NR 809.833(7)(a)3.3. “In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which shall provide the same protection for public health.” NR 809.833(7)(a)4.4. “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 indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the environmental protection agency’s safe drinking water hotline (800-426-4791).” NR 809.833(7)(b)(b) Water supplier contact information. The report shall include the telephone number of the owner, operator or designee of the community water system as a source of additional information concerning the report. NR 809.833(7)(c)(c) Non-English translations. In communities where non-English speaking residents comprise a significant portion of the population served, the report shall contain information in the appropriate language or languages regarding the importance of the report, or contain a telephone number or address where the residents may contact the public water system to obtain a translated copy of the report or assistance in the appropriate language. In communities where a specific non-English speaking group comprises at least 5% of the population of the community served, the report shall be translated into that language. NR 809.833(7)(d)(d) Public participation opportunities. The report shall include information, including, time and place of regularly scheduled board meetings, about opportunities for public participation in decisions that may affect the quality of the water. NR 809.833(7)(e)(e) Additional public education. The water suppliers may include additional information as they deem necessary for public education consistent with, and not detracting from, the purpose of the report. NR 809.833(7)(f)(f) Public water systems with significant deficiencies or E. coli positives under s. NR 809.325. NR 809.833(7)(f)1.1. A water supplier for any groundwater system that receives notice from the department of a significant deficiency or notice from a laboratory of a fecal indicator-positive groundwater source sample required under s. NR 809.325 (2), that is not invalidated by the department under s. NR 809.323 (2), must inform its customers of any significant deficiency that is uncorrected at the time of the next report or of any fecal indicator-positive groundwater source sample in the next report. NR 809.833(7)(f)2.2. The water supplier must continue to inform the public annually until the department determines that particular significant deficiency is corrected or the fecal contamination in the groundwater source is addressed under s. NR 809.327 (1). Each report must include all the following applicable elements: NR 809.833(7)(f)2.a.a. The nature of the particular significant deficiency or the source of the fecal contamination, if the source is known, and the date the significant deficiency was identified by the department or the dates of the fecal indicator-positive groundwater source samples. NR 809.833(7)(f)2.c.c. For each significant deficiency or fecal contamination in the groundwater source that has not been addressed under s. NR 809.327 (1), the department approved plan and schedule for correction, including interim measures, progress to date, and any interim measures completed. NR 809.833(7)(f)2.d.d. If the public water system receives notice of a fecal indicator-positive groundwater source sample that is not invalidated by the department under s. NR 809.323 (2), the potential health effects using the health effects language of Appendix A of subch. V. NR 809.833(7)(f)3.3. If directed by the department, a water supplier for a public water system with significant deficiencies that have been corrected before the next report is issued must inform the customers, of the public water system, of the significant deficiency, how the deficiency was corrected, and the date of correction under subd. 1. NR 809.833(7)(g)(g) Water suppliers required to conduct Level 1 or Level 2 assessments not resulting from an E. coli MCL violation. Any water supplier required to comply with the Level 1 assessment requirement or a Level 2 assessment requirement that is not resulting from an E. coli MCL violation must include in the report the text found in subds. 1. to 3. as appropriate, filling in the blanks accordingly. Any water supplier that has failed to complete all the required assessments or correct all identified sanitary defects is in violation of the treatment technique requirement and must also include one or both of the statements in subds. 4. and 5. of this paragraph, as appropriate. NR 809.833(7)(g)1.1. Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, waterborne pathogens may be present or that a potential pathway exists through which contamination may enter the drinking water distribution system. [NAME OF WATER SUPPLIER] found coliforms indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treatment or distribution. When this occurs, [NAME OF WATER SUPPLIER] is required to conduct assessments to identify problems and to correct any problems that were found during these assessments. NR 809.833(7)(g)2.2. During the past year we were required to conduct [INSERT NUMBER OF LEVEL 1 ASSESSMENTS] Level 1 assessments. [INSERT NUMBER OF LEVEL 1 ASSESSMENTS] Level 1 assessments were completed. In addition, we were required to take [INSERT NUMBER OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS] corrective actions and we completed [INSERT NUMBER OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS] of these actions. NR 809.833(7)(g)3.3. During the past year [INSERT NUMBER OF LEVEL 2 ASSESSMENTS] Level 2 assessments were required to be completed for our water system. [INSERT NUMBER OF LEVEL 2 ASSESSMENTS] Level 2 assessments were completed. In addition, we were required to take [INSERT NUMBER OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS] corrective actions and we completed [INSERT NUMBER OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS] of these actions. NR 809.833(7)(g)4.4. During the past year we failed to conduct all of the required assessments. NR 809.833(7)(g)5.5. During the past year we failed to correct all identified defects that were found during the assessments. NR 809.833(7)(h)(h) Water suppliers required to conduct Level 2 assessments resulting from an E. coli MCL violation. Any water supplier required to conduct a Level 2 assessment resulting from an E. coli MCL violation must include in the report the text found in subds. 1. and 2., filling in the blanks accordingly, if appropriate. Any system that has failed to complete the required assessment or correct all identified sanitary defects is in violation of the treatment technique requirement and must also include the statements in subds. 3. and 4., as appropriate. NR 809.833(7)(h)1.1. E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. We found E. coli bacteria, indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treatment or distribution. When this occurs, we are required to conduct assessments to identify problems and to correct any problems that were found during these assessments. NR 809.833(7)(h)2.2. We were required to complete a Level 2 assessment because we found E. coli in our water system. In addition, we were required to take [INSERT NUMBER OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS] corrective actions and we completed [INSERT NUMBER OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS] of these actions. NR 809.833(7)(h)4.4. We failed to correct all sanitary defects that were identified during the assessment that we conducted. NR 809.833(7)(i)(i) Water suppliers detecting E. coli and violating the E. coli MCL. If a water supplier detects E. coli and has violated the E. coli MCL, in addition to completing the table as required in sub. (3) (c), the water supplier must include one or more of the statements in subds.1. to 4. to describe any noncompliance, as applicable: NR 809.833(7)(i)1.1. We had an E. coli-positive repeat sample following a total coliform-positive routine sample. NR 809.833(7)(i)2.2. We had a total coliform-positive repeat sample following an E. coli-positive routine sample. NR 809.833(7)(i)3.3. We failed to take all required repeat samples following an E. coli-positive routine sample. NR 809.833(7)(i)4.4. We failed to test for E. coli when any repeat sample tests positive for total coliform. NR 809.833 HistoryHistory: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10; corrections in (5) (d) and (f) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2010 No. 659; CR 15-049: cr. (2) (d), am. (3) (c) 4. (intro.), b., r. and recr. (3) (c) 7., r. (3) (c) 8., renum. (3) (c) 9. to (c) 8., am. (7) (f) 1., 2. d., cr. (7) (g) to (i) Register March 2016 No. 723, eff. 4-1-16; correction in (7) (i) (intro.) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register March 2016 No. 723; correction in (2) (b), (6) (intro.), made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2018 No. 756. NR 809.835NR 809.835 Required additional health information for consumer confidence reports. NR 809.835(1)(1) Additional health information for vulnerable populations. All reports shall prominently display the following language: “Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the environmental protection agency’s safe drinking water hotline at 800-426-4791.” NR 809.835(2)(2) Additional arsenic information. Beginning July 1, 2002 a water supplier for a public water system that detects arsenic above 0.005 mg/L and up to and including 0.01 mg/L: NR 809.835(2)(a)(a) Shall include in the report a short information statement about arsenic, using language such as: While your drinking water meets EPA’s standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. EPA’s standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s possible health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems. NR 809.835(2)(b)(b) May write their own educational statement, but only in consultation with the department. NR 809.835(2m)(2m) Additional nitrate information. A system which detects nitrate at levels above 5 mg/L, but below the MCL: NR 809.835(2m)(a)(a) Shall include a short informational statement about the effects of nitrate on children using language such as: “Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant you should ask advice from your health care provider. Females who are or may become pregnant should not consume water with nitrate concentrations that exceed 10 ppm. There is some evidence of an association between exposure to high nitrate levels in drinking water during the first weeks of pregnancy and certain birth defects.” NR 809.835(2m)(b)(b) May write its own educational material, but only in consultation with the department. NR 809.835(3)(3) Additional lead information. Every report shall include the following lead-specific information: NR 809.835(3)(a)(a) A short informational statement about lead in drinking water and its effects on children. The statement must include the following information: “If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. [NAME OF UTILITY] is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.” NR 809.835(3)(b)(b) A system may write its own educational statement, but only in consultation with the department. NR 809.835 HistoryHistory: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10; CR 15-049: cr. (2m), r. and recr. (3) Register March 2016 No. 723, eff. 4-1-16. NR 809.837NR 809.837 Consumer confidence report delivery and recordkeeping. NR 809.837(1)(1) General delivery requirements. Except as provided in sub. (7), water suppliers for each community water system shall mail or otherwise directly deliver one copy of the report to each customer. Electronic delivery of the report is allowed if the water supplier of a community water system uses paper or electronic communication containing uniform resource locator (URL) information providing a direct link to the report and if the communication prominently displays the URL and a notice explaining the nature of the link. The electronic link shall take the customer to the entire report without directing the customer to another internet page. NR 809.837(2)(2) Delivery to consumers that are not billed. The water supplier shall make a good faith effort to reach consumers who do not get water bills, using means recommended by the department. EPA expects that an adequate good faith effort will be tailored to the consumers who are served by the public water system but are not bill-paying customers, such as renters or workers. A good faith effort to reach consumers would include a mix of methods appropriate to the particular public water system such as: Posting the reports on the Internet; mailing to postal patrons in metropolitan areas; advertising the availability of the report in the news media; publication in a local newspaper; posting in public places such as cafeterias or lunch rooms of public buildings; delivery of multiple copies for distribution by single-biller customers such as apartment buildings or large private employers; delivery to community organizations. NR 809.837(3)(3) Delivery to the department. No later than the date the public water system is required to distribute the report to its customers, the water supplier for each community water system shall also mail a copy of the report to the department, along with a certification that the report has been distributed to customers, and that the information is correct and consistent with the compliance monitoring data previously submitted to the department. NR 809.837(4)(4) Delivery to other agencies. No later than the date the public water system is required to distribute the report to its customers, the water supplier for each community water system shall deliver the report to any other agency or clearinghouse identified by the department. NR 809.837(5)(5) Report availability. The water supplier for each community water system shall make its reports available to the public upon request. NR 809.837(6)(6) Internet posting. The water supplier for each community water system serving 100,000 or more persons shall post its current year’s report to a publicly accessible site on the Internet. NR 809.837(7)(7) Governor’s waiver of report delivery. The Governor of Wisconsin or the governor’s designee may waive the requirement of sub. (1) for community water systems serving fewer than 10,000 persons. NR 809.837(7)(a)(a) The water supplier for a public water system that has received a waiver under this subsection shall do all of the following: NR 809.837(7)(a)1.1. Publish the reports in one or more local newspapers serving the area in which the public water system is located. NR 809.837(7)(a)2.2. Inform the customers that the reports will not be mailed, either in the newspapers in which the reports are published or by other means approved by the department. NR 809.837(7)(b)(b) The water supplier for a public water system serving 500 or fewer persons that has received a waiver under this subsection may forego the requirements of par. (a) 1. and 2. if they provide notice at least once per year to their customers by mail, door-to-door delivery or by posting in an appropriate location that the report is available upon request. NR 809.837(8)(8) Retention of reports. Any public water systems subject to this subchapter shall retain copies of its consumer confidence report for no less than 3 years. NR 809.837 HistoryHistory: CR 09-073: cr. Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10; CR 15-049: am. (1), (3), Appendix A to Subchapter V Register March 2016 No. 723, eff. 4-1-16; CR 21-088: am. Appendix A to Subchapter V Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22. Key:
AL = Action Level
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level
MCLG = Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
MFL = million fibers per liter
MRDL = Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
MRDLG = Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal
mrem/year = millirems per year (a measure of radiation
absorbed by the body)
N/A = Not Applicable
NTU = Nephelometric Turbidity Units (a measure of water clarity)
pCi/l = picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity)
ppm = parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/l)
ppb = parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (g/l)
ppt = parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter
ppq = parts per quadrillion, or picograms per liter
TT = Treatment Technique
NR 809.90(1)(1) General application requirements. A water supplier for a public water system may apply to the department for a conditional waiver for nonmicrobial contaminants respecting compliance with a maximum contaminant level or treatment technique requirement for a period up to 3 years if all of the following apply: NR 809.90(1)(a)1.1. Because of the characteristics of the raw water sources which are reasonably available, the public water system cannot comply with a maximum contaminant level despite application of best technology, treatment techniques or other means generally available, taking costs into consideration. NR 809.90(1)(a)2.2. Compelling factors, which may include economic factors, indicate that the public water system cannot comply with a maximum contaminant level or treatment technique requirement for a limited period of time. NR 809.90(1)(b)(b) The public water system was in operation on the effective date of the maximum contaminant level or treatment technique requirement. NR 809.90(1)(c)(c) Granting of a conditional waiver will not result in an unreasonable risk to public health. NR 809.90(1)(d)(d) The public water system shall have entered into a consent order agreement with the department regarding the conditional waiver. NR 809.90(2)(2) Small system application requirements. Water suppliers for small systems serving less than 3,300 persons, may apply for a conditional waiver for nonmicrobial contaminants only when all of the following conditions are met: NR 809.90(2)(a)(a) The contaminant or treatment technique to be waived has a maximum contaminant level or treatment technique requirement established in national primary drinking water regulations promulgated on or after January 1, 1986. NR 809.90(2)(b)(b) The technology used to comply with the maximum contaminant level or treatment technique is approved by the department. NR 809.90(2)(c)(c) Compliance with maximum contaminant levels or treatment techniques is not reasonably affordable through restructuring or consolidation changes, including ownership change or physical consolidation or both with another public water system, or obtaining financial assistance through the Wisconsin drinking water state revolving loan fund (DWSRF). NR 809.90(2)(d)(d) The small system is financially and technically capable of installing, operating and maintaining the applicable small system technology under par. (b).
