Lead Action Level Exceedance (ALE) - 24-Hour Tier 1 Public Notice Instructions

Aug 30, 2026

This document provides instructions and fillable templates for issuing a 24-hour Tier 1 public notice when a drinking water system’s lead action level (ALE) is exceeded. It specifies mandatory italicized language, required notice elements, how to complete highlighted fields with PWS information, and rules for distribution and certification timelines. It includes a model public notice explaining elevated lead findings, the health risks of lead exposure, and practical steps residents can take to reduce lead in drinking water.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatDOCX

Pages5

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Instructions

24-Hour Lead ALE Tier 1 PN Template

24-Hour Lead ALE Tier 1 PN Certification

Drinking Water Notice (Template)

What Happened?

Health Effects of Lead

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Exposure to Lead in Your Water

Lead Action Level Exceedance (ALE) 24-Hour Tier 1 Public Notice Instructions This document contains: Instructions (page 1) 24-Hour Lead ALE Tier 1 PN Template (pages 2-4) 24-Hour Lead ALE Tier 1 PN Certification (page 5) Instructions: Complete each highlighted and bracketed field of the PN template with your PWS information. The PN template can be edited to best represent your public water system’s specific ALE, but the PN must contain all 9 required elements listed on the certification page. Italicized language is mandatory and cannot be changed or removed. Distribute the PN and submit copies to HYPERLINK "mailto:DWPMOR@maine.gov" DWPMOR@maine.gov within 24 hours of becoming aware of the Lead ALE. Complete the certification page and submit it to HYPERLINK "mailto:DWPMOR@maine.gov" DWPMOR@maine.gov within 10 days of PN distribution. DRINKING WATER NOTICE INSERT PWS NAME INSERT PWS ID # Sampling shows high levels of lead in some homes and/or buildings. During recent water testing, [INSERT NAME OF WATER SYSTEM] found high levels of lead in drinking water in some homes/buildings. Your home or building may have been tested. If so, you should receive or may have already received these results, which are specific to your home/building and may be different from the results taken in other locations. Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant persons and young children. Please read the information provided to learn about lead and see what you can do to reduce lead in your drinking water. What is an Action Level? The lead action level is a measure of the effectiveness of the corrosion control treatment in water systems or a measure of whether untreated water is corrosive. The action level is not a standard for establishing a safe level of lead in a home. To check if corrosion control is working or if untreated water is corrosive, EPA requires water systems to test for lead at the tap in certain homes, including those with lead service lines. Systems compare their sample results to EPA’s action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb). If 10 percent of the samples have water concentrations that are greater than the action level, then the system must perform actions such as public education, installing or adjusting treatment, and lead service line replacement. What Happened? Between [Month/Year] and [Month/Year], we collected [insert # of samples] samples and analyzed them for lead. The results of 10 percent or more of our samples exceeded the action level for lead. We are focused on protecting the health of every household in our community; however, lead from service lines and lead plumbing and fixtures can dissolve or break off into water and end up at the faucet. [Describe any system specific sources of lead, if known.] We found that [insert source(s) of lead e.g., lead service lines, lead in plumbing, etc.] are potential sources of lead in your drinking water. This does not mean that every property that receives drinking water has lead. It does mean that you should understand how to reduce your exposure to lead through water. Keep in mind that drinking water is not the only potential source of lead exposure, since lead can be found in air, soil, and paint. For more information on all sources of lead, visit HYPERLINK "https://www.epa.gov/lead" \h https://www.epa.gov/lead. Health Effects of Lead *Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney, or nervous system problems. * Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Exposure to Lead in Your Water Below are recommended actions that you may take, separa

FAQs

What information must be filled into the 24-hour Lead ALE Tier 1 public notice template?

Complete each highlighted and bracketed field with your PWS information. The notice must include all 9 required elements, and italicized language is mandatory and cannot be changed or removed.

How quickly must the public notice be distributed and the certification submitted?

Distribute the PN and submit copies to DWPMOR within 24 hours of becoming aware of the Lead ALE. Complete the certification page and submit it within 10 days of PN distribution.

What does an exceedance of the lead action level mean for residents?

It means sampling showed high lead levels in some homes or buildings, and the system must describe potential sources such as lead service lines or plumbing. Residents are advised to learn about lead risks and take steps to reduce exposure.

Aug 30, 2026

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