2009 Consumer
Confidence Report (CCR)
2180
N. Deborah Drive
Este informe
contiene información muy importante sobre su agua beber. Tradúzcalo ó habla con
alguien que lo entienda bien.
Idaho
Falls, Idaho 83401
Tele:
(208) 522-1300
FAX:
(208) 522-4099
www.fallswater.com
Water System information
|
Water
System Name: |
Falls
Water Co., Inc. |
PWS
ID#: 7100030 |
|
Water
System Operator: |
Tony
Wise |
|
|
Population
Served: |
12,000 |
3,640
Connections |
|
Date
of CCR Distribution: |
June
25, 2009 |
For
Calendar Year: 2008 |
Water Sources
|
Deep
Wells into Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer |
Water Contamination Source
|
None
Are Known |
Special Compliance Violations
|
Notice of Violation for failure to monitor for Total Trihalomethanes
in 2008 and for Haloacetic Acids in 2008 and for Gross Alpha & Uranium in
3rd and 4th quarters of 2008. Testing for Total trihalomethanes and for
Haloacetic Acids will be conducted between June –September of 2009 and for
Gross Alpha & Uranium in February and April 2009. |
Definitions
|
Maximum
Contamination Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is
allowed in drinking water. MCLs are
set as contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close
to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. |
|
Maximum
Contamination 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. |
|
Treatment
Technique: A
required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking
water. |
|
Action
Level: The concentration of a
contaminant, which, if exceeded, triggers treatment, or other requirements
which a water system must follow. |
|
Maximum
Residual Disinfectant level (MRDL): The highest level of 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 contamination. |
Health Information
|
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/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 or http://www.epa.gov/safewater/hotline/. |
|
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 the
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline
(800-426-4791 or
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/hotline/. |
|
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. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must
provide the same protection for public health. |
|
Contaminants that may be present in
source water before we treat it include: Microbial
contaminants such as
viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic
systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. Inorganic
contaminants, such
as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban
systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. Pesticides
and herbicide, which
may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water
runoff, and residential uses. Organic
chemical contaminants, including synthetic and
volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and
petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water
runoff, and septic systems. Radioactive
contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and
gas production and mining activities. |
|
Lead Informational Statement (Health
effects and ways to reduce exposure) 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. Falls Water Co., Inc. 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 Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. |
|
|
Highest # Positive |
MCL |
MCLG |
Violation |
Possible Source of Contamination |
|
Total
Coliform |
0 |
>1 |
0 |
N |
Naturally
present in the environment |
|
Fecal
Coliform or E. coli |
0 |
* |
0 |
N |
Human
and animal fecal waste |
|
*Compliance
with the Fecal Coliform/E.coli MCL is determined upon additional repeat
testing. |
|||||
|
Contaminant |
MCL |
MCLG |
Level Found |
Range |
Sample Date |
Violation |
Possible Source of Contamination |
|||||||
|
Beta Particles |
50* |
N/A |
4.1 |
2.6 – 4.1 |
Jan 2002 |
N |
Decay of natural and man-made deposits. |
|||||||
|
*The
MCL for beta particles is 4 mrem/year.
EPA considers 50 pCi/l to be the level of concern for beta particles. |
||||||||||||||
|
Contaminant |
Date(s) Collected |
90th Percentile |
Action Level |
MCLG |
# of sites above Action Level |
Violation |
Possible Source of Contamination |
|||||||
|
Lead |
Jan 2007 |
8 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
N |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems:
Erosion of natural deposits. |
|||||||
|
Copper |
Jan 2007 |
0.166 |
1.3 |
1.3 |
0 |
N |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems:
Erosion of natural deposits. |
|||||||
|
Health Effects Language |
Lead |
Infants and children who drink water containing lead in
excess of the action level could experience delays in their physical or
mental development. Children could
show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years
could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. |
||||||||||||
|
Copper |
Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who
drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively
short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing
copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or
kidney damage. People with Wilson’s
Disease should consult their personal doctor. |
|||||||||||||
|
Contaminant |
Violation |
MCL |
MCLG |
Highest Level Detected |
Typical Source of Contaminant |
Health Effects Language |
|
TTHMs [Total trihalomethanes] (ppb) |
Y
|
80 |
N/A |
.86 |
By-product
of drinking water disinfection. |
Some
people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over
many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central
nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
|
|
Haloacetic Acids (HAA) (ppb) |
Y
|
60 |
N/A |
6.2 |
By-product
of drinking water disinfection. |
Some
people who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over
many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central
nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
|
|
Regulated |
MCLG |
MCL |
Lowest Level Detected |
Highest Level Detected |
Sample Date |
Violation |
Typical Source of Contaminant |
Health Effects Language |
|
Nitrate as N (ppm) |
10 |
10 |
1.3 |
2.5 |
Dec 2008 |
NO |
Run off from fertilizer |
No Violation |
|
Alpha Emitters (pCi/L) |
0 |
15 |
3.04 |
4.08 |
Apr 2008 |
Yes |
Erosion of natural deposits |
Certain minerals are radioactive and may
emit a form of radiation known as alpha radiation. Some people who drink
water containing alpha emitters in excess of the MCL over many years may have
an increased risk of getting. cancer |
|
Fluoride (ppm) |
4 |
4 |
0.3 |
0.3 |
Dec 2007 |
NO |
Natural occurring |
No Violation |
|
Regulated |
MCLG |
MCL |
Lowest Level Detected |
Highest Level Detected |
Sample Date |
Violation |
Typical Source of Contaminant |
Health Effects Language |
|
Nickel (ppm) |
100 |
100 |
.6 |
1.4 |
Dec 2004 |
NO |
Natural occurring |
No Violation |
|
Barium (ppm) |
2 |
2 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
Dec 2005 |
NO |
Natural occurring |
No Violation |
|
Arsenic
(ppb) |
N/A |
10 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
Dec 2007 |
NO |
Erosion of natural deposits |
No Violation |
|
Radium
(226 & 228) |
N/A |
5 |
0.43 |
0.75 |
Apr 2008 |
NO |
Erosion of natural deposits |
No Violation |
|
Combined
Uranium |
0 |
30 |
1.54 |
1.75 |
Apr 2008 |
NO |
Erosion of natural deposits |
No Violation |
|
DI(2-Ethylhexyl)
Phthalate |
0 |
6 |
0.926 |
0.926 |
May 2008 |
NO |
Discharge from rubber and chemical factories. |
No Violation |
n/a: not applicable nd: not detectable at testing limit ppm:
parts per million or milligrams per liter
ppb: parts per billion or
micrograms per liter pCi/1: picocuries per liter (a Measure of
radiation)
mrems/yr:
millirems per year (a measure of radiation absorbed by the body).
Total Coliform: Coliform are bacteria that are naturally present in
the environment and are used as an indicator that other potentially harmful
bacteria may be present. Coliform
bacteria found in
two or more
samples is a warning of potential problems and usually triggers a precautionary
boil notice.
About Nitrate: Nitrate
in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants less than
six month of age. When levels approach
10 ppm, ask for advice from your care provider
about blue
baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise
quickly for short periods of time because of well construction, usage,
rainfall, and local contamination.
About
Arsenic: While your drinking water meets the current standard for arsenic,
it does contain low levels of arsenic.
The standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s possible
health
effects
against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. USEPA continues to research the health
effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in
humans at
high
concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and
circulatory problems.
About
Beta/photon emitters: Certain
minerals are radioactive and may emit forms of radiation known as photons and
beta radiation. Some people who drink
water containing beta and photon
emitters in excess of
the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
About
Alpha/Radiation: Certain
minerals are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha
radiation. Some people who drink water
containing alpha emitters in excess of the MCL
over many years may
have an increased risk of getting cancer.
About
Fluoride: Some
people who drink water containing fluoride in excess of the MCL over many years
could get bone disease, including pain and tenderness of the bones. Fluoride in drinking
water at half the MCL
or more may cause mottling of children’s teeth, usually in children less than
nine years old. Mottling, also known as
fluorosis, may include brown staining and/or pitting of the
teeth, and occurs
only in developing teeth before they erupt from the gums.
About
Barium: Some
people who drink water containing barium in excess of the MCL over many years
could experience an increase in their blood pressure.
About Haloacetic Acids (HAA): Some people who
drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over many years
may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
About TTHMs [Total trihalomethanes]: Some people who
drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may
experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central
nervous systems, and
may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
About Chlorine: Some people who use water containing chlorine well in
excess of the MRDL could experience irritating effects to their eyes and
nose. Some people who drink water
containing chlorine
well in excess of the
MRDL could experience stomach discomfort.