TOWN OF CHESTERTOWN (PWSID 0140002) 2015 Consumer Confidence Report
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TOWN OF CHESTERTOWN (PWSID 0140002) 2015 Consumer Confidence Report

July 1, 2016| Front Page News, Utilities Commission|

Town of Chestertown (PWSID 0140002)

2015 Consumer Confidence Report

 
  
Is my water safe? 
Last year, as in years past, your tap water met all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state drinking water health standards. Chestertown vigilantly safeguards its water supplies and once again we are proud to report that our system has not violated a maximum contaminant level or any other water quality standard. 
Do I need 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 infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Water Drinking Hotline (800-426-4791). 
Where does my water come from? 
The sources of our drinking water are the Aquia and Magothy aquifers which lie from 40 to 400 feet below the earth’s surface. An aquifer is an underground reservoir of sand saturated with water that can provide significant quantities of water to a well 
Source water assessment and its availability 
We have a source water protection plan available from our office that provides more information such as potential sources of contamination. 
Why are there contaminants in my drinking water? 
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 (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include 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: microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that 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 stormwater 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 agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses; 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 stormwater runoff, and septic systems; and 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 that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.  Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health. 
  
How can I get involved?

We at Chestertown Utilities work around the clock to provide top quality water to every tap. We ask that all our customers help us protect our water sources, which are the heart of our community, our way of life and our children’s future”.

 
Conservation Tips 
Did you know that the average U.S. household uses approximately 350 gallons of water per day? Luckily, there are many low-cost or no-cost ways to conserve water. Water your lawn at the least sunny times of the day. Fix toilet and faucet leaks. Take short showers – a 5 minute shower uses 4 to 10 gallons of water compared to up to 50 gallons for a bath. Turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth and shaving; 3-5 gallons go down the drain per minute. Teach your kids about water conservation to ensure a future generation that uses water wisely. Make it a family effort to reduce next month’s water bill! 
Monitoring and reporting of compliance data violations 
CCR 2014 report was submitted 8 days late.

MDE did not receive the self monitoring forms for the lead and copper sampling that was done in 2014

 
  
Water Quality Data Table 
The table below lists all of the drinking water contaminants that we detected during the calendar year of this report. The presence of contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. Unless otherwise noted, the data presented in this table is from testing done in the calendar year of the report.  The EPA or the State requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. 
  
 MCLGMCL,       
 orTT, orYourRangeSample   
ContaminantsMRDLGMRDLWaterLowHighDateViolationTypical Source 
  
Disinfectants & Disinfection By-Products 
(There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.) 
Chlorine (ppm)4.04.01.00.61.62015NoBy-product of drinking water chlorination 
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (ppb)NA604.03.83.82015NoBy-product of drinking water chlorination 
TTHMs [Total Trihalomethanes] (ppb)NA8018.018.4818.482015NoBy-product of drinking water disinfection 
Inorganic Contaminants 
Barium (ppm)220.1320.1320.1322014NoDischarge of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits 
Fluoride (ppm)440.80.01.42014NoErosion of natural deposits; Water additive which promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories

 

 
Nitrate [measured as Nitrogen] (ppm)10101.78NA 2014NoRunoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits 
Radioactive Contaminants 
Alpha emitters (pCi/L)0

 

154.2NA 2011NoErosion of natural deposits 
Beta/photon emitters (mrem/yr)058.7NA 2011NoDecay of natural and man-made deposits. The EPA considers 50 pCi/L to be the level of concern for Beta particles. 
Combined Radium

226+228

052.3NA 2011 Erosion of natural deposits 
Volatile Organic Contaminants 
Tetrachloroethylene (ppb)050.64NA 2015NoDischarge from factories and dry cleaners 
   YourSample# SamplesExceeds 
ContaminantsMCLGALWaterDateExceeding ALALTypical Source
 
Inorganic Contaminants
Copper – action level at consumer taps (ppm)1.31.30.07820140NoCorrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits
Lead – action level at consumer taps (ppb)015020140NoCorrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits
Additional Monitoring 
As part of an on-going evaluation program the EPA has required us to monitor some additional contaminants/chemicals. Information collected through the monitoring of these contaminants/chemicals will help to ensure that future decisions on drinking water standards are based on sound science. 
  
  Range  
NameReported LevelLowHigh  
  
Chloroform(ppb)

 

0.6    
MTBE(ppb)

 

3.38    
Unit Descriptions 
TermDefinition 
ppmppm: parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/L) 
ppbppb: parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (µg/L) 
pCi/LpCi/L: picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity) 
NANA: not applicable 
NDND: Not detected 
NRNR: Monitoring not required, but recommended. 
Important Drinking Water Definitions 
TermDefinition 
MCLGMCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: 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. 
MCLMCL: Maximum Contaminant Level: 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. 
ALAL: Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. 
Variances and ExemptionsVariances and Exemptions: State or EPA permission not to meet an MCL or a treatment technique under certain conditions. 
MRDLGMRDLG: Maximum residual disinfection level goal. The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. 
MRDLMRDL: Maximum residual disinfectant level. 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. 
MNRMNR: Monitored Not Regulated 
MPLMPL: State Assigned Maximum Permissible Level 
  
  
For more information please contact: 
  
Robert Sipes 
Address: 
118 N. Cross St. 
Chestertown, MD 21620 
Phone 4107780500   Fax 4107784378   E-mail bobsipes@yahoo.com

Last modified: July 1, 2016

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