They include the most recent results of tests conducted by a system over the past five calendar years. A complete report, including mandatory educational information, can fit on a single, double-sided sheet of paper. Many purveyors, however, choose to provide additional information, so some of the reports are longer. They must do this by April 1 of each year or another mutually agreeable date. Water systems that need help producing the reports can get example reports and electronic templates.
Assistance is available from professional organizations, consultants and government agencies.
Regulated and unregulated contaminants that have been detected in the water, their concentrations and the allowable federal or state standard. Disinfection by-products or microbial contaminants, their concentrations and standards. Descriptions of possible health effects of contaminants in drinking water at concentrations higher than the federal or state health standard. Identification of the likely source of any detected contamination. Violations of any monitoring, reporting, treatment or record keeping requirements.