R309-225-6. Required Additional Health Information

  (1) All reports must prominently display the following language:

  Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline [phone]).

  (2) A system which detects arsenic at levels above 5 micrograms per liter, but below the MCL:

  (a) Must include in its report a short informational statement about arsenic, using language such as: 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.

  (b) May write its own educational statement, but only in consultation with the Director.

  (3) A system which detects nitrate at levels above 5 mg/L, but below the MCL:

  (a) Must include a short informational statement about the impacts of nitrate on children using language such as: 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.

  (b) May write its own educational statement, but only in consultation with the Director.

  (4) Every report must include the following lead-specific information:

  (a) A short informational statement about lead in drinking water and its effects on children. The statement must include the following information:

  If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. (NAME OF UTILITY) is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

  (b) A system may write its own educational statement, but only in consultation with the Director.

  (5) Community water systems that detect TTHM above 0.080 mg/L (milligrams per liter), but below the MCL in R309-200-5(3)(c), as an annual average, monitored and calculated under the provisions of R309-210-8, must include health effects language for TTHMs prescribed in R309-220-14.

  (6) Beginning in the report due by July 1, 2002 and ending January 22, 2006, a community water system that detects arsenic above 0.01 milligrams per liter and up to and including 0.05 milligrams per liter must include the arsenic health effects language prescribed in R309-220-14.

  (7) After April 1, 2016, Systems required to comply with R309-211.

  (a) Any system required to comply with the Level 1 assessment requirement or a Level 2 assessment requirement that is not due to an E. coli MCL violation must include in the report the text found in paragraph (7)(a)(i) and paragraphs (7)(a)(ii) and (iii) of this section as appropriate, filling in the blanks accordingly and the text found in paragraphs (7)(a)(iv)(A) and (B) of this section if appropriate.

  (i) Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, waterborne pathogens may be present or that a potential pathway exists through which contamination may enter the drinking water distribution system. We found coliforms indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treatment or distribution. When this occurs, we are required to conduct assessment(s) to identify problems and to correct any problems that were found during these assessments.

  (ii) During the past year we were required to conduct (INSERT NUMBER OF LEVEL 1 ASSESSMENTS) Level 1 assessment(s). (INSERT NUMBER OF LEVEL 1 ASSESSMENTS) Level 1 assessment(s) were completed. In addition, we were required to take (INSERT NUMBER OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS) corrective actions and we completed (INSERT NUMBER OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS) of these actions.

  (iii) During the past year (INSERT NUMBER OF LEVEL 2 ASSESSMENTS) Level 2 assessments were required to be completed for our water system. (INSERT NUMBER OF LEVEL 2 ASSESSMENTS) Level 2 assessments were completed. In addition, we were required to take (INSERT NUMBER OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS) corrective actions and we completed (INSERT NUMBER OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS) of these actions.

  (iv) Any system that has failed to complete all the required assessments or correct all identified sanitary defects, is in violation of the treatment technique requirement and must also include one or both of the following statements, as appropriate:

  (A) During the past year we failed to conduct all of the required assessment(s).

  (B) During the past year we failed to correct all identified defects that were found during the assessment.

  (b) Any system required to conduct a Level 2 assessment due to an E. coli MCL violation must include in the report the text found in paragraphs (7)(b)(i) and (ii) of this section, filling in the blanks accordingly and the text found in paragraphs (7)(b)(iii)(A) and (B) of this section, if appropriate.

  (i) E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. We found E. coli bacteria, indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treatment or distribution. When this occurs, we are required to conduct assessment(s) to identify problems and to correct any problems that were found during these assessments.

  (ii) We were required to complete a Level 2 assessment because we found E. coli in our water system. In addition, we were required to take (INSERT NUMBER OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS) corrective actions and we completed (INSERT NUMBER OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS) of these actions.

  (iii) Any system that has failed to complete the required assessment or correct all identified sanitary defects, is in violation of the treatment technique requirement and must also include one or both of the following statements, as appropriate:

  (A) We failed to conduct the required assessment.

  (B) We failed to correct all sanitary defects that were identified during the assessment that we conducted.

  (c) If a system detects E. coli and has violated the E. coli MCL, in addition to completing the table as required in R309-225-5(4)(d), the system must include one or more of the following statements to describe any noncompliance, as applicable:

  (i) We had an E. coli-positive repeat sample following a total coliform-positive routine sample.

  (ii) We had a total coliform-positive repeat sample following an E. coli-positive routine sample.

  (iii) We failed to take all required repeat samples following an E. coli-positive routine sample.

  (iv) We failed to test for E. coli when any repeat sample tests positive for total coliform.

  (d) If a system detects E. coli and has not violated the E. coli MCL, in addition to completing the table as required in R309-225-5(4)(d), the system may include a statement that explains that although they have detected E. coli, they are not in violation of the E. coli MCL.