Central Boaz Public Service District
P. O. Box 127
Parkersburg, WV 26102
PWS# WV3305401
June 1, 2020
2019 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
What is this report?
In compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments, the Central Boaz PSD 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, 2019 or earlier if not on a yearly schedule.
If you have any questions concerning this report, you may contact Cory Willis, Chief Water Operator at 304-422-1675. If you have any further questions, comments or suggestions, please attend any of our regularly scheduled water board meetings held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 4:00 PM in the Vacuum Station, 908 Old River Road, Boaz WV.
Where does my water come from?
Your water source is ground water from a well, purchased from the City of Vienna.
Source Water Assessment
The well field that supplies drinking water to the City of Vienna 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 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 at 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 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.
Our water system has an estimated population of 1418 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.
Contaminants that may be present in source water before it is treated 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 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 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).
Terms and 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.
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.
Running Annual Average (RAA): an average of sample results obtained over the most current 12 months and used to determine compliance with MCLs.
Testing Results
The City of Vienna and Central Boaz PSD routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to federal and state laws. The tables below show the results of monitoring for contaminants.
Copper and lead samples were collected from 10 area residences on 8/15/18 – 8/16/18. The 90th percentile is reported. One sample exceeded the action level for lead.
Additional Information
All other water test results for the reporting year 2019 were non-detects.
Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha radiation. Some people who drink water containing alpha emitters in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
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. Central Boaz PSD 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.
Infants and children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. It is possible that lead levels at your home may be higher than at other homes in the community as a result of materials used in your home’s plumbing. If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your home’s water, you may wish to have your water tested and flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using tap water. Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4761).
This report will not automatically be mailed to each customer. A copy will be provided to you upon request during regular business hours or on our web site at www.woodpsd.org/central-boaz-psd.
June 8