WAC 246-290-72270

This section takes effect on January 1, 2027.

(1) The report must contain a brief explanation regarding contaminants which may reasonably be expected to be found in drinking water including bottled water. This explanation may include the language of (a) through (c) of this subsection or systems may use their own comparable language. The report also must include the language of (d) of this subsection.

(a) Both tap water and bottled water come from rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material. The water can also pick up and transport substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. These substances are also called contaminants.

(b) Contaminants are any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

(i) Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.

(ii) Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can occur naturally in the soil or groundwater or may result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.

(iii) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.

(iv) Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.

(v) Radioactive contaminants, which can occur naturally or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

(c) To protect public health, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Washington state board of health prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in tap water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration and Washington state department of agriculture regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health.

(d) Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily mean that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by contacting the Environmental Protection Agency by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline ( 800-426-4791) or visiting the website epa.gov/safewater.

(2) The report must include the telephone number of the owner, operator, or designee of the community water system as a source of additional information concerning the report. If a system uses a website or social media to share additional information, the department recommends including information about how to access them.

(3) In communities with a large proportion of consumers with limited-English proficiency:

(a) The report must be in the appropriate language(s); or

(b) The report must contain information in the appropriate language(s) regarding the importance of the report and contain information where such consumers may obtain either:

(i) A translated copy of the report; or

(ii) Assistance in the appropriate language(s).

(4) The report must include information about opportunities for public participation in decisions that may affect the quality of the water, such as the time and place of meetings.

(5) The systems may include such additional information as they deem necessary for public education consistent with, and not detracting from, the purpose of the report.