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Instructions for Fecal Coliform or E. Coli
Notice
Since exceeding the fecal coliform or E. coli maximum
contaminant level is a Tier 1 violation, you must provide public notice to
persons served as soon as practical but within 24 hours after you learn of the
violation. During this time, you must also contact the Minnesota
Department of Health. You should also coordinate with your local health
department. You may also have to modify the template if you also have high
nitrate levels or other coliform MCL violations. You must use one or more
of the following methods to deliver the notice to consumers:
You may need to use additional methods (e.g. newspaper, delivery
of multiple copies to hospitals, clinics, or apartment buildings) since notice
must be provided in a manner reasonably calculated to reach all persons served.
The notice is appropriate for hand delivery or a newspaper
notice. However, you may wish to modify it before using it for a radio or
TV notice. If you do, you must still include all required elements and
leave the health effects language in italics unchanged. This language is
mandatory. If you post or hand deliver, print your notice on letterhead,
if you have it.
Population Served
Make sure it is clear who is served by your water system, you may need to
list the areas you serve.
Corrective Action
In your notice, describe corrective actions you are taking. Listed
below are some steps commonly taken by water systems with fecal coliform or E.
coli violations. Use one or more of the following actions, if appropriate,
or develop your own:
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We are chlorinating and flushing the water system.
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We are switching to an alternate drinking water source.
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We are increasing sampling for coliform bacteria to determine
the source of the contamination.
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We are repairing the wellhead seal.
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We are repairing the storage tank.
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We are restricting water intake from the river/lake/reservoir
to prevent additional bacteria from entering the water system and restricting
water use to emergencies.
After Issuing the Notice
Send a copy of each type of notice and a certification letter that you have
met all the public notice requirements to the Minnesota Department of Health
within ten days from the time you issue the notice.
It is recommended that you modify health professionals in the
area of violation. People may call their doctors with questions about how
the violation may affect their health, and the doctors should have the
information they need to respond appropriately. In addition, health
professionals, including dentists, use tap water during their procedures and
need to know of contamination so they can use bottled water. It is a good
idea to issue a "problem corrected" notice when the violation is resolved.
Source: Minnesota Department of Health
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