2008 Water Quality Report
2008 Annual Drinking
Water Quality Report
(Consumer Confidence Report)
CITY OF SCHERTZ
Phone Number: 210-619-1800
Special Notice for the ELDERLY,
INFANTS, CANCER PATIENTS, people
with HIV/AIDS or other immune
problems:
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).
Public Participation
Opportunities
Date: Monday – Friday
Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location: 10 Commercial Pl. Bldg #2
Phone Number: 210-619-1800
To learn about future public meetings
(concerning your drinking water), or to request to
schedule one, please call us.
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's in
your drinking water.
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.
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)619-1110 - para hablar
con una persona bilingüe en español.
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2008 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Where do we get our drinking water? About The Following Pages
Our drinking water is obtained from GROUND The pages that follow list all of the federally
water sources. It comes from the following
Lake/River/Reservoir/Aquifer: CARRIZO-
WILCOX. A Source Water Susceptibility
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
Assessment for your drinking water sources(s) is contaminants.
currently being updated by the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality and will
DEFINITIONS
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.
ALL drinking water may
contain contaminants.
When drinking water meets federal standards
there may not be any health based benefits to
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.
purchasing bottled water or point of use devices. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of
Drinking water, including bottled water, may
reasonably be expected to contain at least small
disinfectants to control microbial contamination.
Treatment Technique (TT)
amounts of some contaminants. The presence of A required process intended to reduce the level of a
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).
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
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.
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
(µg/L)
ppt - parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter
ppq - parts per quadrillion, or picograms per liter
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2008 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Inorganic Contaminants
Year or Contaminant Average Minimum Maximum MCL MCLG Unit of
Range Level Level Level Measure Source of Contaminant
2007
Barium
0.102 0.102
0.102
2
2
ppm Discharge of drilling wastes;
discharge from metal refineries;
erosion of natural deposits.
2007 Fluoride 0.16 0.16 0.16 4 4 ppm Erosion of natural deposits; water
additive which promotes strong
teeth; discharge from fertilizer and
aluminum factories.
2007 Combined Radium
226 & 228
0.43 0.43 0.43 5 0 pCi/L Erosion of natural deposits.
2007
Gross beta emitters 5.5
5.5
5.5
50 0 pCi/L Decay of natural and man-made
deposits.
Organic Contaminants TESTING WAIVED, NOT REPORTED, OR NONE DETECTED
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
Average Minimum Maximum Unit of
Year Disinfectant Level Level Level MRDL MRDLG Measure Source of Disinfectant
2008 Chlorine Residual,
Free
1.75 1 2.5 4 4 ppm Disinfectant used to control
microbes.
Disinfection Byproducts
Year Contaminant
Average Minimum Maximum
Level Level LevelMCL
Unit of
Measure
Source of Contaminant
2008
2008
Total Haloacetic Acids 8
Total Trihalomethanes 4.4
7.7
3.6
8.2
5.1
60
80
ppb Byproduct of drinking water disinfection.
ppb Byproduct of drinking water disinfection.
Unregulated Initial Distribution System Evaluation for Disinfection Byproducts WAIVED OR NOT YET SAMPLED
Unregulated Contaminants
Bromoform, chloroform, dichlorobromomethane, and dibromochloromethane are disinfection byproducts. There is no maximum
contaminant level for these chemicals at the entry point to distribution.
Year or
Range
Contaminant
Average
Level
Minimum
Level
Maximum
Level
Unit of
Measure
Source of Contaminant
2007
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Dibromochloromethane
1.3
1.3
1.3
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ppb Byproduct of drinking water disinfection.
2008 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Lead and Copper
Year Contaminant The 90th
Number of Sites
Action
Unit of
Source of Contaminant
2007
Lead
Percentile Exceeding Action Level
1.6 1
Level
15
Measure
ppb Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of
natural deposits.
2007
Copper
0.041
0
1.3
ppm Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of
natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives.
Recommended Additional Health Information for Lead
All water systems are required by EPA to report the language below starting with the 2009 CCR to be delivered to you by
July of 2010. We are providing this information now as a courtesy.
"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."
Turbidity NOT REQUIRED
Total Coliform REPORTED MONTHLY TESTS FOUND NO COLIFORM BACTERIA.
Fecal Coliform REPORTED MONTHLY TESTS FOUND NO FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA.
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2008 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Secondary and Other Constituents Not Regulated
(No associated adverse health effects)
Year or
Range
Constituent
Average
Level
Minimum Maximum Secondary Unit of
Level Level Limit Measure
Source of Constituent
2007
2007
2007
2007
2007
2007
Bicarbonate
Calcium
Chloride
Copper
Hardness as
Ca/Mg
Magnesium
61
13.9
20
0.1
47
3
61
13.9
20
0.1
47
3
61
13.9
20
0.1
47
3
NA
NA
300
1
NA
NA
ppm Corrosion of carbonate rocks such as limestone.
ppm Abundant naturally occurring element.
ppm Abundant naturally occurring element; used in
water purification; byproduct of oil field activity
ppm Corrosion of household plumbing systems;
erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood
preservatives.
ppm Naturally occurring calcium and magnesium.
ppm Abundant naturally occurring element.
2007 Manganese 0.0013 0.0013 0.0013 .05 ppm Abundant naturally occurring element.
2007 Nickel 0.002 0.002 0.002 NA ppm Erosion of natural deposits.
2007
2007
2007
pH
Sodium
Sulfate
7.4
32
21
7.4
32
21
7.4
32
21
>7.0
NA
300
units Measure of corrosivity of water.
ppm Erosion of natural deposits; byproduct of oil field
activity.
ppm Naturally occurring; common industrial
byproduct; byproduct of oil field activity.
2007
2007
Total Alkalinity 61
as CaCO3
Total Dissolved 151
Solids
61
151
61
151
NA
1000
ppm Naturally occurring soluble mineral salts.
ppm Total dissolved mineral constituents in water.
2007
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Zinc 0.032 0.032 0.032 5
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ppm Moderately abundant naturally occurring element;
used in the metal industry.
2008 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report