Public notification helps to protect public health
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Water systems must deliver safe and reliable drinking water to their
customers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If the drinking water supply
becomes contaminated, many people can become seriously ill or die.
Therefore, state and federal laws require water systems to notify their
customers any time a problem with drinking water poses a health risk.
The Office of Drinking Water's (ODW) highest priority is responding to
drinking water emergencies. We work hand-in-hand with water systems to
resolve problems. Notifying water system customers when their
water may not be safe to drink, gives them time to protect themselves
and their families.
Public notification rules
Public notification requirements help ensure customers know - as soon
as possible - if a situation poses a public health risk. The rules apply
to all Group A public water systems. (Group A systems serve more than 14
connections or more than 24 people).
Group A public water systems must notify their
customers whenever they:
- Violate drinking water quality or monitoring requirements.
- Operate under a variance or exemption.
- Have any situation that poses a public health risk, such as a
disruption in service.
- Receive an order from the Office of Drinking Water.
- Fail to comply with an ODW order
- Receive a red operating permit.
Public notification requirements also give water systems an opportunity
to educate their customers about drinking water quality, and build trust
by sharing information openly. Notices used in this positive way can
help customers understand the basis for rate increases necessary for
additional drinking water treatment and protection.
Public notification timing and distribution
requirements
Notifying customers in a timely manner about actual or potential
threats related to their drinking water allows them to make informed
decisions affecting their health. Public notification timing and
distribution requirements depend on the level of threat associated with
the violation or event.
- Tier 1: Acute health concerns require
notification within 24 hours.
- Tier 2: Chronic health concerns require
notification within 30 days.
- Tier 3: Reporting and monitoring violations
require notification within 365 days.
You must send a copy of all public notifications and the appropriate
Public Notice Certification to ODW.
Other aspects of the public notification rules:
Water systems may combine notices for individual violations into
their annual Consumer Confidence Reports, as long as they meet the public
notification timing requirements.
The rules, including the following, are online at
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=246-290 (See Part 7,
Reporting, Subpart A.)
- A list of violations and situations that require 24-hour
notification.
- Simplified health effects language.
- Standard language for monitoring violations.
Technical assistance
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Association of State
Drinking Water Administrators developed a
Public Notification Handbook with sample public notices.
You can access public notification forms and links to ODW publications
in the right column of this page.
You can also call your ODW Regional Office for technical assistance. We
are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you have an
after-hours emergency, call (877) 481-4901.
Eastern Regional Office, 509-329-2100
Serving Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry,
Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend
Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima counties.
Northwest Regional Office, 253-395-6750
Serving Island, King, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and
Whatcom counties.
Southwest Regional Office, 360-236-3030
Serving Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap,
Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Skamania, Thurston, and Wahkiakum counties.
More detailed contact information is available on our
Staff
Contact page.
DOH PUB.# 331-239
June 2007
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