"About this Report" -- Include a few sentences that
describe what the Consumer Confidence Report is, what information it
contains and why your customers are receiving it.
"The Bottom Line" or "The Top Line" -- Put a
sentence at the top of your report that says you provide high quality
drinking water that meets all federal and state requirements (that is,
if you do!).
"Customer Views Welcomed" -- Invite your customers to send
you their thoughts on your CCR. Do they read it? What parts do they
like? What parts are confusing? What else do they want to learn about
your system?
"Other Information You May Receive" -- Explain other
correspondence you may send to your customers - for example, Public
Notification for acute violations, billstuffers (perhaps explaining
upcoming planned outages and repairs), your regular newsletter, etc.
"How Do I Read This Chart?" -- Provide a brief paragraph
explaining to your customers how to read the data summary table in the
report.
"Frequently Asked Questions" - Provide answers to FAQs that
you tend to receive.
"Who Does What?" -- Clarify your service responsibilities
and the homeowner’s responsibilities.
"Did You Know...?" -- Describe your water system and its
processes (for example, source development, the distribution or storage
system, how you test water samples, etc.) or briefly describe the many
federal and state requirements you are responsible for meeting, etc.
Provide very simple line-drawings of your source area (perhaps a
geologic cross-section of a groundwater source or a birds-eye view of
the watershed), of your distribution system or area, what a well looks
like, what a pumphouse is, etc.
Choose one or two features to highlight about operating a water
system (for example, line flushing, cross-connection control, lead and
copper corrosion controls, etc.).
Describe plans for upcoming improvements to the system.
Provide statistics: Give information about production (periods of
high and low water use, quantities), your service area (how many square
miles, the number of meters and units you provide service to), and the
average usage by residence.
Ask your customers for their ideas on resolving any problems you
might have, both with your system (such as conservation tips for periods
of watering restrictions) and your community (such as naming your local
softball team).
Provide a brief paragraph about the types of water quality monitoring
you do.
Let them know what you are doing to manage the watershed, protect the
source, and mitigate the environment if there’s a contaminant source.
Tell them how they can help protect their drinking water source.
Provide information about members of your Boards, your investors, the
number of employees you have, your staff and their various roles.
Let them know how much it costs you to provide water. What are your
current expenditures and income? What is your budget for next year?
Provide simple facts about water - in the form of quiz questions. For
example, ask them if they know how much a gallon of water weighs, how
much of the world’s water is fresh and how much is salty, etc.
Include water conservation tips.
Share ideas to encourage the use of non-toxic or less-toxic cleaning
and pest control products.
Have a contest for your local school to draw posters about water.
Ask your customers what they want to know about when it comes to the
service you provide.
I’m sure you can think of more!
This list was compiled from many examples of water quality reports
written by water systems in Washington and other states.
