How to Issue the Required Public Notice for an Acute MCL Coliform Violation (for a Noncommunity PWS)

When the presence of fecal or E. coli bacteria in the distribution system of a public water system (PWS) is confirmed, we notify the PWS that an acute maximum contaminant level (AMCL) violation has occurred. If you receive this notice from us and you own or operate a noncommunity PWS, you must:

1. Issue a boil water notice (BWN) immediately to the affected customers in your PWS. Promptly issuing the BWN is critical to protecting public health.
2. To prepare a public notice of the AMCL violation, fill in the requested information in the PDF file (template) below and then print the completed template.
3. Within 24 hours of when the AMCL violation is discovered, issue this notice in at least one of these ways:
   • by hand delivery
     –or–
   • by continuously posting the notice in conspicuous places within the area served by your PWS until we tell you that you may take it down
4. Within 10 days of when you issue this notice, send a copy of the actual notice and the signed Certificate of Delivery of Public Notice to Customers (form TCEQ-20208) to us by fax to 512/239-3666 or by mail to:
   Public Notice Coordinator
   Drinking Water Protection Team MC-155
   TCEQ
   PO Box 13087
   Austin TX 78711-3087
5. If the situation is not resolved within 45 days, issue follow-up notices to your customers.
6. When you have corrected the violation, issue a final notice in the same way you issued the original notice. Then, as described in Step 4, complete TCEQ-20208 and submit it to us with a copy of this final notice.

If you have any questions about these instructions, send an e-mail with “AMCL Coliform Public Notice” in the subject line to pdws@tceq.state.tx.us or call 512/239-4691 and ask to speak to a member of the Drinking Water Protection Team.