CCR Preparation Instructions
Each year CCR prepartion information will be emailed to the Water System's Administrative Contacts (AC) and/or Operators of the Systems around the beginning of April. Only Community Public Water Systems (PWS) are required to complete a CCR.
The Counties are divided and assigned to several Rule Managers. The email will be sent by the CCR Rule Manager for your County. If there are any questions, please email your CCR Rule Manager. This will be the most efficient way to receive an answer.
Water Supply Program Point of Contact List
MDE’s Water Supply Program publishes a list of the staff’s contact information. This resource is designed to help Water Systems and the Maryland Residents find the appropriate Point of Contact (POC) for specific issues. The CCR Rule Manager contact information should be in listed under your county. You can access the contact list here.
Change / Verification of CCR Point of Contact
If there has been a change in AC or if there is another organization who will complete the CCR for your System, please inform the CCR Rule Manager
Drinking Water Viewer
The Drinking Water Viewer (DWV) will replace Drinking Water Watch. Similar to the DWW, no password or permission is required to access it. The DWV is now available here and the Guidance Document can be downloaded here.
DWV has sampling and monitoring schedules for water systems. Queries can be done find specific sample results, violations, and the Water System's Point of Contact (POC) information. Some notes to keep in mind:
Sample Schedules
Please keep in mind that sample schedules may change based on sample results or other factors, so be sure to check the sample schedules for your system frequently.
Water System CCR Data
In the future, DWV will provide much of the information
needed for the completion of the System’s CCR. Any additional
information required in the CCR will be included in the email usually sent out sent out each year around
April. It is the Water System’s responsibility to make any necessary
changes or additions to the DWV data to finalize their CCR.
--- 2026 Update for Calender Year 2025 CCR Submission ---
*NEW* PFAS Rule Initial Monitoring Results
Please be advised if PFAS Initial
Monitoring was completed and detections were found during calendar year
2025 a table will be in the CCR Summary report and labelled PFAS Rule
Initial Monitoring. In addition, the System must include the PFAS
statement listed below.
If you are unsure whether your system has
been tested or have any PFAS-related questions, please contact the PFAS
Rule Manager for your county. You can access the contact list here.
If
your System completed the initial monitoring and PFAS was not detected,
there is no requirement for the PFAS table or statement
Initial Monitoring are for the following PFAS contaminants:
- Perfluorobutanesulfonic Acid (PFBS)
- Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid (PFHXS)
- Perfluorononanoic Acid (PFNA)
- Perfluoroctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS)
- Perfluoroctanoic Acid (PFOA)
- Hexafluoropropylene Oxide Dimer Acid (HFPO-DA)
An example of the table:
PFAS Initial Monitoring Requirements |
Collection Date of Highest Value |
Highest Value | Range of Sampled Result(s) |
Unit |
| Perfluorobutane Sulfonic Acid (PFBS) | 10/13/2025 | 7.6 | 1.1-7.6 | ppt |
| Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid (PFHxS) |
10/13/2025 |
1.9 |
1-1.9 |
ppt |
* The results are from PFAS Rule Initial Monitoring, and not yet subject to an MCL.
Required PFAS Statement:
PFAS - short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances - refers to a large group of more than 4,000 human-made chemicals that have been used since the 1940s in a range of products , including stain- and water- resistant fabrics and carpeting, cleaning products, paints, cookware, food packaging and fire-fighting foams. These uses of PFAS have led to PFAS entering our environment, where they have been measured by several states in soil, surface water, groundwater and seafood. Some PFAS can last a long time in the environment and in the human body and can accumulate in the food chain.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced regulations for 6 PFAS compounds in drinking water in April 2024. The MCLs for PFOA and PFOS are 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt). The MCLs for HFPO-DA (GenX), PFNA and PFHxS are 10 ppt. PFAS mixtures containing at least two or more of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS use a Hazard Index of 1.0 (unitless) to determine if the combined and co-occurring levels of these PFAS pose a risk and require action. Public water systems have three years (by 2029) to implement solutions that reduce these PFAS if monitoring shows that drinking water levels exceed these MCLs.
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) conducted a PFAS monitoring program for Community Water Systems from 2020 to 2022. The results are available on MDE’s website: https://marylanddepartmentoftheenvironment.shinyapps.io/MDE_PFAS_PublicWaterSystemStudyMap/.
Deficiencies from Survey Site Visits
The DWV report now features a section dedicated to unresolved significant deficiencies identified during the Survey Site Visits.
- If listed deficiencies have been resolved, please describe the
actions taken to address them. To close out these deficiencies, contact
your County's Engineering Technical Assistance Division (ETAD) POC.
- For deficiencies that remain but are being actively addressed, please provide an update on the progress.
UCMR5
Testing for the 5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring
Rule began in 2023 for 29 PFAS compounds and lithium. If you conducted
testing for the UCMR5 and had detections of any of the 30 compounds
during calendar year 2025, you are required to report the average and
range of those detections in a table of Unregulated Contaminants in your
CCR.
Example for the table
Contaminant |
Units |
Sample Year | Average Level Found | Range of Detections |
| Lithium | ppb | 2025 | 0.59 | .45 - .89 |
| PFOA | ppb | 2025 | 60.2 | 39.2 - 64.4 |
| PFNA | ppb | 2025 | 58.6 | 41.9 - 67.7 |
Electronic Distribution
A System can distribute the CCR by email or by posting on their webpage, etc. They are required to fill out an Electronic Delivery Form and submit it to MDE for approval. Please contact the CCR Rule Manager responsible for your County for an Electronic Delivery Form. This must be completed and approved prior to June 1st.
Tier 3 Violation Public Notice (PN)
The CCR can satisfy the Public Notice condition for Tier 3 violations. The requirements are:- The finalized CCR must include the Public Notice Form.
- The finalized CCR must be distributed to the Public prior to the PN one-year deadline but before July 1st.
- Both your CCR Rule Manager and the Rule Manager who issued the violation must receive the finalized CCR containing the PN.
Regarding the PN certification, you may use one of the following two methods:- Submit the completed PN certification form alongside the finalized CCR to both Rule Managers.
- Complete the CCR certification form and check the section labeled “Tier 3 Public Notices.” If you choose this option, the CCR certification must be submitted within 10 days of the CCR's distribution to the public. Please note that forward-dating the CCR certification form is not acceptable.
Consecutive Water Systems
If you are purchasing water from another System, your System’s CCR must also include the CCR information from the System which you purchased the water from; or the Water System’s CCR from where the purchased water came from.
Systems distributing or selling water to other Water Systems, please ensure that the purchasing Water System receives your CCR information in a timely manner, so that the purchasing Water System can incorporate the information and meet their CCR deadlines.
CCR Certification Form
Please note that the CCR Certification Form is due to MDE by October 1st. It must completed and include any documentation required (i.e. copy of the CCR in the local newspaper)
- The top portion of CCR Certification Form: Must be completely filled out and a signature is required.
- CCR Delivery Information Section: The date CCR was delivered to MDE and their customers need s to be filled out. There must be a method used to deliver CCR to customers. One of the boxes needs to be chosen. If Other delivery methods is chosen - A short description must be provided.
- “Good Faith” Efforts Section: At least one of the options must be chosen and the date is provided. If Other is selected-- provide a short description
- Tier 3 Public Notices Section: If the System is to use the CCR to fulfill the Public Notification (PN) requirement, the box needs to be checked. The PN need to be part of the CCR when distributing to the Public. The PN and PN certification needs to be part of the CCR when submitted to MDE.
*This Form may change periodically
RTCR Level 1 and 2 Assessment Wording
The CCR requires wording for the RTCR Assessment 2 or 3. Verify required wording is included.
If you are unclear what wording to use, please contact your county’s CCR Rule Manager.
Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) requirements
The Lead and Copper Table should include the following:
90th Percentile Concentration: Include the 90th percentile concentration from the most recent round(s) of sampling.
- Action Level Exceedances: State the number of sampling sites that exceeded the action level.
- Sampling Range: Provide the full range of tap sampling results.
- If laboratory results are Non-Detect (ND) or zero (0), they must be represented as "less than the laboratory limit."
Example for the table:
Lead / Copper |
Date Sampled | Action Level (AL) |
MCLG |
90th Percentile |
# Sites Over AL |
Units | Range of Tap Sampling |
| Copper | 2/23/2025 | 1.3 | 1.3 | <.05 | 0 | ppm | ND (<.05) - 3 |
| Lead | 2/23/2025 | 15 | 0 | <5 | 0 | ppb | ND (<5) - 13 |
* If more than one round of lead / copper tap sampling occurred in 2025, water systems must provide the highest 90th percentile values for both lead and copper that occurred in 2025.
Service line inventory statement: The CCR must include a statement confirming that a service line inventory has been prepared. This requirement applies even if the inventory consists only of a statement that no lead service lines are present.
Additionally, the CCR must provide clear instructions on how the public can access the completed service line inventory.
For Systems with a population of less than or equal to 50,000. The line “Report is available upon request” is acceptable. For Systems with a population over 50,000 the Report must be available online.
- Example for on time submission to MDE (population less than or equal 50,000): An initial inventory of service line pipe materials located within our service area was required to be submitted to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) by October 16, 2024. Our initial inventory was submitted to MDE on 6/15/2024 and is available upon request.
- Example for a late submission to MDE (population less than or equal 50,000): An initial Inventory of service line pipe materials located within our service area was required to be submitted to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) by October 16, 2024. Our initial inventory was submitted to MDE on 11/1/2024. The report was late due to (reason for delayed submission). The inventory is available upon request.
Required Lead Statement (40 CFR 141.154). Please be sure the following Lead statement in your CCR:
Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. [NAME OF UTILITY] is responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components in your home. You share the responsibility for protecting yourself and your family from the lead in your home plumbing. You can take responsibility by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family's risk. Before drinking tap water, flush your pipes for several minutes by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes. You can also use a filter certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead in drinking water. If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, contact [NAME OF UTILITY and CONTACT INFORMATION]. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
If one sample was found higher than the AL OR if an Action Level Exceedance (ALE) occurs; the following language is required to be in the CCR:
Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.
Information on Upcoming New Requirements for 2027's CCR
The Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) Rule Revisions was finalized on May 15, 2024. The revised Rule goes into effect in 2027, covering year 2026. More information will be coming soon. Some noteworthy changes are:
- A brief report summary in the beginning of the Report. The summary will reference System violations and Action Level Exceedances (ALE), System contact information, a statement identifying public notification (PN) of violations (if applicable), etc…
- For Systems serving 50,000 or above, the CCR must be posted online.
- For CCRs available online, the reports must maintain public access to the report for no less than 3 years.
- For Systems serving over 10, 000 or above, CCRs must be delivered twice a year; a second CCR is due by December 31st to the public and MDE.
- Under the LCRR requirements- Information on how to obtain Lead tap sampling data, service line information, and corrosion control efforts (40CFR141.153(h)(8)).
- CCR Certification will be due 10 days after the CCR deadline.
Important Planning Notes to Consider Now
- If your System serves 50,000 customers or above, please start planning to place your CCR online, if you have not already done so.
- If your System serves 10,000 customers or above, two CCRs per year will be required. Please plan accordingly.
- If your CCRs are available online, ensure that starting 2027 three years of CCRs are available for the Public. (CCRs submitted 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively)
Additional Guidance Documents
For more information, please contact the Water Supply Program at [email protected] or 410-537-3702.
