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SDWA and Public Notification: An Experience in Paris, Tennessee
Author(s) -
Dougherty Ward
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
opflow
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1551-8701
pISSN - 0149-8029
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8701.1979.tb01151.x
Subject(s) - safeguarding , confusion , business , safe drinking water act , public health , hazard , computer security , environmental health , medical emergency , medicine , computer science , psychology , nursing , water quality , ecology , chemistry , organic chemistry , psychoanalysis , biology
When the water supply of Paris, Tennessee was found to be contaminated, city officials were not sure whether the contamination was real or the result of human error. In accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act the city had to notify consumers of the problem, yet officials managed to meet the legal requirements without creating undue panic or confusion. Followup check samples proved to be negative. It is suggested that public notification be required only when a definite health hazard exists, thus safeguarding the public from unnecessary alarm.