Last conducted in 2001, the Community Water System Survey is conducted about every 5 years to gather information on the operating and financial characteristics of a nationally representative sample of community water systems. The agency uses the data provided by this survey to meet its Regulatory Impact Analysis obligations under EO 12866 and its obligations to assess and mitigate regulatory impacts on small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. Also, under Section 1412(b)(3)(C) of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Agency must prepare a Health Risk Reduction and Cost Analysis for any proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation. Through this survey EPA seeks to gather information on community drinking water system finances, as well as infrastructure characteristics that bear on both present costs and future cost impacts, including current treatment, storage and distribution system configurations, to help inform the AgencyÂs determination of baseline conditions for effective economic analysis. In addition, the survey will provide a limited amount of information to help the agency better conduct its outreach efforts to assist the regulated community and gauge the effectiveness of current program initiatives in the area of water security. This is a one-time collection effort. Responses are voluntary and are not required in order to obtain or retain any benefit. The Agency does not intend to share or make public the names or identities of survey participants.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.