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CCR-Warm-Hearth-2008.pdf2008 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 Introduction This and other important information are available on the PSA website: MontVA.com/psa Consumer Confidence Report Warm Hearth Zero Sampling Violations Zero Reporting Violations 100% VDH Compliant 100% USEPA Compliant Montgomery County Public Service Authority Water Systems We are pleased to report that your drinking water is safe and meets We are pleased to report that your drinking water is safe and meets We are pleased to report that your drinking water is safe and meets We are pleased to report that your drinking water is safe and meets or exceeds all Virginia Department of Health and United States or exceeds all Virginia Department of Health and United States or exceeds all Virginia Department of Health and United States or exceeds all Virginia Department of Health and United States Environmental Protection Agency standards.Environmental Protection Agency standards.Environmental Protection Agency standards.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 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. 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 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 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 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 Radford Water Treatment Plant, or the Arsenal Pota- ble Water Treatment Plant. Treatment Treatment Treatment Treatment consists of chemical addition, coagula-consists of chemical addition, coagula-consists of chemical addition, coagula-consists of chemical addition, coagula- tion, flocculation, settling, filtration tion, flocculation, settling, filtration tion, flocculation, settling, filtration tion, 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 Assessment Program. The assessment The assessment The assessment The assessment report consists of maps showing the report consists of maps showing the report consists of maps showing the report consists of maps showing the source water assessment area, an source water assessment area, an source water assessment area, an source water assessment area, an inventory of known land use activities inventory of known land use activities inventory of known land use activities inventory of known land use activities of concern, and documentation of of concern, and documentation of of concern, and documentation of of concern, and documentation of any known contamination within the any known contamination within the any known contamination within the any known contamination within the last five years from the date of the last five years from the date of the last five years from the date of the last five years from the date of the assessmentassessmentassessmentassessment. Treatment plants are oper- ated to minimize 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 Page 3 2008 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, 2008.page shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2008.page shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2008.page shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2008. 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 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 USEPA generally sets MCL’s at levels that will result in USEPA generally sets MCL’s at levels that will result in USEPA generally sets MCL’s at levels that will result in no adverse health effects for some contaminants or a oneno adverse health effects for some contaminants or a oneno adverse health effects for some contaminants or a oneno adverse health effects for some contaminants or a one----inininin----oneoneoneone----million chance of having the described health effect for other cmillion chance of having the described health effect for other cmillion chance of having the described health effect for other cmillion chance of having the described health effect for other con-on-on-on- taminants.taminants.taminants.taminants. In 2008, throughout all of the PSA water systems, there were no violations of any standards or regulations.In 2008, throughout all of the PSA water systems, there were no violations of any standards or regulations.In 2008, throughout all of the PSA water systems, there were no violations of any standards or regulations.In 2008, throughout all of the PSA water systems, there were no violations of any standards or regulations. To summarize the year: · In bacteriological testing there were 0000 samples with total coliform present and 0000 samples with e-coli present · In lead and copper testing there were 0000 samples exceeding the lead action level and 0 0 0 0 samples exceeding the copper action level · In disinfection by-products testing there were 0000 quarters exceeding the running annual average for Haloacetic Acids and 0000 quar- ters exceeding the running annual averages for Total Trihalomethanes. At a Glance 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 USEPA generally sets MCL’s at levels that will result in USEPA generally sets MCL’s at levels that will result in USEPA generally sets MCL’s at levels that will result in no adverse health effects for some contaminants or a oneno adverse health effects for some contaminants or a oneno adverse health effects for some contaminants or a oneno adverse health effects for some contaminants or a one----inininin----oneoneoneone----million chance of having the described health effect for other cmillion chance of having the described health effect for other cmillion chance of having the described health effect for other cmillion chance of having the described health effect for other con-on-on-on- taminants.taminants.taminants.taminants. In 2008, throughout all of the PSA water systems, there were no violations of any standards or regulations.In 2008, throughout all of the PSA water systems, there were no violations of any standards or regulations.In 2008, throughout all of the PSA water systems, there were no violations of any standards or regulations.In 2008, throughout all of the PSA water systems, there were no violations of any standards or regulations. To summarize the year: · In bacteriological testing there were 0000 samples with total coliform present and 0000 samples with e-coli present · In lead and copper testing there were 0000 samples exceeding the lead action level and 0000 samples exceeding the copper action level · In disinfection by-products testing there were 0000 quarters exceeding the running annual average for Haloacetic Acids and 0000 quar- ters exceeding the running annual averages for Total Trihalomethanes. Warm Hearth 2008 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 1.04 1.0 to 1.2 YES 2008 Naturally present in the CARBON (ppm) WHEN > 1 environment TURBIDITY (NTU) N/A TT, 1 NTU 0.08 0.03 to 0.08 YES 2008 Soil runoff MAX TT, < 0.3 (95% of the time) 100% Radioactive contaminants present CONTAMINANT LEVEL IN DATE OF TYPICAL SOURCE (units) MCLG MCL DETECTED RANGE COMPLIANCE SAMPLE OF CONTAMINATION COMBINED RADIUM 0 5 1.4 N/A YES 2008 Erosion of natural deposits (pCi/L) Inorganic contaminants present CONTAMINANT LEVEL IN DATE OF TYPICAL SOURCE (units) MCLG MCL DETECTED RANGE COMPLIANCE SAMPLE OF CONTAMINATION FLUORIDE (ppm) 4 4 0.73 N/A YES 2008 Erosion of natural deposits, water additive which promotes strong teeth NITRATE (ppm) 10 10 0.56 N/A YES 2008 Runoff from fertilizer use, leaching NITRITE from septic tanks, sewage, 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 2.09 1.8 to 2.2 YES 2008 Water additive used to control microbes HALOACETIC ACID N/A 60 38 25 to 55 YES 2008 By-product of drinking water (ppb) disinfection TOTAL TRIHALO- N/A 80 37 24 to 47 YES 2008 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 COPPER (ppm) 1.3 1.3 0.055 0 YES 2006 Corrosion of household plumbing 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 Ser- vice Authority is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing com- ponents. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure 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 Hotline (800-426-4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead In 1992, the Blacksburg, Christiansburg, VPI Water Authority observed that drinking water researchers and USEPA were becoming con- cerned about Cryptosporidium (Crypto), a microscopic parasite present in most surface waters serving water supplies. Ingestion of Crypto may cause cryptosporidiosis, an abdominal infection. The most effective method of removal is filtration such as what is practiced at the Water Authority although its removal is not 100% guaranteed. Disinfection, such as with chlorine, has been found to be ineffective against Crypto. In 1994, the Water Authority began routine testing for Crypto in the New River. Many of the samples since then have shown no Crypto while others have indicated the presence of Crypto in very small numbers. As of 2008, under the USEPA “Long Term2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule”, water suppliers are now requiredrequiredrequiredrequired to collect at least 24 monthly samples over a two year period. The Water Authority has chosen to collect 48 samples over those two years. Furthermore, we are required to tell you about that monitor- ing and give you the results. During 2008, the Water Authority collected 19 official samples from the New River and the average Crypto concentration was 0.036 oocysts per liter. While the monitoring indicates the presence of these organisms in our source water (before treatment), the current test methods do not allow analysts to determine if the organisms are dead or alive. Based on the Crypto monitor- ing results so far, the Water Authority anticipates having no problem meeting future USEPA treatment requirements.