaminant (units)

Traditional 

MCL in 

mg/L

To convert 

for CCR, 

multiply by

MCL in 

CCR 

units MCLG

Major Sources in Drinking 

Water Health Effects Language

Tetrachloroethylene 

(ppb) .005 1000 5 0 Discharge from factories and dry 

cleaners 

Some people who drink water containing 

tetrachloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many 

years could have problems with their liver, and may have 

an increased risk of getting cancer. 

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 

(ppb) .07 1000 70 70 Discharge from textile-finishing 

factories 

Some people who drink water containing 1,2,4-

trichlorobenzene well in excess of the MCL over many 

years could experience changes in their adrenal glands. 

1,1,1-Trichloroethane 

(ppb) .2 1000 200 200 Discharge from metal degreasing sites 

and other factories 

Some people who drink water containing 1,1,1-

trichloroethane in excess of the MCL over many years 

could experience problems with their liver, nervous 

system, or circulatory system. 

1,1,2-Trichloroethane 

(ppb) .005 1000 5 3 Discharge from industrial chemical factories 

Some people who drink water containing 1,1,2-

trichloroethane well in excess of the MCL over many 

years could have problems with their liver, kidneys, or 

immune systems. 

Trichloroethylene (ppb) .005 1000 5 0 Discharge from metal degreasing sites 

and other factories 

Some people who drink water containing 

trichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years 

could experience problems with their liver and may have 

an increased risk of getting cancer. 

TTHMs [Total 

trihalomethanes] (ppb) .10/.080 1000 100/80 n/a By-product of drinking water disinfection 

Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes 

in excess of the MCL over many years may experience 

problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous 

systems, and may have an increased risk of getting 

cancer. 

Toluene (ppm) 1 - 1 1 Discharge from petroleum factories 

Some people who drink water containing toluene well in 

excess of the MCL over many years could have problems 

with their nervous system, kidneys, or liver. 

Vinyl Chloride (ppb) .002 1000 2 0 Leaching from PVC piping; 

Discharge from plastics factories 

Some people who drink water containing vinyl chloride 

in excess of the MCL over many years may have an 

increased risk of getting cancer. 

Xylenes (ppm) 10 - 10 10 Discharge from petroleum factories; 

Discharge from chemical factories 

Some people who drink water containing xylenes in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

damage to their nervous system. 
Preparing Your Drinking Water CCR 90 April 2010

Revision History

DATE ACTION FEDERAL REGISTER CITATION

24 August 2000 Created table 63 FR 44530 (19 August 1998) as amended by

65 FR 26024 (4 May 2000)

29 January 2001 1) Revised entries for beta/photon, alpha emitters, and combined radium, and added entry for uranium

2) Revised entry for arsenic

65 FR 76749 (7 December 2000)

66 FR 7064 (22 January 2001)

27 November 2002 3) Revised health effects language for di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate 

(DEHP)

4) Revised the placement of regulatory and health effects information for disinfection by-products (i.e.,

bromate, chloramines, chlorite, chlorine, and chlorine dioxide), and corrected the reference “chloride 

dioxide” to “chlorine dioxide.”

67 FR 70855

9 December 2002 5) In the table, in the first column, in the second entry, in the second line, “andipate” was changed to read, 

“adipate.”

67 FR 73011

25 March 2003 6) Revise the arsenic rule to express the standard as 0.010 mg/L, in order to clarify the implementation of the 

original rule.

68 FR 14506

8 November 2006 7) Added “Fecal Indicators (enterococci or coliphage)” 71 FR 65652