Instructions for Using the Failure to Certify Delivering Notification to Consumers Served by Known or Potential Service Line Containing Lead Template

Aug 30, 2026

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Instructions outline annual certification and delivery requirements for public water systems related to consumer notification for lead-containing service lines. It specifies dates, the need to demonstrate to the State that annual notifications and information were delivered for the prior calendar year, and when demonstrations must be made. It also details Tier 3 public notification obligations, timing after learning of a violation or situation, acceptable notice formats and delivery methods for CWS and NTNCWS, and conditions under which the Annual Water Quality Report can satisfy notice requirements while meeting required content and distribution rules.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatDOCX

Pages3

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Template overview

Description of violation or situation

Tier 3 public notification requirements

Timing and State demonstration

Acceptable notice methods for CWS and NTNCWS

AWQR as an option for Tier 3 notices

Template modification requirements

Required public notice elements

Instructions for Using the Failure to Certify Delivering Notification to Consumers Served by Known or Potential Service Line Containing Lead Template Template Attached Description of Violation or Situation Beginning October 16, 2024, water systems must comply with reporting requirements in HYPERLINK "https://www.ecfr.gov/on/2024-09-01/title-40/part-141/subpart-I" \l "p-141.90(e)(13)" 40 CFR 141.90(e)(13) to certify on an annual basis that the system has complied with consumer notification of service line materials as specified in HYPERLINK "https://www.ecfr.gov/on/2024-09-01/title-40/part-141/subpart-I" \l "p-141.85(e)" 40 CFR 141.85(e). Also, water systems must comply with HYPERLINK "https://www.ecfr.gov/on/2024-09-01/title-40/part-141/subpart-I" \l "p-141.90(f)(4)" 141.90(f)(4) which requires systems to demonstrate to the State that they delivered annual notification and information to affected consumers with lead, galvanized service lines requiring replacement, or lead status unknown service lines for the previous calendar year. The demonstration must be made annually by July 1 of the previous calendar year. Systems must provide a copy of the notification and information materials to the State. [ HYPERLINK "https://www.ecfr.gov/on/2024-09-01/title-40/part-141/subpart-I" \l "p-141.90(f)(4)" 40 CFR 141.90 (f)(4)]. Failure to comply with the requirements in HYPERLINK "https://www.ecfr.gov/on/2024-09-01/title-40/part-141/subpart-I" \l "p-141.90(e)(13)" 40 CFR 141.90(e)(13) or HYPERLINK "https://www.ecfr.gov/on/2024-09-01/title-40/part-141/subpart-I" \l "p-141.90(f)(4)" 141.90(f)(4) described above is a reporting violation that requires Tier 3 public notification. [ HYPERLINK "https://www.ecfr.gov/on/2024-04-01/title-40/part-141/appendix-Appendix%20A%20to%20Subpart%20Q%20of%20Part%20141" Appendix A to Subpart Q of Part 141]. You must provide Tier 3 public notification to persons served no later than one year after you learn of the violation or situation or begin operating under a variance or exemption [ HYPERLINK "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-141/subpart-Q/section-141.204" \l "p-141.204(b)" 40 CFR 141.204(b)]. Public water systems must provide the initial notice and any repeat notices in a form and manner that is reasonably calculated to reach persons served in the required time period. The form and manner of the public notice may vary based on the specific situation and type of water system, but it must at a minimum meet the following requirements [ HYPERLINK "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-141/subpart-Q/section-141.204" \l "p-141.204(c)" 40 CFR 141.204(c)]: CWSs must provide notice by: Mail or other direct delivery to each customer receiving a bill and to other service connections to which water is delivered by the PWS, Any other method reasonably calculated to reach other persons regularly served by the system if they would not normally be reached by the mail or direct delivery. This may include persons who do not pay water bills or do not have service connection addresses (e.g., house renters, apartment dwellers, university students, nursing home patients, prison inmates, etc.). Other methods may include: publication in a local newspaper; delivery of multiple copies for distribution by customers that provide their drinking water to others (e.g., apartment building owners or large private employers); posting in public places or on the Internet; or delivery to community organizations. In some circumstances, e-mail may also be an option that is reasonably calculated to reach other persons regularly served by the system. CWSs also have the option of using their Annual Water Quality Report (AWQR) to meet the Tier 3 public notice requirements for the initial Tier 3 PN and all required repeat notices as long as the AWQR is provided to persons served no later than 12 months after the system learns of the violation or situation, i

FAQs

When must water systems certify that consumer notification for lead service line materials was provided?

Beginning October 16, 2024, systems must certify annually that they complied with consumer notification requirements for lead service line materials. The demonstration for delivering annual notification and information must be made annually by July 1 of the previous calendar year.

What triggers the requirement for Tier 3 public notification?

Failure to comply with the cited certification and annual delivery requirements is a reporting violation that requires Tier 3 public notification. Public notice must be provided no later than one year after the system learns of the violation or begins operating under a variance or exemption.

How can community water systems (CWS) and non-transient non-community water systems (NTNCWS) deliver Tier 3 notices?

CWSs must notify by mail or direct delivery to customers and service connections, using other methods reasonably calculated to reach other regularly served persons (e.g., local newspaper, internet posting, community organizations). NTNCWSs must notify via conspicuous postings across the system or by mail/direct delivery where appropriate, with alternative methods such as newspapers, newsletters, email, or central-copy distribution when needed.

Aug 30, 2026

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