2009 WATER QUALITY REPORT
We are pleased to present the 2009 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report to our valued customers. This report is designed to inform the public about the quality of the water MUPB delivers every day. Our goal is to provide you with a safe and reliable supply of drinking water. We want you to be aware of the efforts that are continually made to improve the water treatment process.
Our water source is the Licking River. The Licking River is a surface water source. The intake is located in Rowan County. The Morehead Utility Plant Board is committed to ensuring the highest quality of drinking water. Our water quality meets or exceeds all local, state, and federal regulations.
The Morehead Utility Plant Board routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water in compliance with federal and state laws. The following pages include a table that explains the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2009.
Activities and land uses upstream of the Morehead Utility Plant Board’s source water can pose potential risks to your drinking water. Under certain circumstances, contaminants could be released that would pose challenges to water treatment or even get into your drinking water. These activities, and how they are conducted, are of interest to the entire community because they potentially affect your health and the cost of treating your water. Activities immediately upstream of your water supply intake are of special concern because they provide little response time to the water system operators. An analysis of the susceptibility of the Morehead Utility Plant Board’s raw water supply to contamination indicates that the susceptibility potential is generally moderate. There are a few areas of high concern near the raw water withdrawal site. Farming sites located in the area present the possibility for the impact from the application of pesticides and fertilizer. Bridges and major road ways used to access the Cave Run Lake recreational area also pose a threat to the intake should an accidental release of a harmful substance be introduced into the water source. Another source of potential concern in the critical protection area is a small wastewater package treatment plant located in the area. A small commercial airport and the presence of two underground storage tanks are also considered to be significant sites of concern. Other sites of medium concern include a marina, a fish hatchery, the presence of an underground storage tank and a small grocery/gas station, and a manufacturing industry. The complete Source Water Assessment is available at the Water Treatment Plant for inspection.
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material. It can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity.
Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
a.) microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
b.) inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, that can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, and farming.
c.) pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
d.) organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes ad petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
e.) radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that shall provide the same protect for public health.
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects may be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune systems disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek medical advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/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 (800-426-4791).
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious 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. The Morehead Utility Plant Board 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 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 or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Tests Showed Fecal Coliform or E.Coli in
MOREHEAD UTILITY PLANT BOARD
In September 2009 we exceeded the limit for fecal coliform or e.coli bacteria in the Pleasant Valley area. These bacteria can make you sick, and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems. Fecal coliform and E.coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems. The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. We put on a boil water advisory and flushed water lines and resampled and did not find any of these bacteria in our subsequent testing.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Tests Showed Coliform Bacteria in
MOREHEAD UTILITY PLANT BOARD
We routinely monitor for presence of drinking water contaminants. During the month of September 2009 we exceeded limit for coliform bacteria in the Pleasant Valley area. You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor. This was not an emergency; however people with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly could have been at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1 [800] 426-4791. Total coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves. Coliforms are bacteria which 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 potential problems. We put on a boil water advisory and flushed water lines and resampled and did not find any of these bacteria in our subsequent
| 2009 | |||||
| PARTICULATE TEST RESULTS | |||||
| Allowable Levels | Highest Single Measurements | Lowest Monthly % | Violation Y/N | Likely Source | |
| Turbidity | Never more than .1 NTU. Less than 0.3 NTU 95% of samples (All other filters)(TT). | .291 NTU | 100% | N | Soil Runoff |
|
Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfections and provide a medium for microbial growth.
Turbidity is a measure of treatment performance and is regulated as a treatment technique. Turbidity is measured in Nephelometric turbidity units (NTU), and is a measure of the clarity of the water. Turbidity in the excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person. |
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|
Contaminant [Code]
(units) |
MCL | MCLG | Highest Detection | Range | Date Of Sample | Violation | Likely Source of Contamination |
|
Total Coli-form Bacteria
[3100] %Positive Samples |
2 or More Positive Samples a month | 0 | 7 positive samples | 0 | Sept. 2009 | Y | Naturally present in environment |
|
Fecal Coli-form & E.Coli
%Positive Samples |
0 | 0 | 5 | N/A | Sept. 2009 | Y | Human and animal fecal waste |
|
Total Organic Carbon(ppm)
Measured as (ppm) reported in Ratio |
TT | N/A | 1.17 Lowest Average | 1.00-2.35 (Monthly Ratios) | N/A | N | Naturally present in environment |
|
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
(ppb) |
60 | N/A |
49 Annual
Average |
20-102 | N/A | N | Naturally present in environment |
|
TTHM
[total trihalomethanes] (ppb) |
80 | N/A | Average 57 | 19-74 | N/A | N | By-product of drinking water chlorination |
| Chlorine (ppm) | MRDL 4 | MRDLG 4 | 1.02 (annual avg.) | 0.41-1.77 | 4th Quarter 2009 | N | Water additive used to control microbes |
| * Monthly ratio is %TOC removal achieved to the % TOC removal required. Annual average of the monthly ratios must be 1.00 or greater for compliance. | |||||||
| INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS | |||||||
|
Contaminant [Code]
(units) |
MCL | MCLG | Highest Detection | Range | Date Of Sample | Violation | Likely Source of Contamination |
|
Barium
[1010](ppm) |
2 | 2 | 0.02 | 0.021-0.021 | 03-09 | N | Discharge of drilling waste, discharge from metal refineries, erosion of natural deposits |
|
Fluoride
[1025](ppm) |
4 | 4 | 1.09 | .72-1.36 | 05-09 | N | Erosion of natural deposits, water additive - promotes strong teeth, discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories |
|
Copper
[1022](ppm) 0 site>al |
1.3 | 1.3 |
90th percentile
0.289 |
0.011-0.993 | 07-09 | N | Corrosion of household plumbing system; erosion of natural deposits; leeching from wood preservatives |
|
Lead
[1030](ppb) 0 site>al |
AL=15 | 0 |
14
90th percentile |
1-37 | 07-09 | N | Corrosion of household plumbing system |
|
Nitrate(as Nitrogen)
[1040](ppm) |
10 | 10 | .22 | 0.1-.396 | 03-09 | N | Runoff from fertilizer use; leeching from septic tanks; sewage; erosion of natural deposits |
|
Radium
[4030] |
5 | 0 | 0.70 | 0.7-0.7 | 4-08 | N | Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit forms of radiation known as photons and beta radiation. Some people who drink water containing beta particle and photon radioactivity in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
| DEFINITIONS | |
| Non-Detect (ND) | Laboratory analysis indicates that the contaminant is not present. |
| Treatment Technique (TT) | A treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. |
| Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) | MCL is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL’s are set as close to the MCLG as feasible using the best available treatment technologies. |
| Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) | The "goal" (MCLG) is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is known or expected risk to health. MCLG’s allow for a margin of safety. |
| Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) | A unit of measurement used to measure the amount of turbidity in water. |
| Parts Per Million (ppm) | One part per million corresponds with one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000. |
| Parts Per Billion (ppb) | One part per billion corresponds with one minute in 2,000 years or one penny in $10,000,000. |
| Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) | The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. |
| Maximum Residual Disinfectant Goal (MRDLG) | The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLG’s do not reflect the benefits of use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. |
| Action Levels (AL) | The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow. |