Pennsylvania Code › Title 25 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › Part I - Department of Environmental Protection › Subpart C - Protection of Natural Resources › Article II - Water Resources › Chapter 109 - SAFE DRINKING WATER › Subchapter J - BOTTLED WATER AND VENDED WATER SYSTEMS, RETAIL WATER FACILITIES AND BULK WATER HAULING SYSTEMS › Section 109.1004 - Public notification

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
General public notification requirements.
A bottled water
						supplier shall give public notification in accordance with this section. A bulk
						water hauler, vended water supplier or retail water supplier shall give public
						notification in accordance with Subchapter D (relating to public notification).
						For the purpose of establishing a bulk hauling, vended or retail water
						supplier's responsibilities under Subchapter D, a bulk water supplier shall
						comply with the public notification requirements specified for a community
						water system and a vended or retail water supplier shall comply with the public
						notification requirements specified for a noncommunity water system.
(1) A bottled water supplier who knows that a
						primary MCL or an MRDL has been exceeded or treatment technique performance
						standard has been violated or has reason to believe that circumstances exist
						which may adversely affect the quality of drinking water, including, but not
						limited to, source contamination, spills, accidents, natural disasters or
						breakdowns in treatment, shall report the circumstances to the Department
						within 1 hour of discovery of the problem.
(2) If the Department determines, based upon
						information provided by the bottled water supplier or other information
						available to the Department, that the circumstances present an imminent hazard
						to the public health, the water supplier shall issue a water supply warning
						approved by the Department and, if applicable, initiate a program for product
						recall approved by the Department under this subsection. The water supplier
						shall be responsible for disseminating the notice in a manner designed to
						inform users who may be affected by the problem.
(i) Within 4 hours of the Department's
						determination that an imminent hazard is present, the water supplier shall
						provide the notice to newspapers, radio and television media serving the
						affected public, or directly notify affected users in a manner approved by the
						Department. The water supplier shall also notify key public officials as
						designated in the system's emergency response plan.
(ii) If the notice provided under
						subparagraph (i) does not ensure that the affected public is adequately
						notified, the Department may require the water supplier to further disseminate
						the notice in an appropriate manner which may include direct mailings,
						publication in newspapers or other paid advertising, or postings.
(iii) A water supply warning shall be
						followed by further notices designed to inform the public on a continuing basis
						as to the expected duration of the hazard, progress towards solving the
						problem, and measures that should be taken by users to reduce their risk. These
						notices shall be given at intervals and in a manner directed by the Department
						as long as the threat to public health continues.
(iv) The water supply warning shall continue
						until the Department is satisfied that no significant threat to the public
						health remains and approves a notice canceling the warning. The water supplier
						is responsible for disseminating the cancellation of the water supply warning
						in a manner similar to the issuance of the warning.