1998 Annual Water Quality Report

1998 Water Quality Report (.pdf)

Consumer Confidence Report
January 1999
PWS ID #4126000
Issue 1

This report explains how drinking water provided by the Harwich Water Department is of the highest quality. Included in this report is a listing of results from water-quality tests, tips on how to interpret the data as well as an explanation of where our water comes from. This "Consumer Confidence Report" is required by law, but we are proud to share our results with you. Please read them carefully.

We are proud to report that the water provided by the Harwich Water Dept. meets or exceeds established water quality standards.

Call us for information about the next opportunity for public participation in decisions about our drinking water. Consult our Web site at http://www.harwichwater.com and, for further information, see U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) water information at www.epa.gov/safewater.

Overview
In 1998, your water department distributed 619,321,800 million gallons of water to the Town of Harwich customers. We installed 22,836 feet of new water mains. During the next year we will continue to improve the distribution system and install and upgrading water mains.

Water Source
Harwich Water Department is supplied by groundwater pumped from 12 wells located in North, East and South Harwich. We will also be completing the construction on station #11 in the late summer of 1999 and have it on line shortly after the first of September. During 1998, a source-water assessment was completed for The Harwich Water Department by The Department of Environmental Protection. Copies are available from D.E.P., One Winter St., Boston MA. 02108, or by telephone at 1-617-292-5500.

Water Sampling Test Results

*90% Percential was 0.004 ppm
**90% Percential was 0.51 ppm
***Average is 0.78 ppm
****Average is 1.9 ppb

Legend to Table
AL= Action Level pCi/l = picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity)
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level PPM = parts per million or miligrams per liter (mg/l)
MCLG = Maximum Contaminant Goal Ppb = parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (ug/l)

An Explanation of the Water-Quality Data Table
Our water is tested regularly to assure that it is safe and healthy for the residents of Harwich. The column marked Maximum Detected shows the highest test result during the year. Sources of Contaminant shows where this substance usually originates Columns headed MCL and MCLG refer to:
Maximum Contaminant level or MCL: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL's are set close to the MCLG's as feasible using the best available technology.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG's allow for a margin of safety.
Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

Required Additional Health Information
To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes limits on the amount of contaminants in water provided by a public water system. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least a small amount 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 Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). 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 radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

• (A) Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
• (B) Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
• (C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
• (D) Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organics, which are by-products of industrial processes and 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 which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than is the general population. Immune-compromised 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/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Concerning Lead in Our Water
Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. It is possible that lead levels at your home may be higher than at other homes in the community as a result of materials used in your home's plumbing. If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your home's water, you may wish to have your water tested. The longer water resides in your home's plumbing the higher the lead level may be. Flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using tap water also helps in reducing levels. Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Compliance
This report was prepared by the Harwich Water Dept. staff and technical assistance provided by the American Water Works Association. For further information please call the office at 432-0304. We'll be happy to answer any questions about Harwich Water Department and our water quality. Call David Condrey at 508-432-0304. Water Quality Data for community water systems throughout the United States is available at www.waterdata.com. Learn more about the Harwich Water Department water system at [www.oncapecod.net/harwichwater]. * Member of NEWWA, MWWA, PCWWA and BCWWA.

This report was prepared by the Harwich Water Depatment staff with technical assistance provided by the American Water Works Association. For further information please call our office at 508 432-0304 and we will be happy to answer any questions about the Harwich Water Department and our water quality. David Condrey is the Secondary Operator and handles the water sampling program. David can answer questions about sampling procedures and can answer any specific concerns you may have. Water Quality Data for community water systems throughout the United States is available at http://www.waterdata.com. Learn more about the Harwich Water Department water system at http://www.harwichwater.com.

Water Sampling Test Results

*90% Percential was 0.004 ppm
**90% Percential was 0.51 ppm
***Average is 0.78 ppm
****Average is 1.9 ppb

Legend to Table
AL= Action Level pCi/l = picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity)
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level PPM = parts per million or miligrams per liter (mg/l)
MCLG = Maximum Contaminant Goal Ppb = parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (ug/l)

An Explanation of the Water-Quality Data Table
Our water is tested regularly to assure that it is safe and healthy for the residents of Harwich. The column marked Maximum Detected shows the highest test result during the year. Sources of Contaminant shows where this substance usually originates Columns headed MCL and MCLG refer to:
Maximum Contaminant level or MCL: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL's are set close to the MCLG's as feasible using the best available technology.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG's allow for a margin of safety.
Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

Required Additional Health Information
To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes limits on the amount of contaminants in water provided by a public water system. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least a small amount 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 Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). 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 radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

• (A) Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
• (B) Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
• (C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
• (D) Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organics, which are by-products of industrial processes and 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 which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than is the general population. Immune-compromised 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/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Concerning Lead in Our Water
Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. It is possible that lead levels at your home may be higher than at other homes in the community as a result of materials used in your home's plumbing. If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your home's water, you may wish to have your water tested. The longer water resides in your home's plumbing the higher the lead level may be. Flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using tap water also helps in reducing levels. Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Compliance
This report was prepared by the Harwich Water Dept. staff and technical assistance provided by the American Water Works Association. For further information please call the office at 432-0304. We'll be happy to answer any questions about Harwich Water Department and our water quality. Call David Condrey at 508-432-0304. Water Quality Data for community water systems throughout the United States is available at www.waterdata.com. Learn more about the Harwich Water Department water system at [www.oncapecod.net/harwichwater]. * Member of NEWWA, MWWA, PCWWA and BCWWA.

This report was prepared by the Harwich Water Depatment staff with technical assistance provided by the American Water Works Association. For further information please call our office at 508 432-0304 and we will be happy to answer any questions about the Harwich Water Department and our water quality. David Condrey is the Secondary Operator and handles the water sampling program. David can answer questions about sampling procedures and can answer any specific concerns you may have. Water Quality Data for community water systems throughout the United States is available at http://www.waterdata.com. Learn more about the Harwich Water Department water system at http://www.harwichwater.com.