Missouri Code of State Regulations › Title 10 - DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES › Division 60 - Safe Drinking Water Commission › Chapter 15 - Lead and Copper › Section 10 CSR 60-15.060 - Public Education Requirements

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 14, July 15, 2024
PURPOSE: This rule sets forth the content and mode of
				  delivery of written and broadcast materials to be used by water systems when
				  action levels have been exceeded. It also addresses the water system's
				  responsibility when a customer requests supplemental monitoring after an action
				  level has been exceeded.
(1)
				Content of Written Public Education Materials.
(A) Community water systems and non-transient
				noncommunity water systems. Water systems must include the following elements
				in printed materials (for example, brochures and pamphlets) in the same order
				as listed below. In addition, language in paragraphs (1)(A)1., 2., and 4. of
				this rule must be included in the materials, exactly as written, except for the
				text in brackets in these paragraphs for which the water system must include
				system-specific information. Any additional information presented by a water
				system must be consistent with the information below and be in plain language
				that can be understood by the general public. Water systems must submit all
				written public education materials to the department prior to delivery. The
				department may require the system to obtain approval of the content of written
				public materials prior to delivery.
1.
				IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LEAD IN YOUR DRINKING WATER. [INSERT NAME OF WATER
				SYSTEM] found elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some
				homes/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.
2. 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
				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 brain
				development.
3. Sources of lead.
A. Explain what lead is.
B. Explain possible sources of lead in
				drinking water and how lead enters drinking water. Include information on
				home/building plumbing materials and service lines that may contain
				lead.
C. Discuss other important
				sources of lead exposure in addition to drinking water (e.g., paint).
4. Discuss the steps the consumer
				can take to reduce their exposure to lead in drinking water.
A. Encourage running the water to flush out
				the lead.
B. Explain concerns with
				using hot water from the tap and specifically caution against the use of hot
				water for preparing baby formula.
C. Explain that boiling water does not reduce
				lead levels.
D. Discuss other
				options consumers can take to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water, such
				as alternative sources or treatment of water.
E. Suggest that parents have their child's
				blood tested for lead.
5. Explain why there are elevated levels of
				lead in the system's drinking water (if known) and what the water system is
				doing to reduce the lead levels in homes/buildings in this area.
6. For more information, call us at [INSERT
				YOUR NUMBER] [(IF APPLICABLE), or visit our website at [INSERT YOUR WEBSITE
				HERE]]. For more information on reducing lead exposure around your
				home/building and the health effects of lead, visit U.S. Environmental
				Protection Agency's (EPA's) website at
http://www.epa.gov/lead
or contact your
				health care provider.