It arrives in the mailbox every July. A thick envelope containing both your water bill and a document titled a “Consumer Confidence Report” or CCR. [Note: Ad or content links featured on this page are not necessarily affiliated with WQA and should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by WQA.]
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The document is chock full of confusing abbreviations like MCLG and AL and scary terms like arsenic or fecal chloroform.
But before you toss it in the trash as just another piece of junk mail, give it a second look. Although these documents can be confusing, they contain important information about local drinking water quality.
What is a CCR?
In 1998, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began requiring community water systems (those providing service to more than 15 households or more than 25 people) to give customers an annual water quality report (the CCR). This report lets consumers know what contaminants, if any, are present in their drinking water and how these contaminants may affect their health.
When is the CCR issued?
Consumers should receive a water quality report by July 1 of each year.
What can the CCR tell you?
These reports contain a wealth of information including:
- The source of drinking water.
- Water quality test results showing the levels and/or range of levels of any contaminant found in local drinking water.
- The EPA’s health-based standard (maximum contaminant level).
- Information on Cryptosporidium and Lead. (Every water utility must test for the presence of these contaminants and supply educational information about them even if they are not found in the water supply.)
What do the CCR abbreviations mean?
Key abbreviations found in the CCR include:
- AL (Action Level): The concentration of lead or copper in water that triggers treatment requirements by the water provider.
- MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): The maximum contaminant level allowed in public drinking water. The water supplier must notify consumers when these levels are exceeded.
- MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): The level of a contaminant in drinking water believed to be safe.
- NA (Not Analyzed): Water has either been deemed "non-vulnerable" to a contaminant or does not require testing for that contaminant.
- ND (Not Detected): Water analysis equipment has detection limits; this means that within those limits, no contaminant was found.
How can CCR information be used?
These reports are intended to help consumers make educated decisions about their water consumption. By looking at each contaminant and comparing the level shown against the amount detected, consumers can determine whether or not a particular contaminant is present in drinking water at a concerning level. If the report does not show contaminants, but you are still experiencing distasteful water, you can diagnose your water or look up more information about specific contaminants at the Water Quality Association (WQA) Web site at http://www.wqa.org.
The report can also help determine the type of water treatment system that might be appropriate. Homeowners can then choose from approximately 3,000 Gold Seal-certified products listed on the WQA Web site to find an appropriate filtering system. They may search by the contaminant they seek to remove or by product type. From the search results, consumers may click on a link that allows them to purchase products directly from the manufacturer online or from a distributor in their area. WQA also provides a list of the 1,600 U.S. water specialists to help consumers find professionals to install these units.
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