Lead and Copper Rule: Public Education for Non-Transient Non-Community Water Systems

Step 1: Develop the content of your written public education materials

There are six sections that must be included in your public notice. Some of these sections require mandatory language that cannot be changed, while other sections can be customized. Use the following table to determine the required language for each section.For templates go to

Section / Language
Informal Statement / Mandatory language / Important Information about Lead in Your Drinking Water: [System] found elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes/buildings. Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Please read this information closely to see what you can do to reduce lead in your drinking water.
Health Effects of Lead / Mandatory language / Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys, and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women. Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with lowered IQ in children. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults. Lead is stored in the bones, which may affect brain development.
Sources of lead / Can be customized / Example: Lead is a common metal found in the environment. The main sources of lead exposure are lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust or soil. Drinking water is also a possible source of lead exposure. Most sources of drinking water have no lead or very low levels of lead. Most lead gets into drinking water after the water leaves the local well or treatment plant and comes into contact with plumbing materials containing lead. These include pipes, lead solder (commonly used until 1986), as well as faucets, valves, and other components made of brass.
Steps you can take to reduce your exposure to lead in your water / Can be customized /
  1. Run your water to flush out lead. If water hasn’t been used for several hours, run water for 15-30 seconds or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using it for drinking or cooking.
  2. Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula. Lead dissolves more easily into hot water.
  3. Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.
  4. Look for alternative sources or treatment of water. You may want to consider purchasing a water filter or bottled water.
  5. Test your water for lead. If you think you may have elevated lead levels in your home drinking water, have it tested. Call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) for more information.
  6. Get your child’s blood tested. Contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead, if you are concerned about exposure.

What happened? What is being done? / Can be customized / [How/when the exceedance was discovered and source(s) of lead, if known]
[What is being done to reduce lead levels in homes]
For More Information / Mandatory language / Call us at [#] or (if applicable) visit our Web site at [Web site]. For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s Web site at or contact your health care provider.

Step 2: Get State approval

You must submit a copy of your public Education to: or fax (405) 702-810.

Step 3: Deliver your public education materials

All public education material must be delivered within 60 days after the end of the monitoring period in which the exceedance occurred and repeated once every 12 months, EXCEPT providing information with each water bill, which must be included in each billing cycle (no less than quarterly) and two press releases per 12 month period for as long as you exceed the lead action level. Required methods of delivery include 1) posting informational posters on lead in drinking water in a public place or common area in each building served by the NTNCWS (i.e. church or school bulletin board, lunchroom/cafeteria and employee lounge) 2) distribute informational pamphlets and/or brochures on lead in drinking water to each person served by the NTNCWS (i.e. church or school bulletin board, school letter to parents, paycheck stuffer and interoffice memo/mail). Notify the Oklahoma Dept of Health by calling (405)271-6617.

For Additional Information

Visit: or contact EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Public Education Certification

(Non-Transient, Non-Community Water Systems)

Public Water System: TO

PWSID No.: PWSID

For lead exceedance occurring:MONITORING PERIOD, YEAR

Check all that apply:

Education distributed by ______radio and/or ______.

______television station on ______date(s).

Education distributed by ______newspaper on______date(s).

Posted in conspicuous locations on ______date(s).

Education distributed by e-mail ______.

Public Meeting ______date(s).

Hand or direct delivery on ______date(s).

Mail, as a separate notice or included with the bill on ______date(s).

Education displayed on a publicly accessible Website______

______.

Provide Materials Directly to Multi-Family Homes ______date(s).

Education distributed by other means ______.

Delivered to agencies: Local Public Health, Public/Private Schools, Women Infant and Children (WIC) and Head Start programs, Public/Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics, Pediatricians, Family Planning Clinics, Local Welfare Agencies.

Made good faith effort to locate: Licensed Child Care, Public/Private Preschools,

Obstetricians-Gynecologist and Midwives.

Contacted Oklahoma State Department of Health______dates(s).

The public water system indicated above hereby affirms that public education has been provided to consumers in accordance with the delivery, content, and format requirements and deadlines in

40 C.F.R. § 141.85.

______

Signature of owner or operatorDate

Complete form and return to: Laurelin Hodgson

Department of Environmental Quality

Water Quality Division

P.O. Box 1677

Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1677

Email:

Fax: 405-702-8101

*Make sure to include a copy of your water system’s lead public education along with this form*