EPA offers CCRiWriter to water systems. This is a Web-based application program for writing Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs), which are due by July 1.
Water systems throughout the United States can use this free, labor-saving software program. The program allows water system operators or designated personnel to enter data to generate a CCR. It uses a step-by-step interview process to gather information for the report.
To use the program and engage security, you must designate a user name and password, which ensures you and only you are authorized to access or change the information. EPA does not have access to the information through CCRiWriter. CCRs can be created during multiple working sessions from any computer with Internet access. Multiple reports can be generated by those responsible for multiple water systems. To save time, the CCRiWriter includes specific content from EPA, such as health effects language and definitions.
CCRiWriter is a free service for water systems available at http://www.ccriwriter.com/. This version is an improvement over previous versions based on comments made by stakeholders and EPA regional offices. Because the program is Internet driven, you will need access to the Internet and the monitoring results you report in your annual CCR.
You need to have contaminant monitoring results handy when you use the program. CCRiWriter takes a short time to fill out as you answer a series of questions about the water system's source water and detected contaminants. After you finish answering the questions, you may print or download the completed report. The Web-based program allows you to edit information you entered or download the report to make changes as necessary, which is particularly useful if your state has additional requirements for the annual CCR.
EPA designed the software to help water systems quickly create their CCR. It takes users through all the sections of a CCR, converts lab results into "CCR units" and allows users to insert and edit EPA's recommended text. Because the CCR regulation requires mandatory EPA language to include in the report, the CCRiWriter already includes required health effects language and definitions to save you time.
Access the CCR iWriter from http://www.ccriwriter.com/.
Developed by the Kentucky Rural Water Association, the CCR Builder Record Keeping package is a record keeping tool designed to help community water systems track their compliance information necessary for their Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR). This Record Keeping spreadsheet program was released Jan. 11, 2005 and is a work in progress. The CCR Builder Record Keeping package (spreadsheet) is not a required DOW form; however, it will assist operators to capture drinking water compliance for the most part. DOW records will continue to be used for final compliance. (Addendum added May 11, 2005.)
The spreadsheets of the Record Keeping package are designed to alert water systems if any of the values being recorded could possibly affect compliance. Additionally, if the values are too high and a public notice is required, the spreadsheets direct the user to a public notice template contained within the package. If water system personnel use the spreadsheets throughout the year as designed, the CCR becomes an added benefit to their record keeping efforts. Some of the revisions that have been made to the Record Keeping package have been to satisfy specific language requirements for Kentucky. Some of the mandatory language from EPA is slightly different in Kentucky regulations because of LRC requirements.
Refer to KRWA's Web site for the latest updates and information on their CCR Builder.
One main difference between the CCRiwriter and the CCR Builder Record Keeping package is when and how it is used. The CCRiwriter is a program that is used after the end of a calendar year for one purpose only, to generate a CCR. All lab analysis data must be calculated and converted to CCR values before they are entered into the CCRiWriter. The CCR Builder Record Keeping package is a tool to use throughout the year to record and track the lab analysis data. Water system personnel enter the analysis values exactly the way their lab furnishes them. The spreadsheets do all of the calculations and conversions to CCR units.
The CCRiWriter has EPA approved language and is used to generate a CCR. Analysis data for a year may need to be retrieved from file cabinets and all calculations and conversions made before data entry.
The CCR Builder Record Keeping package has Kentucky approved language. This program is used to record lab data, track compliance, generate public notices and boil water advisories, prepare for and conduct IDSE and LT2 sampling, track violations, generate a CCR and generate CCR or Public Notice certifications. If used correctly as a record keeping tool, the water system personnel are alerted immediately if a lab analysis result threatens non-compliance. After the end of a calendar year a CCR can be completed in a matter of minutes without any calculations or even without opening a file cabinet to retrieve lab data. The Record Keeping package is a total package, not just a CCR generator. All the water system person has to do is enter the lab results exactly as provided as soon as they are provided.
For more information about the CCR Builder Record Keeping package, contact Clem Wethington with KRWA at 270-843-2291 or visit them online to download the Record Keeping package.
EPA offers compliance help on CCRs.
A quick reference guide on CCRs is available in PDF (EPA document # EPA 816-F-02-026, November 2002).
Remember, the due date for submitting CCRs and the CCR certification to the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (Drinking Water Branch) is July 1. The certification form is available here.
For more information about CCRs and public notification in Kentucky, contact:
Natalie Perry
Compliance Section
Drinking Water Branch
Division of Water
14 Reilly Road
Frankfort,KY 40601
Phone: 502-564-8158, ext. 504
Fax: 502-564-0111
E-mail: natalie.perry@ky.gov
