Action Plan

To maximize coordination between agencies and to address the information and service needs described in previous sections, the subcommittee proposes the following actions:

1. Federal agencies should continue the process of developing cross-notification mechanisms to help mobilize interdisciplinary teams when outbreaks or other emergencies occur. While the CDC and EPA have developed a written understanding, this process should be formalized, and additional agencies should become engaged in the process of responding to water-related health crises. Responsible parties are the Office of Research and Development, EPA, and the National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID), CDC.
   
2. Those agencies involved in human health protection or drinking water research should communicate ways to utilize and link existing data sets better. Although data sets involving health events or water quality have been collected by, or as a result of the mandate of, Federal agencies, these data sets often are difficult for several agencies to use simultaneously. The utilization of these data across disciplines and agencies should be improved and collection procedures coordinated to enable the linking of water-quality and health-outcome data. Responsibility: NCEH, CDC.
   
3. A World Wide Web page or electronic bulletin board should be established. The site could include summaries of completed research, ongoing and planned research activities, planned meetings and events, recently published documents regarding drinking water and human health, and links to key resources, such as the Federal Register. Although most agencies have a web site, this project would assist in coordinating Federal activities in this area and in helping the public understand the breadth of Federal vigilance about drinking water. Responsibility: NLM, NIH.
   
4. The CDC will complete a survey of the States regarding the monitoring and service of those water supplies not covered under the SDWA. The subcommittee will use the results of the survey in its continuing evaluation of this issue. Further steps regarding information and guidance for those Americans not receiving public water will be based on information garnered through this survey and further activities. Responsibility: NCEH, CDC.
   
5. Through the Subcommittee on Drinking Water and Health, each agency should provide other agencies with a list of contact people by subject area of technical expertise. Responsibility: NCEH, CDC.
   
6. The subcommittee should continue to meet semiannually. The subcommittee has improved interagency communication about drinking water and health. Many concrete components of improved interagency cooperation, such as sharing technical expertise, coordinating research agendas, and conducting interagency cross-reviews of ongoing programs and proposals, can best be cultivated through an ongoing process. Richard Jackson will continue to initiate meetings of the Subcommittee on Drinking Water and Health every 6 months until the subcommittee chooses to change the frequency. Responsibility: NCEH, CDC.