Coliform
Public Health
Advisory Packet
The Coliform Public Health Advisory Packet (DOH Pub. #331-260 Red
Folder) is available from your Office of Drinking Water (ODW)
regional office or you can order online from the
ODW
publications page.You can also download these materials
individually by using the links on this page.
The materials in this packet are tools to help you respond to the
presence of fecal contamination in your water supply. If you have fecal
contamination in your system, the Department of Health (DOH) will work
closely with you to help resolve the situation and to determine if a
public health advisory is required. These tools, along with DOH
assistance, will help you identify the source of contamination,
eliminate it, and make sure customers are adequately notified.
How to use the forms and templates in the packet
Drinking Water Warning (below): You may use this
form to notify your customers in response to an E. coli or fecal
coliform positive sample result. It is required if your system has an
acute maximum contaminant level (MCL) violation. You may reformat this
notice, but the content should remain the same.
Type or write information on the form until it is completely filled
out. Then photocopy the warning and distribute to all of your customers.
You can also staple or tape the warning to the door-hanger to make it
easier to distribute door-to-door. For assistance, please call your
regional office coliform program phone number below.
Door hanger (below): This is a tool to help you
quickly inform your customers of contamination in the system and of
precautions they can take. Supplies of these are available through local
health departments and the ODW regional offices. Door hangers in both
English and Spanish (printed on orange paper) are also available through
the regional offices.
There are several ways to use these during a public health advisory:
Hand-write information on each of the door hangers.
Fill in the top portion of the door hangers. Then print labels
with the water system name, ID#, county, contact person's name and
phone number, and the date that the notice was distributed. Attach a
label to the bottom of each notice.
Complete the Drinking Water Warning form, make photocopies, and
then staple a copy to the door hanger. This will draw attention to
the notice.
Door hanger in English only (Word
77KB)
Door hanger in English only (PDF 67KB)
Door hanger in
English and Spanish (Word 39KB)
Door hanger in English
and Spanish (PDF 84KB)
Public Notice Certification (below): You must
complete this certification and mail it to your ODW regional office
within 10 days of notifying your customers of an acute MCL violation.
Public Notice Certification for Acute Coliform MCL
(PDF)
News releases (below): These templates (boil
water advisory and rescind advisory) include sample information that DOH
recommends including in a news release for television, radio and
newspaper outlets. News releases are recommended for systems serving
more than 100 connections. The department can assist you in contacting
the news media, upon request. Contact your regional office for details.
For more information
Northwest Regional Office » Kent
Coliform Program: 253-395-6775
Main Office: 253-395-6750
Southwest Regional Office » Olympia
Coliform Program: 360-236-3044
Main Office: 360-236-3030
Eastern Regional Office » Spokane
Coliform Program: 509-456-2788
Main Office: 509-456-3115
DOH PUB. #331-260
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