Easton Water Division


Easton Water Works - Commitment to Quality 2000 Water Quality Report (PWS ID# MA4088000)
	Once again, we are proud to present to you our annual Water Quality Report. With a focus on customer service and efficiency in operations, we continue to strive for excellence through new water quality programs that will ensure a reliable drinking water supply for years to come. To maintain our commitment to you, we routinely collect and test water samples every step of the way – from the source waters right to your home - checking purity and identifying potential problems. We work with only state-certified laboratories to perform required testing to maintain our quality assurance program. Staffed by highly trained scientists and technicians, these labs have the latest, most sophisticated instruments, and can measure substances down to one part in a billion! We are committed to providing you with this information about your water supply, because customers who are well informed are our best allies in supporting improvements necessary to maintain the highest drinking water standards.

What's Inside? This report outlines the processes involved in delivering to you the highest quality drinking water available. In it, we will answer these important questions: · What is in my drinking water? · Where does my water come from? · Where can I get additional information?

Substances Expected to be in Drinking Water

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, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.
   Substances that may be present in source water include:
    Microbial Contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife;
   Pesticides and Herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses;
   Inorganic Contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges; oil and gas production, mining, or farming;
   Organic Chemical Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems;
   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. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 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 contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the U.S. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

Special Health Information

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/MDS 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/CD C 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).

What's In My Water?

We are pleased to report that during the past year, the water delivered to your home or business complied with, or did better than, all state and federal drinking water requirements. For your information, we have compiled a list in the table below showing what substances were detected in our drinking water during 2000. Although all of the substances listed below are under the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) set by U.S. EPA, we feel it is important that you know exactly what was detected and how much of the substance was present in the water. For more information about this report, or for any questions relating to your drinking water, please call John J. Marsh, Superintendent, at (508) 238-3641.

REGULATED SUBSTANCES¹

SUBSTANCE (UNITS)	YEAR SAMPLED	MCL	MCLG	AMOUNT DETECTED	RANGE LOW-HIGH	VIOLATION	TYPICAL SOURCE
Fluoride (ppm)	2000	4	4	0.18	0 – 0.18	No	Erosion of natural deposites; Water additive which promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories.
Nitrate 9ppm)	2000	10	10	2.81	0 – 2.81	No	Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits.
Total Coliform Bacteria (No positive samples)	2000	1 positive sample	0	1	NA	No	Naturally present in the environment.
Turbidity (NTU)	2000	TT	NA	1.5	0.3 – 1.5	No	Soil runoff.

LEAD & COPPER (Tap water samples were collected from 32 homes in the service area. None were detected above the AL.)

SUBSTANCE (UNITS)	YEAR SAMPLED	AL	MCLG	AMOUNT DETECTED (90^th %ILE	NUMBER OF HOMES ABOVE AL	VIOLATION	TYPICAL SOURCE
Copper (ppm)	1998	1.3	1.3	0.14	0	No	Corrosion of household plumbing; Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from wood preservatives.
Lead	1998	15	0	11	0	No	Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits.

¹The MA Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Synthetic Organic Contaminant (SOC) monitoring waiver for all pumping stations for the 1999-01 compliance period.

Definitions

Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant

in drinking water below which there is no known or expected
risk to health. The MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

NA: Not applicable.

Nephelometric Turbidity Units(NTU): Measurement of the clarity, or turbidity, of water.

Parts per billion (ppb): One part per billion (or micrograms per liter) is equivalent to one penny in $10,000,000.

Parts per million (ppm): One part per million (or milligrams per liter) is equivalent to one penny in $10,000.

Picocurries per litter (pCi/L): Measurement of the natural rate of disintegration.

Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

Radon

Radon is a radioactive gas that you cannot see, taste, or smell. It is found throughout the United States. Radon can move up through the ground and into a home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Radon can build up to high levels in all types of homes. Radon can also get into indoor air when released from tap water from showering, washing dishes, and other household activities. Compared to radon entering the home through soil, radon entering the home through tap water will be (in most cases) a small source of radon in indoor air. During 2000, samples taken to analyze for radon ranged from 810 to 1,730 pCiIL. Currently, radon is not regulated but legislation has been proposed that will allow the EPA to establish an MCL.

Radon is a known human carcinogen. Breathing air-containing radon can lead to lung cancer. Drinking water containing radon may also cause increased risk of stomach cancer. If you are concerned about radon in your home, test the air in your home. Testing is inexpensive and easy. Fix your home if the level of radon in your air is 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) or higher. There are simple ways to fix a radon problem that aren't too costly. For additional information, call EPA's Radon Hotline, 800.SOS. RADON.

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 they indicate that the water may be contaminated with other organisms that can cause disease. Throughout 2000, we tested 686 samples for coliform bacteria. In that time, only 1 sample came back positive for the bacteria. At no time did this incident pose a threat to public health and safety. Federal regulations now require that public water testing 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.

Community Participation

We encourage public interest and participation in our community's decisions affecting drinking water. The Easton Water Division conducts a yearly Open House during the first week in May. The Water Resource Advisory Commission meets regularly. Meeting notices are posted on the board at the Town Hall. The Canoe River Aquifer Advisory Committee meets the first Thursday of each month, alternating locations between the five participating towns. Call 508-238-3641 for more information. Also, please visit our Web site at www.easton.ma.us.

Water Conservation Tips

Water conservation measures are an important first step in protecting our water supply. Such measures not only save the supply of our source water, but can also save you money by reducing your your water bills. Here are a few suggestions.

Conservation measures you can use inside your home include:

You can conserve outdoors as well:

Fix leaking faucets, pipes, toilets, etc.
Install water-saving devices in faucets, toilets and appliances.
Replace old fixtures.
Wash only full loads of laundry.
Do not use the toilet for trash disposal.
Take shorter showers.
Do not let the water run while shaving or brushing teeth.
Soak dishes before washing.
Run the dishwasher only when full.

Water the lawn and garden in the early morning or evening.
Use mulch around plants and shrubs.
Repair leaks in faucets and hoses.
Use water-saving nozzles.
Use water from a bucket to wash your car, and save the hose for rinsing.