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4/1/2025
WT Staff
 Got water questions? Give us a call at 877-52-WATER (877-529-2837), or email us at info@wtla.us
April 14, 2025 825 am CDT
2024 Annual Water Quality Reports come out in May 2025
Safe drinking water is critical for health and life, all the more critical for sensitive populations. Babies and children, pregnant women and the immune-compromised have special needs when it comes to water. Every household and business connected to a licensed public water distribution system in the US is entitled to a copy of the facility's Annual Report or Consumer Confidence Report. This report shows the water source, the people responsible for ensuring the safety of the water supply with contact information, and any violations of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations during the reporting year.
Annual Water Quality Report contains USA EPA Safe Drinking Water Act mandated sections and disclaimer statement, the source of the drinking water, and any discrepancies from the standard during the reporting period. If this is to be your first time opening a Consumer Confidence Report or Annual Water Quality Report, here is a spoiler.
A paragraph common to all reports in some form is the following disclaimer:
"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."
Even the drinking water facilities reporting perfect compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act may have measured quantities of particular substances that may not be advisable for sensitive persons to consume, especially on a long term basis. Make sure to read through the local water quality report for substances exceeding standard. If you have sensitive persons in your household, understand that drinking water meeting standards may not be appropriate for certain people. Look for elevated levels of inorganic chemicals such as fluoride, manganese or arsenic. Be aware of the presence and level of disinfection by-products, ask your health care provider how these factors may affect the members of your household over the long term.
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791
EPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issues guidelines on ways for households to minimize the chance of illness from microbial contaminants. Keep this number handy, Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791. If you believe your water may be at risk for microbiological contamination, check with the water facility about boiling to sanitize the water. Boiling for one minute will clean the water of bacteria or other microbial infections agents, however, if the water is already carrying inorganic chemistry in excess of the standards, boiling will act to further concentrate these elements. When in doubt, make the call.
See prior article on the latest changes to the SDWA, regulation of six PFAS compounds in drinking water, here.
The Safe Drinking Water Act protects public health through the administration and delivery of quality drinking water supplies across the USA. The US EPA establishes standards for drinking water, monitors and enforces treatment techniques for surface water and groundwater, sets maximum limits for around 100 contaminants ensuring public disclosure of deviations and discrepancies.
WaterToday opens the record books of the federal drinking water regulator to bring awareness to the local raw water supply and the compliance record of licensed water treatment facilities. The Louisiana Dept of Health inspects 1,263 licensed and active public drinking water facilities, reporting the results to the EPA. Check back here for drinking water news and alerts as they arise in LA.
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