2015 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report

Transcription

1 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) GALVESTON COUNTY WCID #8 PWS ID NUMBER TX PHONE # Special Notice for the ELDERLY, Our Drinking Water INFANTS, CANCER PATIENTS, Meets or Exceeds All Federal (EPA) people with HIV/AIDS or other Drinking-Water Requirements immune problems: This report is a summary of the quality of the Some people may be more vulnerable to water we provide our customers. The analysis contaminants in drinking water than the general was made by using the data from the most recent population. Immuno-compromised persons such U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as persons with cancer undergoing required tests and is presented in the attached chemotherapy, persons who have undergone pages. We hope this information helps you organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or become more knowledgeable about what is in other immune system disorders, some elderly your drinking water. and infants can be particularily at risk from infections. These people should seek advice WATER SOURCES: The sources of drinking about drinking water from their health-care water (both tap water and bottled water) include providers. The EPA/Centers for Disease Control rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on appropriate and wells. As water travels over the surface of means to lessen the risk of infection by the land or through the ground, it dissolves Cryptosporidium and other microbial naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, contaminants are available from the Safe radioactive material, and can pick up substances Drinking Water Hotline ( ). resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. s that may be PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES present in source water before treatment include: microbes, inorganic contaminants, pesticides, herbicides, radioactive contaminants, and organic DATE: 3rd Thursday of the month chemical contaminants. TIME: 5:30 p.m. LOCATION: th, Santa Fe, Texas En Español PHONE: Este informe incluye información importante sobre el agua potable. Si tiene preguntas o To learn about future public meetings comentarios sobre este informe en español, (concerning your drinking water), or to request favor de llamar al tel. (409) para hablar to schedule one, please call us. con una persona bilingüe en español. Page 1

2 Where do we get our drinking water? About The Following Pages Our drinking water is obtained from SURFACE The pages that follow list all of the federally water sources. It comes from the following regulated or monitored contaminants which have Lake/River/Reservoir/Aquifer: been found in your drinking water. The U. S. BRAZOS RIVER. A Source EPA requires water systems to test for up to Water Susceptibility Assessment for your 97 contaminants. drinking-water source(s) is currently being updated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and will be provided to us this year. The report will describe the susceptibility and types of constituents that may DEFINITIONS (MCL) The highest permissible level of a contaminant in come into contact with your drinking-water drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs source based on human activities and natural as feasible using the best available treatment conditions. The information contained in the technology. assessment will allow us to focus source water protection strategies. For more Goal (MCLG) The level of a contaminant in drinking water below water protection strategies. For more which there is no known or expected health risk. information about your sources of water, please MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. refer to the Source Water Assessment Viewer available at the following URL: Residual Disinfectant (MRDL) The highest level of disinfectant allowed in drinking htttp://gis3.tceq.state.tx.us/swav/controller/index.jsp?wtsrc= water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial ALL drinking water may contaminants. contain contaminants. Residual Disinfectant Goal When drinking water meets federal standards (MRDLG) there may not be any health-based benefits to The level of a drinking-water disinfectant below purchasing bottled water or point-of-use devices. which there is no known or expected risk to health. Drinking water, including bottled water, may MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of reasonably be expected to contain at least small disinfectants to control microbial contamination. amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate Treatment Technique (TT) A required process intended to reduce the level of a that water poses a health risk. More information contaminant in drinking water. about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA's Safe Action (AL) The concentration of a contaminant which, if Drinking Water Hotline ( ). exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. Secondary Constituents Many constituents (such as calcium, sodium, or iron) which are often found in drinking water, can cause taste, color, and odor problems. The taste and odor constituents are called secondary constituents and are regulated by the State of Texas, not the EPA. These constituents are not causes for health concern. Therefore, secondaries are not required to be reported in this document but they may greatly affect the appearance and taste of your water. ABBREVIATIONS NTU - Nephelometric Turbidity Units MFL - million fibers per liter (a measure of asbestos) pci/l - picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity) ppm - parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/l) ppb - parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (µg/l) ppt - parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter ppq - parts per quadrillion, or picograms per liter mrem/yr- millirem per year Page 2

3 Inorganic s Range Detected Minimum MCL MCLG Source of Discharge of drilling wastes; Barium ppm discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits. Fluoride ppm 2014 Nitrate (measured as Nitrogen) ppm Erosion of natural deposits; water additive which promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories. Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits. Beta/photon emitters pci/l* Decay of natural and man-made deposits. * EPA concsiders 50 pci/lto be the level of concern for these beta particles Combined Radium pci/l 226/228 Erosion of natural deposits. Organic s Range Detected Minimum MCL MCLG Source of Atrazine ppb Runoff from herbicide used on row crops. Simazine ppb Herbacide runoff. Disinfection Byproducts Minimum Year Detected MCL Source of 2014 Haloacetic Acids ppb Byproduct of drinking-water disinfection Trihalomethanes ppb Byproduct of drinking-water disinfection. General Information ppm = 1 ounce in 7,350 gallons ppb = 1 ounce in 7,350,000 gallons Page 3

4 Lead and Copper Year The 90th Percentile Number of Sites Exceeding Action Action 2013 Lead ppb 2013 Copper ppm Source of Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits. Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives. "If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. This water supply is responsible for providing high-quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at Turbidity Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. Year Single ment Lowest Monthly % of Samples Meeting Limits Turbidity Limits Source of Turbidity NTU Soil runoff. Average Minimum Violation Disinfectant Year MRDL MRDLG (y/n) Chloramines ppm Yes Likely source of contamination Water additive used to control microbes. Violations Table Lead and Copper Rule The Lead and Copper Rule protects public health by minimizing lead and copper levels in drinking water, primarily by reducing water corrosivity. Lead and copper enter drinking water mainly from corrosion of lead and copper containing plumbing matrerials. Violation Type Violation Begin Violation End Violation Explanation We failed to provide the results of lead tap water monitering to the consumers at the location water was tested. These were supposed to be LEAD CONSUMER NOTICE 12/30/2013 provided no later than 30 days after learning the reults. Public Notification Rule The public notification rule helps to ensure that customers will always know if there is a problem with their drinking water. These notices immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water (e.g. a boil water emergency) Violation Type Violation Begin Violation End Violation Explanation0 PUBLIC NOTICE RULE LINKED TO We failed to adequately notify you, our drinking water VIOLATION. 7/16/ consumers about a violation of the drinking water regulations Coliform Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other potentially harmful bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potentilal problems. Violation Type Violation Begin Violation End Violation Explanation Monitoring (TCR), Routine Minor 12/1/ 12/31/ We failed to complete all the required tests of our drinking water for the contaminant and period indicated. Page 4

5 INFORMATION ABOUT SECONDARY CONTAMINANTS Secondary contaminants are not required to be reported in this document but they may greatly affect the appearance and taste of your water. WCID #8 has provided these results as a courtesy to our customers. Secondary and Other Constituents Not Regulated (Not associated with adverse-health effects) Average Minimum Range Constituent Secondary Limit Bicarbonate NA ppm Barium ppm Calcium NA ppm Chloride ppm Source of Constituent Corrosion of carbonate rocks such as limestone. Discharge of drilling wastes:discharge from metal refineries:erosion of natural deposits. Abundant naturally occurring element; used in water purification; byproduct of oilfield activity. Copper ppm Iron ppm Magnesium NA ppm Manganese ppm Nickel NA ppm ph <7.0 units Potassium Sodium NA ppm 2014 Sulfate ppm Alkalinity as CaCO3 Dissolved Solids Hardness as CaCO NA ppm ppm NA ppm Zinc ppm Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives. Erosion of natural deposits; iron or steel waterdelivery equipment or facilities. Erosion of natural deposits. of corrosivity of water. Erosion of natural deposits; byproduct of oilfield activity. Naturally occurring; common industrial byproduct; byproduct of oilfield activity. Naturally occurring soluble mineral salts. dissolved mineral constituents in water. Naturally occurring calcium. Moderately abundant naturally occurring element; used in the metal industry. Flouride ppm Erosion of natural deposits: discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories. Page 5