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CCR-Price's-Fork-Merrimac-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 discontinued 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 Price’s Fork/Merrimac 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 backup connections to the NRV Regional Water 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 fol-The fol-The fol-The fol- lowing definitions are provided to help you better understand these terms.lowing definitions are provided to help you better understand these terms.lowing definitions are provided to help you better understand these terms.lowing 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 for lead 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 drinking 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 Hot- line (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. Price’s Fork/Merrimac 2014 water quality results of regulated contaminants In the distribution systemIn the distribution systemIn the distribution systemIn the distribution system Microbiological contaminants presentMicrobiological contaminants presentMicrobiological contaminants presentMicrobiological 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 0.9 0.02 to 0.09 YES 2014 Soil runoff max TT, ≤0.3 100% 95% of the time Inorganic contaminants presentInorganic contaminants presentInorganic contaminants presentInorganic contaminants present CONTAMINANT LEVEL IN DATE OF TYPICAL SOURCE (units) MCLG MCL DETECTED RANGE COMPLIANCE SAMPLE OF CONTAMINATION FLOURIDE (ppm) 4 4 062 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 presentVolatile organic contaminants presentVolatile organic contaminants presentVolatile 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 1.99 1.1 to 2.8 YES 2014 Water additive used to control microbes HALOACETIC ACID N/A 60 41 29 to 70 YES 2014 By-product of drinking water (ppb) disinfection TOTAL TRIHALO- N/A 80 42 30 to 51 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 presentInorganic contaminants presentInorganic contaminants presentInorganic 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 3.3 0 September 2014 Corrosion of household plumbing COPPER (ppm) 1.3 1.3 0.092 0 September 2014 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 MARCH Naturally present in environment (Positive Monthly Sample) 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.