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KENNEBEC WATER DISTRICT
Consumer Confidence Report 2006
The Kennebec Water District (KWD) has been in existence since 1899. KWD presently serves the municipalities of Waterville, Winslow, Fairfield, Vassalboro, and Benton and supplies water for the town of Oakland. KWD has a regular testing and reporting program and this Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) is one way of communicating those test results. The CCR is intended to provide you, the KWD customer, with important information about your drinking water. KWD’s trustees and employees want you to know that you can count on us for a safe and reliable supply of water every day, and we are dedicated to providing the highest quality service to you.
WATER QUALITY
KWD ensures that your water is safe through regular monitoring of both its source and treated water. Testing is conducted in KWD’s own laboratory as well as in independent, state-certified laboratories. This CCR is a comprehensive summary of the laboratory test results. KWD employs a staff of certified water treatment operators, licensed by the State of Maine Department of Human Services Drinking Water Program, to maintain water quality within required parameters.
The Safe Drinking Water Act directs the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and enforce minimum drinking water standards. These standards set limits on certain biological, organic, inorganic, and radioactive substances potentially found in water supplies. Two levels of standards have been established. Primary drinking water standards set achievable minimum levels (MCL's) and goals for drinking water quality to protect your health. Secondary drinking water standards provide guidelines regarding the taste, odor, color, and other aesthetic aspects of our drinking water which do not present a health risk (SMCL's). The 2006 testing results indicate that the Kennebec Water District's water meets or exceeds all state and federal requirements.
The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. However, some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immune-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/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Crytosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or from the Kennebec Water District office.
WATER SUPPLY/SOURCE INFORMATION
China Lake has served as KWD’s primary source of water since 1905. China Lake has 6.1 square miles of surface area within 32 square miles of watershed. The estimated capacity of the lake is 31 billion gallons. KWD demand averages over 1.3 billion gallons annually. As a surface water body, China Lake is susceptible to pollution and contamination from both human and natural sources. Early in its existence, to help protect the water quality within China Lake, the Kennebec Water District acquired nearly all of the shoreline around the west basin of the lake. The east basin shoreline is mostly privately owned. Protection of the watershed presently is a combined effort of the towns of China and Vassalboro, the China Region Lakes Alliance, the China Lake Association and the Kennebec Water District. The common goal of these organizations is to improve China Lake water quality. Together these entities have developed a comprehensive Watershed Protection Plan.
The Maine Drinking Water Program has evaluated all public water supplies statewide as part of the Source Water Assessment Program. The evaluation considers geology, hydrology, land use, water testing information and the extent of land ownership or protection by local ordinance to determine future potential drinking water source contamination. The Source Water Assessment is available for the public at the Kennebec Water District office.
In 2004, KWD was granted a "Synthetic Organics Waiver". This is a three year exemption from the testing/monitoring requirements for pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and other industrial chemicals. This waiver was granted due to the absence of these potential sources of contamination within a half-mile radius of the water source.
Because the variable water quality from China Lake includes frequent algae blooms during the summer, KWD’s water treatment facility uses many modern processes to effectively improve the quality of water you receive at your tap. These processes include coagulation, filtration, disinfection, pH adjustment, fluoride addition, and corrosion control.
Coagulation with alum is used to remove particles from the raw water in three Microfloc upflow clarifiers. The water is then filtered and polished in six granular activated charcoal filters. Chlorine is added as a disinfectant and chlorine levels are continuously monitored to ensure adequate and appropriate disinfection has occurred prior to delivery to consumers. As a dental health aid, fluoride is also combined with the finished water.
The addition of a corrosion inhibitor and raising the pH of the water provides corrosion protection for KWD’s distribution piping system and household plumbing. This treatment practice has been so effective that our annual monitoring program requirement for lead and copper levels has been reduced to once every three years.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This CCR is only a summary report. If you have any questions about this report, your water quality, or your water service, please call the Kennebec Water District’s business office at (207) 872-2763 during normal business hours (Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.). Questions may also be directed to the Maine Department of Human Services Drinking Water Program at (207) 287-2070 or on-line at www. state.me.us/dhs/boh/eng/water/index. html or to the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or on-line at www.@epa.gov/safewater/dwhealth.html
Primary Drinking Water Standards |
|
Parameter |
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal |
Maximum Contaminant Level |
Actual KWD
Test Results |
|
|
CLARITY 2006 Finished Water |
|
|
(continuous monitoring) |
|
|
TURBIDITY(NTU) (a) (e) (Treatment Technique) |
0.1 NTU |
5 NTU |
Avg .12 NTU (Max .18) |
|
|
MICROBIOLOGICAL (b) 2006 Finished Water COLIFORM BACTERIA |
Membrane filter method |
(360 tests required) |
|
|
% of samples positive |
0 |
5 % |
0 |
|
|
Cryptosporidium / Gardia Cysts |
0 |
Raw and finished water |
BDL |
|
|
VOLATILE ORGANIC CHEMICALS (c) 2006 EPA 524.2 Method TSN/TSO Raw Water |
|
|
|
2, 4-D |
70 ppb |
70 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Adipate (diethylhexyl) |
70 ppb |
70 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Alachlor |
0 |
2 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Aldicarb |
1 ppb |
3 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Aldicarb Sulfone |
1 ppb |
3 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Aldicarb Sulfoxide |
3 ppb |
3 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Atrazine |
3 ppb |
3 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Benzene |
0 |
5 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Bezo (a) Pyrene (PAHs) |
0 |
0.2 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Carbofuran |
40 ppb |
40 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Carbon Tetrachloride |
0 |
5 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Chlordane |
0 |
2 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Chlorobenzene |
100 ppm |
100 ppm |
BDL |
|
|
Dalapon |
200 ppb |
200 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (PAE) |
0 |
6 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Dibromochloropropane (DBCP) |
0 |
200 ppt |
State Wide Waiver |
|
|
Dichlorobenzene (p-) |
75 ppb |
75 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Dichlorobenzene o- (Ortho) |
600 ppb |
600 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Dichloroethane (1, 2-) |
0 |
5 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Dichloroethylene (1, 1-) |
7 ppb |
7 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Dichloroethylene (Cis-1, 2-) |
70 ppb |
70 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Dichloroethylene (Trans-1, 2-) |
100 ppb |
100 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Dichoropropane (1, 2-) |
0 |
5 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Dinoseb |
7 ppb |
7 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Dioxin |
0 |
.03 ppt |
State Wide Waiver |
|
|
Diquat EPA method 549 TQ1/2/3/4 1996 |
20 ppb |
20 ppb |
KWD Waiver 2006-2008 |
|
|
Endothal EPA method 549 TQ1/2/3/4 1996 |
100 ppb |
100 ppb |
KWD Waiver 2006-2008 |
|
|
Endrin |
2 ppb |
2 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Ethylbenzene |
700 ppb |
700 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Ethylene Dibromide (EDB) |
0 |
50 ppt |
BDL |
|
|
Glyphosate |
700 ppb |
700ppb |
State Wide Waiver |
|
|
Heptachlor |
0 |
400 ppt |
BDL |
|
|
Heptachlor Epoxide |
0 |
200 ppt |
BDL |
|
|
Heptachlor /Heptachlor Epoxide |
0 |
200 ppt |
BDL |
|
|
Hexachlorobenzene |
0 |
1 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Hexachlorocyclopentadine |
50 ppb |
50 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Lindane |
200 ppt |
200 ppt |
BDL |
|
|
Methoxychlor |
40 ppb |
40 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Methyl-Tertiary-Butyl-Ether (MTBE) |
35 ppb |
35 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Oxamyl (Vydate) |
200 ppb |
200 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Pentachlorophenol |
0 |
1 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Picloram |
500 ppb |
500 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB’s) |
0 |
500 ppt |
BDL |
|
|
Silvex (2,4,5 –TP) |
50 ppb |
50 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Simazine |
4 ppb |
4 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Styrene |
100 ppb |
100 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) |
0 |
5 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Toluene |
1 ppm |
1 ppm |
BDL |
|
|
Toxaphene |
0 |
3 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Trichlorobenzene (1,2,4-) |
70 ppb |
70 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Trichloroethane (1, 1, 1-) (TCA) |
200 ppb |
200 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Trichloroethane (1, 1, 2-) |
3 ppb |
5 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Trichloroethylene (TCE) |
0 |
5 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Vinyl Chloride |
0 |
2 ppb |
BDL |
|
|
Xylenes (total) |
10 ppm |
10 ppm |
BDL |
|
|
DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS
(Total) Trihalomethanes (d)TTHM’s TSP Finished Water, 2006 |
80ppb |
54 ppb |
|
|
(Total) Haloacetic Acids |
0 |
60 ppb |
28 ppb |
|
Primary Drinking Water Standards |
|
Parameter |
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal |
Maximum Contaminant Level |
Actual KWD
Test Results Average |
|
|
INORGANIC CHEMICALS (c) TE2/TE3 2006 |
|
|
|
|
Antimony |
6.0 ppb |
6.0 ppb |
< 0.5 ppb |
|
|
Arsenic (h) |
0 |
10 ppb |
0.50 ppb |
|
|
Asbestos
(million fibers>10 micron/liter) |
7.0 MFL |
7.0 MFL |
KWD Exempt |
|
|
Barium |
2ppm |
2ppm |
.0016 ppm |
|
|
Beryllium |
4 ppb |
4 ppb |
< 0.50 ppb |
|
|
Cadmium |
5 ppb |
5 ppb |
< 0.50 ppb |
|
|
Chromium (total) |
100 ppb |
100 ppb |
< 0.50 ppb |
|
|
Copper (Action Level) (6/30/2006) |
1.3 ppm |
1.3 ppm |
0.08 ppm @ 90th % |
|
|
Cyanide |
0.2 ppm |
0.2 ppm |
< 0.010 ppm |
|
|
Fluoride |
4 ppm |
4 ppm (a) |
1.02 ppm |
|
|
Lead (Action Level) (6/30/2004) |
0 |
15 ppb |
< 5 ppb @ 90th % |
|
|
Magnesium |
50 ppm |
50 ppm |
1.3 ppm |
|
|
Mercury UG/L |
2 ppb |
2 ppb |
< 0.05 ppb |
|
|
Nickel |
0.1 ppm |
0.1 ppm |
< 0.001 ppm |
|
|
Nitrate Nitrogen |
10 ppm |
10 ppm |
< 0.1 ppm |
|
|
Nitrite Nitrogen |
1 ppm |
1 ppm |
< 0.01 ppm |
|
|
Selenium |
50 ppb |
50 ppb |
<1 ppb |
|
|
Thallium |
0.5 ppb |
2.0 ppb |
< 0.5 ppb |
|
|
RADIONUCLIDES (c)(f) (picoCuries/L) 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Alpha |
0 |
15 pCi/L |
.59 pCi/L |
|
|
Radium |
0 |
5 pCi/L |
.63 pCi/L |
|
|
Secondary Standards
Aesthetic Standards for Finished Water |
|
CHEMICAL PARAMETERS (e) 2006 TE2 SMCLG |
SMCL |
KWD test results |
|
|
Chloride |
250 ppm |
250 ppm |
11 ppm |
|
|
Color, units |
15 cu |
15 cu |
< 5.0 cu |
|
|
Foaming Agents (MBAS) |
500 ppb |
500 ppb |
None Detected |
|
|
Iron |
0.3 ppm |
0.3 ppm |
< 0.025 ppm |
|
|
Manganese |
0.05 ppm |
0.05 ppm |
0.0034 ppm |
|
|
Odor – Threshold units |
3 ppm |
3 ppm |
None Detected |
|
|
Specific Conductance (umho/cm) |
No Standard |
No Standard |
307 umho/cm |
|
|
Sodium |
100 ppm |
100 ppm |
12 ppm |
|
|
Sulfate |
250 ppm |
250 ppm |
12 ppm |
|
|
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) |
500 ppm |
500 ppm |
204 ppm |
|
|
Zinc |
5 ppm |
5 ppm |
< 0.001 ppm |
|
|
ADDITIONAL PARAMETERS (e) (g) 2006 |
KWD Range |
|
KWD AVERAGE |
|
|
Alkalinity as CaCo3 |
|
No Standard |
23 ppm |
|
|
Langlier Index |
|
No Standard |
- 1.8 |
|
|
Calcium |
|
No Standard |
8 ppm |
|
|
Hardness (CaCo3 ) |
< 500 ppm |
No Standard |
25 ppm |
|
|
pH (units) |
6.5 to 8.5 |
No Standard |
7.40 |
|
|
Free Chlorine Residual |
0.5 to 1.1 ppm |
No Standard |
1.32 ppm |
|
|
Total Chlorine Residual |
1.0 to 1.3 ppm |
No Standard |
1.50 ppm |
|
|
Fluoride (a) |
< 2 ppm |
No Standard |
1.24 ppm |
|
|
Ortho-Phosphate |
200 to 300 ppb |
No Standard |
.49 ppm |
|
|
Temperature (degrees centigrade) |
4.7°c – 26.7°c |
No Standard |
13.7°c |
|
|
KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS |
|
MCLG = Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. |
|
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level, The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. |
|
NTU = Nephelometric Turbidity Units. Turbidity is a measurement of cloudiness or suspended colloidal matter (silt). Excessive turbidity levels can cause problems with water disinfection. The single highest measurement of turbidity in calendar year 2006 was 1 NTU. More than 99% of the samples taken by our water system were below 0.35 NTU, the MCLG for rapid filtration media. KWD’s water filtration system renders the finished drinking water clear and safe to drink. |
|
PPM = Parts per million or milligrams per liter. PPB = Parts per billion. PPT = Parts per trillion. PCi/L = picocuries per liter. |
|
BDL = Below detectable limit. MFL is “million Fibers per Liter” |
|
(a) Turbidity and Fluoride are reported as monthly averages from daily samples at the entry to the distribution system. |
|
(b) Coliforms reported as monthly averages. No more than 5% of the monthly samples shall be coliform positive. |
|
(c) Samples collected at the water source as required by state monitoring regulations |
|
(d) TTHM & HA5 Calculated as a running annual average of quarterly samples taken at the extremities of the distribution system. |
|
(e) Data collected at the entry of the distribution system. |
|
(f) Results for radionuclides are from the 2006 samplings. Regulations require radionuclide monitoring once every four years. |
|
(g) KWD annual average test results |
|
(h) 10 ppb Arsenic standard was adopted in October 2001 and becomes effective in Jan 2006. |
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Treatment Technique: A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in water. |
|
Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. |
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