Texas Administrative Code › Title 30 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY › Part 1 - TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY › Chapter 290 - PUBLIC DRINKING WATER › Subchapter H - CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORTS › Section 290.273 - Required Additional Health Information

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a) All reports must prominently display the
				  following language on the first page of the consumer confidence report or in
				  bold print on the second page of the report: "You may be more vulnerable than
				  the general population to certain microbial contaminants, such as
Cryptosporidium,
in drinking water. Infants, some elderly, or
				  immunocompromised persons such as those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer;
				  those who have undergone organ transplants; those who are undergoing treatment
				  with steroids; and people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders can be
				  particularly at risk from infections. You should seek advice about drinking
				  water from your physician or health care provider. Additional guidelines on
				  appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by
Cryptosporidium
are available from the Safe Drinking Water
				  Hotline at (800) 426-4791."
(b) A
				  system that detects arsenic levels above 5 micrograms per liter but below the
				  maximum contaminant level (MCL) shall include in its report a short
				  informational statement about arsenic using the following language: "While your
				  drinking water meets EPA's standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of
				  arsenic. EPA's standard balances the current understanding of arsenic's
				  possible health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking
				  water. EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic,
				  which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and
				  is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory
				  problems."
(c) A system that
				  detects nitrate at levels above 5 mg/L, but below the MCL shall include a short
				  informational statement about the impacts of nitrate on children using the
				  following language: "Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a
				  health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in
				  drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly
				  for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you
				  are caring for an infant, you should ask advice from your health care
				  provider."
(d) Systems collecting
				  20 or more samples that detect lead above the action level in greater than 5.0%
				  of homes sampled shall include a short informational statement about the
				  special impact of lead on children using the following language: "Infants and
				  young children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the
				  general population. It is possible that lead levels at your home may be higher
				  than at the homes in the community as a result of materials used in your home's
				  plumbing. If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your home's water,
				  you may wish to have your water tested and flush your tap for 30 seconds to two
				  minutes before using tap water. Additional information is available from the
				  Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791."
(e) Any water system subject to any or all of
				  subsections (b) - (d) of this section may seek approval from the executive
				  director to write its own alternative educational informational
				  statement.
(f) Public water systems
				  that detect total trihalomethanes above 0.080 mg/L as a running annual average
				  shall include health effects language provided in §
										290.275(3)
				  of this title (relating to Appendices A - D), Appendix C, paragraph
				  (81).