Yarmouth Water

Yarmouth Water
Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for the year ending 2006

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 2006 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.

Yarmouth’s Water Sources
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. 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 Hyannis Fire District. No emergency water supplies were required in 2006. 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.

Is My Water Treated?
Yes, the water is treated. Potassium Hydroxide is added for adjusting the pH of your water. We do this to achieve a pH range of 7.5 to 7.8 in an effort to make your water pH neutral or less corrosive.

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 Is My System’s Ranking?

A susceptibility ranking of "High" was assigned to this 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, Board of Health, and online at www.state.ma.us/dep/brp/dws/. For more information, call Superintendent Mills at 508.771.7921.

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.

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 include:

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 storm water runoff, industrial, or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, and farming.

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

Organic chemical contaminants including 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.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and EPA prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The US Food and Drug Administration and the MA Department of Public Health 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. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

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.

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.

A Cross Connection is a connection between a drinking water pipe and a polluted source. The pollution can come from your own home. For instance, you’re going to spray fertilizer on your lawn. You hook up your hose to the sprayer that contains the fertilizer. If the water pressure drops when the hose is connected to the fertilizer, the fertilizer may be sucked back into the drinking water pipes through the hose. An attachment called a backflow-prevention device can prevent this problem. Yarmouth water recommends the installation of such devices, and we have an expert on staff to answer your questions on this matter.

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
Microbial Contaminants
Yarmouth Results
Contaminant	Highest % Positive in a month		Total # positive		MCL		MCLG	Violation (Y/N)	Date of Sample	Typical Source of Contaminant
Total Coliform	0.8		1		<5%		0	NO	Weekly 2006	Naturally present in the environment.
Inorganic Contaminants
	Date Collected	90^th percentile	Action Level	MCLG		# of Sites Sampled		# of Sites above the AL		Possible source of contamination
Copper (ppb)	July 1, 2004	0.288	1.3	1.3		31		0		Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from wood preservatives.
Lead (ppb) *	July 1, 2004	2	15	0		31		0		Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits.
Contaminants and/or VOC’s
	Date Collected	Highest Detect Level	Range Detected	Average Detected		MCL		MCLG	Violation (Y/N)
Nitrate (ppm)	Second quarter 2006	5.9	<.004 – 5.9	2.9		10		0	NO	Runoff from fertilizer use. Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits.
Chloroform (ppb)	Second quarter 2006	6	0-6	3		N/A		Unregulated contaminant	NO	Occurs naturally here on Cape Cod. Future studies by D.E.P. are planned to determine why.
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (ppb)	Second quarter 2006	2	0-2	1		N/A		Unregulated contaminant	NO	MTBE; Fuel additive; leaks and spills from gasoline storage tanks
Tetrachloroethylene (ppb)	Second quarter 2006	3	0-3	1.4		5		VOC 0	NO	Discharge from factories and dry cleaners
1,1,1-Trichloroethane (ppb)	Third quarter 2006	1.6	0-1.6	1		200		200	NO	Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories
Sodium (ppm)	First quarter 2006	63	2.2-63	31		N/A		Unregulated contaminant	NO	Sodium can occur naturally and can also be attributed to road runoff.
Sulfate (ppm)	First quarter 2006	11	0-11	5.5		N/A		Unregulated contaminant	NO	Some people who drink water containing sulfate at high concentrations for many years could experience diarrhea.
Radioactive Contaminants
Radioactive Contaminants	Date(s) Collected	Highest Detect	Range Detected	Highest Average		MCL		MCLG	Violation (Y/N)	Possible Source of Contamination
Gross Alpha Activity (p/Ci/l)	8/12/03	1.1	0-1.1	-		15		0	NO	Erosion of natural deposits
Radium 226 (p/Ci/l)	8/12/03	0.5	0-0.5	-		5		0	NO	Erosion of natural deposits
Radium 228 (p/Ci/l)	8/12/03	0.8	0-0.8	-		5		0	NO	Erosion of natural deposits

*Lead sampling was from consumers systems which may be affected 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.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has reduced the monitoring requirements for radioactive contaminants to less often than once per year because the source is not at risk of contamination.

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

Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

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.