Definition of Terms:
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)-The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLG’s 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. MCLG’s allow for a margin of safety.
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 Level Goal (MRDLG)-The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
Parts per million (ppm)-One part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000.
Parts per billion (ppb)-One part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000.
Nephelometric Turbidy Unit (NTU)-A measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity is monitored because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of the filtration system.
Action Level (AL)-The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system shall follow.
Treatment Technique(TT)-A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Running Annual Average(RAA)-The average of the four most recent quarterly averages.
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 may pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
1. Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that may come from sewage treatment, plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.
2. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, that can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.
3. Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses.
4. Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-product of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.
5. Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, U.S. 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 have the same protection for public health.
All contaminants found were within U.S. EPA guideline. 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 may be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
NOTICE: IMPORTANT IMFORMATION
Some People may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drink water than the general population. Immuno-compromised 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 Cryotisoirudium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health 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. Your local public water system 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 your tap 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.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)-The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLG’s 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. MCLG’s allow for a margin of safety.
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 Level Goal (MRDLG)-The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
Parts per million (ppm)-One part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000.
Parts per billion (ppb)-One part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000.
Nephelometric Turbidy Unit (NTU)-A measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity is monitored because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of the filtration system.
Action Level (AL)-The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system shall follow.
Treatment Technique(TT)-A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Running Annual Average(RAA)-The average of the four most recent quarterly averages.
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 may pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
1. Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that may come from sewage treatment, plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.
2. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, that can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.
3. Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses.
4. Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-product of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.
5. Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, U.S. 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 have the same protection for public health.
All contaminants found were within U.S. EPA guideline. 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 may be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
NOTICE: IMPORTANT IMFORMATION
Some People may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drink water than the general population. Immuno-compromised 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 Cryotisoirudium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health 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. Your local public water system 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 your tap 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.