Falls Water Co., Inc. Consumer Confidence Report

2012 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)

2180 N. Deborah Drive

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:	13,200	3,950 Connections
Date of CCR Distribution:	June 25, 2012	For Calendar Year: 2011

Water Sources

Source

Deep Wells into Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer

Water Contamination Source

Source:

None Are Known

Special Compliance Violations

No notices of any violations.

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 in a Month	MCL	MCLG	Violation (Y/N)	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
Y/N

Possible Source of Contamination

Beta Particles
(pCi/L)

50*

N/A

3.4

Mar 2008

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

90^th Percentile

Action Level

MCLG

# of sites above Action Level

Violation
Y/N

Possible Source of Contamination

Lead
(ppb)

Jan 2010

Corrosion of household plumbing systems: Erosion of natural deposits.

Copper
(ppm)

Jan 2010

0.098

1.3

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
(Y/N)

MCL

MCLG

Highest Level Detected

Typical Source of Contaminant

Health Effects Language

TTHMs [Total trihalomethanes] (ppb)

N

N/A

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)

N

N/A

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	1.6	2.4	July 2011	NO	Run off from fertilizer	See About Nitrates below.
Alpha Emitters (pCi/L)	0	15	.45	5.6	May 2010	NO	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	0.0	0.3	Sept 2010	NO	Natural occurring	See About Fluoride below.
Regulated	MCLG	MCL	Lowest Level Detected	Highest Level Detected	Sample Date	Violation	Typical Source of Contaminant	Health Effects Language
Chromium (ppm)	100	100	0	1	Sept 2010	NO	Discharge from steel and pulp mills; Erosion of natural deposits.	See About Chromium below.
Barium (ppm)	2	2	0.1	0.13	Sept 2010	NO	Natural occurring	See About Barium below.
Arsenic (ppb)	0	10	1.0	2.0	June 2010	NO	Erosion of natural deposits	See About Arsenic below.
Combined Radium (226 & 228)	N/A	5	0.16	3.5	May 2010	NO	Erosion of natural deposits	See aAbout Combined Radium (226 & 228) below
Combined Uranium	0	30	1.5	1.9	May 2010	NO	Erosion of natural deposits	See About Combined Uranium below.

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 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 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.

About Chromium: Some people who use water containing chromium well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience allergic dermatitis.

About Combined Radium (226 & 228): Some people who drink water containing radium 226 or 228 in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased

risk of getting cancer.

About Combined Uranium: Some people who drink water containing uranium in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer

and kidney toxicity.

N

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.

N

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.

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