Section 611.883  Content of the Reports

 

a)         Each CWS supplier must provide to its customers a report(s) containing the information specified in this Section 611.884, and include a summary as specified in Section 611.886..

 

b)         Information on the Source of the Water the Supplier Delivers

 

1)         Each report must identify the sources of the water the CWS delivers providing certain information:

 

A)        The type of the water (i.e., surface water, groundwater, or groundwater under the direct influence of surface water); and

 

B)        The commonly used name (if any) and location of the source body (or bodies) of water.

 

2)         If the supplier has a complete source water assessment, the report must notify consumers of the availability of this assessment, the year it was completed or most recently updated, and how to obtain it. In addition, the supplier should highlight in the report significant sources of contamination in the source water area if the supplier readily has that information.  If the supplier received the source water assessment from the Agency, the report must include a brief summary of the system's susceptibility to potential sources of contamination, using language the Agency provides or as the supplier writes.

 

c)         Definitions

 

1)         Each report must include two definitions:

 

A)        Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG:  The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which USEPA determines no known or expected risk to health exists.  MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

 

BOARD NOTE:  Although an MCLG is not an NPDWR that the Board must include in the Illinois SDWA regulations, USEPA mandates using this definition.

 

B)        Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL:  The highest level of a contaminant that USEPA allows in drinking water.  USEPA sets MCLs as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

 

C)        Contaminant:  Any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in the water.

 

2)         A CWS operating under relief from an NPDWR issued under Section 611.111, 611.112, 611.130, or 611.131 must include the following definition in its report:  "Variances, Adjusted Standards, and Site-specific Rules: State permission not to meet an MCL or a treatment technique under certain conditions."

 

3)         A report containing data on contaminants that USEPA regulates using any of certain terms must include the applicable definitions:

 

A)        Treatment technique:  A required process for reducing the concentration of a contaminant in drinking water.

 

B)        Action level:  The concentration of a contaminant above which a supplier must follow treatment or other requirements.

 

C)        Maximum residual disinfectant level goal or MRDLG:  The concentration of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health.  MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of using disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

 

BOARD NOTE:  Although an MRDLG is not an NPDWR that the Board must include in the Illinois SDWA regulations, USEPA mandates using this definition if the report uses the term "MRDLG".

 

D)        Maximum residual disinfectant level or MRDL:  The highest concentration of a disinfectant USEPA allows in drinking water.  There is convincing evidence that adding a disinfectant is necessary to control microbial contaminants.

 

E)        Hazard Index or HI. The Hazard Index is an approach that determines the health concerns associated with mixtures of certain PFAS in finished drinking water. Low levels of multiple PFAS that individually would not likely result in adverse health effects may pose health concerns when combined in a mixture. The Hazard Index MCL represents the maximum level for mixtures of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and/or PFBS allowed in water delivered by a public water supplier. A Hazard Index greater than 1 requires a supplier to take action.

 

4)         A report containing information about a Level 1 or Level 2 assessment under Subpart AA requires must include the applicable definition:

 

A)        "Level 1 assessment:  A Level 1 assessment is a study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system."

 

B)        "Level 2 assessment:  A Level 2 assessment is a very detailed study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why an E. coli MCL violation occurred or why monitoring found total coliform bacteria in our water system on multiple occasions."

 

5)         Suppliers must use the following definitions for the terms listed below if the terms are used in the report unless the supplier obtains written approval form the Agency to use an alternate definition:

 

A)        Pesticide:  Generally, any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest.

 

B)        Herbicide:  Any chemical(s) used to control undesirable vegetation.

 

d)         Information on Detected Contaminants

 

1)         This subsection (d) specifies the information a supplier must include in each report for contaminants subject to mandatory monitoring (except Cryptosporidium):

 

A)        Contaminants subject to an MCL, action level, MRDL, or treatment technique (regulated contaminants); and

 

B)        Contaminants for which monitoring is required by USEPA under 40 CFR 141.40 (unregulated contaminants).

 

2)         The data relating to these contaminants must be presented in the reports in a manner that is clear and understandable for consumers.  For example, the data may be displayed in one table or in several adjacent tables.  The CWS must separately display any additional monitoring results it chooses to include in its report.

 

3)         The supplier must derive the data in the report from data it collected to comply with monitoring and analytical requirements during the previous calendar year or the most recent calendar year before the previous calendar year except that.

 

A)        Where a supplier is allowed to monitor for regulated contaminants less often than once a year, the contaminant data section must include the date and results of the most recent sampling and the report must include a brief statement indicating that the data presented in the report are from the most recent testing done in compliance with the regulations.  No data older than 5 years need be included.

 

B)        This subsection (d)(3)(B) corresponds with 40 CFR 141.153(d)(3)(ii), which USEPA has designated as "reserved".  This statement maintains structural correspondence with the corresponding federal regulation.

 

4)         For each detected regulated contaminant (listed in Appendix A to this subpart), data section(s) must contain:

 

A)        The MCL for the contaminant expressed as a number equal to or greater than 1.0 (as Appendix A provides);

 

B)        The federal Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) for that contaminant expressed in the same units as the MCL;

 

C)        If there is no MCL for a detected contaminant, the contaminant data section(s) must indicate that there is a treatment technique or specify the action level for the contaminant, and the report must include the applicable of the definitions for treatment technique or action level that subsection (c)(3) specifies;

 

D)        For contaminants subject to an MCL, except turbidity and E. coli, the contaminant data sections must contain the highest contaminant level the supplier used to determine compliance with the applicable NPDWR and the range of detected levels as follows:

 

i)          When the supplier determines compliance with the MCL annually or less frequently:  the highest detected level at any sampling point and the range of detected levels expressed in the same units as the MCL.

 

ii)         When the supplier determines compliance with the MCL by calculating a running annual average of all samples taken at a monitoring location:  the highest average of all monitoring locations and the range of individual sample results for all monitoring locations expressed in the same units as the MCL.  For TTHM and HAA5 MCLs in Section 611.312(b), the supplier must include the highest locational running annual average for TTHM and HAA5 and the range of individual sample results for all monitoring locations expressed in the same units as the MCL.  If results from more than one location exceed the TTHM or HAA5 MCL, the supplier must include the locational running annual average for each location having results exceeding the MCL.

 

BOARD NOTE:  If a rule allows rounding results to determine compliance with an MCL, the supplier should round before multiplying the results by the applicable factor in Appendix A.

 

E)        For turbidity:

 

i)          Corresponding 40 CFR 141.153(d)(4)(v)(A) relates to an MCL for turbidity applicable to unfiltered systems, which do not exist in Illinois.  This statement maintains structural consistency with the federal rules.

 

ii)         If the supplier reports under Section 611.211(b):  the highest monthly value.  The report must explain the reasons for measuring turbidity.

 

iii)        If the supplier reports under Section 611.250, 611.743, or 611.955(b):  the highest single measurement and the lowest monthly percentage of samples meeting the turbidity limits Section 611.250, 611.743, or 611.955(b) specifies for the filtration technology the supplier uses.  The report must explain the reasons for measuring turbidity;

 

F)         For lead and copper:  the 90^th percentile concentration of the most recent rounds of sampling, the number of sampling sites exceeding the action level, and the range of tap sampling results;

 

G)        This subsection (d)(4)(G) corresponds with 40 CFR 141.153(d)(4)(vii), which has no operative effect after a past implementation date.  This statement maintains structural consistency with the federal regulations;

 

H)        This subsection (d)(4)(H) corresponds with 40 CFR 141.153(d)(4)(viii), a now-obsolete implementing provision.  This statement maintains structural consistency with the federal regulations;

 

I)         The likely sources of detected contaminants to the best of the supplier's knowledge.  Specific information regarding contaminants may be available in sanitary surveys and source water assessments and must be used when available to the supplier.  If the supplier lacks specific information on the likely source, the report must include one or more of the typical sources for that contaminant listed in Appendix G that are most applicable to the CWS; and

 

J)         For E. coli analytical results under Subpart AA, the total number of E. coli positive samples;

 

5)         If a CWS distributes water to its customers from multiple hydraulically independent distribution systems fed by different raw water sources, the contaminant data section(s) should differentiate contaminant data for each service area, and the report must identify each separate distribution system.  For example, if displayed in a table, it should contain a separate column for each service area.  Alternatively, a CWS may produce separate reports tailored to include data for each service area.

 

6)         The detected contaminant data section(s) must clearly identify any data indicating violations of MCLs, MRDLs, or treatment techniques, and the report must contain a clear and readily understandable explanation of the violation, including specific information:  the length of the violation, the potential adverse health effects, and actions the CWS took to address the violation.  To describe the potential health effects, the CWS must use the relevant language from Appendix A.

 

7)         For detected unregulated contaminants for which USEPA requires monitoring under 40 CFR 141.40, the reports must present the average and range at which the supplier detected the contaminant.  The report must briefly explain the reasons for monitoring for unregulated contaminants such as:

 

A)        Unregulated contaminant monitoring helps the Agency to determine where certain contaminants occur and whether the Agency should consider regulating those contaminants in the future.

 

B)        May use an alternative educational statement in the CCR if approved by the Agency.

 

8)         For suppliers that exceeded the lead action level in Section 611.350(c), the detected contaminant data section must clearly identify the exceedance if any corrective action has been required by the USEPA or the Agency during the monitoring period covered by the report. The report must include a clear and readily understandable explanation of the exceedance, the steps consumers can take to reduce their exposure to lead in drinking water, and a description of any corrective actions the supplier has or will take to address the exceedance.

 

e)         Information on Cryptosporidium, radon, and other contaminants:

 

1)         If the CWS monitored for Cryptosporidium, which indicates the possible presence of Cryptosporidium in the supplier's source water or finished water, the report must include:

 

A)        A summary of the results of the monitoring; and

 

B)        An explanation of the significance of the results.

 

2)         If the CWS monitored for radon, and the monitoring indicates the possible presence of radon in the supplier's finished water, the report must include:

 

A)        The results of the monitoring; and

 

B)        An explanation of the significance of the results.

 

3)         If the CWS conducted additional monitoring indicating the presence of other contaminants in the supplier's finished water, the report must include specific information:

 

A)        The monitoring results; and

 

B)        It must explain the results' significance noting any health advisory or proposed regulation.

 

f)         Complying with an NPDWR.  In addition to the information subsection (d)(6) requires, the report must note any specific violations that occurred during the period the report covers and include a clear and readily understandable explanation of the violation, any potential adverse health effects, and the steps the CWS took to correct the violation.

 

1)         Monitoring and reporting compliance data.

 

2)         Filtration and Disinfection Under Subpart B.  For a CWS failing to install adequate filtration or disinfection equipment or processes or having filtration or disinfection equipment or processes fail, causing a violation, the report must include specific language to explain potential adverse health effects:  "Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms.  These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches."

 

3)         Lead and copper control requirements under Subpart G.  For suppliers that fail to take one or more actions under Sections 611.350 through 611.363 the report must include the applicable language from Appendix A for lead, copper, or both.

 

4)         Treatment Techniques for Acrylamide and Epichlorohydrin Under Section 611.296.  For a supplier violating Section 611.296, the report must include the applicable language from Appendix A.

 

5)         A supplier failing to maintain required compliance data records.

 

6)         A supplier not complying with special monitoring requirements under Section 611.630.

 

7)         A supplier violating the terms of a variance, adjusted standard, site-specific rule, or administrative or judicial order.

 

g)         Variances, Adjusted Standards, and Site-Specific Rules.  If a supplier operates under the terms of a variance, adjusted standard, or site-specific rule the Board issued under Section 611.111, 611.112, or 611.131, the report must contain:

 

1)         It must explain the reasons for the variance, adjusted standard, or site-specific rule;

 

2)         It must state when the Board issued the variance, adjusted standard, or site-specific rule;

 

3)         It must include a brief status report on the steps the CWS is taking to install treatment, find alternative sources of water, or otherwise comply with the terms and schedules of the variance, adjusted standard, or site-specific rule; and

 

4)         It must include a notice of any opportunity for public input in any review or renewal of the variance, adjusted standard, or site-specific rule.

 

h)         Additional Information

 

1)         The report must briefly explain about contaminants that one may reasonably expect to find in drinking water, including bottled water.  This may include the language from subsections (h)(1)(A) through (h)(1)(C), or the CWS may use its own comparable language.  The report also must include the language from subsection (h)(1)(D).

 

A)        Both tap water and bottled water come from rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells.  As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material.  The water can also pick up and transport substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.  These substances are also called contaminants.

 

B)        Contaminants are any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water.  Contaminants that may be present in source water include :

 

i)          Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife;

 

ii)         Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can occur naturally in the soil or groundwater or may result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming;

 

iii)        Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, or residential uses;

 

iv)        Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are products and byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production and which can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, or septic systems; and

 

v)         Radioactive contaminants, which can occur naturally or the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

 

C)        To protect public health, USEPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in tap water PWSs provide.  United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health.

 

D)        One may reasonably expect drinking water, including bottled water, to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants.  The presence of contaminants does not necessarily mean that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects is available from the USEPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) or USEPA's Safe Drinking Water Information webpage (www.epa.gov/safewater).

 

2)         The report must include a telephone number for the CWS's owner, operator, or designee as a source of additional information about the report.  If a supplier uses a website or social media to share additional information, the USEPA recommends including information about how to access such media platforms in the report.

 

3)         In communities with a large proportion of consumers with limited English proficiency, as the Agency determines, the report must contain information in the appropriate languages regarding the importance of the report and either contain information where consumers may obtain a translated copy of the report, or assistance in the appropriate language(s) or the report must be in the appropriate language(s).

 

4)         The report must inform about opportunities for public participation in decisions potentially affecting water quality.

 

5)         The CWS may include any additional information it deems necessary for public education that is consistent with and does not detract from the purpose of the report.

 

6)         Suppliers That Must Comply with Subpart S

 

A)        Any GWS supplier that receives written notice from the Agency of a significant deficiency or notice from a laboratory of a fecal indicator-positive ground water source sample that is not invalidated by the Agency under Section 611.802(d) must inform its customers of any significant deficiency that is uncorrected at the time of the next reporting period or of any fecal indicator-positive groundwater source sample in the next report or 6-month updated in compliance with Section 611.885.  The supplier must continue to inform the public annually until the Agency determines that the particular significant deficiency is corrected or the fecal contamination in the groundwater source is addressed under Section 611.803(a).  Each report must include the following elements:

 

i)          The nature of the particular significant deficiency or the source of the fecal contamination (if the supplier knows the source) and the date the Agency identified the significant deficiency or the dates of the fecal indicator-positive groundwater source samples;

 

ii)         Whether or not the supplier has addressed the fecal contamination in the groundwater source under Section 611.803(a) and the date the supplier did so;

 

iii)        For each significant deficiency or fecal contamination in the groundwater source that the supplier has not addressed under Section 611.803(a), the Agency-approved plan and schedule for correction, including interim measures, progress to date, and any interim measures the supplier completed; and

 

iv)        If the supplier receives notice of a fecal indicator-positive groundwater source sample that the Agency does not invalidate under Section 611.802(d), the potential health effects using the pertinent health effects language from appendix A to this subpart.

 

B)        If the Agency issues a SEP directing a supplier to do so, a supplier with significant deficiencies that the supplier corrected before issuing the next report must inform its customers under subsection (h)(7)(A)(iv) of the significant deficiency, how the supplier corrected the deficiency, and the date the supplier corrected the deficiency.

 

7)         Suppliers That Must Comply with Subpart AA

 

A)        Any supplier that must comply with the Level 1 assessment requirement or a Level 2 assessment requirement that is not due to an E. coli MCL violation must include in the report the text found in subsections (h)(7)(A)(i) through (h)(7)(A)(iii), as appropriate, filling in the blanks accordingly and the text found in subsection (h)(7)(A)(iv), if appropriate.

 

i)          "Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, waterborne pathogens may be present or that a potential pathway exists through which contamination may enter the drinking water distribution system.  We found coliforms indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treatment or distribution.  When this occurs, we are required to conduct assessment(s) to identify problems and to correct any problems that were found during these assessments."

 

ii)         "During the past year we were required to conduct [insert number of Level 1 assessments] Level 1 assessment(s). [insert number of Level 1 assessments] Level 1 assessment(s) were completed.  In addition, we were required to take [insert number of corrective actions] corrective actions and we completed [insert number of corrective actions] of these actions."

 

iii)        "During the past year [insert number of Level 2 assessments] Level 2 assessments were required to be completed for our water system.  [insert number of Level 2 assessments] Level 2 assessments were completed. In addition, we were required to take [insert number of corrective actions] corrective actions and we completed [insert number of corrective actions] of these actions."

 

iv)        Any supplier that has failed to complete all the required assessments or correct all identified sanitary defects, is in violation of the treatment technique requirement and must also include one or both of the following statements, as appropriate:  "During the past year we failed to conduct all the required assessment(s)." or "During the past year we failed to correct all identified defects that were found during the assessment."

 

B)        Any supplier that must conduct a Level 2 assessment due to an E. coli MCL violation must include in the report the text found in subsections (h)(7)(B)(i) and (h)(7)(B)(ii), and health effects language in appendix A to this subpart, filling in the blanks accordingly and the appropriate alternative text found in subsection (h)(7)(B)(iii), if appropriate.  Suppliers may use an alternative statement with equivalent information for paragraphs (h)(7)(B)(i) through (iii), if approved by the primacy agency.

 

i)          "We found E. coli bacteria, indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treatment or distribution. When this occurs, we are required to conduct assessment(s), also known as level 2 assessment, to identify problems and to correct any problems that were found during these assessments."

 

ii)         "We were required to complete a detailed assessment of our water system, also known as a Level 2 assessment, because we found E. coli in our water system. In addition, we were required to take [insert number of corrective actions] corrective actions and we completed [insert number of corrective actions] of these actions."

 

iii)        Any supplier that has failed to complete the required assessment or correct all identified sanitary defects, is in violation of the treatment technique requirement and must also include one or both of the following statements, as appropriate:  "We failed to conduct the required assessment." or "We failed to correct all defects that were identified during the assessment that we conducted."

 

C)        If a supplier detects E. coli and has violated the E. coli MCL, in addition to completing the table, as subsection (d)(4) requires, the supplier must include one or more of specific statements best describing the noncompliance:

 

i)          "We had an E. coli-positive repeat sample following a total coliform-positive routine sample."

 

ii)         "We had a total coliform-positive repeat sample following an E. coli-positive routine sample."

 

iii)        "We failed to take all required repeat samples following an E. coli-positive routine sample."

 

iv)        "We failed to test for E. coli when any repeat sample tested positive for total coliform."

 

D)        If a supplier detects E. coli and has not violated the E. coli MCL, in addition to completing the table as required in subsection (d)(4), the supplier may include a statement explaining that although the supplier detected E. coli, it did not violate the E. coli MCL.

 

8)         Suppliers required to comply with subpart G.

 

A)        The report must notify consumers that complete lead tap sampling data is available for review and must include information on how to access the data.

 

B)        The report must include a statement that a service line inventory (including inventories where the publicly accessible inventory consist of a written statement that there are no lead, galvanized requiring replacement, lead status unknown service lines, known lead connectors or connectors of unknown material) has been prepared and include instructions to access the publicly accessible service line inventory.  If the service line inventory is available online, the report must include the direct link to the inventory.

 

C)        For suppliers with lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or lead status unknown service lines in the supplier's inventory under Section 611.354(a) and (b), the report must include information on how to obtain a copy of the service line replacement plan or a direct link to the plan if the supplier is required to make the service line replacement plan available online.

 

D)        The report must contain a plainly worded explanation of the corrosion control efforts the supplier is taking in compliance with subpart G, and AH, if applicable.  Corrosion control efforts consist of treatment (e.g., pH adjustment, alkalinity adjustment, or corrosion inhibitor addition) and other efforts contributing to the control of the corrosivity of water, e.g., monitoring to assess the corrosivity of water.  The supplier may use one of the following templates or use their own explanation that includes equivalent information.

 

i)          For suppliers with Agency or USEPA-designated Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment: 

Corrosion of pipes, plumbing fittings and fixtures may cause lead and copper to enter drinking water.  To assess corrosion of lead and copper, [name of supplier] conducts tap sampling for lead and copper at selected sites [insert frequency at which supplier conducts tap sampling]. [Name of supplier] treats water using [identify treatment method] to control corrosion, which was designated as the optimal corrosion control treatment by [the Agency or USEPA, as applicable].  To ensure the treatment is operating effectively, [name of supplier] monitors water quality parameters set by the [Agency or USEPA, as applicable] [insert frequency at which supplier conducts water quality parameter monitoring].  If applicable add: "[Name of supplier] is currently conducting a study of corrosion control to determine if any changes to treatment methods are needed to minimize the corrosivity of the water."

 

ii)         For suppliers without Agency or USEPA designated Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment:  Corrosion of pipes, plumbing fittings and fixtures may cause metals, including lead and copper, to enter drinking water.  To assess corrosion of lead and copper, [name of supplier] conducts tap sampling for lead and copper at selected sites [insert frequency at which supplier conducts tap sampling].  If applicable, add: "[Name of supplier] treats water using [identify treatment method] to control corrosion.  If applicable add: "[Name of supplier] is currently conducting a study of corrosion control to determine if any changes to treatment methods are needed to minimize the corrosivity of the water.

 

E)        The report must include a statement that the supplier is required to sample for lead in schools and licensed childcare facilities as requested by the facility and that directs the public to contact their school or childcare facility for further information about potential sampling results.

 

BOARD NOTE:  This Section derives from 40 CFR 141.153.

 

(Source:  Amended at 50 Ill. Reg. 2531, effective February 17, 2026)