Common Mistakes in Consumer Confidence Reports
The following common errors have been noted in a large percentage of the Consumer Confidence Reports that have been submitted to the Division of Drinking Water since the rule’s inception. If technical questions arise after reviewing the following common mistakes, please contact Steve Poreda at (801) 536-4198 for clarification.
- Listing contaminants for which there was no detection (non-detects or ND) in the "Information on Detected Contaminants" section.
- The rule specifies that information on detected contaminants be displayed in one table or several adjacent tables. Any additional monitoring results (i.e. non-detects) must be displayed separately.
- In lieu of listing each contaminant that was monitored and not detected, the state recommends using a phrase such as: "EPA requires monitoring of over 80 drinking water contaminants. Those contaminants listed in the table above are the only contaminants detected in your drinking water."
- Making unqualified assertions about the safety of the water such as "your water is safe".
- Blanket statements such as the above should be avoided. Such assertions essentially provide a written guarantee that the water is safe, which may incur liability on the system.
- Statements such as "your water met state and federal requirements during 2001" are preferable.
- MCL, MCLG, and Levels Detected are not in the same units (i.e. ppm, ppb, or ppt).
- The rule requires that the MCL, MCLG and the reported detected levels be displayed in the same units.
- Violations are noted in the "Information on Detected Contaminants" table, but no explanation of the violation is included in the report.
- The CCR rule requires that any report that notifies customers of a violation that occurred contain a clear and readily understandable explanation of the violation including: the length of the violation, the potential adverse health effects, and actions taken by the system to address the violation. To describe the potential health effects, systems must use language provided by EPA (found on pages 13-24 of Preparing Your Consumer Confidence Report (pdf)
- Required language is not included in the report.
- Certain language is required to be in all CCR reports and must be verbatim as specified by EPA.
- Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).
- Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).
