Because We Care....
- Be aware of activities in your community that can put your drinking water at risk.
- Talk to your neighbors to determine if problems with your drinking water are individual or community-wide.
- Check out the history of the area in which you live to determine if past activities, are having a present impact on your drinking water.
- Keep in mind that water conditions can change do to environmental changes. Therefore, it is advisable to test groundwater sources abreast annually.
Barriers For Private and Public Water Supplies:
Location / isolation for contamination
R.O.I. = Radius of influence
- Residential: 50 ft. R.O.I
- Gas station: 800 ft. R.O.I
- Village supply: 2000 ft. R.O.I
Less than minimum R.O.I may warrant increased DEQ requirements for testing. (Applies to type 2 &3 water supplies only)
Some potential sources of pollutants:
- Landfills
- Storage tanks
- Septic systems
- Storm water run-off
- Farms, (pesticides and fertilizers)
- Sludge disposal sites
- Auto salvage yards
- Waste water treatment plants
- Hazardous waste sites
Contingency Planning:
In the event of a (post bacteria sample, the following corrective actions are taken.
1.) refrain from drinking, seek a secondary water supply immediately.
2.) Re-test sample should be taken within 24 hour to confirm (pos) or false (pos)
3.) If 2nd sample detects contamination, corrective action must follow. i.e. Well chlorination
4.) When the corrective action is complete, a third sample must be collected to confirm a (ND) non-detect sample.
5.) Increase bacteria sampling to at least annually.
Definitions:
Water Supply Definitions:
- Type 1 ( community ) serves at least 25 year round residents or at least 15 living unit connections.
- Type 2 ( non-community) Transient: serves any 25 (+) people at least 60 days / year or 15 or more service connections. ie. Golf course, campground, or restaurant.
- Type 2 ( non-community) Non-transient: serves the same 25 (+) people (+) months / year. le. Factory, office or school.
- Type 3 (public water systems) too small to be type 1 or type 2. Ie.
Serves <15 living units or <25 residents or <25 persons or for <60 days. ie. 5 unit apartment buildings, small gas stations, hardware stores etc.
How To Interpret Your Results:
Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs): the maximum acceptable level of a containment in the water as determined by the (EPA). Exceeding these levels may have adverse affects of your health.
Detection Level: the smallest quantity of a contaminant that can be detected. The units ''mg,/l'' or milligrams per liter are used for most of the results on your report. The following example may help you to visualize and help understand this measurement. A result of 1mg of Iron per liter can be thought as: for every million grams of water, there is one gram of Iron.
Level Detected: This is the amount found in your water. An exceedence of an MCL is marked with an asterisk (*). Refer to the following list of contaminants for information and suggested treatments. Any suggestions are based on water quality guidelines established by the EPA.
Not Detected: (ND) No presence of indicated contaminant was found.
PLEASE NOTE: when a ( POS) or an (*) indicating a presence of the following contaminant are found in your water, consulting the local health department a physician , or your water treatment specialist may be advisable.
Contaminants:
Alkalinity: Most natural drinking water has an alkalinity in the range of 10 to 500 mg/l. Alkalinity in drinking water is due largely to the presence of sodium, calcium and magnesium carbonates.
Aluminum: The fourth most common element in the earth's crust, aluminum is naturally present in drinking water and is added as a chlorination preparation at water utilities. Most of what is added is usually removed, but a residue may sometimes be passed into treated water. Aluminum may cause discoloration of water. Recommended Treatment: Distillation or
Reverse osmosis.
Arsenic: arsenic in water can result from both natural process and industrial activities, including smelting operations, use of certain pesticides, and industrial waste disposal. Arsenic compounds have been shown to produce acute and chronic toxic effects, which include systemic irreversible damage. The EPA has classified it as a known human carcinogen. Recommended Treatment: Reverse Osmosis, Distillation, or Activated Alumina Absorption.
Barium: Barium is a naturally occurring metal found in many types of rocks. In streams water and most groundwater, only traces of the element are present. It is also used in oil and gas drilling muds, automotive paints, bricks, tiles and jet fuels. Exposure has been associated with hypertension and toxicity in animals. Recommended Treatment: Distillation or
Reverse osmosis.
Cadmium: cadmium is found in very low concentrations in most rocks, as well as in coal and petroleum and often in combination with zinc. It is introduced into the environment from mining and smelting operations. Other cadmium emissions are from fossil fuel use, fertilizer applications, sewage sludge disposal or galvanized pipe corrosion. Acute and chronic exposure to cadmium in animals and humans may cause hypertension and kidney effects. Recommended Treatment: Distillation or Reverse Osmosis.
Calcium: Calcium exists in soil and rock such as limestone, dolomite and gypsum. Drinking water contributes only a small amount of the required daily intake. Concentrations as great of 1800 mg/l of calcium are reported harmless. It can be a nuisance as it contributes to the hardness of the water and build up on pipes or water heaters may inhibit their performance. Low levels can be helpful as it tends to form a coating on pipes which may prevent corrosion.
Treatment: Water softener Chloride: chloride in water can be a residual of chlorine and has been attributed to use of salt to deice roads. Other sources of chloride in ground water may be related to sea water trapped in sediments. High levels can contribute to corrosion of plumbing and may be accompanied by high sodium levels which may be a health concern.
Recommended Treatment: Reverse Osmosis
Chromium: chromium is a naturally occurring metal. It is often used in electroplating of metal. Although chromium is not currently mined in the U.S., waste from old mining operations may enter surface and ground water through runoff and leaching.
Exposure at high levels has been shown to result in chronic toxic effects such as dermatitis, ulceration of skin or liver, and kidney damage in animals and human by ingestion.
Recommended Treatment: Distillation or Reverse Osmosis.
Coliform Bacteria: Coliform Bacteria are groups of bacteria that indicate the possible presence of infectious disease organisms. It is recommended that water with coliform bacteria not be consumed until the problem is resolved. Coliform bacteria may get into the water supply through surface water runoff especially after heavy rainfall. Fecal coliform, when accompanied by high nitrate and sulfate levels, may indicate a septic system or other pollution source. Coliform bacteria present at a public water supply user's faucet may be a result of water and sewage pipes being cross-connected causing plumbing back-flow.
Copper: Water can be a significant source of copper intake depending upon the geographic location, water character, water temperature, and the presence of copper pips. At concentrations above 1mg/l, copper can stain laundry and plumbing fixtures. Copper can also cause a greenish/blue tint to blonde hair. Copper is an essential element at lower levels but levels above 5 mg/l can cause gastrointestinal disturbances or other acute toxic effects.
Recommended Treatment: distillation, Reverse Osmosis or "Soda Ash'' feed
Fluoride: Fluoride is naturally occurring and may be added to municipal water systems. At an optimum level of 1mg/l it has been shown to be affective in reducing dental cavities. Levels over 2 mg/l may cause mottling of teeth in normal individuals living in a temperate climate. Federal law requires a community water supply to notify users when monitoring exceeds 2 mg/l. The current allowable level is 4 mg/l. Your family dentist should be notified of your fluoride levels. Recommended Treatment: Distillation, Reverse Osmosis or Activated Alumina.
Hardness: Hardness is usually caused by the presence of calcium and magnesium in water. They can combine with soap to form a scum on water and ring around the tub. You may find larger amount of soap, are required to form washing suds. Recommended Treatment: Water softener. To convert your results from mg/l to grains per gallon, divide by 17.1.
Iron: Iron in drinking water is very common problem. It occurs naturally from rock of can be introduced by plumbing materials. When iron comes in contact with oxygen, it changes to a reddish compound that can discolor bathroom fixture and laundry. At this time, there are no know health effects from elevated iron in drinking water. Recommended Treatment: Water Softener, Oxidation and filtration
Lead: The main source of lead in drinking water is leaching from lead piping and lead solders. Lead enters primarily in areas having soft, acidic waders. When elevated lead levels are found consult a physician. Children and fetuses are especially sensitive to lead poisoning.
Recommended Treatment: distillation, Reverse Osmosis or ''Soda Ash" feed.
Magnesium: Magnesium is commonly found in rocks such as granite, sandstone, limestone and dolomites. High levels can be a nuisance contributing to the hardness of the water and inhibiting performance of pipes and water heaters. Recommended Treatment: Water softener
Manganese: Manganese in water is common, naturally occurring problem but can also be introduced by industry. It can produce a brownish discoloration and have a very unpleasant odor and taste. It may produce black deposits and black filaments. Chlorine bleach should not be used in laundry washed in water with a high iron or manganese content because it can cause stain to set. Currently known cases of manganese poisoning have occurred at elevated levels much higher than levels found in most natural water. Recommended Treatment: Water softener, oxidation and filtration
Mercury: Mercury is one of the least abundant elements in the earth's crust. It usually gets into water as a result of improper waste disposal. Exposure at high levels may result in kidney disease or central nervous system problems. Recommended Treatment: Distillation or Reverse Osmosis
Nickel: Nickel is not commonly found in nature as a pure metal. Nickel is often used in electroplating, stainless steel and alloy products. It generally get into water from refining operations. The absorption of dietary nickel from the gastrointestinal tract appears to be quite low, with the majority of nickel passed through the body. Recommended Treatment: Distillation or Reverse Osmosis
Nitrate and Nitrite: Nitrates occur naturally, however, the major sources of nitrate of nitrites In drinking water include fertilizer, sewage and feedlots.
The toxicity of nitrate in humans is due to the body's reduction of nitrate and nitrite. These contaminants can cause methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome). Therefore, notifying your baby's pediatrician of these levels is advisable. Recommended Treatment: Distillation,
Reverse Osmosis or Ion exchange with Nitrate Specific Resin
pH: pH us a measure of the hydrogen ion content of water. The suggest level of a 6.5-7.5. A value of 7 is neutral, which is ideal. Values lower than 7 are called ''acidic'' and values above 7 are called ''basic'' or ''alkaline''. A pH difference of one actually represents a tenfold difference in acid or base content. Acidic water dissolves metals readily and can be corrosive to plumbing which can increase the amount of toxic metals leaching into the water. Drinking water with a high pH level by itself is not necessarily a problem, although the underlying cause may be a health Concern. Recommended Treatment: Low pH Neutralizing Chemical filter ''Soda Ash'' feed or limestone tank.
Pesticides. Herbicides and PCB's: A common route for pesticides, herbicides and PCB'S to reach your water is through runoff from surface water and leaching into ground water. Pesticides are used to control insects and other ''pests''. Certain pesticides been banned but maybe found in the environment. Some herbicides may be used to control algae blooms in reservoirs and general weed control. PCB'S were one widely used in electrical transformers and industrial equipment. There may be a range of health effects related to the nervous, respiratory or reproductive systems, as well as the heart, liver or kidneys. Also, some PCB'S are probable carcinogens. Recommended Treatment: Granular Activated Carbon
Selenium: Selenium is found naturally in food and soil. It is used in electronics, photocopy operations, glass manufacturing, chemicals, drugs and as a fungicide and feed additive. It can cause dermatitis or affect the nervous system. Recommended Treatment: Distillation or
Reverse Osmosis
Sodium: Sodium in water can come from geological sources, road salt or as a result of using a water softener. A guidance level of 20 mg/l in drinking water is suggested by the EPA for the high risk population of hypertensive and heart patients. If your sodium intake is being monitored, consult your family physician for advice. Recommended Treatment: Distillation,
Reverse Osmosis or demineralization
Sulfate: Sulfate is found in almost all natural water. It may enter through waste discharges and may indicate septic leaching into the water supply. Sulfate presence can cause a pungent Odor and taste in drinking water and may have a laxative effect. Recommended Treatment: Oxidation and filtration, Reverse Osmosis Total Dissolved Solids: TDS values are a measure of the amount of solids dissolved in your water. If you left a small amount of coffee in a cup for a few days, the water would evaporate and the dissolved solids would stay behind. The TDS value is derived from certain items and possibly other soluble substances. Recommended Treatment: Reverse Osmosis
Trihalomethanes: Trihalomethanes (THM's) are in many water supplies especially municipal water supplies where it may be formed as a by-product of the reaction of the chlorine and organic matter. The most common THM, chloroform was one of the earliest anesthetics, but is no longer used for this purpose because of its toxic side effects. It is used widely as a solvent in industry. This group of compounds can affect the nervous system and muscles and may be carcinogenic. Recommended Treatment: Granular activated carbon.
Turbidity: Turbidity in water is caused by suspended matter, such as clay, silt, fine particles of organic and inorganic matter, and microscopic organisms. A turbid sample may not appear clear to the naked eye. Recommended Treatment: cartridge Filtration or Reverse Osmosis
Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC): This group of chemicals can be described by their behavior. They readily ''evaporate'' into the air at very low temperatures. For example, gasoline contains VOC's. If you have ever pumped gas and spilled it especially on a warm day, it disappears very quickly into the air and has noticeable odor. VOC's can exist in water and a small increase in temperature will release them into the air (for example taking a hot shower). It may be in your interest to investigate the source of any presence of these compounds in your water, especially since most are classified as carcinogenic. Recommended Treatment: Aeration or Whole house Carbon Filtration
Zinc: Zinc is considered an essential element is human and animal nutrition. It may come from industrial contamination or corrosion of plumbing. In concentrations over 5 mg/l, zinc produces an objectionable taste and may cause water to appear milky upon boiling, water may seem to have a greasy surface scum. Cases of zinc poisoning have been reported from prolonged consumption of water concentrations of 40 mg/l or greater.
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