ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN OUR DRINKING WATER?
As the State regulations require, we routinely test your drinking water for numerous contaminants. These contaminants include: total coliform, turbidity, inorganic compounds, nitrate, nitrite, lead & copper, volatile organics compounds, total trihalomethanes, and synthetic organic compounds.
The following table depicts which compounds were detected in your drinking water. The State allows us to test for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of our data, though representative, are more than one year old. It should be noted that drinking water, including bottled water, might 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 EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) Although our drinking water met or exceeded state and federal regulations, some people may be more vulnerable to disease causing microorganisms or pathogens 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 system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections.
These people should seek advice from their health care provider about their drinking water. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium, Giardia and other microbial pathogens are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
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2007 Table of Detected Contaminates: Inorganics – Entry Point |
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Contaminant |
Any MCL of TT violation? |
Sample Date (or highest detected) |
Max Level Detected |
Unit |
MCLG |
MCL |
Range |
Likely Source of Contamination |
|
BARIUM |
No |
5/23/07 |
0.19 |
ppm |
2 |
2 |
N/A |
Erosion of natural deposit. Discharge from: drilling waste & metal refineries |
|
CHROMIUM |
No |
1.9 |
ppb |
100 |
100 |
Discharge from steel and pulp mills; Erosion of natural deposits |
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|
FLUORIDE |
No |
4/22/07 |
1.1 |
ppm |
N/A |
2.2 |
0 - 1.1 |
Erosion of natural deposit; water additive that promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories |
|
NICKEL |
No |
5/23/07 |
2.3 |
ppb |
100 |
100 |
N/A |
Naturally-occurring mineral |
|
SELENIUM |
No |
1.2 |
ppb |
50 |
50 |
Naturally-occurring mineral |
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**SODIUM |
No |
11 |
ppm |
N/A |
** |
Naturally-occurring; Road salt; Water softeners; Animal waste |
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SULFATE |
No |
22 |
N/A |
250 |
Naturally-occurring mineral |
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** Water containing more than 20 mg/l of sodium should not be used for drinking by anyone on severely restricted sodium diets. Water containing more than 270 mg/l of sodium should not be used for drinking by people on moderately restricted sodium diets.
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2007 Table of Detected Contaminates: Radioactive – Entry Point |
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Contaminant |
Any MCL of TT violation? |
Sample Date (or highest detected) |
Max Level Detected |
Unit |
MCLG |
MCL |
Range |
Likely Source of Contamination |
|
Co60 |
No |
9/29/03 |
3.1 |
p\Ci/L |
0 |
50 |
0 - 3.1 |
Decay of man-made deposits |
|
Cs134 |
No |
3/31/03 |
7.5 |
0 - 7.52 |
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|
Cs137 |
No |
1.4 |
0 - 1.38 |
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|
*Gross β |
No |
9/29/03 |
2.3 |
1.3 - 2.3 |
Decay of natural and man-made deposits |
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|
Gross α |
No |
12/9/03 |
0.400 |
15 |
0 - 0.4 |
Decay & erosion of natural deposits |
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|
Ra226 |
No |
0.3 |
5 |
0 - 0.3 |
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|
Ra228 |
No |
2.5 |
0 - 2.5 |
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*The State considers 50 pCi/l to be the level of concern for beta particles. Our highest reading was 2.3 pCi/l on 9/29/03
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2007 Table of Detected Contaminates: Lead & Copper - Distribution |
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|
Contaminant |
Any MCL of TT violation? |
Sample Date (or highest detected) |
Max Level Detected |
Unit |
MCLG |
MCL |
Range |
Likely Source of Contamination |
|
COPPER(1) |
No: 90%=.055ppm |
7/6/05 |
0.21 |
ppm |
1.3 |
1.3 |
ND - 0.21 |
Corrosion of household plumbing; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives. |
|
LEAD(1) |
No: 90% = 3.9ppb |
8/25/05 |
21 |
ppb |
0 |
15 |
ND - 21 |
Corrosion of household plumbing; erosion of natural deposits. |
(1) Out of 55 homes tested, in 2005 only one was above the AL of 15 ppb for Lead (21 ppb). The TT employed by the Buffalo Water Authority, intended to reduce lead contamination of drinking water is the addition of a poly/ortho-phosphate blend as a part of water treatment. This chemical serves to coat water lines, to prevent lead from leaching into the drinking water. Infants & children who drink water containing lead in excess of the AL could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning disabilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. Infants & young children are more vulnerable to lead in drinking water then the general population. Lead levels in your home might 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, and you should flush your tap for 30 seconds – 2 minutes before using your tap water. Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).
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2007 Table of Detected Contaminates: Microbiological/Turbidity - Distribution |
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Contaminant |
Any MCL of TT violation? |
Sample Date (or highest detected) |
Max Level Detected |
Unit |
MCLG |
MCL |
Range |
Likely Source of Contamination |
|
Heterotrophic Bacteria |
No |
12/26/07 |
157 |
count / ml |
N/A |
N/A |
0 - 157 |
Naturally occurring |
|
Turbidity(2) |
No |
4/10/07 |
1.5 |
NTU |
TT >5.0 NTU |
0.06 – 1.5 |
Soil runoff, naturally occurring |
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2007 Table of Detected Contaminates: Microbiological/Turbidity – Entry Point |
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|
Contaminant |
Any MCL of TT violation? |
Sample Date (or highest detected) |
Max Level Detected |
Unit |
MCLG |
MCL |
Range |
Likely Source of Contamination |
|
Heterotrophic Bacteria |
No |
8/27/07 |
10 |
count / ml |
N/A |
N/A |
0 - 10 |
Naturally occurring |
|
Turbidity(2) |
No |
10/20/07 |
0.22 |
NTU |
TT: 95% samples not ≤0.5NTU |
0.03 - 0.22 |
Soil runoff, naturally occurring |
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2) Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system. Our highest single distribution measurement for 2007 occurred on 4/10/07 (1.5 NTU). State regulations require that distribution turbidity must always be below 5.0 NTU. The regulations also require that 95% of the effluent turbidity samples collected have measurements below 0.5 NTU. Although October was the month that had the highest effluent measurements, all measurements met TT for turbidity (0.5 ntu), all levels recorded were in the acceptable range allowed and did not constitute a violation.
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2007 Table of Detected Contaminates: Disinfection By-products formed by chlorination of tap water, and their precursors – Entry Point |
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Contaminant |
Any MCL of TT violation? |
Sample Date (or highest detected) |
Max Level Detected |
Unit |
MCLG |
MCL |
Range |
Likely Source of Contamination |
|
Total Chlorine |
No |
9/13/07 |
1.83 |
ppm |
N/A |
N/A |
0.92 - 1.83 |
Water additive used to control microbes |
|
Free Chlorine |
9/15/07 |
1.35 |
(MRDLG) 4.0 |
(MRDL) 4.0 |
0.92 - 1.35 |
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2007 Table of Detected Contaminates: Disinfection By-products formed by chlorination of tap water, and their precursors – Distribution |
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Contaminant |
Any MCL of TT violation? |
Sample Date (or highest detected) |
Max Level Detected |
Unit |
MCLG |
MCL |
Range |
Likely Source of Contamination |
|
Free Chlorine |
No |
6/28/07 |
1.5 |
ppm |
(MRDLG) 4.0 |
(MRDL) 4.0 |
0.92 - 1.35 |
Water additive used to control microbes |
|
TTHM(3) |
No: RAA= 21.9 - 30.8 ppb |
6/13/07 |
47 |
ppb |
N/A |
TT=80ppb |
21.9 – 30.8 |
By-product of drinking water chlorination needed to kill harmful microorganisms. TTHM's are formed when source water contains large amounts of organic matter. |
|
HAA |
No RAA= 13.1 - 19.2 ppb |
6/12/07 |
29.7 |
TT=60ppb |
13.1 - 19.2 |
By-product of drinking water disinfection needed to kill harmful microorganisms |
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|
TOC |
No |
10/2/07 |
3.5 |
ppm |
TT = TOC & SUVA >2.0 |
1.9 - 3.5 |
Precursors to by-products of drinking water chlorination |
|
|
SUVA |
No |
10/2/07 |
1.5 |
L/mg-m |
0.29 - 1.5 |
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(3) Representative testing for TTHM included 148 samples collected through 2007. Our highest detected reading occurred in June.(47 ppb) well below the MCL of 80 ppb. Some people who drink water, containing TTHM in excess of the MCL over many years experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. The EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline is: (800-426-4791).
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2007 Table of Detected Contaminates: Other Properties of Tap Water – Entry Point |
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Contaminant |
Any MCL of TT violation? |
Sample Date (or highest detected) |
Max Level Detected |
Unit |
MCLG |
MCL |
Range |
Likely Source of Contamination |
|
Total Solids |
No |
11/30/07 |
198 |
ppm |
N/A |
N/A |
160 - 198 |
Naturally occurring |
|
Total Dissolved Solids |
No |
3/2/07 |
225 |
147 - 225 |
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|
Alkalinity as CaCO3 |
No |
8/13/07 |
97.4 |
80.3 - 97.4 |
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Calcium Hardness as CaCO3 |
No |
4/13/07 |
107 |
89.5 - 107 |
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|
ortho-phosphate |
No |
11/7/07 |
0.44 |
0.04 - 0.44 |
Water additive that inhibits lead & copper corrosion in distribution lines |
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|
pH |
No |
6/23/07 |
8.0 |
SU |
7.5 - 8.0 |
Naturally occurring |
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2007 Table of Detected Contaminates: Other Properties of Tap Water – Distribution |
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|
Contaminant |
Any MCL of TT violation? |
Sample Date (or highest detected) |
Max Level Detected |
Unit |
MCLG |
MCL |
Range |
Likely Source of Contamination |
|
ortho-phosphate |
No |
11/8/07 |
0.45 |
ppm |
N/A |
N/A |
0.01 - 0.45 |
Water additive that inhibits lead & copper corrosion in distribution lines |
|
pH |
No |
1/23/07 |
8.0 |
SU |
7.5 - 8.0 |
Naturally occurring |
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What does this information mean?
As you can see by the table, our system had no violations. We have learned through our testing, that some contaminants have been detected; however, these contaminants were detected below the level allowed by the State.