The state Environmental Protection Commission has approved new rulesdesigned to keep better tabs on the quality of drinking water in the state.Dennis Alt of the Department of Natural Resources says one new rule requirescertain drinking water providers to show they have the ability and financesto supply safe water. Alt says this includes all new water systems and thoseundergoing repairs.Another rule requires all municipal water systems to issue a consumerconfidence report.Alt says the water systems must distribute the report to the public. He saysthere are different requirements for filing the report depending on thesize of the system.The consumer confidence reports must be completed by October 1st. TheCommission also cleared the way for water systems to store treated water inunderground aquifers. Alt says this will help the water systems meet theirdemand at a lower cost.The Des Moines Waterworks has been exploring the possibility of storingthousand of gallons of water in underground aquifers near Ankeny.
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