California Code of Regulations
Title 22 - Social Security
Division 4 - Environmental Health
Chapter 15 - Domestic Water Quality and Monitoring Regulations
Article 20 - Consumer Confidence Report
Section 64481 - Content of the Consumer Confidence Report

(1) The type of water delivered by the water system (e.g., surface water, ground water) and the commonly used name (if any) and location of the body (or bodies) of water; and

(2) If a source water assessment has been completed, notification that the assessment is available, how to obtain it, the date it was completed or last updated, and a brief summary of the system's vulnerability to potential sources of contamination, using language provided by the State Board if the State Board conducted the assessment.

(1) Regulatory Action Level: "The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow."

(2) Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: "The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. Primary MCLs are set as close to the PHGs (or MCLGs) as is economically and technologically feasible. Secondary MCLs are set to protect the odor, taste, and appearance of drinking water."

(3) Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG: "The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs are set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency."

(4) Public Health Goal or PHG: "The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. PHGs are set by the California Environmental Protection Agency."

(5) Primary Drinking Water Standard or PDWS: "MCLs, MRDLs, and treatment techniques for contaminants that affect health, along with their monitoring and reporting requirements."

(6) Treatment technique: "A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water."

(7) Variances and exemptions: "State Board permission to exceed an MCL or not comply with a treatment technique under certain conditions."

(8) Maximum residual disinfectant level or MRDL: "The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants."

(9) Maximum residual disinfectant level goal or MRDLG: "The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants."

(10) Level 1 Assessment: "A Level 1 assessment is a study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system."

(11) Level 2 Assessment: "A Level 2 assessment is a very detailed study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why an E. coli MCL violation has occurred and/or why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system on multiple occasions."

(1) Contaminants subject to an MCL, regulatory action level, MRDL, or treatment technique (regulated contaminants), as specified in sections 64426.1, 64426.6, 64431, 64442, 64443, 64444, 64448, 64449, 64533, 64533.5, 64536, 64536.2, 64653, and 64678;

(2) Contaminants specified in 40 Code of Federal Regulations part 141.40 (7-1-2007 edition) for which monitoring is required (unregulated contaminants);

(3) Microbial contaminants detected as provided under subsection (e); and

(4) Sodium and hardness.

(1) The data in the table(s) shall be derived from data collected to comply with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and State Board monitoring and analytical requirements during calendar year 2000 for the first Consumer Confidence Report and subsequent calendar years thereafter.

Where a system is allowed to monitor for regulated contaminants less often than once a year, the table(s) shall include the date and results of the most recent sampling and the Consumer Confidence Report shall include a brief statement indicating that the data presented in the table(s) are from the most recent testing done in accordance with the regulations. No data older than 9 years need be included.

(2) For detected regulated contaminants referenced in subsection (c)(1), the table(s) shall include:

(3) The table(s) shall clearly identify any data indicating violations of MCLs, regulatory action levels, MRDLs, or treatment techniques and the Consumer Confidence Report shall give information on each violation including the length of the violation, potential adverse health effects (PDWS only), and actions taken by the system to address the violation. To describe the potential health effects, the system shall use the relevant language pursuant to appendices 64465-A through H; and

(4) For detected unregulated contaminants for which monitoring is required (except Cryptosporidium), the table(s) shall contain the average and range at which the contaminant was detected.

(1) Monitoring and reporting of compliance data.

(2) Filtration, disinfection, and recycled provisions prescribed by sections 64652, 64652.5, 64653, 64653.5(b), or 64654. For systems that have failed to install adequate filtration or disinfection equipment or processes, or have had a failure of such equipment or processes that constitutes a violation, the Consumer Confidence Report shall include the health effects language pursuant to appendix 64465-B as part of the explanation of potential adverse health effects.

(3) One or more actions prescribed by the lead and copper requirements in sections 64673, 64674, 64683 through 64686, and 64688. To address potential adverse health effects, the Consumer Confidence Report shall include the applicable language pursuant to appendix 64465-D for lead, copper, or both.

(4) Treatment technique requirements for Acrylamide and Epichlorohydrin in section 64448; to address potential adverse health effects, the Consumer Confidence Report shall include the relevant language from appendix 64465-H.

(5) Recordkeeping of compliance data.

(6) Special monitoring requirements prescribed by section 64449(b)(2) and (g).

(7) Terms of a variance, an exemption, or an administrative or judicial order.

(1) An explanation of the reasons for the variance or exemption;

(2) The date on which the variance or exemption was issued;

(3) A brief status report on the steps the system is taking to install treatment, find alternative sources of water, or otherwise comply with the terms and schedules of the variance or exemption; and

(4) A notice of any opportunity for public input in the review, or renewal, of the variance or exemption.

(1) "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."

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

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

Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, that can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.

Pesticides and herbicides, that may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.

Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, that are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, agricultural application, and septic systems.

Radioactive contaminants, that can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities."

(3) "In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations and California law also establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that provide the same protection for public health."

(4) "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 USEPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791)."

(1) If a water system is required to comply with a Level 1 or Level 2 assessment requirement that is not due to an E. coli MCL violation, contain the information indicated in Table 64481-A;

Table 64481-A. CCR Language Level 1 or Level 2 Assessment Not Due to an E. coli MCL Violation CCR Language

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.

The water system shall include the following statements, as appropriate:

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.

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.

If the water system failed to complete all the required assessments or correct all identified sanitary defects, the water system is in violation of the treatment technique requirement and shall include the following statements, as appropriate:

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

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

(2) If a water system is required to comply with a Level 2 assessment requirement that is due to an E. coli MCL violation, contain the information indicated in Table 64481-B;

Table 64481-B. CCR Language Level 2 Assessment Due to an E. coli MCL Violation CCR Language

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.

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.

If a water system failed to complete the required assessment or correct all identified sanitary defects, the water system is in violation of the treatment technique requirement and shall include the following statements, as appropriate:

We failed to conduct the required assessment.

We failed to correct all sanitary defects that were identified during the assessment.

(3) If a water system detects E. coli and has violated the E. coli MCL, include one or more the following statements to describe any noncompliance, as applicable:

(4) If a water system detects E. coli and has not violated the E. coli MCL, may include a statement that explains that although they have detected E. coli, they are not in violation of the E. coli MCL.

(1) The total coliform MCL expressed as shown in table 64481-C.

Table 64481-C Total Coliform MCL for Consumer Confidence Report

(2) For total coliform:

(3) For fecal coliform and E. coli: the total number of positive samples during the year.

(4) The likely source(s) of any total coliform, fecal coliform, or E. coli detected. If the water system lacks specific information on the likely source, the table shall include the typical source for that contaminant listed in table 64481-D.

Table 64481-D Typical Origins of Microbiological Contaminants with Primary MCL

(5) Information on any data indicating violation of the total coliform MCL, including the length of the violation, potential adverse health effects, and actions taken by the water system to address the violation. To describe the potential health effects, the water system shall use the relevant language in table 64481-E.

Table 64481-E Health Effects Language for Microbiological Contaminants

(6) For violation of subsection (g)(1), (5), or (7), note the violation and give related information, including any potential adverse health effects, and the steps the water system has taken to correct the violation.

Appendix 64481-A. Typical Origins of Contaminants with Primary MCLs, MRDLs, Regulatory Action Levels, and Treatment Techniques

Appendix 64481-B. Typical Origins of Contaminants with Secondary MCLs