Ohio Environmental Protect Division of Drinking & Ground Waters

July  2014 Village  of  Ashville  Water  Department Report

Ashville Newsletter. Annually we include in our newsletter a report on the quality of water provided to our residents. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (O-EPA) calls this the CCR or Consumer Confidence Report. All community public water systems are required to prepare a CCR annually and distribute the report to their customers. The report contains information on the community’s drinking water including the source of the water, contaminants detected, the likely sources of detected contaminants, health effects of the contaminants when violations occur, and availability of source water assessments.

CCR’s are required by the 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Federal Rule (40 CFR 141.151 through 155) was finalized August 19, 1998. We hope this information will provide you comfort and security. We recognize that water quality is a very important area of operation.

The Village of Ashville pumped 207.148 million gallons in 2013 with 23.295 removed in the process resulting in total finished pumped or 183.853 MG.

A Word from the Water Department

In 2013 we implemented our backflow cross contamination program. Many inspections have been completed and those inspected have come into full compliance. Not only have we transitioned into a new mind-set of protecting our system, but in the process have been able to  help  businesses  and residents identify problems within their own systems. We have found leaks and plumbing issues that had gone unnoticed by owners and identified potential problems, assisting and advising on how to correct these problems. The backflow information program is on the Village of Ashville website, www.ashvilleohio.gov, which makes it easier to get forms and also answer questions about what backflow means, and what all is involved.

The program is ongoing with continued efforts to improve the process. So far, I would say the program has been a success.  In anticipation of the future and in an effort to provide more reliable information on what our system is doing and what our demands are, we continue to install radio read meters, in addition to replacing some of our larger meters.

 

Introduction

The Ashville Water Department is pleased to provide you with this year’s Consumer Confidence Report. We want to keep you informed about the excellent water and services we have delivered to you over the past year. Our goal is, and has always been, to provide you a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. The treatment facility is located at 140 Park Street. The water treatment facility removes iron and manganese by oxidation and filtration. The filtered water is softened using an ion-exchange process. The softened water is disinfected with chlorine prior to distribution to our customer. The Village of Ashville’s Water Department has prepared the following report to provide information to you, the consumer, on the quality of our drinking water.  Included within this report is general health information, water quality test results, how to participate in decisions concerning your drinking water and water system contacts.

We have been fortunate to have very few interruptions over the last year in our distribution system, such as large breaks resulting in loss of service.  Last year we also installed a new chorine feed system and overhauled our storage room.  New tanks, ventilation, and piping were installed with an outside bulk feed line.  These improvements make the delivery of chlorine significantly safer and more convenient.

Our water plant is turning 80-years old this year and,  although  improve-

ments and additions have been made over the years, we continue to use the oldest part of the plant every day, notably without any violations or problems meeting demand.  Although 2013 brought some changes and challenges, we worked through them all together.    Over the last year I have taken a proactive role in improving customer service and relations, and will continue this effort in the years to come.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for your time.

 

Source Water Information and Its Projection

The Village of Ashville’s Water Department receives its drinking water from two (2) wells located at the village-owned and operated facility. A third (3rd) well is located south of the village on Viking Way. These wells obtain raw water from the Teays Valley Aquifer.  Aquifers are porous underground formations (such as sand or gravel) that are saturated with water.

 The SWAP can be found at http://wwwapp.epa.ohio.gov/gis/swpa/OH6500012.pdf 

How are these sources protected?

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has developed a program called Ohio's Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP) which is designed to protect our sources of drinking water. Through this program, the Ohio EPA has endorsed “the Delineation and Potential Contaminant Source Inventory components of the Village of Ashville’s drinking water source protection plan as meeting the requirements of the Ohio Wellhead Protection and Source Water Assessment and Protection Programs”.  According to this study, the aquifer (water-rich zone) that supplies water to the Village of Ashville has a high susceptibility to contamination.  This determination is based on the following:

• presence of a relatively thin protective layer of clay/shale/other overlying the aquifer,
• shallow depth (less than 50 feet below ground surface) of the uppermost aquifer, and
• presence of significant potential contaminant sources in the protection area.

This susceptibility means that under currently existing conditions, the likelihood of the aquifer becoming contaminated is relatively high.  This likelihood can be minimized by implementing appropriate protective measures. More specifically this report identified seven (7) potential significant sources of contamination within the one year capture zones. They include: (1)sanitary sewer lines, (2,3,4) source wells, (5)natural gas line, (6) Ashville Park, and (7) municipal road maintenance. More information about the source water assessment or what consumers can do to help protect the aquifer is available by calling Tom Bouts, Jim Welsh, or Franklin Christman at 740-983-6367.

 

Special Precaution Needs

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 infection.  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 (1-800-426-4791).

 

What are sources of contamination to drinking water?

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, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include: (A) Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife; (B) 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, or farming; (C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses; (D) Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban Strom water runoff, and septic systems; (E) 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,

USEPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.  FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health. 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 water poses a health risk.  More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency=s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

 

Lead Tier 3 Reporting

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. Village of Ashville’s Water Department 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 or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead

Listed below is information on those contaminants that were found in the Village of Ashville’s Water Department:

  

 

About your drinking water

The EPA requires regular sampling to ensure drinking water safety.  The Ashville Water Department conducted sampling for {bacteria; inorganic; radiological; synthetic organic; volatile organic} during 2011.  Samples were collected for a total of four (4) different contaminants most of which were not detected in the Ashville Water Department water supply.  The Ohio EPA requires us to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently.  Some of our data, though accurate, are more than one year old.

Definitions of some terms contained within this report

• 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.
  Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
• Parts per Million (ppm) or Milligrams per Liter (mg/L) are units of measure for concentration of a contaminant. One ounce in 7,350 gallons of water. A part per million corresponds to one second in a little over 11.5 days.
• Parts per Billion (ppb) or Micrograms per Liter (μg/L) are units of measure for concentration of a contaminant. One ounce in 7,350,000 gallons of water. A part per billion corresponds to one second in 31.7 years.
• Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
• Action Level Goal (ALG): The level of contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. ALGs allow for a margin of safety.
• Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of 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.
• Million Fibers per Liter (MFL) millirems per year (mrem/year)pico Curies per liter is a measure of radioactivity = pCi/L.
  The “<“ symbol: A symbol which means less than. A result of <5 means that the lowest level that could be detected was 5 and the contaminant in that sample was not detected.

 

How do I participate in decisions concerning my drinking water?

We want our valued customers to be informed about their water utility. If you want to learn more, please attend our regularly scheduled Village Council meetings. They are held at 6:30 P.M. on the first and third Monday of each month at 200 East Station Street.

For more information on your drinking water contact James Welsh or Franklin Christman 740 / 983 – 6367.

We are pleased to report that our drinking water is safe and meets federal and state requirements. This report shows your water quality and what it means. Drinking water, including bottled drinking water, may be reasonably expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants.  The presence of these contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. Thank you for allowing us to continue providing your family with clean and quality drinking water this year.

 

Past Consumer Confidence Reports