WAC 246-290-72009   Report contents -- Additional information.  (1) The report must contain a brief explanation regarding contaminants which may reasonably be expected to be found in drinking water including bottled water. This explanation may include the language of (a) through (c) of this subsection or systems may use their own comparable language. The report also must include the language of (d) of this subsection.

     (a) The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

     (b) Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

     (i) Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.

     (ii) Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.

     (iii) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses.

     (iv) Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.

     (v) Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

     (c) In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Environmental Protection Agency and/or the Washington state board of health prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration and/or the Washington state department of agriculture regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health.

     (d) Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

     (2) The report must include the telephone number of the owner, operator, or designee of the community water system as a source of additional information concerning the report.

     (3) In communities with a large proportion of non-English speaking residents, the report must contain information in the appropriate language(s) regarding the importance of the report or contain a telephone number or address where such residents may contact the system to obtain a translated copy of the report or assistance in the appropriate language.

     (4) The report must include information about opportunities for public participation in decisions that may affect the quality of the water, such as the time and place of meetings.

     (5) The systems may include such additional information as they deem necessary for public education consistent with, and not detracting from, the purpose of the report.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 00-15-080, § 246-290-72009, filed 7/19/00, effective 8/19/00.]