Grams praised MDNR for its work to help ensure that other Missouri systems completed and mailed the required water quality reports. The state agency conducted a training course around the state, made numerous mailings to the drinking water plants and published articles in publications aimed at plant operators. Grams also praised the Rural Water Association, which conducted a number of training courses. The national compliance average was 88 percent for the 54,000 community water systems across the country. EPA is taking the enforcement action in Missouri because Missouri does not yet have primary enforcement authority for the new rule.
Consumers have a right to know what is in their drinking water and where that water comes from.
Knowledge helps them make informed choices that affect their health and the health of their families, and knowledgeable consumers have more opportunities to help protect their drinking water sources. The Consumer Confidence Report Rule is an important part of the 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act. The final rule requires all community water systems to prepare and distribute annual water quality reports. The first reports, for 1998, were due October 19, 1999. The second, for 1999, were due July 1 this year, with future annual reports due every July 1.