Yarmouth Water

Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for the year ending 2002

Massachusetts Public Water Supplier # 4351000

We Want You to Know About Your Drinking Water

If you have questions about this report call the Water Superintendent at 508-771-7921

Your Drinking Water

Yarmouth Water is committed to providing Yarmouth residents and visitors with highest quality drinking water 24 hours a day 365 days a year. To ensure we deliver this quality product Yarmouth Water has made significant investments in water treatment facilities, water quality monitoring, water source protection, and distribution systems. We are pleased to be reporting the results of our 2002 water testing directly to you the consumer.

Water Quality Testing

Each year the Yarmouth Water conducts more than 1,000 water quality tests on samples taken throughout the Town of Yarmouth. These tests confirmed that your tap water meets all state and federal drinking water quality standards. We will be mailing a report to you each year with information about the quality of your drinking water.

Your Drinking Water Source

Within the Town of Yarmouth there are 24 groundwater wells that draw water from 2 aquifers or lens. The Sagamore Lens which supplies most of the water for Yarmouth, and the Monomoy Lens, which supplies the remainder to a lesser extent. Your tap water may come from either of these sources depending upon where you live and the time of year. Below is a listing of the locations of our water systems well sites. PS = Pumping stations.

PS 1 main - 102 Union Street PS 1,2,3,14,20,24 - Higgins Crowell Road PS 4,5 - Long Pond Drive PS 6,7,8,9 North Main St.

PS 10 - Forest Road PS 11 - Kristin Path PS 13,18,19 - Chickadee Lane PS 17 - Horse Pond

PS 15,16,21,22 - North Dennis Road PS 23 - Midtech Drive

Protecting Source Waters

Even though Yarmouth Water uses basic treatment techniques along with some of the most advanced equipment available, it is still necessary to start with the highest quality water sources. That is why Yarmouth Water owns and protects over 963 acres of land surrounding well fields and aquifer recharge areas. We also inspect these areas regularly for any condition that could adversely affect the quality of the water. In addition our staff reviews and comments on local land development plans near our well fields that could impact water quality. A complete list of all the contaminants tested for is available at our offices, located at 99 Buck Island Road W. Yarmouth, 8:30 am – 4:30pm.

In addition to water quality test results, this report will provide information about:

Where your water comes from… Vulnerable Population information… Definitions You Need to Know… Associations we use to help us safe guard your water… Other issues that effect the water you drink

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was signed into law on December 16, 1974. The purpose of the law is to assure that the nation’s water supply systems serving the public meet minimum national standards for the protection of public health.

As amended and re-authorized by the 1996 U.S. Congress the SDWA requires that all public water systems with piped water for human consumption with at least 15 service connections or a system that regularly serves at least 25 individuals, must provide such consumers with an “Annual Drinking Water Quality Report”.

The SDWA directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish national drinking water standards. These standards limit the amount of certain contaminants provided by public water. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Water Quality Summary

The table below shows only the substances that were detected in the Yarmouth Water in 2002. Not all substances were detected at each of the 24 well fields.

Regulated Contaminants
The “Level Found” column represents an average of sample result data collected during the Water Quality Parameters (WQP) calendar year beginning January 1^st, 2002 through December 31^st, 2002. The “Range of Detection” column represents a range of individual sample results, from the lowest to the highest that were detected during the WQP calendar year. If a date appears in the “Date of Sample” column, the State of Massachusetts DEP requires monitoring for this contamination less than once a year because the concentrations found previously do not frequently change. If no date appears in the column, monitoring for that contaminant was conducted during the annual WQP calendar year.
Microbial Contaminants
Yarmouth Results see Definitions You Need to Know
Contaminant	MCLG	MCL	Level Found	Range of Detection	Highest % during month	Violation	Date of Sample	Typical Source of Contaminant
Total Coliform Bacteria (% pos/mon)	0	>=5%	0.0155	0 – 1	August 8.3%	Month of August	Weekly 2002	Naturally present in the environment.
Fecal Coliform bacteria and e. Coli	0	>=5%	0.0014	0 - 1	August .009%	None	Weekly 2002	Human and animal fecal waste.
Inorganic Contaminants
					# sites above AL
Copper (ppm)	1.3	AL=1.3	0.25**	<0.02 - .47	0 out of 37	None	June 2001	Corrosion or electrical grounding problems of household plumbing systems. Erosion of natural deposits. Leaching from wood preservatives.
Lead (ppm) *	0	AL=0.015	0.002**	<0.001 – .037	1 out of 37	None	June 2001	Corrosion of natural / industrial deposits; plumbing solder, less expensive brass alloy faucets, electrical grounding problems of household plumbing systems.
Nitrate (ppm)	10	10	1.94	<.10 – 4.3	0	None	First quarter 2002	Runoff from fertilizer use. Leaching from septic systems, sewage, and erosion of natural deposits.
Nitrite (ppm)	1	1	<0.05	<0.05	0	None	First quarter 2002	Runoff from fertilizer use. Leaching from septic systems, sewage, and erosion of natural deposits.
Sodium (ppm)	N/A	N/A	24.4	10.3 – 37.4	0	Unregulated contaminant	Monthly 2002	Sodium can occur naturally and can also be attributed to road runoff.
Organic Contaminants
Chloroform (ppb)	N/A	N/A	2.5	0 – 6.0	0	Unregulated contaminant	2002	Occurs naturally here on Cape Cod. Future studies by D.E.P. are planned to determine why.
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (ppb)	N/A	N/A	0.0	0.0	0	Unregulated contaminant	2002	Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether is an ether compound used in gasoline to help gasoline engines produce less harmful emissions.
Radioactive Contaminants
Alpha emitters (p/Ci/l)*	0	15pCi/l	0.2 (+ - 1.6)	0 - 0.2 (+ - 1.6)	None		9-14-99	Erosion of natural deposits

Lead sampling was from consumers systems, which may be effected by plumbing solder, less expensive brass alloy faucets and or electrical grounding problems. ** 90^th percentile action level, which the EPA defines as the equation: (number of samples) x (0.9) = the sample corresponding to the 90^th percentile. *** Number of sites above action level. This report was prepared by Bob Wright, Plant Supervisor of the Yarmouth Water Department. For more information, call the Yarmouth Water at 508-771-7921 ext 108 or visit our web site at www.yarmouthwater.org.

The Substances Found in Your Tap Water

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 the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Sources of Drinking Water (both tap and bottled water) in rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presences of animals or from humans.

(TT) Treatment Technique applied to Your Water

The Yarmouth Water Department currently uses two distinct treatment techniques through its service area. The first treatment technique is for the purpose of adjusting the ph of your water. This is accomplished by adding Potassium Hydroxide to achieve a ph range of 6.8 to 7.2. The second treatment technique is for the purpose of sequestering Iron and Manganese, this is accomplished by adding Sodium Hexametaphosphate.

Vulnerable Population

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 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).

Consumer Educational Statements

Nitrate. Infants below the age of six months who drink water-containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill, and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome. Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant, you should ask for advise from your health care provider.

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. It is possible that lead levels at your home may be higher than at other homes in the community as a result of materials used in your home's plumbing. If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your home's water, you may wish to have your water tested. Additionally, flushing your tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using tap water to reduce lead content. Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 1-800-426-4791

Unregulated Contaminants

Unregulated contaminants are those for which the EPA has not established drinking water standards. The purpose of unregulated contaminants monitoring is to assist the EPA in determining the occurrence of unregulated contaminants in drinking water and whether future regulation is warranted.

Definitions You Need to Know

Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.

Total Coliform Bacteria, Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present.

Fecal Coliform and e. Coli, Fecal coliforms and e. Coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal waste. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely–compromised immune systems.

Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally – occurring or resulting from urban storm-water runoff, industrial or domestic waste water discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.

Organic Chemical contaminants, include synthetic and volatile organic chemicals that 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, can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production, and mining activities.

pCi/l, Pico curies per liter. A measure of radioactivity.

MCL, The “Maximum contaminant level” is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

MCLG, “The Maximum contaminant level goal” is 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.

ppm, “Parts per Million” which is also the same as saying Milligrams per liter (mg/l). One part per million corresponds to a single penny in $10,000.00 or one minute in a two year period.

ppb, “Parts per Billion” which is the same as saying Micrograms per liter. One part per billion corresponds to a single penny in $10,000,000.00 or one minute in a 2,000 year period.

AL, Action level, the concentration of a contaminant, which if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

TT, “Treatment Technique” A required process intended to reduce the level of a containments in drinking water.

Variances and Exceptions

Yarmouth Water was granted a renewal of waivers December 18,1998 by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water Supply Office, not requiring our system to monitor for synthetic organic compounds (SOC’s). Previous years of testing have indicated that these substances do not occur in our source water. Yarmouth Water however does test for these contaminants for our historical database and will continue sampling annually. A complete list of all the contaminants tested for, is available at our offices, located at 99 Buck Island Road W. Yarmouth, 8:30 am – 4:30pm. 771-7921

Water Related Informational / Educational Sites

Visit these web sites at your public library or from your home for more information on all aspects of water. American Water Works Association – www.awwa.org - an international nonprofit scientific and educational society dedicated to the improvement of drinking water quality and supply. Water Environment Federation - www.wef.org - a not-for profit technical and educational organization. Its goal is to preserve and enhance the global water environment. Yarmouth Water – www.yarmouthwater.org - your local water provider with links to other water related sites and updated information on our department activities.

Yarmouth Water is proud to be a member of the following Associations. American Water Works Association (AWWA), Massachusetts Water Works Association (MWWA), New England Water Works Association (NEWWA), Plymouth County Water Works Association (PCWWA), and the Barnstable County Water Utilities Association (BCWWA), North East Rural Water Association (NERWA), Barnstable County Public Works Association (BCPWA).

Landlords, please forward to your tenants. Additional copies are available upon request.