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Last Modified:  9/13/2007
Information for Consumers

Where can I get information about my tap water?

Now available is the Web enabled, public access drinking water database for Kentucky.  Use the database to search and retrieve information about water systems.  Be aware, though, that the water systems in the database are based upon EPA's requirements for a public water system.  What this means is that bottled water systems and semi-public water systems are excluded from this database.  You must contact those systems directly to get the information you need.  Questions regarding the drinking water database should be directed to Jerry Pike, phone 502-564-3410, ext. 516, or the supervisor of the Compliance Section, Frank Hall, phone 502-564-3410, ext. 542.

As a customer receiving water from a public water system, where can you obtain information or ask questions about tap water?  First of all, call your local water system.  Your local water system encourages their customers to increase dialogue and interaction with them.  Plus, each year by July 1, your local water system writes a report for its customers called the Consumer Confidence Report or CCR.  The CCR provides a snapshot or report card of your tap water and lists ways you can become involved in helping protect drinking water.  Ask the local water system for a copy of the CCR.  If you don't know the name of your local public water system, you can find it through EPA's Safewater Web site for local drinking water information.  Another way to obtain information about tap water is to review and comment on funding decisions through the Intended Use Plan (IUP).  Additionally, you can call EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline toll free at 800-426-4791 where you can receive free publications and resources.  As a customer, you have the right to know what's in your drinking water.  It's your drinking water.  Get to know it and protect it.

"RIGHT-TO-KNOW" PROVISIONS:

The 1996 Amendments of the Safe Drinking Water Act established numerous "right-to-know" provisions to give customers of public water systems greater access to information and opportunities to get involved in drinking water issues.  The "right-to-know" provisions are based on the premise that accountability to the public is vital to address and prevent threats to drinking water.  This lists just a few ways you can get involved.

CONTAMINANTS:
EPA has drinking water regulations for more than 90 contaminants.  The number of contaminants regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) grew from 23 in 1986 to 91 in 2001.  By 2010 that number could reach 130.  EPA's Web page titled "Drinking Water Health Advisories" provides information on the drinking water standards, including Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) or enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).  Maximum Contaminant Levels are the maximum permissible levels of contaminants in water delivered to users of a public water system.

CONTAMINANT CANDIDATE LIST:
The Safe Drinking Water Act includes a process that must be followed to identify new contaminants which may require regulation in the future.  EPA must periodically release a Contaminant Candidate List (CCL).  EPA uses this list of unregulated contaminants to prioritize research and data collection efforts to help determine whether a specific contaminant should be regulated.  The rules for monitoring, treatment and regulatory enforcement for these contaminants are developed by EPA in phases.  The 1996 amendments to the SDWA added new requirements related to annual water quality reports (CCR), operator certification requirements, system capacity and source water assessment and protection.

DRINKING WATER "On Tap":
Available from EPA is a document titled "Water on Tap: What You Need To Know" (EPA 816-K-03-007, October 2003).  This document answers questions such as:  Where does my drinking water come from?  How do I know if the drinking water is safe?  How can I protect my drinking water?  What can I do if I find a problem with the drinking water?  How safe is the drinking water in my household well?  Visit EPA's Web site for a copy of this informative document. 

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS:
Three basic steps will prepare you and your family for an emergency:  

  1. Get a kit. 
  2. Make a plan.  
  3. Stay informed.  

Emergency preparedness is a program maintained through the Department of Homeland Security and Kentucky Division of Emergency Management.  Read about how families can prepare for an emergency based on the three steps (PDF document, 6 pages).  You should learn about emergency plans that have been established by the state and local government.  You may reach the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management by phone 24 hours a day by dialing 800-255-2587.

PRIVATE WELLS:
Homeowners who use private wells or cisterns as their source of drinking water should have the water tested annually.  Water quality in private wells is not regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the state.  Homeowners who use private wells or cisterns need to contact their local health department to have the water tested for bacteria.  The local health department may also know where to have the water tested for other contaminants, such as nitrates. 

EPA does not regulate private wells for drinking water, but it does offer suggestions on its Web site.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN DWSRF:
The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) was established by the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments.  The program authorizes the state to use federal money to provide loan assistance to eligible public water systems to ensure safe drinking water as a public health concern under SDWA requirements.  Public participation in the program is encouraged.  The public may participate in reviewing and commenting on the DWSRF program, the Intended Use Plan and Capacity Development.  Public review includes:

  1. The short and long-term goals of the DWSRF program.
  2. The priority system used for ranking individual projects.  Refer to the Intended Use Plan (IUP).
  3. The priority lists of projects, both those to be provided assistance in the near future (i.e. fundable list) and those that are eligible for assistance (i.e. comprehensive list).  Refer to the IUP.
  4. The financial status of the DWSRF program.  Refer to the IUP.
  5. A description of the amounts and intended uses of funds that the state will use for set-aside activities.  Refer to the IUP.
  6. The strategy, effectiveness and elements of Capacity Development.

Besides the information available online from Kentucky Division of Water about the DWSRF program, check with the EPA's Web site on DWSRF.  You can also call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791. 

Send comments about this page to:

Jeff Grubbs
Drinking Water Branch
Division of Water
14 Reilly Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: 502-564-8158, ext 594
Fax: 502-564-9899
E-mail: jeff.grubbs@ky.gov

 
VIRTUAL TOUR OF A WATER SYSTEM
EPA offers a new, free CD-ROM that they released February 2006 titled “Virtual Water Treatment Plant Tour.”  This CD provides a guided tour of a water treatment plant and has been described by reviewers as a great educational tool for students, teachers, public officials and consumers.  The CD-ROM shows step-by-step how source water moves through the treatment and distribution processes and ends up in the customer’s home or business.  To reach a wider audience, the CD-ROM is available in both English and Spanish on the same CD.

If you would like a copy, you can send an e-mail to Outreach.Team@epa.gov but be sure to include these four items in your e-mail: (1) the CD-ROM publication Number EPA 816-C-06-002, (2) your name, (3) postal mail address and (4) quantity requested.

You may also call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 to request the CD-ROM, EPA 816-C-06-002, the new “Virtual Water Treatment Plant Tour.”

System Requirements for the CD-ROM:

• PC Operating Systems only (not MAC)
• Microsoft Windows 98/NT/2000/XP
• 64 MB RAM minimum required
• Internet connection for live links
Division of Water
14 Reilly Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: 502-564-3410
Fax: 502-564-0111
E-mail: water@ky.gov
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