2006 Water Quality Reportproblems:
with HIV/AIDS or other immune
Special Notice for the ELDERLY,
INFANTS, CANCER PATIENTS, people
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's in
your drinking water.
Drinking Water Requirements
Meets or Exceeds All Federal (EPA)
Our Drinking Water
En Español
Este informe incluye información importante
sobre el agua potable. Si tiene preguntas o
comentarios sobre éste informe en español, favor
de llamar al tel. (210 ) 658 - 7065 - para hablar
con una persona bilingüe en español.
WATER SOURCES: 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 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.
To learn about future public meetings
(concerning your drinking water), or to request to
schedule one, please call us.
Phone No: (210) 658-7065
Location: 10 Commercial Place, #2
Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Date: Monday - Friday
Public Participation
Opportunities
Some people may be more vulnerable to
contaminants in drinking water than the general
population. Immuno-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. The EPA/Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on appropriate
means to lessen the risk of infection by
Cryptosporidium and other microbial
contaminants are available from the Safe
Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).
2006 Annual Drinking
Water Quality Report
(Consumer Confidence Report)
CITY OF SCHERTZ
Phone No: (210) 658-7065
Page 1 of 4 0940003 2006 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
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
causes 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.
Secondary Constituents
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 (1-800-426-4791).
ALL drinking water may
contain contaminants.
Our drinking water is obtained from GROUND
water sources. It comes from the following
Aquifer: Carrizo Wilcox
A Source Water Susceptibility
Assessment for your drinking water sources(s) is
currently being updated by the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality and will
be provided to us this year. The report will
describe 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 will
allow us to focus our source water protection
strategies. For more information on source water
assessments and protection efforts at our system,
please contact us.
Where do we get our drinking water?
ppt -
ppq -
ppb -
ppm -
NTU -Nephelometric Turbidity Units
MFL - million fibers per liter (a measure of
asbestos)
pCi/L - picocuries per liter (a measure of
radioactivity)
parts per million, or milligrams per liter
(mg/L)
parts per billion, or micrograms per liter
(µg/L)
parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter
parts per quadrillion, or picograms per liter
ABBREVIATIONS
Action Level (AL)
The concentration of a contaminant which, if
exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements
which a water system must follow.
A required process intended to reduce the level of a
contaminant in drinking water.
Treatment Technique (TT)
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 of
disinfectants to control microbial contamination.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal
(MRDLG)
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 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 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.
DEFINITIONS
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.
About The Following Pages
Page 2 of 4 0940003 2006 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Erosion of natural deposits. 2006 2002 0 151.5 pCi/L 0 0.75 Gross alpha
Decay of natural and man-made
deposits.
2006 2002 pCi/L 85000 4 Gross beta emitters
Discharge from petroleum and metal
refineries; erosion of natural
deposits; discharge from mines.
2006 2002 50 50 ppbSelenium 19.5 0 39
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching
from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of
natural deposits.
2006 2002 10 10 ppmNitrate 0.95 0 1.89
Erosion of natural deposits; water
additive which promotes strong
teeth; discharge from fertilizer and
aluminum factories.
2006 2002 4 40.17 ppmFluoride 0.13 0.1
Discharge from steel and pulp mills;
erosion of natural deposits.
2006 2002 100 100 ppbChromium 2.4 0 4.8
Discharge of drilling wastes;
discharge from metal refineries;
erosion of natural deposits.
2006 2002 2 2 ppmBarium 0.08 0.068 0.092
Erosion of natural deposits; runoff
from orchards; runoff from glass and
electronics production wastes.
2006 2002 0 10 ppbArsenic 5 0 10
* The arsenic value was effective January 23, 2006. In the event of a
violation, you will be notified.
Source of Contaminant Maximum
Level
Unit of
Measure MCL MCLG Minimum
Level
Average
Level Contaminant Year or
Range
Inorganic Contaminants
Required Additional Health Information for Arsenic
The maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic decreased from 0.05 mg/L (50 ppb) to 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) effective
January 23, 2006. Because the highest reported arsenic level on this report is between 5 ppb and 10 ppb, the following
information is required by EPA:
"While your drinking water meets EPA's standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. EPA's standard
balances the current understanding of arsenic's possible health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from
drinking water. EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to
cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and
circulatory problems."
Discharge from petroleum refineries. ppb700 7001.40.47 0 2003 2002 Ethylbenzene
Discharge from petroleum factories. ppb1000 1000 5.70 1.9 2003 2002 Toluene
Discharge from petroleum factories;
discharge from chemical factories.
ppb 10000 10000 9.20 2.3 2003 Xylenes
Source of Contaminant Unit of
Measure MCL MCLG Maximum LevelMinimum LevelAverage Level Year or Range Contaminant
Organic Contaminants
Page 3 of 4 0940003 2006 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
Chlorine Residual, 1.81 1.2 3 4 4 ppm Disinfectant used to control
Free microbes.
2006
Source of Disinfectant Unit of Measure MRDL MRDLG Maximum
Level
Minimum
LevelDisinfectant Average
Level Year
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection. ppb809.38.58.9 Total Trihalomethanes 2006
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection. ppb 601.111.1 Total Haloacetic Acids 2006
Source of Contaminant Unit of Measure MCLMaximum
Level
Minimum
Level
Average
Level Contaminant Year
Disinfection Byproducts
Unregulated Contaminants NOT REPORTED OR NONE DETECTED
REPORTED MONTHLY TESTS FOUND NO FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA. Fecal Coliform
REPORTED MONTHLY TESTS FOUND NO COLIFORM BACTERIA. Total Coliform
NOT REQUIRED Turbidity
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of
natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives.
ppm1.30 0.041 Copper 2004
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of
natural deposits.
ppb151 2.2 Lead 2004
Source of Contaminant Unit of
Measure
Action
Level
Number of Sites
Exceeding Action Level Contaminant The 90th Percentile Year
Lead and Copper
Page 4 of 5 0940003 2006 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Secondary and Other Constituents Not Regulated
*2002 HARDNESS AS Ca/Mg RESULTS INDICATED ARE FROM EDWARDS AQUIFER WATER SOURCE. HARDNESS
TESTING AND RESULTS OCCUR EVERY FIVE (5) YEARS.
CITY OF SCHERTZ PRIMARY SOURCE OF WATER SINCE 2003 IS THE CARRIZO WILCOX AQUIFER WITH HARDNESS AS
Ca/Mg RESULTS OF:
Constituent Average Level Minimum Level Maximum Level Secondary Limit Unit of Measure Source of Constituent
Hardness as 56 56 56 NA ppm Naturally occurring Calcium and Magnesium
Ca/Mg
Moderately abundant naturally occurring element;
used in the metal industry.
ppm5Zinc 0.005 0 0.012006 2002
Naturally occurring calcium. ppmNA60 60 60Total Hardness as
CaCO3
2006
Total dissolved mineral constituents in water. ppm 1000 284185 235 Total Dissolved
Solids
2006 2002
Naturally occurring soluble mineral salts. ppmNA160 83 236Total Alkalinity
as CaCO3
2006 2002
Naturally occurring; common industrial
byproduct; byproduct of oil field activity.
ppm300Sulfate 22 19 262006 2002
Erosion of natural deposits; byproduct of oil field
activity.
ppmNASodium 22 10 342006 2002
Measure of corrosivity of water. units7pH 7.6 7.6 7.72006 2002
Erosion of natural deposits. ppmNickel 0.002 0.001 0.003 NA2006 2002
Abundant naturally occurring element. ppm.050.0065 0 Manganese 0.0033 2006 2002
Abundant naturally occurring element. ppmNA3.4 14.1Magnesium 8.7 2006 2002
Corrosion of household plumbing systems;
erosion of natural deposits.
ppmLead 0.001 0 0.001 NA2006 2002
Erosion of natural deposits; iron or steel water
delivery equipment or facilities.
ppm.30.016 0 0.008 Iron 2006 2002
Naturally occurring calcium and magnesium. ppmNA265 265 265Hardness as
Ca/Mg
2002 *
Corrosion of household plumbing systems;
erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood
preservatives.
ppm0.001 0 0.003 1Copper 2006 2002
Abundant naturally occurring element; used in
water purification; byproduct of oil field activity
ppm300Chloride 26 26 262006
Abundant naturally occurring element. ppmNACalcium 50.6 18.4 82.82006 2002
Corrosion of carbonate rocks such as limestone. ppmNABicarbonate 169 101 2362006 2002
Source of Constituent Unit of
Measure
Secondary
Limit
Maximum
Level
Minimum
Level
Average
Level Constituent Year or
Range
(No associated adverse health effects)
Page 5 of 5 0940003 2006 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report