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Home My WebLink About2001 Drinking Water Quality Report2Q01 City of College Station Drinking Water Quality Report May 2002 Phone: (979) 764 -3660 Fax: (979) 764 -3452 Address: 1601 Graham Rd., P.O. Box 9960 College Station, TX 77842 Website: http: / /pud.ci.college- station.tx.us/ College Station City Council Meetings: (979) 764 -3541 http: / /www.ci.college- station.tx.us/ EN ESPANOL: Este reporte incluye informacion importante sobre el agua para tomar. Para asistancia en espaiiol, favor de Ilamar al telefono (979) 764 -3433. Colleae Station Utilities 24 -Hour Utility Dispatch: (979) 764 -3638 Water Quality & Conservation: (979) 764 -6223 From source to tap, College Station Utilities is working to serve you better? Below left, work begins on the base of the Park Place Elevated Storage Tower, in January 2002. Above left, workers continue welding work in April 2002. The Park Place Tower will hold three million gallons of water and reach 239 feet high when complete. (The Texas Avenue Tower is 213 feet high and holds one million gallons.) Above right, College Station Utilities added two new cooling towers at our Sandy Point Road Pump Station as part of the water production system expansion in 2001. 2001 City of College Station Drinking Water Quality Report May 2002 Your Drinking Water Meets all Federal and State Standards Safe Drinking Water... A Top Priority Providing safe, reliable drink- ing water is a top priority for College Station Utilities. We are . .committed to providing you with valid information and superior customer service. The information in this fourth annual Water Quality Report provides a "snapshot" of the quality of College Station's drinking water in 2001. It describes the source of your water, what is in your water, and how it compares to EPA and Texas standards. College Station's water is tested for over 100 different substances, yet only 9 regulated substances were detected in 2001, all well below Safe Drinking Water Act Maximum Contaminant Levels. The tables in this report list only the substances detected in College Station's drinking water from September 1, 1999 through December 312001. Substances that were tested for. but not detected. are not included in this report. You may be more vulnerable than the general population to certain microbial contaminants, such as Cryptosporidium, in drinking water. Infants, some elderly, or Immuno- compromised persons such as those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer; those who have undergone organ transplants; those who Are Community Ownoci Water is Life Power is Progress Service is Pride X33 How Are We Doing? It is important to note that the presence of a contaminant in your drink- ing water does not necessarily pose a health risk. We are proud to report that your tap water continued to meet all En- vironmental Protection Astencv (EPA) and Texas drinking water health standards in 2001, as indicated on the following pages. Want to Learn More? We have attempted to present the information in fhis report in an un- derstandable format, but some of the in- formation may seem highly technical or complex. If you have questions about anything contained in this report, or to schedule a tour of our facilities, please contact: Jennifer Douglass Nations Water Resource Coordinator (979) 764 -6223 jnations@ci.college-station.tx.us undergoing treatment with steroids; and people with HIV /AIDS or other immune system disorders can be particularly at risk from infections. You should seek advice about drinking water from your physician or health care provider. Additional guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Water System Facts Year Established Total Water Produced, 2001 Peak Day: Aug. 25, 2001 Average Daily Demand Average Daily Demand per Person (gpcd) Service Connections 20,100 Dowling Road Pump Station (8 MG) Texas Ave. (1 MG) Facilities Greens Prairie (2 MG) Ground Storage Facility Elevated Storage Number of Hydrants Service Area Miles of Water Line 1980 3.83 Billion Gallons 19.06 Million Gallons (MGD) 10.4 MGD 149.25 gpcd 1,780 40.8 sq mi 255 College Station Utilities brings the aquifer into the classroom! Contact us at the number above for a presentation. Special Notice for the Elderly, Infants, Cancer Patients, People with HIV /AIDS or other Immune System Problems Cryptosporidium are available from the: Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1- 800 - 426 -4791) http: / /www.epa.gov /safewater tables in this report list only the contaminants detected in College Station's drinking water from Sept. 1, 1999 through . 31, 2001, to ensure compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. Substances that were tested for. but not detected. are riot included in this report. Independent laboratories certified by the EPA and State of Texas perform all testing as required. All substances detected are below the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) and do not exceed the health -based standards for drinking water. The EPA has established health -based standards that limit the maximum concentration of a contaminant in drinking water. The presence of a contaminant in your drinking water does not necessarily pose a health risk. Substance Maximum Contaminant Level Regulated at the Production Facilities Detected Levels Minimum Maximum 1 Average MCL Goal Possible Sources of Substances 2001 City of College Station Drinking Water Quality Report May 2002 WATER QUALI1 Y TEST RESULTS - REGULATED SUBSTANCES Barium Fluoride Nitrate 10 ppm Regulated in the Distribution System Total Coliform Presence in more than 0% 2.63% 1% Bacteria* 5% of monthly samples 0 Naturally present in the environment Chlorine Total Trihalomethanes Unregulated Sub Turbidity (NTU) ** * College Station Utilities collects a minimum of 81 samples per month to be tested for Total Coliform bacteria by the Brazos County Health Department. To learn more about our Coliform monitoring program, please see the paragraph titled, "Coliform Testing" in this brochure. ** NTU, or Nepholometric Turbidity Units: Because the City of College Station obtains its drinking water from groundwater sources, we not required to monitor for turbidity. However, we continually monitor turbidity to ensure a quality water supply to our customers. Substance Lead 2001 Regulated at the Customer's Ta 2 ppm 4 ppm 4 ppm 100 ppb 5 NTU Year 90th Percentile Sampled Values Corrosion of household plumbing sys- tems; Erosion of natural deposits Corrosion of household plumbing sys- tems; Erosion of natural deposits The State of Texas requires the City of College Station to monitor for lead and copper once every three years. The information in the table above is based on 30 samples collected in August 2001. As is indicated above, one sample site exceeded the action level for lead. The 90th percentile level for all samples was well below the action level for both lead and copper. Copper 2001 0.134 ppm 0 Action Level (AL): The concentra- tion of a contaminant which, if ex- ceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a con- taminant that is allowed in drinking o phitter. MCLs are set as close to the :LGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a con- taminant in drinking water below 1.7ppb ,1 • 0.087 ppm 0.087 ppm 0.087 ppm 2 ppm Erosion of natural deposits 0.18 ppm 0.4 ppm 0.27 ppm 4 ppm Added to the water for dental health 0.34 ppm 0.34 ppm 0.34 ppm 10 ppm Erosion of natural deposits 0.6 ppm 2.2 ppm 1.6 ppm N/A Water additive used for disinfection By- product of drinking water chlorina- tion 11.3 ppb 34.3 ppb 22.7 ppb N/A 0.034 0.491 0.192 N/A Soil runoff LEAD AND COPPER ANALYSIS Sites Exceeding Action Level ax mum Contaminant Level Action Level = 15 ppb Action Level = 1.3 ppm Understanding the Tables which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. Nepholometric Turbidity Units (NTU): A measure of turbidity. pH: The practical pH scale extends from 0, very acidic, to 14, very al- kaline or basic, with 7 correspond- ing to exact neutral. Most natural waters fall within the range of 4 to 9. ppb: parts per billion or micrograms per liter (µg /L). One part per billion equates to 1 second in 11,160 days. MCL Goal 15 ppb 1.3 ppm Possible Sources of Substances ppm: parts per million or milli- grams per liter (mg /L). One part per million is equivalent to 1 second in 1 1.6 days. Secondary Maximum Contami- nant Level (SMCL): The level of a contaminant that represents rea- sonable goals for drinking water quality. SMCLs pertain to con- taminants that primarily affect the aesthetic qualities relating to drinking water. Turbidity: A measure of the cloudi- ness of water. 2001 City of College Station Drinking Water Quality Report May 2002 The table below lists amounts of other substances for which College Station's water is tested. The Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCL) are not enforced, but rather are intended as guidelines. These items primarily affect aesthetic qualities relating to drinking water and are often important to industrial water users. Substance Calcium Chloride Fluoride Sodium Sulfate Total Hardness pH Dilute Conductivity Total Alkalinity Bicarbonate Dissolved Solids Understanding Your Water System Other Substances Detected Levels 4 ppm 49 ppm 0.4 ppm 190 -203 ppm 10 ppm 9 ppm 8.3 912 pmhos /cm 368 ppm 449 ppm 489 ppm No Recommendation 300 ppm 2.0 ppm No Recommendation 300 ppm No Recommendation > 7.0 No Recommendation No Recommendation No Recommendation 1,000 ppm About Taste and Odor... Contaminants may be found in drinking water that may cause taste, color, or odor problems. These types of prob- lems are not necessarily causes for health concerns. For more information on taste, odor or color of drinking water, please contact College Station Utilities at (979) 764 -3660. About Cryptosporidium Cryptosporidium (krip'- toe -spor- Cry� �A to id'- ee -um) is a protozoan parasite that w can live in the intestines of infected 'i`9 humans and animals. There are many sources of Cryptosporidium. Examples include foods such as unwashed fruits and vegetables, swimming pools, and recreational waters. Cryptosporidium en- ters surface waters, rivers, lakes, and streams from runoff over land. Once swallowed, the parasite infects the lining of the intestine, causing some people to get a disease called Cryptosporidiosis. Groundwater that is not under the influence of surface water, such as College Station's water, is con- sidered to be protected from Cprptosporidium. What's in the Water? Drinking water, including bottled water, may rea- sonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the 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 (1- 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, radioac- tive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations which 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. Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring [40 CFR 141.40(e)] - No MCL's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring helps the EPA - _ determine where certain contaminants occur and whether the EPA needs to regulate those contaminants. Name of Compound Bromodichloromethane Dibromochloromethane Bromoform Protecting Water Quality Coliform Testing Amount Detected (ppb) I 0.9 - 3.7 ppb 3.5 - 13.3 ppb 6.7 - 16.5 ppb College Station Utilities monitors the safety of our drinking water by collecting a minimum of 81 drinking water samples each month. The Brazos County Health De- partment then analyzes the samples for Coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria are easily detected and found in the digestive tract of warm- blooded animals. They are used as indicators of microbial contamination of drinking water because their absence from water is a good indication t the water is bacteriologically safe for human consun tion. In 2001, 5 out of 890 routine samples tested positive for Total Coliform bacteria. All sites were immediately re- sampled and showed no Coliform bacteria. College Station did not violate the standard for coliform bacteria. 2001 City of College Station Drinking Water Quality Report May 2002 Water System Update In 2001, College Station Utilities con- tinued to aggressively build the infrastructure necessary to provide our growing customer base with reliable and efficient water and wastewater services. Highlights of the :water production and wastewater treatment system expansion include: • Upgraded the capacity of Sandy Point Road Pump Station to over 18 MGD and added two new cooling towers; • Began construction on the three - million gallon capacity Park Place Elevated Storage Tank. When complete, this water tower will replace the one - million gallon Texas Avenue water tower, built in 1968; • Continued work on a sixth well and collection line that will provide an addi- tional 4 MGD of water when complete; • Rehabilitated three of five existing wells, to provide an additional 1.4 MGD of water. —Where Does College Station's Water Come From? College Station pumps its water from 5 deep wells located about 13 miles northwest of the city, in the vicinity of Sandy Point Road and Old San Antonio Road. These wells draw water from the Simsboro Sand which is nearly 3,000 feet deep and located in the Carrizo- Wilcox Aquifer. The temperature of the groundwater is about 118° Fahrenheit before it is lowered to about 85 F by routing it through cooling towers at the Sandy Point Pump Station. The water is then pumped through a 30- inch transmission line to the Dowling Road Pump Station. Prior to entering the 3 and 5 million gallon ground storage tanks at Dowling Road, chlorine is added for disinfec- tion and fluoride is added to bring the water up to optimum levels for maximum dental health. Treated drinking water is pumped into the distribution system, which includes two ele- vated storage tanks. The elevated storage tanks are an active part of the distribution system rad add 3 million gallons of water storage for k demand periods and fire fighting. Your Water System "At a Glance" Alternate Water Source Information The City of College Station has interconnects with the City of Bryan and Texas A &M University, to provide or obtain water on an emergency ba- sis. College Station, Bryan and Texas A &M University obtain their water from the Carrizo- Wilcox Aquifer. Wells for all three water suppliers are located in the vicinity of Sandy Point Road and OSR. The table below shows the dates and amounts for which we obtained water from the City of Bryan and Texas A &M University in 2001. To learn more about the City of Bryan's drinking water quality, please call (979) 209 -5900. To learn more about Texas A &M University's drinking water quality please call (979) 845 -4541. Date Supplier Duration Reason Amount (Million Gallons) 3/13/01 Texas A &M 4/26/01 4/26/01 5/3/01 6/12/01 6/12/01 7/13/01 7/14/01 7/18/01 8/9/01 8/9/01 8/25/01 8/26/01 Right: Wells 1, 2, and 3 were rehabilitated in 2001, adding 1.4 MGD of additional capacity to College Station's water system. Texas A &M City of Bryan Texas A &M Texas A &M City of Bryan City of Bryan City of Bryan City of Bryan City of Bryan Texas A &M City of Bryan City of Bryan 3 days Leak in 12" water line 6 hours 6 hours 5 hours 6 hours 6.5 hours 6 hours 6 hours 14 hours 6 hours 5 hours 6 hours 11 hours Pump Station upgrades Pump Station upgrades Pump Station upgrades Pump Station upgrades Pump Station upgrades Transmission line leak Transmission line leak Peak Seasonal Demand Pump Station upgrades Pump Station upgrades Peak Seasonal Demand Peak Seasonal Demand 0.1518 1.350 0.540 1.1303 0.760 1.983 2.7253 2.7253 2.715 1.696 0.740 1.2035 1.7028 Station Community (J ' o weris Ser Wat er is Life viceeisP „, litllldi owmad 2001 City of College Station Drinking Water Quality Report College Station Utilities WaterNVastewater Divisions P.O. Box 9960 1601 Graham Road College Station, TX 77842 • Limit outdoor watering to one or two days per week, before 9:00 am or after 8:00 pm. Up to 60% of water applied during the heat of the day can be lost to evaporation. • Follow College Station's 5 -day outdoor watering schedule. Participation in this schedule is voluntary for Stage 1 of the Drought Plan, but is required under Stage 2. • Call 764 -3660 for a copy of the sched- ule, or download it from: httv: / /vud.ci coll eRe- station.tx.us /5dayschedule.htm. • Adjust sprinklers so only vegetation is watered, not the street or driveways. • Go with the "low flow ": A family of 4 can save over 7,000 gallons of water a year by switching from a water - hogging to a water - saving showerhead? *s *s * * * *s *s *ss *s *s*****E `Ruyr w l NOR A MILLER OR CURRENT CUSTOMER 504 GUERNSEY ST COLLEGE STATION, TX 77840 -2940 Printed on recycled paper. Please share with a friend or recycle. Water Conservation News Summer is almost here, and that means it's time to sharpen your water conservation sense? During Stage 1 of the Drought Contingency Plan, in effect May 1st to September 30th each year, College Station Utilities requests all of our customers to voluntarily conserve water. By following the water conservation tips below, you will help lower peak water demand in the hot summer months. Saving water translates to lower bills for you now (and more money in your pocket), and a reliable, cost - effective water supply for the future. • Try "Water- Wise" landscaping, which uses native and adapted plants, efficient irrigation, and mulch to conserve water. • Visit College Station Utilities' website or the Water Wise Council of Texas at http: / /waterwisetexas.orR to learn more about Water -Wise landscaping. • Clean driveways and sidewalks with a broom instead of a hose. This works better, and is great exercise? • When washing your car, use a hose with a cut -off nozzle (or bucket) instead of running the hose continuously. This saves about 8 gallons per minute. • Repair leaks quickly? Dripping faucets and toilets can waste up to 2 gallons of water per hour. That's over 17,000 gallons a year? • Report suspected water line leaks to College Station Utilities Dispatch at 764 -3638. Bulk Rate U.S. Postage PAID College Station, TX Permit No. 17 Safe Drinking Water...a 2 Top Priority Health Notice for People 2 with Weakened Immune Systems Your Water System 3 "At a Glance” Water From Other 3 Sources Protecting Water Quality 4 Understanding Your 4 Water System Water Quality Test 5 Results Water Conservation 6