2010 Water Quality Report2010 Annual Drinking
Water Quality Report
(Consumer Confidence Report)
CITY OF SCHERTZ
0940003
SPECIAL NOTICE
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.
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.
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
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.
Phone Number:210-619-1800
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.
Required language for ALL community
public water supplies:
Page 1 of 5 2010 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
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).
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.
DEFINITION
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.
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.
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.
NTU -
MFL -
pCi/L -
ppm -
ppb -
ppt -
ppq -
Nephelometric Turbidity Units
million fibers per liter (a measure of
asbestos)
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
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.tceq.state.tx.us/DWW/ .
For more information on source water
assessments and protection efforts at our system,
please contact us.
Abbreviations
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.
Where do we get our drinking water?
0940003 Page 2 of 5 2010 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Inorganic Contaminants
Year or
Range Contaminant Average
Level
Minimum
Level MCL MCLG Unit of
Measure Source of Contaminant Maximum
Level
Barium 0.092 0.092 ppm Discharge of drilling wastes;
discharge from metal refineries;
erosion of natural deposits.
0.092 2 2 2006
Fluoride 0.1 0.1 ppm Erosion of natural deposits; water
additive which promotes strong
teeth; discharge from fertilizer and
aluminum factories.
0.1 4 4 2006
Nitrate 0.01 0.01 ppm Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching
from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of
natural deposits.
0.01 10 10 2009
Combined Radium
226 & 228
2.3 2.3 pCi/L Erosion of natural deposits. 2.3 15 0 2006
Gross beta emitters 10 10 mrem/
yr
Decay of natural and man-made
deposits.
10 4 0 2006
Organic Contaminants TESTING WAIVED, NOT REPORTED, OR NONE DETECTED
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
Disinfection Byproducts
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.
WAIVED OR NOT YET SAMPLED
“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”
Unregulated Initial Distribution System Evaluation for Disinfection Byproducts: WAIVED OR NOT YET SAMPLED
Contaminant Average
Level
Minimum
Level MCL Unit of
Measure Source of Contaminant
Maximum
Level Year
60 2010 Total Haloacetic Acids 1.1 0 ppb Byproduct of drinking water disinfection. 2.5
80 2010 Total Trihalomethanes 8.3 4.8 ppb Byproduct of drinking water disinfection. 12.7
Year Disinfectant Average
Level
Minimum
Level
Unit of
Measure Source of Chemical Maximum
Level MRDL MRDLG
2009 ppm Disinfectant used to
control microbes. 4.0 <4.0 Chlorine
1.8 1.1 2.8
0940003 Page 3 of 5 2010 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Unregulated Contaminants
Contaminant Average
Level
Minimum
Level
Unit of
Measure Source of Contaminant Maximum
Level
Year or
Range
Bromoform, chloroform, dichlorobromomethane, and dibromochloromethane are disinfection byproducts. There is no maximum
contaminant level for these chemicals at the entry point to distribution.
Dibromochloromethane 1.3 1.3 ppb Byproduct of drinking water disinfection. 1.3 2007
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.
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 2 (UCMR2)
Lead and Copper
Required Additional Health Information for Lead
Contaminant The 90th Percentile
Number of Sites
Exceeding Action Level
Action
Level
Unit of
Measure Source of Contaminant Year
2007 Lead 1.6 0 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.
"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."
NOT REQUIRED Turbidity
Fecal Coliform REPORTED MONTHLY TESTS FOUND NO FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA.
Total Coliform REPORTED MONTHLY TESTS FOUND NO COLIFORM BACTERIA.
0940003 Page 4 of 5 2010 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Secondary and Other Constituents Not Regulated
(No associated adverse health effects)
Constituent Average
Level
Minimum
Level
Secondary
Limit
Unit of
Measure Source of Constituent Maximum
Level
Year or
Range
2007 Bicarbonate 61 61 NA ppm Corrosion of carbonate rocks such as limestone. 61
2007 Calcium 13.9 13.9 NA ppm Abundant naturally occurring element. 13.9
2007 Chloride 20 20 300 ppm Abundant naturally occurring element; used in
water purification; byproduct of oil field activity
20
2007 Copper 0.1 0.1 1 ppm Corrosion of household plumbing systems;
erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood
preservatives.
0.1
2007 Hardness as
Ca/Mg
47 47 NA ppm Naturally occurring calcium and magnesium. 47
2007 Magnesium 3 3 NA ppm Abundant naturally occurring element. 3
2007 Manganese 0.0013 0.0013 .05 ppm Abundant naturally occurring element. 0.0013
2007 Nickel 0.002 0.002 NA ppm Erosion of natural deposits. 0.002
2007 pH 7.4 7.4 >7.0 units Measure of corrosivity of water. 7.4
2007 Sodium 32 32 NA ppm Erosion of natural deposits; byproduct of oil field
activity.
32
2007 Sulfate 21 21 300 ppm Naturally occurring; common industrial
byproduct; byproduct of oil field activity.
21
2007 Total Alkalinity as
CaCO3
61 61 NA ppm Naturally occurring soluble mineral salts. 61
2007 Total Dissolved
Solids
151 151 1000 ppm Total dissolved mineral constituents in water. 151
2007 Zinc 0.032 0.032 5 ppm Moderately abundant naturally occurring element;
used in the metal industry.
0.032
0940003 Page 5 of 5 2010 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Violations Table
Chlorine
Some people who use water containing chlorine well in excess of the MRDL could experience irritating effects to their eyes
and nose. Some people who drink water containing chlorine well in excess of the MRDL could experience stomach
discomfort.
Violation Type Violation Begin Violation End Violation Explanation
MONITORING, ROUTINE (DBP), 07/01/2010 09/30/2010 We failed to test our drinking water for the
MAJOR contaminant and period indicated. Because of
this failure, we cannot be sure of the quality
of our drinking water during the
period indicated.
Steps to Correct Violations
These tests were performed during this period and sent to TCEQ. No violation was received by the City. The City has
re-submitted these reports to TCEQ and is available for review by the public.