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EPA CITES W.N. BUNCH WATER SYSTEM FOR SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT VIOLATIONS

Release Date: 5/20/1999
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith (215) 814-5543

SUFFOLK, Va. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued an administrative order citing the W.N. Bunch Water System for violating the federal Safe Drinking Water Act at its facility in Suffolk County, Virginia, which serves 80 users. The alleged violation carries civil penalties of up to $27,500 per day.

The Safe Drinking Water Act establishes national drinking water regulations for public water systems. These regulations set maximum contaminant levels, treatment techniques for public water systems, and require water quality monitoring and reporting.

EPA cited the W.N. Bunch Water System for not sampling for lead and copper during two consecutive six month periods, not sampling for total coliform bacteria, and not reporting these violations to the public. The order announced today requires monitoring and reporting at Bunch.

These violations could have posed a health risk to the users of the water system, and therefore, the public needs to be notified of all drinking water violations through newspapers or notices posted in a public place. As long as the problem persists, users of the system must be notified at least once every three months.

By October this year, community water suppliers nationwide serving more than 25 users year-round must report to their customers about the quality, source, and monitoring results of their drinking water.

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