Violation Category

Violation Category describes the function of the violation type, such as:

MCL	Maximum Contaminant Level	An MCL violation means a contaminant has been detected above maximum contaminant level consistently in drinking water. MCL is the highest level of contamination that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allows in drinking water. MCLs ensure that drinking water does not pose a short-term or long-term health risk.
MON	Monitoring	A MON violation is a violation of a monitoring requirement or a reporting requirement associated with the monitoring. A monitoring violation occurs when a public water system owner does not collect a required sample. A reporting violation occurs when a public water system owner does not report the result(s) to the state from a sample that was collected. When a public water system's owner does not collect a required sample, the violation is often referred to as a monitoring and reporting violation.
SS	Sanitary Survey	An SS violation occurs when a public water system owner does not complete a sanitary survey by a required date.
PN	Public Notice	A PN violation occurs when a public water system owner does not notify the public about another violation in a timely or appropriate fashion.
TT	Treatment Technique	A TT violation occurs when a public water system owner fails to apply a prescribed treatment technique by the allotted time. Actions that are classified as treatment techniques are broad. Examples of TT violations include: failure to employ a certified operator, inadequate removal of organic materials from raw water.
RPT	Reporting	A RPT violation occurs when public water system owners fail to report certain information. The RPT category does not include the failure to report analytical results, which falls under the MON category.
V/E	Variance/ Exception	A V/E violation is issued when a public water system owner has been granted a variance* or an exemption** with a schedule of activities and the PWS owner fails to carry out one or more of the scheduled activities on time.

Variance: State or EPA permission not to meet a certain drinking water standard. The public water system must prove that: (1) it cannot meet a MCL, even while using the best available treatment method, because of the characteristics of the raw water, and (2) the variance will not create an unreasonable risk to public health. The state or EPA must review, and allow public comment on, a variance every 3 years. States can also grant variances to water systems that serve small populations and which prove that they are unable to afford the required treatment, an alternative water source, or otherwise comply with the standard.
Exemption: State or EPA permission for a public water system not to meet a certain drinking water standard. An exemption allows a public water system additional time to obtain financial assistance or make improvements in order to come into compliance with the standard. The public water system must prove that: (1) there are compelling reasons (including economic factors) why it cannot meet an MCL or TT; (2) it was in operation on the effective date of the requirement, and (3) the exemption will not create an unreasonable risk to public health. The state must set a schedule under which the public water system will comply with the standard for which it received an exemption.