City of Jetmore  

Consumer Confidence Report – 2014

Covering Calendar Year – 2013

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. It is important that customers be aware of the efforts that are made continually to improve their water systems. To learn more about your drinking water, please attend any of the regularly scheduled meetings which are held at 7:00 PM, the first Thursday of the month at the City Office – 109 Bramley Street, Jetmore, KS.

For more information please contact, Grayson Path at 620-357-8344.

Your water comes from 3 Ground Water Wells.

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 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 2013 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, 2013.  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. The bottom line is that the water that is provided to you is safe.

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.