CCR-Warm-Hearth-2007.pdfWarm Hearth 2007
Introduction 1
General
information
2
Sources and
treatment of your
drinking water
2
2007 water quality
results
3
· In the distribution
system
· At your tap
Quality on tap 4
What’s Inside
This report is designed to
inform you about your
drinking water quality. Our
goal is to provide a safe and
dependable supply of drink-
ing 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 require-
ments administered by the
Virginia Department of
Health (VDH).
The Montgomery County
Public Service Authority
(PSA) operates ten
individual public water
systems in the unincorpo-
rated areas of the County.
Combined, these systems
consist of over 90 miles of
water mains, four wells, 16
water tanks, 22 pumps, 23
pressure reducing valves,
four connections to the
Town of Blacksburg, three
connections to the Town of
Christiansburg, two con-
nections to the City of
Radford, and one connec-
tion to the Arsenal. Ap-
proximately 25.5 million
gallons of water are distrib-
uted by the PSA monthly.
If you have questions
Monday of each month
in the Board of Supervi-
sors’ Meeting Room in
the Montgomery County
Government Center, 755
Roanoke Street in
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.
about this report, please
contact:
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
Quality on tap!
Introduction
This and other important information are available on the PSA website: MontVA.com/psa
Consumer Confidence Report
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 drinking water than the general drinking water than the general drinking water than the general
population.population.population.population. Immuno-compromised
persons such as persons with cancer
undergoing chemotherapy, persons
who have undergone organ trans-
plants, people with HIV/AIDS or
other immune system disorders, some
elderly, and infants can be particu-
larly at risk from infections. These These These These
people should seek advice about people should seek advice about people should seek advice about people should seek advice about
drinking water from their health care drinking water from their health care drinking water from their health care drinking water from their health care
providers.providers.providers.providers. EPA/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 proc-
esses 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 EPA prescribes regu-EPA prescribes regu-EPA prescribes regu-EPA prescribes regu-
lations which limit the amount of lations which limit the amount of lations which limit the amount of lations which limit the amount of
certain contaminants in water pro-certain contaminants in water pro-certain contaminants in water pro-certain contaminants in water pro-
vided by public water systems.vided by public water systems.vided by public water systems.vided 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
Treatment Plant, the City of Radford
Water Treatment Plant, or the Arsenal
Potable Water Treatment Plant. Treat-Treat-Treat-Treat-
ment consists of chemical addition, ment consists of chemical addition, ment consists of chemical addition, ment consists of chemical addition,
coagulation, flocculation, settling, coagulation, flocculation, settling, coagulation, flocculation, settling, coagulation, flocculation, settling,
filtration and disinfection.filtration and disinfection.filtration and disinfection.filtration 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 de-
termined to be of high susceptibility
to contamination using criteria devel-
oped by the State in its EPA approved
Source Water Assessment Program.
The assessment report consists of The assessment report consists of The assessment report consists of The assessment report consists of
maps showing the source water as-maps showing the source water as-maps showing the source water as-maps showing the source water as-
sessment area, an inventory of known sessment area, an inventory of known sessment area, an inventory of known sessment area, an inventory of known
land use activities of concern, and land use activities of concern, and land use activities of concern, and land use activities of concern, and
documentation of any known con-documentation of any known con-documentation of any known con-documentation of any known con-
tamination within the last five years tamination within the last five years tamination within the last five years tamination within the last five years
from the date of the assessmentfrom the date of the assessmentfrom the date of the assessmentfrom the date of the assessment.
Treatment plants are operated to mini-
mize threats associated with potential
contamination of these water sources.
Treatment of the groundwater Treatment of the groundwater Treatment of the groundwater Treatment of the groundwater
sources at the PSA's wells consist of sources at the PSA's wells consist of sources at the PSA's wells consist of sources at the PSA's wells consist of
the addition of chlorine to disinfect the addition of chlorine to disinfect the addition of chlorine to disinfect the addition of chlorine to disinfect
the water.the water.the water.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 Source water Source water Source water
assessments have been completed for assessments have been completed for assessments have been completed for assessments have been completed for
the PSA’s groundwater supplied sys-the PSA’s groundwater supplied sys-the PSA’s groundwater supplied sys-the PSA’s groundwater supplied sys-
tems: Riner and Woodview.tems: Riner and Woodview.tems: Riner and Woodview.tems: Riner and 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 as-
sessment areas. There has been no There has been no There has been no There has been no
known contamination of these known contamination of these known contamination of these known contamination of these
sources within the last five years.sources within the last five years.sources within the last five years.sources within the last five years.
Source water assessments are avail-
able to view upon written request.
The ten water systems operated by The ten water systems operated by The ten water systems operated by The ten water systems operated by
the Public Service Authority include the Public Service Authority include the Public Service Authority include the Public Service Authority include
both surface water and groundwater both surface water and groundwater both surface water and groundwater both surface water and groundwater
sources.sources.sources.sources. Three are supplied by the
Town of Blacksburg: Warm Hearth,
Belview, and Jennelle Road. Two are
supplied by the Town of Christians-
burg: Christiansburg to Elliston and
Mudpike Road. Two are supplied by
the City of Radford: Plum Creek and
Bethel. Two are supplied by wells
operated by the PSA: Riner and
Woodview. The remaining system,
Price’s Fork/Merrimac, is supplied by
the Arsenal with backup connections
to the Town of Blacksburg and the
Town of Christiansburg.
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 con-source supplying the systems con-source supplying the systems con-source supplying the systems con-
nected to Blacksburg, Christiansburg, nected to Blacksburg, Christiansburg, nected to Blacksburg, Christiansburg, nected to Blacksburg, Christiansburg,
Radford, and the Arsenal.Radford, and the Arsenal.Radford, and the Arsenal.Radford, and the Arsenal. The raw
water goes to either the Blacksburg-
Christiansburg-VPI Water Authority
Sources and treatment of your drinking water
Warm Hearth
2007 water quality results of regulated contaminants
In In In In the distribution system
Microbiological contaminants present
CONTAMINANT LEVEL DATE OF TYPICAL SOURCE
(units) MCLG MCL DETECTED RANGE VIOLATION SAMPLE OF CONTAMINANT
TOTAL ORGANIC N/A TT, MET 1.07 1.0 to 1.20 NO 2007 Naturally present in the
CARBON (PPM) WHEN > 1 environment
TURBIDITY (NTU) N/A TT, 1 NTU 0.09 0.02 to 0.09 NO 2007 Soil runoff
MAX TT, < 0.3
(95% of the time) 100%
Radioactive contaminants present
CONTAMINANT LEVEL DATE OF TYPICAL SOURCE
(units) MCLG MCL DETECTED RANGE COMPLIANCE SAMPLE OF CONTAMINATION
COMBINED RADIUM 0 5 1.4 N/A YES 2002 Erosion of natural deposits
(PCi/L)
Inorganic contaminants present
CONTAMINANT LEVEL DATE OF TYPICAL SOURCE
(units) MCLG MCL DETECTED RANGE COMPLIANCE SAMPLE OF CONTAMINATION
FLOURIDE (PPM) 4 4 0.76 N/A YES 2007 Erosion of natural deposits,
water additive which promotes
strong teeth
NITRATE (PPM) 10 10 0.72 N/A YES 2007 Runoff from fertilizer use, leaching
NITRITE from septic tanks, sewage, erosion
of natural deposits
Volatile organic contaminants present
CONTAMINANT LEVEL DATE OF TYPICAL SOURCE
(units) MCLG MCL DETECTED RANGE VIOLATION SAMPLE OF CONTAMINATION
CHLORINE (PPM) MRDLG=4 MRDLG=4 2.0 1.5 to 2.2 NO 2007 Water additive used to control
microbes
HALOACETIC ACID N/A 60 37.6 16.4 to 67.4 NO 2007 By-product of drinking water
(PPB) disinfection
TOTAL TRIHALO- N/A 80 41.2 14.4 to 45.8 NO 2007 By-product of drinking water
METHANES (PPB) disinfection
CHLORITE (PPM) 0.8 1 0.38 0 to 0.38 NO 2007 By-product of drinking water
(daily) Chlorination
CHLORITE (PPM) 0.8 1 0.1 0 to 0.3 NO 2007 By-product of drinking water
(monthly) Chlorination
CHLORINE 800 800 150 0 to 150 NO 2007 Water additive used to control
DIOXIDE (PPB) microbes
At the customer tap
Inorganic contaminants present
CONTAMINANT ACTION 90TH # SITES DATE OF TYPICAL SOURCE
(units) MCLG LEVEL PERCENTILE EXCEEDING AL COMPLIANCE SAMPLE OF CONTAMINATION
COPPER (PPM) 1.3 1.3 0.055 0 YES 2006 Corrosion of household plumbing
MCL VIOLATION INFORMATION
There were no violations during 2007.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The state allows us to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change
frequently. Some of our data presented in the above tables, though accurate, is more than one year old.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets MCL's at very stringent levels. In developing the standards EPA assumes that the average adult
drinks 2 liters of water each day throughout a 70-year life span. EPA generally sets MCL's at levels that will result in no adverse health effects for
some contaminants or a one-in-a-million chance of having the described health effect for other contaminants.
Page 4 2007
Contaminants in your drinking water are routinely moni-
tored according to Federal and State regulations. The ta-The ta-The ta-The ta-
ble on the previous page shows the results of our monitor-ble on the previous page shows the results of our monitor-ble on the previous page shows the results of our monitor-ble on the previous page shows the results of our monitor-
ing for the period of January 1st to December 31, 2007.ing for the period of January 1st to December 31, 2007.ing for the period of January 1st to December 31, 2007.ing for the period of January 1st to December 31, 2007.
In the table, and elsewhere in this report, you will find
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.
many terms and abbreviations with which you might
not be familiar. The following definitions are provided The following definitions are provided The following definitions are provided The following definitions are provided
to help you better understand these terms:to help you better understand these terms:to help you better understand these terms:to help you better understand these terms: Montgomery County Public Service Authority 755 Roanoke St., Suite 2-I Christiansburg, VA 24073-3185 Phone: 540-381-1997 Fax: 540-382-5703 Web: MontVA.com/psa Mailing Address Line 1 Mailing Address Line 2 Mailing Address Line 3 Mailing Address Line 4 Mailing Address Line 5 PRESORTED FIRST CLASS MAIL US POSTAGE PAID CHRISTIANSBURG, VA PERMIT NO. 161 WH 2007 CCR