How to Read Your Annual Water Quality Report (CCR)

If you receive your water from a public utility, you should be getting a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) by July 1st each year. This document, required under the Safe Drinking Water Act, contains crucial information about what's in your water — but only if you know how to read it.

The 4 Sections Every CCR Has

1. Source of Your Water

This section tells you where your water comes from — groundwater wells, surface water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs), or a combination. It will also list any "source water assessments" that identify potential contamination risks.

2. Detected Contaminants Table

This is the meat of the report. It lists every regulated contaminant detected in your water, along with:

• MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): The legal limit
• MCLG (MCL Goal): The ideal level (often zero)
• Detected Level: What was actually measured
• Range: High and low readings across sampling sites
• Violation?: Yes or No

If any contaminant exceeded the MCL, your utility violated federal standards.

3. Definitions and Notes

Every CCR includes definitions for technical terms like MCL, ppm (parts per million), ppb (parts per billion), and ND (non-detect). Read this section — it's how you decode the rest.

4. Educational Information

The CCR ends with general health information about specific contaminants and contact info for additional questions.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Any value at or above the MCL
• Multiple violations in a single year
• Detection of lead, arsenic, nitrates, or coliform bacteria
• Failure to monitor (Tier 1 violation)

What If My Utility Didn't Send One?

You can request one at any time, and most utilities now publish them online. You can also search EPA's SDWIS database — the same data TapSafeWater uses.