Charter Township of Independence. Consumer Confidence Report Water Quality in Photo provided by: John C. Meyland, Independence Township Resident

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1 Charter Township of Independence Consumer Confidence Report Water Quality in 2010 Photo provided by: John C. Meyland, Independence Township Resident

2 2010 Water Quality Report for Independence Township INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP BOARD David Wagner Supervisor Barb Pallotta Clerk Curt Carson Treasurer David Lohmeier Trustee Mark Petterson Trustee Larry Rosso Trustee Neil Wallace Trustee DIRECTORY Arsenic... 2 Bacteria... 2 Chloride... 2 Contaminants in Water... 2 Contamination by Cross Connection.. 4 Copper... 2 Fluoride... 2 Inorganic Contaminants... 1 Lead... 2 Map of Water System.5 Microbial Contaminants... 1 Nitrate... 2 Organic Chemical Contaminants... 1 Pesticides and Herbicides... 1 Precautions... 1 Radioactive Contaminants... 1 Sources of Water... 1 Source Water Assessment 1 Water Quality Data Table 3 & 4 HOW TO REACH US: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS 6050 FLEMINGS LAKE ROAD P.O. BOX 69 CLARKSTON, MI (248) fax (248) dpw@twp.independence.mi.us HOURS: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. after hours emergency phone (248) This report and much more information about our community can be found at our township web site:

3 The Independence Township Department of Public Works is pleased to present our twelfth annual Drinking Water Quality Report! Once again, we are proud to report that there were no treatment or monitoring violations for the year Our customers are our top priority, and we are committed to providing you with the highest quality drinking water. As new challenges to drinking water safety emerge, we remain vigilant in meeting the challenges of source water protection, water conservation and community education while continuing to serve the needs of all our water users. Please share with us your thoughts about the information in this report. For more information about this report, or for any questions relating to your drinking water, please call Linda Richardson, Department of Public Works Director, at (248) WHERE DOES MY WATER COME FROM? The water from your tap is pumped directly from one of 16 wells in 10 wellfields. The attached map shows the water system is divided into three service areas: Main Loop, Deerwood and Hillview Estates. The area south of I-75 is designated as the Independence Township Main Loop Service Area as the majority of customers served by the Township water system are connected to this service area. This area is served primarily by 9 wells located within six wellfields, Clarkston Gardens, Chestnut Hills, Lake Oakland Woods, Bay Court, Waldon Creek and Pelton Heights. Deerwood Service Area is served by four wells within three wellfields, Deerwood I & II, Deerwood III (Manors) and Deer Valley. All three well sites have Iron/Arsenic removal with disinfection. Hillview Estates Service Area, located in the northeast corner of the township, is served by three wells in the Hillview Estates wellfield. Disinfection has been added to this well site. If you have a question about which system supplies your drinking water, please contact the Department of Public Works. SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT A Source Water Assessment Plan was performed in This plan is an assessment of the delineated area around our listed sources through which contaminants, if present, could migrate and reach our source water. It also includes an inventory of potential sources of contamination within the delineated area and a determination of the water supply s susceptibility to contamination by the identified potential sources. The susceptibility of our sources is in the range from low to moderate. A copy of the full report can be viewed at the Department of Public Works Office. WELLHEAD PROTECTION The purpose of the Wellhead Protection Program is to identify the Wellhead Protection Area (WHPA), which is the area of the surface and subsurface that is expected to contribute groundwater to the Municipal supply wells typically in the next 10 years. The Township has 10 approved WHPA wellfields in the Independence Township service area. See the map located on the back page to see if you live in the WHPA. Remember: prevention of groundwater contamination is far less expensive than groundwater cleanup! For more information about this program call the DPW or go to SUBSTANCES THAT COULD BE IN WATER To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, U.S. EPA prescribes regulations limiting the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of these contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the U.S. EPA s Safe Drinking Water Hotline ( ). SOURCES OF DRINKING WATER The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. Our water comes from wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Examples are: Microbial Contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife. Pesticides and Herbicides, may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff and residential uses. Inorganic Contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm water runoff industrial, or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming. Organic Chemical Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff and septic systems. Radioactive Contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. DO I NEED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS? Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline ( ). If you live in or around a WHPA or any other wellfield, the use of certain household hazardous chemicals (like paint, solvents, gasoline, etc.) should be closely monitored in order to eliminate the possibility of groundwater contamination. You can help protect our water supply by using chemicals carefully.

4 CONTAMINANTS IN DRINKING WATER The tables inserted in this report list all of the drinking water contaminants that we detected during the calendar year of this report for each service area. The presence of contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. Unless otherwise noted, the date presented in this table is from testing done January 1 through December 31, The state allows us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. The following health effects are associated with these contaminants if the contaminant level is found over the MCL or Action Level for all parameters monitored. Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson s Disease should consult their personal doctor. Some people who drink water containing fluoride in excess of the MCL over many years could get bone disease, including pain and tenderness of the bones. Children may get mottled teeth. Fluoride is not added to our water system. Lead, 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. Independence Township Water Department 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 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 at or at Survey study prepared for Oakland County. Copies of this study are available at the Township Hall. Arsenic is a natural element found widely in the earth s crust. There are trace amounts in all living matter. Arsenic can enter lakes, rivers or underground water naturally, when mineral deposits or rocks containing arsenic dissolve. While your drinking water meets EPA s standards for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems. Nitrate is formed when oxygen in the air or dissolved in water combines with nitrogen. While nitrate is naturally occurring, concentrations can rise from septic tank leachate and fertilizers which are rich in nitrogen. Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome. Our water was detected to have 1.3 mg/l as the highest level in the Main Loop Service area. There was no trace in the other service areas. The MCL for nitrate is 10 mg/l. Chloride can be found in most common salts, such as road salt, table salt and water-softener salt. It can infiltrate the ground from de-icing roads in the winter or from septic tank leachate from water softening. Naturally Occurring Bacteria The simple fact is, bacteria and other microorganisms inhabit our world. They can be found all around us: in our food; on our skin; in our bodies; and, in the air, soil and water. Some are harmful to us and some are not. Coliform bacteria are common in the environment and are generally not harmful themselves. The presence of this bacterial form in drinking water is a concern because it indicates that the water may be contaminated with other organisms that can cause disease. Throughout the year, we tested many water samples for coliform bacteria. In that time, no samples came back positive for the bacteria. Federal regulations now require that public water that tests positive for coliform bacteria must be further analyzed for fecal coliform bacteria. Fecal coliform are present only in human and animal waste. Because these bacteria can cause illness, it is unacceptable for fecal coliform to be present in water at any concentration. Our tests indicate no fecal coliform is present in our water. ARSENIC, NITRATE, AND CHLORIDE These three contaminants have become a particular concern for some groundwater supplies throughout Oakland County. As always, we are concerned about the potential risk of contamination and will continue to monitor the levels of these three contaminants in your water. The following is a brief description of these contaminants taken from a U.S. Geological

5 WATER QUALITY DATA HILLVIEW ESTATES SERVICE AREA WSSN 3175 DEERWOOD SERVICE AREA WSSN 1773 MAIN LOOP SERVICE AREA WSSN 3342 TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS USED BELOW and NEXT PAGE: AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow. MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLG as feasible using the best available treatment technology. MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level): The highest level of disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. MRDLG (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Goal): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is not known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. pci/l: picocuries per liter ppb: parts per billion or micrograms per liter ppm: parts per million or milligrams per liter ND: not detectable at testing limit YOUR WATER: the highest single value obtained during the reporting period unless noted with an * RANGE: the lowest to the highest values obtained Regulated MCL MCLG Your Range Sample Violation Typical Source of Contaminant Water Date Yes/No Contaminant Alpha Emitters(pCi/L) 15 0 Erosions of natural deposits Main Loop No Antimony (ppb) 6 6 Main Loop N/D Not Detected 2010 No Deerwood No Discharge from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder Arsenic (ppb) 10 0 Erosion of natural deposits; runoff Hillview No from orchards; runoff from glass Main Loop No electronics; production waste Barium (ppm) 2 2 Discharge of drilling wastes; Hillview No discharge of metal refineries; Deerwood No erosion of natural deposits Main Loop No Chlorine (ppm) 4 4 Hillview * No Water additive used to Deerwood * No control microbes Main Loop * No Chloroform (ppm) Deerwood No By-products of industrial processes; storm water runoff; septic systems Chromium(ppm) Discharge from steel & pulp Main Loop N/D Not Detected 2010 No mills; erosion of natural deposits Fluoride (ppm) 4 4 Hillview No Deerwood No Main Loop No HAA5 (ppb) 60 N/A Deerwood * No Hillview * No Main Loop * No Nitrate (ppm) Main Loop No Deerwood N/D Not Detected 2010 No Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories Haloacetic Acids By-product of drinking water disinfection Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits

6 TTHM - Total (ppb) 80 N/A Deerwood * No Hillview * No Triahalomethanes By-product of drinking water disinfection Main Loop * No Xylenes (ppm) Discharge from petroleum Main Loop No and chemical factories * indicates a running annual average calculation Radioactive MCL MCLG Your Range Sample Violation Typical Source of Contaminant Water Date Yes/No Contaminant Combined radium 5 pci/l 0 Erosion of natural deposits Main Loop No Special Monitoring and Your Range Sample Typical Source of Contaminant Unregulated Contaminant* Water Date Sodium** (ppm) Hillview Deerwood Main Loop Chloride (ppm) Hillview Deerwood Main Loop Sulfate (ppm) Hillview Deerwood Main Loop Erosion of natural deposits Erosion of natural deposits Erosion of natural deposits Contaminant Action MCGL 90 th percentile of Sample # of Sites Typical Source of Subject to AL Level Samples Collected Date Above AL Contaminants Lead*** (ppb) 15 0 Corrosion of household plumbing Hillview 2 ppb out of 5 sites systems; erosion of natural Deerwood 2 ppb out of 10 sites deposits Main Loop 3 ppb out of 30 sites Copper***(ppb) Corrosion of household plumbing Hillview 115 ppb out of 5 sites systems; erosion of natural Deerwood 130 ppb out of 10 sites deposits; leaching from wood Main Loop 238 ppb out of 30 sites preservatives **Sodium is an unregulated contaminant and thus there is no MCL associated with it. Unregulated contaminant monitoring helps the EPA to determine whether there is a need to regulate the contaminant. ***90% of the homes tested have lead/copper levels at or below the 90 th percentile value. CONTAMINATION FROM CROSS CONNECTION A cross-connection is formed at any point where a drinking water line connects to equipment (boilers), systems containing chemicals (air conditioning systems, fire sprinkler systems, irrigation systems) or water sources of questionable quality. Cross-connection contamination can occur when the pressure in the equipment or system is greater than the pressure inside the drinking water line (backpressure). Contamination can also occur when the pressure in the drinking water line drops due to fairly routine occurrences (main breaks, heavy water demand) causing contaminants to be sucked out from the equipment and into the drinking water line (backsiphonage). Outside water taps and garden hoses tend to be the most common sources of cross-connection contamination at home. The garden hose creates a hazard when submerged in a swimming pool or when attached to a chemical sprayer for weed killing. Garden hoses that are left lying on the ground may be contaminated by fertilizers, cesspools or garden chemicals. Improperly installed valves in your toilet could also be a source of cross-connection contamination. Community water supplies are continuously jeopardized by cross-connections unless appropriate valves, known as backflow prevention devices, are installed and maintained. For more information, review the Cross-Connection Control Manual from the U.S. EPA s web site at You can also call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800)

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8 INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC WORKS 6050 Flemings Lake Road P.O. Box 69 Clarkston, MI PRESRT Standard U.S. Postage PAID Clarkston, MI Permit #20