In collaboration with state regulators, water utilities, communications specialists, and community advocates, we created a free template for utilities to use for annual water quality reports.

This template is quick and easy to use to meet regulatory requirements for Consumer Confidence Reports and makes complex information about water quality data more accessible for community members.

We believe that every individual should be able to quickly and easily determine whether their water is safe to drink.

This is an image of a person holding a cup of water.

This template improves accessibility for diverse community members and supports water systems’ implementation by: 

  1. Translating complex information into plain language; making information easier for a broader audience to understand

     

  2. Using simple graphics to explain complex ideas 

  3. Elevating local water quality concerns 

  4. Encouraging customer engagement 

  5. Using familiar tools like Word and Square Space and leveraging budget-friendly features 

We hope this free template makes it easier for utilities to present and communicate water quality information to their customers. We recognize this can be a big shift from how CCRs historically have been shared. We’d love to talk with anyone who is using this template - and we are also here to support anyone interested in using it.

Please reach out if you have any questions about how the template was developed, would like a walkthrough with your team about how it can be used by your utility, and/or if you have feedback about how this template could be improved. Matt at Raftelis or Jessica at EPIC are here to help!

Read more about the creation of the template here.

For distribution, you may print, fold and mail this using an envelope. Alternatively – or in addition to printing and mailing – you may satisfy the one-click requirement by saving it to your website as a PDF and promoting that link to all customers in every way possible.

  • Learn how to use the template

    View the instruction manual for step-by-step guidance on how to set up and edit both the Word version of your CCR and a Square Space version. While publishing a CCR-related website is not a requirement, developing one that is linked from your organization’s website is rapidly becoming an industry best practice. If you have questions or comments about this manual, email Matt at Raftelis or Sion at EPIC .

    Template Instructions

  • Use the template

    This is a Word template you can use to create your CCR. It has been designed with three primary goals in mind: (1) It meets all requirements of the current CCR as specified by the Safe Drinking Water Act; (2) It is easy to use for all levels of experience working in Microsoft Word; and (3) It is easy for most consumers to read, follow, and understand.

    Your water system may be required to report more than what’s been provided in this template. Be sure to check with your primacy agency to ensure you have all the required information.

    Download the Template

  • Incorporate into your website

    Square Space is a common, user-friendly way to create and publish websites. We created a Square Space template you can use to create a one-click digital version for your website. We recommend once this site is developed you link to it from your agency’s website. Each year, you can save a new copy with the new year in the filename and update the data.

    Email for Access to Squarespace Template

 FAQs

  • The Word doc template is free to use. The Squarespace version requires a Squarespace account, pricing options are available here.

  • Yes, the template meets all ADA requirements.

  • Yes, the template meets all EPA requirements for CCRs, including all required language. Check with your primacy agency to see if there are additional requirements for your system beyond the EPA requirements.

  • The template was developed in partnership by EPIC, Raftelis and an advisory board of 13 utilities, regulators and trade group representatives. Raftelis’ communications team took the lead on design while the advisory board gave feedback along the way.

  • Yes, utilities are currently using the template! Some of the utilities include Monte Vista Water District, Montana State Laboratory, and Greenville Water Utility.

  • Yes! The template will be updated based on feedback from utilities and to adapt to changing CCR rules and requirements.

  • Yes, contact sion@policyinnovation.org or mwittern@raftelis.com with your questions.

Template in Action

The template is already being adopted by utilities around the country. Greenville Water Utility and Montana’s State Laboratory are proud to be among the first utilities using the template in 2022.

“As a smaller Utility we don’t have the staff or skills to design the CCR we want. Not only is the template an effective means of communication it also allows us to reach customers with issues that affect them personally. This tool will help us build confidence in our daily efforts to deliver clean, safe drinking water to our community.” - Audi Findley, Greenville Water Utility Superintendent

Thank you to our partners!

Special thanks to American Water Works Association for making this project possible, to Raftelis for the creative vision and implementation, and to the advisory board members for the thoughtful engagement and guidance throughout this project:

  • Adam Carpenter, American Water Works Association

  • Sam Villegas, Raftelis Director of Strategic Communication Services

  • Matt Wittern, Raftelis Senior Consultant

  • Greg Gearhart, California State Water Board

  • Darcy Bostic, Rural Community Assistance Partnership

  • Matthew Corson, American Water

  • David Harvey, Indian Heath Services

  • Kenneth Reich, Suburban Water

  • Jeannie Purchase, Virginia Tech

  • Scott Patterson, Montana Regulator

  • Chloe Van Zandt, Virginia Health Catalyst

  • Audi Findley, Greenville Indiana

  • Anthony Diaz, Newark Water Coalition