Indiana Administrative Code › Title 327 - WATER POLLUTION CONTROL DIVISION › Article 8 - PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY › Rule 2 - Drinking Water Standards › Section 2-44 - Public education and supplemental monitoring; lead and copper

Current through July 10, 2024
Authority: IC 13-13-5-1; IC 13-14-8-7; IC 13-18-3; IC
				  13-18-16
Affected: IC 13-18
Sec. 44.
(a) A water
				system shall deliver a consumer notice of lead tap water monitoring results to
				persons served by the water system at sites that are tested, as specified in
				subsection (d). A water system that exceeds the lead action level based on tap
				water samples collected in accordance with section 37 of this rule shall
				sample, in accordance with subsection (c), the tap water of any customer who
				requests sampling and deliver to all bill paying customers the public education
				materials contained in the following requirements in accordance with the
				requirements in subsection (b):
(1) A CWS or
				an NTNCWS shall include the informational elements contained in this
				subdivision and in the same order as established in this subdivision in all the
				printed materials it distributes through its lead public education program.
				Language in clauses (A) through (F) must be included in the materials exactly
				as written except for the text in parentheses where the water system shall
				insert system-specific information. Any additional information presented by a
				water system shall be consistent with the information contained under clauses
				(A) through (F) and be in plain language that can be understood by the general
				public. A water system shall submit all written public education materials to
				the commissioner prior to delivery to its customers, and the commissioner may
				require the system to obtain approval of the content of written public
				materials prior to delivery. The informational elements and their order that
				must be contained in public education materials distributed by a CWS or an
				NTNCWS are as follows:
(A) "IMPORTANT
				INFORMATION ABOUT LEAD IN YOUR DRINKING WATER. (INSERT NAME OF WATER SYSTEM)
				found elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes or buildings.
				Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young
				children. Please read this information closely to see what you can do to reduce
				lead in your drinking water.".
(B)
				"Health effects of lead. Lead can cause serious health problems if too much
				enters your body from drinking water or other sources. It can cause damage to
				the brain and kidneys and can interfere with the production of red blood cells
				that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. The greatest risk of lead exposure
				is to infants, young children, and pregnant women. Scientists have linked the
				effects of lead on the brain with a lowered IQ in children. Adults with kidney
				problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more
				than healthy adults. Lead is stored in the bones, and it can be released later
				in life. During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother's bones,
				which may affect the child's brain development.".
(C) Sources of lead shall be described in the
				water system's public education materials as follows:
(i) The public education materials must
				explain what lead is.
(ii) Possible
				sources of lead in drinking water and how lead enters drinking water must be
				explained, including information on:
(AA) home
				and building plumbing materials; and
(BB) service lines;
that can contain lead.
(iii) Other important sources of lead
				exposure in addition to drinking water, for example, paint, must be
				discussed.
(D)
				Discussion of the steps the consumer can take to reduce his or her exposure to
				lead in drinking water, including the following suggestions:
(i) Encourage running the water to flush out
				the lead.
(ii) Explain concerns
				with using hot water from the tap and specifically caution against the use of
				hot water for preparing baby formula.
(iii) Explain that boiling water does not
				reduce lead levels.
(iv) Discuss
				other options consumers may take to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water,
				such as alternative sources or treatment of water.
(v) Suggest that parents have their child's
				blood tested for lead and include a list of some state approved laboratories in
				your area that you can call to have your water tested for lead. (Insert names
				and addresses of at least two (2) laboratories.)
(E) Explain:
(i) why there are elevated levels of lead in
				the system's drinking water (if known); and
(ii) what the water system is doing to reduce
				the lead levels in homes and buildings in this area.
(F) "For more information, call us at (INSERT
				YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER) (IF APPLICABLE), or visit our website at (INSERT YOUR
				WEBSITE HERE). For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home
				or building and the health effects of lead, visit EPA's website at
http://www.epa.gov/lead
or contact
				your health care provider.".