Yarmouth Water

Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for the year ending 2004

Massachusetts Public Water Supplier # 4351000

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

Further discussions to publicly discuss water quality issues can be held at the Selectmans’ meetings.

Last Year we conducted more than 1,000 tests on your drinking water.  These tests confirmed that your tap water meets all state and federal drinking water quality standards.  Yarmouth Water is committed to providing Yarmouth residents and visitors with 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 2004 water testing directly to you the consumer, and we will continue 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.  Emergency water supplies can be achieved through interconnections with the Dennis Water District, Barnstable Fire District, and the Barnstable Water Company.  No emergency water supplies were required in 2004.  Below is a listing of the locations of our water systems well sites.  PS = Pumping stations.

 

PS 1 main - 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           

 

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 – 4:30 pm.

Water Treatment

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 7.5.  The second treatment technique is for the purpose of sequestering Iron and Manganese, this is accomplished by adding Sodium Hexametaphosphate.

 

Source Water Protection Information

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has prepared a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) Report for the water supply sources serving our community.  The SWAP Report assesses the susceptibility of public water supplies.  There are a number of land uses and activities that are potential sources of contamination.

 

 The SWAP Report notes the following key issues for our sources; inappropriate activities in Zone I’s, residential land uses, hazardous materials, transportation corridors, oil or hazardous material contamination sites, and comprehensive wellhead protection planning.

What can be done to improve protection?  Inspect the Zone I regularly, and endeavor to remove any non-water supply activities; educate residents on ways they can help protect drinking water sources; work with emergency response teams to ensure that they are aware of the storm water drainage in the Zone II areas and to cooperate on responding to spills or accidents; partner with local businesses to ensure the proper storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous materials, and develop and implement a Wellhead Protection Plan.

What Is My System’s Ranking?

A susceptibility ranking of “High” was assigned to our system using the information collected during the assessment by the DEP.

Where Can I See The SWAP Report?

 The complete SWAP report is available at the Water Division, and online at www.state.ma.us/dep/brp/dws/.

 

 

Mandatory DEP Health Statements

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 (1-800-426-4791).

 

The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled water) include 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 human activity.

 

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 about drinking water 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).

Contaminants that may be present in source water;

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

Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally – occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.

Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.

Organic chemical contaminants, include synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.

Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production, and mining activities.

 

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the DEP and EPA prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health

Important Definitions

 

Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: 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

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG: The Level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health.  MC>Gs allow for a margin of safety.

Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

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.

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.

pCi/l, picocuries per liter.  A measure of radioactivity.

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.

As amended and re-authorized by the 1996 U.S. Congress, the SDWA requires community public water systems, to provide consumers with an “Annual Drinking Water Quality Report”.  More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline (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.

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 Quality Testing Results

 

The water quality information presented in the tables is from the most recent round of testing done in accordance with the regulations. 

All data shown were collected during the last calendar year unless otherwise noted in the table.

Regulated Contaminants

The “Highest Level Detected” column represents the highest level detected of sample result data collected during the Water Quality Parameters (WQP) calendar year beginning January 1st, 2004 through December 31st, 2004.  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              

Contaminant

MCLG

MCL

Highest Level Detected

Range of  Detection

% of highest month

Violation

Date of Sample

Typical Source of Contaminant

Total Coliform  Bacteria      (% pos/mon)

0

=5%

3%

0-3%

3%

None

 

Weekly

2004

Naturally present in the environment.
Inorganic Contaminants
 

# sites above AL
 

Copper (ppm)

1.3

AL=1.3

0.422**

0.109 - 0.422

N/A

None

 

July

2004

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from wood preservatives.

Lead (ppm) *

0

AL=0.015

0.009**

<0.001 – .009

N/A

None

July

2004

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits.

Nitrate (ppm)
10
10
5.56
0.18 – 4.8
N/A
None

 

Second quarter 2004
Runoff from fertilizer use.  Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits.
Unregulated Contaminants and/or VOC’s

Chloroform (ppb)

N/A

N/A

5

0 –5.0

N/A

Unregulated contaminant

Second quarter 2004

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

3.6

0-3.6

N/A

Unregulated contaminant

 

Third Quarter 2004

MTBE; Fuel additive; leaks and spills from gasoline storage tanks

Tetrachloroethylene (ppb)

N/A

5

2

0-2

N/A

VOC

None

Second quarter 2004

Discharge from factories and dry cleaners

1,1,1-trichloroethane (ppb)

N/A

200

0.8

0-0.8

N/A

VOC

None

Second quarter 2004

Discharge from use in septic system cleaners

Sodium (ppm)

N/A

N/A

31

8.7-31

N/A

Unregulated contaminant

Monthly

2004

Sodium can occur naturally and can also be attributed to road runoff.
Radioactive Contaminants

Gross Alpha Activity (p/Ci/l)

N/A

15

1.1

0-1.1

N/A

None

8/12/03

 

Radium 226

(p/Ci/l)

N/A

5

0.5

0-0.5

N/A

None

8/12/03

Erosion of natural deposits

Radium 228

(p/Ci/l)

N/A

5

0.8

0-0.8

N/A

None

8/12/03

 

 

 

*Lead sampling was from consumers systems which may be affected by plumbing solder, less expensive brass alloy faucets and or electrical grounding problems. ** 90th percentile action level, which the EPA defines as the equation: (number of samples) x (0.9) = the sample corresponding to the 90th percentile.  *** Number of sites above action level.  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

 

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 advice 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

 

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 (BCWUA), North East Rural Water Association (NERWA), Barnstable County Public Works Association (BCPWA).

 

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