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Most public water systems in compliance

Release Date: 4/29/2003
Contact Information:
800 227-8917 x6280,

Release Date: 4/29/2003
Contact Information:
800 227-8917 x6812,

Release Date: 4/29/2003
Contact Information:
800 227-8917 x6274

Denver -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that 553 of Wyoming's public water systems achieved perfect compliance with the total coliform (bacteria) rule in 2001. This represents 74 percent of all public water systems in Wyoming.

The total coliform rule requires each public water system to test for coliforms. The frequency and number of tests vary with the size and classification of the water system. A water system that exceeds its limit of total coliforms in a reporting period (monthly or quarterly) has a violation called a maximum contaminant level (MCL) exceedance. A water system that does not get its samples to the lab on time has a failure to monitor violation. Perfect compliance means these public water systems had no MCL exceedances or failure to monitor violations for an entire year.

AMost of Wyoming=s public water system operators are very conscientious, and continually strive to stay in compliance with our drinking water regulations,@ EPA total coliform rule manager Charla Colson said. AThis announcement is one way we can acknowledge what a great job these people are doing.@

"The presence of coliform bacteria in drinking water does not necessarily pose a health threat, since most of them are not harmful to humans," Colson explained. "However, if any coliform bacteria are found in a water system, we have to ask >How did it get there?= It could be, for instance, from a leak in the water pipes. If relatively harmless coliform bacteria could get in, then pathogenic (harmful) bacteria could possibly get in as well. This is the reason EPA requires water system operators to take follow-up samples after total coliform bacteria is found in their water.@

Total coliforms are but one of 60+ contaminants for which public water systems may be required to test. Community water systems -- public water systems with 15 or more taps serving a permanent population of more than 25 residents -- must report annually on their test results and any violations. Community water systems are required to report summary findings through Consumer Confidence Reports, which are available to the public on July 1.

The list of water systems in compliance, organized by county, is available at http://epa.gov/region8/water/dwhome/wycon/dwdrink.html or call Charla Colson at 800 227-8917 x6280. EPA will be releasing a new list every year. For more information about bacterial contamination in drinking water, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.