Oregon Administrative Rules
Chapter 333 - OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY, PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION
Division 61 - DRINKING WATER
Section 333-061-0570 - Public Notification

Universal Citation: OR Admin Rules 333-061-0570

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 12, December 1, 2024

Water suppliers must notify the public as follows.

(1) Issuance of a health advisory.

(a) If any cyanotoxin concentration from an entry point confirmation sample exceeds any health advisory level, the water supplier and any suppliers that purchase water from that system must issue a health advisory as soon as possible stating that the water is not safe to drink for the applicable populations per OAR 333-061-0530, but no later than 24 hours of receipt of results.

(b) The water supplier must provide notice to persons served by the water system using one or more of the following forms of delivery, upon approval by the Authority:
(A) Appropriate broadcast media such as radio, television, and social media;

(B) Posting of the notice in conspicuous locations throughout the area served by the water system;

(C) Hand delivery of the notice to persons served by the water system; or

(D) Another delivery method approved in writing by the Authority.

(c) The public notification must include, at a minimum, the cyanotoxin and health advisory level exceeded, the sample collection dates, dates results were received, locations of the samples, persons affected, and the standard health effects language in section (6) of this rule.

(2) The Authority may allow a water supplier additional time to issue an advisory, in order to await additional results or implement operational changes to reduce cyanotoxin levels, including but not limited to switching sources and optimizing treatment. If the Authority allows additional time, the water supplier must issue public notification to all customers within 24 hours of receiving the confirmation sample results. The notification must include the date the samples were collected, the dates results were received, whether the sample was collected at the entry point or in the distribution, the results of the analyses, and steps the water supplier is taking to minimize risk to public health.

(3) If a water supplier exceeds a health advisory level in a portion of the distribution system that is physically or hydraulically isolated from other parts of the distribution system, the Authority may, in writing, allow the system to limit distribution of the public notice to only persons served by that portion of the system serving water that exceeds the health advisory level.

(4) Unless otherwise specified by the Authority based on public health and safety considerations, a health advisory must remain in effect until the following occur:

(a) Cyanotoxin concentrations are at or below the applicable health advisory level in two consecutive samples collected a minimum of 24 hours apart at the entry point; and

(b) Cyanotoxin concentrations are at or below the applicable health advisory level in two consecutive sets of samples collected a minimum of 24 hours apart at representative distribution sampling points.

(5) Each water supplier that detects a cyanotoxin in any sample collected in accordance with OAR 333-061-0540 must include the following in the consumer confidence report required by OAR 333-061-0043:

(a) The range of concentrations detected and highest single measurement of cyanotoxin concentration in samples collected at entry points and distribution sampling points, the cyanotoxin health advisory level, and whether an advisory was required to be issued;

(b) Information regarding the major source of the contaminant using definitions found in OAR 333-061-0520(2) and (7). Alternate language may be used if approved by the Authority;

(c) Persons affected, if not all; and

(d) Standard health effects language in section (6) of this rule.

(6) Water suppliers must include the following standard health effects language in public notification and consumer confidence reports: "Consuming water containing concentrations of cyanotoxins over the health advisory level for more than 10 days may result in upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, as well as liver or kidney damage. Seek medical attention if you or your family members experience illness."

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 448.123, 448.131 & 448.150

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 448.123 & 448.150

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Oregon may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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