Consumer Water Safety Report 2005

MAHONING COUNTY SANITARY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

MAHONING COUNTY / NORTH JACKSON WATER DISTRICT

Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report for 2005

The Mahoning County/Jackson water system has prepared the following report to provide information to you, the consumer, on the quality of our drinking water. This report is required as part of the Safe Drinking Water Act Re-authorization of 1996.

The Mahoning County/Jackson water system obtains its drinking water from the Meander Reservoir. The Meander Reservoir is operated by the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District (M.V.S.D.) and is considered a surface water source which requires treatment prior to use as drinking water. The Mahoning County/Jackson water system purchases a finished product from the M.V.S.D. and operates a water distribution system only.

The 500,000 gallon water storage tank on Mahoning Ave. is complete and in full operation. It will provide a more stable water supply for the entire community. The completion of the water line project to connect Craig Beach to the Youngstown system for water supply will be completed in early 2006.

What are sources of contamination to drinking water?

The sources of drinking water both tap water and bottled water; include river, 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 source water include: (A) Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife; (B) 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; (C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses; (D) Organic chemical 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; (E) radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for 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 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 (1-800-426-4791).

Who needs to take special precautions?

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 infection. 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 (1-800-426-4791).

How is Your Drinking Water Treated?

The Mahoning Valley Sanitary District treats approximately 28 million gallons per day of raw water from Meander Creek Reservoir and pumps it to Youngstown, Niles and McDonald. These communities distribute the water to residents and surrounding areas. Treatment includes chemical addition for softening, disinfection, fluoridation, taste and odor control, mixing, settling, filtration and pumping. The City of Youngstown sells bulk water to the Mahoning County/Jackson water system.

Table of Detected Contaminants for 2005

Contamination (Unit)

MCLG

MCL

Level Found

Detection

Range

Violation

Sample

Year

Typical Source of Contaminants

Bacteriological

Turbidity (NTU)

N/A

0.29

0.03-0.29

2005

Soil Runoff

Turbidity (% sampling

meeting standard)

N/A

100%

N/A

2005

Soil Runoff

Inorganic Contaminants

Nitrate (mg/l)

10.0

0.393 AVG

<0.10-0.393

2005

Runoff from fertilizer & leachate from septic tanks

Fluoride (mg/l)

1.15

0.88-1.15

2005

Additive for strong teeth

Barium (mg/l)

0.014

N/A

2005

Discharge from drilling & metal refineries erosion

of natural deposits

Synthetic Organic Compounds

Atrazine (ug/l)

0.329

N/A

2005

Runoff from herbicide used on row crops

Volatile Organic Contaminants

TTHM=s (ug/l) Total

Trihalomethanes

53.89 AVG

41.47-69.72

2005

Water Purification By-Product

HAA5's (ug/q) Total

Haloacetic Acids

27.7 AVG.

18.6-34.6

2005

Water Purification By-Product

Bromodichloromethane

(ug/l)

N/A

2.2

N/A

2005

Water Purification By-Product

Chloroform (ug/l)

N/A

2005

Water Purification By-Product

How do I participate in decisions concerning my drinking water?

Public participation and comments regarding water are encouraged at regular meetings of the County Commissioners which meet Thursdays at 10:00AM in the Commissioners Hearing Room at the Mahoning County Courthouse, 120 Market St., Youngstown, OH 44503. For more information on your drinking water contact Andrew D=Apolito, Superintendent of Operations at (330) 793-5514 ext 6413.

The Mahoning Valley District public water system uses surface water drawn from the Meander Creek Reservoir. For the purposes of source water assessments, in Ohio all surface waters are considered to be susceptible to contamination. By their nature, surface waters are readily accessible and can be contaminated by chemicals and pathogens which may rapidly arrive at the public drinking water intake with little warning or time to prepare.

The Mahoning Valley Sanitary District=s drinking water source protection area is susceptible to runoff from row crop agriculture and animal feedlot operations, oil and gas wells, failing home and commercial septic systems, road/rail crossings, and new housing and commercial development that could increase runoff from roads and parking lots.

The Mahoning Valley Sanitary District treats the water to meet drinking water quality standards, but no single treatment technique can address all potential contaminants. The potential for water quality impacts can further be decreased by implementing measures to protect Meander Creek Reservoir and its watershed. More detailed information is provided in the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District=s Drinking Water Source assessment report, which can be obtained by calling Edward McCormick at 330-652-3614.

Definitions of some terms contained within this report

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): 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.

Maximum Contaminant level (MCL): the highest level of contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

Parts per Million (ppm) or Milligrams per Liter (mg/L) are units of measure for concentration of a contaminant. A part per million corresponds to one second in a little over 11.5 days.

Parts per Billion (ppb) or Micrograms per Liter (ug/L) are units of measure for concentration of a contaminant. A part per billion corresponds to one second in 31.7 years.

Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water systems must follow.

Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

The A<A symbol: A symbol which means less than. A result of <5 means that the lowest level that could be detected was 5 and the contaminant in that sample was not detected.

Nephelometric Turbidity Unity (NTU): Nephelometric Turbidity Unit is a measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable by the average person.

The Mahoning County Sanitary Engineering Department

Lake Milton-Craig Beach Area

Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report

For 2005

Introduction

The Mahoning County/Craig Beach water system has prepared the following report to provide information to you, the consumer, on the quality of our drinking water. Included within this report is general health information, water quality test results, how to participate in decisions concerning your drinking water and water system contacts.

Mahoning County is continuing to improve and update the distribution system throughout Craig Beach and Milton Township as evidenced by the recent water line improvements and the presence of department personnel and equipment. The construction of the water line to service Craig Beach with water from the Youngstown system will be completed and in service by June 2006.

Source Water Information.

The Mahoning County/Craig Beach water system receives its drinking water from 3 wells located at the plant site on Red Dog Lane and 1 well located on Jersey Dr. near the fire station. Mahoning County has reached an agreement with the city of Youngstown to supply water to the new Jackson-Milton Metro Water District operated by Mahoning County. This will allow Mahoning County to connect Craig Beach water to Youngstown Water which is a more reliable source and can support development. Over 2 miles of the 12 inch main line has been installed on Mahoning Ave. as part of this project and bids have been opened to complete the connection.

What are sources of contamination to drinking water?

The sources of drinking water both tap water and bottled water includes 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 source water include: (A) Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife; (B) 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; (C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses; (D) Organic chemical 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; (E) radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

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 for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency=s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

Who needs to take special precautions?

About your drinking water.

The EPA requires regular sampling to ensure drinking water safety. The Mahoning County/Craig Beach water system conducted bacteria, inorganic, radiological, and volatile organic contaminant sampling during 2005. Samples were collected for a number of different contaminants most of which were not detected in the Mahoning County/Craig Beach water supply. The Ohio EPA requires us to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently.

Listed below is information on those contaminants that were detected in Mahoning County/Craig Beach drinking water.

Contaminants (Units)

MCLG

MCL

Level Found

Range of Detections

Violation

Sample

Year

Typical Source of Contaminants

Synthetic Organic compounds

HAA5's (ppb) Total Haloacetic Acids

11.8

2005

Water purification by-product

Volatile Organic Contaminants

Bromoform (ppb)

4.10.

2005