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Nitrate Public Health Advisory Packet

The Nitrate Public Health Advisory Packet (DOH Pub. #331-259 Blue 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 in the right column.

Purpose of the packet

The materials in this packet are designed to help you respond during times of high nitrate levels in your water supply. If you have nitrate contamination in your system, you will be working closely with Department of Health (DOH) to resolve the situation and make sure your customers are adequately notified.

Contents

Publications:

• Nitrate in Drinking Water - English and Spanish (fact sheet)
• Drinking Water After-Hours Emergency Hotline (brochure)
• Nitrate Sampling Procedure (brochure)

Forms and News Release Templates:

• "Warning to Drinking Water Customers" public notice - English and Spanish
• Door hanger style public notice - English on one side, Spanish on reverse side
• Public Notice Certification
• News Release: Nitrate Advisory
• News Release: Cancel Nitrate Advisory

Public Notification: When a public water system has sample results above the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) for nitrate, they must notify their customers within 24 hours of receiving the sample results. The "Warning to Drinking Water Customers" and door hanger style public notice (in right column) are provided for this purpose.

The "Warning to Drinking Water Customers" is more detailed than the door hanger style public notice and provides more information regarding health effects and instructions to consumers.

The door hanger style public notice (in right column) is a quick method of informing customers of contamination in the system and precautions to take. Supplies of these are available through local health departments and the Office of Drinking Water regional offices listed below.

There are several ways to use these forms during a public health advisory:

• Write your information on the form(s) and distribute.
• Print labels with contact information, I.D. number, and date notice distributed, then attach to door hangers.
• Use the "Warning to Drinking Water Customers" public notice by stapling it to the door hanger.
• Stamp your name and contact information on the forms and write in the date issued.

Public Notice Certification (in right column): This certification must be completed and mailed to your regional office within 10 days of notifying your customers of an MCL violation. You must also include a copy of the public notification provided to your customers (i.e., "Warning to Drinking Water Customers").

News releases: These templates (in right column) include sample information DOH recommends, including a news release for television, radio and newspaper outlets. The Department of Health can assist you in contacting the news media, upon request.

Northwest Regional Office » Kent
253-395-6750

Southwest Regional Office » Olympia
360-236-3030

Eastern Regional Office » Spokane
509-456-3115

February 2007
DOH PUB. #331-259

Nitrate Public Health Advisory Packet Contents:

Packet Instructions  (166 KB PDF)

Publications

Nitrate in Drinking Water (331-214)
English (125 KB PDF)
Spanish (127 KB PDF)

Drinking Water After-Hours Emergency Hotline (331-133) (729 KB PDF)

Nitrate Sampling Procedure (331-222)
(121 KB PDF)

Nitrate Reporting Addresses and Phone Numbers (with map) (64 KB PDF)

Forms and News Release Templates

"Warning to Drinking Water Customers" public notice
English
 (48 KB Word )
 (134 KB PDF)

Spanish
(48 KB Word )
 (122 KB PDF)

Door hanger style public notice » English on one side, Spanish on reverse side
(37 KB Word )
 (80 KB PDF)

Public Notice Certification (331-248)(118 KB PDF)

News Release: Nitrate Advisory
 (25 KB Word)
 (81 KB PDF)

News Release: Rescind Nitrate Advisory
(25 KB Word)
(82 KB PDF )

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Last Update : 05/21/2009 06:23 PM