CCR-Christiansburg-to-Elliston-2014.pdf2014
This report is designed to
inform you about your
drinking water quality. Our
goal is to provide a safe and
dependable supply of drinking
water. We want you to
understand the efforts we
make to protect your water
supply. The quality of your
drinking water must meet state
and federal requirements
administered by the Virginia
Department of Health (VDH).
The Montgomery County
Public Service Authority (PSA)
operates ten individual public
water systems in the
unincorporated areas of the
County. Combined, these
systems consist of almost 100
miles of water mains, four
wells, 16 water tanks, 22
pumps, 24 pressure reducing
valves, seven connections to
the NRV Regional Water
Authority, two connections to
the City of Radford, and one
connection to the Arsenal. Ap-
proximately 25.5 million
gallons of water are distrib-
uted by the PSA monthly.
During March of 2014 the
connection to the Arsenal was
disconnected when the Prices
Fork-Merrimac water system
was connected to the NRV
Regional Water Authority.
If you have questions about
this report, please contact:
Christiansburg.
Our goal is to provide a
safe and dependable
supply of drinking
water. We want you to
understand the efforts
we make to protect
your water supply.
Don TodoraDon TodoraDon TodoraDon Todora
PSA Operations SpecialistPSA Operations SpecialistPSA Operations SpecialistPSA Operations Specialist
(540) 381(540) 381(540) 381(540) 381----1997199719971997
For additional information
about any aspect of your
drinking water or to learn how
to participate in decisions that
may affect the quality of your
drinking water, please contact:
Bob FronkBob FronkBob FronkBob Fronk
PSA DirectorPSA DirectorPSA DirectorPSA Director
(540) 381(540) 381(540) 381(540) 381----1997199719971997
PSA board meetings are held
at 7:00 p.m. on the first
Monday of each month in the
County Board Room in the
Montgomery County
Government Center, 755
Roanoke Street in
Introduction
This and other important information are available on the PSA website: MontVA.com/psa
Consumer Confidence Report
Christiansburg to Elliston
Montgomery County
Public Service Authority
Water Systems
THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICE
AUTHORITY IS PLEASED TO REPORT THAT
YOUR DRINKING WATER IS SAFE AND MEETS
OR EXCEEDS ALL VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
STANDARDS.
Drinking water, including bottled
drinking 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. Some people may be Some people may be Some people may be Some people may be
more vulnerable to contaminants in more vulnerable to contaminants in more vulnerable to contaminants in more vulnerable to contaminants in
drinking water than the general pop-drinking water than the general pop-drinking water than the general pop-drinking water than the general pop-
ulation.ulation.ulation.ulation. Immuno-compromised per-
sons such as persons with cancer
undergoing chemotherapy, persons
who have undergone organ trans-
plants, people with HIV/AIDS or oth-
er immune system disorders, some
elderly, and infants can be particular-
ly at risk from infections. These peo-These peo-These peo-These peo-
ple should seek advice about drink-ple should seek advice about drink-ple should seek advice about drink-ple should seek advice about drink-
ing water from their health care pro-ing water from their health care pro-ing water from their health care pro-ing water from their health care pro-
viders.viders.viders.viders. USEPA/CDC guidelines on
appropriate means to lessen the risk
of infection by cryptosporidium and
other microbiological contaminants
along with additional information additional information additional information additional information
can be obtained by calling the Envi-can be obtained by calling the Envi-can be obtained by calling the Envi-can be obtained by calling the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency’s Safe ronmental Protection Agency’s Safe ronmental Protection Agency’s Safe ronmental Protection Agency’s Safe
Drinking Water Hotline (800Drinking Water Hotline (800Drinking Water Hotline (800Drinking Water Hotline (800----426426426426----
4791) or by visiting their website 4791) or by visiting their website 4791) or by visiting their website 4791) or by visiting their website
((((www.epa.gov/safewaterwww.epa.gov/safewaterwww.epa.gov/safewaterwww.epa.gov/safewater).).).).
The sources of drinking water The sources of drinking water The sources of drinking water The sources of drinking water (both
tap water and bottled water) include include include include
rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reser-rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reser-rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reser-rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reser-
voirs, springs, and wells. As water voirs, springs, and wells. As water voirs, springs, and wells. As water voirs, springs, and wells. As water
travels over the surface of the land or travels over the surface of the land or travels over the surface of the land or travels over the surface of the land or
through the ground, it through the ground, it through the ground, it through the ground, it dissolves natu-
rally-occurring minerals and, in some
cases, radioactive material, and can can can can
pick up substances resulting from the pick up substances resulting from the pick up substances resulting from the pick up substances resulting from the
presence of animals or from human presence of animals or from human presence of animals or from human presence of animals or from human
activity.activity.activity.activity. Contaminants that may be
present in source water include:
(1) Microbial contaminants, such as
viruses and bacteria, which may
come from sewage treatment
plants, septic systems, agricultural
livestock operations, and wildlife.
(2) Inorganic contaminants, such as
salts and metals, which can be
naturally-occurring or result from
urban stormwater runoff, indus-
trial or domestic wastewater
discharges, oil and gas produc-
tion, mining, or farming.
(3) Pesticides and herbicides, which
may come from a variety of
sources such as agriculture, ur-
ban storm water runoff, and
residential uses.
(4) Organic chemical contaminants,
including synthetic and volatile
organic chemicals, which are
byproducts of industrial process-
es and petroleum production,
and can also come from gas sta-
tions, urban stormwater runoff,
and septic systems.
(5) Radioactive contaminants, which
can be naturally-occurring or be
the result of oil and gas produc-
tion and mining activities.
In order to ensure that tap water is
safe to drink, the USEPA prescribes USEPA prescribes USEPA prescribes USEPA prescribes
regulations which limit the amount of regulations which limit the amount of regulations which limit the amount of regulations which limit the amount of
certain contaminants in water provid-certain contaminants in water provid-certain contaminants in water provid-certain contaminants in water provid-
ed by public water systems.ed by public water systems.ed by public water systems.ed by public water systems. Food
and Drug Administration regulations
establish limits for contaminants in
bottled water which must provide the
same protection for public health.
General information
Page 2 Consumer Confidence Report
Authority Treatment Plant, the Radford
Water Treatment Plant, or the Arsenal
Potable Water Treatment Plant. Treat-Treat-Treat-Treat-
ment consists of chemical addition, coag-ment consists of chemical addition, coag-ment consists of chemical addition, coag-ment consists of chemical addition, coag-
ulation, flocculation, settling, filtration ulation, flocculation, settling, filtration ulation, flocculation, settling, filtration ulation, flocculation, settling, filtration
and disinfection.and disinfection.and disinfection.and disinfection. All these processes
work together to remove the physical,
chemical and biological contaminants to
make the water safe for drinking. The
New River was determined to be of high
susceptibility to contamination using
criteria developed by the State in its
USEPA approved Source Water Assess-
ment Program. The assessment report The assessment report The assessment report The assessment report
consists of maps showing the source consists of maps showing the source consists of maps showing the source consists of maps showing the source
water assessment area, an inventory of water assessment area, an inventory of water assessment area, an inventory of water assessment area, an inventory of
known land use activities of concern, and known land use activities of concern, and known land use activities of concern, and known land use activities of concern, and
documentation of any known contami-documentation of any known contami-documentation of any known contami-documentation of any known contami-
nation within the last five years from the nation within the last five years from the nation within the last five years from the nation within the last five years from the
date of the assessmentdate of the assessmentdate of the assessmentdate of the assessment. Treatment plants
are operated to minimize threats associated
with potential contamination of these
water sources.
Treatment of the groundwater sources at Treatment of the groundwater sources at Treatment of the groundwater sources at Treatment of the groundwater sources at
the PSA's wells consist of the addition of the PSA's wells consist of the addition of the PSA's wells consist of the addition of the PSA's wells consist of the addition of
chlorine to disinfect the water.chlorine to disinfect the water.chlorine to disinfect the water.chlorine to disinfect the water. Chlorine
residuals and turbidities are checked on a
daily basis at the wells and throughout all
the individual distribution systems. Water
storage tanks are checked at least three
times weekly. Source water assessments Source water assessments Source water assessments Source water assessments
have been completed for the PSA’s have been completed for the PSA’s have been completed for the PSA’s have been completed for the PSA’s
groundwater supplied systems: Riner and groundwater supplied systems: Riner and groundwater supplied systems: Riner and groundwater supplied systems: Riner and
Woodview.Woodview.Woodview.Woodview. These wells have a high
susceptibility to contamination due to
migration of contaminants with land use
activities of concern, potential conduits to
groundwater and/or potential sources of
contamination in the assessment areas.
There has been no known contamination There has been no known contamination There has been no known contamination There has been no known contamination
of these sources within the last five years.of these sources within the last five years.of these sources within the last five years.of these sources within the last five years.
Source water assessments are available to
view upon written request.
The ten water systems operated by the The ten water systems operated by the The ten water systems operated by the The ten water systems operated by the
Public Service Authority include both Public Service Authority include both Public Service Authority include both Public Service Authority include both
surface water and groundwater sources.surface water and groundwater sources.surface water and groundwater sources.surface water and groundwater sources.
Five are supplied by the NRV Regional
Water Authority: Warm Hearth, Belview,
Jennelle Road, Christiansburg to Elliston
and Mudpike Road. Two are supplied by
the City of Radford: Plum Creek and Beth-
el. Two are supplied by wells operated
by the PSA: Riner and Woodview. The
remaining system, Price’s Fork/Merrimac,
was supplied by the Arsenal with a back-
up connection to the NRV Regional Wa-
ter Authority.
In March of 2014 the connection to the
NRV Regional Water Authority became
the permanent supply to Prices Fork-
Merrimac and Prices Fork-Merrimac was
connected to Warm Hearth.
The New River is the surface water The New River is the surface water The New River is the surface water The New River is the surface water
source supplying the systems connected source supplying the systems connected source supplying the systems connected source supplying the systems connected
to NRV Regional Water Authority, Rad-to NRV Regional Water Authority, Rad-to NRV Regional Water Authority, Rad-to NRV Regional Water Authority, Rad-
ford, and the Arsenal.ford, and the Arsenal.ford, and the Arsenal.ford, and the Arsenal. The raw water
goes to either the NRV Regional Water
Sources and treatment of your drinking water
Page 3 2014
Contaminants in your drinking water are routinely monitored according to Federal and State regulations. The table on the following The table on the following The table on the following The table on the following
page shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2014.page shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2014.page shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2014.page shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2014. Any contaminants not listed in the table
were not detected in your drinking water.
PSA water is routinely monitored for up to 76 regulated, 48 unregulated, and many nonPSA water is routinely monitored for up to 76 regulated, 48 unregulated, and many nonPSA water is routinely monitored for up to 76 regulated, 48 unregulated, and many nonPSA water is routinely monitored for up to 76 regulated, 48 unregulated, and many non----regulated contaminants.regulated contaminants.regulated contaminants.regulated contaminants. The Virginia De-
partment of Health allows us to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contami-
nants do not change frequently. Some of our data presented in the following table may be more than one year old.
In the table and elsewhere in this report, you will find many terms and abbreviations with which you might not be familiar.
The following definitions are provided to help you better understand these terms.The following definitions are provided to help you better understand these terms.The following definitions are provided to help you better understand these terms.The following definitions are provided to help you better understand these terms.
Quality on Tap
ppmppmppmppm
mg/lmg/lmg/lmg/l
parts per million parts per million parts per million parts per million
milligrams per litermilligrams per litermilligrams per litermilligrams per liter
One part per million corresponds to one minute in two years, or a single penny in
$10,000.00.
ppbppbppbppb
µg/lµg/lµg/lµg/l
parts per billion parts per billion parts per billion parts per billion
micrograms per litermicrograms per litermicrograms per litermicrograms per liter
One part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny in
$10,000,000.00
MCLGMCLGMCLGMCLG Maximum Contaminant Maximum Contaminant Maximum Contaminant Maximum Contaminant
Level GoalLevel GoalLevel GoalLevel Goal
the level of contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or
expected risk to health. MCLG's allow for a margin of safety.
MCLMCLMCLMCL Maximum Contaminant Maximum Contaminant Maximum Contaminant Maximum Contaminant
LevelLevelLevelLevel
the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL's are set as
close to the MCLG's as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
ALALALAL Action LevelAction LevelAction LevelAction Level the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other
requirements which a water system must follow
pCi/LpCi/LpCi/LpCi/L Picocuries per literPicocuries per literPicocuries per literPicocuries per liter a measure of the radioactivity in water
N/AN/AN/AN/A Not ApplicableNot ApplicableNot ApplicableNot Applicable abbreviation used in the "range" section
mrem/yrmrem/yrmrem/yrmrem/yr millirems per yearmillirems per yearmillirems per yearmillirems per year a measure of radiation absorbed by the body
MRDLGMRDLGMRDLGMRDLG Maximum Residual Maximum Residual Maximum Residual Maximum Residual
Disinfectant Level Goal Disinfectant Level Goal Disinfectant Level Goal Disinfectant Level Goal
the level of drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected
risk to health. MRDLG’s do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to
control microbial contaminants.
MRDLMRDLMRDLMRDL Maximum Residual Maximum Residual Maximum Residual Maximum Residual
Disinfectant Level Disinfectant Level Disinfectant Level Disinfectant Level
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.
TTTTTTTT Treatment TechniqueTreatment TechniqueTreatment TechniqueTreatment Technique a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water
NTUNTUNTUNTU Nephelometric Turbidity Nephelometric Turbidity Nephelometric Turbidity Nephelometric Turbidity
UnitUnitUnitUnit
a measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to
the average person.
NDNDNDND Not DetectedNot DetectedNot DetectedNot Detected Lab analysis indicates that the contaminant is not present or is below detection limit
Additional health information
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 Montgomery
County Public Service Authority 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 expo-
sure by flushing your tap for 15 to 30 seconds or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using water for drink-
ing 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 Water Drinking Hotline
(800-426-4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
Drinking water levels
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets MCL’s at very stringent levels. In developing these standards, USEPA assumes
that the average adult drinks two liters of water each day throughout a 70-year lifespan. USEPA generally sets MCL’s at levels that
will result in no adverse health affects for some contaminants or a one-in-one million chance of having the described health effect
for other contaminants.
Christiansburg to Elliston
2014 water quality results of regulated contaminants
In the distribution systemIn the distribution systemIn the distribution systemIn the distribution system
Microbiological contaminants present
CONTAMINANT LEVEL IN DATE OF TYPICAL SOURCE
(units) MCLG MCL DETECTED RANGE COMPLIANCE SAMPLE OF CONTAMINANT
TOTAL ORGANIC N/A TT, met 1.0 1.0 YES 2014 Naturally present in the
CARBON when > 1 environment
TURBIDITY (NTU) N/A TT, 1 NTU 0.09 0.02 to 0.09 YES 2014 Soil runoff
max TT, < 0.3
(95% of the time) 100%
Inorganic contaminants present
CONTAMINANT LEVEL IN DATE OF TYPICAL SOURCE
(units) MCLG MCL DETECTED RANGE COMPLIANCE SAMPLE OF CONTAMINATION
FLUORIDE (ppm) 4 4 0.62 N/A YES 2014 Erosion of natural deposits, water
additive which promotes strong
teeth
NITRATE/NITRITE 10 10 0.77 N/A YES 2014 Runoff from fertilizer use, leaching
(ppm) from septic tanks, sewage, erosion
of natural deposits
BARIUM (ppm) 2 2 0.023 N/A YES 2014 Discharge of drilling wastes,
discharge from metal refineries,
erosion of natural deposits
Volatile organic contaminants present
CONTAMINANT LEVEL IN DATE OF TYPICAL SOURCE
(units) MCLG MCL DETECTED RANGE COMPLIANCE SAMPLE OF CONTAMINATION
CHLORINE (ppm) MRDLG=4 MRDLG=4 1.88 0.4 to 3.5 YES 2014 Water additive used to control
microbes
HALOACETIC ACID N/A 60 44 21 to 60 YES 2014 By-product of drinking water
(ppb) disinfection
TOTAL TRIHALO- N/A 80 33 18 to 44 YES 2014 By-product of drinking water
METHANES (ppb) disinfection
At the customer tapAt the customer tapAt the customer tapAt the customer tap
Inorganic contaminants present
CONTAMINANT ACTION 90TH # SITES IN DATE OF TYPICAL SOURCE
(units) MCLG LEVEL PERCENTILE EXCEEDING AL COMPLIANCE SAMPLE OF CONTAMINATION
LEAD (ppb) 0 15 1.6 1 YES August Corrosion of household plumbing
COPPER (ppm) 1.3 1.3 0.047 0 YES August Corrosion of household plumbing
CONTAMINANT LEVEL AFTER IN DATE OF TYPICAL SOURCE
(units) MCLG MCL DETECTED RESAMPLING COMPLIANCE SAMPLE OF CONTAMINATION
COLIFORM 0 1 1 0 YES September Naturally present in environment
VIOLATION INFORMATION
There were no violations during 2014.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR WATER
The PSA is continually working to maintain the quality of your water and to improve your water distribution system. Over
the past few years many old and undersized water lines have been replaced; most of the PSA’s residential water meters
have been replaced, and several pressure reducing control valves have also been replaced. In the coming years these
improvements will continue
Other major improvements have been an inspection and maintenance contract to a company for the PSA’s water tanks.
This company on a scheduled basis washes out, disinfects, paints and repairs both the interior and exterior of the water
tanks. Another company has been contracted to inspect, pressure and flow test, and maintain the PSA’s fire hydrants.
They have also painted and color coded the PSA fire hydrants based on pressure and flows.