What action should be taken if a contaminant exceeds state standards?

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When a contaminant exceeds state standards, the primary obligation is to inform those who might be affected and the proper authorities. Communicating with customers ensures that people know there may be a health risk and understand any steps they should take, such as using boiled water or avoiding tap water for drinking, depending on the situation. This public notification is a fundamental regulatory requirement and helps protect public health while the utility investigates and corrects the issue.

Boil-water advisories or other protective measures can be part of the response, but they are specific actions taken after notification based on the risk. Shutting down the plant is not a routine first step for every exceedance, and doing nothing would leave the public uninformed and unsafe.