Recently, there has been an uptick in media interest in drinking water contaminants, thanks in part to the release of the Tap Water Database, by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). According to its website, the EWG obtained water testing data for the period of 2010 to 2015 from all 50 States.
The information in the Database can be confusing because EWG made its assessments based on non-enforceable health guidelines published by health and environmental agencies, including the State of California; EWG’s own research; as well as Federal legal limits. When residents and journalists search the EWG Database, they may find that the local drinking water systems exceed contaminant limits listed by the EWG.
The good news is, your water system is likely already equipped with the information the media and your customers are seeking, thanks to the Safe Drinking Water Act requirement to provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to the public.
The CCR, frequently known as the annual Water Quality Report, summarizes the results of the previous year’s drinking water quality analyses, communicates information about a water supply system, and conveys health impacts of drinking water. Assuming your water system already made paper copies of the CCR available and/or posted a direct link to the entire report on the utility’s website as required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it’s a good idea to remind customers that the information is always available.
Check out the infographic created by AE2S Communications’ Taylor Corbett to view seven suggestions for proactively promoting your utility’s water quality, using your CCR.