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PAID Hartford, CT Permit No. 1504

The Metropolitan District 555 Main Street PO Box 800 Hartford, CT 06142-0800

T h e M e t r o p o l i t a n D i s t r i c t

Water Quality Report — 2005

MDC water meets state and federal standards for health and safety In 2005, as in years past, tap water delivered by The Metro-politan District Commission met all state and federal health standards for drinking water. The MDC vigilantly safeguards its water supplies and once again we are proud to report that the MDC system has never violated a maximum contaminant level or any other water quality standard set by either the federal Environ-mental Protection Agency or the State of Connecticut. This brochure is a snapshot of last year’s (2005) water quality. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to federal and State of Connecticut standards. At the MDC’s state-licensed Water Analysis Laboratory at Reservoir 6 in Bloomfield, an expert staff annually con-ducts more than 100,000 physical, chemical and bacterio-logical tests for more than 130 “possible” contaminants on water from the MDC’s reservoirs, treatment plants and nu-merous state-approved sampling sites from throughout the 12-town service area. These tests and those conducted at consulting laboratories ensure that MDC water is of the highest quality possible.

(Note: This report contains important information about your drinking water. If you need the report in Spanish, call 860-278-7850, ext. 3209.) (Nota: Esta informe contiene informacion impor-tante sobre su agua potable. Si usted necesita el in-forme en espanol, llame 860-278-7850, ext. 3209.)

Overview In 2005, the MDC distributed an average of 55.43 million gallons of water per day to a population of about 360,000. Among the major advancements under way that are de-signed to continue our tradition of delivering the highest quality of water possible: • Continued security patrols and water quality testing; • Enhanced security measures; • Continued upgrade of electrical systems at the two wa-

ter treatment plants; • Investigated strategies to improve filtration; • Upgrade of chemical storage and feed systems.

Water source The MDC’s water comes en-tirely from surface water sources in watersheds that cover 89.7 square miles. (A watershed is all of the land area that drains to a particular water course or water body, such as a reservoir). The water supply comes from the East Branch of the Farming-ton River and the Nepaug River, a tributary of the Farmington. The reservoirs are: the 30-billion gallon Barkhamsted Reservoir, impounded by the Saville Dam, about one mile east of New Hartford; and the 9-billion gal-lon Nepaug Reservoir, created by the Phelps Brook and Nepaug Dams, about one mile northwest of Collinsville. Both reservoirs are in Connecticut’s northwest hills, about 20 miles from Hart-ford. While the relatively remote location of the watersheds re-duces the potential for pollution, aggressive MDC source protec-tion programs further ensure the quality of the reservoir supplies. Source Water Protection Source water is untreated water that is used to supply public drinking water. In the MDC’s case, it is water from reservoirs. Land uses that occur in a reservoir’s watershed can impact the quality of that source water. Preventing drinking water contamination at the source makes good sense in terms of public health, economics and the environment. You can be aware of the challenges of keeping drinking water safe and take an active role in protecting drinking water. Contact the MDC at 860-278-7850, ext. 3209, for more information on source water protection, or contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 1-800-426-4791. Information also is available on the EPA’s website at: www.epa.gov/safewater/protect.html. The MDC works closely with watershed towns in Con-necticut and Massachusetts on all land use planning and

development issues that could affect the water supply. The MDC’s Watershed Management Unit reviews all development and land use proposals that come before watershed town Inland Wetland Commissions and/or Planning and Zoning Commissions. When appropriate, written comments encouraging practices that protect wa-ter supplies are submitted. In 2005, nine residential subdivision proposals were re-viewed and written comments were submitted to munici-pal officials. All nine proposals were located in the Nepaug Reservoir watershed; seven were located in the Town of New Hartford, and two in the Town of Harwin-ton. Proposals ranged from three to 12 lots in size. Com-ments typically addressed the need for proper control of soil erosion and storm water runoff during construction activities, and also the need for careful design, installa-tion and maintenance of septic systems. Routine water sampling is undertaken on a daily basis by the MDC’s Watershed Management Unit and analyzed at the MDC’s Water Analysis Laboratory. Nutrients, metals and bacteriological and physical analyses are conducted

on the tributaries and reservoirs to monitor for the possi-ble adverse impact of development on the watersheds. As part of the MDC’s annual watershed inspection pro-gram, the MDC Watershed Inspector visits each resi-dence, business and farm in the Barkhamsted and Nepaug Reservoir watersheds once every two years. The inspec-tor checks for septic overflows, odors and other indica-tions of septic failure. In addition, he inquires about the type of heating sources used, presence of underground storage tanks, floor drains or other discharge points, use and storage of chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers, and numbers and types of livestock present. He also looks for soil erosion problems, and careless dumping of motor oil, paints, auto parts, etc. Catch basins along roadways are also inspected to detect odors that may indicate illegal dumping, sewage accumulation, or petroleum leaching through the soil. If the inspector encoun-ters a violation, it is reported to the land-owner, town and local health officials. The site is re-inspected at least twice a year until the problem is cor-rected. Landowners have been very coop-erative and supportive of MDC’s inspection program over the years. In 2005, a total of 1,140 inspections were conducted; 897 on the Nepaug watershed and 243 on the Barkham-sted watershed. Only nine violations were reported, and six have been repaired as of this writing. Source Water Assessment The State of Connecticut Department of Public Health, Drinking Water Division, conducted a water assessment of the Barkhamsted and Nepaug reservoirs. The updated assessment report can be found on the Department of Public Health’s website: http://www.dph.state.ct.us/BRS/Water/SWAP/swap.htm The assessments found that these public drinking water sources have a low susceptibility to potential sources of

contamination. The source water assessment reports, required under the 1996 Amendments to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, rate and evaluate the susceptibility of public water systems’ drinking water sources to potential contamina-tion, based upon an evaluation of various existing data sources. The assessment reports are intended to provide an understanding of the potential risk of contamination based upon specific risk factors for water sources. Additional source water assessment information can be found at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s website: www.epa.gov/safewater/protect/swap.html.

Treatment

The MDC has always filtered its water sup-plies. The slow sand filtration plant off Farmington Avenue in West Hartford is the site of 22 underground filter beds. In the beds, water trickles down through more than three feet of sand and stones, where solids and microscopic bacte-ria are trapped. Addi-tional treatment follows to kill any remaining bacteria. The Reservoir 6 plant is a rapid sand filtra-tion facility, also known as a complete conventional plant. The system combines chemical treatment

prior to filtration at six filter beds in the plant. Because pre-treatment removes most impurities, those remaining can be removed quickly by the filtration process. While chemical treatment is accomplished somewhat dif-ferently at each plant, there are three basic components in the treatment process that the plants have in common: 1. Filtration; 2. Disinfection through chlorination; 3. Fluoridation, which is mandated by the state Depart-ment of Public Health to help prevent tooth decay.

Conservation Water is a limited resource so it is vital that we all work together to maintain it and use it wisely. Here are a few tips that you can follow to help conserve:

• Check for leaky fixtures. A leaking faucet or toilet can dribble away thou-sands of gallons of water per year.

• Run only full loads in dishwashers and washing machines. Rinse all hand-washed dishes at once.

• Store a jug of ice water in the refrig-erator for a cold drink.

• Water lawn and plants in the early morning or during the evening to avoid excess evaporation. Don’t water on a windy, rainy or very hot day.

• Apply mulch around flowers, shrubs, vegetables and trees to reduce evaporation.

How to Read the Table in This Report The table in this report shows the results of the MDC’s water quality analyses. The table lists all the drinking wa-ter contaminants that we detected during the 2005 calen-dar year. The presence of these contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. Unless otherwise noted, the data presented in this table are from testing done January 1-December 31, 2005. The table contains the name of each substance, the high-est level allowed by regulation (Maximum Contaminant Level, or MCL), the ideal goals for public health, the amount detected, the usual sources of such contamination and a key to units of measurement. Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: 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.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs al-low for a margin of safety.

Definitions Action Level = The concen-tration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other require-ments that a water system must follow. MCL = Maximum Con-taminant Level MCLG = Maximum Con-taminant Level Goal NTU = Nephelometric Tur-bidity Units pci/l = picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity) ppm = parts per million, or milligrams per liter ppb = parts per billion, or micrograms per liter Treatment Technique = A required process intended to reduce the level of a con-taminant in drinking water.

Lead Infants and young children who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abili-ties. Adults who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.

Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. While the MDC uses no lead pipes in its distribution sys-tem, it is possible that lead levels may be elevated in your home as a result of materials used in your home’s plumb-ing. If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your home’s water, you may want to have your water tested by a commercial laboratory. Also, after a period of non-use, you might 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). The table in this report summarizes the results of lead and copper testing. Federal regulations required that a mini-

mum of 50 homes be sampled by having the homeowner collect a one-liter sample from the cold-water kitchen tap as “first draw” (after water has been standing motionless in household pipes for at least six hours). In 2005 the MDC collected samples from 60 homes. Because fewer than 10 percent of the sites were above the action level set by the EPA, the MDC was in compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule. During this testing, homeowners also were requested to

collect a sample after allowing the water to run for a few minutes. These samples were also analyzed for lead and copper content. The results consistently showed that little or no lead was present in the water coming from the MDC water mains. Of the 60 sites tested for lead, 59 had values below the EPA’s action level of 15 parts per billion. The remaining home had a value above the action level. Because the MDC uses no lead pipes in its distribution system, the high value in this home was due to lead in the building’s water pipes. In cases where lead levels are above the ac-tion level, the MDC advises homeowners on corrective action. The MDC is scheduled to conduct the next round of lead and copper testing in 2008.

Copper Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastro-intestinal distress. Some people who drink water contain-ing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson’s Disease should consult their personal health care provider.

Cryptosporidium Since March of 2005 the MDC, in anticipation of Long Term 2 En-hanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, began monitoring for the oco-cysts (resting stage) of the internal parasite cryptosporidium. In 2005 a total of 40 samples were taken within the MDC’s two filter plants after fil-tration to discern the absence of the ococyst. The samples taken were analyzed by a consulting laboratory that adhered to the strict quality con-trol requirements as outlined by the EPA for the analysis procedure and reported the absence of the ococyst in all the samples submitted to them for analysis. The testing and analysis for crypto-sporidium is continuing in 2006 and

will end in 2007 as required under the Long Term 2 En-hanced Surface Water Treatment Rule. The MDC remains confident that, as a result of our watershed program and the two filter plants, that the remaining samples to be col-lected and analyzed will also be negative for this ococyst. Customers of water utilities in Connecticut receive signifi-cant protection from cryptosporidium because Connecticut prohibits sewage- or waste-receiving waters from being used as a public water supply. Some people may be more vulnerable to cryptosporidium and other contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as those with cancer undergo-ing chemotherapy, those who have undergone organ trans-plants, 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 guidelines on appropri-ate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporid-ium and other microbial contaminants are available from

Photo by Michael Ciborowski

the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). Crypto-sporidium must be ingested to cause disease, and it may be spread through means other than drinking water.

UCMR Monitoring The MDC, being a utility with more than 10,000 custom-ers, was required by the EPA to conduct testing under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR). This rule required in 2002 the monitoring of currently non-regulated organic contaminants, which could be regulated in the future if the EPA deems the compounds of sufficient concern. The MDC had a highly reputable EPA-certified laboratory analyze samples taken throughout 2002 for these compounds under the UCMR. Regulations requiring an-other round of unregulated contaminant monitoring are scheduled to be promulgated in late 2006 or early 2007. The testing found no evidence of the presence of these cur-rently unregulated compounds. Analytical results from this testing are available for review.

Synthetic Organic Compounds During 2005, the MDC employed a state-approved labora-tory to conduct an analysis for 42 synthetic organic com-pounds as regulated under the State of Connecticut Public Health Code. The collection and analysis did not detect the presence of any of these compounds (herbicides, pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs) in the potable wa-ter as supplied to MDC customers. In 2008, the MDC will again conduct the monitoring program. Along with the on-going watershed monitoring program, this will help to minimize the possibilities of these compounds being found in the water MDC supplies to its customers.

Information about drinking water contaminants 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 watershed land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material. The water may also pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity within the wa-tershed areas. Contaminants that may be in source water include:

• Microbes, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife;

• Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and met-als, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or

domestic wastewater discharges into septic leach fields; 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;

• Radioactive contaminants, which can be natu-rally occurring.

To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the federal Envi-ronmental Protection Agency prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. U.S. Food and Drug Administra-tion 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 con-taminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessar-ily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be ob-tained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

How to learn more about your water If you have questions about the quality of your tap water, or the information in this report, please call us at 860-278-7850, ext. 3209, during normal business hours. The MDC welcomes public input and participation in deci-sions affecting your drinking water. Schedules and agendas of meetings of the MDC Board of Commissioners and the Water Bureau (the Board’s committee that deals with wa-ter-related issues) are posted at the MDC Headquarters, 555 Main St., Hartford, Conn., and its member town halls. Meetings are open to the public. Information about water quality, water treatment and water conservation also is available on the MDC’s web site, www.themdc.com.

Treated Water Quality Results

Substance (units) Highest Level Allowed (EPA’s MCL)

Goals (EPA’s MCLG)

Average Range Major sources

Inorganic Contaminants Fluoride (ppm) 4 4 0.94 0.69-1.24 Erosion of natural deposits; water additive

that promotes strong teeth

Chloride (ppm) 250 NA 8.4 6.98-9.85 Byproduct of drinking water disinfection

Nitrate (ppm) 10 10 0.07 0-0.17 Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks; sewage; erosion of natural deposits

Nitrite (ppm) 1 1 <0.03 0-<0.03 Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks; sewage; erosion of natural deposits

Disinfectant residual (ppm) (Distribution average)

4.0 4.0 0.39 0.0-0.95 Byproduct of drinking water disinfection

Sodium (ppm) (State notification level)

28 5.64 4.5-7.12

Orthophosphate (ppm) NA NA 0.88 0.48-1.29 Corrosion control inhibitor

pH West Hartford Filter Plant Reservoir #6

6.4-10 (State of Conn.) 7.6 7.7

7.1-8.6

7.3-8.4

Corrosion control

Nickel (ppb) 100 100 ND 0-<5.0

Antimony (ppb) 6 6 ND 0-0.5 Fire retardants, ceramics, electronics, solder

Silver (ppb) 50 50 5 0-5

Sulfate (ppm) None set None set 7.7 6.18-10.36

Arsenic (ppb) 10 NA <0.3 0-<0.3 Erosion of natural deposits

Microbiological Contaminants

Turbidity (NTU) West Hartford Filter Plant

Reservoir 6 Filter Plant

1.0 0.3

0 0

0.10 0.12

0.05-0.53 0.05-0.25

Soil runoff

Total coliform (Distribution system)

Presence of coliform bacte-ria in 5% of monthly sam-

ples

0 0.10% 0 - 0.4% Naturally present in the environment

Radioactive Contaminants (Most recent required testing: 2005)

Alpha emitters (pci/l) 15 0 0.3 0 – 0.5 Erosion of natural deposits

Uranium (m/L) 30 m/L 0 ND ND Erosion of natural deposits

Beta / photon emitters (pci/l) 4 0 ND ND Decay of natural and man-made deposits

Radium 226 (pci/liter) 5 0 ND ND Erosion of natural deposits

Radium 228 (pci/liter) - 0 ND ND Erosion of natural deposits

Volatile Organic Contaminants (Disinfection byproducts)

Total haloacetic acids (ppb) 60 None set 23 1-37 Byproduct of drinking water chlorination

Total trihalomethanes (ppb)

80 None set 38 13-63 Byproduct of drinking water chlorination

Total organic carbon Removal ratio 35% 1.44 1.2-1.67 Rapid sand filter plant only treatment tech-nique

Lead and Copper (2005 data) MCL MCLG 90th Percentile Highest level detected Major sources (most recent required testing)

Lead (ppb) AL=15 0 4 60 sites tested (number of sites above AL=1)

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits

Copper (ppm) AL=1.3 1.3 0.08 0.986 ppb 60 sites tested (number of sites

above AL=0)

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits