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Guide Offers Strategies for Water Risk Communication

November 7, 2007

EPA recently released a best practices guide that helps public water systems communicate with their customers about drinking water risks.

"Talking to your Customers about Chronic Contaminants" discusses the importance of communicating with the public about chronic contaminants, both regulated and unregulated, and describes effective strategies for getting the message out.,/P>

Drinking water contaminants that can cause adverse health effects after continuous long-term exposure at levels greater than the maximum contaminant level are considered "chronic" contaminants. Examples of chronic drinking water contaminants regulated by EPA include inorganic contaminants such as arsenic, organic contaminants such as pesticides and radiological contaminants.

The agency states in addition to providing required annual consumer confidence reports, avenues for public communication may include:

• hosting public meetings.
• inviting the public on facility tours.
• publishing articles in local newspapers.

For more information about the guide, go to http://www.epa.gov/safewater.