2009 Water Quality Report2009 Annual Drinking
Water Quality Report
(Consumer Confidence Report)
CITY OF SCHERTZ
0940003
Phone Number.'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 immuno- compromised
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.
Public Participation
Opportunities
Date: Monday - Friday
Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location: 10 Commercial p. 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 Espnirol
Este informe incluye informacion importante
sobre el agua potable. Si tiene preguntas o
comentarios sobre dste informe en espanol, favor
de Ilamar al tel. (210)619 -1110 - para hablar
con una persona bilingtie en espafiol.
Page 1 or 5 2009 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Where do we get our drinking water?
Our drinking water is purchased from SSLGC
GROUND water sources. It comes from the
Lake/River/Reservoir /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. 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.tccq.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 (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.
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.
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 of
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)
Tine concentration of a contaminant which, if
exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements
which a water system must follow.
Abbreviations
NTU - Nepinelometrie Turbidity Units
MFL - million fibers per liter (a measure of
asbestos)
pCi /L - picocuries per liter (a measure of
radioactivity)
ppnn - parts per million, or milligrams per liter
(mg/L)
ppb - parts per billion, or micrograms per liter
(tng/L)
ppt - parts per trillion, or namograms per liter
ppq - parts per quadrillion, or picograms per liter
0940003 Page 2 of 5 2009 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Inm•panic Cmrtaminnnts
Year or
Range
Contaminant
Average
Level
Minimum
Level
Maximum
Level
MCL MCLG
Unit of
Measure
Source of Contaminant
2007
Barium
0.102
0.102
0.102
2
2
ppm
Discharge of drilling wastes;
2.1
60
ppb
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection.
2009 Total Trihalomethanes
8.3
4.5
12
discharge from metal refineries;
ppb
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection.
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.
2009
Nitrate
0.01
0.01
0.01
10
l0
ppm
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching
from septic barks, sewage; erosion of
natural deposits.
2007
Combined Radium
0.43
0.43
0.43
5
0
pCi/L
Erosion of natural deposits.
226 & 228
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
Systems must complete and submit disinfection data on the Disinfection Level Quarterly Operating Report (DLQOR). On the CCR
report, the system roust provide disinfectant type, minimum, maximum and average levels.
Year Disinfectant Average Minimum Maximum MRDL MRDLG Unit of Source of Chemical
Level Level Level Measure
2009 Chlorine 1.8 1.1 2.8 4.0 <4.0 ppm Disinfectant used to
control microbes.
Disinfection Bvproducts
Year Contaminant
Average
Level
Minimum
Level
Maximum
Level
MCL
Unit of
Measure
Source of Contaminant
2009 Total Haloacetic Acids
1.1
0
2.1
60
ppb
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection.
2009 Total Trihalomethanes
8.3
4.5
12
80
ppb
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection.
WAIVED OR NOT YET SAMPLED
"This evaluation is sampling required by EPA to determine the range of total tribalomethane and haloacetic acids in the
system for fitture 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"
Unregulated Initial Distribution System Evaluation for Disinfection Byproducts: WAIVED OR NOT YET SAMPLED
0940003 Page 3 of 5 2009 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Bromoforni, chloroform, dichlorobromomethane, and dibroniochloromethmte are disinfection byproducts. There is no maximum
contaminant level for these chemicals at the entry point to distribution.
IYear or Contaminant Average Minimum Maximum Unit of Source of Contaminant I
Range Level Level Level Measure
2007 Dibrontochloromethane 1.3 1.3 1.3 ppb Byproduct of drinking water disinfection.
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 fithue regulation is warranted. Any unregulated contaminants detected are reported in the
following table. For additional information and data visit http://www.epa.gov/safewater/ticiiir/ticinr2/index.htmi, or call the
Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800)426 -4791.
Year Contaminant TM 90th
TM
Number of Sites Action
Exceeding Action Level Level
Unit of
Measure
Source of Contaminant
2007 Lead 1.6
1 15
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.
Reouired 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 hoes, 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 COLIPORM BACTERIA.
Fecal Colifmron REPORTED MONTHLY TESTS FOUND NO FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA.
0940003 Page 4 of 5 2009 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Secondary and Other Constituents Not Regulated
(No associated adverse health effects)
Year or
Constituent
Average
Minimum
Maximum Secondary
Unit of
Source of Constituent
Range
Level
Level
Level
Limit
Measure
2007
Bicarbonate
61
61
61
NA
ppm
Corrosion of carbonate rocks such as limestone.
2007
Calcium
13.9
13.9
13.9
NA
ppm
Abundant naturally occurring element.
2007
Chloride
20
20
20
300
ppm
Abundant naturally occurring element; used in
water purification; byproduct of oil field activity
2007
Copper
0.1
0.1
0.1
1
ppm
Corrosion of household plumbing systems;
erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood
preservatives.
2007
hardness as
47
47
47
NA
ppm
Naturally occurring calcium and magnesium.
Ca/Mg
2007
Magnesium
3
3
3
NA
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
pH
7.4
7.4
7.4
>7.0
touts
Measure of corrosivity of water.
2007
Sodium
32
32
32
NA
ppm
Erosion of natural deposits; byproduct of oil field
activity.
2007
Sulfate
21
21
21
300
ppm
Naturally occurring; common industrial
byproduct; byproduct of oil field activity.
2007
Total Alkalinity as
61
61
61
NA
ppm
Naturally occurring soluble mineral salts.
CaCO3
2007
Total Dissolved
151
151
151
1000
ppm
Total dissolved mineral constituents in water.
Solids
2007
Zinc
0.032
0.032
0.032
5
ppm
Moderately abundant naturally occurring element;
used in the metal industry.
0940003 Page 5 of 5 2009 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report