A message to our customers:
This Water Quality Report has been developed in compliance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA’s) to keep you informed about the quality of your drinking water. Inside you’ll find a chart that shows the results of the water analysis and how these results compare to government standards.
The big question...
Is your water safe to drink? Absolutely. Pennichuck is pleased to inform you that the quality of your water far exceeds the quality standards set by state and federal regulations. Since 1852, Pennichuck has provided customers with an abundant supply of safe drinking water. The test results highlighted in this report confirm that Pennichuck’s strong tradition of excellence still continues today.
Contaminants aren't all bad
Drinking water, including bottle 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 USEPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
Special precautions
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons such as people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, people 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 Center for Disease Control and USEPA has guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Crytosporidium and other microbial contaminants. These are available from the USEPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
The downside of disinfection
Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) and hallo acetic acids (HAA) are by-products of the disinfection process. They are created when chlorine and naturally occurring organic compounds come together. Some of these compounds are known or suspected carcinogens. NOTE: Not all systems contain this contaminant. Please reference the water analysis chart.
Exactly how small are we talking?
Our monitoring equipment can measure elements in water that were previously undetectable. Most of the standards in this report are given in milligrams per liter (mg/L), which is equivalent to one part per million.
| One part in one million is equal to: |
One ounce in 62,500 pounds |
| |
One minute in two years |
| |
One penny in $10,000 |
Complete monitoring
From source to faucet Pennichuck Water Works’ laboratory is certified by the State of New Hampshire to perform a variety of water quality analyses. Our highly trained laboratory personnel collect and analyze over 3,000 samples every year. Comprehensive testing of wells, reservoirs, and the water treatment plant and distribution system assures that all customers receive the highest quality water possible.
Water analysis chart
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 include: |
| Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. |
| Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming. |
| Pesticides and herbicides may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses. |
| Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also, come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems. |
| Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. |
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.
Health effects
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 system is responsible for high quality drinking water, but can not control the variety of materials used in your plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing cold water through your tap for at least 30 seconds before using water for drinking or cooking. Do not use hot water for drinking and 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 http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
Radon: a radioactive gas that you can not see, taste or smell. It can move up through the ground and into a home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Radon can also get into indoor air when released from tap water from showering, washing dishes, and other household activities. It is a known human carcinogen. Breathing radon can lead to lung cancer. Drinking water containing radon may cause an increased risk of stomach cancer. Presently EPA is reviewing a standard for radon in water.
Sodium: Sodium sensitive individuals such as those experiencing hypertension, kidney failure, or congestive heart failure, who drink water containing sodium should be aware of levels where exposures are being carefully controlled.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about this report, or about your water quality, please call Gary Tetley, Water Quality Manager, at 603-882-5191 or e-mail to laboratory@pennichuck.com. You may also call the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
Definitions
| MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. They are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. |
MRDLG (Maximum Residual Disinfection Level Goal): The level of 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 contaminants.) |
TT (Treatment Technique): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. |
| MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. (MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.) |
MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfection Level): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. |
AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, when exceed, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. |
Abbreviations
| < |
Less Than |
ppt |
parts per trillion |
| NA |
Not Applicable
|
ppq |
parts per quadtrillion |
| ND |
Not Detectable |
SMCL |
Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level |
| TT |
Treatment Technique |
pCi/L |
pico Curies per Liter (A measurement of radioactivity) |
| NR |
Not Regulated |
NTU |
Nephelometric Turbidity Unit |
| MFL |
Million Fibers per Liter |
AL |
Action Level |
| ppm |
parts per million |
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