HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 Consumer Confidence ReportApril 8, 2019 CCR 2018 IOWA CITY WATER DEPARTMENT PWSID: 5225079 Page 1
2018 WATER QUALITY REPORT
IOWA CITY WATER DIVISION
This report contains important information regarding the water quality in our water system. The source of our water is surface water.
Our water quality testing shows the following results:
CONTAMINANT MCL -
(MCLG) Compliance Date Violation Source
Type Value & (Range) Yes/No
Total Trihalomethanes
(ppb) [TTHM] 80 (N/A) LRAA 55.00 (32 - 51) 12/31/2018 No By-products of drinking water
chlorination
Total Haloacetic Acids
(ppb) [HAA5] 60 (N/A) LRAA 15.00 (9 - 10) 12/31/2018 No By-products of drinking water
disinfection
Copper (ppm) AL=1.3 (1.3) 90th 0
(ND - 0.01) 2017 No
Corrosion of household
plumbing systems; Erosion of
natural deposits; Leaching
from wood preservatives
Lead (ppb) AL=15 (0) 90th
12.00 (ND - 27)
1 sample(s)
exceeded AL
2017 No
Corrosion of household
plumbing systems; erosion of
natural deposits
950 - DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Chlorine (ppm) MRDL−4.0
(MRDLG−4.0) RAA 1.1 (0.61 - 1.57) 03/31/2018 No Water additive used to control
microbes
Total Coliform
Bacteria TT (TT) RTCR 2 sample(s)
positive 06/30/2018 No
Coliforms are bacteria that are
naturally present in the
environment and are used as an
indicator that other waterborne
pathogens may be present, or
that a potential pathway exists
through which contamination
may enter the drinking water.
03 - S/EP IA RIVER, J WELLS, S WELLS, C WELLS
Fluoride (ppm) 4 (4) SGL 0.84
(0.65 – 0.84) 05/08/2018 No
Water additive which promotes
strong teeth; Erosion of natural
deposits; Discharge from
fertilizer and aluminum
factories
Sodium (ppm) N/A (N/A) SGL 35 04/05/2018 No
Erosion of natural deposits;
Added to water during
treatment process
Nitrate [as N] (ppm) 10 (10) SGL 5.6
(2.1 – 5.6) 2018 No
Runoff from fertilizer use;
Leaching from septic tanks,
sewage; Erosion of natural
deposits
Turbidity* (NTU) TT (N/A)
Highest single
measurement
&
Lowest % of
samples
meeting limits
0.10
100% compliance 2018 No Soil runoff
Total Organic Carbon
(ppm) TT (N/A) RAA
% removed 41.5% 2018 No Naturally present in the
environment
Manganese† (ug/L) N/A (N/A) UCMR4
MRL = 0.4 2 2/20/2018 No Naturally present in the
environment
Note: Contaminants with dates indicate results from the most recent testing done in accordance with regulations.
April 8, 2019 CCR 2018 IOWA CITY WATER DEPARTMENT PWSID: 5225079 Page 2
DEFINITIONS
• Maximum Contaminant Level (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 (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.
• ppb -- parts per billion.
• ppm -- parts per million.
• ug/L – micrograms per liter
• pCi/L – picocuries per liter
• N/A – Not applicable
• ND -- Not detected
• RAA – Running Annual Average
• Treatment Technique (TT) – A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
• Action Level (AL) – The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a
water system must follow.
• Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) - EPA uses the UCMR to collect data for contaminants suspected to be
present in drinking water, but that do not have regulatory standards set under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
• Minimum Reporting Level (MRL) – Level based on the capability of laboratories to perform the analytical method, not based on
a level established as “significant” or “harmful.”
• Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG) - The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no
known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial
contaminants.
• Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) - 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.
• SGL – Single Sample Result
• RTCR – Revised Total Coliform Rule
• NTU – Nephelometric Turbidity Units
GENERAL INFORMATION
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The
sources of drinking water (both tap water 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 radioactive material, and
can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. The presence of contaminants does not
necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants or potential health effects can be obtained by
calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
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. The EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection
by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the national Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
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 material and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Iowa City Water Division
is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components.
When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30
seconds to 2 minutes 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 Drinking Water Hotline (800)426-4791 or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead or
www.icgov.org/city-government/departments-and-divisions/public-works/water/water-quality-and-treatment
ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
April 8, 2019 CCR 2018 IOWA CITY WATER DEPARTMENT PWSID: 5225079 Page 3
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 advice from your health care provider.
SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
This water supply obtains its water from the sand and gravel of the Alluvial aquifer. The Alluvial aquifer was determined to be highly
susceptible to contamination because the characteristics of the aquifer and overlying materials provide little protection from
contamination at the land surface. The Alluvial wells will be highly susceptible to surface contaminants such as leaking underground
storage tanks, contaminant spills, and excess fertilizer application. A detailed evaluation of your source water (PWSID# 5225079)
was completed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and is available at
https://programs.iowadnr.gov/sourcewater/
This water supply obtains water from one or more surface waters. Surface water sources are susceptible to sources of contamination
within the drainage basin.
Surface Water Name Susceptibility
Iowa River (Sand Pit) high
Iowa River high
OTHER INFORMATION
*Turbidity is an indicator of treatment filter performance and is regulated as a treatment technique.
†The contaminant is currently unregulated by a MCL and is being monitored and reported as part of the 2018-2020 UCMR4
CONTACT INFORMATION
Public Meeting Information
We encourage our customers to attend and participate in the meetings about our water utility. The Iowa City Council meets
the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in:
Emma J. Harvat Hall
410 E Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240−1826
For Meeting information call (319) 356−5041
For questions regarding this information or how you can get involved in decisions regarding the water system, please contact Iowa
City Water Division at 319-356-5160.