In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, EPA is required to include the following information in its submission for information collection request review and approval: (1) supporting statements to show compliance with PRA requirements and other associated laws; (2) a description of the regulatory text applicable to the ICR including submission specifications; (3) a clear description of the data elements being collected under the ICR; (4) copies of the data collection instrument(s) and/or screen shots of the electronic portal where the reporting requirements are submitted to EPA (with the control number and burden statement included); (5) a detailed discussion of how information is submitted and the extent to which electronic reporting is available; (6) evidence of consultation with respondents (by actively reaching out to stakeholders as permitted by the PRA) to ensure the supporting statement's accuracy on availability of data, frequency of collection, clarity of instructions, accuracy of burden estimate, relevance of data elements, and similar PRA matters; and (7) discussion of how EPA addressed substantive concerns raised by respondents and other stakeholders during consultation and in response to comments received on FR notices. In addition, supporting statement A should use the standard 18 question SS-A format. More information can be found at https://pra.digital.gov/clearance-process/supporting-statement/.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
06/30/2027
36 Months From Approved
06/30/2024
1,030,378
0
1,026,553
3,421,278
0
3,643,371
37,756,000
0
38,121,000
The Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) Program ICR examines public water systems, primacy agencies (i.e., states and tribes with primary enforcement authority) and tribal operator certification provider burden, and costs for cross-cutting recordkeeping and reporting requirements (i.e., the burden and costs for complying with drinking water information requirements that are not associated with contaminant-specific rulemakings). The following activities have recordkeeping and reporting requirements that are mandatory for compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR parts 141 and 142: the Consumer Confidence Report Rule (CCR), the Variance and Exemption Rule (V/E Rule), General State Primacy Activities, the Public Notification Rule (PN) and Proficiency Testing Studies for Drinking Water Laboratories. The information collection activities for both the Operator Certification and the Capacity Development Program are driven by the grant withholding and reporting provisions under sections 1419 and 1420, respectively, of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The information collection for the Tribal Operator Certification Program is driven by grant eligibility requirements outlined in the Drinking Water Infrastructure Grant Tribal Set-Aside Program Final Guidelines and the Tribal Drinking Water Operator Certification Program Guidelines.
There is a decrease of 222,093 hours in the total estimated annual respondent burden compared with the ICR currently approved by OMB. This decrease is a result of: updating relevant baseline information for each rule with the most current and accurate information available (e.g., public water system inventory); and updating burden to incorporate the results of consultation with stakeholders. Where appropriate and available, estimated violation and other associated rates have also been updated to reflect current information on rule compliance.
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.