Nebraska Administrative Code › Topic - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SYSTEM › Title 179 - PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS › Chapter 12 - CONTROL OF LEAD AND COPPER › Section 179-12-008 - PUBLIC EDUCATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL MONITORING REQUIREMENTS

Current through June 17, 2024
All water systems must 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 179 NAC 12-008.04. A water system that exceeds the
				  lead action level based on tap water samples collected in accordance with 179
				  NAC
				  12-009 must deliver the public
				  education materials contained in 179 NAC 12008.01 in accordance with the
				  requirements in 179 NAC 12-008.02. Water systems that exceed the lead action
				  level must sample the tap water of any customer who requests it in accordance
				  with 179 NAC 12-008.03
008.01 Content
				of Written Public Education Materials
12-008.01A
Community Water
				Systems and Non-transient Non-community Water Systems
: Water
				systems must include the following elements in printed materials (e.g.,
				brochures and pamphlets) in the same order as listed below. In addition,
				language in 179 NAC 12-008.01 items 1 through 2 and 6 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 Director prior to delivery. The Director 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 consumers 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 web site at (INSERT YOUR WEB SITE
				HERE)] For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building
				and the health effects of lead, visit EPA's web site at
http://www. epa.pov/lead
or contact your
				health care provider.