This article reviews the public notification requirement of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and emphasizes the positive effects of notification when it is used to increase consumer awareness of water utilities's challenges and needs. The article focuses on the proper way to write such notices, including content and tone of the notice. Contents of notices should include: the identity of who is issuing the notice; description of what the notice is about; description of the event that prompted the notice; explanation of why the event occurred; description of precautions that should be taken by the consumer; and description of the actions being taken by the utility to correct the problem.