State issues safe drinking water report

Since drinking water quality has gotten extra attention locally, I thought you migh tbe interested in this MoDNR announcement:

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced today the availability of the 2008 report on Missouri's Capacity Development Strategy for public drinking water systems. The report details the implementation of the department's capacity development strategy for improving the technical, managerial and financial capacity of Missouri's public water systems.

The department made the following recommendations for safe public water supplies:

• financial resources to renew and replace equipment;
• taking corrective actions;
• meeting other service and financial obligations;
• Establishing technical capacity, which includes adequate source water and infrastructure;
• Having knowledgeable staff; and
• ownership accountability.

Systems with sound technical, managerial and financial capacity are more likely to provide safe, reliable and affordable drinking water, according to a statement released by the DNR on Tuesday afternoon.

The department's report includes recommendations for improving water system knowledge of rules and regulations and improving communication, education, resource sharing and planning.

The federal Safe Drinking Water Act requires the state to submit a capacity development strategy report to the governor every three years as a condition of receiving the full allotment of the drinking water state revolving loan funds.

A copy of the report is also available to the public on the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/pub/CDstrategy.htm.