Demonstrating its commitment to public health protection and the public's right-to-know about
local environmental information, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) requires community
water systems to put annual drinking water quality reports into the hands of their customers. These
reports (also known as consumer confidence reports), which EPA developed in consultation with water
suppliers, environmental groups, and the states, will enable Americans to make practical, knowledgeable
decisions about their health and their environment.
While water systems are free to enhancce their reports in any useful way, each report must provide
consumers with the following fundamental information about their drinking water;
A: The lake, river, aquifier or other source of the drinking water.
B: A brief summary of the susceptibility to contamination of the local drinking water source, based on the source water assessments by states.
C: How to get a copy of the water system's complete source water assessment.
D. The level (or range of levels) of any contaminant found in the local drinking water, as well as EPA's health-based standard (maximum contaminant level) for comparison.
E: The likely source of the contaminant in the local drinking water supply.
F: The potential health effects of any contaminant detected in violation of an EPA health standard, and an accounting of the systems actions to restore safe drinking water.
G: The water systems compliance with other drinking water-related rules.
H: An educational statement for vulnerable populations about avoiding Cryptosporidium.
I: Educational information on nitrate, arsenic or lead in areas where these contaminants may be a concern.
J: Telephone numbers of additional sources of information, including the water system telephone number and the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline.
This information will supplement public notification that water systems must provide to their customers upon discovering any violation or a contaminant standard. This annual report
should not be the primary notification or potential health risks posed by drinking water, but will provide customers with water quality information from the previous calander year.
The water systems must have the Consumer Confidence Reports distributed to its customers by July 1st of each year. Large water systems mail their reports to their customers, either with the water bills
or as a seperate mailing, and takes steps to get the information to people who do not receive water bills. Some smaller water systems (those serving fewer than 10,000 people) may be able to distribute
the information through newspapers or by other means. The largest water systems most post their reports on the internet, in addition to other delivery mechanisms, to make the reports easily accessible
to all consumers. EPA will work with smaller systems to help get their reports on line.
We post our CCR on the internet, hand deliver copies to the Baldwin County Water Department and the Eatonton-Putnam Water & Sewer Authority. We also publish it in the Union Recorder and The Eatonton Messenger.