The primary legislation governing drinking water quality is the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) passed by Congress in 1974 and amended in 1986 and further strengthened in 1996.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), after consulting with the National Academy of Science, sets a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for each regulated substance. Periodically, these standards are reviewed and refined based on scientific and technological advancements.
The national regulations apply to all water systems that provide drinking water to at least 25 people or 15 service connections for a minimum of 60 days a year. This includes water utilities that service about 85 percent of the U.S. population. The remainder receive their drinking water from privately owned and operated sources such as wells and are responsible for regulating their own water quality.
To ensure the highest quality, the SDWA requires each public water utility to implement a regular program of sample collection and laboratory analysis. Contaminants that can cause acute health effects are monitored daily. Others are monitored weekly and still others, monthly. By law, each state must meet federal standards. Local water utilities must meet all the requirements for the state in which them operate. Testing and monitoring results are reported regularly to the state health department and are available to the public. Strict adherence to monitoring and testing are the best guarantees for safe drinking water. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and EPA work together to see that all requirements are followed.
In addition to the SDWA, there are other federal laws that safeguard the quality of drinking water by regulating surface and ground water pollution, management of hazardous substances, and use of chemical pesticides.
Safe Drinking Water Hotline
For more information about the SDWA, call EPA toll-free
800-426-4791
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST
OCWS Phone:
(850) 651-7171 or (850) 423-1579
(To reach office staff during business hours)
IVR Phone System:
(850) 651-7171 or (850) 423-1579
Receive account information or make a payment.
System is available daily from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
OCWS Emergency Phone –
(850) 651-7174 or (850) 423-1576
(Non-business hours, Weekends & Holidays)
Email: waterinformation@myokaloosa.com
Visit the Contact Us page for OCWS Office and Drop Box Locations
MSBU Street Lights - (850) 609-7027
(Public Works Department for Street Light issues)
Garbage and Recycling questions:
Waste Management
(850) 301-2822, Monday – Friday
(850) 275-0020, Saturday
Mark Wise, Interim Director
1804 Lewis Turner Boulevard
Suite 300
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Phone: (850) 651-7172
W & S Employee Commute Program
302 N. Wilson St. - Suite 302
Crestview, FL 32536
1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Suite 100
Shalimar, FL 32579
Call 850-689-5050 or 850-423-1542 for all departments.