ANNUAL DRINKING WATER QUALITY REPORT 2014

Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2014 Town of Pax Water Company P.O. Box 118 88-A Center Street Pax, WV 25904 PWS#WV3301026 June 26, 2015 Why am I receiving this report? In compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments, the Town of Pax Water Company is providing its customers with this annual water quality report. This report explains where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies. The information in this report shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1st to December 31st, 2013 or earlier if not on a yearly schedule. If you have any questions concerning this report, you may contact William Bailey, Chief Operator, (304) 877-2407 (Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.). If you have any further questions, comments or suggestions, please attend any of our regularly scheduled water board meetings held on the 1st Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the Pax Town Hall, 88 Center Street, Pax, WV. Where does my water come from? Your drinking water is purchased from the Beckley Water Company which uses surface water from the Glade Creek reservoir and ground water from the Sweeneysburg well. Source Water Assessment The well that supplies drinking water to Beckley Water Company has a higher susceptibility to contamination, due to the sensitive nature of the aquifer in which the drinking water well is located and the existing potential contaminant sources identified within the area. This does not mean that the wellfield will become contaminated; only that conditions are such that the ground water could be impacted by a potential contaminant source. Future contamination may be avoided by implementing protective measures. The source water assessment report which contains more information is available for review or a copy will be provided to you at our office during business hours or from the WVBPH (304) 558-2981 All drinking water contains various amounts and kinds of contaminants. Federal and state regulations establish limits, controls, and treatment practices to minimize these contaminants and to reduce any subsequent health effects. Why must water be treated? All drinking water contains various amounts and kinds of contaminants.Federal and state regulations establish limits, controls, and treatment practices to minimize these contaminants and to reduce any subsequent health effects. Contaminants in Water In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits of 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 these 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 (800-426-4791). The source of drinking water (both tap and bottled water) includes rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of 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: 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, 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, which 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, which can be naturally-occurring or the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. 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 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). Water Quality Data Table Definitions of terms and abbreviations used in the table or report: MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): 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. MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): 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 technique. MRDLG ( Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal): The level of drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect benefits of use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level): The highest level of disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of disinfectant is necessary to control microbial contaminants. AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, when exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. TT – Treatment Technique, or a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water Abbreviations that may be found in the table: pCi/l – picocuries per liter ppm (parts per million): One part substance per million parts water (or milligrams per liter) ppb (parts per billion): One part substance per billion parts water (or micrograms per liter) N/A – not applicable NE – not established ND – (not detected): Indicates that the substance was not found by laboratory analysis NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit): Measurement of the clarity, or turbidity, of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person. The Beckley Water Company and Town of Pax Water Company routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to federal and state laws. The tables below show the results of our monitoring for contaminants. Table of Test Results – Regulated contaminants – Beckley Water Company-Glade Creek WE ARE PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE TOWN OF PAX WATER COMPANY MET ALL STATE AND FEDERAL DRINKING WATER STANDARDS FOR THE REPORTING YEAR 2014. Additional Information All other water test results for the year 2014 were all non-detects. Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness in water. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filters. If present, elevated levels of lead can cause 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. The Town of Pax Water Company 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 drinking 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/safe water/lead. This report will not be mailed. A copy will be provided to you upon request at our office during regular business hours. 7-3-FRI-1-RH; LG 3150