Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024
(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.
