GARY CITY OF
WV3302420
Consumer Confidence Report – 2025
Covering Calendar Year – 2024

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 1st Tuesday after following the 3rd day of each month at 6:00 pm in the City Hall, Gary, WV or call ROBERT LITTLE at 304-448-2209

Your water comes from Ground 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 water and bottled water) included 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 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 1633 and is required to test a minimum of 2 samples 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 2024 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, 2024. 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 (µg/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: CITY OF GARY

There is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups, especially pregnant people, infants (both formula-fed and breastfed), and young children. Some of the health effects to infants and children include decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can also result in new or worsened learning and behavior problems. The children of persons who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy may be at increased risk of these harmful health effects. Adults have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems. Contact your health care provider for more information about your risks.

Lead can cause serious health effects in people of all ages, especially pregnant people, infants (both formula-fed and breastfed), and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and parts used in service lines and in home plumbing. The CITY OF GARY is responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes but cannot control the variety of materials used in the plumbing in your home. Because lead levels may vary over time, lead exposure is possible even when your tap sampling results do not detect lead at one point in time. You can help protect yourself and your family by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family’s risk. Using a filter, certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead, is effective in reducing lead exposures. Follow the instructions provided with the filter to ensure the filter is used properly. Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula. Boiling water does not remove lead from water. Before using tap water for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula, flush your pipes for several minutes. You can do this by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes. If you have a lead service line or galvanized requiring replacement service line, you may need to flush your pipes for a longer period. If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, contact the CITY OF GARY and ROBERT LITTLE at 304-448-2209. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at
https://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

The CITY OF GARY has completed lead tap sampling in 2024 the results are available for review and can be accessed in person at the City Hall, Gary, WV.

The CITY OF GARY has prepared a service line inventory identifying service line materials throughout the water distribution supply. The most up to date inventory is located at City Hall, Gary, WV. By November 1, 2027, our water system must develop an updated initial inventory, known as the “baseline inventory” and it must include each service line and identified connector that is connected to the public water distribution system.

Our water system identified [lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or lead status unknown] service lines in our inventory.

If you have any questions about our inventory or if you would like information about our service line replacement plan, please contact ROBERT LITTLE at 304-448-2209.

During the 2024 calendar year, we had the below noted violation(s) of drinking water regulations.

Additional Required Health Effects Language:
Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment 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.

There are no additional required health effects notices.
There are no additional required health effects violation notices.

A paper copy of this report will not be mailed to you directly. To receive a paper copy in the mail, please contact us at the phone number above.

ID: 868387