Public notification
If the drinking water supply becomes contaminated, many people can
become seriously ill or die. Therefore, state and federal laws require
water systems to notify their customers any time a problem with drinking
water poses a health risk. Notifying customers - as soon as possible -
when their water may not be safe to drink, gives them time to protect
themselves and their families.
Public Notification Rules apply to all Group
A public water systems. Group A systems have 15 or more service
connections or serve 25 or more people per day for 60 or more days per year.
We provide technical assistance for water systems.
Timing and distribution requirements
Public notification timing and distribution requirements depend on the
level of threat associated with the violation or event.
- Tier 1: Acute health concerns require notification within 24
hours.
- Tier 2: Chronic health concerns require notification within
30 days.
- Tier 3: Reporting and monitoring violations require
notification within 365 days.
You must send a copy of all public notifications and the appropriate
Public Notice Certification to the Office of Drinking Water (ODW).
Group A public water systems must notify their customers whenever
they:
- Violate drinking water quality or monitoring requirements.
- Operate under a variance or exemption.
- Have any situation that poses a public health risk, such as a
disruption in service.
- Receive an order from ODW.
- Fail to comply with an ODW order.
- Receive a red operating permit.
Public notification rules
Public notification rules, including the following, are in
Group A
Public Water Supplies: Chapter 246-290 WAC (DOH 331-010). See Part
7, Reporting, Subpart A.
- A list of violations and situations that require 24-hour
notification.
- Simplified health effects language.
- Standard language for monitoring violations.
Water systems may combine notices for individual violations into their
annual Consumer Confidence Reports, as long as they meet the public
notification timing requirements.
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Technical assistance
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency developed a
Public Notification Handbook (816-R-09-013) with sample public notices.
You can access ODW publications and public notification forms in the
right column of this page.
Call the nearest ODW Regional Office for technical assistance. We are
open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you have an after-hours
emergency, call (877) 481-4901.
Eastern Region, Spokane Valley (509) 329-2100
Northwest Region, Kent (253) 395-6750
Southwest Region, Tumwater (360) 236-3030
More detailed contact information is available on our
Staff
Contact page.
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