Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2017
CITY OF WILLIAMSTOWN
100 West 5th Street
Williamstown, WV 26187
PWS WV 3305412
May 4, 2018
Why am I receiving this report?
In compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments, the City of Williamstown 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, 2017 or earlier if not on a yearly schedule.
If you have any questions concerning this report, you may contact Alan L. Gates, Chief Operator, 304-375-5900 (Monday through Friday, 7:30AM – 4:00 PM). Further questions, concerns, or comments or suggestions, please attend any of our regularly scheduled City Council meeting held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7:30 PM in the city building, 100 W. 5th Street, Williamstown, WV.
Where does my water come from?
Your drinking water source is ground water from five wells drawing from the Quaternary Alluvium Aquifer.
Source Water Protection Plan
The wells that supply drinking water to the City of Williamstown 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 this well field 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.
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 Agencyás 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, include 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 Cryptosphoridium 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:
ó MCLG – Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, or 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.
ó MCL – Maximum Contaminant Level, or the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technique.
ó MRDLG – Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal, or the level of a 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.
ó MRDL – Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level, or the highest level of disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of disinfectant is necessary to control microbial contaminants.
ó AL – Action Level, or the concentration of a contaminant which, when exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
Abbreviations that may be found in the table:
ó pCi/l – picocuries per liter
ó ppm – parts per million or milligrams per liter
ó ppb – parts per billion or micrograms per liter
ó NA – not applicable
ó NE – not established
ó NTU – Nephelometric Turbidity Unit, used to measure cloudiness in water
The City of Williamstown 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 – City of Williamstown
Contaminant Violation Level Unit of MCLG MCL Likely Source of Contamination
Y/N Detected Measure
Inorganic Contaminants
Barium N 0.0637 ppm 2 2 Discharge from drilling wastes; erosion
(2016) of natural deposits
Fluoride N 0.42 ppb 4 4 Erosion of natural deposits; water
Annual Avg. additive that promotes strong teeth
Range 0.20-0.60
Copper* N 0.237 ppm 1.3 AL=1.3 Corrosion of household plumbing
(2015)
Lead* N 6.5 ppb 15 AL=15 Corrosion of household plumbing
(2015)
Nitrate N 6.20 ppm 10 10 Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from
Annual Avg. septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural
Range 5.46-6.91 deposits
Volatile Organic Contaminants
Chlorine N 0.87 ppm 4 4 Water additive used to control microbes
Annual avg. MRDLG MRDL
Range 0.60 – 1.26
Total Haloacetic acids N 17.2 ppb NA 60 By-products of drinking water disinfection
(HAAC5)
Total trihalomethanes N 18.3 ppb NA 80 By-products of drinking water chlorination
(TTHMs)
*Copper and lead samples were collected from 20 area residences on July 20th and 21st, 2015. Only the 90th percentile is reported. None of the samples exceeded the MCL.
Table of Test Results – Unregulated Contaminants
Contaminant Violation Level Unit of MCLG MCL Likely Source of Contamination
Y/N Detected Measure
Sodium* N 18.5 ppm NA NA Erosion of natural deposits
(2016)
Sulfate N 40.1 ppm 250 250 Erosion of natural deposits
(2016)
*Sodium is an unregulated contaminant. Anyone having a concern over sodium should contact their primary health care provider.
Additional Information
Pharmaceuticals should not be disposed of by flushing down sinks and toilets, call the Wood County Sheriff office for collection location, date and time to accept pharmaceuticals the number is 424-1834
All other water test results for the reporting year 2017 were all non-detects.
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. The City of Williamstown 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/safewater/lead.
This report will not be mailed. A copy will be made available for your use upon request from our office during regular business hours.
Violation(s)
The City of Williamstown had no violations for the 2017 year.
May 14