Environmental Quality

Drinking Water

Rule R309-220: Monitoring and Water Quality: Public Notification Requirements

Effective Date: 08/26/2026

Admin. Code Reference: R309-220

Rule Type: Current Rule

R309. Environmental Quality, Drinking Water.

R309-220. Monitoring and Water Quality: Public Notification Requirements.

R309-220-1. Purpose.

The purpose of this rule is to outline the public notification requirements for public water systems.

R309-220-2. Authority.

This rule is promulgated by the Drinking Water Board as authorized by Section 19-4-104 and in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.

R309-220-3. Definitions.

Definitions for certain terms used in this rule are given in Rule R309-110 but may be further clarified in this rule.

R309-220-4. General Public Notification Requirements.

(1) Violation Categories and Other Situations Requiring a Public Notice:

Each owner or operator of a public water system, community water systems, non-transient non-community water systems, and transient non-community water systems, must give notice for all violations of Title R309 and for other situations, as listed in this subsection. The term "UPDWR violations" is used in this subpart to include violations of the maximum contaminant level (MCL), maximum residual disinfection level (MRDL), treatment technique (TT), monitoring requirements, and testing procedures contained in Rules R309-100 through R309-215.

(a) UPDWR Violations:

(i) Failure to comply with an applicable maximum contaminant level (MCL) or maximum residual disinfectant level (MRDL).

(ii) Failure to comply with a prescribed treatment technique (TT).

(iii) Failure to perform water quality monitoring, as required by the drinking water regulations.

(iv) Failure to comply with testing procedures as prescribed by a drinking water regulation.

(b) Variance and Exemptions under Sections R309-100-10 and R309-105-5.

(i) Operation under a variance or an exemption.

(ii) Failure to comply with the requirements of any schedule that has been set under a variance or exemption.

(i) Occurrence of a waterborne disease outbreak or other waterborne emergency.

(ii) Exceedance of the nitrate MCL by non-community water systems (NCWS), where granted permission by the director under Subsection R309-200-5(1)(c), Table 200-1, note (4)(b).

(iii) Exceedance of the secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) for fluoride.

(iv) Availability of unregulated contaminant monitoring data.

(v) Other violations and situations determined by the director to require a public notice under this subpart.

(vi) Exceedance of the lead action level per 40 CFR 141.80 (c) (October 30, 2024).

(2) Definition of Public Notice Tiers:

Public notice requirements are divided into three tiers, to take into account the seriousness of the violation or situation and of any potential adverse health effects that may be involved. The public notice requirements for each violation or situation listed in Subsection (1) are determined by the tier to which it is assigned. Each tier is defined in this subsection:

(a) Tier 1 public notice -- required for UPDWR violations and situations with significant potential to have serious adverse effects on human health as a result of short-term exposure.

(b) Tier 2 public notice -- required for all other UPDWR violations and situations with potential to have serious adverse effects on human health.

(3) Required Distribution of Notice

(a) Each public water system must provide public notice to persons served by the water system, in accordance with this rule. Public water systems that sell or otherwise provide drinking water to other public water systems such as a consecutive systems, are required to give public notice to the owner or operator of the consecutive system; the consecutive system is responsible for providing public notice to the persons it serves.

(b) If a public water system has a violation in a portion of the distribution system that is physically or hydraulically isolated from other parts of the distribution system, the director may allow the system to limit distribution of the public notice to only persons served by that portion of the system which is out of compliance. Permission by the director for limiting distribution of the notice must be granted in writing.

(c) A copy of the notice must also be sent to the director, in accordance with the requirements under Section R309-105-16 and Subsection R309-220-5(2)(d).

(4) Utah Division of Drinking Water incorporates by reference 40 CFR 141, Subpart Q, Appendix A, B, and C as published on October 30, 2024.

R309-220-5. Tier 1 Public Notice -- Form, Manner, and Frequency of Notice.

(1) Violation Categories and Other Situations Requiring a Tier 1 Public Notice:

(a) Violation of the MCL for total coliforms when E. coli are present, as defined in Subsection R309-211-9(1);

(b) Violation of the MCL for nitrate, nitrite, or total nitrate and nitrite, as defined in Subsection R309-200-5(1)(c), Table 200-1, or when the water system fails to take a confirmation sample within 24 hours of the system's receipt of the first sample showing an exceedance of the nitrate or nitrite MCL, as specified in Subsection R309-205-5(1)(e)(ii);

(c) Exceedance of the nitrate MCL by non-community water systems, where permitted to exceed the MCL by the director under Subsection R309-200-5(1)(c), Table 200-1, note (4)(b), as required under Section R309-220-12;

(d) Violation of the MRDL for chlorine dioxide, as defined in 40 CFR 141.65(a), when one or more samples taken in the distribution system the day following an exceedance of the MRDL at the entrance of the distribution system exceed the MRDL, or when the water system does not take the required samples in the distribution system, as specified in 40 CFR 141.133(c)(2)(i);

(e) Violation of the turbidity MCL under Subsection R309-200-5(5)(a), where the director determines after consultation that a Tier 1 notice is required or where consultation does not take place within 24 hours after the system learns of the violation;

(f) Violation of the Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment rule (IESWTR), or the Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment rule (LT1ESWTR) treatment technique requirement resulting from a single exceedance of the maximum allowable turbidity limit, where the director determines after consultation that a Tier 1 notice is required or where consultation does not take place within 24 hours after the system learns of the violation;

(g) Occurrence of a waterborne disease outbreak, as defined in Rule R309-110, or other waterborne emergency, such as a failure or significant interruption in key water treatment processes, a natural disaster that disrupts the water supply or distribution system, or a chemical spill or unexpected loading of possible pathogens into the source water that significantly increases the potential for drinking water contamination;

(h) Other violations or situations with significant potential to have serious adverse effects on human health as a result of short-term exposure, as determined by the director either in its rules or on a case-by-case basis.

(i) Detection of E. coli, enterococci, or coliphage in source water samples as specified in Subsections R309-215-16(2)(a) and R309-215-16(2)(b).

(j) Exceedance of the Action Level for lead as specified in 40 CFR 141.80(c) (October 30, 2024).

(2) Frequency of the Tier 1 Public Notice and Additional Steps Required:

Public water systems must:

(a) Provide a public notice as soon as practical but no later than 24 hours after the system learns of the violation or situation requiring Tier 1 public notice;

(b) Initiate consultation with the director as soon as practical, but no later than 24 hours after the public water system learns of the violation or situation, to determine additional public notice requirements; and

(c) Comply with any additional public notification requirements, including any repeat notices or direction on the duration of the posted notices that are established as a result of the consultation with the director. Such requirements may include the timing, form, manner, frequency, and content of repeat notices and other actions designed to reach all persons served.

(d) For Tier 1 notices for a lead action level exceedance, public water systems must provide a copy of the Tier 1 notice to the director of the Division as soon as practicable, but not later than 24 hours after the public water system learns of the exceedance.

(3) Form and Manner of the Public Notice:

Public water systems must provide the notice within 24 hours in a form and manner reasonably calculated to reach all persons served. The form and manner used by the public water system are to fit the specific situation, but must be designed to reach residential, transient, and non-transient users of the water system. To reach all persons served, water systems are to use, at a minimum, one or more of the following forms of delivery:

(a) Appropriate broadcast media, such as radio and television;

(b) Posting of the notice in conspicuous locations throughout the area served by the water system;

(d) Another delivery method approved in writing by the director.

R309-220-6. Tier 2 Public Notice -- Form, Manner, and Frequency of Notice.

(1) Violation Categories And Other Situations Requiring a Tier 2 Public Notice:

(a) All violations of the MCL, MRDL, seasonal system treatment technique requirements, and treatment technique requirements, except where a Tier 1 notice is required under Subsection R309-220-5(1) or where the director determines that a Tier 1 notice is required;

(b) Violations of the monitoring and testing procedure requirements, where the director determines that a Tier 2 rather than a Tier 3 public notice is required, taking into account potential health impacts and persistence of the violation; and

(d) Failure to take corrective action or failure to maintain at least 4-log treatment of viruses through inactivation, removal, or an director-approved combination of 4-log virus inactivation and removal before or at the first customer under Subsection R309-215-16(3)(a).

(e) A public water system that is subject to any formal enforcement action issued by the director, including a Compliance Agreement Enforcement Order (CAEO), Not Approved Order (NAO), Stipulated Order to Disinfect (SOTD), Groundwater Under the Direct Influence Determination and Order to Treat (OTT), or New System Order (NSO) shall provide public notice to all consumers served by the system in accordance with this section.

(2) Frequency of the Tier 2 Public Notice:

(a) Public water systems must provide the public notice as soon as practical, but no later than 30 days after the system learns of the violation. If the public notice is posted, the notice must remain in place for as long as the violation or situation persists, but in no case for less than seven days, even if the violation or situation is resolved. The director may, in appropriate circumstances, allow additional time for the initial notice of up to three months from the date the system learns of the violation. It is not appropriate for the director to grant an extension to the 30-day deadline for any unresolved violation or to allow across-the-board extensions by rule or policy for other violations or situations requiring a Tier 2 public notice. Extensions granted by the director must be in writing.

(b) The public water system must repeat the notice every three months as long as the violation or situation persists, unless the director determines that appropriate circumstances warrant a different repeat notice frequency. In no circumstance may the repeat notice be given less frequently than once per year. It is not appropriate for the director to allow less frequent repeat notice for an MCL or treatment technique violation under the Total Coliform Rule or Rule R309-211 or a treatment technique violation under the Surface Water Treatment Rule, Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule or Filter Backwash Recycling Rule. It is also not appropriate for the director to allow through its rules or policies across-the-board reductions in the repeat notice frequency for other ongoing violations requiring a Tier 2 repeat notice. Director determinations allowing repeat notices to be given less frequently than once every three months must be in writing.

(c) For the turbidity violations specified in this subsection, public water systems must consult with the director as soon as practical but no later than 24 hours after the public water system learns of the violation, to determine whether a Tier 1 public notice under Subsection R309-220-5(1) is required to protect public health. When consultation does not take place within the 24-hour period, the water system must distribute a Tier 1 notice of the violation within the next 24 hours, no later than 48 hours after the system learns of the violation, following the requirements under Subsections R309-220-5(2) and (3). Consultation with the director is required for:

(i) Violation of the turbidity MCL under Subsection R309-200-5(5)(a); or

(ii) Violation of the SWTR, IESWTR, or LT1ESWTR treatment technique requirement resulting from a single exceedance of the maximum allowable turbidity limit.

(3) Form and Manner of the Public Notice:

Public water systems must provide the initial public notice and any repeat notices in a form and manner that is reasonably calculated to reach persons served in the required time period. The form and manner of the public notice may vary based on the specific situation and type of water system, but it must at a minimum meet the following requirements:

(a) Unless directed otherwise by the director in writing, community water systems must provide notice by:

(i) Mail or other direct delivery to each customer receiving a bill and to other service connections to which water is delivered by the public water system; and

(ii) Any other method reasonably calculated to reach other persons regularly served by the system, if they would not normally be reached by the notice required in Subsection (3)(a)(i). Such persons may include those who do not pay water bills or do not have service connection addresses such as house renters, apartment dwellers, university students, nursing home patients, prison inmates. Other methods may include: publication in a local newspaper; delivery of multiple copies for distribution by customers that provide their drinking water to others such as apartment building owners or large private employers, posting in public places served by the system or on the internet; or delivery to community organizations.

(b) Unless directed otherwise by the director in writing, non-community water systems must provide notice by:

(i) Posting the notice in conspicuous locations throughout the distribution system frequented by persons served by the system, or by mail or direct delivery to each customer and service connection, where known; and

(ii) Any other method reasonably calculated to reach other persons served by the system if they would not normally be reached by the notice required in Subsection (3)(b)(i). Such persons may include those served who may not see a posted notice because the posted notice is not in a location they routinely pass by. Other methods may include: publication in a local newspaper or newsletter distributed to customers; use of email to notify employees or students; or, delivery of multiple copies in central locations such as community centers.

R309-220-7. Tier 3 Public Notice -- Form, Manner, and Frequency of Notice.

(1) Violation Categories And Other Situations Requiring a Tier 3 Public Notice:

(a) Monitoring violations under Rules R309-205, R309-210, and R309-215, except where a Tier 1 notice is required under Subsection R309-220-5(1) or where the director determines that a Tier 2 notice is required;

(b) Failure to comply with a testing procedure established in Rules R309-205, R309-210, and R309-215, except where a Tier 1 notice is required under Subsection R309-220-5(1) or where the director determines that a Tier 2 notice is required;

(d) Availability of unregulated contaminant monitoring results, as required under Section R309-220-10;

(e) Exceedance of the fluoride secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL), as required under Section R309-220-11; and

(f) Reporting and Recordkeeping violations under Rule R309-211.

(2) Frequency of the Tier 3 Public Notice:

(a) Public water systems must provide the public notice not later than one year after the public water system learns of the violation or situation or begins operating under a variance or exemption. Following the initial notice, the public water system must repeat the notice annually for as long as the violation, variance, exemption, or other situation persists. If the public notice is

posted, the notice must remain in place for as long as the violation, variance, exemption, or other situation persists, but in no case less than seven days, even if the violation or situation is resolved.

(b) Instead of individual Tier 3 public notices, a public water system may use an annual report detailing all violations and situations that occurred during the previous 12 months, as long as the timing requirements of Subsection (2)(a) are met.

(3) Form and Manner of the Public Notice:

Public water systems must provide the initial notice and any repeat notices in a form and manner that is reasonably calculated to reach persons served in the required time period. The form and manner of the public notice may vary based on the specific situation and type of water system, but it must at a minimum meet the following requirements:

(a) Unless directed otherwise by the director in writing, community water systems must provide notice by:

(i) Mail or other direct delivery to each customer receiving a bill and to other service connections to which water is delivered by the public water system; and

(ii) Any other method reasonably calculated to reach other persons regularly served by the system, if they would not normally be reached by the notice required in Subsection (3)(a)(i). Such persons may include those who do not pay water bills or do not have service connection addresses such as house renters, apartment dwellers, university students, nursing home patients, prison inmates. Other methods may include: publication in a local newspaper; delivery of multiple copies for distribution by customers that provide their drinking water to others such as apartment building owners or large private employers; posting in public places or on the internet; or delivery to community organizations.

(b) Unless directed otherwise by the director in writing, non-community water systems must provide notice by:

(ii) Any other method reasonably calculated to reach other persons served by the system, if they would not normally be reached by the notice required in Subsection (3)(b)(i). Such persons may include those who may not see a posted notice because the notice is not in a location they routinely pass by. Other methods may include: publication in a local newspaper or newsletter distributed to customers; use of email to notify employees or students; or, delivery of multiple copies in central locations such as community centers.

(4) Use of the Consumer Confidence Report to meet the Tier 3 public notice requirements:

For community water systems, the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) required under Rule R309-225 may be used as a vehicle for the initial Tier 3 public notice and all required repeat notices, as long as:

(a) The CCR is provided to persons served no later than 12 months after the system learns of the violation or situation as required under Subsection R309-220-7(2);

(b) The Tier 3 notice contained in the CCR follows the content requirements under Section R309-220-8; and

R309-220-8. Content of the Public Notice.

(1) When a public water system violates a UPDWR or has a situation requiring public notification, each public notice must include the following elements:

(a) A description of the violation or situation, including the contaminants of concern, and, as applicable, the contaminant levels;

(b) When the violation or situation occurred;

(c) Any potential adverse health effects from the violation or situation, including the standard language under Subsection (4)(a) or (4)(b), whichever applies;

(d) The population at risk, including subpopulations particularly vulnerable if exposed to the contaminant in their drinking water;

(e) Whether alternative water supplies should be used;

(f) What actions consumers should take, including when they should seek medical help, if known;

(g) What the system is doing to correct the violation or situation;

(h) When the water system expects to return to compliance or resolve the situation;

(i) The name, business address, and phone number of the water system owner, operator, or designee of the public water system as a source of additional information concerning the notice; and

(j) A statement to encourage the notice recipient to distribute the public notice to other persons served, using the standard language under Subsection (4)(c), where applicable.

(2) Required elements to be included in the public notice for public water systems operating under a variance or exemption:

(a) If a public water system has been granted a variance or an exemption, the public notice must contain:

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

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

(iii) 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

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

(b) If a public water system violates the conditions of a variance or exemption, the public notice must contain the ten elements listed in Subsection (1).

(3) Presentation of the public notice.

(a) Each public notice required by this section:

(i) Must be displayed in a conspicuous way when printed or posted;

(ii) Must not contain overly technical language or very small print;

(iii) Must not be formatted in a way that defeats the purpose of the notice;

(iv) Must not contain language which nullifies the purpose of the notice.

(b) Each public notice required by this section must comply with multilingual requirements, as follows:

(i) For public water systems serving a large proportion of non-English speaking consumers, as determined by the director, the public notice must contain information in the appropriate languages regarding the importance of the notice or contain a telephone number or address where persons served may contact the water system to obtain a translated copy of the notice or to request assistance in the appropriate language.

(ii) In cases where the director has not determined what constitutes a large proportion of non-English speaking consumers, the public water system must include in the public notice the same information as in Subsection (3)(b)(i), where appropriate to reach a large proportion of non-English speaking persons served by the water system.

(4) Public water systems are required to include the following standard language in their public notice:

(a) Standard health effects language for MCL or MRDL violations, treatment technique violations, and violations of the condition of a variance or exemption. Public water systems must include in each public notice the health effects language specified in Section R309-220-14 corresponding to each MCL, MRDL, and treatment technique violation and for each violation of a condition of a variance or exemption.

(b) Standard language for monitoring and testing procedure violations.

Public water systems must include the following language in their notice, including the language necessary to fill in the blanks, for all monitoring and testing procedure violations: "We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not your drinking water meets health standards. During (compliance period), we ('did not monitor or test' or 'did not complete all monitoring or testing') for (contaminant(s)), and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of your drinking water during that time."

(c) Standard language to encourage the distribution of the public notice to all persons served. Public water systems must include in their notice the following language, where applicable: "Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail."

R309-220-9. Notice to New Billing Units or New Customers.

(1) Community water systems must give a copy of the most recent public notice for any continuing violation, the existence of a variance or exemption, or other ongoing situations requiring a public notice to all new billing units or new customers before or when service begins.

(2) Non-community water systems must continuously post the public notice in conspicuous locations to inform new consumers of any continuing violation, variance or exemption, or other situation requiring a public notice for as long as the violation, variance, exemption, or other situation persists.

R309-220-10. Special Notice of the Availability of Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Results.

(1) Applicability of the special notice: The owner or operator of a community water system or non-transient, non-community water system required to monitor under 40 CFR section 141.40 must notify persons served by the system of the availability of the results of such sampling no later than 12 months after the monitoring results are known.

(2) Required form and manner of the special notice: The form and manner of the public notice must follow the requirements for a Tier 3 public notice prescribed in Subsections R309-220-7(3), (4)(a), and (4)(c). The notice must also identify a person and provide the telephone number to contact for information on the monitoring results.

R309-220-11. Special Notice for Exceedance of the Secondary MCL for Fluoride.

(1) Applicability of the special notice: Community water systems that exceed the fluoride secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) of 2 mg/l as specified in Section R309-200-6, determined by the last single sample taken in accordance with Section R309-205-5, but do not exceed the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 4 mg/l for fluoride, as specified in Section R309-200-5, must provide the public notice in Subsection (3) to persons served. Public notice must be provided as soon as practical but no later than 12 months from the day the water system learns of the exceedance. A copy of the notice must also be sent to all new billing units and new customers when service begins and to the state public health officer. The public water system must repeat the notice at least annually for as long as the SMCL is exceeded. If the public notice is posted, the notice must remain in place for as long as the SMCL is exceeded, but in no case less than seven days, even if the exceedance is eliminated. On a case-by-case basis, the director may require an initial notice sooner than 12 months and repeat notices more frequently than annually.

(2) Required form and manner of the special notice: The form and manner of the public notice, including repeat notices, must follow the requirements for a Tier 3 public notice in Subsections R309-220-7(3), (4)(a), and (4)(c).

(3) Required mandatory language to be contained in the special notice: The notice must contain the following language, including the language necessary to fill in the blanks:

This is an alert about your drinking water and a cosmetic dental problem that might affect children under nine years of age. At low levels, fluoride can help prevent cavities, but children drinking water containing more than 2 milligrams per liter

(mg/l) of fluoride may develop cosmetic discoloration of their permanent teeth (dental fluorosis). The drinking water provided by your community water system (name) has a fluoride concentration of (insert value) mg/l.

Dental fluorosis, in its moderate or severe forms, may result in a brown staining, pitting, or both of the permanent teeth. This problem occurs only in developing teeth, before they erupt from the gums. Children under nine should be provided with alternative sources of drinking water or water that has been treated to remove the fluoride to avoid the possibility of staining and pitting of their permanent teeth. You may also want to contact your dentist about proper use by young children of fluoride-containing products. Older children and adults may safely drink the water.

Drinking water containing more than 4 mg/l of fluoride (the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's drinking water standard) can increase your risk of developing bone disease. Your drinking water does not contain more than 4 mg/l of fluoride, but we're required to notify you when we discover that the fluoride levels in your drinking water exceed 2 mg/l because of this cosmetic dental problem.

For more information, please call (name of water system contact) of (name of community water system) at (phone number). Some home water treatment units are also available to remove fluoride from drinking water. To learn more about available home water treatment units, you may call NSF International at 1-877-8-NSF-HELP.

R309-220-12. Special Notice for Nitrate Exceedances above MCL by Non-Community Water Systems (NCWS), where Granted Permission by the Director.

(1) Applicability of the special notice: The owner or operator of a non-community water system granted permission by the director under Subsection R309-200-5(1)(c), Table 200-1, note (4)(b) to exceed the nitrate MCL must provide notice to persons served according to the requirements for a Tier 1 notice under Subsections R309-220-5(1) and (2).

(2) Required form and manner of the special notice: Non-community water systems granted permission by the director to exceed the nitrate MCL under Subsection R309-200-5(1)(c), Table 200-1, note (4)(b) must provide continuous posting of the fact that nitrate levels exceed 10 mg/l and the potential health effects of exposure, according to the requirements for Tier 1 notice delivery under Subsection R309-220-5(3) and the content requirements under Section R309-220-8.

R309-220-13. Special Notice for Repeated Failure to Conduct Monitoring of the Source Water for Cryptosporidium and for Failure to Determine Bin Classification or Mean Cryptospridium Level.

(1) Applicability of the special notice for repeated failure to monitor: The owner or operator of a community or non-community water system that is required to monitor source water under Subsection R309-215-15(2) must notify persons served by the water system that monitoring has not been completed as specified no later than 30 days after the system has failed to collect any 3 months of monitoring as specified in Subsection R309-215-15(2)(c). The notice must be repeated as specified in Subsection R309-220-6(2).

(2) Applicability of the special notice for failure to determine bin classification: The owner or operator of a community or non-community water system that is required to determine a bin classification under Subsection R309-215-15(11) must notify persons served by the water system that the determination has not been made as required no later than 30 days after the system has failed report the determination as specified in Subsection R309-215-15(11)(e). The notice must be repeated as specified in Subsection R309-220-6(2). The notice is not required if the system is complying with a director-approved schedule to address the violation.

(3) Required form and manner of the special notice: The form and manner of the public notice must follow the requirements for a Tier 2 public notice prescribed in Subsection R309-220-6(3). The public notice must be presented as required in Subsection R309-220-8(3).

(4) Required mandatory language to be contained in the special notice: The notice must contain the following language, including the language necessary to fill in the blanks.

(a) The special notice for repeated failure to conduct monitoring must contain the following language: We are required to monitor the source of your drinking water for Cryptosporidium. Results of the monitoring are to be used to determine whether water treatment at the (treatment plant name) is sufficient to adequately remove Cryptosporidium from your drinking water. We are required to complete this monitoring and make this determination by (required bin determination date). We "did not monitor or test" or "did not complete all monitoring or testing on schedule" and, therefore, we may not be able to determine by the required date what treatment modifications, if any, must be made to ensure adequate Cryptosporidium removal. Missing this deadline may, in turn, jeopardize our ability to have the required treatment modifications, if any, completed by the deadline required, (date). For more information, please call (name of water system contact) of (name of water system) at (phone number).

(b) The special notice for failure to determine bin classification or mean Cryptosporidium level must contain the following language: We are required to monitor the source of your drinking water for Cryptosporidium to determine by (date) whether water treatment at the (treatment plant name) is sufficient to adequately remove Cryptosporidium from your drinking water. We have not made this determination by the required date. Our failure to do this may jeopardize our ability to have the required treatment modifications, if any, completed by the required deadline of (date). For more information, please call (name of water system contact) of (name of water system) at (phone number).

(c) Each special notice must also include a description of what the system is doing to correct the violation and when the system expects to return to compliance or resolve the situation.

R309-220-14. Notice by Director on Behalf of the Public Water System.

(1) The director may give the notice required by this rule on behalf of the owner and operator of the public water system if the director complies with the requirements of this rule.

(2) The owner or operator of the public water system remains responsible for ensuring that the requirements of this rule are met.

R309-220-15. Standard Health Effects Language.

Microbiological Contaminants:

(1) Total Coliform. 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 assessments to identify problems and to correct any problems that were found during these assessments.

(2) Coliform Assessment and Corrective Action Violation. 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 are found. (THE SYSTEM MUST USE THE FOLLOWING APPLICABLE SENTENCES.) We failed to conduct the required assessment. We failed to correct all identified sanitary defects that were found during the assessments.

(3) E.Coli Assessment and Corrective Action Violations. 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 violated the standard for E. coli, indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treatment or distribution. When this occurs, we are required to conduct a detailed assessment to identify problems and to correct any problems that are found. (THE SYSTEM MUST USE THE FOLLOWING APPLICABLE SENTENCES.) We failed to conduct the required assessment. We failed to correct all identified sanitary defects that were found during the assessment that we conducted.

(4) E. coli. 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

(5) Seasonal System TT Violations. When this violation includes the failure to monitor for total coliforms or E. coli before serving water to the public, the mandatory language found at Subsection R309-220-8(4)(b) must be used. When this violation includes failure to complete other actions, the appropriate elements found in Subsection R309-220-8(1) to describe the violation must be used.

(6) Total organic carbon. Total organic carbon (TOC) has no health effects. However, total organic carbon provides a medium for the formation of disinfection byproducts. These byproducts include trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Drinking water containing these byproducts in excess of the MCL may lead to adverse health effects, liver or kidney problems, or nervous system effects, and may lead to an increased risk of getting cancer.

(7) Turbidity. Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may show the presence of disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (IESWTR), Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT1) and Filter Backwash Recycling Rule (FBRR) violations.

(8) Giardia lamblia. Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

(9) Viruses. Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

(10) Heterotrophic plate count (HPC) bacteria. Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

(11) Legionella. Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

(12) Cryptosporidium. Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

(13) Fecal Indicators. Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term health effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.

Radioactive Contaminants:

(14) Alpha emitters. Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha radiation. Some people who drink water containing alpha emitters in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(15) Beta/photon emitters. Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit forms of radiation known as photons and beta radiation. Some people who drink water containing beta and photon emitters in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(16) Combined Radium 226/228. Some people who drink water containing radium 226 or 228 in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(17) Uranium. Some people who drink water containing uranium in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer and kidney toxicity.

Inorganic Contaminants:

(18) Antimony. Some people who drink water containing antimony well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience increases in blood cholesterol and decreases in blood sugar.

(19) Arsenic. Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years could experience skin damage or problems with their circulatory system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(20) Asbestos. Some people who drink water containing asbestos in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of developing benign intestinal polyps.

(21) Barium. Some people who drink water containing barium in excess of the MCL over many years could experience an increase in their blood pressure.

(22) Beryllium. Some people who drink water containing beryllium well in excess of the MCL over many years could develop intestinal lesions.

(23) Cadmium. Some people who drink water containing cadmium in excess of the MCL over many years could experience kidney damage.

(24) Chromium. Some people who use water containing chromium well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience allergic dermatitis.

(25) Copper. Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson's Disease should consult their personal doctor.

(26) Cyanide. Some people who drink water containing cyanide well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience nerve damage or problems with their thyroid.

(27) Fluoride. Some people who drink water containing fluoride in excess of the MCL over many years could get bone disease, including pain and tenderness of the bones. Fluoride in drinking water at half the MCL or more may cause mottling of children's teeth, usually in children less than nine years old. Mottling, also known as dental fluorosis, may include brown staining, pitting, or both of the teeth, and occurs only in developing teeth before they erupt from the gums.

(28) Lead. There is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups, especially pregnant people, infants, both formula-fed and breastfed, and young children. Some of the health effects to infants and children include decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can also result in new or worsened learning and behavior problems. The children of persons who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy may be at increased risk of these harmful health effects. Adults have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems. Contact your health care provider for more information about your risks.

(29) Mercury (inorganic). Some people who drink water containing inorganic mercury well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience kidney damage.

(30) Nitrate. Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome.

(31) Nitrite. Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrite in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome.

(32) Selenium. Selenium is an essential nutrient. However, some people who drink water containing selenium in excess of the MCL over many years could experience hair or fingernail losses, numbness in fingers or toes, or problems with their circulation.

(33) Thallium. Some people who drink water containing thallium in excess of the MCL over many years could experience hair loss, changes in their blood, or problems with their kidneys, intestines, or liver.

Synthetic organic contaminants including pesticides and herbicides:

(34) 2,4-D. Some people who drink water containing the weed killer 2,4-D well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their kidneys, liver, or adrenal glands.

(35) 2,4,5-TP (Silvex). Some people who drink water containing silvex in excess of the MCL over many years could experience liver problems.

(36) Acrylamide. Some people who drink water containing high levels of acrylamide over a long period could have problems with their nervous system or blood, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(37) Alachlor. Some people who drink water containing alachlor in excess of the MCL over many years could have problems with their eyes, liver, kidneys, or spleen, or experience anemia, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(38) Atrazine. Some people who drink water containing atrazine well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their cardiovascular system or reproductive difficulties.

(39) Benzo(a)pyrene (PAH). Some people who drink water containing benzo(a)pyrene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience reproductive difficulties and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(40) Carbofuran. Some people who drink water containing carbofuran in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their blood, or nervous or reproductive systems.

(41) Chlordane. Some people who drink water containing chlordane in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver or nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(42) Dalapon. Some people who drink water containing dalapon well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience minor kidney changes.

(43) Di (2-ethylhexyl) adipate. Some people who drink water containing di (2-ethylhexyl) adipate well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience general toxic effects or reproductive difficulties.

(44) Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. Some people who drink water containing di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in excess of the MCL over many years may have problems with their liver, or experience reproductive difficulties, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(45) Dibromochloropropane (DBCP). Some people who drink water containing DBCP in excess of the MCL over many years could experience reproductive difficulties and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(46) Dinoseb. Some people who drink water containing dinoseb well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience reproductive difficulties.

(47) Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD). Some people who drink water containing dioxin in excess of the MCL over many years could experience reproductive difficulties and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(48) Diquat. Some people who drink water containing diquat in excess of the MCL over many years could get cataracts.

(49) Endothall. Some people who drink water containing endothall in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their stomach or intestines.

(50) Endrin. Some people who drink water containing endrin in excess of the MCL over many years could experience liver problems.

(51) Epichlorohydrin. Some people who drink water containing high levels of epichlorohydrin over a long period could experience stomach problems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(52) Ethylene dibromide. Some people who drink water containing ethylene dibromide in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver, stomach, reproductive system, or kidneys, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(53) Glyphosate. Some people who drink water containing glyphosate in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their kidneys or reproductive difficulties.

(54) Hazard Index PFAS (HFPO-DA, PFBS, PFHxS, and PFNA) (unitless). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can persist in the human body and exposure may lead to increased risk of adverse health effects. Low levels of multiple PFAS that individually would not likely result in increased risk of adverse health effects may result in adverse health effects when combined in a mixture. Some people who consume drinking water containing mixtures of PFAS in excess of the Hazard Index (HI) MCL may have increased health risks such as liver, immune, and thyroid effects following exposure over many years and developmental and thyroid effects following repeated exposure during pregnancy and childhood.

(55) Heptachlor. Some people who drink water containing heptachlor in excess of the MCL over many years could experience liver damage and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(56) Heptachlor epoxide. Some people who drink water containing heptachlor epoxide in excess of the MCL over many years could experience liver damage, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(57) Hexachlorobenzene. Some people who drink water containing hexachlorobenzene in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver or kidneys, or adverse reproductive effects, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(58) Hexachlorocyclopentadiene. Some people who drink water containing hexachlorocyclopentadiene well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their kidneys or stomach.

(59) HFPO-DA. Some people who drink water containing HFPO-DA in excess of the MCL over many years may have increased health risks such as immune, liver, and kidney effects. There is also a potential concern for cancer associated with HFPO-DA exposure. In addition, there may be increased risks of developmental effects for people who drink water containing HFPO-DA in excess of the MCL following repeated exposure during pregnancy and childhood.

(60) Lindane. Some people who drink water containing lindane in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their kidneys or liver.

(61) Methoxychlor. Some people who drink water containing methoxychlor in excess of the MCL over many years could experience reproductive difficulties.

(62) Oxamyl (Vydate). Some people who drink water containing oxamyl in excess of the MCL over many years could experience slight nervous system effects.

(62) PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls). Some people who drink water containing PCBs in excess of the MCL over many years could experience changes in their skin, problems with their thymus gland, immune deficiencies, or reproductive or nervous system difficulties, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(63) Pentachlorophenol. Some people who drink water containing pentachlorophenol in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver or kidneys, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(64) PFHxS. Some people who drink water containing PFHxS in excess of the MCL over many years may have increased health risks such as immune, thyroid, and liver effects. In addition, there may be increased risks of developmental effects for people who drink water containing PFHxS in excess of the MCL following repeated exposure during pregnancy and childhood.

(65) PFNA. Some people who drink water containing PFNA in excess of the MCL over many years may have increased health risks such as elevated cholesterol levels, immune effects, and liver effects. In addition, there may be increased risks of developmental effects for people who drink water containing PFNA in excess of the MCL following repeated exposure during pregnancy and childhood.

(66) PFOA. Some people who drink water containing PFOA in excess of the MCL over many years may have increased health risks such as cardiovascular, immune, and liver effects, as well as increased incidence of certain types of cancers including kidney and testicular cancer. In addition, there may be increased risks of developmental and immune effects for people who drink water containing PFOA in excess of the MCL following repeated exposure during pregnancy and childhood.

(67) PFOS. Some people who drink water containing PFOS in excess of the MCL over many years may have increased health risks such as cardiovascular, immune, and liver effects, as well as increased incidence of certain types of cancers including liver cancer. In addition, there may be increased risks of developmental and immune effects for people who drink water containing PFOS in excess of the MCL following repeated exposure during pregnancy and childhood.

(68) Picloram. Some people who drink water containing picloram in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver.

(69) Simazine. Some people who drink water containing simazine in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their blood.

(70) Toxaphene. Some people who drink water containing toxaphene in excess of the MCL over many years could have problems with their kidneys, liver, or thyroid, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Volatile Organic Contaminants:

(71) Benzene. Some people who drink water containing benzene in excess of the MCL over many years could experience anemia or a decrease in blood platelets, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(72) Bromate. Some people who drink water containing bromate in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(73) Carbon Tetrachloride. Some people who drink water containing carbon tetrachloride in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(74) Chloramines. Some people who use water containing chloramines well in excess of the MRDL could experience irritating effects to their eyes and nose. Some people who drink water containing chloramines well in excess of the MRDL could experience stomach discomfort or anemia.

(75) Chlorine. Some people who use water containing chlorine well in excess of the MRDL could experience irritating effects to their eyes and nose. Some people who drink water containing chlorine well in excess of the MRDL could experience stomach discomfort.

(76) Chlorite. Some infants and young children who drink water containing chlorite in excess of the MCL could experience nervous system effects. Similar effects may occur in fetuses of pregnant women who drink water containing chlorite in excess of the MCL. Some people may experience anemia.

(77) Chlorine dioxide. Some infants and young children who drink water containing chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL could experience nervous system effects. Similar effects may occur in fetuses of pregnant women who drink water containing chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL. Some people may experience anemia.

(78) Chlorobenzene. Some people who drink water containing chlorobenzene in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver or kidneys.

(79) o-Dichlorobenzene. Some people who drink water containing o-dichlorobenzene well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or circulatory systems.

(80) p-Dichlorobenzene. Some people who drink water containing p-dichlorobenzene in excess of the MCL over many years could experience anemia, damage to their liver, kidneys, or spleen, or changes in their blood.

(81) 1,2-Dichloroethane. Some people who drink water containing 1,2-dichloroethane in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(82) 1,1-Dichloroethylene. Some people who drink water containing 1,1-dichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver.

(83) cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene. Some people who drink water containing cis-1,2-dichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver.

(84) trans-1,2-Dicholoroethylene. Some people who drink water containing trans-1,2-dichloroethylene well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver.

(85) Dichloromethane. Some people who drink water containing dichloromethane in excess of the MCL over many years could have liver problems and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(86) 1,2-Dichloropropane. Some people who drink water containing 1,2-dichloropropane in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(87) Ethylbenzene. Some people who drink water containing ethylbenzene well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver or kidneys.

(88) Haloacetic Acids (HAA). Some people who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(89) Styrene. Some people who drink water containing styrene well in excess of the MCL over many years could have problems with their liver, kidneys, or circulatory system.

(90) Tetrachloroethylene. Some people who drink water containing tetrachloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years could have problems with their liver, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(91) 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene. Some people who drink water containing 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience changes in their adrenal glands.

(92) 1,1,1,-Trichloroethane. Some people who drink water containing 1,1,1-trichloroethane in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver, nervous system, or circulatory system.

(93) 1,1,2-Trichloroethane. Some people who drink water containing 1,1,2-trichloroethane well in excess of the MCL over many years could have problems with their liver, kidneys, or immune systems.

(94) Trichloroethylene. Some people who drink water containing trichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years could experience problems with their liver and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(95) TTHMs (Total Trihalomethanes). Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(96) Toluene. Some people who drink water containing toluene well in excess of the MCL over many years could have problems with their nervous system, kidneys, or liver.

(97) Vinyl Chloride. Some people who drink water containing vinyl chloride in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

(98) Xylenes. Some people who drink water containing xylenes in excess of the MCL over many years could experience damage to their nervous system.

KEY: drinking water, public notification, health effects

Date of Last Change: August 26, 2026

Notice of Continuation: February 10, 2025

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 19-4-104