What is a Water Quality Report?

A water quality report (also called a Consumer Confidence Report or CCR) is an annual document that your local water utility must provide to customers. It contains detailed information about your drinking water source, treatment processes, and test results for various contaminants throughout the previous year.

Why Water Quality Reports Matter

These reports are your window into understanding what's in your tap water. They help you:

• Make informed decisions about your drinking water

• Identify potential health concerns

• Understand if additional filtration might be beneficial

• Track changes in water quality over time

• Know your rights as a water customer

  
  

How to Get Your Local Water Quality Report

Finding Your Report

• Check your water bill - Many utilities include reports as inserts

• Visit your utility's website - Most post reports online

• Call your water department directly

• Search EPA's database at epa.gov/ccr

• Check your city/county website

  
  

When Reports Are Available

• Reports cover the previous calendar year's data

• Must be distributed by July 1st each year

• Some utilities provide interim or quarterly updates

  
  

Understanding the Basic Structure

Water Source Information

This section tells you where your water comes from:

• Surface water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs)

• Groundwater (wells, aquifers)

• Mixed sources

• Purchased water from other utilities

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Treatment Process Overview

Details about how your water is treated:

• Filtration methods

• Disinfection processes

• Chemical additions for safety

• Corrosion control measures

Testing Results Summary

The main data section showing:

• What substances were tested

• Levels found in your water

• Comparison to safety limits

• Any violations or concerns

  
  

Your Rights as a Water Customer

• Right to receive annual reports

• Right to attend public meetings about water quality

• Right to voice concerns

• Right to safe drinking water that meets federal standards

• Right to know about any violations or health advisories

  
  

Quick Start Checklist

When you get your report:

1. ✅ Check the cover date (should be current year data)

2. ✅ Find your water source information

3. ✅ Look for any violation notices or health advisories

4. ✅ Review the contaminant detection table

5. ✅ Note any unusual tastes, odors, or colors mentioned

6. ✅ Save the report for future reference

   
   

Next Steps

After reading this guide, check out:

• Technical Terms Guide - Understanding measurements and abbreviations

• Contaminant Guide - What to look for in test results

• Problem-Solving Guide - What to do if you find issues

• Community Action Guide - Getting involved in water quality improvement