JEFFERSON CITY — Want to know all about the water you’re drinking? Read your water system’s annual drinking water quality report. The reports, called Consumer Confidence Reports, are required to be distributed to consumers by their public water supply no later than July 1.
The report provides consumers with detailed information regarding the source of their drinking water as well as the quality of the finished drinking water that was provided to the community during 2009.
All 1,476 community water systems in Missouri undergo regular water testing, which is often performed by the state. These systems include cities, water districts, subdivisions, mobile home parks and other water systems serving at least 25 individuals year-round. Large water systems serving more than 10,000 people must deliver each customer a copy of the report directly. Smaller systems may deliver a copy of the report by mail, publish it in the local newspaper, or post it at the water system’s office, public buildings or the local library.
The guiding principle behind consumer confidence reports is that all people have the right to know what is in their drinking water and where it comes from. The report provides an opportunity for water suppliers to educate consumers about the sources and quality of their drinking water and to involve them in decisions about it.
Any citizen served by a community water system who wants to know more about their drinking water and has not received a Consumer Confidence Report should call their water provider and request a copy.
For more information, contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Public Drinking Water Branch at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5331.
