Public water systems in California serving greater than 10,000 connections are required to prepare a report containing information on 1) detection of any contaminant in drinking water at a level exceeding a Public Health Goal (PHG), 2) estimate of costs to remove detected contaminants to below the Public Health Goal using best available technology, and 3) health risks for each contaminant exceeding a Public Health Goal.

The report has been designed to be as informative as possible, without unnecessary duplication of information contained in the Consumer Confidence Reports, which are made available to customers by July 1st of each year.

There is no regulatory guidance explaining requirements for the preparation of Public Health Goal reports. However, the Association of California Water Agencies Water Quality Committee prepares suggested guidelines for water utilities to use in preparing Public Health Goal reports. The State of California provides the Association of California Water Agencies with numerical health risks and category of health risk information for contaminants with Public Health Goals. This health risk information is appended to the Association of California Water Agencies guidelines.