1999 Annual Water Quality Report

Water Sampling Test Results

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).

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.