What are consumer confidence reports?
Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs), also known as “annual drinking water quality reports” (EPA) are reports published by public water systems (well water is NOT included) mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Simply put, water providers are required to monitor drinking water quality and report results to water users each year. These annual reports provide information on potential contaminants detected through testing.
Who gets consumer confidence reports, and when are they published?
The EPA requires water utilities to send reports to customers (usually by mail) by July 1 each year. Contact your building manager or landlord for a copy of the report if you live in an apartment or rental property. Some reports are also published online through the water provider.
If you did not receive a report, contact your water provider or search online using the EPA Consumer Confidence Reports search tool.
What information is in the report?
The report should include:
- Source of drinking water
- Table of Detected Contaminants – summary of contamination risk and sources of potential contamination
- Potential health effects of contaminants
- Actions to restore safe water if contaminants are detected
- Educational information about specific contaminants
- Contact information for additional information
- EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791
Are there tools to help me understand my report?
Yes, many resources can help you interpret your water quality report.
EPA has a helpful publication that breaks down the components of the reports:
Understanding Your Annual Water Quality Report
Additional Resources:
Alabama Extension article explaining common contaminants in drinking water
EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries – useful for finding who your water provider is (note that this map is incomplete)
Being good stewards of our land can help reduce the occurrence of harmful contaminants entering the water. Learn how you can help protect your drinking water source.