Section 12-5-184. Notice of violations, variances, and exemptions involving public water systems

   Whenever a public water system:

   (1) Is not in compliance with the Georgia primary drinking water regulations, including, but not limited to, failure to comply with a maximum contaminant level;

   (2) Fails to perform monitoring required by regulations adopted pursuant to this part;

   (3) Is subject to a variance granted for an inability to meet a maximum contaminant level requirement;

   (4) Is subject to an exemption from a maximum contaminant level; or

   (5) Fails to comply with the requirements prescribed by a variance or exemption,

the owner or operator of such system shall as soon as practicable notify the local public health department, the director, and communications media serving the area served by the system, of the nature, extent, and possible adverse health effects of such situation. Such notice shall also be given by the owner or operator of such system in a form and manner and to the extent reasonably prescribed by the director, which shall, at a minimum, include publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the area served by such water system at least once every three months so long as the violation, variance, exemption, or other such situation continues. Such notice shall also be included with the water bills of the system so long as such situation continues, as follows: If the water bills of a public water system are issued more often than once every three months, such notice shall be included in at least one water bill of the system for each customer every three months; if the system issues its water bills less often than once every three months, such notice shall be included in each of the water bills issued by the system for each customer; provided, however, that the director may prescribe in regulations alternative notice requirements.

Ga. L. 1977, p. 351, § 13.