CCRs
Q: What is a CCR and why is our system required to do prepare one?
A: The Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) is an annual drinking water quality report required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) for all community water systems under the Safe Drinking Water Act amended by Congress in 1996. This report provides a brief summary of the information a system collects to comply with federal and state regulations. The CCR will provide information on water source, contacts, contaminants and their detected levels, and compliance with drinking water rules and regulations. It is a way for the water system to educate its customers on the quality of their drinking water and help them protect the integrity of their water source.
According to the Safe Drinking Water Act, every community water system (serving at least 15 connections and/or 25 people year round) is required to prepare a CCR. Any further questions should be directed to the Maine Drinking Water Program.
Q: Does our system need to join MRWA to receive a CCR?
A: Your system is not required to join MRWA to receive a CCR, however by doing so, not only is your report free, but your membership, as a voting member, will include many other benefits including:
- Quarterly Newsletters
- Technical Bulletins
- Training Announcements
- Discounts on for-fee training, income surveys, rate cases, terms & conditions
Q: If our organization owns or manages multiple systems, must each system join MRWA to receive a CCR at the discounted price?
A: Yes, each community water system requesting a report must join as a member to receive their CCR for free. Management organizations are encouraged to join MRWA as an Associate Member, receiving additional benefits.
Q: When and to whom are the CCR and the Certification Form due?
A: The Safe Drinking Water Act has set the deadline for these reports as no later than July 1. Every year, your CCR for the previous year is due. For example, the July 1, 2006 deadline will be for the submission of the 2005 report, and the 2006 report will be due no later than July 1, 2007, and so on.
The deadline for the submission of your certification form is no later than October 1, 2006 and is due to the Maine Drinking Water Program. Although the certification form is due at a later time from your CCR, MRWA strongly recommends you submit them to the Maine Drinking Water Program at the same time. Submissions may be mailed to: State of Maine, Drinking Water Program
ATTN: Scott Whitney
11 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0011
Q: What does our system do with the report once we receive it from MRWA?
A: Your system will need to make copies of this report and distribute it to all your customers. After distributing the report, you must complete the state certification form and submit the form with one copy of your CCR to the Maine Drinking Water Program by October 1, 2006. According to state regulations, you must keep this report on file and available to the public upon request for the next five years!
Q: Who distributes and/or receives CCRs?
A: It is the responsibility of your community water system to distribute the CCR. The recipients of the report are your customers. Once you receive your report from MRWA, please look it over and call our office with any corrections. You will need to make copies of your report and mail or hand deliver the report to each of your paying customers by July 1, 2006. You must also make a good faith effort to distribute the report to non-bill paying customers (i.e., apartment buildings, renters, etc.).
Q: Can MRWA distribute the report for our system?
A: According to the Maine Drinking Water Program, MRWA is not allowed to submit your CCR on your behalf. It is your responsibility to do so.
Q: Can you ensure our CCR be done on time?
A: MRWA will work around the clock to help you meet the deadline of July 1st. In order to help us organize our efforts, we ask that you submit all your required materials and payment(s) to us no later than February 28th. This will help us improve the turn around and get you your reports sooner so that you have more time to dedicate to their distribution and submission.