Revised Public 

Notification 

Handbook

(Original Document: EPA 816-R-00-010, June 2000)

(Revised Document: EPA 816-R-07-003, March 2007)
Office of Water (4606) EPA-816-R-07-003 www.epa.gov/safewater March 2007

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Office of Water (4606) EPA-816-R-07-003 www.epa.gov/safewater March 2007

This handbook provides guidance to States, public water systems, and the general public 

concerning how EPA interprets its public notification regulations. This document does not, 

however, substitute for the public notification regulations, nor is it a regulation itself. Thus, it 

cannot impose legally-binding requirements on EPA, States, or water suppliers and may not apply to 

a particular situation. This document is not intended, nor can it be relied upon, to create any rights 

enforceable by any party in litigation with the United States. EPA may decide to follow the guidance 

provided in this document, or to act at variance with the guidance based on its analysis of the specific 

facts present. This guidance may be revised without public notice to reflect changes in EPA’s approach to 

implementing public notice, or to clarify and update text.

You should read the regulations thoroughly to ensure that you are in compliance. The public notice (PN) 

regulations are in the Code of Federal Regulations under Chapter 40, Part 141, Subpart Q, beginning 

at section 141.201. The most recent version of the rule can be found at www.epa.gov/safewater/

publicnotification. A copy of Subpart Q of the Federal Register notice for the final PN rule (May 4, 2000) 

is in Appendix D.

This document includes public notification requirements and information for all regulations up through 

July 2006. It does not include public notification requirements and information for the Ground Water Rule 

(GWR) published November 8, 2006.
Office of Water (4606) EPA-816-R-07-003 www.epa.gov/safewater March 2007

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Public Notification Handbook March 2007

Contents

Acronyms .................................................................................................................................v

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

Why is Effective Public Notification Important?............................................................................. 1

2. How to Use This Handbook................................................................................................3

Appropriate Use of the Templates ................................................................................................. 4

3. Summary of Requirements................................................................................................5

When and how do I need to notify my consumers? ...................................................................... 5

Whom must I inform when a violation or situation occurs? .......................................................... 6

Does every notice need to be sent to everyone in the distribution system?................................... 6

What if I sell water to other systems?............................................................................................ 6

What kinds of violations and situations require public notice?...................................................... 6

What information do I need to include in each notice for a violation or situation?....................... 9

What standard language do I have to include in my notices? ..................................................... 11

What information do I need to include for special notices for fluoride SMCL exceedances?........ 11

What do I need to include for special notices for unregulated contaminant monitoring?........... 11

What if I have been issued a variance or exemption? .................................................................. 12

Are there formatting requirements for public notices?................................................................ 12

Will I have to provide notices in languages other than English?.................................................. 12

What information must I provide to my primacy agency?........................................................... 13

4. Making Public Notification Work – Plan In Advance ......................................................15

Planning in Advance for Public Notification................................................................................. 15

Assemble Your Response Team............................................................................................... 15

Understand Your Audience and How to Reach Them............................................................. 16

Create Your Communication Channels................................................................................... 17

Prepare Your Messages .......................................................................................................... 18

Have Materials Readily Available............................................................................................ 19

Consider Contingencies ......................................................................................................... 19

During a Violation or Situation Requiring Public Notification ...................................................... 20

How can I make a notice easier to read? ............................................................................... 20

How can I ensure that the media distributes an accurate notice?.......................................... 20

What other steps should I take after issuing a notice?........................................................... 22

How can I prevent overreaction to a public notice?............................................................... 23

Follow-up After the Situation is Resolved .................................................................................... 24
Public Notification Handbook ii March 2007

5. Tier 1 Notice Requirements and Suggestions.................................................................25

What is the deadline for issuing a Tier 1 notice? ......................................................................... 26

Which methods of delivery must I use? ....................................................................................... 26

Suggestions for Effective Public Notification Delivery .................................................................. 27

Suggestions for Layout of the Notice .......................................................................................... 29

Tier 1 Templates ............................................................................................................ 31

Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice–Template 1-1............................................................ 33

Spanish Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice–Template 1-1A.............................................. 35

Nitrate Failure to Take a Confirmation Sample Notice–Template 1-2 ............................. 37

Non-community PWSs Allowed Up to 20 mg/L Nitrate Notice–Template 1-3.................. 39

Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice–Template 1-4............................................................. 41

Spanish Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice–Template 1-4A............................................... 43

Waterborne Disease Outbreak Notice–Template 1-5.................................................... 45

IESWTR or LT1 CFE Maximum Turbidity Exceedance, or Turbidity 

Single Exceedance as Tier 1 Notice–Template 1-6........................................................ 47

Chlorine Dioxide MRDL Notice–Template 1-7.............................................................. 49

Tier 1 “Problem Corrected” Notice–Template 1-8........................................................ 51

6. Tier 2 Notice Requirements and Suggestions.................................................................53

What is the deadline for issuing a Tier 2 notice? ......................................................................... 53

When might a Tier 2 violation be elevated to Tier 1?................................................................... 54

Which methods of delivery must I use? ....................................................................................... 54

Suggestions for Effective Public Notification Delivery .................................................................. 55

Suggestions for Layout of the Notice .......................................................................................... 56

Tier 2 Templates ............................................................................................................ 59

Unresolved Total Coliform Notice–Template 2-1.......................................................... 61

Resolved Total Coliform Notice–Template 2-2 ............................................................. 63

Chemical or Radiological MCLs Notice–Template 2-3................................................... 65

Fluoride MCL Notice–Template 2-4............................................................................ 67

SWTR Failure to Filter Notice–Template 2-5 ................................................................ 69

SWTR Turbidity Exceedance Notice–Template 2-6........................................................ 71

SWTR Disinfection Treatment Notices–Template 2-7.................................................... 73

LCR Failure to Install Corrosion Control Notice–Template 2-8 ....................................... 75

LT2ESWTR Failure to Install Treatment Notice–Template 2-9a ....................................... 77

LT2ESWTR Uncovered Finished Water Reservoir Treatment Notice–Template 2-9b .......... 79

LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Install Treatment Notice–Template 2-9c ............. 81

LT2ESWTR Failure to Conduct Source Water Monitoring 

(Initial or Second Round) Notice–Template 2-9d ......................................................... 83
Public Notification Handbook iii March 2007

Stage 1 DBPR TTHM or HAA5 MCL Violation Notice–Template 2-10 .............................. 85

Stage 2 DBPR TTHM or HAA5 MCL Violation Notice–Template 2-11 .............................. 87

Filter Backwash Recycling Rule Treatment Technique Violation Notice–Template 2-12..... 89

Failure to Comply with the Conditions of an Exemption Notice – Template 2-13............ 91

Monitoring Violation Elevated to Tier 2 Notice – Template 2-14 ................................... 93

7. Tier 3 Notice Requirements and Suggestions.................................................................95

What is the deadline for issuing a Tier 3 notice? ......................................................................... 95

Which methods of delivery must I use? ....................................................................................... 96

Suggestions for Effective Public Notification Delivery .................................................................. 96

May I combine notices for multiple Tier 3 violations or situations? ............................................. 97

Suggestions for the Layout of the Notice .................................................................................... 98

Tier 3 Templates ............................................................................................................ 99

Monitoring Violations Annual Notice–Template 3-1A................................................ 101

Monitoring Violations Annual Notice–Template 3-1B ................................................ 103

Failure to Comply with a Testing Procedure Notice – Template 3-2 ............................. 105

Operating Under an Exemption Notice – Template 3-3.............................................. 107

Special Notice for Availability of Unregulated Contaminant 

Monitoring Data – Template 3-4 ............................................................................. 109

Fluoride SMCL Notice–Template 3-5 ........................................................................ 111

Appendix A NPDWR Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice ...............115

Appendix B Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification ..........................123

Appendix C Translated Phrases ..........................................................................................133

Appendix D The Public Notification Rule (40 CFR Part 141, Subpart Q)...........................137
Public Notification Handbook iv March 2007

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Public Notification Handbook March 2007

Acronyms

CCR Consumer Confidence Report

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CFE Combined Filter Effluent

CWS Community Water System

DBP Disinfection Byproduct

EAS Emergency Alert System

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

FBRR Filter Backwash Recycling Rule

HAA5 Haloacetic acids (five)

HPC Heterotrophic Plate Count

IESWTR Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule

IOC Inorganic Chemical

LCR Lead and Copper Rule

LT1ESWTR Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule

LT2ESWTR Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule

MCL Maximum Contaminant Level

MCLG Maximum Contaminant Level Goal

MRDL Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level

MRDLG Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal

NCWS Non-Community Water System

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NPDWR National Primary Drinking Water Regulation

NTNCWS Non-Transient Non-Community Water System

NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit

NWS National Weather Service

OGWDW Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water

OW Office of Water

PN Public Notification

PWS Public Water System

SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act

SMCL Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level

SOC Synthetic Organic Chemical

SWTR Surface Water Treatment Rule

TCR Total Coliform Rule

TT Treatment Technique

TTHM Total Trihalomethanes

TNCWS Transient Non-Community Water System

VOC Volatile Organic Chemical
Public Notification Handbook vi March 2007

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Public Notification Handbook March 2007

1.Introduction

The purpose of this handbook is to explain EPA’s Public Notification Rule and provide examples of effective 

public notices. This handbook is designed to meet the needs of public water systems of all sizes. Throughout 

the handbook there are suggestions and instructions targeted to very small community systems (systems that 

serve 500 people or less). These suggestions, along with other useful hints for creating effective notices, are 

set aside in shaded boxes. 

This version of the handbook updates the June 2000 version. It reflects some recent EPA regulations, 

including the Filter Backwash Recycling Rule, Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, Long 

Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, and Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts 

Rule. New templates for some violations under these rules are included. Also, Chapter 4 includes new 

information on effective risk communication. This version of the handbook does not include public 

notification requirements and information for the Ground Water Rule (GWR) published November 8, 2006.

Why is Effective Public Notification Important?

Public notification is designed to protect public health. As a public water supplier, you are required by law to 

prepare and distribute public notification to consumers. One of the best ways water systems can contribute 

to community health is to make sure as many people as possible within a service area know about water 

quality issues and how to protect themselves from potential risks. Public notification of drinking water 

violations and other situations provides a way to educate the public, protect public health, build trust with 

consumers through open and honest sharing of information, and establish an ongoing, positive relationship 

with your community. The greater the effort your water system makes to reach and inform everyone in 

your service area on your system, the more they will trust your commitment to delivering safe water and 

protecting public health. 

This guidance is designed to help water systems understand public notification requirements and deliver 

effective information to educate their public and protect community health. Throughout this document 

are tips and suggestions to help you create an effective communication strategy for meeting the public 

notification requirements. The suggestions contained in this document are based on the guiding principles 

for good risk communication and public education, including:

1. Accept and involve the public as a legitimate partner.

2. Plan carefully and evaluate your efforts.

3. Listen carefully to the public’s concerns.

4. Be honest, frank, and open.

5. Coordinate and collaborate with other credible sources.

6. Meet the needs of the media.

7. Speak clearly and with compassion.1

The communication strategy outlined in this document will help water systems plan for effective public 

notification by analyzing the population they serve, determining the best ways to reach consumers, and 

creating effective channels for distributing public notices. 

1

From: Covello, V.T. and Sandman, P.M. 2001. “Risk Communication: Evolution and Revolution.” In: Wolbarst, A, ed. Solutions to and 

Environment in Peril. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins Univ. Press. pp 164-178.
Public Notification Handbook March 2007

In addition to increasing the effectiveness of public notices, this handbook will help public water system 

owners and operators comply with Federal and State requirements. State and Tribal primacy agencies will 

find this handbook useful as well. The Public Notification Rule provides flexibility to primacy agencies, 

allowing them to set different requirements on both a case-by-case and a rule-by-rule basis. Systems should 

keep this in mind when using the handbook.

Finally, as you read, you will notice references in parentheses throughout the document. These are references 

to the appropriate federal regulatory requirement found in the Federal Public Notification Rule (see 

Appendix D) and are included to help you understand the particular requirement being discussed.
Public Notification Handbook March 2007

2.How to Use This Handbook

This handbook contains information to help you prepare and issue a public notice. Before you are faced with a 

violation or situation requiring public notification, you should read this handbook. You should also check 

with your local health department or other primacy agency to see if your state has additional public notification 

requirements or if more stringent public notification requirements apply. The steps to take to respond to a drinking 

water violation or other situation requiring notice are listed below:

1. Determine what tier your violation or situation falls into. Use Table 2 in Chapter 3 for a summary of 

major violations and situations requiring notice and your deadline for providing public notice. You can 

also refer to Appendix A for a listing by contaminant (141.201(a)). 

2. Consult your primacy agency if required.

For Tier 1 violations and situations, immediately consult with your primacy agency when you 

learn of the violation or situation (141.202(b)). You must issue the notice within 24 hours, even if you 

are unable to contact the primacy agency.

For single exceedances of turbidity limits or for a two-day turbidity MCL violation, immediately 

consult with your primacy agency when you learn of the violation. Your primacy agency will 

determine whether the violation needs to be elevated to Tier 1 (141.203(b)).

3. Review the requirements for public notices. Read Chapter 3 “Summary of Requirements” which 

describes content, mandatory language, formatting, and distribution requirements that are applicable to 

all notices. Chapter 4 provides guidance on effective public communication.

4. Determine the appropriate method(s) of delivery. Chapters 5, 6, and 7 describe required delivery 

methods for Tier 1, 2, and 3 notices, respectively, as well as ideas for creating the most effective 

notice possible. Required methods vary based on system type and tier. If you operate a transient noncommunity water system, read the “Public Notification Handbook for Transient Non-Community 

Water Systems” (EPA 816-R-07-004) for assistance on delivery methods.

5. Develop a notice; you can use the templates that fit your situation or write your own. A list of 

templates is provided in the table of contents. At the ends of Chapters 5, 6, and 7 are templates for 

commonly occurring violations and situations, along with violation-specific instructions for modifying 

each template. The instructions for each template are on the front of the page; the corresponding 

template is on the back. If there is no template for your violation or situation, write your own notice 

using the list of required elements in Chapter 3 or other applicable requirements provided in Chapter 

3, and follow the suggestions on layout in Chapters 5 through 7. Some situations and all violations, 

including monitoring violations, have required language regarding health effects (141.205(d)). This 

language is discussed in Chapter 3 and is found in Appendix B and in the templates.

6. Translate the notice if a large proportion of the population you serve does not speak English 

(141.205(c)). See Chapter 3 for more on how to determine if you need translations and how to get help 

translating notices.
Public Notification Handbook  March 2007

7. Provide your notice to persons served as soon as practical but within the allowed time frame. Use the 

method of delivery chosen in step 4 above.

8. Send a copy of each type of notice issued (including repeat notices) to your primacy agency within 

ten days after you distribute the notice, along with a statement certifying that all public notification 

requirements have been met (141.31(d)). See the sample certification statement in Chapter 3.

Appropriate Use of the Templates

The templates in this handbook are designed to help operators create public notices for a variety of 

violations. However, it is important to note that the templates included here are not inclusive and 

may not be appropriate for all violations and situations. Depending on the severity of your violation 

or situation, it may be necessary to modify the instructions you give to consumers or to change the timing 

of the notice. For instance, if trichloroethylene levels are ten times the standard (rather than a slight 

exceedance), you should not tell your customers that they can continue to drink the water. In these cases, 

you should issue a notice immediately, rather than waiting up to 30 days. It is important to consult your 

local health department or primacy agency in such situations. In some cases, your primacy agency may 

instruct you to modify the timing or the notice to fit the situation.

Note that the public notice requirements described in this handbook are based on Federal regulations. States 

or Tribes may have alternate public notice requirements or more stringent drinking water standards. You 

should obtain approval from the primacy agency in order to meet its specific requirements.
Public Notification Handbook  March 2007

3.Summary of Requirements

This chapter summarizes the federal PN rule requirements. Except where noted, all requirements in this chapter can be 

found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q, beginning at Section 141.201. See Appendix 

D for a copy of this regulation. Check with your primacy agency to see if more stringent requirements apply.

When and how do I need to notify my consumers?

EPA has assigned each violation and situation requiring notice to one of three categories, or tiers, based on 

the risk of adverse health effects (see Appendix A). After you learn of a violation or situation, public notice 

must be provided as summarized in Table 1 below. Delivery requirements for community water systems 

(CWSs) and non-community water systems (NCWSs) differ, as indicated below. Transient non-community 

water system operators should refer to the “Public Notification Handbook for Transient Non-Community 

Water Systems” (EPA 816-R-07-004) to see requirements that are specific to them.

Table 1. Requirements for Issuing a Public Notice

Violation 

Tier

Deadline for 

initial notice

Repeated 

Notices *

Delivery Methods to Use ** Go To...

1 24 hours*** As dictated 

by the 

primacy 

agency

1) Broadcast media (radio or television) or hand delivery 

or posting

2) Another method as needed to reach consumers not 

likely to receive a notice from methods noted in item 

#1.

Chapter 5

2 30 days   Every 3 

months

CWS:

1) Mail or hand delivery 

2) Another method as needed to reach consumers not 

likely to receive a notice from methods noted in item 

#1.

Chapter 6

NCWS:

1) Posting, hand delivery, or mail 

2) Another method as needed to reach consumers not 

likely to receive a notice from methods noted in item 

#1.

3 1 year** *** Annually

CWS:

1) Mail or hand delivery (public notice delivery may be 

provided by CCR if one year requirement is met.)

2) Another method as needed to reach consumers not 

likely to receive a notice from methods noted in item 

#1. 

Chapter 7

NCWS:

1) Posting, hand delivery, or mail 

2) Another method as needed to reach consumers not 

likely to receive a notice from methods noted in item 

#1.

* Repeated notices are required if the violation or situation persists, unless otherwise directed by the primacy agency. 

Posted notices must remain posted and may need periodic updating.

** Primacy agencies may approve other methods. 

*** For Tier 1, systems must also initiate consultation with the primacy agency within 24 hours. 

  Systems with turbidity MCL violations based on the average of samples over two days or with turbidity single 

exceedance treatment technique violations must consult with the primacy agency within 24 hours after learning of the 

violation. 

** *** EPA recommends consolidating all Tier 3 violations and situations occurring within a given year into an annual notice.
Public Notification Handbook March 2007

Whom must I inform when a violation or situation occurs? 

If you are faced with a violation or situation requiring public notification, you must provide the notice 

to persons served by your system. This means you must take all reasonable steps to inform people if they 

would not be reached by the most commonly used methods of notification. This does not mean that every 

person in the area served by the system must be notified (this may be impossible), but you must identify 

different types of consumers and make an effort to reach them. Additionally, every new billing customer or 

unit must be notified of any ongoing violations or situations for which notice has previously been issued (at 

non-community systems notices must be posted for as long as a violation or situation lasts). Remember that 

the most effective public notices—those that protect public health and build consumer understanding and 

trust—reach the largest possible group of people.

For example, if a community water system mails a notice to its billing customers only, people who do not 

receive water bills, such as tenants whose utilities are included in their rent or people who work in the area 

served by the system but live elsewhere, would not receive a notice. Publishing a notice in the newspaper and 

providing copies of the notice to landlords to distribute to their tenants would help reach those people. At 

a non-community system, hand delivery of notices would reach only those consumers who are present when 

the notices are distributed. Posting would reach visitors or newcomers. 

You are required to include standard language in your notices that encourages distribution of the notice, 

where applicable. This language is described in Chapter 3 and is intended to increase public awareness of 

the situation. Use of this language does not relieve you of your obligation to notify persons served, however.

Does every notice need to be sent to everyone in the distribution system?

In general, notices must be provided to people who are served throughout the distribution system. In some 

very limited cases, however, if you can show that a violation affects a portion of the distribution system 

that is physically or hydraulically isolated from the rest of the distribution system, your primacy agency 

may allow you to notify only those people in the portion of the system that is out of compliance. You must 

receive written permission from your primacy agency to limit distribution of a notice.

What if I sell water to other systems?

The obligation to notify persons served includes notifying owners or operators of other systems that buy or 

otherwise obtain water from you. The owners or operators of those systems are responsible for notifying their 

customers before the appropriate deadline, with the “clock” starting when the purchasing system learns of 

the violation or situation from you. Sometimes, however, it may be easier and less confusing for consumers if 

one system notifies all the customers in consecutive systems (e.g., if the notice is broadcast over television or 

radio). In that case, you should send copies of your notice to purchasing systems prior to notifying the media 

if time permits. You should incorporate procedures and chains of communication for such situations into 

your emergency management or communications plan. In addition, any memoranda of understanding you 

sign with other water systems should spell out each system’s public notification responsibilities. 
Public Notification Handbook March 2007

What kinds of violations and situations require public notice? 

In general, public notice is required for any of the following violations: 

Exceedances of maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) or maximum residual disinfectant levels Violation 

of treatment techniques;

Monitoring and testing procedure violations; and

Failure to comply with the schedule of a variance or exemption. 

Other situations (not violations) which require notice include: 

Operation under a variance or exemption;

Occurrence of a waterborne disease outbreak or other waterborne emergency;

Exceedance of the secondary maximum contaminant level for fluoride;

Availability of unregulated contaminant monitoring results; and

Exceedance of the nitrate MCL in non-community systems that have been granted permission by the 

primacy agency to continue to exceed the nitrate MCL of 10 mg/l (although they must not exceed 20 

mg/l). 

Primacy agencies may also require notice for other violations and situations. 

Table 2 on the next page shows the organization of violations and situations into tiers, based on the 

seriousness of potential adverse health effects. For a complete list of contaminants and their appropriate tiers, 

refer to Appendix A.
















Public Notification Handbook March 2007

Table 2. Violations and Situations Requiring Public Notice

Tier 1 Violations and Other Situations Requiring Notice Within 24 Hours*

1. Violation of the MCL for total coliform, when fecal coliform or E. coli are present in the water 

distribution system, or failure to test for fecal coliform or E. coli when any repeat sample tests positive for 

coliform;

2. Violation of the MCL for nitrate, nitrite, or total nitrate and nitrite; or when a confirmation sample is 

not taken within 24 hours of the system’s receipt of the first sample showing exceedance of the nitrate or 

nitrite MCL;

3. Exceedance of the nitrate MCL (10 mg/l) by non-community water systems, where permitted to exceed 

the MCL (up to 20 mg/l) by the primacy agency;

4. Violations of the MRDL for chlorine dioxide when one or more of the samples taken in the distribution 

system on the day after exceeding the MRDL at the entrance of the distribution system or when required 

samples are not taken in the distribution system;

5. Violation of the turbidity MCL of 5 NTU, where the primacy agency determines after consultation that 

a Tier 1 notice is required or where consultation does not occur in 24 hours after the system learns of 

violation;

6. Violation of the treatment technique requirement resulting from a single exceedance of the maximum 

allowable turbidity limit, where the primacy agency determines after consultation that a Tier 1 notice is 

required or where consultation does not take place in 24 hours after the system learns of violation;

7. Occurrence of a waterborne disease outbreak, as defined in 40 CFR 141.2, or other waterborne 

emergency; and

8. Other violations or situations with significant potential for serious adverse effects on human health as a 

result of short term exposure, as determined by the primacy agency either in its regulations or on a 

case-by-case basis. 

* If your system has any of these violations or situations, in addition to issuing public notice, you must 

initiate consultation with your primacy agency as soon as practical but within 24 hours after you learn of 

the violation or situation. See Chapter 5 for more details. 

Tier 2 Violations Requiring Notice Within 30 Days**

1. All violations of the MCL, MRDL, and treatment technique requirements except where Tier 1 notice is 

required;

2. Violations of monitoring requirements where the primacy agency determines that a Tier 2 public 

notice is required, taking into account potential health impacts and persistence of the violation; and

3. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of any variance or exemption in place.

** If you exceed the maximum allowable turbidity level, as identified in Appendix A, you must consult with 

your primacy agency as soon as practical but no later than 24 hours after learning of the violation. See 

Chapter 6 for more details. 

Tier 3 Violations and Other Situations Requiring Notice Within 1 Year

1. Monitoring violations, except where Tier 1 notice is required or the primacy agency determines that the 

violation requires a Tier 2 notice;

2. Failure to comply with an established testing procedure, except where Tier 1 notice is required or the 

primacy agency determines that the violation requires a Tier 2 notice;

3. Operation under a variance granted under §1415 or exemption granted under §1416 of the Safe 

Drinking Water Act;

4. Availability of unregulated contaminant monitoring results; and

5. Exceedance of the secondary maximum contaminant level for fluoride.
Public Notification Handbook  March 2007

What information do I need to include in each notice for a violation or 

situation?

Your public notice must include specific information in order to be considered complete. For each 

violation and situation requiring notice (except for fluoride SMCL exceedances, availability of unregulated 

contaminant monitoring data, and operation under a variance or exemption), you must provide a clear and 

easy-to-understand explanation of the following:

1. The violation or situation, including the contaminant(s) of concern, and (as applicable) the contaminant 

level(s);

2. When the violation or situation occurred; 

3. Any potential adverse health effects from drinking the water, using mandatory language described in 

Chapter 3;

4. The population at risk, including subpopulations that may be particularly vulnerable if exposed to the 

contaminant in their drinking water;

5. Whether alternate water supplies should be used;

6. Actions consumers should take, including when they should seek medical help, if known;

7. What you are doing to correct the violation or situation;

8. When you expect to return to compliance or resolve the situation;

9. Your name, business address, and phone number or those of a designee of the public water system as a 

source of additional information concerning the notice; and

10. A statement encouraging notice recipients to distribute the notice to others, where applicable, using the 

standard language given in this chapter.

Some required elements may not apply to every violation or situation. However, you must still address these 

elements in your notice. For example, if it is unnecessary for consumers to boil their water or drink bottled 

water, you should tell them they do not need to do so. This is especially important for Tier 2 notices, where 

a violation may have been resolved by the time the notice is issued or may not be an immediate health risk. 

You should ask your primacy agency or a local health department for the appropriate information for some 

elements of the notice, such as actions consumers should take to protect their health. The local health 

department also can help you identify other system-specific information, such as vulnerable populations 

(e.g., children, dialysis patients) and effective communication channels for reaching them.

If you do not know when your system will return to compliance, give your consumers an idea of how long 

it may take–for example, a few days for an E. coli violation or months for failure to install corrosion control. 

If you do not know when your system will return to compliance, state that honestly. When talking about 

potential health risks, you should always be straightforward even if that means admitting you don’t know 

something. If you are overly optimistic in your estimate of the time required to address a problem and 

your system does not meet your estimate, you may see public trust in your system’s credibility erode. Some 

situations, such as waterborne emergencies, may not have mandatory health effects language, but you must 

still describe potential health effects. You may be able to adapt the language from a treatment technique or 

MCL violation. Figure 1 contains an example showing how all the required elements fit into a public notice.
Public Notification Handbook 10 March 2007

Public Notification Handbook 10 March 2007 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

Tests Show Coliform Bacteria in [System] Water 

The Jonesville water system routinely monitors for coliform bacteria. 

During the month of July, 7 percent of our samples tested positive. 

The standard is that no more than 5 percent of samples may test 

positive. 

What should I do? 

• You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective 

actions. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult 

your doctor. 

• You do not need to use an alternate (e.g., bottled) water supply. 

• People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and 

some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek 

advice about drinking water from their health care providers. 

General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by 

microbes are available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 

1-800-426-4791. 

What does this mean? 

This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified 

immediately. Coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves. 

Coliforms are bacteria which 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. 

Usually, coliforms are a sign that there could be a problem with the 

system's treatment or distribution system (pipes). Whenever we detect 

coliform bacteria in any sample, we do follow-up testing to see if other 

bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are 

present. We did not find any of these bacteria in our subsequent 

testing.

What was done? 

We took additional samples for coliform bacteria which all came back 

negative. As an added precaution, we chlorinated and flushed the 

pipes in the distribution system to make sure bacteria were eliminated. 

This situation is now resolved. 

For more information, or to learn more about protecting your drinking 

water please contact John Jones at 555-1212. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this 

water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly 

(for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and 

businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail. 

This is being sent by the Jonesville Water System. 

State Water System ID#1234567. Date Distributed: 8/8/06 

Figure 1 

The Required Elements of a Public Notice

2) When the 

violation

occurred 

3) Potential 

health

effects

6) Actions 

consumers

should take 

7) What is 

being done to 

correct the 

violation

10) Required 

distribution

language

9) Phone 

number for 

more

information

5) The 

population

at risk

4) Should alternate 

water supplies 

be used

1) Description 

of the 

violation

8) When the 

system will 

return to 

compliance

5)	 The

population

at risk

4)	 Should alternate

water supplies be

used
Public Notification Handbook 11 March 2007

What standard language do I have to include in my notices?

Health effects language for MCL and MRDL violations, treatment technique violations, and violations of the 

conditions of a variance or exemption. You must include the health effects language specified in Appendix 

B for such violations. You must also describe potential health effects for other situations, even if there is no 

mandatory language.

Language to encourage the widest possible distribution of the notice to all persons served. You must include the 

following language in all notices. However, there are situations where this may not apply—for example this 

language would probably not be necessary on a posted notice, since posting makes the notice available to 

everyone who passes by. It would also not be needed for a notice provided by broadcast and print media. 

Use of this language does not relieve you of your obligation to notify persons served:

“Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who 

may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, 

schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing 

copies by hand or mail.”

Language for monitoring violations (including testing procedure violations). You must include the following 

language for all monitoring and testing procedure violations:

“We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. 

Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not your drinking water meets health 

standards. During [compliance period], we [‘did not monitor or test’ or ‘did not complete all 

monitoring or testing’] for [contaminant(s)], and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of your 

drinking water during that time.” 

What information do I need to include for special notices for fluoride 

SMCL exceedances?

Community water systems that exceed the secondary maximum contaminant level of 2 mg/l for fluoride but 

do not exceed the MCL of 4 mg/l must include the special fluoride language shown in Template 3-5 and fill 

in the blanks as appropriate. You do not need to include the ten elements listed in Figure 1 above, as these 

are addressed in the language. You must provide notice as soon as practical but no later than 12 months after 

you learn of the exceedance and repeat the notice annually as long as the exceedance persists. See Chapter 

7 for more information. Primacy agencies may require earlier initial notification or more frequent repeat 

notification on a case-by-case basis.

What do I need to include for special notices for unregulated contaminant 

monitoring?

If you monitor for unregulated contaminants, you must issue a public notice stating that the results of the 

monitoring are available and give a phone number to call for those results. You do not need to include 

the ten elements listed in Figure 1 above, but you must follow the Tier 3 schedule. You may include this 

information in an annual notice for Tier 3 situations and violations.
Public Notification Handbook 12 March 2007

What if I have been issued a variance or exemption?

Notices for operating under a variance or exemption have different content requirements than notices for 

the violations and situations described above. If you are operating under a variance or exemption, you must 

notify your consumers within one year of obtaining it and repeat the notice annually for as long as the 

variance or exemption exists. You must include the following in your notice:

An explanation of the reason(s) for the variance or exemption;

The date on which the variance or exemption was issued;

A brief status report on the steps you are taking to install treatment, find alternative sources of water, or 

otherwise comply with the terms and schedules of the variance or exemption; and 

A notice of any opportunity for public input in the review of the variance or exemption.

Are there formatting requirements for public notices?

All public notices must meet certain formatting standards. These requirements help prevent the notice from 

being “buried” in a newspaper and help ensure that consumers can easily read and understand the notice. 

Notices must: 

Be displayed in a conspicuous way (where printed or posted);

Not contain overly technical language or very small print;

Not be formatted in a way that defeats the purpose of the notice; and

Not contain language which nullifies the purpose of the notice.

Your primacy agency may have special formatting requirements. Check to be sure that you meet all of its 

requirements.

Will I have to provide notices in languages other than English?

Remember that your goal is to inform and protect the public and the best way to do that is to make it easy 

for them to understand your message. Messages are easiest to understand when they are presented in the 

audience’s first language. When it comes to communicating about risks, it is important to make it as easy as 

possible for your audience to understand your message; clarity and simplicity help people understand risks 

and put them in perspective. 

If a large proportion of the population you serve does not speak English, the PN rule requires you to provide 

at least partially multilingual notices. If translations are needed, your notice must, at a minimum, contain 

information in the appropriate language(s) regarding the importance of the notice, or it must provide a 

phone number or address where a translated notice or information or assistance in the appropriate language 

is available. Your primacy agency may have established criteria for what constitutes a large proportion of the 

people you serve; check with the agency to be sure. If your primacy agency does not define what constitutes 

a large proportion of non-English speaking consumers, it is up to you to make this determination. You 

should rely on your knowledge of your consumer base or contacts with community representatives. As a 

guideline in making your determination, some states have used a threshold of ten percent of the population 

or 1,000 people, whichever is less, for providing multilingual information in Consumer Confidence Reports 

(CCRs). See Chapter 4 for more on identifying whether translated notices are needed, and how to reach 

non-English speaking people. 

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Public Notification Handbook 13 March 2007

You should be more proactive in deciding whether to translate PNs than you would be for CCRs. Keep in 

mind that public notices are about violations of drinking water standards or other situations that pose a 

health risk, whereas CCRs are educational. You may wish to provide notices in multiple languages if nonEnglish speaking populations are in your service area, whether or not they constitute a large proportion 

of your service population. Although you are not required to provide full translations of notices, this 

is strongly recommended for Tier 1 notices and for other violations that pose a serious health risk. 

Primacy agencies may be able to provide you with some assistance in finding translators, but it is your 

responsibility to get the notice translated. 

Chapter 5 includes Spanish templates for nitrate and fecal coliform notices along with the templates for Tier 

1 violations and situations. In addition, Appendix C includes translations in several languages of important 

phrases, such as “do not drink the water,” “boil your water before using,” and others.

What information must I provide to my primacy agency?

After you provide the notice to your consumers, you must, within ten days, send your primacy agency a 

copy of each type of notice you distribute (e.g., newspaper article, press release to TV/radio, mail notices) 

and a certification that you have met all the public notification requirements (141.31(d)). You must send 

certifications for both initial and any repeat notices. When you certify, you are also stating that you will 

meet future requirements for notifying new billing units of the violation or situation. 

A sample certification “box” with appropriate language is provided below. The box is not mandatory (only a statement 

is); however, it is a useful tool for tracking and noting required activities. Contact your primacy agency; they may 

have a certification form they require to be submitted to them. If your primacy agency does not have a required 

certification form for you to use, you may wish to copy this certification onto the bottom or reverse of the copy of the 

notice you send to the primacy agency.

PWS Name: [system name] 

PWS ID #: [PWS number] 

For Violation: [describe violation or situation] 

Occurring on: [insert date] .

The public water system indicated above hereby affirms that public notice has been provided to consumers 

in accordance with the delivery, content, and format requirements and deadlines in [regulatory citation].

 Consultation with primacy agency (if required) on [insert date] .

 Notice distributed by [insert method] on [insert date] .

 Notice distributed by [insert method] on [insert date] .

 Content - required elements.

___________________________________ _____________

Signature of owner or operator Date
Public Notification Handbook 14 March 2007

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Public Notification Handbook 15 March 2007

4.Making Public Notification Work – Plan In Advance

Effective risk communication, particularly when potentially serious health risks are involved, requires 

advanced planning, effective communication, and follow-up. The discussion that follows describes some of 

the key steps you can take before, during, and after a situation that requires public notification. It includes 

suggestions for making your communication efforts as effective as possible. Systems are not required to 

perform all of the activities discussed in this chapter; however, it will be helpful to them if they do. 

Planning in Advance for Public Notification

Any advanced work you can do to prepare for a public notification effort will pay off if you are faced with 

a violation or situation. Advanced planning will allow accurate information to be transferred quickly to all 

affected consumers with ease and will allow for time to correct issues if situations do not go as planned. 

When your community and water system conduct emergency planning, include Tier 1 public notification 

requirements in your plans. When a serious violation, waterborne disease outbreak, or other emergency 

occurs you will already have in place an established process, chain of command, and knowledge of the best 

communication channels and delivery methods for reaching your public. You will also have the relationships, 

contacts, and understanding of key stakeholders that you will need if you are faced with a very short 

turnaround time for communicating required information to the public. 

Assemble Your Response Team

Develop a working relationship and response plan with your local health department so you have an 

agreed-upon process for sharing information about water-related health risks and communicating with 

the public. Consumers may call the health department for information about health risks described in 

your communications; if you coordinate in advance, you can help to ensure that, regardless of whom they 

call, your public hears consistent messages that will help them understand the risks and how to manage 

them. 

Remember, situations that require public notices will probably affect health professionals in your 

community. They will need accurate and clear information on contaminants and health risks so that 

they can help your public understand the risks and how to manage them. Health professionals need to 

understand how the violation or situation affects their patients (especially those professionals who treat 

children, the elderly, or people with compromised immune systems). Public health officials may know 

the most effective channels for reaching your community’s health providers. Discuss this in advance 

so that you are not trying to find every clinic, doctor, and nurse in your community at the same time 

that you are trying to solve a contamination problem. The local health department or sanitarian is also 

likely to have valuable information to share about the populations you serve, particularly about the 

subpopulations most vulnerable to water-related illnesses and ways to reach them. 

Work with your community's emergency managers to establish ties with the state office that works with 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Weather Service (NWS) to access 

the Emergency Alert System (EAS). Through memoranda of agreement between states and the NWS, 

communities can broadcast alerts of non-weather emergencies, including drinking water violations and 

situations, via NOAA Weather Radio and NOAA Weather Wire Service. This is a very effective delivery 

method to have at your disposal in case of a violation requiring a Tier 1 public notice.

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Public Notification Handbook 16 March 2007

Create a list of emergency contact numbers for all of the people who will be critical to your outreach 

efforts, including public health representatives; Web masters that support your web site and key web sites 

hosted by the local government, health department, etc.; media contacts; local government officials and 

leaders from the subpopulation groups you identify in your service community. Ensure this list is kept 

up to date for future notices. Identify printers or copying services that have the capacity to generate high 

volumes of copies, and other vendors that supply services that you may need in an emergency. 

Find out whom you should contact at the primacy agency for cases where consultation is required. 

Determine whether there are alternative procedures for notifying the agency when violations or situations 

occur on weekends or holidays. Also, be sure you have a way to contact them during an emergency, such 

as a power failure, that may cause them to not be at their place of business. This is especially true if you 

routinely communicate via e-mail.

Understand Your Audience and How to Reach Them

Water systems need to know their customers before they are faced with a critical need to reach and inform 

them. One of the most effective steps you can take to plan in advance for a public notice distribution 

is to analyze and segment your service population. The key to segmenting your audience for effective 

communication is to identify the number of discrete subgroups within your community that receive 

information in different ways than other groups. For example, your community may consist of several 

language groups, several groups with different reading proficiencies, and multiple groups that obtain 

their information from different media sources. If you can identify the number of subgroups within your 

community and identify what differentiates each group, you will be well prepared to reach each group 

effectively. Questions to research in advance include:

What languages are spoken in your service area? 

Within each language community, what percentage of people is also proficient in English?

Are there large numbers of people in your service area with low literacy levels?

If so, are low-literacy groups “clustered” in certain zip codes or neighborhoods?

What sources of information do these groups trust?

To find information on the languages spoken in your area, see the U.S. Census Bureau's website, http://

factfinder.census.gov to find information about your community. The census database includes answers 

to questions about literacy levels, what languages besides English are spoken at home and the level of 

English proficiency. (English proficiency is important, because if a group tends to speak a language at 

home, but is also able to read and understand English, a notification in a second language may not 

be necessary.) You should also be able to find out the number of people who speak each language. See 

Chapter 3 for information on the multi-lingual requirements for public notices.

Consider your local media as another good source of information on your audience. It is the media’s job 

to know the community inside and out. Media outlets have an economic need to understand how to 

reach various segments of the audience, and typically have a mission to “serve” the community. These 

two goals mean that they likely have knowledge of various subgroups in your community; and contacts 

with key leaders within the community who have strong relationships or access to specific subgroup. 

Since you need to establish relationships with your media anyway (as partners in communication), one 

way to develop allies within the media is to recognize their knowledge and ability by asking them for 

valuable information about your service population.

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•

•

•

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Public Notification Handbook 17 March 2007

Identify community and ethnic group leaders and discuss with them your commitment to provide safe 

drinking water to their constituents. These “grassroots” groups have a high level of contact with target 

demographic groups, and tend to be trusted by them. Establish and maintain working alliances with these 

grassroots organizations so that if you need to quickly distribute a message about the drinking water in 

the future, you already have channels in place to reach your diverse audience. This can demonstrate your 

concern for the community they serve and establish a level of trust that will increase the likelihood that 

they will assist you when needed.

Consider local government officials, neighborhood and civic associations, community leaders, large 

employers, church leaders, grocery store owners, barber shop owners...everyone who has the ear of a 

particular subgroup within your community is a potential ally. 

Ethnic organizations, churches/mosques/synagogues, and multicultural centers are in touch with the 

needs and concerns of specific racial, religious, or ethnic groups, including people who cannot speak or 

read English. 

Health care providers, hospital and nursing home directors, social service providers, are a first source 

of information for many people, especially vulnerable populations, such as parents of small children or 

HIV/AIDS patients.

Determine the key local media that each subgroup looks to for information. For example, identify nonEnglish radio stations, television shows on cable access, popular hip-hop stations, and local public radio 

stations that may appeal to your various target subgroups. Identify local Foreign-language newspapers, 

and determine which of these reach the most people. Remember that some may only be published 

weekly, and would therefore not be appropriate for Tier 1 situations. 

Consider how you can deliver your messages most effectively to each subgroup in your community. Different 

audiences demand different messages because they have differing concerns and, sometimes, different 

ways of absorbing information. In the discussion of how to make materials more readable below, you will 

find suggestions for including graphics and other visual cues to help your audience understand printed 

information. Also consider that some of your audience may have low-literacy skills or visual impairments 

that make it difficult to process written information and consider how you can provide information to them 

through television, radio, in public meetings or through word-of mouth. You may want to ensure radio or 

televised announcements are provided late at night and early in the morning to help ensure consumers on 

such schedules receive the information. Also, remember that all of your customers are not residential and 

some of your commercial customers may want information about how the violation or situation affects 

them (e.g., can a restaurant owner use the water for cooking, can a landscape business use the water on their 

plants, etc.).

Create Your Communication Channels

Once you have analyzed your population and have an idea of the multiple groups you will want to reach in 

the event of a public notice, establish the relationships and processes you will need to have in place to work 

through those groups to reach your target audiences. For example, if you know you have a large Hispanic 

population in your service area and that many members of the community tend to listen to specific radio 

stations, watch certain television programs, read particular periodicals and convene at specific locations, 

make advance connections to those sources of information. 

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Public Notification Handbook 18 March 2007

Call on the media that can help you reach your target communities and explain your commitment to 

providing safe drinking water and that you sometimes need to reach as many people as possible in a short 

time period to share important health messages. Enlist them in your cause and establish a process for 

sharing information with these “third-party communicators” so that they can help you distribute public 

notices. Explain ahead of time what constitutes an emergency and what it means if you contact them in 

the future to request help with distribution of a public notice.

Develop relationships with the media. Hold an annual media day where you can offer tours and explain 

how your system operates, including any improvements you may be implementing. In addition, find 

out if local news outlets hold community outreach days. The more informed your local media is 

about your water system, the more accurate and positive they will be when writing about a violation 

or situation. Cultivate a positive image—that your water system is a resource to protect, not simply 

another “utility.” Designate one person on your staff to serve as a liaison to the media. Establish a 

relationship with a key reporter, e.g., someone who covers environmental or public health issues, so 

that you can make quick contact with them in an emergency. A good relationship will improve the 

likelihood that your message is aired the way that you want it to be.

Ask your media contacts what kind of information about water quality issues they would find valuable 

in case of an emergency and prepare draft materials for the media. If you make it easy for the media to 

cover your story correctly, they are more likely to do so.

Establish contacts with institutions and people who can translate notices into other languages for you 

and help you target non-English speaking populations to receive translated notices. Community centers, 

universities, high school teachers, and community activists can help provide translations. Make contacts 

ahead of time for low-cost translations. Consider word-of-mouth as a good way to get notices to nonEnglish speaking consumers, especially if there are no television or radio stations or newspapers in those 

languages. To stimulate word-of-mouth transfer of information, you need to have relationships with 

opinion leaders who are well connected within each community you want to reach. It is also important 

to work with community or ethnic organizations, such as churches, mosques, temples, and community 

associations to make sure the notice gets to non-English speaking consumers. See Chapter 3 for 

information on the multi-lingual requirements for public notices.

Each public notification tier has required methods of delivery. Review this handbook in advance of a 

violation or situation so that you are prepared to distribute information as quickly and widely as possible.

Prepare Your Messages

Do not wait for a violation or situation to occur to begin preparing your messages. Think ahead about 

the key concerns that each of your subgroups may have in the case of different violations or situations and 

identify specific subgroups that may face particular health risks from different contaminants to treatment 

problems. This is especially true if your system is at risk of a violation, for example if contaminant levels are 

below the MCL but have the potential in the future to exceed it, or if there are recurring pollution problems 

associated with naturally occurring contaminants or land uses in your area. 

Even emergency situations will generate a number of common concerns. When a violation or situation 

affects their drinking water, people will be most concerned with what they need to do, whether they or their 

family are at risk, and what is being done to address the situation. 

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Public Notification Handbook 19 March 2007

If possible, test your messages ahead of time with groups who can serve as surrogate audiences. The 

Public Notice templates in this handbook have been tested with focus groups for readability and 

understandability. Consider organizing focus groups and special interest groups (e.g., the elderly, nonEnglish speaking, renters, etc.) to evaluate your notification process and provide feedback. Of course, any 

time you are faced with a situation that requires a public notice, you should pay attention to the reactions 

among your consumers, so if you are faced with a similar situation, any difficulties will not be repeated.

Train spokespersons, build web pages, create fact sheets and brochures and develop agendas for public 

meetings in advance. In the wake of a crisis you will be glad to have draft materials ready for final review 

and quick distribution.

If applicable, consider including a statement in your message that the primacy agency regulations are 

more stringent than the federal regulations. 

Have Materials Readily Available

Obtain fact sheets on contaminants from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or the 

Agency’s website at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwhealth.html. This way if you issue a public notice 

in the future, you will already have the explanatory materials your consumers may ask for after receiving 

your notice. EPA’s fact sheets are updated periodically, so check EPA’s web site regularly to make sure that 

you have the most recent version. You may consider including the Agency’s website on the public notice 

so that consumers may obtain information directly regarding public notification and the contaminant of 

concern. In addition, you may consider including your system’s website on the public notice if you plan 

to have up-to-date information regarding the situation on the website. The EPA Hotline can also provide 

phone numbers for state laboratory certification offices, where you can get a list of labs certified to analyze 

tap water.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a good source of information on drinking 

water contaminants that can cause disease, including Cryptosporidium (http://www.cdc.gov, 1-800-311-

3435). For instance, guidelines on notification for cryptosporidiosis are available in Cryptosporidium 

and Water: A Public Health Handbook. This handbook discusses the decision-making process for issuing 

boil water advisories, provides information on preparing news releases, and contains educational fact 

sheets on preventing disease. Much of the information in the handbook is also applicable to other types 

of disease outbreaks and emergencies. The handbook, along with fact sheets and other publications on 

Cryptosporidium are available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/cryptosporidiosis/default.

htm. Information on other diseases is available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/water/index.htm. 

Remember, your primacy agency may have more stringent requirements for when to issue a boil water 

notice.

Consider Contingencies

You may need to provide bottled water, especially for a Tier 1 violation or situation, so you should confirm 

ahead of time and periodically reconfirm that available bottled water supplies meet the Food and Drug 

Administration or state safety standards by asking bottlers for their most recent testing results. Make sure 

your bottled water supplier understands your emergency plan and has its own plan for providing you with 

large quantities of water on short notice; they should also commit to providing water to you before others in 

an emergency situation.

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Public Notification Handbook 20 March 2007

During a Violation or Situation Requiring Public Notification

How can I make a notice easier to read?

Most readers only read the top half of a notice (or what can be read in ten seconds) and focus on large 

text such as headings and bolded text. The most important information, especially instructions to protect 

consumers’ health, should be placed on the top half of the notice in large print. Smaller type is appropriate 

for the less critical elements, e.g., what the system is doing, an explanation of the cause of the violation or 

situation, etc. You must still include all the required elements in the notice.

Try to limit wordiness. A question and answer format is easy to read and guides readers to the 

information that is likely to concern them. Each paragraph should only deal with one topic and it is very 

important to limit the number of different messages you include in your communications. When dealing 

with potential health risks, people become emotional and have difficulty processing information. The 

best way to help your public understand your public notice messages is to present a limited number of 

messages and to strive for consistency of messaging across all communications media. If people hear your 

few, simple messages over and over again, they are more likely to accurately estimate their risks and to 

take the right steps to manage them.

The templates for public notices contained in Chapters 5, 6, and 7 provide examples of concise messages 

that meet the requirements of the Public Notification Rule in a clear, understandable manner. The most 

important components of the message (i.e., those that have the greatest implications for protecting public 

health) are presented at the top of the templates, in large text.

Use a font for your public notice that is easy to read. The font used for the public notice examples in this 

document is Arial which is a sans serif font.

Use graphics, such as photographs or drawings, to illustrate your messages. Wherever possible, provide an 

image that describes the actions the public should take to protect themselves from potential health risks. 

Appendix C includes simple pictures that convey the concept of “do not drink the water,” that would be 

understood by someone who cannot read.

Highlight the name of your system, especially where people in your area are served by more than one 

water system. You may also want to prepare a map showing the area you serve, especially if it extends 

beyond city limits. You may want to print the notices on your system's letterhead which, coupled with 

the title of the notice, will help people recognize that the notice is important.

How can I ensure that the media distributes an accurate notice?

When you need to work with the media to distribute a public notice, call on your contacts who already 

understand your mission to inform and protect the public. Having established relationships with editors, 

writers, producers, and program hosts will help you to get your message out to the public quickly. However, 

you should not rely solely on the media to distribute your notice. To ensure key facilities are properly 

notified, keep and maintain a listing of these facilities and their contacts and notify them directly.

If you write a press release or get a reporter to write a story for the newspaper, TV, or radio, explain what 

information you are trying to communicate and why (i.e., the ten elements required on each public notice). 

Explain to the media in clear and open terms what you are required to do to communicate about a violation 

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Public Notification Handbook 21 March 2007

or situation and make it easy for them to identify the most important information, including a description 

of the violation or situation, the population at risk, the instructions to consumers, and potential health 

effects. The easier you make it for the media to accurately cover your story, the more likely you are to get the 

results you want. Whenever possible, visit your media contacts in person to request coverage.

Draft a press release for the media and make sure it highlights the key information and includes a contact 

name and number for more information. When you send the notice to radio and TV stations and 

newspapers, write “PRESS RELEASE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY” at the top of the notice to emphasize its 

importance.

Offer to be interviewed on the air by a TV or radio station. Ideally, spokespeople should understand and 

be trained to deal with the pressures associated with an interview, so that they will appear calm (and not 

evasive or defensive).

Write a draft story or an op-ed for the newspaper and give a completed draft to an editor.

Provide radio and television programs with talking points, sources for impartial information (e.g., links to 

the EPA or CDC, contacts at the health department, etc.) and suggestions of people they can interview 

for a story.

Provide statistics, charts, graphics (photographs, video footage, drawings, maps, etc.) along with your text 

to make it easy for different types of media to broadcast your story.

Always take phone calls from the media whether you can answer their questions or not. 

Case Study

City of Lacey, Washington

To alert residents of an E. coli violation, the City of Lacey and the Washington State Department of Health 

issued a joint press release. (The City also hand-delivered notices in the affected neighborhood.) Coissuing the notice gave the press release greater credibility and showed that the City and State were 

providing consistent information. At the same time, the City contacted Seattle and Tacoma television 

and radio stations and newspapers. The local newspaper also interviewed system personnel daily. While 

Lacey received positive feedback on its efforts within the affected neighborhood, it also learned an 

important lesson about working with the media. Many unaffected consumers were unnecessarily alarmed 

because lengthy television interviews were edited to short sound bites, some of which did not mention 

that only 450 homes in the system’s 40,000-person distribution area were affected. Lacey addressed 

the misperception through the local newspaper and a special consumer hotline. This taught the City the 

importance of prioritizing information for the press and making sure the press knows what information the 

public critically needs.

If the media will not run a story on your violation or situation, ask an official from your emergency 

management department to participate by reading the notice on the air or agreeing to an interview. The 

media may be more likely to air a public notice connected to such officials. 

If a newspaper will not publish a story or press release, you may need to buy space to print the notice 

in its entirety. You should buy an advertisement as close to the front of the paper as possible and make it 

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Public Notification Handbook 22 March 2007

large enough that people will easily see it. Legal notices are not recommended because they rarely meet the 

formatting requirements for public notices and are not widely read.

General Tips on Working with the Media

Be truthful and up-front about local water quality issues.

Don’t be defensive when answering questions. 

Answer questions as well as you can, but don’t be afraid to say that you need to check on 

something if there is a question you can’t answer (once you find the information, quickly report 

back on what you’ve found). 

Keep in mind that reporters are not familiar with state or federal requirements for safe drinking 

water - avoid technical jargon!

Provide additional sources of information (for instance, referrals to state contacts or EPA fact 

sheets).

Be sensitive to the fact that reporters may be working on tight deadlines.

Provide a list of the elements that the media must address to adequately inform the public about 

potential risks and how to manage them.

Don’t be upset if a newspaper article isn’t exactly as you would want it, but politely tell a reporter 

if a significant piece of information is wrong or missing.

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When you send a press release to local television and radio stations, try to get them to commit to airing the 

story. Watch or listen to the news to be sure the public notice is aired. It is possible that, despite your 

best attempts, the story will be incomplete or the TV/radio station will not air the notice. If this happens, 

distribute a written follow-up notice as soon as possible, even if the deadline has passed. Include any 

additional information that has become available since the initial notice was prepared. Although a partial 

notice telling consumers what to do is better than no notice, your obligation under the PN rule is not 

satisfied until a complete notice is distributed. 

What other steps should I take after issuing a notice?

Notify local health professionals about the violation or situation. People may call their health care providers 

with questions about how the violation or situation may affect their health, and these professionals should 

have the information they need to respond appropriately. In addition, health professionals, including 

dentists, use tap water during their procedures and need to make plans to use uncontaminated water.

To address sensitive populations, maintain a list of key facilities and their contacts and notify them directly. 

This will be beneficial in instances where the media may be unreliable or these facilities may otherwise not 

receive the notice in a timely manner. 

Customers will call you with questions. The people staffing the phone lines should understand the violation 

that prompted the notice, and be prepared to respond to people’s concerns: what they need to do, whether 

they are at risk, and how quickly the situation will be resolved (if known). Consider preparing a list of 

possible questions and answers for people answering the phones.

As with the media, it is important not to be evasive or defensive in responding to questions. Remember that 

some callers may not be proficient in English. You may need to have someone on your staff that is bilingual 
Public Notification Handbook 23 March 2007

or enlist the help of a grassroots organization or translator. Consider asking community volunteers to 

support a multi-lingual telephone bank in the event of an emergency and make sure people who answer the 

phones are prepared to read or explain the entire notice to callers if necessary. 

Consider providing handouts and additional information at places like the public library, town hall, and 

supermarkets, etc.

Your system’s web page can also be a valuable communications tool; it is a good place to furnish updates and 

more detailed information after the initial notice is provided. (This is especially true in “well-connected” 

communities where a high percentage of the population has Internet access. It is also appropriate for some 

non-community water systems where users regularly use computers and e-mail, such as an office building, a 

business or a college.) Add a date and time stamp to your page and update it frequently (even if the content 

of the message does not change). People want to know that the information they are reading is as current 

as possible. This could help limit the volume of calls you receive. Web products should be accessible to the 

visually disabled. Most software that creates web pages or word processing software allows the text to be read 

aloud by a computer. 

Your primacy agency may require you to do follow-up or “problem corrected” notices for violations 

or situations, particularly for Tier 1. If it does not, you should consider issuing such a notice anyway. 

Sometimes, information on the source of the contamination is not available at the time of an initial notice. 

Providing a notice with updated information demonstrates that you are working on the problem. Consumers 

will expect to receive official word that the problem is solved or being addressed. Template 1-8 at the end of 

Chapter 5 is an example of a notice for a corrected violation.

How can I prevent overreaction to a public notice?

Public education can minimize overreaction to a water problem and can help focus community attention 

on the source of a problem. Public education about contaminants, what a public notice means, and specific 

types of water problems is an excellent public relations tool. It helps create a partnership between you and 

your customers that demonstrates your commitment to providing safe water, and reduces the prevalence of 

the “us versus them” mentality. 

Public notification for recurring problems such as nitrate is more effective if supplemented by a public 

education program. There are a number of ways to create awareness of a contaminant problem and of what 

it means for public health. These include public meetings at community centers, newspaper or local TV and 

radio coverage, working with local libraries to establish a reference section on the problem, or newsletters 

or fact sheets mailed with monthly bills or otherwise distributed broadly throughout the community. 

Information that is helpful to the public includes:

Descriptions of the contaminant(s);

Information on how contaminants get into the water;

What you are doing to prevent or correct the problem;

Why the problem recurs, and what the public can do to prevent a recurrence;

If and why protection measures have a limited effectiveness; and

The impact on the consumer. 

While ongoing problems warrant implementing an early and ongoing public education campaign, public 

response to a notice can point you to other areas in which public education would be useful. For example, if 

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Public Notification Handbook 24 March 2007

you receive a high number of calls about a notice, there is probably a need for greater public understanding 

of the problem. 

Another way to prevent over-reaction is to recruit spokespeople who are perceived by the public as neutral 

experts to share your message. Examples include university experts with relevant expertise; local doctors and 

health professionals; or leaders of local non-profit or advocacy groups with an environmental, community, or 

public health focus. Communications that are solely through water system staff, politicians, and consultants 

could be perceived as biased. 

Begin your communications with a genuine expression of empathy. Do not try to downplay the issues that 

your public expresses concern about. Instead, state your awareness and understanding of their concerns and 

your commitment to keeping them informed so that they know everything that you know. People feel more 

comfortable about risk when they know the people communicating with them believe their concerns are 

valid.

Follow-up After the Situation is Resolved 

Implement ongoing public education programs about contaminants for which you are at risk of violation; 

that is, contaminants whose levels are below the MCL but have the potential in the future to exceed it 

(or have previously exceeded it). This would apply to naturally occurring contaminants, such as radium, 

fluoride, or arsenic, and for recurring pollution problems (e.g., nitrate, pesticides). With an education 

program in place, consumers will be better informed if a violation occurs.

Continue to demonstrate your commitment to public health. Schedule public meetings to discuss the 

violation or situation and to explain necessary treatments (if they are needed) or how citizens can protect the 

water supply so that future violations are less likely. Invite the public to tour your facility. Maintain good 

relationships with the media or civic leaders so that they will provide fair news and information about the 

water system—whether you have another PN situation or not.

Follow-up testing can help ensure that the message in the notice was received as intended and that all target 

audiences understood the notice. The results of such an analysis can help mold future efforts. 

Media surveys can assess how well the information was reported by television and radio stations and the 

press. Media coverage can be monitored by reviewing the Web sites of local media outlets, or purchasing 

the services of media surveillance firms. Relevant information includes the frequency of stories, the media 

through which they were reported, and the content of the stories (e.g., whether the most important facts 

were covered or if any erroneous information was reported). 

Polling citizens can directly gauge their opinion of the outreach by determining citizens’ awareness of 

the violation, how they perceived the information, and if they were satisfied with and could understand 

it. The telephone is the most common polling avenue; however, phone polls should be undertaken and 

interpreted with caution, as the subjects of a phone survey would not include low income residents with 

no telephone (door-to-door surveys are an option in these areas). Pollsters should be able to speak all of 

the languages represented in the service area. Grassroots organizations may be surveyed as well. 

To ensure accuracy and ease in developing future notices, you should evaluate your notification process 

and update your contacts annually. 

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Public Notification Handbook 25 March 2007

5.Tier 1 Notice Requirements and Suggestions

Tier 1 notices must be issued for the following violations or situations and must meet the content, format, 

and multilingual requirements described in Chapter 3, “Summary of Requirements” (141.202(a)):

Total coliform MCL violations where fecal coliform or E. coli are present, or failure to test for fecal 

coliform or E. coli when any repeat sample tests positive for coliform (some times referred to as an acute 

violation of the Total Coliform Rule); 

Nitrate, nitrite, or total nitrate and nitrite MCL violations, or failure to take a confirmation sample for 

nitrate or nitrite within 24 hours after learning that an initial sample exceeded the MCL; 

Exceedance of the nitrate MCL by non-community water systems that have been granted permission 

by the primacy agency to continue to exceed the MCL of 10 mg/l, although they must not exceed 20 

mg/l; 

Chlorine dioxide MRDL violations when one or more of the samples taken in the distribution 

system exceeded the MRDL on the day after a chlorine dioxide measurement taken at the entrance to 

the distribution system exceeded the MRDL, or when required samples are not taken in the distribution 

system; 

Turbidity MCL violations of 5 NTU or more, if elevated to Tier 1 by the primacy agency, or if 

consultation does not occur within 24 hours of the violation (see Chapter 6);

Treatment technique violations resulting from a single exceedance of turbidity limits, if elevated to 

Tier 1 by the primacy agency, or if consultation does not occur within 24 hours of the violation (see 

Chapter 6);

The occurrence of a waterborne disease outbreak or other waterborne emergency such as a treatment 

failure, chemical spill or overfeed, sewage spill, or natural disaster; and 

Other violations or situations which could cause serious health effects, as determined by your primacy 

agency.

Case Study

Public Notification of Waterborne Emergencies

When a construction crew accidentally ruptured a sewer line one mile from its wellfield, the Town of 

Walkersville, MD immediately issued a precautionary boil water advisory for infants, the elderly, and 

people with severely compromised immune systems. While no drinking water contamination was evident, 

the Town was concerned that its treatment plant might not be capable of removing or inactivating 

Cryptosporidium that might be present in the sewage. To notify consumers, volunteer fire department 

staff knocked on doors at 3,000 homes and businesses, and Walkersville notified the cable company and 

other local media. Walkersville also provided water in tanker trucks to a local nursing home and spoke to 

medical professionals in the area. Three days later, when tests of untreated well water showed increasing 

bacteria concentrations (but before any contamination was detected in the finished water) the boil water 

advisory was extended to all residents, including those using private wells. The volunteer fire department 

again assisted with notification. Tanker trucks were set up in four locations. The advisory was rescinded 

when Walkersville temporarily connected to the nearby Frederick, MD water supply. Even though 

bacteria levels reached 30,000 organisms/100 ml in well water and Cryptosporidium was confirmed in the 

sewage, no residents became ill due to the incident, in large part due to the early public notification and 

quick response by the Town.

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What is the deadline for issuing a Tier 1 notice?

As soon as practical but within 24 hours of learning of a violation or situation, you must:

Issue a public notice.

Initiate consultation with your primacy agency (141.202(b)). 

The consultation with the primacy agency is independent of the public notice itself. You must issue the 

notice within 24 hours, even if you are unable to contact anyone at the primacy agency. Most primacy 

agencies have 24-hour emergency hotlines, so consultation should be possible at any time. As a result of the 

consultation, your primacy agency may set additional public notice requirements (141.202(b)). It may ask 

you to issue repeat notices for continuing violations or situations, “problem corrected” notices, or, if your 

initial notice does not meet the requirements, another initial notice. The agency may also require you to 

provide notice to specific groups, such as health care providers.

Remember to send a copy of each type of notice and a certification statement to your primacy agency 

within ten days after providing the initial and any repeat notice (141.31(d)). You must also notify new 

billing customers of ongoing violations or situations for which you’ve previously provided notice (141.206).

Required Elements of a Public Notice (141.205(a))

1. A description of the violation or situation;

2. When the violation or situation occurred; 

3. Potential adverse health effects, using language in Appendix B or language for monitoring violations;

4. Population(s) at risk;

5. Whether alternative water supplies should be used;

6. Actions consumers should take, including when they should seek medical help, if known;

7. What you are doing to correct the violation or situation;

8. When you expect to return to compliance;

9. Name, business address, and phone number for additional information; and

10.Standard language encouraging distribution to all persons served, where applicable.

Which methods of delivery must I use?

You must use one or more of the following: broadcast media (radio and television), posting in conspicuous 

locations, hand delivery, or a method approved by the primacy agency in advance or during consultation. 

The method(s) you choose must be reasonably calculated to reach all persons served, including residents, 

employees, and travelers. Therefore, you may need to use other methods in addition to those previously 

mentioned. For instance, in a large system, you should provide the notice to local radio and television 

stations; then, to reach people who don’t watch or listen to the news, you should also put the notice in the 

newspaper. You must use at least one of the required methods and whatever other methods are necessary to 

reach all consumers (141.202(c)).

Be sure that people understand the importance of notifying others who may travel through the distribution 

area of the violation or situation. For instance, people who patronize restaurants or work in office buildings 

in the distribution area but live elsewhere may not be aware of the violation or situation. Owners of these 

establishments should know what they need to tell their customers and are encouraged to tell their customers 

about the violation or situation.

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Public Notification Handbook 27 March 2007

Suggestions for Effective Public Notification Delivery

When choosing a method for public notification, you should consider several issues, including the 

population served, population density (i.e., is the area rural, urban, or suburban), available assistance, and 

your proximity to radio and television stations and newspapers. 

Large systems should use a combination of broadcast media and newspaper, if available. You should also 

supplement media notices by posting in public buildings and delivering multiple copies of notices to clinics 

or community centers.

When you write a notice for radio or television, assume that it will only receive a few seconds of air time. 

Make sure the most important information, including a phone number to call for more information, will be 

included. See Chapter 4, “Making Public Notification Work – Plan in Advance,” for tips on working with 

the media.

The Internet offers the advantage of being very dynamic; Web sites can be updated as new information 

becomes available or to address people’s concerns and answer their questions. However, access to the 

Internet is limited and is skewed toward affluent citizens. Add a date and time stamp to your page and 

update it frequently (even if the content of the message does not change). People want to know that the 

information they are reading is as current as possible. E-mail is an effective way to contact most of the 

students at a college or university.

For TV notices, ask the station or cable company to put “scrollers” across the screen similar to National 

Weather Service announcements for tornado watches. This is a good way to put the notice on TV and reach 

people who don’t watch the news, as well as target a subsection of the TV audience. You can also work with 

the appropriate state office to broadcast alerts on NOAA Weather Radio and NOAA Weather Wire Service.

Tips for Very Small Community Systems

Here are some suggestions for these systems to use to reach the people they serve:

Hand delivery combined with posting at grocery stores, banks, public bus stops, train stations, etc., may 

be appropriate for you, especially if radio and/or TV are impractical.

In rural areas within range of a radio or TV station in a larger town, ask the station to air the notice 

(make sure that they clearly identify the area affected so as to not cause undue alarm to people in 

unaffected areas). You may still need to use additional methods of notification.

Hold community meetings, especially where consumers have low reading ability or don’t speak English 

(where the operator or a community member can translate).

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Automatic phone dialers may be effective in large systems as a supplement to broadcast media. Some cities 

and counties have a computer-based rapid-call system which can be integrated with geographic information 

systems to target a specific service area. Dialers should not be relied on too heavily; consumers may hang 

up on recorded messages, children may answer the phone and not transmit the message to their parents, or 

residents of some homes may not speak English. 

Prepare written notices on your water system’s letterhead. This gives the notice additional credibility and 

makes it easily recognizable as official word from the water system. Also, consider putting date on notice.
Public Notification Handbook 28 March 2007

It is strongly recommended that you fully translate Tier 1 notices into other languages or provide a phone 

number for assistance in other languages if there are non-English speaking populations in your service area. 

See Chapter 4 for more information on translating and getting the notice to these groups. At a minimum, 

you must include some information in the appropriate language if there is a large proportion of such people 

(141.205(c)). You may also target the blind and deaf communities and people with low reading abilities. 

Selecting a Delivery Method

Here are some questions to consider when determining how to deliver your notice:

My system is in a suburban area. How can I write the notice so that it will not alarm the rest of the 

metropolitan area when delivered through the media? 

Can I be sure the radio or TV station will give the notice the air time it needs?

Will the local newspaper write an accurate article about the violation or situation? Will it prominently 

publish the information in a press release? Will I need to buy an ad or notice?

Do I have the time and resources to deliver the notice door-to-door?

Are volunteers available to assist me?

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Send a broadcast e-mail or fax. Create an “address list” in your e-mail software that includes contacts at 

each newspaper and radio or television station in the area. Program your fax machine with the fax numbers 

of all local media contacts so that the push of a button sends the notice to all of them.

You can make door hangers for hand delivery that will not easily blow away. Knot a rubber band through a 

hole punched in the notice and put the rubber band around consumers’ door knobs.

If you post a notice, be sure that the notice is durable. It should not blow away if posted outdoors. 

Consider laminating notices that will be placed over sinks or outside, especially if they are likely to remain 

there for an extended time.

Case Study

City of Lacey, Washington

Throughout the course of an E. coli violation, the City of Lacey water system maintained close contact with 

the lab, seeking its insight on tests, protocols, and ramifications. This enabled the system to make timely 

decisions or at least prepare for likely outcomes. The system could then anticipate and initiate the next 

outreach or public awareness piece. As soon as it became evident that repeat samples for E. coli would be 

positive, the water system mobilized city employees to conduct an early evening door-to-door notification 

to about 450 homes in the affected area. Employees rang doorbells to talk to residents and provided 

door hangers that included a boil water order, health effects language on E. coli, and information on a 

community meeting to be held the next day. City employees also staffed a hotline for consumers. Lacey 

set up a temporary bulletin board in the affected neighborhood to post updates. The electronic and print 

media also ran stories on the situation. When the boil water order was lifted, the system held another 

meeting and again hand-delivered door hangers, which included customer evaluation forms. Ninety 

percent of the respondents gave Lacey a rating of satisfactory or higher for its handling of the event, citing 

the City’s proactive outreach effort as the reason for the solid rating.
Public Notification Handbook 29 March 2007

Suggestions for Layout of the Notice

Tier 1 notices should convey the urgency of the situation and make it clear to consumers what actions they 

must take. Templates 1-1 through 1-9 at the end of this chapter offer sample language and instructions for 

preparing Tier 1 public notices. Template 1-1A contains Spanish language for a nitrate notice; Template 

1-4A contains Spanish language for a fecal coliform or E. coli notice. Make sure your notice clearly displays 

the following information: 

1. Title – Public notices for Tier 1 violations and situations, especially those used for posting, hand 

delivery, or in a newspaper, should have an attention-getting title. For example, “WARNING” is better 

than “Public Notice.” This should be followed by the targeted audience or the population at risk, such 

as “People served by ___ Water System” for notices for fecal coliform violations or disease outbreaks, 

or “Infants under 6 months” for notices for nitrate violations. If the area you serve does not follow 

municipal boundaries or if only a portion of the distribution system is affected, define the area at the top 

of your notice or include a map. Titles should be in large and/or bold type and centered across the top 

of the page.

2. Consumer Actions – The instructions to consumers should be next in your notice. This should be a 

short phrase in large type, such as “Boil Your Water” or “Do Not Drink the Water.” 

3. Description of the Violation or Situation – A short description in large type of the violation or 

situation should follow instructions to consumers. As soon as consumers read “Boil Your Water” for a 

fecal coliform notice, they will want to know why they should do so. However, since this is a headline, it 

should be kept short and concise. As another example, for nitrate violations, you could say, “High nitrate 

levels have been detected.” Then the level detected should be listed in normal type, followed by the 

maximum contaminant level (MCL), or action level, if applicable. A more detailed explanation of the 

violation or situation should be given in the body of the notice. 

4. Other Consumer Actions — For nitrate violations, the notice should instruct consumers not to boil 

water, since that may be their first reaction, and explain that boiling the water will concentrate the 

nitrate and may make levels even higher. For microbiological violations or waterborne disease outbreaks 

or other emergencies, provide detailed instructions on using boiled water for brushing teeth, cooking, 

making ice, etc. If you instruct consumers to use bottled water, you should make sure that any water you 

provide meets standards. Be sure to provide instructions for those who are not at high risk as well. For 

example, nitrates at levels below 20 mg/l are not generally considered hazardous to adults. Fecal coliform 

might only be present in part of the distribution system, and unaffected consumers (i.e., people outside 

of a narrow area impacted who do not need to boil their water) should be told they do not need to take 

action but have a right to be informed of the problem.

5. Other Elements — The following order is suggested for the remaining elements: whether (and where) 

consumers should seek alternative drinking water sources; potential health effects (using the language 

in Appendix B - do not alter the health effects language in any way); the date the violation or situation 

occurred; corrective action you are taking; when you expect to return to compliance or resolve the 

situation; and the name, address, and phone number of a person to contact for more information. If you 

are coordinating with the local health department, you may wish to also list its phone number. 
Public Notification Handbook 30 March 2007

6. Optional Elements — If you know the source of the contamination, include it in the notice. This 

information helps the consumer understand why there is a violation or other situation and what is 

necessary to resolve it. It also reinforces the fact that drinking water is a vulnerable resource that must be 

protected and that treatment can be costly.

7. Public Water System ID Number/Date of Distribution— You should include your PWS ID number 

at the bottom of the notice. This will help your primacy agency track compliance and prevent tracking 

errors between systems with similar names. Also include the date you distributed the notice.
Public Notification Handbook 31 March 2007

Tier 1 Templates

Tier 1 notices must be issued for the following violations or situations:

Total coliform MCL violations where fecal coliform or E. coli are present, or failure to test for fecal 

coliform or E. coli when any repeat sample tests positive for coliform (some times referred to as an acute 

violation of the Total Coliform Rule); 

Nitrate, nitrite, or total nitrate and nitrite MCL violations, or failure to take a confirmation sample for 

nitrate or nitrite within 24 hours after learning that an initial sample exceeded the MCL; 

Exceedance of the nitrate MCL by non-community water systems that have been granted permission 

by the primacy agency to continue to exceed the MCL of 10 mg/l, although they must not exceed 20 

mg/l; 

Chlorine dioxide MRDL violations when one or more of the samples taken in the distribution 

system exceeded the MRDL on the day after a chlorine dioxide measurement taken at the entrance to 

the distribution system exceeded the MRDL, or when required samples are not taken in the distribution 

system; 

Turbidity MCL violations of 5 NTU or more, if elevated to Tier 1 by the primacy agency, or if 

consultation does not occur within 24 hours of the violation (see Chapter 6);

Treatment technique violations resulting from a single exceedance of turbidity limits, if elevated to 

Tier 1 by the primacy agency, or if consultation does not occur within 24 hours of the violation (see 

Chapter 6);

The occurrence of a waterborne disease outbreak or other waterborne emergency such as a treatment 

failure, chemical spill or overfeed, sewage spill, or natural disaster; and 

Other violations or situations which could cause serious health effects, as determined by your primacy 

agency.

The pages that follow contain templates for these Tier 1 violations or situations, as listed below. Along with 

each template are instructions, including the required method of delivery and suggestions for completing 

individual sections of the notice. These instructions are designed to supplement Chapter 5, so you may see 

much of the information repeated here.

Mandatory language on health effects, which must be included as written with blanks filled in, is 

presented in italics (141.205(d)).

You must also include the following italicized language in all notices, where applicable (141.205(d)). Use of 

this language does not relieve you of your obligation to take steps reasonably calculated to notify all persons 

served:

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may 

not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and 

businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

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Templates

Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice–Template 1-1 33

Spanish Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice–Template 1-1A35

Nitrate Failure to Take a Confirmation Sample Notice–Template 1-2 37

Non-community PWSs Allowed Up to 20 mg/L Nitrate Notice–Template 1-3 39

Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice–Template 1-4 41

Spanish Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice–Template 1-4A 43

Waterborne Disease Outbreak Notice–Template 1-5 45

IESWTR or LT1 CFE Maximum Turbidity Exceedance, or Turbidity Single Exceedance as Tier 1 

Notice–Template 1-6 47

Chlorine Dioxide MRDL (Tier 1) Notice–Template 1-7 49

Tier 1 “Problem Corrected” Notice–Template 1-8
Public Notification Handbook 33 March 2007 33

Template on Reverse

Since exceeding the nitrate maximum contaminant level is a Tier 1 violation, you must provide public notice to 

persons served as soon as practical but within 24 hours after you learn of the violation (141.202(b)). During this time 

period you must also contact your primacy agency. You should also coordinate with your local health department. 

This template is also applicable to nitrite and total nitrate and nitrite violations. You must use one or more of the 

following methods to deliver the notice to consumers (141.202(c)): 

• Radio 

• Television 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

You may need to use additional methods (e.g., newspaper, delivery of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics, or 

apartment buildings), since notice must be provided in a manner reasonably calculated to reach all persons served. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or a newspaper notice. However, you may wish to modify it 

before using it for a radio or TV notice. If you do, you must still include all required elements and leave the health 

effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)). If you post or hand deliver, print your 

notice on letterhead, if available.

Alternative Sources of Water 

If you are providing alternative sources of water for infants, your notice should say where it can be obtained. 

Remember that bottled water can also be contaminated. If you are providing bottled water, make sure it meets the 

standard for nitrates by contacting the bottler and asking for the most recent test results. 

Repeat Notices 

If this is a repeat notice (as required by your primacy agency), or if your system’s nitrate levels fluctuate around the 

MCL, you may wish to include an explanation similar to the following: 

You were initially notified of high nitrate levels on [give date]. Since that time we have been monitoring the nitrate 

concentration every three months. Seasonal fluctuations in nitrate concentrations have been observed, due to 

nitrates contained in fertilizer. It appears that high nitrates occur during the later summer and fall. Note that prior to 

[year] we were meeting drinking water standards for nitrate. 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. The bullet below describes one action commonly taken by 

water systems with nitrate/nitrite violations. You can use the following language, if appropriate, or develop your own: 

• We are investigating water treatment and other options. These may include drilling a new well, mixing the water 

with low-nitrate water from another source, or buying water from another water system.

After Issuing the Notice 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met all the 

public notice requirements within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)). You should also issue a follow-up 

notice in addition to meeting any repeat notice requirements your primacy agency sets. 

You should notify health professionals in the area of the violation. People may call their doctors with questions, and 

the doctors should have the information they need to respond appropriately. They also need to make sure the water 

is not provided to infants in their care. 

Instructions for Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice – Template 1-1 
Public Notification Handbook 34 March 2007 34

DRINKING WATER WARNING

[System] water has high levels of nitrate –

DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD 

OR USE IT TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA 

Water sample results received [give date] showed nitrate levels of [level and units]. This is 

above the nitrate standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), of [state/federal MCL]. Nitrate 

in drinking water is a serious health concern for infants less than six months old. 

Nitrate in drinking water can come from natural, industrial, or agricultural sources (including 

septic systems and run-off). Levels of nitrate in drinking water can vary throughout the year. 

What should I do? What does this mean? 

• DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS. 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.

Blue baby syndrome is indicated by blueness of the skin. Symptoms in infants can develop 

rapidly, with health deteriorating over a period of days. If symptoms occur, seek medical 

attention immediately. 

• Water, juice, and formula for children under six months of age should not be prepared with 

tap water. Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used for infants until further 

notice.

• DO NOT BOIL THE WATER. Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not 

reduce the nitrate level. Excessive boiling can make the nitrates more concentrated, 

because nitrates remain behind when the water evaporates. 

• Adults and children older than six months can drink the tap water (nitrate is a concern for 

infants because they can’t process nitrates in the same way adults can). However, if you are 

pregnant or have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor. 

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action and when system expects to return to compliance.] 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed:______. 

Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice – Template 1-1 
Public Notification Handbook 35 March 2007 35

Template on Reverse

The template on reverse is a Spanish translation of Template 1-1 for nitrate. All the instructions 

of Template 1-1 apply. This template is an exact translation of the English template, so if you 

need to modify the English templates, you should modify this template accordingly. Schools or 

universities may be able to provide low cost translations. See Chapter 4 for suggestions on 

creating effective multilingual notices. 

Instructions for Spanish Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice – Template 1-1A 
Public Notification Handbook 36 March 2007 36

AVISO SOBRE SU AGUA POTABLE 

Agua del sistema [system name] tiene altos niveles de nitratos – 

NO DAR DE BEBER ESTA AGUA A BEBES MENORES DE 6 

MESES DE EDAD NI USARLA PARA HACER LECHE DE 

FORMULA

Resultados de mustras de agua recibidos en [date of violation in Spanish (day-month-year)] muestran 

concentraciones de nitratos en el agua de [level and units in Spanish]. Este nivel está por encima de la 

norma, o nivel máximo de contaminación (NMC) de [state/federal MCL in Spanish]. Nitratos en agua 

potable puede generar serios problemas de salud para bebés menores de 6 meses de edad. 

Nitratos en el agua pueden provenir de fuentes naturales, industriales or de la agricultura (incluyendo 

descargas de tanques sépticos y lluvias). Las concentraciones de nitratos en el agua potable varían a lo 

largo del año. 

¿Qué debo hacer? ¿Qué es la significa de este? 

• NO LE DE ESTA AGUA A BEBES. Bebés menores de seis (6) meses que ingieran agua con 

nitratos en exceso del nivel máximo de contaminación (NMC) se pueden enfermar seriamente 

y, de no ser tratados, pueden morir. Los síntomas incluyen dificultad en respirar y síndrome 

de bebé azul. El síndrome de bebé azul se refiere al color azulado que toma la piel del bebé. Los 

síntomas en los bebés pueden desarrollarse con rapidez, con el deterioro de su salud en los días 

subsiguientes. Si los síntomas ocurren en infantes menores de seis (6) meses de edad, busque 

atención médica inmediatamente. 

• Agua, jugo o leche en polvo para bebés menores de seis (6) meses de edad no debe prepararse con 

agua del grifo. Debe emplear agua embotellada u otra agua baja en nitratos hasta próximo aviso. 

• No hierva el agua. Hervir, congelar, filtrar o dejar el agua en reposo no reduce el nivel de nitratos. 

De hecho, al hervir el agua puede aumentar aún más la concentración de nitratos, debido a que los 

nitratos permanecen cuando parte del agua se evapora. 

• Adultos e infantes mayores de seis (6) meses de edad pueden tomar el agua del grifo. (Los nitratos 

son peligrosos para los bebés debido a que ellos no pueden procesar los nitratos de la misma 

manera que los adultos). Sin embargo, si usted está embarazada o tiene algún problema de salud 

en particular, puede optar por hacer una consulta con su médico. 

¿Qué se está haciéndo al respecto? 

[Describe corrective action and when the system expects to return to compliance in Spanish.] 

Para mayor información, favor contactar a [name of contact] al teléfono [phone number] o escribiendo a 

[mailing address]. 

Por favor comparta esta información con otros que pueden tomar de esta agua, colocando este aviso 

en lugares visibles, o remitiéndolo por correo, o entregandolo manualmente. Es de particular interés 

distribuir este aviso ampliamente si usted lo recibe representando un negocio, un hospital u hogar de 

infantes u hogar de ancianos o comunidad residencial. 

Este aviso ha sido enviado a usted por [system]. Numero de Identificación : ___________. 

Fecha de distribución: ________. 

Spanish Nitrate MCL Exceedance Notice – Template 1-1A 
Public Notification Handbook 37 March 2007 37

Template on Reverse

Since failure to take a confirmation sample for nitrate within 24 hours after learning that an initial sample 

exceeded the MCL is a Tier 1 violation, you must provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical 

but within 24 hours after you learn of the violation (141.202(b)). During this time period you must also contact 

your primacy agency. You should also coordinate with your local health department. This template is also 

applicable to nitrite and total nitrate and nitrite violations. You must use one or more of the following methods to 

deliver the notice to consumers (141.202(c)): 

• Radio 

• Television 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

You may need to use additional methods (e.g., newspaper, delivery of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics, or 

apartment buildings), since notice must be provided in a manner reasonably calculated to reach all persons 

served.

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or a newspaper notice. However, you may wish to 

modify it before using it for a radio or TV notice. If you do, you must still include all required elements and leave 

the health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)). If you post or hand 

deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available. 

Alternative Sources of Water 

If you are providing alternative sources of water for infants, your notice should say where it can be obtained. 

Remember that bottled water can also be contaminated. If you are providing bottled water, make sure it meets 

the standard for nitrates by contacting the bottler and asking for the most recent test results. 

Repeat Notices 

If this is a repeat notice (as required by your primacy agency), or if your system’s nitrate levels fluctuate around 

the MCL, you may wish to include an explanation similar to the following: 

You were initially notified of our system’s failure to take a confirmation sample following high nitrate level on 

[give date]. Since that time we have taken a confirmation sample on [give date] that also resulted in a high 

nitrate level. We are currently monitoring the nitrate concentration every three months. Seasonal fluctuations in 

nitrate concentrations have been observed, due to nitrates contained in fertilizer. It appears that high nitrates 

occur during the later summer and fall. Note that prior to [year] we were meeting drinking water standards for 

nitrate.

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. The bullet below describes one action commonly 

taken by water systems with nitrate/nitrite violations. You can use the following language, if appropriate, or 

develop your own: 

• We are in the process of collecting a confirmation sample to determine if we have high nitrate levels. If the 

sample shows we are meeting our drinking water standards, you will not receive another notice. However, 

if the sample shows that we do have high nitrate levels in our water, another notification will be issued 

within 24 hours after we receive the results 

After Issuing the Notice 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met all 

the public notice requirements within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)). You should also issue a 

follow-up notice in addition to meeting any repeat notice requirements your primacy agency sets. 

You should notify health professionals in the area of the violation. People may call their doctors with questions, 

and the doctors should have the information they need to respond appropriately. They also need to make sure 

the water is not provided to infants in their care. 

Instructions for Nitrate Failure to Take a Confirmation Sample Notice – Template 1-2 
Public Notification Handbook 38 March 2007 38

DRINKING WATER WARNING

[System] did not take a confirmation sample to determine if the 

water has high levels of nitrate –

DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD 

OR USE IT TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA 

We are required to monitor your drinking water for nitrate on a regular basis. Results of regular 

monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets health standards. Water 

sample results received on [give date] showed nitrate levels of above the nitrate standard, or 

maximum contaminant level (MCL), of [MCL]. We were required to take a confirmation sample 

within 24 hours. We did not complete the required confirmation sample monitoring and therefore 

cannot be sure of the quality of our drinking water during that time. Nitrate in drinking water is a 

serious health concern for infants less than six months old. 

Nitrate in drinking water can come from natural, industrial, or agricultural sources (including septic 

systems and run-off). Levels of nitrate in drinking water can vary throughout the year. 

What should I do? What does this mean? 

• DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS. 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. Blue baby syndrome is 

indicated by blueness of the skin. Symptoms in infants can develop rapidly, with health deteriorating 

over a period of days. If symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately. 

• Water, juice, and formula for children under six months of age should not be prepared with tap water. 

Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used for infants until further notice. 

• DO NOT BOIL THE WATER. Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not reduce the 

nitrate level. Excessive boiling can make the nitrates more concentrated, because nitrates remain 

behind when the water evaporates. 

• Adults and children older than six months can drink the tap water (nitrate is a concern for infants 

because they can’t process nitrates in the same way adults can). However, if you are pregnant or 

have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor. 

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action and when system expects to return to compliance.] After receiving the results 

of our first sample, we failed to collect a second sample within 24 hours to confirm the results of the first 

sample. We have since collected the second sample and are waiting for the results. 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not 

have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and 

businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed:______. 

Nitrate Failure to Take a Confirmation Sample Notice – Template 1-2 
Public Notification Handbook 39 March 2007 39

Template on Reverse

Non-community water systems that have received approval by their primacy agency to exceed the nitrate 

maximum contaminant level of 10 mg/l but no more than 20 mg/l are required to provide Tier 1 

notification. You do not incur a violation but are still required to provide public notice to persons served 

as soon as practical but within no more than 24 hours of learning of the situation (141.202(b)). You must 

use one or more of the following methods to deliver the notice to consumers (141.202(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Radio 

• Television

You may need to use additional methods if needed to reach all persons served. 

The language encouraging distribution of the notice is included on this template; however, if you post this 

notice, omit the mandatory language to encourage distribution. If you modify the notice, you must leave 

the health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)). 

Alternative Sources of Water

If you are selling or providing bottled water, your notice should say where it can be obtained. Remember 

that bottled water can also be contaminated. If you are providing bottled water, make sure it meets U.S. 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and/or state bottled water safety standards. 

Continuous Notices

As long as nitrate levels exceed 10 mg/L, continuous posting of this notice is a requirement (141.209(b)) 

After Issuing the Notice

Be sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met 

all the public notification requirements within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)). 

Instructions for Non-community PWSs Allowed Up to 20 mg/L Nitrate Notice – 

Template 1-3 
Public Notification Handbook 40 March 2007 40

DRINKING WATER WARNING

[System] water has high levels of nitrate –

DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD 

OR USE IT TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA 

Water sample results show nitrate levels of [level and units]. This is above the nitrate standard 

or maximum contaminant level (MCL), of 10 mg/l. Nitrate in drinking water is a serious health 

concern for infants less than six months old. 

We have been given permission by [primacy agency] to provide water in excess of the standard 

as long as: 

• Nitrate levels do not exceed 20 mg/l. 

• The water is not made available to children under 6 months of age. 

• We continuously post this notice meeting all public notice requirements. 

• Local and state health officers are notified annually. 

• No adverse health effects result. 

What should I do? What does this mean? 

• DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS. 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.

Blue baby syndrome is indicated by blueness of the skin. Symptoms in infants can develop 

rapidly, with health deteriorating over a period of days. If symptoms occur, seek medical 

attention immediately. 

• Water, juice, and formula for children under six months of age should not be prepared with 

tap water. Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used for infants until further 

notice.

• DO NOT BOIL THE WATER. Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not 

reduce the nitrate level. Excessive boiling can make the nitrates more concentrated, 

because nitrates remain behind when the water evaporates. 

• Adults and children older than six months can drink the tap water (nitrate is a concern for 

infants because they can’t process nitrates in the same way adults can). However, if you are 

pregnant or have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor. 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed:______. 

Non-community PWSs Allowed Up to 20 mg/L Nitrate Notice – Template 1-3 
Public Notification Handbook 41 March 2007

41

Template on Reverse

Since exceeding the fecal coliform or E. coli maximum contaminant level is a Tier 1 violation, you must 

provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 24 hours after you learn of the 

violation (141.202(b)). During this time, you must also contact your primacy agency. You should also 

coordinate with your local health department. You may also have to modify the template if you also have 

high nitrate levels or other coliform MCL violations. You must use one or more of the following methods to 

deliver the notice to consumers (141.202(c)): 

• Radio 

• Television 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

You may need to use additional methods (e.g., newspaper, delivery of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics, 

or apartment buildings), since notice must be provided in a manner reasonably calculated to reach all 

persons served. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or a newspaper notice. However, you may wish 

to modify it before using it for a radio or TV notice. If you do, you must still include all required elements 

and leave the health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)). If 

you post or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if you have it. 

Population Served 

Make sure it is clear who is served by your water system--you may need to list the areas you serve. 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken 

by water systems with fecal coliform or E. coli violations. You can use one or more of the following 

actions, if appropriate, or develop your own: 

• We are chlorinating and flushing the water system. 

• We are switching to an alternate drinking water source. 

• We are increasing sampling for coliform bacteria to determine the source of the contamination. 

• We are repairing the wellhead seal. 

• We are repairing the storage tank. 

• We are restricting water intake from the river/lake/reservoir to prevent additional bacteria from 

entering the water system and restricting water use to emergencies. 

After Issuing the Notice 

Send a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met all the public notice requirements 

to your primacy agency within ten days from the time you issue the notice (141.31(d)). 

It is recommended that you notify health professionals in the area of the violation. People may call their 

doctors with questions about how the violation may affect their health, and the doctors should have the 

information they need to respond appropriately. In addition, health professionals, including dentists, use 

tap water during their procedures and need to know of contamination so they can use bottled water. 

It is a good idea to issue a “problem corrected” notice when the violation is resolved. See Template 1-8.

Instructions for Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice – Template 1-4 
Public Notification Handbook 42 42 March 2007

DRINKING WATER WARNING 

[System] water is contaminated with [fecal coliform/E. coli]

BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING 

Fecal coliform [or E. coli] bacteria were found in the water supply on [give date]. These bacteria 

can make you sick, and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems. 

Bacterial contamination can occur when increased run-off enters the drinking water source (for 

example, following heavy rains). It can also happen due to a break in the distribution system 

(pipes) or a failure in the water treatment process. 

What should I do? What does this mean? 

• DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it 

boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water 

should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food 

preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. 

• 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 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. 

• The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience 

any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at 

increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. 

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action.] We will inform you when tests show no bacteria and you no longer 

need to boil your water. We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame]. 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the 

EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed: ______. 

Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice– Template 1-4 
Public Notification Handbook 43 March 2007

43

Template on Reverse

The template on reverse is a Spanish translation of Template 1-4 for fecal coliform or E. coli. All 

the instructions of Template 1-4 apply. This template is an exact translation of the English 

template, so if you need to modify the English templates, you should modify this template 

accordingly. Schools or universities may be able to provide low cost translations. See Chapter 4 

for suggestions on creating effective multilingual notices. 

Instructions for Spanish Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice – Template 1-4A 
Public Notification Handbook 44 March 2007 44

AVISO SOBRE SU AGUA POTABLE 

El Agua del Sistema [system name] esta contaminado con 

[bacterias coliformes fecales/E. coli]

HIERVAN EL AGUA ANTES DE USARLA 

Bacterias coliformes fecales (o E. coli) fueron encontradas en su servicio de agua el dia [date of 

violation in Spanish (day-month-year)]. Estas bacterias pueden enfermarle, y son 

especialmente peligrosas para personas con las defensas bajas o sistemas imunológicos 

débiles.

Contaminación bacteriana puede ocurrir cuando exceso de aguas rebasan sus cauces y entran 

a las fuentes de agua potable (por ejemplo, luego de una lluvia fuerte). También pueden ocurrir 

cuando se rompe un sistema de recolección de aguas negras, o cuando hay una falla en el 

tratamiento de agua. 

¿Qué debo hacer? ¿Qué es la significa de este? 

• NO BEBA EL AGUA SIN ANTES HERVIRLA. Hierva toda el agua, déjela hervir por un 

minuto, y déjela reposar antes de usarla, o utilize agua embotellada. Agua hervida o 

embotellada debe ser usada para beber, hacer hielo, lavarse los dientes, lavar los platos y 

para preparar la comida hasta próximo aviso. Hierviendo morta a bacteria y otros 

organismos en el agua. 

• Coliformes fecales o E. coli son bacterias cuya presencia indica que el agua esta 

contaminada con desechos humanos o de animales. Microbios de esos desechos pueden 

causar diarrhea, cólicos, nausea, dolores de cabeza u otros síntomas. Pueden representar 

un peligro para la salud de bebés, niños y niñas de corta edad y personas con sistemas 

immunológicos en alto riesgo. 

• Los síntomas descritos arriba no ocurren solamente debido a los microbios. También 

pueden ser causados por otros motivos. Si usted siente estos síntomas y estos persisten, 

usted puede optar por hacer una consulta con su médico. Personas en situaciones de alto 

riesgo deben consultar con sus proveedores de servicios médicos. 

¿Qué se está haciéndo al respecto? 

[Describe corrective action in Spanish] Le informaremos cuando las pruebas demuestren que 

no hay bacterias y que usted ya no necesita hervir su agua. Anticipamos que resolveremos el 

problema el [date of expected resolution in Spanish day-month-year]. 

Para mayor información, por favor póngase en contacto con [contact name] al [phone number] 

o escribiendo a [mailing address]. 

Por favor comparta esta información con otros que pueden tomar de esta agua, colocando este 

aviso en lugares visibles, o remitiéndolo por correo, o entregandolo manualmente. Es de 

particular interés distribuir este aviso ampliamente si usted lo recibe representando un negocio, 

un hospital u hogar de infantes u hogar de ancianos o comunidad residencial. 

Este aviso ha sido enviado a usted por [system]. Numero de Identificación : _____. 

Fecha de distribución: ______. 

Spanish Fecal Coliform or E. coli Notice – Template 1-4A 
Public Notification Handbook 45 March 2007 45

Template on Reverse

Since a waterborne disease outbreak is a Tier 1 situation, you must provide public notice to persons served as 

soon as practical but within 24 hours after you learn of the situation (141.202(b)). You must contact your 

primacy agency during this time. You should coordinate with your local health department as well. You must 

also issue a public notice if you are experiencing a waterborne emergency other than a waterborne 

disease outbreak, such as one caused by flooding or treatment failure. In such cases, you may be able 

to modify this template to apply to your situation. Check with your primacy agency for more direction. More 

information on waterborne disease outbreaks and emergencies is available from the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/health/diseases.htm, 1 (800) 311-3435). For a waterborne disease 

outbreak or other emergency, you must use one or more of the following methods to deliver the notice to 

consumers (141.202(c)): 

• Radio 

• Television 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

You may need to use additional methods (e.g., newspaper, delivery of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics, or 

apartment buildings), since notice must be provided in a manner reasonably calculated to reach all persons 

served. If you post or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available. The notice on the reverse is 

appropriate for hand delivery or a newspaper notice. However, you may wish to modify it before using it for a 

radio, TV notice, or posting. 

Describing the Outbreak 

If known, list any organisms detected, the number of affected people, any water treatment problems 

contributing to the waterborne disease outbreak, and any sources of contamination, such as flooding. 

Potential Health Effects 

No mandatory health effects language exists for waterborne disease outbreaks. You may wish to use the 

sentence below, if appropriate, or contact your primacy agency or health department. These symptoms are 

common to many diseases caused by microscopic organisms: 

• Symptoms may include nausea, cramps, diarrhea, jaundice, and associated headaches and fatigue. 

Population at Risk 

Some people who contract waterborne diseases can be affected more severely than others, as described on 

the reverse page. The specific language on the reverse is not mandatory, but you must provide information on 

the population at risk. In addition, make sure it is clear who is served by your water system--you may need to 

list the areas you serve. 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe the corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by 

water systems with waterborne disease outbreaks. You can use one or more of the following actions, if 

appropriate, or develop your own: 

• We are repairing our filtration system. 

• We are increasing sampling for disease-causing organisms. 

Make sure to send a copy of each type of notice and a statement certifying that you’ve met all public notification 

requirements to your primacy agency within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)). It is a good idea to 

issue a “problem corrected” notice when the waterborne disease outbreak is under control. See Template 1-8. 

It is recommended that you notify health professionals in the area of the outbreak. People may call their doctors 

with questions about how the situation may affect their health, and the doctors should have the information they 

need to respond appropriately. In addition, health professionals, including dentists, use tap water during their 

procedures and need to know of contamination so they can use bottled water.

Instructions for Waterborne Disease Outbreak Notice – Template 1-5 
Public Notification Handbook 46 March 2007 46

DRINKING WATER WARNING 

BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING 

Disease-causing organisms have entered [system’s] water 

supply.

These organisms are causing illness in people served by [system]. We learned of a 

waterborne disease outbreak from [agency] on [give date]. 

What should I do? What does this mean? 

• DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a 

boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled 

or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing 

dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other 

organisms in the water. 

• [Describe symptoms of the waterborne disease.] If you experience one or more of 

these symptoms and they persist, contact your doctor. People with severely 

compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk. 

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

providers.

What is being done? 

[Describe the corrective action and when the outbreak might end.] 

We will inform you when you no longer need to boil your water. 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing 

address]. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are 

available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, 

especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people 

in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting 

this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed: ______.

Waterborne Disease Outbreak Notice – Template 1-5 
Public Notification Handbook 47 March 2007 47

Template on Reverse

If your primacy agency has designated this turbidity single exceedance as a Tier 1 violation (141.202(a)), 

you must provide public notice to persons served within 24 hours after it has been designated Tier 1 

(141.202(b)). Turbidity violations are Tier 2 by default, but may frequently be elevated to Tier 1 by your 

primacy agency. In addition, violations are automatically elevated if you are unable to consult with your 

primacy agency within 24 hours. In such cases, you must issue a notice within the next 24 hours.

You may elevate the violation to Tier 1 yourself as well. You should also coordinate with your local health 

department. One or both agencies should tell you whether to instruct consumers to boil water. You must 

use one or more of the following methods to deliver the notice to consumers (141.202(c)): 

• Radio 

• Television 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

You may need to use additional methods (e.g., newspaper, delivery of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics, 

or apartment buildings), since notice must be provided in a manner reasonably calculated to reach all 

persons served. If you post or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if you have it. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or a newspaper notice. However, you may wish 

to modify it before using it for a radio or TV notice or posting. If you modify the notice, you must leave the 

health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)). 

Population Served 

Make sure it is clear who is served by your water system--you may need to list the areas you serve. 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken 

by water systems with a single turbidity exceedance. You can use one or more of the following actions, if 

appropriate, or develop your own: 

• We are adding chemicals that reduce turbidity. 

• We are sampling both untreated and treated water for the presence of coliform bacteria. 

• We are monitoring chlorine levels and will adjust them as needed to compensate for filtration 

problems. 

• We are inspecting and repairing the filters. 

Source of the Problem 

If you know why the turbidity is high, explain it in your notice. For instance, unusual conditions such as 

heavy rains and flooding can overburden the water plant and treated water may therefore not meet the 

standards. In addition, run-off from parts of the watershed could contain increased concentrations of 

sediment and animal waste. 

After Issuing the Notice 

Send a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met public notice requirements to 

your primacy agency within ten days after you issue the notice (141.31(d)). It is a good idea to issue a 

“problem corrected” notice when the violation is resolved. See Template 1-8. 

It recommended that you notify health professionals in the area of the violation. People may call their 

doctors with questions about how the violation may affect their health, and the doctors should have the 

information they need to respond appropriately. In addition, health professionals, including dentists, use 

tap water during their procedures and need to know of potential microbiological contamination so they 

can use bottled water.

Instructions for IESWTR or LT1 CFE Maximum Turbidity Exceedance, or Turbidity 

Single Exceedance as Tier 1 Notice – Template 1-6 
Public Notification Handbook 48 March 2007

48

DRINKING WATER WARNING 

[System] has high turbidity levels 

BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING 

We routinely monitor your water for turbidity (cloudiness). This tells us whether we are 

effectively filtering the water supply. A water sample taken [give date] showed turbidity levels of 

[number] turbidity units. This is above the standard of [standard] turbidity units. Because of 

these high levels of turbidity, there is an increased chance that the water may contain diseasecausing organisms. 

What should I do? What does this mean? 

• DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it 

boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water 

should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and food 

preparation until further notice. 

• Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide 

a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease causing 

organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause 

symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. People with 

severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk. 

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

• The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience 

any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. 

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action and when the system expects to return to compliance.] 

We will inform you when turbidity returns to appropriate levels and when you no longer need to 

boil your water. 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the 

EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed: ______. 

IESWTR or LT1 CFE Maximum Turbidity Exceedance, or Turbidity Single Exceedance 

as Tier 1 Notice – Template 1-6
Public Notification Handbook 49 March 2007 49

Template on Reverse

Since exceeding the chlorine dioxide MRDL when one or more of the samples taken in the distribution system 

on the day after exceeding the MRDL at the entrance of the distribution system or when required samples are 

not taken in the distribution system is a Tier 1 violation, you must provide public notice to persons served as 

soon as practical but within 24 hours after you learn of the violation (141.202(b)). (Exceeding the chlorine 

dioxide MRDL at the entry point to the distribution system only is a Tier 2 violation; modify this template or 

Template 2-3 to create a Tier 2 notice.) You must also contact your primacy agency within 24 hours of 

learning of the violation or situation. You should also coordinate with your local health department. You must 

use one or more of the following methods to deliver the notice to consumers (141.202(c)): 

• Radio 

• Television 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

You may need to use additional methods (e.g., newspaper, delivery of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics, or 

apartment buildings), since notice must be provided in a manner reasonably calculated to reach all persons 

served. If you post or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if you have it. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or a newspaper notice. However, you may wish to 

modify it before using it for a radio or TV notice. If you do, you must still include all required elements and leave 

the health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)). 

Alternative Sources of Water 

If you are selling or providing bottled water, your notice should say where it can be obtained. Remember that 

bottled water can also be contaminated or be high in chlorine dioxide if the bottler uses municipal water. Make 

sure the bottled water meets the standard by contacting the bottler and asking for the most recent test results. 

Population at Risk 

The language on the reverse lists “young children” as one of the groups at increased risk. Because the 

potential health effects of chlorine dioxide are based on tests on laboratory animals, there is no way to 

determine at exactly what age the water is safe to drink. If your consumers have questions, encourage them to 

err on the side of caution. 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by 

water systems with chlorine dioxide violations. You can use one or more of the following actions, if appropriate, 

or develop your own: 

• We are resetting the generator to generate the correct amount of chlorine dioxide. 

• We are repairing the generator. 

• We have already fixed the problem but it will take additional time for the extra chlorine dioxide to be flushed 

from the distribution system (pipes). 

After Issuing the Notice 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met all 

the public notice requirements within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)). You should also issue a 

follow-up notice in addition to meeting any repeat notice requirements your primacy agency sets. 

It is a good idea to issue a “problem corrected” notice when the violation is resolved. See Template 1-8. 

It recommended that you notify health professionals in the area of the violation. People may call their doctors 

with questions about how the violation may affect their health, and the doctors should have the information they 

need to respond appropriately. 

Instructions for Chlorine Dioxide MRDL (Tier 1) Notice – Template 1-7 
Public Notification Handbook 50 March 2007 50

DRINKING WATER WARNING 

PREGNANT WOMEN AND YOUNG CHILDREN 

SHOULD NOT DRINK THE WATER 

Sampling results received [give date] showed chlorine dioxide levels of [level and units]. This is 

above the standard, or maximum residual disinfectant level (MRDL) of 0.8 milligrams per liter. 

Chlorine dioxide is used for disinfection, but too much of it over a short period of time may harm 

the development of children, infants, and fetuses. 

Chlorine dioxide is used in small amounts every day to kill bacteria and other organisms that 

may be in your drinking water. A problem occurred with our chlorine dioxide generator, and too 

much chlorine dioxide was released. 

What should I do? What does this mean? 

• DO NOT USE THIS WATER IF YOU ARE PREGNANT OR GIVE IT TO YOUNG 

CHILDREN. Bottled water should be used until further notice. Some infants and young 

children who drink water containing chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL could 

experience nervous system effects. Similar effects may occur in fetuses of pregnant mothers 

who drink water containing chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL. Some people may 

experience anemia. 

The chlorine dioxide violations reported today include exceedances of the EPA standard 

within the distribution system which delivers water to consumers. Violations of the chlorine 

dioxide standard within the distribution system may harm human health based on short-term 

exposures. Certain groups, including fetuses, infants, and young children, may be especially 

susceptible to nervous system effects from excessive chlorine dioxide exposure. There are 

no obvious symptoms, but chlorine dioxide can affect development of the nervous system. 

• Water, juice, and formula for young children and for pregnant women should not be 

prepared with tap water.

• Adults who are not pregnant and older children can drink the tap water because their 

nervous systems are already developed. However, if you have specific health concerns, you 

may wish to consult your doctor. 

What is being done? 

 [Describe corrective action and when you expect to return to compliance.] 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: _____. 

Date distributed: ____. 

 

Chlorine Dioxide MRDL (Tier 1) Notice – Template 1-7 
Public Notification Handbook 51 March 2007

51

Template on Reverse

It is a good idea to issue a notice when a serious violation or situation has been resolved. Although EPA 

regulations do not require such notices, your primacy agency may require you to issue one. You should 

coordinate with your local health department as well. Below are some recommended methods for a 

“problem corrected” notice. You should use the same delivery methods you used for the original notice. 

• Radio 

• Television 

• Newspaper 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

You may wish to use additional methods (e.g., delivery of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics, or 

apartment buildings) if necessary to reach all persons served. If you post or hand deliver, print your notice 

on letterhead, if available. 

The notice on the reverse is very general and can be used for any violation or situation. However, to help 

restore consumers’ confidence in the water system, you should modify the notice to fit your situation. 

Although the public should have seen your initial notice, there may be additional information you learned 

after the notice was issued. Therefore, you should describe the violation or situation again and discuss 

how the problem was solved. 

Instructions for Tier 1 “Problem Corrected” Notice – Template 1-8 
Public Notification Handbook 52 March 2007

52

DRINKING WATER PROBLEM CORRECTED

Customers of [system] were notified on [give date] of a problem with our drinking water 

and were advised to [describe recommended action]. We are pleased to report that the 

problem has been corrected and that it is no longer necessary to [describe 

recommended action]. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your 

patience.

[Add further details here when appropriate.] 

As always, you may contact [contact name] at [phone number] or [mailing address] with 

any comments or questions. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, 

especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people 

in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting 

this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed: ______.

“Problem Corrected” Notice – Template 1-8 
Public Notification Handbook 53 March 2007

6.Tier 2 Notice Requirements and Suggestions

Tier 2 notices must meet the content, format, and multilingual requirements described in detail in Chapter 

3 and are required for the following violations or situations (141.203(a)): 

Maximum contaminant level (MCL), maximum residual disinfectant level (MRDL), and treatment 

technique requirement violations, except where Tier 1 notification is required by regulation or by the 

primacy agency; 

Monitoring or testing procedure violations (if required by the primacy agency); and 

Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of a variance or exemption. 

Tier 2 violations are considered less urgent than Tier 1 violations or situations because there is little 

immediate risk to consumers, or because the system may have already returned to compliance by the time 

the notice is issued. Primacy agencies may have more stringent requirements.

What is the deadline for issuing a Tier 2 notice?

Tier 2 notices must be issued as soon as practical but within 30 days after a violation is discovered 

(141.203(b)).

For any unresolved violation, following an initial Tier 2 notice, you must repeat the notice every three 

months for as long as the violation persists. You are not in compliance again until your primacy agency 

determines you are. Posted notices must remain posted for as long as the violation persists. If the violation 

is already resolved when you post the notice, you must post the notice for at least seven days (141.203(b)). 

You must also notify new billing customers or units of any ongoing violations for which you have 

previously provided notice prior to or at the time their service begins (141.206).

Remember to send a copy of the notice and a certification statement to your primacy agency within ten 

days after providing the initial and any repeat notice to the public (141.31(d)).

Required Elements of a Public Notice (141.205(a))

1. A description of the violation;

2. When the violation occurred; 

3. Potential adverse health effects, using language in Appendix B or language for monitoring violations;

4. Population(s) at risk;

5. Whether alternative water supplies should be used;

6. Actions consumers should take, including when they should seek medical help, if known;

7. What you are doing to correct the violation;

8. When you expect to return to compliance;

9. Name, business address, and phone number for additional information; and

10. Standard language encouraging distribution to all persons served, where applicable.

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Public Notification Handbook 54 March 2007

When might a Tier 2 violation be elevated to Tier 1?

Every violation is unique, and primacy agencies will consider several factors in deciding whether a violation 

should be elevated. For example, cases where a turbidity exceedance is significantly higher than the limit or 

exceeds the limit over the course of multiple measurements are more likely to be elevated to Tier 1.

Primacy agencies may also review the amount of disinfection that occurs after filtration and the current and 

historical quality of your source water. The determination may also depend on the type of filtration in place 

and your system’s turbidity limits. 

The primacy agency may also elevate Tier 2 violations to Tier 1 based on the results of consultations required 

under other rules, such as the Total Coliform Rule and Surface Water Treatment Rule. (These rules require 

you to report coliform MCLs and treatment technique violations to your primacy agency as soon as possible 

but no later than the end of the next business day. These reporting requirements are separate from those 

in the Public Notification Rule and are intended to allow primacy agencies to oversee corrective actions, 

but states may also use these conditions to elevate Tier 2 violations to Tier 1.) For coliform violations, if 

the percentage of samples testing positive for coliform is significantly higher than the MCL, if coliform 

is present in multiple areas of the distribution system, or if coliforms are linked to a break in distribution 

system integrity, primacy agencies will be more likely to require Tier 1 notice. 

24-Hour Consultation for Turbidity

Systems with certain violations involving exceedance of turbidity limits must consult with their primacy 

agencies as soon as practical but no later than 24 hours after learning of the violation (141.203(b)). This 

requirement applies to: (1) treatment technique violations resulting from single exceedances of turbidity 

limits (5 NTU) under the Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), (2) treatment technique violations resulting 

from single exceedances of turbidity limits (1 NTU) under the Interim Enhanced SWTR or the Long Term 1 

Enhanced SWTR, and (3) turbidity MCL violations determined by the average of turbidity measurements 

over two consecutive days (5 NTU). It does not apply to violations of monthly turbidity requirements. As a 

result of this consultation, primacy agencies may decide to elevate such violations to Tier 1. If consultation 

does not occur, the violation automatically is elevated to Tier 1. You have 24 hours from the time the 

violation is elevated to issue the notice.

Remember, as the system operator, you are a guardian of the quality of your water supply and of public 

health. If you believe that a violation or situation warrants 24-hour notice, you can issue a notice at any 

time, elevating the violation to Tier 1 yourself. You do not have to wait for the primacy agency to make a 

determination. Depending on the severity of the violation or situation, you may also choose to issue a Tier 2 

notice in much less than 30 days.

Which methods of delivery must I use?

Unless directed otherwise by the primacy agency, if you operate a community water system, you must 

provide notice by (141.203(c)):

1. Mail or other direct delivery to each customer receiving a bill and other service connections to which 

water is delivered, and

2. Any other method reasonably calculated to reach others regularly served, if they would not normally 

be reached by the method above. Such people include those who do not pay water bills or do not have 
Public Notification Handbook 55 March 2007

service connection addresses, (e.g., tenants, college students, nursing home patients, prison inmates). 

Methods may include publication in a local newspaper, posting in public places, delivery of multiple 

copies to landlords or office building managers, or delivery to community organizations.

Unless directed otherwise by the primacy agency, if you operate a non-community water system, you must 

provide notice by the following methods (141.203(c): 

1. Posting the notice in conspicuous locations throughout the system or by direct delivery or mail to each 

customer and known service connection, and

2. Any other method reasonably calculated to reach others served, if they would not normally be reached 

by the method above. Such people may include those who may not see a posted notice because it is not 

in a location they routinely pass by. Methods may include publication in a local newspaper or newsletter 

distributed to consumers, use of e-mail to notify employees or students, or delivery of multiple copies in 

central locations (e.g., community centers).

If you are a transient system, you may also refer to the “Public Notification Handbook for Transient NonCommunity Water Systems” (EPA 816-R-07-004) for information specific to transient water systems.

For both system types, there may be a few cases where you would be able to reach all persons served with 

the first method you choose. In such cases, you may not need to use additional methods. At a gas station, 

for instance, posting would probably be sufficient to reach all persons served. Consult your primacy agency 

if there are other delivery methods you believe would be more effective in your situation; they may allow 

alternate methods of delivery. 

Suggestions for Effective Public Notification Delivery

If you mail the notice, send it to all service connections, if possible, and not just billing customers, since 

there may be many people in addition to your billing customers who drink your water. Billing customers 

can be reached via inserts in their water bills, if the bills are distributed and received within 30 days of the 

violation. Be sure to tell owners or managers of businesses, home-owners’ associations, apartment buildings, 

or resort rental properties to pass the information along to their employees and tenants. You may wish to 

send multiple copies of the notice to building managers. See Chapter 3 for a discussion of standard language 

to encourage distribution to all persons served.

If you post a notice, be sure it is durable. It should not blow away if posted outdoors. Consider laminating 

notices that will be placed over sinks or outside, especially if they are likely to remain there for an extended 

time.

Notices in newspapers may be in the form of an article or a paid advertisement. However, articles are 

more effective than paid notices because they are more likely to be noticed and read. Work with the local 

newspaper to write an article on the violation and what the system is doing to correct it. Be sure that anyone 

at the paper who writes or edits an article knows what items must be included to meet the requirements for 

public notification. If your system is located in the suburban area of a large city, you should request that your 

notice be placed in the weekly community news section. Also, focus on getting articles published in smaller 

community newspapers, homeowners’ association newsletters, or similar publications. 

E-mail is an effective way to contact most of the students at a college or university. 
Public Notification Handbook 56 March 2007

Paid advertisements offer an advantage because you are guaranteed the notice will appear exactly as you 

write it. Try to purchase ad space in the front section of the paper. Legal notices tend to get lost in the back 

of the paper where few people read them. If your notice must appear with other paid notices, a descriptive 

title becomes very important. The header “notice” may be overlooked, but the mention of the community’s 

drinking water supply gets people’s attention.

Consider holding public meetings in neighborhoods throughout your service area. This is especially 

beneficial for ongoing situations, or where additional treatment may be needed (and could impact their 

water rates). Coordinate with churches, civic centers, and local politicians to secure space and recruit 

attendees.

Tips for Very Small Community Systems

Compare the costs of mailing and labor for hand delivery before choosing a method.

Hand delivery may not be necessary to meet your deadline, but it may be cheaper or less timeconsuming than putting together a mailing. 

Alternatively, if your notice deadline coincides with your billing schedule, you may be able to include 

your notice in the bill at no extra cost. 

Supplement with posting in common areas and gathering places, such as banks, grocery stores, and 

restaurants.

Ask your local newspaper to write a story on the violation (let the reporter know which elements must 

be included), or purchase an ad to publish the notice.

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Suggestions for Layout of the Notice

Tier 2 notices should answer the most common questions people will have about the violation: What does 

this mean to me? What should I do? What happened and why? What is the water system doing? The tone 

of a Tier 2 notice is less urgent than that of a Tier 1 notice. A question and answer format that anticipates 

consumers’ concerns is recommended for each section. Templates 2-1 through 2-14 at the end of this 

chapter offer sample language and instructions for preparing Tier 2 public notices.

1. Title – The notice should have a descriptive title but should not be overly alarming. The title “Drinking 

Water Notice” or “Important Information about Your Drinking Water” would be more appropriate than 

“Drinking Water Alert.” Follow with a subtitle describing the situation, such as: “Tests Show Levels of 

[Contaminant] Above Drinking Water Standards.” 

2. Describe What Happened – The notice should briefly describe what happened and give some 

background as to how the violation was discovered. For example, suppose you routinely test the water 

and that the most recent samples showed a violation. Provide a context for the exceedance by giving the 

applicable drinking water standard and whether the exceedance is a monthly, quarterly, or other type of 

average. If the problem has already been corrected, be sure to communicate this clearly. If this is a repeat 

notice, explain why the violation continues (e.g., you are in the process of installing new treatment). If 

the violation is intermittent, explain that the water is in and out of compliance with standards, or (if 

appropriate) that the contamination levels are only slightly above allowable standards.
Public Notification Handbook 57 March 2007

The message should also vary depending on the contaminant. For instance, several inorganic and 

radioactive chemicals, such as arsenic and radium, are naturally occurring. This fact can help in 

explaining the options for treatment. For example, it may be difficult to drill a new well if high 

contaminant levels occur throughout an aquifer. Disinfection byproducts, on the other hand, form when 

naturally occurring organic matter combines with disinfectants added to kill microorganisms. You should 

explain that the risk of disease from drinking water that is not disinfected is more immediate than that 

of getting cancer from drinking water containing disinfection byproducts. For turbidity exceedances, 

discuss the possible causes of high turbidity. A frequent cause is heavy rain, which washes large amounts 

of soil into rivers and lakes. The rain may also wash animal wastes into the water supply.

3. Explain What Consumers Should Do – Next, the notice should tell customers what they need to 

do, even if no action is necessary. This will usually be: “You do/do not need to seek other sources of 

drinking water.” Since people’s first reaction may be to boil their water, explain the effect of boiling (i.e., 

whether boiling is necessary, has no effect, or is harmful). Tell consumers that if they have specific health 

concerns, especially for the young, old, or people with compromised immune systems (undergoing 

chemotherapy, HIV-positive, or other immune system problems), they may wish to consult their 

doctors.

4. Explain How the Violation Affects Consumers – Be clear that the situation is not an emergency and 

that consumers would have been notified immediately if it had been. Consumers may wonder why 

they are getting a notice, especially if the problem is resolved or not serious; it may help to explain that 

you are informing them because you are required to do so and that they have the right to know about 

problems with their water even if there is no immediate (or any) health threat. In the case of filtration 

treatment technique violations, explain that treatment is important to preventing disease outbreaks but 

that there is no evidence of disease or bacteria in the water. For turbidity exceedances, explain how high 

turbidity levels may be related to the presence of organisms in drinking water.

5. Describe What You Are Doing to Correct the Problem – Inform consumers of the steps you are 

taking to correct the problem, such as the installation of new treatment, increased frequency or type 

of monitoring, or your collaboration with the appropriate state agency. Tell them when you expect the 

drinking water to again meet the standard. Although you probably will be unable to give an exact date, 

you can give your customers a general idea of how long it will take (e.g., a few days for a coliform MCL, 

several months for a chemical MCL). Provide the name, address, and telephone number of someone who 

can answer any questions consumers may have.

6. Optional Elements — If you know the source of the contamination, include it in the notice. This 

helps reassure consumers that you have investigated the problem and are taking steps to address it. It 

also reinforces the fact that drinking water is a vulnerable resource that must be protected. If you do not 

know the actual source, you should at least provide common or possible sources such as those listed in 

the guidance for the Consumer Confidence Report.

7. Public Water System ID Number/Date of Distribution— You should include your PWS ID number 

at the bottom of the notice. This will help your primacy agency track compliance and prevent tracking 

errors between systems with similar names. Include the date you distributed the notice.
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Public Notification Handbook 59 March 2007

Tier 2 Templates

Tier 2 notices are required for the following violations or situations: 

Maximum contaminant level (MCL), maximum residual disinfectant level (MRDL), and treatment 

technique requirement violations, except where Tier 1 notification is required by regulation or by the 

primacy agency; 

Monitoring or testing procedure violations (if required by the primacy agency); and 

Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of a variance or exemption. 

The pages that follow contain templates for these Tier 2 violations or situations, as listed below. Along with 

each template are instructions, including the required method of delivery and suggestions for completing 

individual sections of the notice. These instructions are designed to supplement Chapter 6, so you may see 

much of the information repeated here.

Mandatory language on health effects, which must be included as written with blanks filled in, is 

presented in italics (141.205(d)).

You must also include the following italicized language in all notices, where applicable (141.205(d)). Use of 

this language does not relieve you of your obligation to take steps reasonably calculated to notify all persons 

served:

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may 

not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and 

businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

Templates

Unresolved Total Coliform Notice–Template 2-1 61

Resolved Total Coliform Notice–Template 2-2 63

Chemical or Radiological MCLs Notice–Template 2-3 65

Fluoride MCL Notice–Template 2-4 67

SWTR Failure to Filter Notice–Template 2-5 69

SWTR Turbidity Exceedance Notice–Template 2-6 71

SWTR Disinfection Treatment Notices–Template 2-7 73

LCR Failure to Install Corrosion Control Notice–Template 2-8 75

LT2ESWTR Failure to Install Treatment Notice–Template 2-9a 77

LT2ESWTR Uncovered Finished Water Reservoir Treatment Notice–Template 2-9b 79

LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Install Treatment Notice–Template 2-9c 81

LT2ESWTR Failure to Conduct Source Water Monitoring (Initial or Second Round) Notice–

Template 2-9d 83

Stage 1 DBPR TTHM or HAA5 MCL Violation Notice–Template 2-10 85

Stage 2 DBPR TTHM or HAA5 MCL Violation Notice–Template 2-11 87

Filter Backwash Recycling Rule Treatment Technique Violation Notice–Template 2-12 89

Failure to Comply with the Conditions of an Exemption Notice – Template 2-13 91

Monitoring Violation Elevated to Tier 2 Notice – Template 2-14 93

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Public Notification Handbook 60 March 2007

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Public Notification Handbook 61 March 2007 61

Template on Reverse

Since exceeding the total coliform bacteria maximum contaminant level is a Tier 2 violation, you must 

provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the 

violation (141.203(b)). Persistent total coliform problems can be serious. Some states have more stringent 

requirements for coliform violations. Check with your primacy agency to make sure you meet all 

requirements. You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation persists. 

Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail 

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably 

calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.203(c)). Such methods 

could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand 

deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. If you modify the notice, you must still 

include all the required elements and leave the health effects language in italics unchanged. This 

language is mandatory (141.205(d)). 

Description of the Violation 

The description of the violation and the MCL vary depending on the number of samples you take. The 

following table should help you complete the second paragraph of the template. 

If You Take Less Than 40 Samples a Month

State the number of samples testing positive for 

coliform. The standard is that no more than one 

sample per month may be positive. 

If You Take More Than 40 Samples a Month

State the percentage of samples testing positive for 

coliform. The standard is that no more than five 

percent of samples may test positive each month. 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. If you know what is causing the coliform 

problem, explain this in the notice. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by water systems with 

total coliform violations. Use one or more of the following actions, if appropriate, or develop your own: 

• We are chlorinating and flushing the water system. 

• We are increasing sampling for coliform bacteria. 

• We are investigating the source of contamination. 

• We are repairing the wellhead seal. 

• We are repairing the storage tank. 

• We will inform you when additional samples show no coliform bacteria. 

Make sure to send a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met all the public notice 

requirements to your primacy agency within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)). It is a good idea 

to inform your consumers when the violation has been resolved. See Template 1-8 for a "problem 

corrected" notice template.

Instructions for Unresolved Total Coliform Notice – Template 2-1 
Public Notification Handbook 62 March 2007 62

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

Tests Show Coliform Bacteria in [System] Water 

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this is not an 

emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, 

and what we are doing to correct this situation. 

We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. We took [number] 

samples for coliform bacteria during [month]. [Number/percentage] of those samples showed 

the presence of coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more than [1 sample per month/5 

percent of our samples] may do so. 

What should I do? 

• You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you 

have specific health concerns, consult your doctor. 

• People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at 

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

providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are 

available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. 

What does this mean? 

This is not an emergency. If it had been you would have been notified immediately. Total 

coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves. Coliforms are bacteria which 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.

Usually, coliforms are a sign that there could be a problem with the treatment or distribution 

system (pipes). Whenever we detect coliform bacteria in any sample, we do follow-up testing to 

see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present. We did 

not find any of these bacteria in our subsequent testing. If we had, we would have notified 

you immediately. However, we are still finding coliforms in the drinking water. 

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action.] 

We are still detecting coliform bacteria. We will inform you when our sampling shows that no 

bacteria are present. We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame]. 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed: ______. 

Unresolved Total Coliform Notice – Template 2-1 
Public Notification Handbook 63 March 2007 63

Template on Reverse

Since exceeding the total coliform bacteria maximum contaminant level is a Tier 2 violation, you must 

provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the 

violation (141.203(b)). Some states have more stringent requirements for coliform violations. Check with 

your primacy agency to make sure you meet all its requirements. 

Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail 

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably 

calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.203(c)). Such methods 

could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand 

deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify it 

before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the health 

effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)). 

Description of the Violation 

Make sure that the notice is clear about the fact that the coliform problem has been resolved, and there is 

no current cause for concern. The description of the violation and the MCL vary depending on the number 

of samples you take. The following table should help you complete the second paragraph of the template. 

If You Take Less Than 40 Samples a Month

State the number of samples testing positive for 

coliform. The standard is that no more than one 

sample per month may be positive. 

If You Take More Than 40 Samples a Month

State the percentage of samples testing positive for 

coliform. The standard is that no more than five 

percent of samples may test positive each month. 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you have taken. Listed below are some steps commonly taken 

by water systems with total coliform violations. Use one or more of the following actions, if appropriate, or 

develop your own: 

• We have increased sampling for coliform bacteria to catch the problem early if it happens again. 

• The well and/or distribution system has been disinfected and additional samples do not show the 

presence of coliform bacteria. 

After Issuing the Notice 

Make sure to send a copy of each type of notice along with a certification that you have met all the public 

notice requirements to your primacy agency within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)).

Instructions for Resolved Total Coliform Notice – Template 2-2 
Public Notification Handbook 64 March 2007 64

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

Tests Showed Coliform Bacteria in [System] Water 

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this incident was not an 

emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did to 

correct this situation. 

We routinely monitor for drinking water contaminants. We took [number] samples to test for the 

presence of coliform bacteria during [month]. [Number/percentage] of our samples showed the 

presence of total coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more than [1 sample per month/5 

percent of samples] may do so. 

What should I do? 

• You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have 

specific health concerns, consult your doctor. 

• People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at 

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

providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are 

available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. 

What does this mean? 

This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. Coliform 

bacteria are generally not harmful themselves. Coliforms are bacteria which 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. 

Usually, coliforms are a sign that there could be a problem with the system's treatment or 

distribution system (pipes). Whenever we detect coliform bacteria in any sample, we do followup testing to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are 

present. We did not find any of these bacteria in our subsequent testing. 

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action.] Further testing shows that this problem has been resolved. 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ________. 

Date distributed: ______.

Resolved Total Coliform Notice – Template 2-2 
Public Notification Handbook 65 March 2007 65

Template on Reverse

Since exceeding chemical or radiological maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) is a Tier 2 violation, you 

must provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the 

violation (141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation 

persists. Your primacy agency may have more stringent requirements for MCL violations; e.g., it may 

require you to provide water from an alternate source. Check with your agency to make sure you meet all 

requirements. Use Template 2-4 for fluoride MCL violations. 

Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail 

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably 

calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.203(c)). Such methods 

could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand 

deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify it 

before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and you may not 

modify the mandatory health effects language (141.205(d)). 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Do not use overly technical terminology when 

describing treatment methods. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by water systems with 

chemical or radiological violations. You can use one or more of the following actions, if appropriate, or 

develop your own: 

• We are working with [local/state agency] to evaluate the water supply and are researching options to 

correct the problem. These options may include treating the water to remove [contaminant] or 

connecting to [system]'s water supply. 

• We have stopped using the contaminated well. We have increased pumping from other wells, and we 

are investigating drilling a new well. 

• We have increased the frequency that we will test the water for [contaminant]. 

• We have since taken samples at this location and had them tested. They show that we meet the 

standards. 

Repeat Notices 

If this is an ongoing violation and/or you fluctuate above and below the MCL, you should give the history 

behind the violation, including the source of contamination, if known. List the date of the initial detection, 

as well as how levels have changed over time. If levels are changing as a result of treatment, you can 

indicate this. 

After Issuing the Notice 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have 

met all public notification requirements within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)).

Instructions for Chemical or Radiological MCLs Notice – Template 2-3 
Public Notification Handbook 66 March 2007 66

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

[System] Has Levels of [Contaminant] Above Drinking Water Standards 

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this is not an 

emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you 

should do, and what we did (are doing) to correct this situation.

We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. Testing results 

we received on [give date] show that our system exceeds the standard, or maximum 

contaminant level (MCL), for [contaminant]. The standard for [contaminant] is [MCL]. 

The average level of [contaminant] over the last year has been [level]. or [Contaminant] 

was found at [level]. 

What should I do? 

• You do not need to use an alternative (e.g., bottled) water supply. However, if 

you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor. 

What does this mean? 

This is not an immediate risk. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. 

However, [Insert relevant health effects language from Appendix B.] 

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time 

frame].

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing 

address].

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, 

especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people 

in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting 

this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed: ______.

Chemical or Radiological MCLs Notice – Template 2-3 
Public Notification Handbook 67 March 2007 67

Template on Reverse

Since exceeding the fluoride maximum contaminant level (MCL) is a Tier 2 violation, you must provide 

public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the violation 

(141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation persists. If 

you exceed the secondary maximum contaminant level of 2 milligrams per liter but not the MCL of 4 

milligrams per liter, you must issue a special notice with different health effects language. See Chapter 3 

or Template 3-5 for more information. 

Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail 

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably 

calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.203(c)). Such methods 

could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand 

deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify it 

before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and you may not 

modify the mandatory health effects language (141.205(d)). 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Do not use overly technical terminology when 

describing treatment methods. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by water systems with 

fluoride violations. You can use one or more of the following actions, if appropriate, or develop your own: 

• We are working with [local/state agency] to evaluate the water supply and researching options to 

correct the problem. These options may include treating the water to remove fluoride or connecting to 

[system]'s water supply. 

• We have adjusted the amount of fluoride added to the water so that levels are lower and we meet the 

standards. 

• We have stopped using the contaminated well. We have increased pumping from other wells, and we 

are investigating drilling a new well. 

• We will increase the frequency at which we test the water for fluoride. 

• We have since taken samples at this location and had them tested. They show that we meet the 

standards. 

Repeat Notices 

If this is an ongoing violation and/or you fluctuate above and below the MCL, it is a good idea to give the 

history behind the violation. You should list the date of the initial detection, as well as how levels have 

changed over time. If levels are changing as a result of treatment you should indicate that fact. 

After Issuing the Notice 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have 

met all public notification requirements within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)).

Instructions for Fluoride MCL Notice – Template 2-4 
Public Notification Handbook 68 March 2007 68

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

[System] Has Levels of Fluoride Above Drinking Water Standards 

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this is not an 

emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you 

should do, and what we did (are doing) to correct this situation.

We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. Testing results 

we received on [give date] show that our system exceeds the standard, or maximum 

contaminant level (MCL), for fluoride. The average level of fluoride in samples taken 

during the last year was [level and units]. The standard for fluoride is that the average of 

samples taken over the last year may not exceed [MCL]. 

What should I do? 

• Children under the age of nine should use an alternative source of water that 

is low in fluoride. In addition, you may want to consult your dentist about whether 

to avoid dental products containing fluoride. Adults and children over age nine 

should consult their dentist or doctor and show him/her this notice to determine if an 

alternate source of water low in fluoride should be used. 

What does this mean? 

This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. 

Fluoride in small amounts helps prevent tooth decay. However, 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 greater 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 permanent teeth. This problem occurs only in developing teeth, before they erupt 

from the gums. Although it takes many years of exposure to fluoride for bone disease to 

develop, mottling can occur after a relatively short period of exposure. 

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time 

frame].

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing 

address].

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, 

especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people 

in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting 

this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________.

Date distributed: ______.

Fluoride MCL Notice – Template 2-4 
Public Notification Handbook 69 March 2007 69

Template on Reverse

Since surface water treatment technique violations require Tier 2 notification, you must provide 

public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the 

violation (141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation 

persists. Your primacy agency may have more stringent requirements for treatment technique 

violations; e.g., it may require you to provide water from an alternate source. Check with your 

agency to make sure you meet all requirements. 

Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail 

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably 

calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.203(c)). Such 

methods could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, 

or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify 

it before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the 

health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)). 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly 

taken by water systems with surface water treatment technique violations. You can use one or more 

of the following actions, if appropriate, or develop your own: 

• Our treatment plant needs upgrades to meet the requirements. 

• We are installing filtration. We expect that the filtration system will be operational by [month, 

year].

• We are monitoring for turbidity (cloudiness), disinfectant levels, and the presence of bacteria. 

• We continue to meet the standards for these measurements. 

Repeat Notices 

For repeat notices, you should state how long the violation has been ongoing and remind consumers 

of when you sent out the previous notice. If you are making progress in installing filtration, describe 

it. Alternatively, if funding or other issues are delaying installation, let consumers know. 

After Issuing the Violation 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you 

have met the public notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)).

Instructions for SWTR Failure to Filter Notice – Template 2-5 
Public Notification Handbook 70 March 2007 70

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

[System] Does Not Meet Treatment Requirements 

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this situation does not 

require that you take immediate action, as our customers, you have a right to know what 

happened, what you should do, and what we did (are doing) to correct this situation. 

On [give date], the [primacy agency] ordered us to filter the water in addition to disinfecting. We 

are required to install this filtration because we do not have an adequate watershed control 

program in place. However, we have not yet installed a filtration system. 

What should I do? 

• You do not need to boil your water. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult 

your doctor. A home filter will not necessarily solve the problem, because not all home filters 

protect against parasites. Call NSF International at 1(800) NSF-8010 or the Water Quality 

Association at 1(800) 749-0234 for information on appropriate filters. 

• People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at 

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

providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are 

available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. 

What does this mean? 

This is not a situation requiring that you take immediate action. If it had been you would have 

been notified immediately. We do not know of any cases of contamination. However, until 

improvements are made, there is an increased chance that disease-causing organisms could 

contaminate the water supply.

Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include 

bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, 

and associated headaches. These symptoms, however, are not caused only by organisms in 

drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek 

medical advice. 

What is being done? 

Filtration is the best method for removing these organisms. [Describe corrective action.] 

We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame]. Until filtration is installed, you 

will receive a notice similar to this every three months. 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed: ______. 

SWTR Failure to Filter Notice – Template 2-5 
Public Notification Handbook 71 March 2007 71

Template on Reverse

Since surface water treatment filtration treatment technique violations require Tier 2 notification, you must provide 

public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the violation (141.203(b)). 

This template may also be adapted for use with turbidity MCL violations. Your primacy agency may have more 

stringent requirements for treatment technique violations; e.g., it may require you to provide water from an alternate 

source. Check with your agency to make sure you meet all requirements. 

For Exceedances of Single Turbidity Limits

You must consult with your primacy agency as soon 

as practical but within 24 hours of learning of the 

violation. During the consultation, the agency may 

choose to elevate your turbidity exceedance to Tier 1. If 

consultation does not occur, the violation is 

automatically elevated to Tier 1 (use Template 1-6). For 

a Tier 2 notice, describe your violation as follows in the 

second paragraph of the notice: 

"Normal turbidity levels at our plant are [number] 

turbidity units. A water sample taken [date] showed 

levels of [number] turbidity units. This was above the 

standard of [standard] units. Because of these high 

levels of turbidity, there is an increased chance that the 

water may contain disease-causing organisms." 

For Exceedances of Monthly Turbidity Limits

Use the following language to describe your violation 

and insert into the second paragraph of the template: 

"Water samples for [month] showed that [percentage] 

percent of turbidity measurements were over [standard] 

turbidity units – the standard is that no more than 5 

percent of samples may exceed [standard] turbidity units 

per month. The turbidity levels are relatively low. 

However, their persistence is a concern. Normal turbidity 

levels at our plant are [number] units." 

Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail 

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably calculated to reach 

others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.203(c)). Such methods could include newspapers, email, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if 

available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify it before using it 

for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the health effects language in italics 

unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)).

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by water 

systems with filtration treatment technique violations. You can use one or more of the following actions, if appropriate, 

or develop your own: 

• We added chemicals that reduce turbidity. 

• We sampled both untreated and treated water for the presence of coliform bacteria. 

• We monitored chlorine levels and adjusted them as needed to compensate for the filtration problems. 

• We inspected and cleaned the filters. 

After Issuing the Violation 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met the public 

notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)).

Instructions for SWTR Turbidity Exceedance Notice – Template 2-6 
Public Notification Handbook 72 72 March 2007

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

[System] Did Not Meet Treatment Requirements 

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this was not an 

emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, 

and what we did (are doing) to correct this situation. 

We routinely monitor your water for turbidity (cloudiness). This tells us whether we are 

effectively filtering the water supply. [Insert appropriate description of the violation from 

instructions.] 

What should I do? 

• You do not need to boil your water or take other actions. We do not know of any 

contamination, and none of our testing has shown disease-causing organisms in the 

drinking water. 

• People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at 

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

providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are 

available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. 

What does this mean? 

This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. Turbidity

has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium 

for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease causing organisms. These 

organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, 

cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. These symptoms are not caused only by 

organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you 

may want to seek medical advice. 

What is being done? 

[Describe the corrective actions and when the system returned or expects to return to 

compliance.] 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed: ______. 

SWTR Turbidity Exceedance Notice – Template 2-6 
Public Notification Handbook 73 March 2007 73

Template on Reverse 

Since surface water treatment disinfection treatment technique violations require Tier 2 notification, you must provide 

public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the violation (141.203(b)). 

Some disinfection problems may be serious. Your primacy agency may have more stringent requirements for 

treatment technique violations; e.g., it may require you to provide water from an alternate source. Check with your 

agency to make sure you meet all requirements.

Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail 

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably calculated to reach 

others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.203(c)). Such methods could include newspapers, email, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if 

available. If you modify the notice, you must leave the mandatory health effects language in italics unchanged 

(141.205(d)). 

Description of the Violation 

Choose from the following descriptions of violations, and modify to fit your situation. 

Not Enough Disinfection During Treatment - In order to ensure proper disinfection, water in the treatment plant must 

be in contact with enough chlorine or a similar disinfectant for a minimum amount of time. On [give date], this did not 

occur.

Although chlorine quickly kills most bacteria, it is less effective against organisms such as viruses and parasites. For 

this reason, water needs to mix with chlorine for a longer time period to kill such organisms. The amount of time 

necessary, or the "contact time," depends on the amount of disinfectant in the water and the temperature of the 

water. 

Disinfectant Residual - We routinely monitor for disinfectant residual in the distribution system. This measurement 

tells us whether we are effectively disinfecting the water supply. Disinfectant residual is the amount of chlorine or 

related disinfectant present in the pipes of the distribution system. If the amount of disinfectant is too low, organisms 

could grow in the pipes. 

Monthly exceedance - During the months of ________, disinfectant residual was undetectable in more than 5% 

of samples. The standard is that disinfectant may be undetectable in no more than 5% of samples each month 

for two months in a row. 

Single exceedance - On [give date], disinfectant levels dropped below 0.2 milligrams per liter for ___ hours. The 

standard is that levels may not drop below 0.2 for more than four hours. 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by water 

systems with disinfection treatment technique violations. You can use one or more of the following actions, if 

appropriate, or develop your own: 

• We are sampling/we sampled both untreated and treated water for the presence of coliform bacteria. 

• We are sampling/we sampled disinfectant levels and will adjust/adjusted the amount of disinfectant added as 

necessary to maintain adequate levels. 

After Issuing the Violation 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met the public 

notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)).

Instructions for SWTR Disinfection Treatment Notices – Template 2-7 
Public Notification Handbook 74 March 2007 74

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

[System] Does/Did Not Meet Treatment Requirements

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this situation does not 

require that you take immediate action, as our customers, you have a right to know what 

happened, what you should do, and what we did (are doing) to correct this situation. 

[Describe the violation - use descriptions from instructions on reverse.] 

What should I do? 

• You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have 

specific health concerns, consult your doctor. 

• People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at 

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

providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are 

available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. 

What does this mean? 

This situation does not require that you take immediate action. If it had been, you would have 

been notified immediately. Tests taken during this same time period did not indicate the 

presence of bacteria in the water. 

Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include 

bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, 

and associated headaches. These symptoms, however, are not caused only by organisms in 

drinking water, but also by other factors. If you experience any of these symptoms and they 

persist, you may want to seek medical advice. 

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action.] 

[Disinfectant residual levels/contact times] so far this month have met all requirements. 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed: ______. 

SWTR Disinfection Treatment Notices – Template 2-7 
Public Notification Handbook 75 March 2007 75

Template on Reverse

Since lead and copper treatment technique violations are included in Tier 2, you must provide public notice to 

persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the violation (141.203(b)). You must 

issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation persists. Your primacy agency may have 

more stringent requirements for treatment technique violations; e.g., it may require you to provide water from 

an alternate source. Check with your agency to make sure you meet all requirements. 

Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail 

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably calculated to 

reach others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.203(c)). Such methods could include 

newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand deliver, print your notice 

on letterhead, if available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify it before 

using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the health effects 

language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)). 

Explaining the Violation 

If the delay in installation is related to outside circumstances, such as funding, you should explain these. 

Consumers may be more supportive of rate increases or may pressure local authorities to provide funds if they 

understand the circumstances. 

This template is written for systems which are required to install corrosion control after exceeding lead action 

levels. The Lead and Copper Rule requires some large systems to install corrosion control even if they have 

never exceeded the lead action level. You may need to modify the template if this applies to you. The following 

may help you explain the violation: 

• This is a treatment violation, but it does not mean there is lead in your drinking water. However, it is 

important that we take measures to control lead levels in the water, because ingesting lead can cause 

serious health consequences. 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. You can use the following language, if appropriate, or 

develop your own: 

• We conducted a lead public education program in [month, year]. You should have received a brochure 

explaining in more detail steps you can take to reduce exposure until corrosion control is in place. 

If consumers ask for information on testing their water, you should have on hand the names of laboratories 

consumers can call. Tell consumers to call NSF International at 1(800) NSF-8010 or the Water Quality 

Association at 1(800) 749-0234 for information on appropriate filters. For more information on lead, have 

consumers call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or the National Lead Information 

Center Hotline 1(800) LEAD-FYI. 

After Issuing the Violation 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met the 

public notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)). 

Instructions for LCR Failure to Install Corrosion Control Notice – Template 2-8 
Public Notification Handbook 76 March 2007

76

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

[System] Water Contains High Levels of Lead 

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Even though this is not an emergency, as 

our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we did (are 

doing) to correct this situation. 

We routinely sample water at consumers' taps for lead. The tests show lead levels in the water above the 

limit, or "action level," so we are required to install corrosion control treatment. This treatment helps 

prevent lead in the pipes from dissolving into the water. Corrosion control should have been installed by 

[give date], but installation is incomplete. 

What should I do? 

Listed below are some steps you can take to reduce your exposure to lead: 

• Call us at the number below to find out how to get your water tested for lead. 

• Find out whether your pipes contain lead or lead solder. 

• Run your water for 15-30 seconds or until it becomes cold before using it for drinking or cooking. This 

flushes any standing lead from the pipes. 

• Don't cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead dissolves more easily into hot water. 

• Do not boil your water to remove lead. Excessive boiling water makes the lead more concentrated 

– the lead remains when the water evaporates. 

What does this mean? 

This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. Typically, lead enters 

water supplies by leaching from lead or brass pipes and plumbing components. New lead pipes and 

plumbing components containing lead are no longer allowed for this reason; however, many older homes 

may contain lead pipes. Your water is more likely to contain high lead levels if water pipes in or leading to 

your home are made of lead or contain lead solder. 

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. 

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action.] Corrosion control will be in place by [give date].

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may 

not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, 

and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by 

hand or mail. 

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ______. 

Date distributed: ______. 

LCR Failure to Install Corrosion Control Notice – Template 2-8 
Public Notification Handbook 77 March 2007

77

Template on Reverse

A system’s failure to provide the level of treatment appropriate for its LT2ESWTR bin classification by the 

required treatment date is a treatment technique violation and requires Tier 2 notification. You must 

provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the 

violation (141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation 

persists. Your primacy agency may have more stringent requirements for treatment technique violations; 

e.g., it may require you to provide water from an alternate source. Check with your agency to make sure 

you meet all requirements. 

Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail 

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably 

calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.203(c)). Such methods 

could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand 

deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify it 

before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the health 

effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)). 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken 

by water systems with LT2ESWTR treatment technique violations. You can use one or more of the 

following actions, if appropriate, or develop your own: 

• We will install treatment by [provide date] that will satisfy this requirement. 

• We are currently working with state health department officials and our engineers to finalize plans for 

additional water treatment that will satisfy this requirement once it is installed.

Repeat Notices

For repeat notices, you should state how long the violation has been ongoing and remind consumers of 

when you sent out the previous notice. If you are making progress in installing treatment, describe it. 

Alternatively, if funding or other issues are delaying installation of treatment, let consumers know. 

After Issuing the Violation 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have 

met the public notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)). 

Instructions for LT2ESWTR Failure to Install Treatment Notice– Template 2-9a 
Public Notification Handbook 78 78 March 2007

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

[Name of System] Failed to Provide the Appropriate Level of Treatment Within 

Required Timeframe. 

Our water system [give system name] was required to provide additional treatment for 

Cryptosporidium by [provide date]. Cryptosporidium is a disease-causing microorganism that 

may occur in our raw water source. 

We failed to provide the required treatment by the required date. Although this situation is not an 

emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we are doing 

to correct this situation. 

What should I do? 

• There is nothing you need to do unless you have a severely compromised immune system, 

have an infant, or are elderly. These people may be at increased risk and should seek 

advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to 

lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water 

Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. If you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor. 

• You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. If a situation arises 

where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours. We will 

announce any emergencies on [give TV and/or radio stations where they can get additional 

information].

What does this mean? 

This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours. 

Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include 

bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, 

and associated headaches. These symptoms, however, are not caused only by organisms in 

drinking water, but also by other factors. If you experience any of these symptoms and they 

persist, you may want to seek medical advice. 

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action.] We expect to have the additional treatment installed by [give date]. 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail. 

This notice is being sent to you by [system name]. State Water System ID# _______. 

Date distributed: _______ 

LT2ESWTR Failure to Install Treatment Notice - Template 2-9a 
Public Notification Handbook 79 March 2007 79

Template on Reverse

A system’s failure to cover an uncovered finished water reservoir, provide treatment of the reservoir’s discharge, or 

be in compliance with a state-approved schedule to cover the reservoir(s) or treat the reservoir(s) discharge by April 

1, 2009 is a treatment technique violation and requires Tier 2 notification. You must provide public notice to persons 

served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the violation (141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat 

notice every three months for as long as the violation persists. Your primacy agency may have more stringent 

requirements for treatment technique violations; e.g., it may require you to provide water from an alternate source. 

Check with your agency to make sure you meet all requirements. 

Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail 

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably calculated to reach 

others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.203(c)). Such methods could include newspapers, email, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if 

available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify it before using it 

for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the health effects language in italics 

unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)). 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly taken by water 

systems with this type of LT2ESWTR treatment technique violation. You can use one or more of the following actions, 

if appropriate, or develop your own: 

• We are developing plans to cover our uncovered finished water storage reservoir. We expect to have the 

reservoir covered by [give date]. Until our finished water reservoir is covered, you will receive a notice similar to 

this every 3 months. 

• We are developing plans to treat the water when it leaves our uncovered finished water storage reservoir. We 

expect to have the treatment in place by [give date]. Until the water leaving our finished water reservoir is 

treated, you will receive a notice similar to this every 3 months. 

• We are currently working with state health department officials to revise our schedule for covering our uncovered 

finished water storage reservoir. We expect to have the state-approved schedule in place by [give date] and the 

reservoir covered by [give date]. Until our schedule receives state approval, you will receive a notice similar to 

this every 3 months. 

• We are currently working with state health department officials to revise our schedule for treating the discharge 

from our uncovered finished water storage reservoir. We expect to have the state-approved schedule in place by 

[give date] and treatment in place by [give date]. Until the schedule receives state approval, you will receive a 

notice similar to this every 3 months. 

Repeat Notices

For repeat notices, you should state how long the violation has been ongoing and remind consumers of when you 

sent out the previous notice. If you are making progress in covering your reservoirs or providing treatment, describe 

it. Alternatively, if funding or other issues are delaying coverage, let consumers know. 

After Issuing the Violation 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have met the public 

notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)). 

Instructions for LT2ESWTR Uncovered Finished Water Reservoir Treatment Notice – 

Template 2-9b 
Public Notification Handbook 80 March 2007

80

Uncovered Finished Water Reservoir Violation at [System] 

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this situation is not an 

emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did (are 

doing) to correct this situation. 

Water systems with uncovered finished water reservoirs are required to cover these reservoirs, 

treat the discharge from these reservoirs, or be in compliance with a state-approved schedule to 

cover the reservoir(s) or provide treatment by April 1, 2009. We have failed to meet this 

requirement.

What should I do? 

• There is nothing you need to do unless you have a severely compromised immune system, 

have an infant, or are elderly. These people may be at increased risk and should seek 

advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to 

lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water 

Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. If you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor. 

• You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. If a situation arises 

where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified with 24 hours. 

What does this mean? 

This situation does not require that you take immediate action. If it had been, you would have 

been notified immediately. 

Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include 

bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, 

and associated headaches. These symptoms, however, are not caused only by organisms in 

drinking water, but also by other factors. If you experience any of these symptoms and they 

persist, you may want to seek medical advice. 

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame]. 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed: 

LT2ESWTR Uncovered Finished Water Reservoir Treatment Notice – Template 2-9b 
Public Notification Handbook 81 March 2007

81

Template on Reverse

An unfiltered system’s failure to install a second disinfectant to treat for Cryptosporidium by the 

required date is a treatment technique violation and requires Tier 2 notification. You must provide 

public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the 

violation (141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation 

persists. Your primacy agency may have more stringent requirements for treatment technique 

violations; e.g., it may require you to provide water from an alternate source. Check with your 

agency to make sure you meet all requirements. 

Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably 

calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.203(c)). Such 

methods could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, 

or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify 

it before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the 

health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)). 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly 

taken by unfiltered water systems with LT2ESWTR treatment technique violations. You can use one 

or more of the following actions, if appropriate, or develop your own: 

• We will install treatment by [provide date] to satisfy this requirement. 

• We are currently working with state health department officials and our engineers to finalize 

plans for water treatment that will satisfy this requirement once it is installed. 

Repeat Notices

For repeat notices, you should state how long the violation has been ongoing and remind consumers 

of when you sent out the previous notice. If you are making progress in installing treatment, describe 

it. Alternatively, if funding or other issues are delaying installation of treatment, let consumers know. 

After Issuing the Violation 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you 

have met the public notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)). 

Instructions for LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Install Treatment Notice – 

Template 2-9c 
Public Notification Handbook 82 March 2007

82

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

[Name of System] Failed to Provide the Appropriate Level of Treatment 

Within Required Timeframe. 

Our unfiltered water system [give system name] was required to use a minimum of two 

disinfectants to meet our treatment requirement by [give date]. 

We failed to have the new ultraviolet light (U.V.) disinfection system installed by the required 

date. Although this situation is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know 

what happened and what we did (are doing) to correct this situation. 

What should I do? 

• There is nothing you need to do unless you have a severely compromised immune system, 

have an infant, or are elderly. These people may be at increased risk and should seek 

advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to 

lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water 

Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. If you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor. 

• You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. If a situation arises 

where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours. We will 

announce any emergencies on [give TV and/or radio stations where they can get additional 

information].

What does this mean? 

This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours. 

Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include 

bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, 

and associated headaches. These symptoms, however, are not caused only by organisms in 

drinking water, but also by other factors. If you experience any of these symptoms and they 

persist, you may want to seek medical advice. 

What is being done? 

We expect to have the U.V. disinfection system installed by [give date]. We continue to disinfect 

the water with chlorine as we have in the past. 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail. 

This notice is being sent to you by [system name]. State Water System ID# _______. 

Date distributed: _______ 

LT2ESWTR Unfiltered System Failure to Install Treatment Notice – Template 2-9c 
Public Notification Handbook 83 March 2007

83

Template on Reverse

A system’s failure to conduct an initial or second round of Cryptosporidium monitoring by the 

required date is a monitoring violation that requires Tier 2 notification. You must provide public notice 

to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the violation 

(141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation persists. 

Your primacy agency may have more stringent requirements for this monitoring violation; e.g., it may 

require you to provide water from an alternate source. Check with your agency to make sure you 

meet all requirements. 

Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably 

calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.203(c)). Such 

methods could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, 

or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify 

it before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the 

health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)). 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly 

taken by water systems with LT2ESWTR monitoring violations. You can use one or more of the 

following actions, if appropriate, or develop your own: 

• We will begin collecting the required source water monitoring samples on [give date]. 

• We have since taken the required samples for initial monitoring and will begin collecting our 

second round of sampling on [give date]. 

Repeat Notices

For repeat notices, you should state how long the violation has been ongoing and remind consumers 

of when you sent out the previous notice. If you are making progress in installing treatment, describe 

it. Alternatively, if funding or other issues are delaying installation of treatment, let consumers know. 

After Issuing the Violation 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you 

have met the public notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)). 

Instructions for LT2ESWTR Failure to Conduct Source Water Monitoring (Initial or 

Second Round) Notice –Template 2-9d 
Public Notification Handbook 84 March 2007 84

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

Monitoring and Reporting Requirements Not Met for [Name of System] 

We are required to monitor the source of your drinking water for Cryptosporidium. Results of the 

monitoring are to be used to determine whether [name of treatment plant] is sufficient to 

adequately treat the water for Cryptosporidium. We are required to complete this monitoring and 

make this determination by [give date]. We did not monitor or test on schedule and, therefore, 

we may not be able to determine by the required date what treatment modifications, if any, must 

be made. Missing this deadline may, in turn, jeopardize our ability to have the required 

treatment modifications, if any, completed by the deadline required, [give date]. 

What should I do? 

There is nothing you need to do. You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective 

actions. You may continue to drink the water. If a situation arises where the water is no longer 

safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours. We will announce any emergencies on [give 

TV and/or radio stations where they can get additional information]. 

What does this mean? 

This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours. 

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 appropriates 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).

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action.] 

For more information, please contact [provide contact name] at [provide contact phone number] 

or write to [provide address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail. 

This notice is being sent to you by [system name]. State Water System ID# _______. 

Date distributed: _______ 

LT2ESWTR Failure to Conduct Source Water Monitoring (Initial or Second Round) 

Notice –Template 2-9d 
Public Notification Handbook 85 March 2007 85

Template on Reverse

If your system’s running annual average for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) exceeds the MCL of 

0.080 mg/L or the running annual average for Haloacetic Acid 5 (HAA5) exceeds the MCL of 

0.060 mg/L, you must provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 

days after you learn of the violation (141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat notice every three 

months for as long as the violation persists. 

Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably 

calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.203(c)). Such 

methods could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, 

post, or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to 

modify it before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements 

and leave the health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory 

(141.205(d)).

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below is one step commonly 

taken by water systems with TTHM or HAA5 MCL violations. You can use the following action, if 

appropriate, or develop your own: 

• We are pilot testing [name treatment type] treatment to ensure it will reduce concentrations 

of [Contaminant, i.e., Total Trihalomethanes or Haloacetic Acid 5] in our finished water. 

Testing will be completed by [provide date] at which time we will evaluate effectiveness and 

begin installation. 

Repeat Notices

For repeat notices, you should state how long the violation has been ongoing and remind 

consumers of when you sent out the previous notice. If you are making progress in installing 

treatment, describe it. Alternatively, if funding or other issues are delaying coverage, let 

consumers know. 

After Issuing the Violation 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that 

you have met the public notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice 

(141.31(d)).

Instructions for Stage 1 DBPR TTHM or HAA5 MCL Violation Notice – Template 2-10 
Public Notification Handbook 86 March 2007

86

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

[Contaminant, i.e., Total Trihalomethanes or Haloacetic Acid 5] MCL 

Violation at [System] 

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this incident was not an 

emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did (are 

doing) to correct this situation. 

We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. Testing results from [date 

range] show that our system exceeds the standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), for 

[contaminant]. The standard for [contaminant] is [MCL]. It is determined by averaging all 

samples collected by our system for the last 12 months. The level of [contaminant] averaged at 

our system for [date range] was [level].

What should I do? 

• There is nothing you need to do unless you have a severely compromised immune system, 

have an infant, or are elderly. These people may be at increased risk and should seek 

advice about drinking water from their health care providers. 

• You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. If a situation arises 

where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours. We will 

announce any emergencies on [give TV and/or radio stations where they can get additional 

information].

What does this mean? 

This is not an emergency. If it had been an emergency, you would have been notified within 24 

hours.

[People who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may 

experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an 

increased risk of getting cancer.] Or

[People who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over many years may 

have an increased risk of getting cancer.]

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame]. 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed: ______________ 

Stage 1 DBPR TTHM or HAA5 MCL Violation Notice – Template 2-10 
Public Notification Handbook 87 March 2007

87

Template on Reverse

If your system’s locational running annual average for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) exceeds the MCL of 

0.080 mg/L or the locational running annual average for Haloacetic Acid 5 (HAA5) exceeds the MCL of 

0.060 mg/L at one or more sampling locations, you must provide public notice to persons served as soon 

as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the violation (141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat 

notice every three months for as long as the violation persists. 

Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill

Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail 

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably 

calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.203(c)). Such methods 

could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand 

deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify it 

before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the health 

effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)). 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below is one step commonly taken by 

water systems with TTHM or HAA5 MCL violations. You can use the following action, if appropriate, or 

develop your own: 

• [TTHM are four volatile organic chemicals] [HAA5 are five haloacetic acid compounds] which form 

when disinfectants react with natural organic matter in the water. We are working to minimize the 

formation of [TTHM or HAA5] while ensuring we maintain an adequate level of disinfectant. We have 

taken additional samples at this location and throughout the system to determine if our efforts have 

been effective. The samples show that we now meet the standards. 

Repeat Notices

For repeat notices, you should state how long the violation has been ongoing and remind consumers of 

when you sent out the previous notice. If you are making progress in installing treatment, describe it. 

Alternatively, if funding or other issues are delaying coverage, let consumers know. 

After Issuing the Violation 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have 

met the public notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)). 

Instructions for Stage 2 DBPR TTHM or HAA5 MCL Violation Notice – Template 2-11 
Public Notification Handbook 88 March 2007

88

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

[Contaminant, i.e., Total Trihalomethanes or Haloacetic Acid 5] MCL 

Violation at [System] 

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this incident was not an 

emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did (are doing) 

to correct this situation. 

We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. Testing results from [date 

range] show that our system exceeds the standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), for 

[contaminant]. The standard for [contaminant] is [MCL]. It is determined by averaging all the samples 

collected at each sampling location for the past 12 months. The level of [contaminant] averaged at 

one of our system’s locations for [date range] was [level]. 

What should I do? 

• There is nothing you need to do unless you have a severely compromised immune system, have 

an infant, or are elderly. These people may be at increased risk and should seek advice about 

drinking water from their health care providers. 

• You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. If a situation arises where the 

water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours. We will announce any 

emergencies on [give TV and/or radio stations where they can get additional information]. 

What does this mean? 

This is not an emergency. If it had been an emergency, you would have been notified within 24 

hours.

[People who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may 

experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased 

risk of getting cancer.] Or

[People who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over many years may 

have an increased risk of getting cancer.]

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame] (or 

the problem was resolved on [give date]). 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address].

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who 

may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, 

schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing 

copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed: ______________ 

Stage 2 DBPR TTHM or HAA5 MCL Violation Notice – Template 2-11 
Public Notification Handbook 89 March 2007 89

Template on Reverse

Since failure to recycle spent filter backwash, thickener supernatant, and liquids from dewatering 

processes before all processes of the direct filtration treatment train, failure to obtain state approval 

for the use of an alternative recycle location, or failure to pursue capital improvements is a Tier 2 

violation, you must provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days 

after you learn of the violation (141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat notice every three months for 

as long as the violation persists. Your primacy agency may have more stringent requirements for 

treatment technique violations; e.g., it may require you to provide water from an alternate source. 

Check with your agency to make sure you meet all requirements. 

Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail 

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably 

calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.203(c)). Such 

methods could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, 

or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify 

it before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and you may 

not modify the mandatory health effects language (141.205(d)). 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Do not use overly technical terminology 

when describing treatment methods. You can use one or more of the following actions, if 

appropriate, or develop your own: 

• As of [give date], we will no longer recycle our filter backwash and will not be in violation of this 

standard.

• As of [give date], the filter backwash will be piped to the beginning of our water treatment 

process and we will no longer be in violation of this standard. 

• As of [give date], the filter backwash and all other current recycle flows will be discharged to 

waste as approved by the primacy agency. 

Repeat Notices

If this is an ongoing violation, you should give the history behind the violation, if known. 

After Issuing the Notice

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you 

have met all public notification requirements within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)). 

Instructions for Filter Backwash Recycling Rule Treatment Technique Violation 

Notice – Template 2-12 
Public Notification Handbook 90 March 2007 90

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this is not an 

emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, 

and what we did (are doing) to correct this situation. 

The Filter Backwash Recycling Rule requires water systems that recycle liquids used for water 

treatment to recycle these liquids through the system’s existing filtration system or to an 

alternate location approved by the state. Our system did not return its water treatment recycle 

flows to the required location or a state-approved location by the required date of [give date]. 

What should I do? 

• There is nothing you need to do unless you have a severely compromised immune system, 

have an infant, or are elderly. These people may be at increased risk and should seek 

advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to 

lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water 

Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. If you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor. 

• You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. If a situation arises 

where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours. We will 

announce any emergencies on [give TV and/or radio stations where they can get additional 

information].

What does this mean?

This is not an immediate risk. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. 

Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include 

bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, 

and associated headaches. These symptoms, however, are not caused only by organisms in 

drinking water, but also by other factors. If you experience any of these symptoms and they 

persist, you may want to seek medical advice. 

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame]. 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail. 

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ________. 

Date distributed: _______]

Filter Backwash Recycling Rule 

Treatment Technique Violation Notice – Template 2-12 
Public Notification Handbook 91 March 2007

91

Template on Reverse 

Since failure to comply with the conditions of an exemption requires Tier 2 notification, you must provide 

public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 30 days after you learn of the violation 

(141.203(b)). You must issue a repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation persists. 

Your primacy agency may have more stringent or alternative requirements for exemption violations; e.g., 

it may require you to provide water from an alternate source. Check with your agency to make sure you 

meet all requirements. 

Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail 

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably 

calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.203(c)). Such methods 

could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand 

deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to modify it 

before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements and leave the health 

effects language in italics unchanged. This language is mandatory (141.205(d)). 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed below is an example of a step that might 

be taken in response to this violation. You can use the following action, if appropriate, or develop your 

own:

• We have agreed upon a new deadline of [give date] to secure the funding needed in order to 

purchase [contaminant] removal treatment equipment. Once we have secured funding, we will 

purchase and begin installation of the selected treatment technology by [estimated time frame].

Repeat Notices 

For repeat notices, you should state how long the violation has been ongoing and remind consumers of 

when you sent out the previous notice. Include updated information regarding meeting the measures and 

schedules in your corrective action plan. Alternatively, if funding or other issues are delaying your 

progress, let consumers know. 

After Issuing the Notice 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have 

met the public notice requirements within ten days after you issued the notice (141.31(d)).

Instructions for Failure to Comply with the Conditions of an Exemption Notice – 

Template 2-13 
Public Notification Handbook 92 March 2007 92

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

[System] Failed to Meet the Conditions of a [contaminant] Exemption. 

Our water system recently violated one of the conditions of our [contaminant] exemption. An 

exemption allows eligible systems additional time to build capacity in order to comply with a 

drinking water standard. [Name of system] was granted an exemption for the [contaminant] 

standard so that we could raise funds for a new treatment process to remove [contaminant]. As 

a condition of the exemption, we agreed to secure funding by [give date]. We did not meet this 

deadline.

What should I do? 

• There is nothing you need to do. You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective 

actions. You may continue to drink the water. If a situation arises where the water is no 

longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours. We will announce any emergencies 

on [give TV and/or radio stations where they can get additional information]. We will also 

post this information on our web site at www.ourwatersystem.com. 

What does this mean? 

This is not an emergency. If it had been an emergency, you would have been notified within 24 

hours.

(Example language provided for arsenic. Enter appropriate language for your specific 

contaminant.)

[Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years may 

have an increased risk of getting cancer.] 

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action.] We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame] 

(or the problem was resolved on [give date]). 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

You can also visit our web site at www.ourwatersystem.com. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ________. 

Date distributed: _______]

 

Failure to Comply with the Conditions of an Exemption Notice – Template 2-13 
Public Notification Handbook 93 March 2007 93

If your primacy agency has designated a failure to monitor as a Tier 2 violation (141.203(a)), 

you must provide public notice to persons served within 30 days after it has been designated 

Tier 2 (141.203(b)). Monitoring violations are Tier 3 by default, but may be elevated to Tier 2 by 

your primacy agency. You may elevate the violation to Tier 2 yourself as well. You must issue a 

repeat notice every three months for as long as the violation persists. 

Community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following methods (141.203(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail 

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably 

calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.203(c)). Such 

methods could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you mail, 

post, or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for hand delivery or mail. However, you may wish to 

modify it before using it for posting. If you do, you must still include all the required elements 

and you may not modify the mandatory health effects language (141.205(d)). 

Corrective Action 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you took or are taking. Listed below are some steps 

commonly taken by water systems with monitoring violations. You can use the following 

language, if appropriate, or develop your own: 

• We have since taken the required samples, as described in the last column of the table 

above. The samples showed we are meeting drinking water standards. 

• We have since taken the required samples, as described in the last column of the table 

above. The sample for [contaminant] exceeded the limit. [Describe corrective action; use 

information from public notice prepared for violating the limit.] 

• We plan to take the required samples soon, as described in the last column of the table 

above.

Repeat Notices

If this is an ongoing violation, you should give the history behind the violation, if known. 

After Issuing the Notice

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that 

you have met all public notification requirements within ten days after issuing the notice 

(141.31(d)).

Instructions for Monitoring Violation Elevated to Tier 2 Notice – Template 2-14 
Public Notification Handbook 94 March 2007

94

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

Monitoring Requirements Not Met for [System] 

We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular 

basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water 

meets health standards.

During [compliance period] we ['did not monitor or test' or 'did not complete all 

monitoring or testing'] for [contaminant(s)] and, therefore, cannot be sure of the quality 

of our drinking water during that time. Even though this is not an emergency, as our 

customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did (are doing) to 

correct this situation. 

What should I do? 

There is nothing you need to do at this time. 

The table below lists the contaminant(s) we did not properly test for, how often we are 

supposed to sample for [this contaminant/these contaminants] and how many samples 

we are supposed to take, how many samples we took, when samples should have been 

taken, and the date on which follow-up samples were (or will be) taken. 

Contaminant

Required

sampling

frequency

Number of 

samples

taken

When samples 

should have 

been taken 

When

samples were 

taken

Nitrate

(example) 

One sample 

annually 0 2006 February 2007 

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action.] 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing 

address].

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially 

those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in 

apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this 

notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed: ______. 

Monitoring Violation Elevated to Tier 2 Notice – Template 2-14 
Public Notification Handbook 95 March 2007

7.Tier 3 Notice Requirements and Suggestions

Tier 3 notices must meet the content (including mandatory language), format, and multilingual 

requirements described in Chapter 3, and are required for the following violations or situations (141.204(a)):

Monitoring violations (except for the following: failure to monitor for fecal coliform or E. coli when 

repeat samples are positive for coliform, failure to take a confirmation sample for nitrate or nitrite within 

24 hours, and failure to take required samples for chlorine dioxide in the distribution system, which 

require Tier 1 notice; and any monitoring violations elevated to Tier 1 or 2 by the primacy agency); 

Testing procedure violations, except where elevated to Tier 2 by the primacy agency;

Operation under a variance or exemption; 

Special notice for availability of unregulated contaminant monitoring data; and

Special notice for fluoride secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) exceedances. 

Remember that notices for variances or exemptions, fluoride SMCL exceedances, and availability of 

unregulated contaminant monitoring data have different content requirements than notices for violations. 

(See Chapter 3.)

What is the deadline for issuing a Tier 3 notice?

You must issue a public notice for a Tier 3 violation or situation within 12 months of learning of the 

violation or situation (141.204(b)). Keep in mind that your primacy agency may require earlier notice for 

some monitoring violations, especially if it believes such violations could affect public health.

Remember to send a copy of the notice and a certification statement to your primacy agency within ten 

days after providing an initial or repeat notice to the public (141.31(d)).

Following the initial notice, you must repeat the notice annually for as long as the violation or situation 

persists (141.204(b)). You are not in compliance again until your primacy agency determines so. You must 

also notify new billing customers or units, prior to or at the time their service begins, of any ongoing 

violations or situations for which you have previously provided notice (141.206).

Required Elements of a Public Notice (141.205(a))

1. A description of the violation;

2. When the violation occurred; 

3. Potential adverse health effects; using mandatory language for monitoring violations in Chapter 3;

4. Population(s) at risk;

5. Whether alternative water supplies should be used;

6. Actions consumers should take, including when they should seek medical help, if known;

7. What you are doing to correct the violation;

8. When you expect to return to compliance;

9. Name, business address, and phone number for additional information; and

10. Standard language encouraging distribution to all persons served, where applicable.










Public Notification Handbook 96 March 2007

Which methods of delivery must I use?

Unless directed otherwise by the primacy agency, if you operate a community water system, you must 

provide notice by (141.204(c)):

1. Mail or other direct delivery to each customer receiving a bill and other service connections to which 

water is delivered, and

2. Any other method reasonably calculated to reach others regularly served, if they would not normally 

be reached by the method above. Such people include those who do not pay water bills or do not have 

service connection addresses, (e.g., tenants, college students, nursing home patients, prison inmates). 

Methods may include publication in a local newspaper, posting in public places, delivery of multiple 

copies to landlords or office building managers, or delivery to community organizations.

Unless directed otherwise by the primacy agency, if you operate a non-community water system, you must 

provide notice by the following methods (141.204(c)):

1. Posting the notice in conspicuous locations throughout the system or by direct delivery or mail to each 

customer and known service connection, and

2. Any other method reasonably calculated to reach others served, if they would not normally be reached 

by the method above. Such people may include those who may not see a posted notice because it is not 

in a location they routinely pass by. Methods may include publication in a local newspaper or newsletter 

distributed to consumers, use of e-mail to notify employees or students, or delivery of multiple copies in 

central locations (e.g., community centers).

Refer to the “Public Notification Handbook for Transient Non-Community Water Systems” (EPA 816-R07-004) for more information.

If you post a notice, it must remain posted for as long as the violation or situation persists. If the violation or 

situation is already resolved by the time you write the notice, you must post the notice for at least seven days 

(141.204(b)). Be sure that the notice is durable. It should not blow away if posted outdoors. Consider 

laminating notices that will be placed over sinks or outside, especially if they are likely to remain there for an 

extended time.

For both system types, there may be a few cases where you were able to reach all persons served with the 

first method you choose. In such cases, you may not need to use additional methods. In a community 

water system, such as a small town, a second method would be necessary to reach non-resident employees 

or restaurant customers. At a gas station, on the other hand, posting would be sufficient to reach all persons 

served. 

Suggestions for Effective Public Notification Delivery

If you mail the notice, send it to all service connections, if possible, and not just billing customers, since 

there are many people in addition to your billing customers who drink your water. Billing customers can 

be reached via inserts in their water bills. E-mail may be appropriate to contact most of the students at a 

college or university. 

Community water systems whose consumers do not have service connections, such as nursing homes or 

prisons, should notify all those drinking the water.
Public Notification Handbook 97 March 2007

Notices in newspapers may be in the form of an article or a paid advertisement. Also, try to get articles 

published in smaller community newspapers, homeowners’ association newsletters, or similar 

publications. Paid advertisements offer an advantage because you are guaranteed the notice will appear 

exactly as you write it. Try to purchase ad space in the front section of the paper. Legal notices tend to get 

lost in the back of the paper where few people read them.

May I combine notices for multiple Tier 3 violations or situations?

If you have multiple monitoring or testing procedure violations or other situations within a 12-month 

period, you should strongly consider combining notification for them into a single annual Tier 3 notice 

(141.204(d)). An annual notice can help you save preparation, delivery, and printing costs. You can issue 

such a notice at any time, as long as the earliest violation included occurred less than 12 months before the 

notice is provided to consumers. For example, if your water system violates the monitoring requirement for 

VOCs on March 31 and also violates the monitoring requirements for the Total Coliform Rule in January, 

August, and December, you may issue a single notice on January 1 of the subsequent year listing all the 

violations since the previous January 1. 

Tips for Very Small Community Systems

Consider combining notices for multiple Tier 3 violations and situations into one annual notice.

Compare mailing and labor costs before selecting a delivery method. Hand delivery may be cheaper and 

faster than preparing a mailing. However, you may be able to include your notice with the bill at no 

extra cost. 

Supplement your chosen delivery method by posting in banks, grocery stores, town halls, and 

restaurants, or by publishing in a newspaper.







If you are a community water system, you may also wish to consider using the Consumer Confidence 

Report (CCR) for Tier 3 notices. Unlike a separate annual notice, however, using the CCR to meet the 

public notification obligation requires that you tailor the release of your CCR to meet the unique PN 

requirements. Using the CCR may reduce some production costs and may reduce redundancy since the 

violations and situations requiring public notice must also eventually be included in the CCR. 

Including your Tier 3 public notice as part of the CCR could also provide the context that more accurately 

describes what has happened. Before you decide, however, remember that the timing and delivery 

requirements for CCRs differ from those for PNs. If you use the CCR for public notification, be very 

careful to adhere to the PN requirement that public notice for Tier 3 violations be completed no later than 

12 months from the date the violation occurred. In addition, if you use the CCR, it must be provided 

to persons served that are not necessarily only the billing customers who would receive the CCR. Keep 

in mind, small community water systems that have a mailing waiver for CCR will not satisfy PN delivery 

requirements. 

An example illustrates the coordination challenge that water systems will face in using the CCR as the 

vehicle for the annual Tier 3 notice. CCRs must be published by July 1 of every year and must include 

information from the previous calendar year, according to the CCR regulation. A CCR published in July 

2000 must include violations or situations that occurred between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 1999. 

Under this schedule, public notice requirements for Tier 3 violations or situations that occurred between 
Public Notification Handbook 98 March 2007

January and June 1999 could not be met since the CCR would reach consumers more than a year after they 

occurred. Any violations or situations that occur more than one year before the CCR is published must be 

reported in a separate PN notice. 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.

Suggestions for the Layout of the Notice

The format of a Tier 3 notice depends on your circumstances and on the number of violations or situations 

you are reporting. If you have multiple monitoring violations, it may be simpler and shorter to list them 

in a table. The table could include columns for the required sampling frequency, the number of samples 

taken, when the samples should have been taken, and when the samples were or will be taken. However, 

not all monitoring violations are the same. A coliform monitoring violation in which one of 100 samples 

was missed is less serious than missing one of two required samples. You may feel it is more appropriate to 

describe each violation in a paragraph. Templates 3-1A and 3-1B at the end of this chapter offers sample 

language and instructions for preparing public notices for monitoring violations.

In a notice for monitoring violations, it is important to tell consumers the implications of the violation. 

They may wonder why they weren’t told earlier, whether there is any health risk, and why the samples were 

not taken. You should respond to their concerns. A statement clarifying that no emergency exists, that the 

notice is for informational purposes, and that subsequent monitoring showed no problems will help reassure 

consumers. 

A notice for a fluoride SMCL exceedance need only contain the mandatory language found in Template 

3-5 with the blanks filled in appropriately (141.208). You should also include the language that encourages 

distribution. Notices must be provided as soon as practical but no later than 12 months after you learn of 

the exceedance. Due to the staining effect of fluoride at levels above the SMCL on the teeth of children 

under nine, consider issuing these notices quickly to prevent damage to their teeth.

A notice of the availability of unregulated contaminant data need only state that the monitoring results are 

available and provide a phone number to call to obtain them (141.207). You may use an annual notice or 

insert this notice into your CCR, provided public notification timing and delivery requirements can be met. 

You do not need to include the results themselves, unless you are a community water system using the CCR 

to provide the notice. CCR regulations require systems to include data on all detected contaminants.

You should include your PWS ID number at the bottom of any notice. This will help your primacy agency 

track compliance and prevent tracking errors between systems with similar names. Also include the date on 

which you distributed the notice.




Public Notification Handbook 99 March 2007

Tier 3 Templates

Tier 3 notices are required for the following violations or situations:

Monitoring violations (except for the following: failure to monitor for fecal coliform or E. coli when 

repeat samples are positive for coliform, failure to take a confirmation sample for nitrate or nitrite within 

24 hours, and failure to take required samples for chlorine dioxide in the distribution system, which 

require Tier 1 notice; failure to collect 3 or more samples for Cryptosporidium, which requires Tier 2 

notice; and any monitoring violations elevated to Tier 1 or 2 by the primacy agency); 

Testing procedure violations, except where elevated to Tier 2 by the primacy agency;

Operation under a variance or exemption; 

Special notice for availability of unregulated contaminant monitoring data; and

Special notice for fluoride secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) exceedances. 

The pages that follow contain templates for Tier 3 violations and situations. Along with the templates are 

instructions, including the required method of delivery and suggestions for completing individual sections 

of the notices. These instructions are designed to supplement Chapter 7, so you may see much of the 

information repeated here.

Mandatory language on unknown risk for monitoring violations, which must be included as written 

with blanks filled in, is presented in italics (141.205(d)). All the language in the fluoride SMCL 

template (except the language discussed below) is mandatory (141.208).

You must also include the following italicized language in all notices, where applicable (141.205(d)). Use of 

this language does not relieve you of your obligation to take steps reasonably calculated to notify all persons 

served:

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may 

not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and 

businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

Templates

Monitoring Violations Annual Notice–Template 3-1A 101

Monitoring Violations Annual Notice–Template 3-1B 103

Failure to Comply with a Testing Procedure Notice – Template 3-2 105

Operating Under an Exemption Notice – Template 3-3 107

Special Notice for Availability of Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Data – Template 3-4 109

Fluoride SMCL Notice–Template 3-5 111

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



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Public Notification Handbook 100 March 2007

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Public Notification Handbook 101 March 2007 101

Template on Reverse

If you are required to provide Tier 3 notification, you must provide public notice to persons served within 

one year after you learn of the violation (141.204(b)). Multiple monitoring violations can be serious, and 

your primacy agency may have more stringent requirements. Check with your primacy agency to make 

sure you meet its requirements. 

Community systems must use one of the following (141.204(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following (141.204(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail 

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably 

calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.204(c)). Such methods 

could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you post the notice, it must 

remain posted until the violation is resolved. If the violation has been resolved, you must post the notice 

for at least seven days (141.204(b)). If you mail, post, or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if 

available.

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for insertion in an annual notice or the Consumer Confidence 

Report (CCR), as long as public notification timing and delivery requirements are met (141.204(d)). You 

may need to modify the template for a notice for individual monitoring violations. This example presents 

violations in a table; however, you may write out an explanation for each violation if you wish. For any 

monitoring violation for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other groups, you may list the group name 

in the table, but you must provide the name of every chemical in the group on the notice, e.g., in a 

footnote.

You may need to modify the notice if you had any monitoring violations for which monitoring later showed 

a maximum contaminant level or other violation. In such cases, you should refer to the public notice you 

issued at that time. 

Include in your notice the standard language for monitoring and testing procedure violations in italics 

(141.205(d)(2)). If you modify the notice, you may not alter this mandatory language. 

Corrective Actions 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you took or are taking. Listed below are some steps commonly 

taken by water systems with monitoring violations. You can use the following language, if appropriate, or 

develop your own: 

• We have since taken the required samples, as described in the last column of the table above. The 

samples showed we are meeting drinking water standards. 

• We have since taken the required samples, as described in the last column of the table above. The 

sample for [contaminant] exceeded the limit. [Describe corrective action; use information from public 

notice prepared for violating the limit.] 

• We plan to take the required samples soon, as described in the last column of the table above. 

After Issuing the Notice 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have 

met all the public notice requirements within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)).

Instructions for Monitoring Violations Annual Notice – Template 3-1A 
Public Notification Handbook 102 March 2007 102

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

Monitoring Requirements Not Met for [System] 

Our water system violated drinking water standards over the past year. Even though these were 

not emergencies, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did 

to correct these situations. 

We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. 

Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets health 

standards. During [compliance period] we ['did not monitor or test' or 'did not complete all 

monitoring or testing'] for [contaminant(s)] and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of our 

drinking water during that time. 

What should I do? 

There is nothing you need to do at this time. 

The table below lists the contaminant(s) we did not properly test for during the last year, how 

often we are supposed to sample for [this contaminant/these contaminants] and how many 

samples we are supposed to take, how many samples we took, when samples should have 

been taken, and the date on which follow-up samples were (or will be) taken. 

Contaminant

Required

sampling

frequency 

Number of 

samples taken 

When samples 

should have 

been taken 

When samples 

were taken 

VOCs1 (example) 1 sample every 

three years 0 2000-2002 February 2003 

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action.] 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed: ______. 

 1

 VOCs, also know as volatile organic compounds, are tested by collecting one sample and testing that 

sample for all the VOCs. VOCs are commonly used in industrial and manufacturing processes. VOCs include 

benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, 1,2-dichloroethane, cisdichloroethane, trans-dichloroethane, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloropropane, ethylbenzene, styrene, 

tetrachloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, toluene, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, 1,1-dichloroethylene, 

1,1,2-trichloroethane, vinyl chloride, and xylene. 

Monitoring Violations Annual Notice – Template 3-1A 
Public Notification Handbook 103 March 2007 103

Template on Reverse

The template on reverse is another example of a monitoring violation. The example in 

this template is for Bromate under the Stage 2 DBPR. All the instructions of Template 

3-1A apply.

Instructions for Monitoring Violations Annual Notice – Template 3-1B 
Public Notification Handbook 104 March 2007 104

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

Monitoring Requirements Not Met for [System] 

On [give date] we became aware that our system recently failed to collect the correct 

number of drinking water samples. Although this incident was not an emergency, as our 

customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did (are doing) to correct 

this situation. 

We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. 

Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets 

health standards. During [compliance period] we ['did not monitor or test' or 'did not 

complete all monitoring or testing'] for bromate and therefore cannot be sure of the quality 

of our drinking water during that time. We were allowed to take 1 sample per quarter rather 

than 1 sample per month. In [give date], we no longer qualified for reduced quarterly 

bromate monitoring. Beginning in [give date], we failed to begin monitoring monthly for 

bromate. 

What should I do? 

There is nothing you need to do. You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective 

actions. You may continue to drink the water. If a situation arises where the water is no 

longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours. We will announce any emergencies 

on [give TV and/or radio stations where they can get additional information]. We will also 

post this information on our web site at www.ourwatersystem.com. 

What is being done? 

[Describe corrective action.] We began monitoring monthly for bromate on [give date] and 

will continue to monitoring on this schedule until (unless) we qualify for reduced monitoring. 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing 

address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed: ______. 

Monitoring Violations Annual Notice – Template 3-1B 
Public Notification Handbook 105 March 2007 105

Template on Reverse

Failure to comply with a testing procedure requires Tier 3 notification. You must provide public 

notice to persons served within one year after you learn of the violation (141.204(b)). Multiple 

testing violations can be serious, and your primacy agency may have more stringent 

requirements. Check with your primacy agency to make sure you meet its requirements. 

Community systems must use one of the following (141.204(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following (141.204(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail 

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably 

calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.204(c)). Such 

methods could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you post 

the notice, it must remain posted until the violation is resolved. If the violation has been 

resolved, you must post the notice for at least seven days (141.204(b)). If you mail, post, or 

hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for insertion in an annual notice or the Consumer 

Confidence Report (CCR), as long as public notification timing and delivery requirements are 

met (141.204(d)).

This example is for a holding time violation. It will need to be modified for other types of testing 

violations. However, you must include in your notice the standard language for monitoring and 

testing procedure violations (141.205(d)(2)). If you modify the notice, you may not alter this 

mandatory language. 

Corrective Actions 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you took or are taking. Listed below is a step 

commonly taken by water systems with a holding time violation. You can use the following 

language, if appropriate, or develop your own that is specific to your testing violation: 

• On (date) we collected (will collect) a new sample of our finished water in order to have it 

analyzed for (contaminant). We sent (will send) the sample to the certified laboratory via 

courier to ensure that the sample arrived within the allowed holding time. 

After Issuing the Notice 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that 

you have met all the public notice requirements within ten days after issuing the notice 

(141.31(d)).

Instructions for Failure to Comply with a Testing Procedure Notice – Template 3-2 
Public Notification Handbook 106 March 2007 106

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

Failure to Comply With a Testing Procedure 

Our water system [name of system] recently failed to comply with a required testing procedure. 

Even though this was not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what 

happened and what we did to correct the situation. 

We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. 

Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets health 

standards. During [compliance period] we did not complete all monitoring or testing for 

[contaminant(s)] and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of our drinking water during that 

time. Any sample we collect must be sent and analyzed by a certified laboratory within a 

specified amount of time. We collected the sample on [give date], but did not get our sample to 

the laboratory within the allowed holding time. 

What should I do? 

• There is nothing you need to do. You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective 

actions. You may continue to drink the water and use it for cooking and bathing. If a 

situation arises where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 

hours. We will announce any emergencies on [give TV and/or radio stations where they can 

get additional information]. 

What is being done? 

On (date) we collected (will collect) a new sample of our finished water in order to have it 

analyzed for (contaminant). We sent (will send) the sample to the certified lab via courier to 

ensure that the sample arrived within the allowed holding time. (The sample was analyzed and 

(contaminant) was not found at detectable levels.) 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those 

who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing 

homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or 

distributing copies by hand or mail. 

This notice is being sent to you by [system name]. State Water System ID# _______. 

Date distributed: _______ 

Failure to Comply with a Testing Procedure Notice – Template 3-2 
Public Notification Handbook 107 March 2007 107

Template on Reverse

If you are operating under a variance or exemption, you are required to provide Tier 3 notification. You 

must provide public notice to persons served within one year after you begin operating under a variance 

or exemption (141.204(b)). Systems operating under a variance or exemption are required to include the 

following information in their notice (141.205(b)): 

• An explanation for the reasons for the variance or exemption; 

• The date on which the variance or exemption was issued; 

• A brief status report on the steps the system is taking to install treatment, find alternative sources of 

water , or otherwise comply with the terms and schedules of the variance or exemption; and 

• A notice of any opportunity for public input in the review of the variance or exemption. 

Your primacy agency may require additional information. Check with your primacy agency to make sure 

you meet its requirements. Failure to comply with a variance or exemption is a Tier 2 violation. Use 

Template 2-13 for this type of violation. 

Community systems must use one of the following (141.204(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following (141.204(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail 

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method reasonably 

calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method (141.204(c)). Such methods 

could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to community organizations. If you post the notice, it must 

remain posted until the violation is resolved. If the violation has been resolved, you must post the notice 

for at least seven days (141.204(b)). If you mail, post, or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead, if 

available.

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for insertion in an annual notice or the Consumer Confidence 

Report (CCR), as long as public notification timing and delivery requirements are met (141.204(d)). 

Corrective Actions 

In your notice, describe corrective actions you took or are taking. Listed below is one action commonly 

taken by water systems that have been granted an exemption. You can use the following language, if 

appropriate, or develop your own: 

• We have begun the process to secure the necessary funding for a new treatment process. We have 

[explain steps taken thus far] and anticipate having funding secured by [date]. At that time we will 

[explain the next step, such as purchase and begin installation of the selected treatment technology]. 

After Issuing the Notice 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that you have 

met all the public notice requirements within ten days after issuing the notice (141.31(d)). 

Instructions for Operating Under an Exemption Notice – Template 3-3 
Public Notification Handbook 108 March 2007

108

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

Operating Under an Exemption 

Our water system has been granted an exemption from [primacy agency] for 

[contaminant] on [give date]. An exemption allows eligible systems additional time to 

comply with a drinking water standard. [Name of system] was granted an exemption for 

(contaminant) so that we could raise funds for a new treatment process to remove 

(contaminant) from our drinking water.

What should I do? 

[Provide information about any actions customers or you are required to take as a 

condition of the exemption. For example if you are required to provide bottled water 

explain where, when and how customers will receive bottled water. If you are not 

required to provide bottled water or there are no corrective actions customers should 

take, you may state that here].

What does this mean? 

This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been informed within 24 

hours.

[Consider including health effects language specific to the contaminant for which the 

exemption applies] 

What is being done? 

We have begun the process to secure the necessary funding for a new treatment 

process. We have [explain steps taken thus far] and anticipate having funding secured 

by [date]. At that time we will [explain the next step, such as purchase and begin 

installation of the selected treatment technology]. 

[Our exemption will be reviewed by [primacy agency] on [date]. As our customer you 

have the opportunity to provide input if you wish.] 

For more information, please contact [name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing 

address]. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially 

those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in 

apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this 

notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail. 

This notice is being sent to you by [system name]. State Water System ID# _______. 

Date distributed: _______ 

Operating Under an Exemption Notice – Template 3-3 
Public Notification Handbook 109 March 2007

109

Template on Reverse

If you are required to monitor under 141.40 for unregulated contaminants, you must 

provide Tier 3 notification to persons served within one year after you receive the 

monitoring results (141.207(a)). Check with your primacy agency to make sure you 

meet its requirements. 

Community systems must use one of the following (141.204(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

Non-community systems must use one of the following (141.204(c)): 

• Posting in conspicuous locations 

• Hand delivery 

• Mail 

In addition, both community and non-community systems must use another method 

reasonably calculated to reach others if they would not be reached by the first method 

(141.204(c)). Such methods could include newspapers, e-mail, or delivery to 

community organizations. If you mail, post, or hand deliver, print your notice on 

letterhead, if available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for insertion in an annual notice or the 

Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), as long as public notification timing and delivery 

requirements are met (141.207(a)).

After Issuing the Notice 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification 

that you have met all the public notice requirements within ten days after issuing the 

notice (141.31(d)).

Instructions for Special Notice for Availability of Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring 

Data– Template 3-4 
Public Notification Handbook 110 March 2007

110

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

Availability of Monitoring Data for Unregulated Contaminants for [System] 

Our water system has sampled for a series of unregulated contaminants. Unregulated 

contaminants are those that don’t yet have a drinking water standard set by USEPA.

The purpose of monitoring for these contaminants is to help EPA decide whether the 

contaminants should have a standard. As our customers, you have a right to know that 

this data is available. If you are interested in examining the results, please contact 

[name of contact] at [phone number] or [mailing address]. 

This notice is being sent to you by [system]. State Water System ID#: ___________. 

Date distributed: ______. 

Special Notice for Availability of Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Data– 

Template 3-4 
Public Notification Handbook 111 March 2007 111

Template on Reverse

For any exceedance of the fluoride secondary maximum contaminant level SMCL, you must 

provide public notice to persons served as soon as practical but within 12 months after you 

learn of the exceedance (141.208), using the provided mandatory language and filling in the 

blanks. Your primacy agency may have more stringent deadlines or other requirements. 

Because fluoride at levels above the SMCL can permanently discolor children's teeth, you are 

urged to issue this notice as soon as practical. Non-community systems that monitor for fluoride 

(federal law does not require non-community systems to monitor) are encouraged to notify their 

consumers if they exceed the SMCL, especially at water systems serving children. If you 

exceed the MCL of 4 mg/l, you must provide notice within 30 days of learning of the violation 

(141.203(a)). See Template 2-4. 

Community systems must use one of the following (141.204(c)): 

• Hand or direct delivery 

• Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill 

In addition, you must use another method reasonably calculated to reach others if they would 

not be reached by the first method (141.204(c)). Such methods could include newspapers, email, or delivery to community organizations. If you post the notice, it must remain posted until 

the exceedance is resolved. If the exceedance has been resolved, you must post the notice for 

at least seven days (141.204(b)). If you mail, post, or hand deliver, print your notice on 

letterhead, if available. 

The notice on the reverse is appropriate for insertion in an annual notice or the CCR, as long as 

public notification timing and delivery requirements are met (141.204(d)), as well as for a 

separate individual notice. The language on the template is mandatory and may not be 

modified, although you may add to the notice, as suggested below (141.208). 

Explaining the Situation 

Use the following language, if applicable: 

• Fluoride contamination is rarely due to human activity. Fluoride occurs naturally in some 

areas and is found in high concentrations in the aquifer in our source water. 

If the fluoride levels in the water have returned to below the SMCL, be sure to make this clear in 

your notice. 

Corrective Actions 

In your notice, you should describe corrective actions you took or are taking, if any. The bullet 

below describes one action commonly taken by water systems with fluoride SMCL 

exceedances. You can use this language, or develop your own: 

• We are continuing to monitor fluoride levels. We will inform you if they exceed the limit of 4 

mg/l.

After Issuing the Notice 

Make sure to send your primacy agency a copy of each type of notice and a certification that 

you have met all the public notice requirements within ten days after issuing the notice 

(141.31(d)).

Instructions for Fluoride SMCL Notice – Template 3-5 
Public Notification Handbook 112 March 2007 112

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

Elevated Fluoride Levels Detected 

This is an alert about your drinking water and a cosmetic dental problem that might 

affect children under nine years of age. At low levels, fluoride can help prevent cavities, 

but children drinking water containing more than 2 milligrams per liter (mg/l) of fluoride 

may develop cosmetic discoloration of their permanent teeth (dental fluorosis). The 

drinking water provided by your community water system [name] has a fluoride 

concentration of [insert value] mg/l. 

Dental fluorosis in its moderate or severe forms, may result in a brown staining and or 

pitting of the permanent teeth. This problem occurs only in developing teeth, before they 

erupt from the gums. Children under nine should be provided with alternative sources of 

drinking water or water that has been treated to remove the fluoride to avoid the 

possibility of staining and pitting of their permanent teeth. You may also want to contact 

your dentist about proper use by young children of fluoride-containing products. Older 

children and adults may safely drink the water. 

Drinking water containing more than 4 mg/l of fluoride (the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency's drinking water standard) can increase your risk of developing bone 

disease. Your drinking water does not contain more than 4 mg/l of fluoride, but we're 

required to notify you when we discover that the fluoride levels in your drinking water 

exceed 2 mg/l because of this cosmetic dental problem.

For more information, please call [name of water system contact] of [name of 

community water system] at [phone number]. Some home water treatment units are 

also available to remove fluoride from drinking water. To learn more about available 

home water treatment units, you may call NSF International at 1-877-8-NSF-HELP. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, 

especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people 

in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting 

this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by [system]: .

State Water System ID#: ________.

Date distributed: _________.

Fluoride SMCL Notice – Template 3-5 
Public Notification Handbook 113 March 2007

Appendices
Public Notification Handbook 114 March 2007

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Public Notification Handbook 115 March 2007

Public Notification Handbook 115 March 2007 

Appendix A 

NPDWR Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice1

(From Appendix A of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006) 

MCL/MRDL/TT Violations2 Monitoring & Testing 

Procedure Violations

Contaminant Tier of Public 

Notice

Required

Citation Tier of Public 

Notice

Required

Citation

I. Violations of National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR):

3

A. Microbiological Contaminants

1. Total coliform 2 141.63(a) 3 141.21(a)-(e) 

2. Fecal coliform/E. coli 1 141.63(b) 14, 3 141.21(e) 

3. Turbidity MCL 2 141.13(a) 3 141.22 

4. Turbidity MCL (average of 

2 days’ samples >5 NTU) 

25, 1 141.13(b) 3 141.22 

5. Turbidity (for TT violations 

resulting from a single 

exceedance of maximum 

allowable turbidity level) 

26

, 1 141.71(a)(2), 

141.71(c)(2)(i),

141.73(a)(2),

141.73(b)(2),

141.73(c)(2),

141.73(d),

141.173(a)(2),

141.173(b),

141.551(b)

3 141.74(a)(1), 

141.74(b)(2),

141.74(c)(1),

141.174,

141.560(a)-(c),

141.561

6. Surface Water Treatment 

Rule violations, other than 

violations resulting from 

single exceedance of max. 

allowable turbidity level (TT) 

2 141.70-141.73 3 141.74 

7. Interim Enhanced Surface 

Water Treatment Rule 

violations, other than 

violations resulting from 

single exceedance of max. 

turbidity level (TT) 

27 141.170-

141.173,

141.500-

141.553

3 141.172, 

141.174,

141.530-

141.544,

141.560-

141.564

8. Filter Backwash Recycling 

Rule violations 

2 141.76(c) 3 141.76(b), (d) 

9. Long Term 1 Enhanced 

Surface Water Treatment 

Rule violations

2 141.500-

141.553

3 141.530-

141.544,

141.560-

141.564

10. LT2ESWTR violations 2 141.710- 

141.720

222, 3 141.701-

141.705 and 

141.708-

141.709

B. Inorganic Chemicals (IOCs)

1. Antimony 2 141.62(b) 3 141.23(a), (c) 

2. Arsenic 2 141.62(b)8 3 141.23(a), (c)11

3. Asbestos (fibers >10 m) 2 141.62(b) 3 141.23(a)-(b) 
Public Notification Handbook 116 March 2007

Appendix A 

 NPDWR Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice 

 (From Appendix A of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006) 

Public Notification Handbook 116 March 2007 

MCL/MRDL/TT Violations2 Monitoring & Testing 

Procedure Violations

Contaminant Tier of Public 

Notice

Required

Citation Tier of Public 

Notice

Required

Citation

4. Barium 2 141.62(b) 3 141.23(a), (c) 

5. Beryllium 2 141.62(b) 3 141.23(a), (c) 

6. Cadmium 2 141.62(b) 3 141.23(a), (c) 

7. Chromium (total) 2 141.62(b) 3 141.23(a), (c) 

8. Cyanide 2 141.62(b) 3 141.23(a), (c) 

9. Fluoride 2 141.62(b) 3 141.23(a), (c) 

10. Mercury (inorganic) 2 141.62(b) 3 141.23(a), (c) 

11. Nitrate 1 141.62(b) 1, 312 141.23(a), (d) 

141.23(f)(2)

12. Nitrite 1 141.62(b) 1, 312 141.23(a), (e) 

141.23(f)(2)

13. Total Nitrate and Nitrite 1 141.62(b) 3 141.23(a) 

14. Selenium 2 141.62(b) 3 141.23(a), (c) 

15. Thallium 2 141.62(b) 3 141.23(a), (c) 

C. Lead and Copper Rule (Action Level for lead is 0.015 mg/L, for copper is 1.3 mg/L) 

1. Lead and Copper Rule 

(TT)

2 141.80-141.85 3 141.86-141.89 

D. Synthetic Organic Chemicals (SOCs)

1. 2,4-D 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

2. 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

3. Alachlor 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

4. Atrazine 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

5. Benzo(a)pyrene (PAHs) 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

6. Carbofuran 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

7. Chlordane 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

8. Dalapon 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

9. Di (2-ethylhexyl) adipate 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

10. Di (2-ethylhexyl) 

phthalate

2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

11. Dibromochloropropane 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

12. Dinoseb 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

13. Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

14. Diquat 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

15. Endothall 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

16. Endrin 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

17. Ethylene dibromide 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

18. Glyphosate 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

19. Heptachlor 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

20. Heptachlor epoxide 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

21. Hexachlorobenzene 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 
Public Notification Handbook 117 March 2007

Appendix A 

 NPDWR Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice 

 (From Appendix A of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006) 

Public Notification Handbook 117 March 2007 

MCL/MRDL/TT Violations2 Monitoring & Testing 

Procedure Violations

Contaminant Tier of Public 

Notice

Required

Citation Tier of Public 

Notice

Required

Citation

22. Hexachlorocyclopentadiene2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

23. Lindane 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

24. Methoxychlor 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

25. Oxamyl (Vydate) 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

26. Pentachlorophenol 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

27. Picloram 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

28. Polychlorinated biphenyls 

(PCBs)

2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

29. Simazine 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

30. Toxaphene 2 141.61(c) 3 141.24(h) 

E. Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs)

1. Benzene 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

2. Carbon tetrachloride 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

3. Chlorobenzene 

(monochlorobenzene)

2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

4. o-Dichlorobenzene 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

5. p-Dichlorobenzene 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

6. 1,2-Dichloroethane 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

7. 1,1-Dichloroethylene 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

8. cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

9. trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

10. Dichloromethane 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

11. 1,2-Dichloropropane 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

12. Ethylbenzene 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

13. Styrene 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

14. Tetrachloroethylene 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

15. Toluene 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

16. 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

17. 1,1,1-Trichloroethane 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

18. 1,1,2-Trichloroethane 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

19. Trichloroethylene 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

20. Vinyl chloride 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

21. Xylenes (total) 2 141.61(a) 3 141.24(f) 

F. Radioactive Contaminants

1. Beta/photon emitters 2 141.66(d) 3 141.25(a) 

141.26(b)

2. Alpha emitters 2 141.66(c) 3 141.25(a) 

141.26(a)

3. Combined radium (226 

and 228) 

2 141.66(b) 3 141.25(a) 

141.26(a)
Public Notification Handbook 118 March 2007

Appendix A 

 NPDWR Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice 

 (From Appendix A of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006) 

Public Notification Handbook 118 March 2007 

MCL/MRDL/TT Violations2 Monitoring & Testing 

Procedure Violations

Contaminant Tier of Public 

Notice

Required

Citation Tier of Public 

Notice

Required

Citation

4. Uranium 29 141.66(e) 310 141.25(a) 

141.26(a)

G. Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs), Byproduct Precursors, Disinfectant Residuals.

Where disinfection is used in the treatment of drinking water, disinfectants combine with 

organic and inorganic matter present in water to form chemicals called disinfection 

byproducts (DBPs). EPA sets standards for controlling the levels of disinfectants and DBPs 

in drinking water, including trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs).13

1. Total trihalomethanes 

(TTHMs)

2 141.64(b)14 3 141.132(a)-(b) 

141.600-

141.605,

141.620-

141.629

2. Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 2 141.64(b) 3 141.132(a)-(b) 

141.600-

141.605,

141.620-

141.629

3. Bromate 2 141.64(a) 3 141.132(a)-(b) 

4. Chlorite 2 141.64(a) 3 141.132(a)-(b) 

5. Chlorine (MRDL) 2 141.65(a) 3 141.132(a), (c) 

6. Chloramine (MRDL) 2 141.65(a) 3 141.132(a), (c) 

7. Chlorine dioxide (MRDL), 

where any 2 consecutive 

daily samples at entrance to 

distribution system only are 

above MRDL 

2 141.65(a), 

141.133(c)(3) 

215, 3 141.132(a), (c) 

141.133(c)(2) 

8. Chlorine dioxide (MRDL), 

where sample(s) in 

distribution system the next 

day are also above MRDL 

116 141.65(a), 

141.133(c)(3) 

1 141.132(a), (c) 

141.133(c)(2) 

9. Control of DBP 

precursors—TOC (TT) 

2 141.135(a)-(b) 3 141.132(a), (d) 

10. Benchmarking and 

disinfection profiling 

N/A N/A 3 141.172, 

141.530-

141.544

11. Development of 

monitoring plan 

N/A N/A 3 141.132(f) 

H. Other Treatment Techniques

1. Acrylamide (TT) 2 141.111 N/A N/A 

2. Epichlorohydrin (TT) 2 141.111 N/A N/A 

II. Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring:

17

A. Unregulated contaminants N/A N/A 3 141.40 

B. Nickel N/A N/A 3 141.23(c), (k) 
Public Notification Handbook 119 March 2007

Appendix A 

 NPDWR Violations and Other Situations Requiring Public Notice 

 (From Appendix A of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006) 

Public Notification Handbook 119 March 2007 

MCL/MRDL/TT Violations2 Monitoring & Testing 

Procedure Violations

Contaminant Tier of Public 

Notice

Required

Citation Tier of Public 

Notice

Required

Citation

III. Public Notification for Variances and Exemptions:

A. Operation under a 

variance or exemption 

3 1415, 141618 N/A N/A 

B. Violation of conditions of a 

variance or exemption 

2 1415, 1416, 

142.30719

N/A N/A 

IV. Other Situations Requiring Public Notification:

A. Fluoride secondary 

maximum contaminant level 

(SMCL) exceedance 

3 143.3 N/A N/A 

B. Exceedance of nitrate 

MCL for non-community 

systems, as allowed by 

primacy agency 

1 141.11(d) N/A N/A 

C. Availability of unregulated 

contaminant monitoring data 

3 141.40 N/A N/A 

D. Waterborne disease 

outbreak

1 141.2, 

141.71(c)(2)(ii)

N/A N/A 

E. Other waterborne 

emergency20

1 N/A N/A N/A 

F. Other situations as 

determined by primacy 

agency

1, 2, 321

N/A N/A N/A 
Public Notification Handbook 120 March 2007

Public Notification Handbook 120 March 2007 

Appendix A Endnotes

1. Violations and other situations not listed in this table (e.g., failure to prepare Consumer 

Confidence Reports), do not require notice, unless otherwise determined by the primary agency. 

Primacy agencies may, at their option, also require a more stringent public notice tier (e.g., Tier 

1 instead of Tier 2 or Tier 2 instead of Tier 3) for specific violations and situations listed in this 

Appendix, as authorized under §141.202(a) and §141.203(a). 

2. MCL—Maximum contaminant level, MRDL—Maximum residual disinfectant level, TT—

Treatment technique. 

3. The term Violations of National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) is used here to 

include violations of MCL, MRDL, treatment technique, monitoring, and testing procedure 

requirements.

4. Failure to test for fecal coliform or E. coli is a Tier 1 violation if testing is not done after any 

repeat sample tests positive for coliform. All other total coliform monitoring and testing 

procedure violations are Tier 3. 

5. Systems that violate the turbidity MCL of 5 NTU based on an average of measurements over 

two consecutive days must consult with the primacy agency within 24 hours after learning of the 

violation. Based on this consultation, the primacy agency may subsequently decide to elevate 

the violation to Tier 1. If a system is unable to make contact with the primacy agency in the 24-

hour period, the violation is automatically elevated to Tier 1. 

6. Systems with treatment technique violations involving a single exceedance of a maximum 

turbidity limit under the Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), the Interim Enhanced Surface 

Water Treatment Rule (IESWTR), or the Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule 

(LT1ESWTR) are required to consult with the primacy agency within 24 hours after learning of 

the violation. Based on this consultation, the primacy agency may subsequently decide to 

elevate the violation to Tier 1. If a system is unable to make contact with the primacy agency in 

the 24-hour period, the violation is automatically elevated to Tier 1. 

7. Most of the requirements of the Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (63 FR

69477) (§§141.170–141.171, 141.173–141.174) become effective January 1, 2002 for Subpart 

H systems (surface water systems and ground water systems under the direct influence of 

surface water) serving at least 10,000 persons. However, §141.172 has some requirements that 

become effective as early as April 16, 1999. The Surface Water Treatment Rule remains in 

effect for systems serving at least 10,000 persons even after 2002; the Interim Enhanced 

Surface Water Treatment Rule adds additional requirements and does not in many cases 

supersede the SWTR. 

8. The arsenic MCL citations are effective January 23, 2006. Until then, the citations are 

§141.11(b) and §141.23(n). 

9. The uranium MCL Tier 2 violation citations are effective December 8, 2003 for all community 

water systems. 

10. The uranium Tier 3 violation citations are effective December 8, 2000 for all community 

water systems. 

11. The arsenic Tier 3 violation MCL citations are effective January 23, 2006. Until then, the 

citations are §141.23(a), (l). 
Public Notification Handbook 121 March 2007

Public Notification Handbook 121 March 2007 

12. Failure to take a confirmation sample within 24 hours for nitrate or nitrite after an initial 

sample exceeds the MCL is a Tier 1 violation. Other monitoring violations for nitrate are Tier 3. 

13. Subpart H community and non-transient non-community systems serving 10,000 must 

comply with new DBP MCLs, disinfectant MRDLs, and related monitoring requirements 

beginning January 1, 2002. All other community and non-transient non-community systems 

must meet the MCLs and MRDLs beginning January 1, 2004. Subpart H transient noncommunity systems serving 10,000 or more persons and using chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant 

or oxidant must comply with the chlorine dioxide MRDL beginning January 1, 2002. Subpart H 

transient non-community systems serving fewer than 10,000 persons and using only ground 

water not under the direct influence of surface water and using chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant 

or oxidant must comply with the chlorine dioxide MRDL beginning January 1, 2004. 

14. §§141.64(b)(1) 141.132(a)–(b) apply until §§141.620–141.630 take effect under the 

schedule in §141.620(c). 

15. Failure to monitor for chlorine dioxide at the entrance to the distribution system the day after 

exceeding the MRDL at the entrance to the distribution system is a Tier 2 violation. 

16. If any daily sample taken at the entrance to the distribution system exceeds the MRDL for 

chlorine dioxide and one or more samples taken in the distribution system the next day exceed 

the MRDL, Tier 1 notification is required. Failure to take the required samples in the distribution 

system after the MRDL is exceeded at the entry point also triggers Tier 1 notification. 

17. Some water systems must monitor for certain unregulated contaminants listed in §141.40. 

18. This citation refers to §§1415 and 1416 of the Safe Drinking Water Act. §§1415 and 1416 

require that “a schedule prescribed. . . for a public water system granted a variance [or 

exemption] shall require compliance by the system. . .” 

19. In addition to §§1415 and 1416 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 40 CFR 142.307 specifies 

the items and schedule milestones that must be included in a variance for small systems. 

20. Other waterborne emergencies require a Tier 1 public notice under §141.202(a) for 

situations that do not meet the definition of a waterborne disease outbreak given in 40 CFR 

141.2 but that still have the potential to have serious adverse effects on health as a result of 

short-term exposure. These could include outbreaks not related to treatment deficiencies, as 

well as situations that have the potential to cause outbreaks, such as failures or significant 

interruption in water treatment processes, natural disasters that disrupt the water supply or 

distribution system, chemical spills, or unexpected loading of possible pathogens into the source 

water.

21. Primacy agencies may place other situations in any tier they believe appropriate, based on 

threat to public health. 

22. Failure to collect three or more samples for Cryptosporidium analysis is a Tier 2 violation 

requiring special notice as specified in §141.211. All other monitoring and testing procedure 

violations are Tier 3.
Public Notification Handbook 122 March 2007

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Public Notification Handbook 123 March 2007

Public Notification Handbook 123 March 2007 

Appendix B 

Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification 

(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006) 

Contaminant MCLG1

mg/L

MCL2

mg/L

Standard Health Effects Language for Public 

Notification

National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR):

A. Microbiological Contaminants 

1a. Total coliform Zero See 

footnote3 Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the 

environment and are used as an indicator that other, 

potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms 

were found in more samples than allowed and this was a 

warning of potential problems. 

1b. Fecal coliform/E. coli Zero Zero Fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence 

indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or 

animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause shortterm effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, 

or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for 

infants, young children, some of the elderly and people with 

severely compromised immune systems. 

2a. Turbidity (MCL)4 None 1 NTU5

/

5 NTU 

Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can 

interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for 

microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of 

disease-causing organisms. These organisms include 

bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms 

such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated 

headaches. 

2b. Turbidity (SWTR TT)6 None TT7 Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can 

interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for 

microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of 

disease-causing organisms. These organisms include 

bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms 

such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated 

headaches. 

2c. Turbidity (IESWTR and 

LT1ESWTR TT)8 

None TT Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can 

interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for 

microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of 

disease-causing organisms. These organisms include 

bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms 

such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated 

headaches. 
Public Notification Handbook 124 March 2007

Appendix B 

Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification 

(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006) 

Public Notification Handbook 124 March 2007 

Contaminant MCLG1

mg/L

MCL2

mg/L

Standard Health Effects Language for Public 

Notification

B. Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (IESWTR), 

Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT1ESWTR) and the Filter Backwash Recycling 

Rule (FBRR) violations

3. Giardia lamblia

(SWTR/IESWTR/ 

LT1ESWTR) 

4. Viruses 

(SWTR/IESWTR/ 

LT1ESWTR) 

5. Heterotrophic plate 

count (HPC) bacteria9

(SWTR/IESWTR/ 

LT1ESWTR) 

6. Legionella 

(SWTR/IESWTR/ 

LT1ESWTR) 

7. Cryptosporidium

(IESWTR/FBRR/ 

LT1ESWTR) 

 Zero TT10 Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing 

organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and 

parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, 

cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. 

C. Inorganic Chemicals (IOCs) 

8. Antimony 0.006 0.006 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. 

9. Arsenic11 0 0.010 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. 

10. Asbestos (10 μm) 7 MFL12 7 MFL 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. 

11. Barium 2 2 Some people who drink water containing barium in excess 

of the MCL over many years could experience an increase 

in their blood pressure. 

12. Beryllium 0.004 0.004 Some people who drink water containing beryllium well in 

excess of the MCL over many years could develop intestinal 

lesions. 

13. Cadmium 0.005 0.005 Some people who drink water containing cadmium in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

kidney damage. 

14. Chromium (total) 0.1 0.1 Some people who use water containing chromium well in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

allergic dermatitis. 

15. Cyanide 0.2 0.2 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. 

16. Fluoride 4.0 4.0 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. 
Public Notification Handbook 125 March 2007

Appendix B 

Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification 

(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006) 

Public Notification Handbook 125 March 2007 

Contaminant MCLG1

mg/L

MCL2

mg/L

Standard Health Effects Language for Public 

Notification

17. Mercury (inorganic) 0.002 0.002 Some people who drink water containing inorganic mercury 

well in excess of the MCL over many years could 

experience kidney damage. 

18. Nitrate 10 10 Infants below the age of six months who drink water 

containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become 

seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include 

shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome. 

19. Nitrite 1 1 Infants below the age of six months who drink water 

containing nitrite in excess of the MCL could become 

seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include 

shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome. 

20. Total Nitrate and Nitrite 10 10 Infants below the age of six months who drink water 

containing nitrate and nitrite in excess of the MCL could 

become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms 

include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome. 

21. Selenium 0.05 0.05 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. 

22. Thallium 0.0005 0.002 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. 

D. Lead and Copper Rule

23. Lead Zero TT13 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. 

24. Copper 1.3 TT14 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. 

E. Synthetic Organic Chemicals (SOCs) 

25. 2,4-D 0.07 0.07 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. 

26. 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) 0.05 0.05 Some people who drink water containing silvex in excess of 

the MCL over many years could experience liver problems. 

27. Alachlor Zero 0.002 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. 

28. Atrazine 0.003 0.003 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.
Public Notification Handbook 126 March 2007

Appendix B 

Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification 

(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006) 

Public Notification Handbook 126 March 2007 

Contaminant MCLG1

mg/L

MCL2

mg/L

Standard Health Effects Language for Public 

Notification

29. Benzo(a)pyrene 

(PAHs)

Zero 0.0002 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. 

30. Carbofuran 0.04 0.04 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. 

31. Chlordane Zero 0.002 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. 

32. Dalapon 0.2 0.2 Some people who drink water containing dalapon well in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience minor 

kidney changes. 

33. Di (2-ethylhexyl) 

adipate

0.4 0.4 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 reproductive difficulties. 

34. Di(2-ethylhexyl) 

phthalate

Zero 0.006 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. 

35. Dibromochloropropane 

(DBCP) 

Zero 0.0002 Some people who drink water containing DBCP in excess of 

the MCL over many years could experience reproductive 

difficulties and may have an increased risk of getting 

cancer. 

36. Dinoseb 0.007 0.007 Some people who drink water containing dinoseb well in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

reproductive difficulties. 

37. Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) Zero 3x10-8 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. 

38. Diquat 0.02 0.02 Some people who drink water containing diquat in excess of 

the MCL over many years could get cataracts. 

39. Endothall 0.1 0.1 Some people who drink water containing endothall in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

problems with their stomach or intestines. 

40. Endrin 0.002 0.002 Some people who drink water containing endrin in excess of 

the MCL over many years could experience liver problems. 

41. Ethylene dibromide Zero 0.00005 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. 

42. Glyphosate 0.7 0.7 Some people who drink water containing glyphosate in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

problems with their kidneys or reproductive difficulties. 

43. Heptachlor Zero 0.0004 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. 
Public Notification Handbook 127 March 2007

Appendix B 

Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification 

(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006) 

Public Notification Handbook 127 March 2007 

Contaminant MCLG1

mg/L

MCL2

mg/L

Standard Health Effects Language for Public 

Notification

44. Heptachlor epoxide Zero 0.0002 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. 

45. Hexachlorobenzene Zero 0.001 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. 

46. Hexachlorocyclopentadiene 0.05 0.05 Some people who drink water containing 

hexachlorocyclopentadiene well in excess of the MCL over 

many years could experience problems with their kidneys or 

stomach. 

47. Lindane 0.0002 0.0002 Some people who drink water containing lindane in excess 

of the MCL over many years could experience problems 

with their kidneys or liver. 

48. Methoxychlor 0.04 0.04 Some people who drink water containing methoxychlor in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

reproductive difficulties. 

49. Oxamyl (Vydate) 0.2 0.2 Some people who drink water containing oxamyl in excess 

of the MCL over many years could experience slight 

nervous system effects. 

50. Pentachlorophenol Zero 0.001 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. 

51. Picloram 0.5 0.5 Some people who drink water containing picloram in excess 

of the MCL over many years could experience problems 

with their liver. 

52. Polychlorinated 

biphenyls (PCBs) 

Zero 0.0005 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. 

53. Simazine 0.004 0.004 Some people who drink water containing simazine in excess 

of the MCL over many years could experience problems 

with their blood. 

54. Toxaphene Zero 0.003 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. 

F. Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) 

55. Benzene Zero 0.005 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. 

56. Carbon tetrachloride Zero 0.005 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. 

57. Chlorobenzene 

(monochlorobenzene) 

0.1 0.1 Some people who drink water containing chlorobenzene in 

excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

problems with their liver or kidneys. 
Public Notification Handbook 128 March 2007

Appendix B 

Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification 

(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006) 

Public Notification Handbook 128 March 2007 

Contaminant MCLG1

mg/L

MCL2

mg/L

Standard Health Effects Language for Public 

Notification

58. o-Dichlorobenzene 0.6 0.6 Some people who drink water containing o-dichlorobenzene 

well in excess of the MCL over many years could 

experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or circulatory 

systems. 

59. p-Dichlorobenzene 0.075 0.075 Some people who drink water containing p-dichlorobenzene 

in excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

anemia, damage to their liver, kidneys, or spleen, or 

changes in their blood. 

60. 1,2-Dichloroethane Zero 0.005 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. 

61. 1,1-Dichloroethylene 0.007 0.007 Some people who drink water containing 1,1-

dichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years 

could experience problems with their liver. 

62. cis-1,2-

Dichloroethylene 

0.07 0.07 Some people who drink water containing cis-1,2-

dichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years 

could experience problems with their liver. 

63. trans-1,2-

Dichloroethylene 

0.1 0.1 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. 

64. Dichloromethane Zero 0.005 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.

65. 1,2-Dichloropropane Zero 0.005 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. 

66. Ethylbenzene 0.7 0.7 Some people who drink water containing ethylbenzene well 

in excess of the MCL over many years could experience 

problems with their liver or kidneys. 

67. Styrene 0.1 0.1 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. 

68. Tetrachloroethylene Zero 0.005 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. 

69. Toluene 1 1 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. 

70. 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 0.07 0.07 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. 

71. 1,1,1-Trichloroethane 0.2 0.2 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. 

72. 1,1,2-Trichloroethane 0.003 0.005 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. 

73. Trichloroethylene Zero 0.005 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. 
Public Notification Handbook 129 March 2007

Appendix B 

Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification 

(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006) 

Public Notification Handbook 129 March 2007 

Contaminant MCLG1

mg/L

MCL2

mg/L

Standard Health Effects Language for Public 

Notification

74. Vinyl chloride Zero 0.002 Some people who drink water containing vinyl chloride in 

excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased 

risk of getting cancer. 

75. Xylenes (total) 10 10 Some people who drink water containing xylenes in excess 

of the MCL over many years could experience damage to 

their nervous system. 

G. Radioactive Contaminants

76. Beta/photon emitters Zero 4 

mrem/yr15

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. 

77. Alpha emitters Zero 17 

pCi/L17

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. 

78. Combined radium (226 

& 228) 

Zero 5 

pCi/L

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. 

79. Uranium16 Zero 30 μg/L 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. 

H. Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs), Byproduct Precursors, and Disinfectant Residuals: Where 

disinfection is used in the treatment of drinking water, disinfectants combine with organic and inorganic 

matter present in water to form chemicals called disinfection byproducts (DBPs). EPA sets standards 

for controlling the levels of disinfectants and DBPs in drinking water, including trihalomethanes (THMs) 

and haloacetic acids (HAAs)18

80. Total trihalomethanes 

(TTHMs) 

N/A 0.08019,20 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 

system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. 

81. Haloacetic Acids (HAA) N/A 0.06021 Some people who drink water containing haloacetic acids in 

excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased 

risk of getting cancer. 

82. Bromate Zero 0.010 Some people who drink water containing bromate in excess 

of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of 

getting cancer. 

83. Chlorite 0.08 1.0 Some infants and young children who drink water containing 

chlorite in excess of the MCL could experience nervous 

system effects. Similar effects may occur in fetuses of 

pregnant women who drink water containing chlorite in 

excess of the MCL. Some people may experience anemia. 

84. Chlorine 4 

(MRDLG)22

4.0

(MRDL)23

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. 

85. Chloramines 4 

(MRDLG) 

4.0

(MRDL) 

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. 
Public Notification Handbook 130 March 2007

Appendix B 

Standard Health Effects Language for Public Notification 

(From Appendix B of 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q dated July 1, 2006) 

Public Notification Handbook 130 March 2007 

Contaminant MCLG1

mg/L

MCL2

mg/L

Standard Health Effects Language for Public 

Notification

86a. Chlorine dioxide, 

where any 2 consecutive 

daily samples taken at the 

entrance to the distribution 

system are above the 

MRDL.

0.8

(MRDLG) 

0.8

(MRDL) 

Some infants and young children who drink water containing 

chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL could experience 

nervous system effects. Similar effects may occur in 

fetuses of pregnant women who drink water containing 

chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL. Some people may 

experience anemia. 

Add for public notification only: The chlorine dioxide 

violations reported today are the result of exceedances at 

the treatment facility only, not within the distribution system 

which delivers water to consumers. Continued compliance 

with chlorine dioxide levels within the distribution system 

minimizes the potential risk of these violations to 

consumers. 

86b. Chlorine dioxide, 

where one or more 

distribution system 

samples are above the 

MRDL.

0.8

(MRDLG) 

0.8

(MRDL) 

Some infants and young children who drink water containing 

chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL could experience 

nervous system effects. Similar effects may occur in 

fetuses of pregnant women who drink water containing 

chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL. Some people may 

experience anemia. 

Add for public notification only: The chlorine dioxide 

violations reported today include exceedances of the EPA 

standard within the distribution system which delivers water 

to consumers. Violations of the chlorine dioxide standard 

within the distribution system may harm human health 

based on short-term exposures. Certain groups, including 

fetuses, infants, and young children, may be especially 

susceptible to nervous system effects from excessive 

chlorine dioxide exposure. 

87. Control of DBP 

precursors (TOC) 

None TT 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. 

I. Other Treatment Techniques

88. Acrylamide Zero TT 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. 

89. Epichlorohydrin Zero TT 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. 
Public Notification Handbook 131 March 2007

Public Notification Handbook 131 March 2007 

Appendix B Endnotes 

1. MCLG - Maximum contaminant level goal 

2. MCL - Maximum contaminant level 

3. For water systems analyzing at least 40 samples per month, no more than 5.0 percent of the 

monthly samples may be positive for total coliforms. For systems analyzing fewer than 40 

samples per month, no more than one sample per month may be positive for total coliforms. 

4. There are various regulations that set turbidity standards for different types of systems, 

including 40 CFR 141.13, and the 1989 Surface Water Treatment Rule, the 1998 Interim 

Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule and the 2002 Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water 

Treatment Rule. The MCL for the monthly turbidity average is 1 NTU; the MCL for the 2-day 

average is 5 NTU for systems that are required to filter but have not yet installed filtration (40 

CFR 141.13). 

5. NTU - Nephelometric turbidity unit 

6. There are various regulations that set turbidity standards for different types of systems, 

including 40 CFR 141.13, and the 1989 Surface Water Treatment Rule, the 1998 Interim 

Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule and the 2001 Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water 

Treatment Rule. Systems subject to the Surface Water Treatment Rule (both filtered and 

unfiltered) may not exceed 5 NTU. In addition, in filtered systems, 95 percent of samples each 

month must not exceed 0.5 NTU in systems using conventional or direct filtration and must not 

exceed 1 NTU in systems using slow sand or diatomaceous earth filtration or other filtration 

technologies approved by the primacy agency. 

7. TT - Treatment technique 

8. There are various regulations that set turbidity standards for different types of systems, 

including 40 CFR 141.13, the 1989 Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), the 1998 Interim 

Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (IESWTR) and the 2002 Long Term 1 Enhanced 

Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT1ESWTR). For systems subject to the IESWTR (systems 

serving at least 10,000 people, using surface water or ground water under the direct influence of 

surface water), that use conventional filtration or direct filtration, after January 1, 2002, the 

turbidity level of a system's combined filter effluent may not exceed 0.3 NTU in at least 95 

percent of monthly measurements, and the turbidity level of a system's combined filter effluent 

must not exceed 1 NTU at any time. Systems subject to the IESWTR using technologies other 

than conventional, direct, slow sand, or diatomaceous earth filtration must meet turbidity limits 

set by the primacy agency. For systems subject to the LT1ESWTR (systems serving fewer than 

10,000 people, using surface water or ground water under the direct influence of surface water) 

that use conventional filtration or direct filtration, after January 1, 2005, the turbidity level of a 

system's combined filter effluent may not exceed 0.3 NTU in at least 95 percent of monthly 

measurements, and the turbidity level of a system's combined filter effluent must not exceed 1 

NTU at any time. Systems subject to the LT1ESWTR using technologies other than 

conventional, direct, slow sand, or diatomaceous earth filtration must meet turbidity limits set by 

the primacy agency. 

9. The bacteria detected by heterotrophic plate count (HPC) are not necessarily harmful. HPC is 

simply an alternative method of determining disinfectant residual levels. The number of such 

bacteria is an indicator of whether there is enough disinfectant in the distribution system. 
Public Notification Handbook 132 March 2007

Public Notification Handbook 132 March 2007 

10. SWTR, IESWTR, and LT1ESWTR treatment technique violations that involve turbidity 

exceedances may use the health effects language for turbidity instead. 

11. These arsenic values are effective January 23, 2006. Until then, the MCL is 0.05 mg/L and 

there is no MCLG. 

12. Millions fibers per liter. 

13. Action Level = 0.015 mg/L 

14. Action Level = 1.3 mg/L 

15. Millirems per years

16. The uranium MCL is effective December 8, 2003 for all community water systems. 

17. Picocuries per liter

18. Surface water systems and ground water systems under the direct influence of surface 

water are regulated under subpart H of 40 CFR 141. Subpart H community and non-transient 

non-community systems serving 10,000 must comply with subpart L DBP MCLs and 

disinfectant maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) beginning January 1, 2002. All other 

community and non-transient non-community systems must comply with subpart L DBP MCLs 

and disinfectant MRDLs beginning January 1, 2004. Subpart H transient non-community 

systems serving 10,000 that use chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant or oxidant must comply with 

the chlorine dioxide MRDL beginning January 1, 2002. All other transient non-community 

systems that use chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant or oxidant must comply with the chlorine 

dioxide MRDL beginning January 1, 2004. 

19. Community and non-transient non-community systems must comply with subpart V TTHM 

and HAA5 MCLs of 0.080 mg/L and 0.060 mg/L, respectively (with compliance calculated as a 

locational running annual average) on the schedule in §141.620. 

20. The MCL for total trihalomethanes is the sum of the concentrations of the individual 

trihalomethanes.

21. The MCL for haloacetic acids is the sum of the concentrations of the individual haloacetic 

acids.

22. MRDLG - Maximum residual disinfectant level goal. 

23. MRDL - Maximum residual disinfectant level. 
Public Notification Handbook 133 March 2007 Public Notification Handbook 133 March 2007 Appendix C Translated Phrases From: Washington Department of Health (DOH PUB. # 331-246, February 2004) http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/programs/public_notification.htm English This report contains important information about your drinking water. Have someone translate it for you, or speak with someone who understands it. Boil your water before using. Don't drink the water. Children under 12 months old should not drink the water. Don’t use the water to make formula. Amharic Arabic Cambodian (Khmer) Chinese Simplified 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. Faire bouillir l’eau avant de l’utiliser. Ne pas boire l’eau. Les enfants des moins de 12 mois ne doivent pas boire l’eau. Ne pas utiliser l’eau dans une préparation lactée pour nourrisson.
Public Notification Handbook 13

4 March 2007

Appendix C 

Translated Phrases

Public Notification Handbook 134 March 2007 

English

This report contains important information about your drinking water. Have someone translate it for you, or speak with someone who understands it. 

Boil your water before using. 

Don't drink the water. Children under 12 months old should not drink the 

water. Don’t use the water to make formula. 

GreekHebrew HindiHmong

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.

Uantej kws yuav siv mej cov dlej nuav yuav tau muab nwg rhaub kuas npau.

Tsi txhob haus cov dlej nuav.

Cov mivnyuas kws tsi tau muaj 12 xyoo tsi txhob haus cov dlej nuav. Txhob muab cov dlej nuav moog tov mig.

Japanese Korean LaotianOromo

Gabaasii kun odeeffanno barbachisa wa’ee bisaan dhugaatii qaba. Akkaa isinii turjumaa’uu gaafadhaa yokaan nama afaan keessan dubbatuu dubbisaa.

Bisaan oso hindhuggneen duraa akka danffisttan.

Bisaan kan hindhuginaa. Daa’imman baatii(ji’aa) 12 hingahiin bisaan kan 

dhuguun isaan irra hinjiru. Bisaan kana foormmulaa(Nyaata Ijoolee) qopheessuf itii hinfayyadamina.
Public Notification Handbook 13

5 March 2007

Appendix C 

Translated Phrases

Public Notification Handbook 135 March 2007 

English

This report contains important information about your drinking water. Have someone translate it for you, or speak with someone who understands it. 

Boil your water before using. 

Don't drink the water. Children under 12 months old should not drink the 

water. Don’t use the water to make formula. 

Polish

NastĊpujący raport zawiera waĪną informacjĊ na 

temat wody pitnej. ProszĊ poprosiü kogoĞ o 

przetáumaczenie lub porozmawiaü z kimĞ kto 

rozumie.

NaleĪy przegotowaü

wodĊ przed spoĪyciem.

ProszĊ nie piü wody. Dzieci w wieku poniĪej 12 miesiĊcy nie powinny piü

tej wody. ProszĊ nie uĪywaü tej wody do 

przygotowywania formuáy.

PunjabiRussian Samoan

O le lipoti lenei o lo’o iai ni mea e sili ona taua e uiga i le vai o lo’o e taumafaina nei. Su’e se tagata e fa’aliliuina mo oe, po’o lou talatalanoa i seisi e iai sona malamalamaga i lenei mataupu.

Tunu le vai ia pupuna ona fa’atoa inu lea.

Aua le inuina le vai. Tamaiti uma lava e i lalo o le 12 tausaga e le tatau 

ona inuina le vai. Aua le fa’aaogaina le vai e sui ai ni vaila’au po’o le palu ai o ni mea tausama.

SerboCroatian Ovaj izvještaj sadrži važnu informaciju u vašoj vodi za piüe. Neka vam neko prevede, ili popriþajte sa nekim ko se u ovo razumije. Prokljuþajte vodu prije upotrebe. Ne pijte vodu. Djeca ispod 12 mjeseci starosti ne bi trebala piti vodu. Ne koristite vodu za pripravljanje hrane u flašici za bebe.Somali

Warbixintan waxay wadataa macluumaad muhiim ah ee la xiriira biyaha aad cabtid. Cid ha kuu tarjunto ama la hadl cid fahmaysa.

Karkari biyaha inta aadan isticmaalin.

Ha cabin biyaha. Carruurta sannad jir ka yar ma aha inay biyaha 

cabaan. Ha u isticmaalin biyaha inaad kula qastid caanaha ama raashinka la qaso ee carruurta.

Spanish 

Este informe contiene información importante acerca de su agua potable. Haga que alguien lo traduzca para usted, o hable con alguien que lo entienda.

Haga hervir el agua antes de usarla.

No beba el agua. Los niños menores de 12 meses de edad no deben 

beber el agua. No use el agua para preparar la fórmula para bebés (biberón).

Tagalog 

Naglalaman ang report na ito ng importanteng impormasyon tungkol sa iyong iniinom na tubig. Magkaroon ng isang tao na isasalin ito sa iyong wika para sa iyo, o makipag-usap sa isang tao na nakakaintindi dito.

Pakuluin ang inyong tubig bago gagamitin.

Huwag inumin ang tubig. Ang mga bata na kulang sa 12 na buwan ang gulang 

ay hindi dapat na iinumin ang tubig. Huwag gagamitin ang tubig sa paggawa ng pormula.
Public Notification Handbook 136 March 2007 Appendix C Translated Phrases

Public Notification Handbook 136 March 2007 

English

This report contains important information about your drinking water. Have someone translate it for you, or speak with someone who understands it. 

Boil your water before using. 

Don't drink the water. Children under 12 months old should not drink the 

water. Don’t use the water to make formula. 

ThaiTigrigna UkrainianVietnamese The water glass and faucet may be useful in a posted notice that would be seen by many non-English speaking people to illustrate that they should not drink the water. 
Public Notification Handbook 137 March 2007

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 87 / Thursday, May 4, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 26035

Appendices B and C to Subpart O

[Removed]

15. Appendices B and C to Subpart O

are removed.

16. Section 141.175 is amended by

revising paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) to

read as follows:

§ 141.175 Reporting and record keeping

requirements.

* * * * *

(c) * * *

(1) If at any time the turbidity exceeds

1 NTU in representative samples of

filtered water in a system using

conventional filtration treatment or

direct filtration, the system must consult

with the primacy agency as soon as

practical, but no later than 24 hours

after the exceedance is known, in

accordance with the public notification

requirements under § 141.203(b)(3).

(2) If at any time the turbidity in

representative samples of filtered water

exceed the maximum level set by the

State under § 142.173(b) for filtration

technologies other than conventional

filtration treatment, direct filtration,

slow sand filtration, or diatomaceous

earth filtration, the system must consult

with the primacy agency as soon as

practical, but no later than 24 hours

after the exceedance is known, in

accordance with the public notification

requirements under § 141.203(b)(3).

17. Part 141 is amended by adding

Subpart Q, to read as follows:

Subpart Q—Public Notification of

Drinking Water Violations

Sec.

141.201 General public notification

requirements.

141.202 Tier 1 Public Notice—Form,

manner, and frequency of notice.

141.203 Tier 2 Public Notice—Form,

manner, and frequency of notice.

141.204 Tier 3 Public Notice—Form,

manner, and frequency of notice.

141.205 Content of the public notice.

141.206 Notice to new billing units or new

customers.

141.207 Special notice of the availability of

unregulated contaminant monitoring

results.

141.208 Special notice for exceedance of

the SMCL for fluoride.

141.209 Special notice for nitrate

exceedances above MCL by noncommunity water systems (NCWS),

where granted permission by the

primacy agency under § 141.11(d).

141.210 Notice by primacy agency on

behalf of the public water system.

Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 141—

NPDWR Violations and Situations

Requiring Public Notice

Appendix B to Subpart Q of Part 141—

Standard Health Effects Language for

Public Notification

Appendix C to Subpart Q of Part 141—List

of Acronyms Used in Public Notification

Regulation

Subpart Q—Public Notification of

Drinking Water Violations

§ 141.201 General public notification

requirements.

Public water systems in States with

primacy for the public water system

supervision (PWSS) program must

comply with the requirements in this

subpart no later than May 6, 2002 or on

the date the State-adopted rule becomes

effective, whichever comes first. Public

water systems in jurisdictions where

EPA directly implements the PWSS

program must comply with the

requirements in this subpart on October

31, 2000. Prior to these dates, public

water systems must continue to comply

with the public notice requirements in

§ 141.32 of this part. The term ‘‘primacy

agency’’ is used in this subpart to refer

to either EPA or the State or the Tribe

in cases where EPA, the State, or the

Tribe exercises primary enforcement

responsibility for this subpart.

(a) Who must give public notice? Each

owner or operator of a public water

system (community water systems, nontransient non-community water

systems, and transient non-community

water systems) must give notice for all

violations of national primary drinking

water regulations (NPDWR) and for

other situations, as listed in Table 1.

The term ‘‘NPDWR violations’’ is used

in this subpart to include violations of

the maximum contaminant level (MCL),

maximum residual disinfection level

(MRDL), treatment technique (TT),

monitoring requirements, and testing

procedures in this part 141. Appendix A

to this subpart identifies the tier

assignment for each specific violation or

situation requiring a public notice.

TABLE 1 TO § 141.201.—VIOLATION

CATEGORIES AND OTHER SITUATIONS REQUIRING A PUBLIC NOTICE

(1) NPDWR violations:

(i) Failure to comply with an applicable

maximum contaminant level (MCL) or

maximum residual disinfectant level

(MRDL).

(ii) Failure to comply with a prescribed

treatment technique (TT).

(iii) Failure to perform water quality monitoring, as required by the drinking

water regulations.

(iv) Failure to comply with testing procedures as prescribed by a drinking

water regulation.

(2) Variance and exemptions under sections

1415 and 1416 of SDWA:

(i) Operation under a variance or an exemption.

TABLE 1 TO § 141.201.—VIOLATION

CATEGORIES AND OTHER SITUATIONS REQUIRING A PUBLIC NOTICE—Continued

(ii) Failure to comply with the requirements of any schedule that has been

set under a variance or exemption.

(3) Special public notices:

(i) Occurrence of a waterborne disease

outbreak or other waterborne emergency.

(ii) Exceedance of the nitrate MCL by

non-community water systems

(NCWS), where granted permission by

the primacy agency under 141.11(d) of

this part.

(iii) Exceedance of the secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) for

fluoride.

(iv) Availability of unregulated contaminant monitoring data.

(v) Other violations and situations determined by the primacy agency to require a public notice under this subpart, not already listed in Appendix A.

(b) What type of public notice is

required for each violation or situation?

Public notice requirements are divided

into three tiers, to take into account the

seriousness of the violation or situation

and of any potential adverse health

effects that may be involved. The public

notice requirements for each violation

or situation listed in Table 1 of this

section are determined by the tier to

which it is assigned. Table 2 of this

section provides the definition of each

tier. Appendix A of this part identifies

the tier assignment for each specific

violation or situation.

TABLE 2 TO § 141.201.—DEFINITION

OF PUBLIC NOTICE TIERS

(1) Tier 1 public notice—required for NPDWR

violations and situations with significant potential to have serious adverse effects on

human health as a result of short-term exposure.

(2) Tier 2 public notice—required for all other

NPDWR violations and situations with potential to have serious adverse effects on

human health.

(3) Tier 3 public notice—required for all other

NPDWR violations and situations not included in Tier 1 and Tier 2.

(c) Who must be notified?

(1) Each public water system must

provide public notice to persons served

by the water system, in accordance with

this subpart. Public water systems that

sell or otherwise provide drinking water

to other public water systems (i.e., to

consecutive systems) are required to

give public notice to the owner or

operator of the consecutive system; the

consecutive system is responsible for


Appendix D

The Public Notification Rule (40 CFR Part 141, Subpart Q)
Public Notification Handbook 138 March 2007

26036 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 87 / Thursday, May 4, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

providing public notice to the persons it

serves.

(2) If a public water system has a

violation in a portion of the distribution

system that is physically or

hydraulically isolated from other parts

of the distribution system, the primacy

agency may allow the system to limit

distribution of the public notice to only

persons served by that portion of the

system which is out of compliance.

Permission by the primacy agency for

limiting distribution of the notice must

be granted in writing.

(3) A copy of the notice must also be

sent to the primacy agency, in

accordance with the requirements under

§ 141.31(d).

§ 141.202 Tier 1 Public Notice—Form,

manner, and frequency of notice.

(a) Which violations or situations

require a Tier 1 public notice? Table 1

of this section lists the violation

categories and other situations requiring

a Tier 1 public notice. Appendix A to

this subpart identifies the tier

assignment for each specific violation or

situation.

TABLE 1 TO § 141.202.—VIOLATION

CATEGORIES AND OTHER SITUATIONS REQUIRING A TIER 1 PUBLIC

NOTICE

(1) Violation of the MCL for total coliforms

when fecal coliform or E. coli are present

in the water distribution system (as specified in § 141.63(b)), or when the water system fails to test for fecal coliforms or E.

coli when any repeat sample tests positive

for coliform (as specified in § 141.21(e));

(2) Violation of the MCL for nitrate, nitrite, or

total nitrate and nitrite, as defined in

§ 141.62, or when the water system fails to

take a confirmation sample within 24 hours

of the system’s receipt of the first sample

showing an exceedance of the nitrate or

nitrite MCL, as specified in § 141.23(f)(2);

(3) Exceedance of the nitrate MCL by noncommunity water systems, where permitted

to exceed the MCL by the primacy agency

under § 141.11(d), as required under

§ 141.209;

(4) Violation of the MRDL for chlorine dioxide, as defined in § 141.65(a), when one or

more samples taken in the distribution system the day following an exceedance of

the MRDL at the entrance of the distribution system exceed the MRDL, or when

the water system does not take the required samples in the distribution system,

as specified in § 141.133(c)(2)(i);

(5) Violation of the turbidity MCL under

§ 141.13(b), where the primacy agency determines after consultation that a Tier 1 notice is required or where consultation does

not take place within 24 hours after the

system learns of the violation;

TABLE 1 TO § 141.202.—VIOLATION

CATEGORIES AND OTHER SITUATIONS REQUIRING A TIER 1 PUBLIC

NOTICE—Continued

(6) Violation of the Surface Water Treatment

Rule (SWTR) or Interim Enhanced Surface

Water Treatment rule (IESWTR) treatment

technique requirement resulting from a single exceedance of the maximum allowable

turbidity limit (as identified in Appendix A),

where the primacy agency determines after

consultation that a Tier 1 notice is required

or where consultation does not take place

within 24 hours after the system learns of

the violation;

(7) Occurrence of a waterborne disease outbreak, as defined in § 141.2, or other waterborne emergency (such as a failure or

significant interruption in key water treatment processes, a natural disaster that disrupts the water supply or distribution system, or a chemical spill or unexpected

loading of possible pathogens into the

source water that significantly increases

the potential for drinking water contamination);

(8) Other violations or situations with significant potential to have serious adverse effects on human health as a result of shortterm exposure, as determined by the primacy agency either in its regulations or on

a case-by-case basis.

(b) When is the Tier 1 public notice

to be provided? What additional steps

are required? Public water systems

must:

(1) Provide a public notice as soon as

practical but no later than 24 hours after

the system learns of the violation;

(2) Initiate consultation with the

primacy agency as soon as practical, but

no later than 24 hours after the public

water system learns of the violation or

situation, to determine additional public

notice requirements; and

(3) Comply with any additional public

notification requirements (including any

repeat notices or direction on the

duration of the posted notices) that are

established as a result of the

consultation with the primacy agency.

Such requirements may include the

timing, form, manner, frequency, and

content of repeat notices (if any) and

other actions designed to reach all

persons served.

(c) What is the form and manner of

the public notice? Public water systems

must provide the notice within 24 hours

in a form and manner reasonably

calculated to reach all persons served.

The form and manner used by the

public water system are to fit the

specific situation, but must be designed

to reach residential, transient, and nontransient users of the water system. In

order to reach all persons served, water

systems are to use, at a minimum, one

or more of the following forms of

delivery:

(1) Appropriate broadcast media (such

as radio and television);

(2) Posting of the notice in

conspicuous locations throughout the

area served by the water system;

(3) Hand delivery of the notice to

persons served by the water system; or

(4) Another delivery method

approved in writing by the primacy

agency.

§ 141.203 Tier 2 Public Notice—Form,

manner, and frequency of notice.

(a) Which violations or situations

require a Tier 2 public notice? Table 1

of this section lists the violation

categories and other situations requiring

a Tier 2 public notice. Appendix A to

this subpart identifies the tier

assignment for each specific violation or

situation.

TABLE 1 TO § 141.203.—VIOLATION

CATEGORIES AND OTHER SITUATIONS REQUIRING A TIER 2 PUBLIC

NOTICE

(1) All violations of the MCL, MRDL, and

treatment technique requirements, except

where a Tier 1 notice is required under

§ 141.202(a) or where the primacy agency

determines that a Tier 1 notice is required;

(2) Violations of the monitoring and testing

procedure requirements, where the primacy agency determines that a Tier 2 rather than a Tier 3 public notice is required,

taking into account potential health impacts

and persistence of the violation; and

(3) Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of any variance or exemption in

place.

(b) When is the Tier 2 public notice

to be provided?

(1) Public water systems must provide

the public notice as soon as practical,

but no later than 30 days after the

system learns of the violation. If the

public notice is posted, the notice must

remain in place for as long as the

violation or situation persists, but in no

case for less than seven days, even if the

violation or situation is resolved. The

primacy agency may, in appropriate

circumstances, allow additional time for

the initial notice of up to three months

from the date the system learns of the

violation. It is not appropriate for the

primacy agency to grant an extension to

the 30-day deadline for any unresolved

violation or to allow across-the-board

extensions by rule or policy for other

violations or situations requiring a Tier

2 public notice. Extensions granted by

the primacy agency must be in writing.

(2) The public water system must

repeat the notice every three months as

Public Notification Handbook 139 March 2007

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 87 / Thursday, May 4, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 26037

long as the violation or situation

persists, unless the primacy agency

determines that appropriate

circumstances warrant a different repeat

notice frequency. In no circumstance

may the repeat notice be given less

frequently than once per year. It is not

appropriate for the primacy agency to

allow less frequent repeat notice for an

MCL violation under the Total Coliform

Rule or a treatment technique violation

under the Surface Water Treatment Rule

or Interim Enhanced Surface Water

Treatment Rule. It is also not

appropriate for the primacy agency to

allow through its rules or policies

across-the-board reductions in the

repeat notice frequency for other

ongoing violations requiring a Tier 2

repeat notice. Primacy agency

determinations allowing repeat notices

to be given less frequently than once

every three months must be in writing.

(3) For the turbidity violations

specified in this paragraph, public water

systems must consult with the primacy

agency as soon as practical but no later

than 24 hours after the public water

system learns of the violation, to

determine whether a Tier 1 public

notice under § 141.202(a) is required to

protect public health. When

consultation does not take place within

the 24-hour period, the water system

must distribute a Tier 1 notice of the

violation within the next 24 hours (i.e.,

no later than 48 hours after the system

learns of the violation), following the

requirements under § 141.202(b) and (c).

Consultation with the primacy agency is

required for:

(i) Violation of the turbidity MCL

under § 141.13(b); or

(ii) Violation of the SWTR or IESWTR

treatment technique requirement

resulting from a single exceedance of

the maximum allowable turbidity limit.

(c) What is the form and manner of

the Tier 2 public notice? Public water

systems must provide the initial public

notice and any repeat notices in a form

and manner that is reasonably

calculated to reach persons served in

the required time period. The form and

manner of the public notice may vary

based on the specific situation and type

of water system, but it must at a

minimum meet the following

requirements:

(1) Unless directed otherwise by the

primacy agency in writing, community

water systems must provide notice by:

(i) Mail or other direct delivery to

each customer receiving a bill and to

other service connections to which

water is delivered by the public water

system; and

(ii) Any other method reasonably

calculated to reach other persons

regularly served by the system, if they

would not normally be reached by the

notice required in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of

this section. Such persons may include

those who do not pay water bills or do

not have service connection addresses

(e.g., house renters, apartment dwellers,

university students, nursing home

patients, prison inmates, etc.). Other

methods may include: Publication in a

local newspaper; delivery of multiple

copies for distribution by customers that

provide their drinking water to others

(e.g., apartment building owners or large

private employers); posting in public

places served by the system or on the

Internet; or delivery to community

organizations.

(2) Unless directed otherwise by the

primacy agency in writing, noncommunity water systems must provide

notice by:

(i) Posting the notice in conspicuous

locations throughout the distribution

system frequented by persons served by

the system, or by mail or direct delivery

to each customer and service connection

(where known); and

(ii) Any other method reasonably

calculated to reach other persons served

by the system if they would not

normally be reached by the notice

required in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this

section. Such persons may include

those served who may not see a posted

notice because the posted notice is not

in a location they routinely pass by.

Other methods may include: Publication

in a local newspaper or newsletter

distributed to customers; use of E-mail

to notify employees or students; or,

delivery of multiple copies in central

locations (e.g., community centers).

§ 141.204 Tier 3 Public Notice—Form,

manner, and frequency of notice.

(a) Which violations or situations

require a Tier 3 public notice? Table 1

of this section lists the violation

categories and other situations requiring

a Tier 3 public notice. Appendix A to

this subpart identifies the tier

assignment for each specific violation or

situation.

TABLE 1 TO § 141.204.—VIOLATION

CATEGORIES AND OTHER SITUATIONS REQUIRING A TIER 3 PUBLIC

NOTICE

(1) Monitoring violations under 40 CFR part

141, except where a Tier 1 notice is required under § 141.202(a) or where the primacy agency determines that a Tier 2 notice is required;

TABLE 1 TO § 141.204.—VIOLATION

CATEGORIES AND OTHER SITUATIONS REQUIRING A TIER 3 PUBLIC

NOTICE—Continued

(2) Failure to comply with a testing procedure

established in 40 CFR part 141, except

where a Tier 1 notice is required under

§ 141.202(a)) or where the primacy agency

determines that a Tier 2 notice is required;

(3) Operation under a variance granted under

Section 1415 or an exemption granted

under Section 1416 of the Safe Drinking

Water Act;

(4) Availability of unregulated contaminant

monitoring results, as required under

§ 141.207; and

(5) Exceedance of the fluoride secondary

maximum contaminant level (SMCL), as

required under § 141.208.

(b) When is the Tier 3 public notice

to be provided?

(1) Public water systems must provide

the public notice not later than one year

after the public water system learns of

the violation or situation or begins

operating under a variance or

exemption. Following the initial notice,

the public water system must repeat the

notice annually for as long as the

violation, variance, exemption, or other

situation persists. If the public notice is

posted, the notice must remain in place

for as long as the violation, variance,

exemption, or other situation persists,

but in no case less than seven days

(even if the violation or situation is

resolved).

(2) (2) Instead of individual Tier 3

public notices, a public water system

may use an annual report detailing all

violations and situations that occurred

during the previous twelve months, as

long as the timing requirements of

paragraph (b)(1) of this section are met.

(c) What is the form and manner of

the Tier 3 public notice? Public water

systems must provide the initial notice

and any repeat notices in a form and

manner that is reasonably calculated to

reach persons served in the required

time period. The form and manner of

the public notice may vary based on the

specific situation and type of water

system, but it must at a minimum meet

the following requirements:

(1) Unless directed otherwise by the

primacy agency in writing, community

water systems must provide notice by:

(i) Mail or other direct delivery to

each customer receiving a bill and to

other service connections to which

water is delivered by the public water

system; and

(ii) Any other method reasonably

calculated to reach other persons

regularly served by the system, if they

would not normally be reached by the

notice required in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of


Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 87 / Thursday, May 4, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 26037

long as the violation or situation

persists, unless the primacy agency

determines that appropriate

circumstances warrant a different repeat

notice frequency. In no circumstance

may the repeat notice be given less

frequently than once per year. It is not

appropriate for the primacy agency to

allow less frequent repeat notice for an

MCL violation under the Total Coliform

Rule or a treatment technique violation

under the Surface Water Treatment Rule

or Interim Enhanced Surface Water

Treatment Rule. It is also not

appropriate for the primacy agency to

allow through its rules or policies

across-the-board reductions in the

repeat notice frequency for other

ongoing violations requiring a Tier 2

repeat notice. Primacy agency

determinations allowing repeat notices

to be given less frequently than once

every three months must be in writing.

(3) For the turbidity violations

specified in this paragraph, public water

systems must consult with the primacy

agency as soon as practical but no later

than 24 hours after the public water

system learns of the violation, to

determine whether a Tier 1 public

notice under § 141.202(a) is required to

protect public health. When

consultation does not take place within

the 24-hour period, the water system

must distribute a Tier 1 notice of the

violation within the next 24 hours (i.e.,

no later than 48 hours after the system

learns of the violation), following the

requirements under § 141.202(b) and (c).

Consultation with the primacy agency is

required for:

(i) Violation of the turbidity MCL

under § 141.13(b); or

(ii) Violation of the SWTR or IESWTR

treatment technique requirement

resulting from a single exceedance of

the maximum allowable turbidity limit.

(c) What is the form and manner of

the Tier 2 public notice? Public water

systems must provide the initial public

notice and any repeat notices in a form

and manner that is reasonably

calculated to reach persons served in

the required time period. The form and

manner of the public notice may vary

based on the specific situation and type

of water system, but it must at a

minimum meet the following

requirements:

(1) Unless directed otherwise by the

primacy agency in writing, community

water systems must provide notice by:

(i) Mail or other direct delivery to

each customer receiving a bill and to

other service connections to which

water is delivered by the public water

system; and

(ii) Any other method reasonably

calculated to reach other persons

regularly served by the system, if they

would not normally be reached by the

notice required in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of

this section. Such persons may include

those who do not pay water bills or do

not have service connection addresses

(e.g., house renters, apartment dwellers,

university students, nursing home

patients, prison inmates, etc.). Other

methods may include: Publication in a

local newspaper; delivery of multiple

copies for distribution by customers that

provide their drinking water to others

(e.g., apartment building owners or large

private employers); posting in public

places served by the system or on the

Internet; or delivery to community

organizations.

(2) Unless directed otherwise by the

primacy agency in writing, noncommunity water systems must provide

notice by:

(i) Posting the notice in conspicuous

locations throughout the distribution

system frequented by persons served by

the system, or by mail or direct delivery

to each customer and service connection

(where known); and

(ii) Any other method reasonably

calculated to reach other persons served

by the system if they would not

normally be reached by the notice

required in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this

section. Such persons may include

those served who may not see a posted

notice because the posted notice is not

in a location they routinely pass by.

Other methods may include: Publication

in a local newspaper or newsletter

distributed to customers; use of E-mail

to notify employees or students; or,

delivery of multiple copies in central

locations (e.g., community centers).

§ 141.204 Tier 3 Public Notice—Form,

manner, and frequency of notice.

(a) Which violations or situations

require a Tier 3 public notice? Table 1

of this section lists the violation

categories and other situations requiring

a Tier 3 public notice. Appendix A to

this subpart identifies the tier

assignment for each specific violation or

situation.

TABLE 1 TO § 141.204.—VIOLATION

CATEGORIES AND OTHER SITUATIONS REQUIRING A TIER 3 PUBLIC

NOTICE

(1) Monitoring violations under 40 CFR part

141, except where a Tier 1 notice is required under § 141.202(a) or where the primacy agency determines that a Tier 2 notice is required;

TABLE 1 TO § 141.204.—VIOLATION

CATEGORIES AND OTHER SITUATIONS REQUIRING A TIER 3 PUBLIC

NOTICE—Continued

(2) Failure to comply with a testing procedure

established in 40 CFR part 141, except

where a Tier 1 notice is required under

§ 141.202(a)) or where the primacy agency

determines that a Tier 2 notice is required;

(3) Operation under a variance granted under

Section 1415 or an exemption granted

under Section 1416 of the Safe Drinking

Water Act;

(4) Availability of unregulated contaminant

monitoring results, as required under

§ 141.207; and

(5) Exceedance of the fluoride secondary

maximum contaminant level (SMCL), as

required under § 141.208.

(b) When is the Tier 3 public notice

to be provided?

(1) Public water systems must provide

the public notice not later than one year

after the public water system learns of

the violation or situation or begins

operating under a variance or

exemption. Following the initial notice,

the public water system must repeat the

notice annually for as long as the

violation, variance, exemption, or other

situation persists. If the public notice is

posted, the notice must remain in place

for as long as the violation, variance,

exemption, or other situation persists,

but in no case less than seven days

(even if the violation or situation is

resolved).

(2) (2) Instead of individual Tier 3

public notices, a public water system

may use an annual report detailing all

violations and situations that occurred

during the previous twelve months, as

long as the timing requirements of

paragraph (b)(1) of this section are met.

(c) What is the form and manner of

the Tier 3 public notice? Public water

systems must provide the initial notice

and any repeat notices in a form and

manner that is reasonably calculated to

reach persons served in the required

time period. The form and manner of

the public notice may vary based on the

specific situation and type of water

system, but it must at a minimum meet

the following requirements:

(1) Unless directed otherwise by the

primacy agency in writing, community

water systems must provide notice by:

(i) Mail or other direct delivery to

each customer receiving a bill and to

other service connections to which

water is delivered by the public water

system; and

(ii) Any other method reasonably

calculated to reach other persons

regularly served by the system, if they

would not normally be reached by the

notice required in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of

Public Notification Handbook 140 March 2007

26038 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 87 / Thursday, May 4, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

this section. Such persons may include

those who do not pay water bills or do

not have service connection addresses

(e.g., house renters, apartment dwellers,

university students, nursing home

patients, prison inmates, etc.). Other

methods may include: Publication in a

local newspaper; delivery of multiple

copies for distribution by customers that

provide their drinking water to others

(e.g., apartment building owners or large

private employers); posting in public

places or on the Internet; or delivery to

community organizations.

(2) Unless directed otherwise by the

primacy agency in writing, noncommunity water systems must provide

notice by:

(i) Posting the notice in conspicuous

locations throughout the distribution

system frequented by persons served by

the system, or by mail or direct delivery

to each customer and service connection

(where known); and

(ii) Any other method reasonably

calculated to reach other persons served

by the system, if they would not

normally be reached by the notice

required in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this

section. Such persons may include

those who may not see a posted notice

because the notice is not in a location

they routinely pass by. Other methods

may include: Publication in a local

newspaper or newsletter distributed to

customers; use of E-mail to notify

employees or students; or, delivery of

multiple copies in central locations

(e.g., community centers).

(d) In what situations may the

Consumer Confidence Report be used to

meet the Tier 3 public notice

requirements? For community water

systems, the Consumer Confidence

Report (CCR) required under Subpart O

of this part may be used as a vehicle for

the initial Tier 3 public notice and all

required repeat notices, as long as:

(1) The CCR is provided to persons

served no later than 12 months after the

system learns of the violation or

situation as required under § 141.204(b);

(2) The Tier 3 notice contained in the

CCR follows the content requirements

under § 141.205; and

(3) The CCR is distributed following

the delivery requirements under

§ 141.204(c).

§ 141.205 Content of the public notice.

(a) What elements must be included

in the public notice for violations of

National Primary Drinking Water

Regulations (NPDWR) or other

situations requiring a public notice?

When a public water system violates a

NPDWR or has a situation requiring

public notification, each public notice

must include the following elements:

(1) A description of the violation or

situation, including the contaminant(s)

of concern, and (as applicable) the

contaminant level(s);

(2) When the violation or situation

occurred;

(3) Any potential adverse health

effects from the violation or situation,

including the standard language under

paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2) of this section,

whichever is applicable;

(4) The population at risk, including

subpopulations particularly vulnerable

if exposed to the contaminant in their

drinking water;

(5) Whether alternative water supplies

should be used;

(6) What actions consumers should

take, including when they should seek

medical help, if known;

(7) What the system is doing to correct

the violation or situation;

(8) When the water system expects to

return to compliance or resolve the

situation;

(9) The name, business address, and

phone number of the water system

owner, operator, or designee of the

public water system as a source of

additional information concerning the

notice; and

(10) A statement to encourage the

notice recipient to distribute the public

notice to other persons served, using the

standard language under paragraph

(d)(3) of this section, where applicable.

(b) What elements must be included

in the public notice for public water

systems operating under a variance or

exemption?

(1) If a public water system has been

granted a variance or an exemption, the

public notice must contain:

(i) An explanation of the reasons for

the variance or exemption;

(ii) The date on which the variance or

exemption was issued;

(iii) A brief status report on the steps

the system is taking to install treatment,

find alternative sources of water, or

otherwise comply with the terms and

schedules of the variance or exemption;

and

(iv) A notice of any opportunity for

public input in the review of the

variance or exemption.

(2) If a public water system violates

the conditions of a variance or

exemption, the public notice must

contain the ten elements listed in

paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) How is the public notice to be

presented?

(1) Each public notice required by this

section:

(i) Must be displayed in a

conspicuous way when printed or

posted;

(ii) Must not contain overly technical

language or very small print;

(iii) Must not be formatted in a way

that defeats the purpose of the notice;

(iv) Must not contain language which

nullifies the purpose of the notice.

(2) Each public notice required by this

section must comply with multilingual

requirements, as follows:

(i) For public water systems serving a

large proportion of non-English

speaking consumers, as determined by

the primacy agency, the public notice

must contain information in the

appropriate language(s) regarding the

importance of the notice or contain a

telephone number or address where

persons served may contact the water

system to obtain a translated copy of the

notice or to request assistance in the

appropriate language.

(ii) In cases where the primacy agency

has not determined what constitutes a

large proportion of non-English

speaking consumers, the public water

system must include in the public

notice the same information as in

paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section, where

appropriate to reach a large proportion

of non-English speaking persons served

by the water system.

(d) What standard language must

public water systems include in their

public notice? Public water systems are

required to include the following

standard language in their public notice:

(1) Standard health effects language

for MCL or MRDL violations, treatment

technique violations, and violations of

the condition of a variance or

exemption. Public water systems must

include in each public notice the health

effects language specified in Appendix

B to this subpart corresponding to each

MCL, MRDL, and treatment technique

violation listed in Appendix A to this

subpart, and for each violation of a

condition of a variance or exemption.

(2) Standard language for monitoring

and testing procedure violations. Public

water systems must include the

following language in their notice,

including the language necessary to fill

in the blanks, for all monitoring and

testing procedure violations listed in

Appendix A to this subpart:

We are required to monitor your drinking

water for specific contaminants on a regular

basis. Results of regular monitoring are an

indicator of whether or not your drinking

water meets health standards. During

[compliance period], we ‘‘did not monitor or

test’’ or ‘‘did not complete all monitoring or

testing’’ for [contaminant(s)], and therefore

cannot be sure of the quality of your drinking

water during that time.

(3) Standard language to encourage

the distribution of the public notice to

all persons served. Public water systems

must include in their notice the

following language (where applicable):

Public Notification Handbook 141 March 2007

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 87 / Thursday, May 4, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 26039

Please share this information with all the

other people who drink this water, especially

those who may not have received this notice

directly (for example, people in apartments,

nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You

can do this by posting this notice in a public

place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

§ 141.206 Notice to new billing units or

new customers.

(a) What is the requirement for

community water systems? Community

water systems must give a copy of the

most recent public notice for any

continuing violation, the existence of a

variance or exemption, or other ongoing

situations requiring a public notice to

all new billing units or new customers

prior to or at the time service begins.

(b) What is the requirement for noncommunity water systems? Noncommunity water systems must

continuously post the public notice in

conspicuous locations in order to

inform new consumers of any

continuing violation, variance or

exemption, or other situation requiring

a public notice for as long as the

violation, variance, exemption, or other

situation persists.

§ 141.207 Special notice of the availability

of unregulated contaminant monitoring

results.

(a) When is the special notice to be

given? The owner or operator of a

community water system or nontransient, non-community water system

required to monitor under § 141.40 must

notify persons served by the system of

the availability of the results of such

sampling no later than 12 months after

the monitoring results are known.

(b) What is the form and manner of

the special notice? The form and

manner of the public notice must follow

the requirements for a Tier 3 public

notice prescribed in §§ 141.204(c),

(d)(1), and (d)(3). The notice must also

identify a person and provide the

telephone number to contact for

information on the monitoring results.

§ 141.208 Special notice for exceedance of

the SMCL for fluoride.

(a) When is the special notice to be

given? Community water systems that

exceed the fluoride secondary

maximum contaminant level (SMCL) of

2 mg/l as specified in § 143.3

(determined by the last single sample

taken in accordance with § 141.23), but

do not exceed the maximum

contaminant level (MCL) of 4 mg/l for

fluoride (as specified in § 141.62), must

provide the public notice in paragraph

(c) of this section to persons served.

Public notice must be provided as soon

as practical but no later than 12 months

from the day the water system learns of

the exceedance. A copy of the notice

must also be sent to all new billing units

and new customers at the time service

begins and to the State public health

officer. The public water system must

repeat the notice at least annually for as

long as the SMCL is exceeded. If the

public notice is posted, the notice must

remain in place for as long as the SMCL

is exceeded, but in no case less than

seven days (even if the exceedance is

eliminated). On a case-by-case basis, the

primacy agency may require an initial

notice sooner than 12 months and

repeat notices more frequently than

annually.

(b) What is the form and manner of

the special notice? The form and

manner of the public notice (including

repeat notices) must follow the

requirements for a Tier 3 public notice

in § 141.204(c) and (d)(1) and (d)(3).

(c) What mandatory language must be

contained in the special notice? The

notice must contain the following

language, including the language

necessary to fill in the blanks:

This is an alert about your drinking water

and a cosmetic dental problem that might

affect children under nine years of age. At

low levels, fluoride can help prevent cavities,

but children drinking water containing more

than 2 milligrams per liter (mg/l) of fluoride

may develop cosmetic discoloration of their

permanent teeth (dental fluorosis). The

drinking water provided by your community

water system [name] has a fluoride

concentration of [insert value] mg/l.

Dental fluorosis, in its moderate or severe

forms, may result in a brown staining and/

or pitting of the permanent teeth. This

problem occurs only in developing teeth,

before they erupt from the gums. Children

under nine should be provided with

alternative sources of drinking water or water

that has been treated to remove the fluoride

to avoid the possibility of staining and pitting

of their permanent teeth. You may also want

to contact your dentist about proper use by

young children of fluoride-containing

products. Older children and adults may

safely drink the water.

Drinking water containing more than 4 mg/

L of fluoride (the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency’s drinking water standard)

can increase your risk of developing bone

disease. Your drinking water does not

contain more than 4 mg/l of fluoride, but

we’re required to notify you when we

discover that the fluoride levels in your

drinking water exceed 2 mg/l because of this

cosmetic dental problem.

For more information, please call [name of

water system contact] of [name of community

water system] at [phone number]. Some

home water treatment units are also available

to remove fluoride from drinking water. To

learn more about available home water

treatment units, you may call NSF

International at 1–877–8–NSF–HELP.’’

§ 141.209 Special notice for nitrate

exceedances above MCL by noncommunity water systems (NCWS), where

granted permission by the primacy agency

under § 141.11(d)

(a) When is the special notice to be

given? The owner or operator of a noncommunity water system granted

permission by the primacy agency

under § 141.11(d) to exceed the nitrate

MCL must provide notice to persons

served according to the requirements for

a Tier 1 notice under § 141.202(a) and

(b).

(b) What is the form and manner of

the special notice? Non-community

water systems granted permission by the

primacy agency to exceed the nitrate

MCL under § 141.11(d) must provide

continuous posting of the fact that

nitrate levels exceed 10 mg/l and the

potential health effects of exposure,

according to the requirements for Tier 1

notice delivery under § 141.202(c) and

the content requirements under

§ 141.205.

§ 141.210 Notice by primacy agency on

behalf of the public water system.

(a) May the primacy agency give the

notice on behalf of the public water

system? The primacy agency may give

the notice required by this subpart on

behalf of the owner and operator of the

public water system if the primacy

agency complies with the requirements

of this subpart.

(b) What is the responsibility of the

public water system when notice is

given by the primacy agency? The

owner or operator of the public water

system remains responsible for ensuring

that the requirements of this subpart are

met.

Public Notification Handbook 142 March 2007

26048 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 87 / Thursday, May 4, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

systems, including 40 CFR 141.13, the 1989

Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), and

the 1998 Interim Enhanced Surface Water

Treatment Rule (IESWTR). For systems

subject to the IESWTR (systems serving at

least 10,000 people, using surface water or

ground water under the direct influence of

surface water), that use conventional

filtration or direct filtration, after January 1,

2002, the turbidity level of a system’s

combined filter effluent may not exceed 0.3

NTU in at least 95 percent of monthly

measurements, and the turbidity level of a

system’s combined filter effluent must not

exceed 1 NTU at any time. Systems subject

to the IESWTR using technologies other than

conventional, direct, slow sand, or

diatomaceous earth filtration must meet

turbidity limits set by the primacy agency.

9. The bacteria detected by heterotrophic

plate count (HPC) are not necessarily

harmful. HPC is simply an alternative

method of determining disinfectant residual

levels. The number of such bacteria is an

indicator of whether there is enough

disinfectant in the distribution system.

10. SWTR and IESWTR treatment

technique violations that involve turbidity

exceedances may use the health effects

language for turbidity instead.

11. The bacteria detected by heterotrophic

plate count (HPC) are not necessarily

harmful. HPC is simply an alternative

method of determining disinfectant residual

levels. The number of such bacteria is an

indicator of whether there is enough

disinfectant in the distribution system.

12. Millions fibers per liter.

13. Action Level = 0.015 mg/L

14. Action Level = 1.3 mg/L

15. Millirems per years

16. Picocuries per liter

17. Surface water systems and ground

water systems under the direct influence of

surface water are regulated under Subpart H

of 40 CFR 141. Supbart H community and

non-transient non-community systems

serving ≥ 10,000 must comply with DBP

MCLs and disinfectant maximum residual

disinfectant levels (MRDLs) beginning

January 1, 2002. All other community and

non-transient noncommunity systems must

meet the MCLs and MRDLs beginning

January 1, 2004. Subpart H transient noncommunity systems serving 10,000 or more

persons and using chlorine dioxide as a

disinfectant or oxidant must comply with the

chlorine dioxide MRDL beginning January 1,

2002. Subpart H transient non-community

systems serving fewer than 10,000 persons

and systems using only ground water not

under the direct influence of surface water

and using chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant

or oxidant must comply with the chlorine

dioxide MRDL beginning January 1, 2004.

18. The MCL of 0.10 mg/l for TTHMs is in

effect until January 1, 2002 for Subpart H

community water systems serving 10,000 or

more. This MCL is in effect until January 1,

2004 for community water systems with a

population of 10,000 or more using only

ground water not under the direct influence

of surface water. After these deadlines, the

MCL will be 0.080 mg/l. On January 1, 2004,

all systems serving less than 10,000 will have

to comply with the new MCL as well.

19. The MCL for total trihalomethanes is

the sum of the concentrations of the

individual trihalomethanes.

20. The MCL for haloacetic acids is the

sum of the concentrations of the individual

haloacetic acids.

21. MRDLG—Maximum residual

disinfectant level goal.

22. MRDL—Maximum residual

disinfectant level.

Appendix C to Subpart Q of Part 141—List

of Acronyms Used in Public Notification

Regulation

CCR Consumer Confidence Report

CWS Community Water System

DBP Disinfection Byproduct

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

HPC Heterotrophic Plate Count

IESWTR Interim Enhanced Surface Water

Treatment Rule

IOC Inorganic Chemical

LCR Lead and Copper Rule

MCL Maximum Contaminant Level

MCLG Maximum Contaminant Level Goal

MRDL Maximum Residual Disinfectant

Level

MRDLG Maximum Residual Disinfectant

Level Goal

NCWS Non-Community Water System

NPDWR National Primary Drinking Water

Regulation

NTNCWS Non-Transient Non-Community

Water System

NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit

OGWDW Office of Ground Water and

Drinking Water

OW Office of Water

PN Public Notification

PWS Public Water System

SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act

SMCL Secondary Maximum Contaminant

Level

SOC Synthetic Organic Chemical

SWTR Surface Water Treatment Rule

TCR Total Coliform Rule

TT Treatment Technique

TWS Transient Non-Community Water

System

VOC Volatile Organic Chemical

PART 142—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for Part 142

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300f, 300g–1, 300g–2,

300 g–3, 300g–4, 300 g–5, 300 g–6, 300 j–4,

300 j–9, and 300 j–11.

2. Section 142.10 is amended by

revising paragraph (b)(6)(v) to read as

follows:

§ 142.10 Requirements for a determination

of primary enforcement responsibility.

(b) * * *

(6) * * *

(v) Authority to require public water

systems to give public notice that is no

less stringent than the EPA

requirements in Subpart Q of Part 141

of this chapter and § 142.16(a).

3. Section 142.14 is amended by

redesignating paragraph (f) as (g) and

adding a new (f), to read as follows:

§ 142.14 Records kept by States.

* * * * *

(f) Public notification records under

Subpart Q of Part 141 of this chapter

received from public water systems

(including certifications of compliance

and copies of public notices) and any

state determinations establishing

alternative public notification

requirements for the water systems must

be retained for three years.

* * * * *

4. Section 142.15 is amended by

revising paragraph (a)(1), to read as

follows:

§ 142.15 Reports by States.

* * * * *

(a) * * *

(1) New violations by public water

systems in the State during the previous

quarter of State regulations adopted to

incorporate the requirements of national

primary drinking water regulations,

including violations of the public

notification requirements under Subpart

Q of Part 141 of this chapter;

* * * * *

5. Section 142.16 is amended by

revising paragraph (a), to read as

follows:

§ 142.16 Special primacy requirements.

(a) State public notification

requirements.

(1) Each State that has primary

enforcement authority under this part

must submit complete and final requests

for approval of program revisions to

adopt the requirements of Subpart Q of

Part 141 of this chapter, using the

procedures in § 142.12(b) through (d).

At its option, a State may, by rule, and

after notice and comment, establish

alternative public notification

requirements with respect to the form

and content of the public notice

required under Subpart Q of Part 141 of

this chapter. The alternative

requirements must provide the same

type and amount of information

required under Subpart Q and must

meet the primacy requirements under

§ 142.10.

(2) As part of the revised primacy

program, a State must also establish

enforceable requirements and

procedures when the State adds to or

changes the requirements under:

(i) Table 1 to 40 CFR 141.201(a)(Item

(3)(v))—To require public water systems

to give a public notice for violations or

situations other than those listed in

Appendix A of Subpart Q of Part 141 of

this chapter;

(ii) 40 CFR 141.201(c)(2)—To allow

public water systems, under the specific

circumstances listed in § 141.201(c)(2),

Public Notification Handbook 143 March 2007

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 87 / Thursday, May 4, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 26049

to limit the distribution of the public

notice to persons served by the portion

of the distribution system that is out of

compliance;

(iii) Table 1 of 40 CFR 141.202(a)

(Items (5), (6), and (8))—To require

public water systems to give a Tier 1

public notice (rather than a Tier 2 or

Tier 3 notice) for violations or situations

listed in Appendix A of Subpart Q of

Part 141 of this chapter;

(iv) 40 CFR 141.202(b)(3)—To require

public water systems to comply with

additional Tier 1 public notification

requirements set by the State

subsequent to the initial 24-hour Tier 1

notice, as a result of their consultation

with the State required under

§§ 141.202(b)(2);

(v) 40 CFR 141.202(c), 141.203(c) and

141.204(c)—To require a different form

and manner of delivery for Tier 1, 2 and

3 public notices.

(vi) Table 1 to 40 CFR 141.203(a)

(Item (2))—To require the public water

systems to provide a Tier 2 public

notice (rather than Tier (3)) for

monitoring or testing procedure

violations specified by the State;

(vii) 40 CFR 141.203(b)(1)—To grant

public water systems an extension up to

three months for distributing the Tier 2

public notice in appropriate

circumstances (other than those

specifically excluded in the rule);

(viii) 40 CFR 141.203(b)(2)—To grant

a different repeat notice frequency for

the Tier 2 public notice in appropriate

circumstances (other than those

specifically excluded in the rule), but no

less frequently than once per year;

(ix) 40 CFR 141.203(b)(3)—To

respond within 24 hours to a request for

consultation by the public water system

to determine whether a Tier 1 (rather

than a Tier 2) notice is required for a

turbidity MCL violation under

§ 141.13(b) or a SWTR/IESWTR TT

violation due to a single exceedance of

the maximum allowable turbidity limit;

(x) 40 CFR 141.205(c)—To determine

the specific multilingual requirement

for a public water system, including

defining ‘‘large proportion of nonEnglish-speaking consumers.’’

* * * * *

§ 142.16 [Amended]

6. Section 142.16(e) introductory text

is amended by removing ‘‘§ 141.32’’.

PART 143—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for Part 143

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.

§ 143.5 [Removed]

2. Part 143 is amended by removing

§ 143.5.

[FR Doc. 00–9534 Filed 5–3–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560–50–P