83 FR 241 pgs. 64576-64577 - Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review
Type: NOTICEVolume: 83Number: 241Pages: 64576 - 64577
Pages: 64576, 64577Docket number: [30Day-19-0960]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2018-27222 Filed 12-14-18; 8:45 am]
Agency: Health and Human Services Department
Sub Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[30Day-19-0960]
Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the information collection request titled Epidemiologic Study of Health Effects Associated With Low Pressure Events in Drinking Water Distribution Systems to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. CDC previously published a "Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations" notice on August 29, 2018 to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. CDC received five comments related to the previous notice. This notice serves to allow an additional 30 days for public and affected agency comments.
CDC will accept all comments for this proposed information collection project. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in comments that:
(a) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
(b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
(c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
(d) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including, through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses; and
(e) Assess information collection costs.
To request additional information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call (404) 639-7570 or send an email to omb@cdc.gov. Direct written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Provide written comments within 30 days of notice publication.
Proposed Project
[top] Epidemiologic Study of Health Effects Associated With Low Pressure Events in Drinking Water Distribution Systems
Background and Brief Description
CDC is seeking a three year reinstatement of OMB Control No. 0920-0960, Epidemiologic Study of Health Effects Associated With Low Pressure Events in Drinking Water Distribution Systems.
In the United States (U.S.), drinking water distribution systems are designed to deliver safe, pressurized drinking water to our homes, hospitals, schools and businesses. However, the water distribution infrastructure is 50-100 years old in much of the U.S. and an estimated 240,000 water main breaks occur each year. Failures in the distribution system such as water main breaks, cross-connections, back-flow, and pressure fluctuations can result in potential intrusion of microbes and other contaminants that can cause health effects, including acute gastrointestinal and respiratory illness.
Approximately 200 million cases of acute gastrointestinal illness occur in the U.S. each year, but we lack reliable data to assess how many of these cases are associated with drinking water. Further, data are even more limited on the human health risks associated with exposure to drinking water during and after the occurrence of low pressure events (such as water main breaks) in drinking water distribution systems. Studies in both Norway and Sweden found that people exposed to low pressure events in the water distribution system had a higher risk for gastrointestinal illness. A similar study is needed in the United States.
The purpose of this data collection is to conduct an epidemiologic study in the U.S. to assess whether individuals exposed to low pressure events in the water distribution system are at an increased risk for acute gastrointestinal or respiratory illness. This study would be, to our knowledge, the first U.S. study to systematically examine the association between low pressure events and acute gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses. Study findings will inform the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), CDC, and other drinking water stakeholders of the potential health risks associated with low pressure events in drinking water distribution systems and whether additional measures ( e.g., new standards, additional research, or policy development) are needed to reduce the risk for health effects associated with low pressure events in the drinking water distribution system.
We will conduct a cohort study among households that receive water from seven water utilities across the U.S. The water systems will be geographically diverse and will include both chlorinated and chloraminated systems. These water utilities will provide information about low pressure events that occur during the study period using a standardized form (approximately 13 events per utility). Utilities will provide address listings of households in areas exposed to the low pressure event and comparable households in an unexposed area to CDC staff, who will randomly select participants and send them a questionnaire. Consenting household respondents will be asked about symptoms and duration of any recent gastrointestinal or respiratory illness, tap water consumption, and other exposures including international travel, daycare attendance or employment, animal contacts, and recreational water exposures. Study participants may choose between two methods of survey response: A mail-in paper survey and a web-based survey.
Participation in this study will be voluntary. No financial compensation will be provided to study participants. The study duration is anticipated to last 36 months. The annualized burden is estimated to be 199 hours. There are no costs to respondents other than their time.
| Type of respondents | Form name | Number of respondents | Number of responses per respondent | Average burden per response (in hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Utility customer | Paper-based questionnaire | 240 | 1 | 12/60 |
| Web-based questionnaire | 160 | 1 | 12/60 | |
| Water Utility maintenance worker | LPE form, ultrafilter and grab samples | 5 | 3 | 145/60 |
| LPE form, grab samples | 5 | 2 | 45/60 | |
| Water Utility Environmental Engineer | Line listings | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Water Utility Billing clerk | Line listings | 5 | 5 | 1 |
Jeffrey M. Zirger,
Acting Lead, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific Integrity, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2018-27222 Filed 12-14-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P