2012 Water Quality Report
2012 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
(Consumer Confidence Report)
CITY OF SCHERTZ
Water System # TX0940003
210-619-1800
Special Notice: Required language for ALL community public water supplies
You may be more vulnerable than the general population to certain microbial contaminants, such as Cryptosporidium, in drinking water. Infants,
some elderly or immunocompromised persons such as those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer; those who have undergone organ transplants;
those who are 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 Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
Our Drinking Water Meets or Exceeds All Federal (EPA) Drinking Water Requirements:
This report is a summary of the quality of the water we provide our customers. The analysis was made by using the data from the most recent U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required tests and is presented in the attached pages. We hope this information helps you become more
knowledgeable about what is in your drinking water.
Water Sources:
The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled water) includes 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 or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water before treatment
include: microbes, inorganic contaminants, pesticides, herbicides, radioactive contaminants and organic chemical contaminants.
En Espanol:
Este informe incluye informacion importante sobre el agua potable. Si tiene preguntas o comentarios sobre este informe en espanol, favor de llamar
at tel. (210) 619-1110- para hablar con una persona bilingue en espanol.
Public Participation Opportunities:
To learn about future public meetings concerning your drinking water or to request to a meeting, please call us.
Date: Monday ? Friday
Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location: 10 Commercial Place, Bldg 2
Phone Number: 210-619-1800
Where do we get our drinking water?
Our drinking water is obtained from two Ground water sources: The Schertz Seguin Well Field water comes from the CARRIZO-WILCOX Aquifer
and the Naco Well 1 & 2 water comes from the EDWARDS Aquifer. The Naco Wells are only used when water supply from the Schertz Seguin
Well is limited. A Source Water Susceptibility Assessment for your drinking water source(s) is currently being updated by the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality. This information describes the susceptibility and types of constituents that may come into contact with your drinking water
source based on human activities and natural conditions. The information contained in the assessment allows us to focus our source water protection
strategies. Some of this source water assessment information will be available later this year on Texas Drinking Water Watch at
http://dww.tceq.state.tx.us/DWW/. For more information on source water assessments and protection efforts at our system, please contact us.
ALL drinking water may contain contaminants:
When drinking water meets federal standards there may not be any health based benefits to purchasing bottled water or point of use devices.
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 EPA?s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
Secondary Constituents:
Many constituents (such as calcium, sodium, or iron) which are often found in drinking water, can cause taste, color and odor problems. The taste
and odor constituents are called secondary constituents and are regulated by the State of Texas, not the EPA. These constituents are not cause for
health concern. Therefore, secondaries are not required to be reported in this document but they may greatly affect the appearance and taste of your
water.
0940003 Page 1 of 4 2012 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
About the following pages:
The pages that follow list all of the federally regulated or monitored contaminants which have been found in your drinking water. The U.S. EPA
requires water systems to test for up to 97 contaminants.
Definitions:
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)
The highest permissible level of a contaminant in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment
technology.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG)
The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected health risk. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL)
The highest level of disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of
microbial contaminants.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG)
The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use
disinfectants to control microbial contamination.
Treatment Technique (TT)
A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Action Level (AL)
The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
Abbreviations:
NTU- Nephelometric Turbidity Units
MFL- million fibers per liter (a measure of asbestos)
pCi/l-picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity)
ppm- parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/L)
ppb- parts per billion, or micrograms per liter ? or one ounce in 7,350,000 gallons of water
ppt- parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter
ppq- parts per quadrillion, or picograms per liter
na- not applicable
Inorganic Contaminants
Collection Contaminant Violation Level Found MCL MCLG Unit of Source of Contaminant
Date Measure
2011 Barium No 0.0468 2 2 ppm Discharge of drilling wasters; discharge
from metal refineries; erosion of
natural deposits.
2011 Fluoride No 0.15 4 4 ppm Erosion of natural deposits; water
additive which promotes strong teeth;
discharge from fertilizer and aluminum
factories.
2012 Nitrate No 1.78 10 10 ppm Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching
from septic tanks; sewage; erosion of
natural deposits
2011 Combined Radium No 1 5 0 pCi/L Erosion of natural deposits.
226 & 228
2012 Gross Beta Emitters No 6 50 0 pCi/L Decay of natural and man-
made deposits
Nitrate Advisory- Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in
drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If
you are caring for an infant you should ask advice from your health care provider.
Organic Contaminants TESTING WAIVED, NOT REPORTED, OR NONE DETECTED.
0940003 Page 2 of 4 2012 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
Systems must complete and submit disinfection data on the Disinfection Level Quarterly Operating Report (DLQOR). On the CCR report, the system
must provide disinfectant type, minimum, maximum and average levels.
Year Disinfectant Average Minimum Maximum MRDL MRDLG Unit of Source of Chemical
Tested Level Level Level Measure
2012Chlorine1.87 1.1 2.7 4.0 <4.0 ppm Disinfectant used to control
microbes.
Disinfection Byproducts
Year Contaminant Average Highest Range of MCL Unit of Source of Tested
Level Level Levels Measure Contaminant
2012 Total Haloacetic Acids 2.8 11.4 0 - 11.4 60 ppb Byproduct of
drinking water
disinfection
2012 Total Trihalomethanes 5.48 16.7 0 - 16.7 80 ppb Byproduct of
drinking water
disinfection
?This evaluation is sampling required by EPA to determine the range of total trihalomethane and haloacetic acids in the system for future regulations.
The samples are not used for compliance, and have been collected under non-standard conditions. EPA requires the data to be reported here. Please
contact your water representative if you have any questions?.
Coliform Bacteria
Total Coliform bacteria are used as indicators of microbial contamination of drinking water because testing for them is easy. While not disease
causing organisms themselves, they are often found in association with other microbes that are capable of causing disease. Coliform bacteria are
more hardy than many disease causing organism; therefore, their absence from water is a good indication that the water is microbiologically safe for
human consumption.
*5% of monthly samples are positive-no more than 2 positive samples allowed
=Fecal Coliform or E.Coli MCL: A routine sample and a repeat sample are total coliform positive, and one is also fecal Coliform or E. Coli positive
Year Contaminant Highest Monthly Total Coliform MCLG Total # of Unit of Violation Source of Contaminant
# of Positive MCL E.Coli or Measure
Samples Fecal Coliform
Samples
2012 Total Coliform 1^ * 0 0 Presence N Naturally present in
the environment
2012 Fecal Coliform 1^ = 0 1 Presence N Naturally present in
the environment
^1 positive sample on 7-9-2012, retested the original sampling site again on 7-10-12, as well as the connections upstream and downstream of the
original sampling site - all samples came back absent of bacteria.
Fecal coliform bacteria and, in particular, E. coli, are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal
wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a
health risk for infants, young children, some elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.
TurbidityNOT REQUIRED
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 2 (UCMR2)
Unregulated contaminants are those for which EPA has not established drinking water standards. The purpose of unregulated contaminant monitoring
is to assist EPA in determining the occurrence of unregulated contaminants in drinking water and whether future regulation is warranted. Any
unregulated contaminants detected are reported in the following table. For additional information and data visit:
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/ucmr/ucmr2/index.html, or call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
0940003 Page 3 of 4 2012 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Lead and Copper
th
Year Contaminant The 90 # of Sites Violation MCLG Action Unit of Source of Contaminant
Tested Percentile Exceeding Level Measure
Action Level
2010 Lead 1.03 0 No 0 15 ppb Corrosion of household
plumbing systems; erosion of
natural deposits
2010 Copper 0.0366 0 No 1.3 1.3 ppm Corrosion of household
plumbing systems; erosion of
natural deposits; leaching
from wood preservatives
Required Additional Health Information for Lead
?If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is
Primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. This water supply is responsible for providing high
Quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several
Hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 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 or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.?
Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer Water Data- Taken from Schertz Seguin Local Government Corporation CCR #TX0940094
Secondary and Other Constituents Not Regulated
(No associated adverse health effects)
Year Tested Constituent Violation Highest Level Unit of MCL Source of Constituent
Found Measure (mg/l)
2010 Bicarbonate No 72 ppm N/A Corrosion of carbonate rock such as
limestone
2007 Calcium No 13.9 ppm N/A Abundant naturally occurring element
2010 Chloride No 21.9 ppm 300 Abundant naturally occurring element,
used in water purification; byproduct of
oil field activity
2007 Hardness as No 47.3 ppm N/A Naturally occurring calcium and
Magnesium Ca/Mg
2007 Magnesium No 3.04 ppm N/A Abundant naturally occurring element
2007 Manganese No 0.0013 ppm 0.05 Abundant naturally occurring element
2007 Nickel No 0.0018 ppm 0.1 Erosion on natural deposits
2010 pH No 8.1 units >7.0 Measure of corrosivity of water
2007 Sodium No 31.9 ppm N/A Erosion of natural deposits; byproduct
of oil field activity
2010 Sulfate No 22.3 ppm 300 Naturally occurring; common industrial
byproduct; byproduct of oil field
activity
2010 Total Alkalinity No Less than ppm N/A Naturally occurring soluble mineral
As CaCO3 detection salts
limit
2010 Total Dissolved No 141 ppm 1,000 Total dissolved mineral constituents in
Solids water
2007 Zinc No 0.0316 ppm 5.0 Moderately abundant naturally
occurring element used in metal
industry
0940003 Page 4 of 4 2012 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report