News Release 542

DEPARTMENT IDENTIFIES WATER SYSTEMS
THAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH TESTING REQUIREMENTS

Volume 36-542

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, SEPT. 9, 2008 -- –The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has released a list of 36 drinking water systems that have chronically failed to conduct required bacteriological testing. 

The department requires all public water systems to test for bacteria at least once a month to verify these systems are providing safe drinking water to the public. While failing to monitor does not necessarily mean that the water is unsafe, routine testing is a crucial part of maintaining a safe water supply.

The vast majority of community and noncommunity public water systems in Missouri comply with all monitoring requirements and meet all drinking water standards. Chronic violators are the exception rather than the rule, as this current list of 36 systems represents only 1.3 percent of the approximately 2,800 public drinking water systems in Missouri.

Bacteriological testing can be the first step in identifying and correcting a problem. The next step is to investigate the cause of any bad samples and perform corrective action, such as disinfecting and flushing the system. When a public water system has a record of both failing to monitor and a history of exceeding contaminant levels, this may raise concerns about the unknown quality of the drinking water.

If a water sample tests positive for total coliform bacteria, further testing is then performed for fecal coliform or E. coli bacteria, which can directly cause gastrointestinal illness. Most samples that test positive for total coliform, test negative for fecal coliform or E. coli. The total coliform-positive samples that are listed tested negative for fecal coliform or E. coli, unless specifically stated otherwise.

To view more details on the violators listed, visit the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/chronic/index.html .

County -- Public Drinking Water System

These systems' owners have first been sent multiple violation notices in addition to certified letters informing them that chronic failure to monitor is unacceptable. Representatives of the Department of Natural Resources also routinely make on-site inspections and attempt to reach an agreement with the responsible parties to ensure sampling requirements will be met. If these parties continue to fail to comply with Missouri's drinking water law, the department pursues more stringent enforcement action through legal channels.

For more information, contact the department's Water Protection Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-8309.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

###