2012 WATER QUALITY REPORT
PWSID # 3130021
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Water System Information:
We are pleased to present to you this year’s Annual Drinking Water Quality Report. This report is designed to inform you about the quality water and services we deliver to you every day. Our constant goal is to provide you with a dependable supply of drinking water. We want you to understand the efforts we make to continually improve the water treatment process and protect our water resources. We are committed to ensuring the quality of your water.
If you have any questions about this report or concerning your water utility, please contact Tara Takerer, Authority Clerk, at (610) 852-2289. We want our valued customers to be informed about their water utility.
Bowmanstown Borough has created a website in order to keep the Borough residents updated on current events. Please visit periodically for your local news, current adopted Resolutions/Ordinances and other important information at
bowmanstownborough.tripod.com or become our friend on facebook at www.facebook.com/bowmanstown.boro
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/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/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 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).
Source of Water:
Our water sources are from two wells located along Fireline Road and Cherry Orchard Road in Lower Towamensing Township. After the water comes out of the wells, we treat it to remove several contaminants and we also add disinfectant to protect you against microbial contaminants.
Board Meetings:
Our water board meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Borough Hall. Please feel free to participate in these meetings.
Monitoring Your Water:
Bowmanstown Borough Authority’s water treatment plant operator, Craig LaBarre of Portland Contractors, routinely monitors for
Contaminants in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws. The below table shows the results of our monitoring for the period
of January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. All 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 EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
We are pleased to report that our drinking water meets federal and state requirements
Definitions: In this table, you will find many terms and abbreviations that may be unfamiliar to you. To help you better understand these terms we've provided the following definitions:
*Non-Detects (ND) - laboratory analysis indicates that the contaminant is not present at a detectable level.
*Parts per million (ppm) or Milligrams per liter (mg/l) - one part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000.
*Parts per billion (ppb) or Micrograms per liter - one part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000.
*Action Level – the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
*Treatment Technique (TT) - A treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
*Maximum Contaminant Level - The “Maximum Allowed” (MCL) is 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 - The “Goal”(MCLG) is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below for which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
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TEST RESULTS
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Inorganic Contaminants
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Contaminant (Unit of measurement)
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Violation
Y/N
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Level
Detected
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Range
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MCLG
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MCL
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Likely Source of Contamination
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Copper (ppm)
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N
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.45
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(a)
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1.3
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AL=1.3
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Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives
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Lead (ppb)
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N
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2
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(b)
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15
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AL=15
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Corrosion of household plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits
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Nitrate (as Nitrogen) (ppm)
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N
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.950
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(c)
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10
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10
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Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits
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Arsenic
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N
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.00200
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c
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.010
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.010
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Erosion of natural deposits; Runoff from orchards; Runoff from glass and electronics production wastes
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(a) Of the ten samples collected, none exceeded the action level.
(b) Of the ten samples collected, none exceeded the action level.
(c) Only one sample required
(d) Monthly testing required
What does this mean?
The Copper Levels shown in this testing represent only the Copper levels from the home tested and might have been picked up from the copper plumbing in that house. We are no longer using Aqua Mag in our system; instead we replaced it with Zinc Orthphosate. Zinc orthophosphate is an effective corrosion inhibitor developed specifically for use in potable industrial water systems. The product is a liquid concentrate of exceptional purity, clarity, and stability.
MCLs are set at very stringent levels for health effects. To understand the possible health effects described for many regulated contaminants, a person would have to drink 2 liters of water every day at the MCL level for a lifetime to have a one-in-a-million chance of having the described health effect.
Summary:
Landlords, apartment managers, businesses, and others are encouraged to share this 2012 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report with all water consumers at their respective locations. We thank you for your cooperation in distribution this important information.
Thank you for allowing us to continue providing your family with clean, quality water this year. In order to maintain a dependable water supply we sometimes need to make improvements that will benefit all of our customers. These improvements are sometimes reflected as rate structure adjustments. Thank you for understanding.
We at Bowmanstown Borough Authority work around the clock to provide top quality water to every tap. We ask that all our customers help us protect our water sources, which are the heart of our community, our way of life and our children’s future.
Notification System That Is In Effect
Department of Environmental Protection required Bowmanstown Borough Authority to implement a SWIFT911. This system is to notify our customers within a very short amount of time of any emergency situation that could arise with our water system or other emergencies within the Borough. Example of such Boil Water Advisory notices, Water leaks, Hydrant Flushing, Snow Emergency, Amber Alerts, etc. When emergency arises, a computer generated message will automatically call your phone line, which was provided, and advise you, of the water and/or other emergency situation. If you have any questions in regards to this program, please do not hesitate to contact the office.
Basic Ways to Conserve Water: 1) Check every faucet in your home for leaks. Just a slow drip can waste 15 to 20 gallons a day. 2) Put a bit of food coloring in each toilet tank. Without flushing, watch for a few minutes to see if the color shows up in the bowl. It’s not uncommon to lose up to 100 gallons a day from one of these otherwise invisible toilet leaks. 3) Don’t shower too long or fill the tub too full. Five minutes for showering and about five inches in the tub is plenty. 4) Try to use automatic dish and clothes washing machines with full loads only. Even when the machine feature short cycles, you’re being more efficient with your water when there are enough dirty things for a full load. 5) Most importantly, water your lawn and garden with good sense. Do it early or late, not in the midday heat. Avoid windy days and see that the water goes where it should, not on sidewalks or driveways. These are just five suggestions. But they are the basic elements of a sound, reasonable, and effective water conservation program for you and your family, your friends – everyone. Don’t let water go to waste. Do your part to use water wisely.
It’s Up to Us to Protect Our Water Supply. Did you know that paint, used motor oil, or chemicals disposed of in the gutter or on the ground can wash down into streams and lakes – places we use for recreation and drinking water? Chemicals can also filter down through the soil and pollute the water supply. Also, storm runoff can pick up these chemicals and carry them to urban streams where our kids play and animals drink. Please be careful with paint, oil and chemicals and call your local public health department for information on how to dispose of these products properly and safely.