2020 Annual Drinking Water-quality Report
The Village of Holgate Water Treatment Plant PWS#OH3500512
Introduction
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. The Village treated filtered & pumped 25,586,000 gallons of water to our customers during 2020. In accordance with Federal and State laws, we routinely monitor for total coliform, E coli, total trihalomethanes, halo acetic acids, iron, chlorine residuals, manganese, alkalinity, stability, pH, hardness, lead & copper. The table on page four shows the results of the water treatment plant’s monitoring for the period of January 1st to December 31st, 2020.
Source Water Information
The Village of Holgate receives its drinking water from four wells. They are located along the abandoned Nickel Plate RR, starting at the water plant running northeast. The Village of Holgate ’s source of drinking water has a moderate susceptibility to contamination. Copies of the source water assessment report prepared for Village of Holgate are available by at http://wwwapp.epa.ohio.gov/gis/swpa/OH3500512.pdf or calling The Village of Holgate at 419-264-4395. 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. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.
YOUR WATER & THIS ANNUAL REPORT
Your water is routinely tested before it ever reaches the When evaluating the presence of contaminants in your tap. This report conveys the results of tests conducted water, consider the following comparative measures: in 2020. Readers of this report sometimes ask if the One part per million (milligrams per liter) equals three substances identified in the report are harmful. It is drops added to a 42-gallon barrel. normal to find trace amounts of contaminants in tap water or bottled water unless it is distilled or treated One part per billion (micrograms per liter) equals one through a process such as reverse osmosis. Trace salts, drop added to a large tanker truck. chemicals and minerals are natural and keep water from One part per trillion (nanograms per liter) equals ten tasting “flat.” drops added to the Rose Bowl Stadium filled with water. One part per quadrillion (picograms per liter) equals two teaspoons added to Utah’s Great Salt Lake.
SUBSTANCE S FOUND IN DRIN KING WATER
The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled or the result of oil and gas production and mining water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, activities. springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of Organic chemicals, including synthetic and volatile the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally organic chemicals that are byproducts of industrial occurring minerals and various contaminants. processes and petroleum production. These Contaminants that we test for and may be present in chemicals can also come from gas stations, urban source water include: storm-water runoff, agricultural application, and septic systems. Microbes, such as viruses and bacteria that may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the
State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) lnorganics, such as salts and metals, that can be prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain naturally-occurring or result from urban storm-water contaminants in water provided by public water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil systems. and gas production, mining, or farming.
Drinking water, including bottled water, may Pesticides and herbicides that may come from reasonably be expected to contain small amounts of a variety of sources, such as agriculture, urban storm-some contaminants. The presence of contaminants water runoff, and residential uses. does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a Radioactive materials that can be naturally occurring health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the USEPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
HEALTH ADVISORY FOR PERSONS WITH WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEMS
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. People who are immunocompromised, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, those who have undergone organ transplants, those with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, and some elderly and infants, can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice from their health care providers about drinking water.
USEPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
LEARNING MORE ABOUT LEAD EXPOSURE
Recent news stories have raised questions about the presence of lead in drinking water systems. Holgate WTP water distribution system has no lead pipes. In compliance with monitoring requirements, the District tested for lead at 20 different locations throughout the service area. Results show that the levels of lead in Holgate WTP are well within state and federal guidelines.
In our region, lead in drinking water primarily comes from materials and components associated with home plumbing. These sources can include pipes, soldering materials used at pipe joints, and older fixtures such as faucets. If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children.
When your water has been sitting for extended periods of time, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or at epa.gov/safewater/lead.
PFAS/PFOA – INFORMATION FOR OUR CUSTOMERS
Concerns over per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or “PFAS”, have been in the news recently and HWTP customers deserve to be in the know. Our commitment to transparency and the delivery of safe, high quality water remains at the forefront of our mission.
PFAS, first developed in the 1940’s, are human-made substances commonly found in consumer products, such as non-stick pans, water resistant clothing, and food packaging. These substances are also present in firefighting foam, manufacturing industries, airports, and military facilities. They are considered extremely stable, meaning the compounds within the chemicals do not break down, lending them the name “forever chemicals”.
As with just about anything, the prevalence of PFAS means that they eventually end up present in the environment. They are found in soil, air, surface and groundwater, wastewater, landfills, and even within the human body. While more than 7,800 types of PFAS have been discovered, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and per fluoro octane sulfonic acid (PFOS) are most commonly found in the U.S. These substances are the only two known carcinogens within the PFAS family.
After years of periodic testing and improvements in testing technology, MWD discovered one form of PFAS – perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) – in the drinking water supply. This substance is NOT a known carcinogen and is not yet regulated in the U.S.
Legislation to regulate PFAS is currently in the works at both the state and federal levels. As testing and analytical methods continue to improve, so does our knowledge of these substances and their effects on humans.
OUTDOOR WATER CONSERVATION TIPS
The most common mistake people make in their home landscaping is not properly adjust their irrigation timers for the change in seasons. These adjustments are critical in maintaining an efficient irrigation schedule.
A weather based irrigation controller (WBIC) can take the confusion out of setting your irrigation schedule. This cutting-edge technology harnesses the science of Evapotranspiration; the combined measure of water loss by plants caused by evaporation and transpiration. This, in tandem with the utilization of local climate data and weather information, means the WBIC is fine tuning the irrigation to the actual site conditions of your yard. Weather based irrigation is the most effective way to support a drought tolerant and water efficient landscape. Both over and under watering our landscapes weakens the plants, and makes them more vulnerable to high temperatures and the dry weather.
Over watering landscapes represents one of the largest sources of water waste in our district, state, and country. The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that residential outdoor water use in the United States accounts for almost 9 billion gallons of water a day and as much as 50% of this is wasted from overwatering caused by inefficiencies in irrigation techniques and systems. Replacing a conventional timer with a WBIC can eliminate a large part of that wasted water by optimally scheduling your irrigation.
Additionally, customers can maximize their outdoor irrigation by employing a few simple techniques.
Aeration: If your lawn is turning brown at the first sign of heat or has poor drainage, it could be a sign of soil compaction. Aeration is a process where holes are put into the soil, breaking up the compacted soil to allow water, air, and nutrients to reach the grass roots. This promotes deeper root growth making your lawn more water efficient and resilient when the heat of summer comes.
Topdressing/Feeding/Fertilizing: This helps condition your soil, adds nutrients crucial to healthy plant growth, and is a great way to promote water absorption for both your lawns and planters. Feeding is best done when soil is moist so look to take advantage and fertilize when rain is forecasted.
Over-seeding: If your lawn is looking a little bare in spots applying grass seed after aeration and top dressing is a great option to help fill in your turf; this is best done as winter turns to spring. Overseeding isn’t appropriate for all types of turf, but can be a good way to fill in some of the bare spots.
Irrigation Tune-Up: With summer upon us, you will need to rely on your irrigation system to get your landscape the water it needs. Make sure that your irrigation system is operating properly and free of leaks. Many times, coverage deficiencies and improper irrigation schedules can be the cause of many landscape issues. Run each station individually making sure each sprinkler head is properly aligned and not being blocked by new plant growth.
These tables may contain complex measurements & terminology, but they also contain valuable information about the water delivered to your tap. The village is required to report contaminates that were detected.
| DEFINITIONS OF TERMS | |
| AL | Action Level. The concentration of a contaminant, which if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements. |
| NA | Not Available. |
| ND | No Detection. |
| TT | Treatment Technique. Required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminate in drinking water. |
| ppm or mg/L | Parts Per Million. Milligrams per liter or parts per million – or one ounce in 7,350 gallons of water. One part per million corresponds to one minute in two years. |
| ppb or ug/L | Parts Per Billion. Micrograms per liter or parts per billion – or one ounce in 7,350,000 gallons of water. One part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years. |
| NTU | Nephelometric Turbidity Unity. A measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person. |
| pCi/L | Picocuries Per Liter: is a unit for measuring radioactive concentrations. The curie (Ci) unit is the activity of 1 gram of pure radium 226. Pico is a scientific notation term which means 1*10¯'”. Another unit commonly used for radioactive concentrations is the SI unit Becquerels per meter cubed (Bq/m”). |
| MCL | Maximum Contaminant Level: Maximum allowable amount of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. |
| MCLG | Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: 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. |
| MRDL | Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level: The highest residual disinfectant level allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. |
| MRDLG | Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal: The level of residual disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. |
| RAA | Running Annual Average. |
| TTHM | Total Trihalomethanes or Trihalomethanes (THM): are a group of four chemicals that are formed along with other disinfection by products when chlorine or other disinfectants used to control microbial contaminants in drinking water react with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter in water. |
| HAA5 | Haloacetic acids (also known as halogenated acetic acids, HAAs or HAA5) are chemicals that can form as a result of water treatment, when water acidity and temperature are slightly high and treatment chemicals react with organic particles or bromide. |
| Microcystins | Liver toxins produced by a number of cyanobateria. Total microcystins are the sum of all the variants/congener (forms) of the cyanotoxians microcystin. |
| Cyanobacteria | Photosynthesizing bacteria, also called blue-green algae, which naturally occur in marine and fresh water ecosystems, and may produce cyanotoxians, which at sufficiently high concentrations can pose a risk to public health. |
| Cyanotoxians | Toxin produced by cyanobacteria. These toxins include liver toxins, nerve toxins, and skin toxins. Also sometimes referred to as “algal toxin”. |
| PFAS | Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals applied to many industrial, commercial and consumer products to make them waterproof, stain resistant, or nonstick. PFAS are also used in products like cosmetics, fast food packaging, and a type of firefighting foam called aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) which are used mainly on large spills of flammable liquids, such as jet fuel. PFAS are classified as contaminants of emerging concern, meaning that research into the harm they may cause to human health is still ongoing. |
Listed below is information on those contaminants that were found in the Village of Holgate drinking water. TABLE OF DETECTED CONTAMINANTS
| Contaminants (Units) | MCLG | MCL | Level Found | Range of Detections | Violation | Sample Year | Typical Source of Contaminants | ||||||||||||||||
| Bacteriological | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Radioactive Contaminants | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross alpa radioactivity pci/l | 0 | 15 | ND | NA | No | 2021 | Radioactive elements decay or break down | ||||||||||||||||
| Inorganic Contaminants | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fluoride (ppm) | 4mg/l | 4mg/l | 2.69 | NA | No | 2021 | Naturally occurring | ||||||||||||||||
| Barium (ppm) | 2 | 2 | 0.022 | NA | No | Erosion of natural deposits | |||||||||||||||||
| Volatile Organic Contaminants | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| TTHM (ppb) | na | 80 | 58.8 | 40.1to71.9 | No | 2020 | By-product of drinking water chlorination | ||||||||||||||||
| HAA5 (ppb) | na | 60 | 11.3 | 9.1to19.7 | No | 2020 | By-product of drinking water chlorination | ||||||||||||||||
| Residual Disinfectants | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Chlorine- (ppm) | 4mg/l | 4mg/l | 1.6913 | 1.11-2.2933 | No | 2020 | Disinfectant | ||||||||||||||||
| Lead and Copper | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contaminants (units) | Action Level (AL) | Individual Results over the AL | 90% of test levels were less than | Violation | Year Sampled | Typical source of Contaminants | |||||||||||||||||
| Lead (ppb) | 15 ppb | NA | < 2.0 | No | 2020 | House hold plumming | |||||||||||||||||
| 0 out of 10 samples were found to have lead levels in excess of the lead action level of 15 ppb. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Copper (ppm) | 1.3 ppm | NA | 0.095 | No | 2020 | House hold plumming | |||||||||||||||||
| 0 out of 10 samples were found to have copper levels in excess of the copper action level of 1.3 p | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contaminant (Units) | MCLG | MCL | Value | Range of Detections | Violation | Year Sampled | Typical Source of Contaminants | ||||||||||||||||
| Fecal indicator (E. coli) | NA | TT | Positive (E. coli) | ND | No | 2020 | Naturally present in the environment | ||||||||||||||||
License to Operate
In{2020} The Village of Holgate has a unconditioned license to operate our public water system.
About your drinking water
The EPA requires regular sampling to ensure drinking water safety. The Village of Holgate conducted
sampling for {bacteria; inorganic; radiological; synthetic organic; volatile organic} during 2020. Samples were collected for a total of {number of different contaminants for which samples were collected} different contaminants most of which were not detected in the Village of Holgate 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. Some of our data, though accurate, are more than one year old.
How do I participate in decisions concerning my drinking water?
Public participation and comments are encouraged at regular meetings of The Village of Holgate, which meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday every month at 327 Railway meetings start at 7 pm. For more information on your drinking water contact the Water Treatment Plant @ 419-264-4395.
Our constant goal is to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. We want you to understand the efforts we make to continually improve the water treatment process and protect our water resources. We ask that all our customers help us in protecting our water sources.
Use and dispose of harmful materials properly
Don’t dump hazardous waste on the ground. It can contaminate the soil, which could also contaminate the groundwater or nearby surface water. A number of products used at home contain hazardous or toxic substances that can contaminate ground or surface waters, such as:
- Motor oil
- Pesticides
- Leftover paints or paint cans
- Mothballs
- Flea collars
- Household cleaners
Don’t overuse pesticides or fertilizers. Many fertilizers and pesticides contain hazardous chemicals. These can travel through the soil and contaminate groundwater. If you feel you must use these chemicals, please remember to use them in moderation. Water nourishes the seed of our community’s health and well-being.
Thank you,
Eric Wenzinger Operator of Record
DBA Watermark Utility Compliance
CO-344
WS2-20087068
WW2-20087068
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