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Consumer Confidence Report Rule Retrospective Review

The Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) Rule was included in U.S. EPA’s Final Plan for Periodic Retrospective Reviews of Existing Regulations (August 2011).

The CCR Rule Retrospective Review began in October 2011 and was completed in December 2012.

Electronic Delivery of the CCR

Over the past few years, a number of community water systems, technical assistance providers and primacy agencies have inquired as to whether the CCR Rule allows electronic delivery of the CCR to each customer. EPA evaluated several electronic delivery methods to determine which forms meet existing CCR Rule requirements as a part of the CCR Rule Retrospective Review.

This EPA interpretive memorandum SDWA – Consumer Confidence Report Rule Delivery Options, dated January 2013, clarifies the requirements of the CCR Rule associated with the delivery of the CCR. The memorandum’s attachment, Consumer Confidence Report Electronic Delivery Options and Considerations, provides an overview of electronic delivery methods and describes approaches for community water systems that may want to implement electronic delivery. It is important to note that the attachment provides a framework of information, recommendations and interpretations of existing CCR Rule provisions. It is not a rulemaking action and does not add to or replace any existing CCR Rule requirements. It also does not supersede any additional primacy agency or tribal requirements for content or delivery of CCRs.

• Safe Drinking Water Act – Consumer Confidence Report Delivery Options Memorandum (PDF) (26 pp, 5K)

CCR Rule Retrospective Review Summary

During public meetings, stakeholders identified five areas in the CCR Rule in which the EPA could potentially improve the effectiveness of communicating drinking water information to the public or reduce the burden of community water systems and primacy agencies. The five areas include the following:

1. CCR understandability;
2. Reporting MCLs in numbers greater than or equal to 1.0;
3. Reporting period for including a Tier 3 Public Notice (PN) in the CCR;
4. The certification of CCR delivery and content by the community water system to the primacy agency; and;
5. Electronic delivery of the CCR.
   

• Consumer Confidence Report Rule Retrospective Review Summary (PDF) (86 pp, 916K)
  EPA 816-S-12-001, December 2012

Public Outreach

January 17, 2013: Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) Rule Retrospective Review - Electronic Delivery Framework Webinar

• The objective of this webinar is to explain the CCR electronic delivery framework outlined in the CCR Delivery Options memorandum.  The panelists, which will consist of EPA representatives, will discuss electronic delivery methods and approaches appropriate to meet CCR Rule requirements to “mail or otherwise directly deliver” the CCR to customers. The webinar will also provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions of the EPA representatives regarding delivery requirements.
• Target Audience: Community Water Systems, State and Federal drinking water regulators, and other interested parties.
• Space is limited.
• Reserve your webinar seat at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/888824022

Consumer Confidence Reports for Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Retrospective Review (2.26) Public Docket
This docket holds public comments, public meeting summaries and background materials for the CCR Rule Retrospective Review:
http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OW-2012-0035

Federal Register Notices

• Correction to notice published on September 11, 2012
  Announcement of Public Meeting on the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) Rule Retrospective Review and Request for Public Comment on Potential Approaches to Electronic Delivery of the CCR; Correction
  
  • Notice of a public meeting and request for public comments
    PLEASE NOTE: The Federal Register notice published on September 11, 2012 (77 FR 55833) listed an incorrect URL under "Public Meeting Registration."
  
  
• Announcement of Public Meeting on the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) Rule Retrospective Review and Request for Public Comment on Potential Approaches to Electronic Delivery of the CCR
  On October 1, 2012, a public meeting was held to listen to stakeholder comments on potential approaches for providing Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) via electronic delivery. The 30-day public comment period started September 11, 2012 and ended on October 11, 2012. See "Draft document and presentation for review" section below.


• Announcement of Public Meeting on the CCR Rule Retrospective Review, February 3, 2012
  On February 23, 2012, a public meeting was held via the Internet to obtain stakeholder input on the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) Rule as part of the agency's Retrospective Review of Existing Regulations.

Draft Document & Presentation for Review

• For Public Comment: Consumer Confidence Report Electronic Delivery Approaches and Considerations- Comment Period closed October 11, 2012
  Draft Consumer Confidence Report Electronic Delivery Options and Considerations (PDF) (8 pp, 283K)
  Document provides an overview of electronic delivery methods and describes ways CWSs can best approach delivery of their CCRs to their bill paying customers if they so choose.
  
• Public Meeting Materials from October 1, 2012 Listening Session
  Consumer Confidence Report Rule Retrospective Review: Electronic Delivery (PDF) (48 pp, 301K)
  Listening session presentation of the Draft CCR Electronic Delivery Options and Considerations document. Describes the electronic delivery methods and approaches, electronic delivery program considerations, limitations and advantages matrix of the methods and additional aspects of CCR Rule requirements.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule

• Final Rule: National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Consumer Confidence Reports,August 19, 1998
  Complete preamble and rule language as published in the Federal Register
• CCR Regulations, including all technical corrections and amendments as published in the July 1, 2005 Code of Federal Register PDF (22 pp, 721K, About PDF)
  
• Updated version of the CCR Rule Appendix A (PDF) (10 pp, 77K, About PDF)
  This table contains maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), MCLs in CCR-regulated units, maximum contaminant level goals (MCLGs), major sources of and health effects language for all regulated contaminants that must be reported in the CCR, if detected.

Rule Making History

• Proposed Rule (63 FR 7605) February 13, 1998 - Complete proposed rule language as published in the Federal Register.
• National Drinking Water Advisory Council CCR workgroup meeting summaries
  • July 25, 1996 NDWAC Conference Call (PDF) (3 pp, 16K)
  • July 8-9, 1997 Working Group Meeting (PDF) (1 pg, 14K)
  • May 8-9, 1997 Working Group Meeting (PDF) (1 pg, 10K)
  • April 3-4, 1997 Working Group Meeting (PDF) (1 pg, 15K)

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