Consumer Confidence Report for 2012

Exactly as extracted, unformatted — for checking against the original. The readable version is easier to read.

PWSID: 017-0001
Town of Centreville
2012 Drinking Water
Quality Report
Important Information Concerning Your Drinking Water
We are pleased to present to you the Annual Water Quality Report for 2012. This report is designed to inform you about
the water quality and services we deliver to you every day. The Town of Centreville operates the water treatment facility.
Analytical and reporting services are subcontracted to Maryland Environmental Service (MES). MES prepared this report
on behalf of the Town of Centreville.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates Public Water Systems and the contaminants found in water through
the implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The SDWA sets regulations and guidelines for how public
water systems operate and identifies several hundred drinking water contaminants, establishes monitoring frequencies and
limitations. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is responsible for the enforcement of the SDWA and
routinely completes Sanitary Surveys as part of its ongoing inspection and monitoring program. The Town provides safe
dependable operations of the water system and is dedicated to consistently providing high quality drinking water that meets
or exceeds the SDWA standards.
If you have any questions about this report or have questions concerning your water utility, please call Sam Bozarth at 410-
758-1180 or email your inquiry to townhall@townofcentreville.org
.
T
For More Information: he water for Centreville comes from two wells. The underground
water source of the wells are located in the Aquia formation. After
For the opportunity to learn more
the water is pumped out of the well, we adjust the pH and add
about decisions that may affect your
disinfectant to protect against microbial contaminants. The Maryland
drinking water quality, the Town
Department of the Environment has performed an assessment of the
Council generally meets on the first and
source water. A copy of the results is available. Call Maryland
third Thursday of each month at 7:00
Environmental Service at 410-729-8350
p.m. at the Liberty building, 107 North
Liberty Street. S
ome people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking
water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons
Inside This Issue:
such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who
have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other
Definitions 2
immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at
Special Points of Interest 2
risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking
Water Quality Report 3 water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on
appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and
Arsenic Information 4
other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water
Lead Prevention 4
Hotline (1-800-426-4791).
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain compounds
i n water provided by public water systems. We treat our water according to EPA’s regulations. Food and Drug Admini-
stration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public
health.

Centreville Treated Water Quality Report 2012
Definitions:
♦
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) - The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there
is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
♦
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - 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.
♦
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 required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking
water
♦
Turbidity - Relates to a condition where suspended particles are present in the water. Turbidity
measurements are a way to describe the level of “cloudiness” of the water.
♦
NTU - Nephelometric Turbidity Units. Units of measurement used to report the level of turbidity or
“cloudiness” in the water.
♦
pCi/l - Picocuries per liter. A measure of radiation.
♦
ppb - parts per billion or micrograms per liter
♦
ppm - parts per million or milligrams per liter
Special points of interest:
The water at Centreville is tested for over 120 different compounds.
The Town of Centreville Drinking Water met all of the State and
Federal requirements
Drinking Water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected
to contain at least small amounts of some compounds. The presence
of these compounds 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 (EPA‘s) Safe Drinking Water Act Hotline (1-800-426-4791)
Water Security is Everyone's Responsibility
Water system security continues to be an enormously important issue. If you notice suspicious activities in or
around local water utilities, such as persons cutting or climbing facility fencing, loitering, tampering with equipment
or other similar activities, please contact your local law enforcement agency immediately by dialing 911.
Centreville PWSID: 017 0001 Page 2

Centreville Treated Water Quality Report 2012
Highest Level Highest Level Ideal Goal
Contaminant Allowed EPAs MCL Detected (EPA's MCLG)
Regulated at the Treatment Plant
Water Treatment Plant 2 - North of Queen's Co. H.S. (Plant I.D. 02)
Well 4
Arsenic (2008 Testing) 10 ppb 8 ppb 0 ppb
Typical sources of contaminant: Erosion of natural deposits
Water Treatment Plant 3 - Business Park (Plant I.D. 03)
Well 5
Arsenic (Range 4.0 ppb - 9.3 ppb) 10 ppb 6.6 ppb (Average) 0 ppb
Typical sources of contaminant: Erosion of natural deposits
Barium (2011 Testing) 2000 ppb 116 ppb 2000 ppb
Typical sources of contaminant: Erosion of natural deposits
Fluoride (2011 Testing) 4000 ppb 450 ppb 4000 ppb
Typical sources of contaminant: Water additive that promotes strong teeth, erosion of natural deposits
Gross Beta 50 pCi/l* 8.6 pCi/l** 0 pCi/l
Typical sources of contaminant: Erosion of natural deposits
Water Treatment Plant 4 - North Brook (Plant I.D. 04)
Well 6
Arsenic (Range 3.0 ppb - 7.8 ppb) 10 ppb 5.8 ppb (Average) 0 ppb
Typical sources of contaminant: Erosion of natural deposits
Di (2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (2008 testing) 6 ppb 0.7 ppb 0 ppb
Typical sources of contaminant: Discharge from rubber and/or chemical factories
Barium (2011 Testing) 2000 ppb 150 ppb 2000 ppb
Typical sources of contaminant: Erosion of natural deposits
Fluoride (2011 Testing) 4000 ppb 420 ppb 4000 ppb
Typical sources of contaminant: Water additive that promotes strong teeth, erosion of natural deposits
Gross Beta (2008 Testing) 50 pCi/l* 11 pCi/l** 0.0 pCi/l
Typical sources of contaminant: Erosion of natural deposits
Combined Radium (226 & 228) (2008 Testing) 5 pCi/l 0.9 pCi/l 0 pCi/l
Typical sources of contaminant: Erosion of natural deposits
Notations: * EPA considers 50 pCi/l to be the level of concern for beta particles
** Because the beta particle results were below 50 pCi/l, no testing for individual beta particle constituents was required.
Regulated in the Distribution Action Level Highest Level Ideal Goal
Copper 1300 ppb (90th Percentile) 278 ppb 1300 ppb
Typical sources of contaminant: corrosion of household plumbing
Lead 15 ppb (90th Percentile) 4 ppb 0 ppb
Typical sources of contaminant: corrosion of household plumbing
Total Trihalomethanes, TTHM's (2011 Testing) 80 ppb 0.85 ppb na
Typical sources of contaminant: Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
T
he table above lists all the drinking water contaminants that were detected during the 2012 calendar
year. The presence of these compounds in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water
poses a health risk.
Unless otherwise noted, the data presented in the table is from testing done January 1 – December 31,
2012. The State requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the
concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year.
Centreville PWSID: 017 0001 Page 3

Sources of Drinking Water
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 can pick up substances resulting from the
presence of animals or from human activity.
Important Information Regarding Gross Beta Emitters:
Beta emitters are naturally occurring radiations in soil, air, and water. These emitters generally occur when
certain elements decay or break down in the environment. The emitters enter drinking water through various
methods including the erosion of natural deposits. There are no immediate health risks from consuming water
that contains gross Beta, however some people who drink water containing Beta emitters in excess of the MCL
over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Currently, the highest level of gross beta detected
is 11 pCi/L which is below the 50 pCi/L MCL.
Lead Prevention
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. The Town of Centreville 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 drinking 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 EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or at
Important information about Arsenic
Arsenic is a semi-metal element in the periodic table. It is odorless and tasteless. It enters drinking water supplies
from natural deposits in the earth or from agricultural and industrial practices. Some people who drink water
containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years could experience skin damage or problems with their
circulatory system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Currently, the arsenic levels are being
monitored quarterly. We are constantly evaluating alternatives and treatment options for reducing the arsenic levels
to less than 10 ppb.
If you have any questions about this report or your drinking water, please call Sam
Bozarth at 410-758-1180 or email townhall@townofcentreville.org
Centreville PWSID: 017 0001 Page 4