ANNUAL DRINKING WATER QUALITY REPORT 2024
BERKELEY SPRINGS CITY OF
WV3303301
Consumer Confidence Report – 2024
Covering Calendar Year – 2023
This brochure is a snapshot of the quality of the water that we provided last year. Included are the details about where your water comes from, what it contains and
how it compares to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state standards. We are committed to providing you with information because informed customers
are our best allies. If you would like to observe the decision-making process that affects drinking water quality or if you have any questions, comments or
suggestions, please attend any regularly scheduled water board meeting held on the first Monday of each month at 4:30 p.m. in the Town Hall or call SCOTT MERKI
at 304-258-1290.
Your water comes from Surface water:
Source Name Source Water Type
SPILLWAY CHANNEL Surface Water
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as those 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).
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 EPA’s Safe
Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled water) included 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 sources water before we treat it include:
Microbial Contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, 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 or farming.
Pesticides and Herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as storm water run-off, agriculture and residential users.
Radioactive Contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or the result of mining activity.
Organic Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and also come
from gas stations, urban storm water run-off and septic systems.
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulation which limits the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.
We treat our water according to EPA’s regulations. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the
same protection for public health.
Our water system has an estimated population of 3526 and is required to test a minimum of 4 sample(s) per month in accordance with the Total Coliform Rule for
microbiological contaminants. Coliform bacteria are usually harmless, but their presence in water can be an indication of disease-causing bacteria. When coliform
bacteria are found, special follow-up tests are done to determine if harmful bacteria are present in the water supply. If this limit is exceeded, the water supplier must
notify the public.
Water Quality Data
The following tables list all of the drinking water contaminants which were detected during the 2023 calendar year. The presence of these contaminants does not
necessarily indicate the water poses a health risk. Unless noted, the data presented in this table is from the testing done January 1-December 31, 2023. The state
requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from
year to year. Some of the data, though representative of the water quality, is more than one year old.
Terms & Abbreviations
• Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): the “Goal” is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to human
health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
• Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): the “Maximum Allowed” MCL is 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.
• Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL): recommended level for a contaminant that is not regulated and has no MCL.
• Action Level (AL): the concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements.
• Treatment Technique (TT): a required process intended to reduce levels of a contaminant in drinking water.
• 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.
• Non-Detects (ND): lab analysis indicates that the contaminant is not present.
• Parts per Million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L).
• Parts per Billion (ppb) or micrograms per liter (ug/L).
• Picocuries per Liter (pCi/L): a measure of the radioactivity in water.
• Millirems per Year (mrem/yr): measure of radiation absorbed by the body.
• Monitoring Period Average (MPA): An average of sample results obtained during a defined time frame, common examples of monitoring periods are monthly,
quarterly and yearly.
• Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU): a measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person. Turbidity is not
regulated for groundwater systems.
• Running Annual Average (RAA): an average of sample results obtained over the most current 12 months and used to determine compliance with MCLs.
•Locational Running Annual Average (LRAA): Average of sample analytical results for samples taken at a particular monitoring location during the previous four
calendar quarters.
Testing Results for: BERKELEY SPRINGS CITY OF
Regulated Collection Highest Range
Contaminants Date Value (low/high) Unit MCL MCLG Typical Source
BARIUM 9/12/2023 0.0542 0.0542 ppm 2 2 Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from
metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits
NITRATE 3/9/2023 0.21 0.15 – 0.21 ppm 10 10 Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic
tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits
NITRATE-NITRITE 2/14/2019 0.76 0.76 ppm 10 10 Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic
tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits
Disinfection Sample Collection Highest Range
Byproducts Point Date Value (low/high) Unit MCL MCLG Typical Source
TOTAL WARM SPRINGS
HALOACETIC INTERMEDIATE
ACIDS (HAA5) SCHOOL 2023 3 3 – 3 ppb 60 0 By-product of drinking water disinfection
TTHM CLOSE CPA
& INSURANCE
RT. 522 2023 5 5 – 5 ppb 80 0 By-product of drinking water chlorination
TTHM WARM SPRINGS
INTERMEDIATE
SCHOOL 2023 12 12 – 12 ppb 80 0 By-product of drinking water chlorination
Monitoring 90th Range Sites
Lead and Copper Period Percentile (low/high) Unit AL Over AL Typical Source
COPPER, FREE 2021 0.57 0.0084 – 0.63 ppm 1.3 0 Corrosion of household plumbing systems;
Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from
wood preservatives
LEAD 2021 1.2 0.15 – 1.7 ppb 15 0 Corrosion of household plumbing systems;
Erosion of natural deposits
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. Your water system 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.
BERKELEY SPRINGS CITY OF is working towards identifying service line materials throughout the water distribution supply. The service line inventory is required
to be submitted to the state by October 16, 2024. The most up to date inventory is located at Town Hall, if you have any questions about our inventory, please contact
SCOTT MERKI at 304-258-1290.
Chlorine/Chloramines
Maximum Disinfection Level MPA MPA Units RAA RAA Units
2/1/2023 – 2/28/2023 0.98000 MG/L 0.80000 MG/L
Unresolved Deficiency
Date Identified Facility Comments
1/4/2022 DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Water system has not implemented a cross connection control and backflow prevention program; this has been
repeatedly noted on past SS. The Chief Operator has begun the process but there is much work remaining
to be done.
1/4/2022 WATER SYSTEM Plant is allowed to run unattended without properly certified operator present at all times. This plant was
previously granted waiver to operate by automation but this expired ~ 17 years ago. The PWS must maintain
a properly certified operator present until such time that all requirements of DW-36 are met and a new waiver
has been issued.
1/4/2022 WATER SYSTEM Previous significant deficiencies regarding allowing the plant to operate unattended without certified operator
present at all times along with not fully implementing a cross connection control & backflow prevention
program have not been addressed.
Total Organic Carbon Collection Highest
Lowest Month for Removal Date Value Range Unit TT Typical Source
CARBON, TOTAL 3/9/2023 0 0 MG/L 0 Naturally present in the environment
Analyte Facility Highest Value Unit of Measure Month Occurred
TURBIDITY TREATMENT PLANT-BERKELEY SPRINGS 0.374 NTU June
Radiological Collection Highest
Contaminants Date Value Range Unit MCL MCLG Typical Source
GROSS ALPHA, EXCL. RADON & U 2/14/2019 3.92 3.92 pCi/L 15 0 Erosion of natural deposits
Secondary Contaminants-Non Health Based
Contaminants – No Federal Maximum
Contaminate Level (MCL) Established Collection Date Highest Value Range (low/high) Unit SMCL
SODIUM 9/12/2023 5.89 5.89 MG/L 1000
During the 2023 calendar year, we had the below noted violation(s) of drinking water regulations.
Compliance Period Analyte Comments
7/1/2023 – 9/30/2023 CARBON, TOTAL Failed to monitor/report as required for chlorine or disinfection by-products
NOTE: The Berkeley Springs Water Works does not test for total toc and a rescind request has been sent to remove the violation.
There are no additional required health effects notices
There are no additional required health effects violation notices.
Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the enviornment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful waterborne pathogens may be present,
or that a potential pathway exists through which contamination may enter the drinking water distribution system. We found coliforms, indicating the need to look for
potential problems in water treatment or distribution. When this occurs, we are required to conduct assessment(s) to identify and correct any problems that were found
during these assessments.
Some or all of our drinking water is supplied from another water system. The table below lists all of the drinking water contaminants, which were detected during the
2023 calendar year from the water systems that we purchase drinking water from.
Please Note: Because of sampling schedules, results may be older than 1 year.
During the 2023 calendar year, the water systems that we purchase water from had the below noted violation(s) of drinking water regulations.
Water System Type Category Analyte Compliance Period
No Detected Results were Found in the Calendar Year of 2023.
There are no additional required health effects notices.
There are no additional required health effects violation notices.
Your CCR is available at Townofbath.org. Or, pick up at the BSWW office 271 Wilkes St., Berkeley Springs.
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