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How does someone know whether their water is safe to drink? Who should they turn to for that information- the internet? A neighbor? Their landlord? What about their water utility? Each year, America’s 50,000 water systems must provide their customers with federally-mandated information about drinking water quality, including details about regulated contaminants such as lead or arsenic found in the water. Most utilities prepare these reports according to the minimum requirements, filled with complex scientific language and figures. The resulting reports are not easily understood by most people, and they are rarely translated into languages other than English. Millions of utility customers would struggle to even find their report. |
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The Environmental Policy Innovation Center believes that every individual should be able to quickly and easily determine whether their water is safe to drink. In partnership with utilities, regulators, and community advocates, EPIC is advancing new ways to share information about water quality, starting with a close look at mandated water quality reports (the Consumer Confidence Report, CCR or CCRs).
We are excited to share our latest report that summarizes key takeaways from the 2020 Water Data Prize, and illustrates how water quality reports can be transformed with data visualizations, translation services and community input. Read the full report here.
We are excited to share our latest report that summarizes key takeaways from the 2020 Water Data Prize, and illustrates how water quality reports can be transformed with data visualizations, translation services and community input. Read the full report here.
2020 Water Data Prize
EPIC created the Water Data Prize competition to inspire new approaches to sharing information about water quality that help all consumers make informed decisions about whether their water is safe to drink. With just a two-month window, more than 30 organizations and individuals in the water sector submitted entries to the Water Data Prize, and an esteemed panel of judges reviewed the submissions looking for simple and effective ways to communicate about health data to as many people as possible.
The results were impressive. EPIC awarded prizes to five submissions that each provided simple, easy to implement strategies and tools for water quality reports and related communications.
We invite you to explore the winning submissions, review news and events, and check out resources related to water quality reports.
Have some thoughts about CCRs and want to chat with us? Email us.
The results were impressive. EPIC awarded prizes to five submissions that each provided simple, easy to implement strategies and tools for water quality reports and related communications.
We invite you to explore the winning submissions, review news and events, and check out resources related to water quality reports.
Have some thoughts about CCRs and want to chat with us? Email us.
