[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 212 (Tuesday, November 3, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67760-67761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27889]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-15-0960]


Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted 
the following information collection request to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The notice for the proposed 
information collection is published to obtain comments from the public 
and affected agencies.
    Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected 
agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are 
encouraged. Your comments should address any of the following: (a) 
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary 
for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the 
accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; (d) Minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses; and 
(e) Assess information collection costs.
    To request additional information on the proposed project or to 
obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call 
(404) 639-7570 or send an email to [email protected]. Written comments and/or 
suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice should be 
directed to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and 
Budget, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Written 
comments should be received within 30 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    Epidemiologic Study of Health Effects Associated With Low Pressure 
Events in Drinking Water Distribution Systems (OMB Control No. 0920-
0960, expiration 3/31/2016)--Extension--National Center for Emerging 
and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    In the United States (U.S.), drinking water distribution systems 
are designed to deliver safe, pressurized drinking water to our homes, 
hospitals, schools and businesses. However, the water distribution 
infrastructure is 50-100 years old in much of the U.S. and an estimated 
240,000 water main breaks occur each year. Failures in the distribution 
system such as water main breaks, cross-connections, back-flow, and 
pressure fluctuations can result in potential intrusion of microbes and 
other contaminants that can cause health effects, including acute 
gastrointestinal and respiratory illness.
    Approximately 200 million cases of acute gastrointestinal illness 
occur in the U.S. each year, but we lack reliable data to assess how 
many of these cases are associated with drinking water. Further, data 
are even more limited on the human health risks associated with 
exposure to drinking water during and after the occurrence of low 
pressure events (such as water main breaks) in drinking water 
distribution systems. A study conducted in Norway from 2003-2004 found 
that people exposed to low pressure events in the water distribution 
system had a higher risk for gastrointestinal illness. A similar study 
is needed in the United States.
    The purpose of this data collection is to conduct an epidemiologic 
study in the U.S. to assess whether individuals exposed to low pressure 
events in the water distribution system are at an increased risk for 
acute gastrointestinal or respiratory illness. This study would be, to 
our knowledge, the first U.S. study to systematically examine the 
association between low pressure events and acute gastrointestinal and 
respiratory illnesses. Study findings will inform the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA), CDC, and other drinking water stakeholders of 
the potential health risks associated with low pressure events in 
drinking water distribution systems and whether additional measures 
(e.g., new standards, additional research, or policy development) are 
needed to reduce the risk for health effects associated with low 
pressure events in the drinking water distribution system.
    We will conduct a cohort study among households that receive water 
from six water utilities across the U.S. The water systems will be 
geographically diverse and will include both chlorinated and 
chloraminated systems. These water utilities will provide information 
about low pressure events that occur during the study period using a 
standardized form (approximately 11 events per utility). Utilities will 
provide address listings of households in areas exposed to the low 
pressure event and comparable households in an unexposed area to CDC 
staff, who will randomly select participants and send them an 
introductory letter and questionnaire. Consenting household respondents 
will be asked about symptoms and duration of any recent 
gastrointestinal or respiratory illness, tap water consumption, and 
other exposures including international travel, daycare attendance or 
employment, animal contacts, and recreational water exposures. Study 
participants may choose between two methods of survey response: A mail-
in paper survey and a Web-based survey.
    Participation in this study will be voluntary. No financial 
compensation will be provided to study participants. The study duration 
is anticipated to last 30 months. An estimated 6,750 individuals will 
be contacted and we anticipate 4,050 utility customers (18 years of age 
or older) will consent to participate in this study. The total 
estimated annualized hours associated with this study is expected to be 
548.
    There are no costs to respondents other than their time.

[[Page 67761]]



                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Number of    Average burden
          Type of respondents                   Form name            Number of     responses per   per response
                                                                    respondents     respondent       (in hrs.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Households............................  Paper-based                        1,215               1           12/60
                                         questionnaire.
Households............................  Web-based questionnaire.             810               1           12/60
Utility employees.....................  Household listing.......               6               5               3
Utility employees.....................  Water sample collection                6               3          130/60
                                         (grab samples).
Utility employees.....................  Water sample collection                6               2           30/60
                                         (ultrafiltration
                                         samples).
Utility employees.....................  Low pressure event form.               6               5           15/60
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Leroy A. Richardson,
Chief, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific 
Integrity, Office of the Associate Director for Science, Office of the 
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2015-27889 Filed 11-2-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4163-18-P