[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 111 (Friday, June 9, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 30538]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14231]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5218-7]


Public Meeting on Drinking Water, Consumer Awareness Project

    Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) is holding a public meeting on drinking water consumer 
awareness on June 26, 1995, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Resolve, 
Inc., 2828 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC. The purpose of the 
meeting is to obtain ideas, suggestions and options for activities the 
Agency may undertake to improve consumer awareness of drinking water 
protection and safety issues, including the possible streamlining of 
Public Notice requirements currently in effect under Section 1414 of 
the Safe Drinking Water Act.
    As part of a comprehensive review of the federal safe drinking 
water program, EPA's report, Strengthening the Safety of Our Drinking 
Water, (March 1995) identified the following action item as a priority:

    Give Americans More Information About Our Drinking Water. In 
cooperation with water suppliers, states, citizen groups, and other 
stakeholders, EPA is seeking ways to improve consumer information. 
Broader public understanding and support for drinking water 
protection measures could be achieved through inexpensive, simple 
steps, such as informing consumers (perhaps directly on their bills) 
about (1) the source of incoming water which the utility must turn 
into safe tap water; and (2) water testing results and the actions 
necessary to address potential problems.

    EPA plans to ask participants at the June 26, 1995, meeting to 
assist in identifying and prioritizing activities the Agency can carry 
out under current legislative authorities to implement this agenda 
item. Such approaches may include, for example: partnerships with 
stakeholder organizations; pilot projects; the publication of data or 
reports; and support of community-based projects. Participants will 
also be asked to provide their views on the possible streamlining of 
current regulations under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act that 
require water system operators to notify the public of violations of 
safe drinking water standards.
    Following the public meeting, EPA intends to provide meeting 
summaries to senior EPA managers to oversee the development of an 
action plan consistent with available resources. The meeting summary 
and the action plan will be provided to the National Drinking Water 
Advisory Council for its comment. Additional public meetings are not 
planned at this time, but participants at the June 26, 1995, meeting 
will be asked whether additional public meetings (or other means of 
involvement) are recommended. Final decisions concerning the 
implementation of the consumer awareness project will be made by 
Assistant Administrator for Water, Robert Perciasepe.
    Alternatively or in addition to the public meeting, member of the 
public may submit written comments to EPA for up to fifteen days after 
the meeting. These comments should be sent to Charlene Shaw, EPA, 
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (4601), 401 M Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20460. Members of the public who wish to attend the 
meeting, should call EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-
4791. A package of meeting materials will be mailed to callers prior to 
June 26, 1995. If you do not plan to participate, but wish to receive 
the documents and materials prepared for and subsequent to the meeting, 
you may also call EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline to request this 
information.
    A limited number of telephone lines have been reserved for members 
of the public wishing to participate in the June 26, 1995, meeting by 
telephone. Telephone lines will be available on a ``first come, first 
served'' basis to members of the public who contact EPA prior to June 
21, 1995. EPA will cover long distance telephone charges for meeting 
participants. General questions about the meeting process and telephone 
participation should be directed to Charlene Shaw with EPA's Office of 
Ground Water and Drinking Water at (202) 260-2285.

    Dated: June 2, 1995.
Cynthia C. Dougherty,
Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
[FR Doc. 95-14231 Filed 6-8-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M