Source Water Assessment Program Making Source Water Assessments Available to the Public
6.1 Information in a Source Water Assessment
When a Source Water Assessment goes to a PWSS it will contain the following:
a map of the Wellhead Protection Area (WHPA) or the Watershed Delineated Area (WDA),
a list of potential contaminant sources found from the database search and possibly their locations shown on the WHPA/WDA map mentioned above,
a level one vulnerability rating, from NHHS Sanitary Survey Program (the PWSS will be responsible for providing a copy of the Sanitary Survey upon request),
and a list of options for making the information available to the public.
A CPR will be included in an Assessment after a second level (on-the-ground) Contaminant Source Inventory has been completed. A new Assessment will be sent to the PWSS when the CPR is complete. This updated Assessment will include the items listed above, and an explanation of how the CPR was determined. Additionally, a list of available materials regarding local protective activities will be sent to the PWSS. The format of assessments will be the same for all PWSSs in Nebraska. An example of materials that may be found in a Source Water Assessment are shown in Appendix D.
6.2Consumer Confidence Reports
Community PWSSs are already required to distribute a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all water consumers by October of 1999 (USEPA, August 1996). The CCR is to be sent to all customers by mail on an annual basis. NDEQ and NHHS are working together to develop acceptable language and format for CCRs. The report must include:
information on a) the source of drinking water and b) the completed Source Water Assessment,
brief definitions of terms,
the MCL (if regulated contaminants are found), MCLG (maximum contaminant level goal), and the level found,
information (if MCL is violated) on health effects, and
information on levels of regulated contaminants.
Nebraska’s SWAP is requiring Community PWSSs to put a statement in the CCR regarding the availability of their Source Water Assessment. This statement will briefly explain that an assessment on the source of the drinking water for this system has been done. Included in the assessment is an inventory of potential contaminant sources in the WHPA or WDA, and a determination of the vulnerability of the wells or intakes to contamination. The location of the full assessment will be stated, and how the consumer can get a copy. NDEQ will provide required language and work with NHHS and their efforts to aid PWSSs with the CCR. Adding a statement about SWAP and where the assessment can be found should be a good way to reach consumers. It is important that consumers know where it can be found and who to contact if they have questions. Individual CCRs will be on the internet under NHHS.
Nebraska’s SWAP also requires All PWSSs to notify the public in one alternate way in addition to the CCR. Non-Community PWSSs are not required to complete CCRs and must notify the public in another way. Community PWSSs must put a statement in the CCR and notify the public in one alternate way. NDEQ feels it is very important for PWSSs to have a large range of options for making the assessments available to the public. PWSSs already reach their consumers in different ways, accordingly a number of options have been developed. NDEQ will provide guidance on how to make the Assessments available to the public, this information will go to the PWSSs with their Assessment. Options include but are not limited to:
Water Bills
Television, Community Access Channel on Cable
Posters and Flyers
Press Releases
Internet
Public Meetings, special meetings or scheduled board meetings
Newsletters
Other
6.2.1 Water Bills
Many communities send water bills to consumers, adding a statement about SWAP and where the assessment can be found is an option.
6.2.2 Television, Community Access Channel on Cable
It was learned through public stakeholder meetings that some communities have the ability to show the assessment on a public access television station. This would be another option provided that they also give a contact person, or indicate where a copy of the assessment can be found.
6.2.3 Posters and Flyers
Many Non-Community PWSSs (rest areas, cafes) have consumers that can only be notified by posting the information. These systems may want to post a notice with the actual assessment at the facility, or post a notice stating where it can be found and who to contact if they have questions. Examples of posters and flyers are included in Appendix E. Community PWSSs may want to post flyers in public places for at least 30 days after the assessment is complete. Places such as cafes, public schools, businesses, or the nearest post office could be options.
6.2.4 Press Releases
Some PWSSs may feel that the best way to reach their consumers is in the newspaper. A press release or paid public notice with a statement about SWAP is an option. An example of a press release is included in Appendix E.
6.2.5 Internet
The internet is another place to put a complete assessment. Many communities, businesses, or schools within a community host an internet homepage. These sites can be used to notify the public of the assessment or show the entire assessment. As of January, 1999 there are 144 communities in Nebraska that have internet web sites. To find links to these sites go to http://assist.neded.org/neweb.html
6.2.6 Public Meetings
Holding a public meeting is an option that would allow consumers to ask questions and clear up any confusion right away. This meeting must be advertised so the public has advance notice to attend. Alternately, a community could place the assessment topic on the agenda of their regularly scheduled board or council meeting.
6.2.7 Newsletters
Utility Departments or the PWSS may already send out a newsletter to their consumers. A newsletter is a good option that would allow enough room to give an explanation of SWAP, as well as list contacts, availability, and locations of the assessment.
6.2.8 Examples of Where To Have the Assessments Available
Anywhere that is easily accessible to the public is a good location to have assessments. NDEQ recommends assessments be in a location where someone is available to answer questions or help consumers understand what the SWAP is for. Examples of places are:
the City Utility office,
local library,
NRD office,
USDA-NRCS office,
County Extension office,
RC&D office,
NDEQ offices in Lincoln, Chadron, and North Platte,
NHHS offices in Lincoln and the field offices throughout the state (North Platte, Omaha, Grand Island, and Norfolk).
NDEQ will have copies of individual Assessments available upon request. A copy of a map indicating the NRD names and boundaries is included in Appendix F, for reference. Appendices in the Contaminant Source Guidebook have addresses and phone numbers of organizations, and State, and Federal Agencies involved in wellhead protection, Cooperative Extension offices, County Assessors, Farms Service Agency offices, Natural Resource Conservation Service offices, Natural Resources Districts offices, Resource Conservation and Development offices, and offices of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
6.2.9 NDEQ’s Internet Website
Information about the WHP program and SWAP is available on NDEQ’s website. The website address is www.deq.state.ne.us. NDEQ will regularly update a list on it’s homepage showing which systems have Source Water Assessments completed. Ideally, all complete Source Water Assessments would be available on the internet, but that capability does not exist at this time.
6.2.10 SWAP Distribution List
When an individual SWAP is complete NDEQ will distribute a copy to the following:
PWSS operator and elected officials (if applicable)
local NRD
NHHS
NeRWA
NDEQ may send a copy to the following:
County Extension office
RC&D office
NRCS office
6.3 Responsibility
NDEQ will provide a copy of the Assessment to the PWSS. The Public Water Supply System will be responsible for notifying the public in two ways. PWSSs are required to 1) place a statement in their CCR, and 2) inform the Department of Environmental Quality which of the other options above they chose to complete this requirement. They must also send NDEQ some proof of the public notification, i.e. a copy of the poster, newspaper article, web address, etc. The PWSS will be responsible for providing a copy of the Sanitary Survey and the completed Assessment to consumers, upon request.