CITY OF
2008 WATER QUALITY REPORT
The Freeport Water & Sewer Commission is pleased
to present to you this year’s Water Quality Report. This report is a summary of the quality of
water that we provided last year.
Included in the report are details about where your water comes from,
what it contains and how it compares to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and state health standards. We are
committed to providing you with information because informed customers are our
best allies. For more information about
this report, please feel free to visit our web page at http://www.essex1.com/people/fwascmain/fwasc-main.htm or contact
During the 2007 calendar year the Water & Sewer
Commission conducted tests for 40 drinking water contaminants. We are pleased to report that no drinking
water quality violations were recorded during 2007. We have learned through our monitoring and
testing that some constituents have been detected. The EPA has determined that your water “is
safe” at these levels. 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 the water poses a
health risk. More information about
contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Safe
Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, USEPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.
Unregulated contaminants are those for which EPA has
not established drinking water standards.
The purpose of unregulated contaminant monitoring is to assist EPA in
determining the occurrence of unregulated contaminants in drinking water and
whether future regulation is warranted.
The Water & Sewer Commission monitored for EPA’s list of unregulated
contaminants in May and December of 2003.
Results are available by visiting our web page or by calling our water
office at 815-233-0111.
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 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
the 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).
While
The Freeport Water Treatment Plant has been in operation
since 1882. Through 11,000 services
connections, the Water & Sewer Commission supplies an average of 3.1
million gallons per day of treated drinking water to the local population. Most of
The most recent well (No. 8) added to the City’s
water distribution system was in October 2000.
This well obtains water from the St. Peter Sandstone aquifer and the
much deeper Ironton-Galesville aquifers.
Because the source water is lower in manganese and iron, only the
chlorination and fluoridation treatment processes are needed.
To determine
In addition to the informational section of this
report, we have included a water quality data table for your review. The table will give you a better picture of
the contaminants that were detected in
City of
Definitions: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant
in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to
health. MCLG’s allow for a margin of
safety. Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that
is allowed in drinking water. MCL’s are set
as close to the MCLG’s as feasible using the best available treatment
technology. Action Level (
Abbreviations: ND.:
Not
detected at testing limits. N/A:
Not applicable. ppm: Parts
per million or milligrams per liter. ppb: Parts per billion or micrograms per
liter. ppt: Parts per trillion or nanograms per
liter. pCi/l: picocuries per liter is a measure of the
radioactivity in water. # of
positives/month: Number of
positive samples per month.
The table below lists all
the drinking water contaminants that were detected during the period of January
1 to
|
TEST RESULTS - DETECTED CONTAMINANTS |
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
Contaminant
(units) |
MCLG |
MCL |
Level Found |
Range of Detections |
Violation Y/N |
Date
of Sample |
Likely
Source of Contamination |
|
|||||||
Microbiological Contaminants
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
Total
Coliform Bacteria (#
positive samples/month) |
0 |
>1 |
1 |
ND. to 1 |
N |
|
Naturally
present in the environment. |
|
|||||||
|
Radioactive Contaminants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Beta/Photon Emitters (pCi/L) |
0 |
50 |
6.3 |
3.0 to 9.0 |
N |
2003 Data |
Decay
of natural and man-made deposits. |
|
|||||||
|
Alpha
Emitters (pCi/L) |
0 |
15 |
9.5 |
6 to 13 |
N |
2005 Data |
Erosion
of natural deposits. |
|
|||||||
|
Combined
Radium (pCi/L) |
0 |
5 |
4.95 |
2.2 to 5.3 |
N |
2005 Data |
Erosion
of natural deposits. |
|
|||||||
|
Radium
226 (pCi/L) |
N/A |
N/A |
2.9 |
1.3 to 3.0 |
N |
2005 Data |
Erosion
of natural deposits. |
|
|||||||
|
Radium
228 (pCi/L) |
N/A |
N/A |
2.05 |
0.9 to 2.3 |
N |
2005 Data |
Erosion
of natural deposits. |
|
|||||||
|
Inorganics Contaminants |
|
||||||||||||||
|
Barium (ppm) |
2 |
2 |
0.076 |
0.048 to 0.076 |
N |
|
Discharge
of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural
deposits. |
|
|||||||
|
Copper (ppm) |
1.3 |
|
0.200 |
0 exceeding |
N |
|
Corrosion
of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from
wood preservatives. |
|
|||||||
|
Fluoride (ppm) |
4 |
4 State |
1.0 |
0.9 to 1.4 |
N |
|
Water
additive which promotes strong teeth. |
|
|||||||
|
Iron (ppb) |
N/A |
1000 State |
150 |
ND. to 150 |
N |
|
Erosion
from naturally occurring deposits. |
|
|||||||
|
Lead (ppb) |
0 |
|
6.3 |
1 exceeding |
N |
|
Corrosion
of household plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits. |
|
|||||||
|
Manganese
(ppb) |
N/A |
150 State |
1.7 |
ND. to 1.7 |
N |
|
Erosion
of naturally occurring deposits. |
|
|||||||
|
Nitrate & Nitrite (As Nitrogen) (ppm) |
10 |
10 |
0.041 |
ND. to 0.041 |
N |
|
Runoff
from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural
deposits. |
|
|||||||
|
Nitrate (As Nitrogen) (ppm) |
10 |
10 |
0.32 |
0.26 to 0.32 |
N |
|
Runoff
from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural
deposits. |
|
|||||||
|
Sodium (ppm) |
N/A |
N/A |
13.0 |
5.7 to 13.0 |
N |
|
Erosion
of naturally occurring deposits; used as a water softener. |
|
|||||||
|
Sulfate (ppm) |
N/A |
N/A |
35.0 |
18.0 to 35.0 |
N |
|
Erosion
of naturally occurring deposits. |
|
|||||||
|
Zinc (ppb) |
N/A |
5000 State |
8 |
ND. to 8 |
N |
|
Naturally
occurring; discharge from metal factories. |
|
|||||||
|
Disinfectants/Disinfection
By-Products |
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
TTHM
[Total Trihalomethanes] (ppb) |
N/A |
80 |
63.3 |
41.1 to 111.2 |
N |
|
By-product
of drinking water chlorination. |
|
|||||||
|
Bromodichloromethane
(ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
16.8 |
12 to 27 |
N |
|
By-product
of drinking water chlorination. |
|
|||||||
|
Bromoform
(ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
1.2 |
0.8 to 2.2 |
N |
|
Discharge
from manufacturing plants; used to dissolve dirt and grease. |
|
|||||||
|
Chloroform
(ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
36.8 |
21 to 70 |
N |
|
Used
as a solvent for fats, oils, rubber, resins; A cleansing agent; found in fire
extinguishers. |
|
|||||||
|
Dibromochloromethane
(ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
8.6 |
7.3 to 12 |
N |
|
Used
as a chemical reagent; an intermediate in organic synthesis. |
|
|||||||
|
Total
Haloacetic Acids (ppb) |
N/A |
60 |
12.0 |
5.0 to 20.0 |
N |
|
By-product
of drinking water chlorination. |
|
|||||||
|
Dichloroacetic Acid (ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
5.5 |
ND. to 12 |
N |
|
By-product
of drinking water chlorination. |
|
|||||||
|
Trichloroacetic
Acid (ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
4.8 |
3 to 6 |
N |
|
By-product
of drinking water chlorination. |
|
|||||||
|
Dibromoacetic Acid (ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
1.7 |
ND. to 2.8 |
N |
|
By-product
of drinking water chlorination. |
|
|||||||
|
Chlorine (free) (ppm) |
4 |
4 |
1.08 |
0.17 to 2.15 |
N |
|
Water
additive used to control microbes. |
|
|||||||
|
Volatile Organic
Contaminants |
|
||||||||||||||
|
Cis-1,2-Dichloroethlyene
(ppb) |
70 |
70 |
0.52 |
0.50 to 0.54 |
N |
|
Discharge
from industrial chemical factories. |
|
|||||||
About The Data
Beta/Photon
Emitters: EPA
considers 50 pCi/L to be a level of concern for beta particles. The actual MCL
for beta particles is 4 mrem/year.
Fluoride: Fluoride is added to the water supply to help
promote strong teeth. The Illinois
Department of Public Health recommends an optimal fluoride range of 0.9 mg/L to
1.2 mg/L.
Iron: This contaminant is not currently regulated by
USEPA. However, the state has set an MCL
for this contaminant for supplies serving a population of 1000 or more.
Lead: Infants and young 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 homes plumbing. If you are
concerned about elevated lead levels in your home’s water, you may wish to have
your water tested and you should flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes
before using tap water. Additional
information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline
(800-426-4791).
Manganese: This contaminant is not currently regulated by
USEPA. However, the state has set an MCL
for this contaminant for supplies serving a population of 1000 or more.
Sodium: There is not a state or federal MCL for sodium. Monitoring is required to provide information
to consumers and health officials that are concerned about sodium intake due to
dietary precautions. If you are on a sodium
restricted diet, you should consult a physician about this level of sodium in
the water.
Trihalomethanes: Some people who drink water containing
trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems
with their liver, kidneys or central nervous systems and may have an increased
risk of getting cancer.
Unregulated
Contaminants: A
maximum contamination level (MCL) for this contaminant has not been established
by either state or federal regulations, nor has mandatory health effects
language. The purpose for monitoring
this contaminant is to assist USEPA in determining the occurrence of
unregulated contaminates in drinking water, and whether future regulation is
warranted.
Zinc: This contaminant is not currently regulated by
USEPA. However, the state has set an MCL
for this contaminant and therefore monitoring is required.
|
TEST RESULTS - UNDETECTED CONTAMINANTS |
|
|||||||
|
Contaminant
(units) |
MCLG |
MCL |
Level Found |
Range of Detections |
Violation Y/N |
Date of Sample |
Likely
Source of Contamination |
|
|
Microbiological
Contaminants |
|
|||||||
|
Fecal coliform and E.coli |
0 |
>1 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
2007 Data |
Human
and animal fecal waste. |
|
Inorganic Contaminants
|
|
|||||||
|
Antimony (ppb) |
6 |
6 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder. |
|
|
Arsenic (ppb) |
N/A |
10 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Erosion
of natural deposits; runoff from orchards; runoff from glass and electronics
production wastes |
|
|
Beryllium (ppb) |
4 |
4 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from metal refineries and coal-burning factories; discharge from electrical,
aerospace, and defense industries. |
|
|
Cadmium (ppb) |
5 |
5 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Corrosion
of galvanized pipes; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from metal
refineries; runoff from waste batteries and paints. |
|
|
Chromium (ppb) |
100 |
100 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits. |
|
|
Cyanide (ppb) |
200 |
200 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from steel/metal factories; discharge from plastic and fertilizer factories. |
|
|
Mercury (inorganic) (ppb) |
2 |
2 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Erosion
of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from
landfills; runoff from cropland. |
|
|
Nickel (ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Erosion
from naturally occurring sources;
discharges from nickel plating, storage batteries, magnets, electrodes
and spark plugs. |
|
|
Nitrite (ppm) |
1 |
1 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Runoff
from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks; sewage; erosion of natural
deposits. |
|
|
Selenium (ppb) |
50 |
50 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from petroleum and metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits; discharge
from mines. |
|
|
Thallium (ppb) |
0.5 |
2 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Leaching
from ore-processing sites; discharge from electronics, glass and drug
factories. |
|
|
Synthetic Organic
Contaminants including Pesticides and Herbicides |
|
|||||||
|
2,4-D
(ppb) |
70 |
70 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Runoff
from herbicide used on row crops. |
|
|
2,4,5-TP
(Silvex) (ppb) |
50 |
50 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Residue
of banned herbicide. |
|
|
Alachlor
(ppb) |
0 |
2 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Runoff
from herbicide used on row crops. |
|
|
Aldrin
(ppb) |
N/A |
1.0
State |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Runoff
from use as an insecticide, not uses since 1987. |
|
|
Atrazine
(ppb) |
3 |
3 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Runoff
from herbicide used on row crops. |
|
|
Benzo(a)pyrene
(PAH) (ppt) |
0 |
200 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Leaching
from linings of water storage tanks and distribution lines. |
|
|
Carbofuran
(ppb) |
40 |
40 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Leaching
of soil fumigant used on rice and alfalfa. |
|
|
Chlordane
(ppb) |
0 |
2 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Residue
of banned termiticide. |
|
|
Dalapon
(ppb) |
200 |
200 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Runoff
from herbicide used on rights of way. |
|
|
DDT (ppb) |
N/A |
50.0
State |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Runoff
from use as a contact insecticide. |
|
|
Di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate (ppb) |
400 |
400 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from chemical factories. |
|
|
Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
(ppb) |
0 |
6 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from rubber and chemical factories. |
|
|
Dibromochloropropane (ppt) |
0 |
200 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Runoff/leaching
from soil fumigant used on soybeans, cotton, pineapples, and orchards. |
|
|
Dieldrin
(ppb) |
N/A |
1.0
State |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Runoff
from use as an insecticide; not used since 1987. |
|
|
Dinoseb
(ppb) |
7 |
7 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Runoff
from herbicide used on soybeans and vegetables. |
|
|
Diquat
(ppb) |
20 |
20 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Runoff
from herbicide use. |
|
|
Endothall
(ppb) |
100 |
100 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Runoff
from herbicide use. |
|
|
Endrin
(ppb) |
2 |
2 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Residue
of banned insecticide. |
|
|
Ethylene
dibromide (ppt) |
0 |
50 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from petroleum refineries. |
|
|
Glyphosate
(ppb) |
700 |
700 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Runoff
from herbicide use. |
|
|
Heptachlor
(ppt) |
0 |
400 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Residue
of banned termiticide. |
|
|
Heptachlor
epoxide (ppt) |
0 |
200 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Breakdown
of heptachlor. |
|
|
Hexachlorobenzene
(ppb) |
0 |
1 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from metal refineries and agricultural chemical factories. |
|
|
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (ppb) |
50 |
50 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from chemical factories. |
|
|
Lindane
(ppt) |
200 |
200 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Runoff/leaching
from insecticide used on cattle, lumber, gardens. |
|
|
Methoxychlor
(ppb) |
40 |
40 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Runoff/leaching
from insecticide used on fruits, vegetables, alfalfa, livestock. |
|
|
Oxamyl
[Vydate] (ppb) |
200 |
200 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Runoff/leaching
from insecticide used on apples, potatoes and tomatoes. |
|
|
PCBs [Polychlorinated biphenyls] (ppt) |
0 |
500 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Runoff
from landfills; discharge of waste chemicals. |
|
|
Pentachlorophenol
(ppb) |
0 |
1 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from wood preserving factories. |
|
|
Picloram
(ppb) |
500 |
500 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Herbicide
runoff. |
|
|
Simazine
(ppb) |
4 |
4 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Herbicide
runoff. |
|
|
Toxaphene
(ppb) |
0 |
3 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Runoff/leaching
from insecticide used on cotton and cattle. |
|
|
Volatile Organic
Contaminants- |
|
|||||||
|
Benzene
(ppb) |
0 |
5 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from factories; leaching from gas storage tanks and landfills. |
|
|
Carbon
tetrachloride (ppb) |
0 |
5 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from chemical plants and other industrial activities. |
|
|
Chlorobenzene
(ppb) |
100 |
100 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from chemical and agricultural chemical factories. |
|
|
o-Dichlorobenzene
(ppb) |
600 |
600 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from industrial chemical factories. |
|
|
p-Dichlorobenzene
(ppb) |
75 |
75 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from industrial chemical factories. |
|
|
1,2
- Dichloroethane (ppb) |
0 |
5 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from industrial chemical factories. |
|
|
1,1
- Dichloroethylene (ppb) |
7 |
7 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from industrial chemical factories. |
|
|
trans - 1,2
Dichloroethylene (ppb) |
100 |
100 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from industrial chemical factories. |
|
|
Dichloromethane
(ppb) |
0 |
5 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from pharmaceutical and chemical factories. |
|
|
1,2-Dichloropropane
(ppb) |
0 |
5 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from industrial chemical factories. |
|
|
Ethylbenzene
(ppb) |
700 |
700 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from petroleum refineries. |
|
|
Styrene
(ppb) |
100 |
100 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from rubber and plastic factories; leaching from landfills. |
|
|
Tetrachloroethylene
(ppb) |
0 |
5 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Leaching
from PVC pipes; discharge from factories and dry cleaners. |
|
|
1,2,4 -Trichlorobenzene (ppb) |
70 |
70 |
ND |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from textile-finishing factories. |
|
|
1,1,1 - Trichloroethane (ppb) |
200 |
200 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from metal degreasing sites and other factories. |
|
|
1,1,2
-Trichloroethane (ppb) |
3 |
5 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from industrial chemical factories. |
|
|
Trichloroethylene
(ppb) |
0 |
5 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from metal degreasing sites and other factories. |
|
|
Toluene
(ppm) |
1 |
1 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from petroleum factories. |
|
|
Vinyl Chloride (ppb) |
0 |
2 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Leaching
from PVC piping; discharge from plastics factories. |
|
|
Xylenes
(ppm) |
10 |
10 |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Discharge
from petroleum factories; discharge from chemical factories. |
|
|
Additional Contaminants |
|
|||||||
|
Aldicarb
(ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Insecticide |
|
|
Aldicarb
Sulfone (ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
|
|
|
Aldicarb
Sulfoxide (ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
|
|
|
Butachlor
(ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
|
|
|
Carbaryl
(ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
|
|
|
Dicamba
(ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Herbicide |
|
|
3-Hydroxycarbofuran (ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
|
|
|
Methomyl (ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Insecticide |
|
|
Metolachlor (ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Herbicide |
|
|
Metribuzin (ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|
Herbicide |
|
|
Propachlor (ppb) |
N/A |
N/A |
ND. |
ND. |
N |
|||