Forms for CCRs due in 2013...

An EPA guidance memo (click here for a copy of the complete memo) to drinking water primacy agencies was released Thursday, January 3, 2013 that clarifies the use of electronic methods to meet requirements to "mail or otherwise directly deliver" the annual Consumer Confidence Report.  This clarification was requested by the National Rural Water Association through its affiliates such as FRWA.  EPA requires that a ‘direct URL link’ be made available.  That link can be provided to customers on billings or other communication by the water system.

Getting EPA to consider this change was a goal of the Florida Rural Water Association and other state rural water associations as affiliates of the National Rural Water Association.  Making this change will save water systems in associated costs of postage, needless to mention the cost of copies and assembly.

Please see suggested options for posting your CCR online below:

1.  Put on your website

2.  Start a website of your own with RuralWaterImpact.com ($150.00 setup fee and $30.00 per month afterwards)

3.  FRWA Website via Direct Link for a Nominal Fee.  This service is available to all Active, Parent, and Sub Members of FRWA.  The fee must be paid in advance for each CCR posted.  The fee will be charged according to the number of connections as listed below.

Electronic Delivery of CCRs

The Guidance to Electronic Delivery link below contains more detailed information about how the Agency hopes these new flexibilities will be implemented and includes excellent examples of how water utilities may approach electronic delivery; however, in a nutshell:

1.  Electronic delivery must provide the CCR in a manner that is "direct."  EPA interprets this rule requirement to mean that CWSs can use email or electronic communications via direct link URL.  In using the URL, there must be some type of written explanation, however, about the nature of the link and the "direct link" must go specifically to the entire CCR rather than having a customer navigate to more than one page to find any required CCR content.  In essence, this means that CWSs can add a URL and explanation to existing water bills.  Water systems can also attach a PDF version of the CCR to an email notification.

2.  Social media such as Twitter or Facebook do not meet the "directly deliver" definition since these both require Internet access and some type of subscription or membership.

3.  Automated phone calls (such as reverse 911 types) do not meet  "directly deliver" definitions because the entire CCR content cannot be provided in a phone call.

4.  Should the CWS be aware of a customer's inability to receive a CCR via electronic means, it must provide the CCR using an alternative means allowed by the rule.

Watch this site for more information on using electronic methods to meet requirements for the annual Consumer Confidence Reports.

Completing Your CCR

Please see the links below to the 2012 CCR reports that will be due July 2013.  All the significant changes pertain to Stage 2 Disinfection By-products and Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection By-products.  They can be found on pages 15, 16, 25, 36 and 37 of the CCR Template Instructions, and pages 5, 14 and 15 of the CCR Template.

The table below has two versions, one version (CCR PDF) can be viewed and printed out.  You can then edit the hard copy.  You will need at least Acrobat 5.0 to view this document.  To download a free copy, click here.

The CCR IN WORD version is in Microsoft Word.  This version can be saved to your computer and you will be able to edit it, if you have Microsoft Word 2000 or compatible software.  (This version will not work for Microsoft Works or because you have Microsoft Windows as your operating system.)

For more information, you may call 850.668.2746 and ask to speak to the Water Circuit Rider in your county.