Section 809.835. Required additional health information for consumer confidence reports.

 

(1)   Additional health information for vulnerable populations. All reports shall prominently display the following language: "Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the environmental protection agency's safe drinking water hotline at 800-426-4791."

(2)   Additional arsenic information. Beginning July 1, 2002 a water supplier for a public water system that detects arsenic above 0.005 mg/L and up to and including 0.01 mg/L:

(a) Shall include in the report a short information statement about arsenic, using language such as: While your drinking water meets EPA's standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. EPA's standard balances the current understanding of arsenic's possible health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems.

(b) May write their own educational statement, but only in consultation with the department.

(2m)   Additional nitrate information. A system which detects nitrate at levels above 5 mg/L, but below the MCL:

(a) Shall include a short informational statement about the effects of nitrate on children using language such as: "Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant you should ask advice from your health care provider. Females who are or may become pregnant should not consume water with nitrate concentrations that exceed 10 ppm. There is some evidence of an association between exposure to high nitrate levels in drinking water during the first weeks of pregnancy and certain birth defects."

(b) May write its own educational material, but only in consultation with the department.

(3)   Additional lead information. Every report shall include the following lead-specific information:

(a) A short informational statement about lead in drinking water and its effects on children. The statement must include the following information: "If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. [NAME OF UTILITY] is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead . "

(b) A system may write its own educational statement, but only in consultation with the department.

CR 09-073 : cr. Register November 2010 No. 659 , eff. 12-1-10; CR 15-049 : cr. (2m), r. and recr. (3) Register March 2016 No. 723 , eff. 4-1-16.