Water supplies are vital community resources that residents and visitors alike depend on. While cities and counties spend considerable effort in keeping these systems safe, water main breaks and other hazards frequently place water quality at risk. These cover a wide array of potential threats, with the most common contaminants including:

• Fertilizer nitrates
• Germs and bacteria
• Industrial chemicals

Ensure Public Safety

When these and other contaminants get into the water supply, citizens must know the dangers they pose so they can react appropriately. They also need to know what steps they should take to stay safe, whether that means boiling their water or avoiding the tap altogether — and they often need to know as soon as possible. Without notice, people who depend on that supply run the risk of unknowingly drinking and using – in cooking, bathing, etc. – contaminated water, creating an increased risk for illness.

Maintain Federal Compliance

Boil water alerts and other drinking water advisories are more than a public service. They are a requirement enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Under the Safe Drinking Act, suppliers must issue warnings any time contaminants exceed acceptable limits, or otherwise face compounding financial penalties. Following the Public Notification Rule, the EPA mandates water providers issue alerts and include detailed information whenever there’s a potential risk to public health.