Ramsey Resident - 2005 - July/August

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Drinking Water Report Continued from Page 10 Contaminant (units) Copper (ppm) (06 -05 -2003 MCLG N/A AL 1.3 90% Level 0.541 # sites over AL 0 ofof20 Typical Source of Contaminant Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits. Some contaminants do not have Maximum Contaminant Levels established for them. These "unregulated contaminants" are assessed using state standards known as health risk limits to determine if they pose a threat to human health. If unacceptable levels of an unregulated contaminant are found, the response is the same as if an MCL has been exceeded; the water system must inform its customers and take over corrective actions. In the table that follows are the unregulated contaminants that were detected: Contaminant (units) Sodium (ppm) Sulfate (ppm) Level Found Range (2004) 6.1 -11 8 -17 Average/ Results 11 17 Typical Source of Contaminant Erosion of natural deposits. Erosion of natural deposits. COMPLIANCE WITH NaTioNai, PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS 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 and from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include: Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which 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. 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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration 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 at 1- 800 - 426 -4791. Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno - compromised persons such as a person 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 Continued on Pa • e 12 You don't have to worry about me. I might have been born yesterday ... but I stayed up all night. — Anonymous 11