NASHUA 2011

Pennichuck Water Works         EPA # 1621010
Microbiological Contaminants Highest % Positive in a month MCL MCLG Violation Yes/No Typical Source of Contaminant
Total Coliform Bacteria 2.0 % in September 2010 >5% 0 No Naturally present in the environment
Turbidity TT Lowest Monthly % of Samples Highest Detected Daily Value Violation Yes/No Typical Source of Contaminant
Daily Compliance (NTU) 5 ----------- 0.30 on 3/29/2010 No Soil Runoff
Monthly Compliance* At least 95% 99.87 - March 2010 ----------- No
Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water.  We monitor it because it is a good indicator of water quality.
*Monthly turbidity compliance is related to a specific treatment technique (TT).  Our system filters the water so at least 95% of our samples each month must be below the turbidity limits specified in the regulations.
Inorganic Contaminants Date Collected Highest Detect Range Detected MCL or MRDL MCLG or MRDLG Violation Yes/No Typical Source of Contaminant
Nitrate as Nitrogen (ppm 2010 0.86 <0.2-0.86 10 10 NO Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits.
Total Organic Carbon (ppm) 2010 1.2 <0.09-3.0 TT n/a NO Naturally present in the environment
Sodium (ppm) 2010 41.9 28.1 - 41.9 Not Regulated Natural sources; runoff from use as salt on roadways
Volatile Organic Contaminants              
Chlorine (ppm) 2010 0.66 Avg 0.02 - 1.56 4 4 NO Water additive used to control microbes
Total Trihalomethanes (ppb) 2010 21.7 Avg 3.9 - 58 80 n/a NO By-product of drinking water chlorination
Haloacetic Acids (ppb) 2010 6.2 Avg 1.9 - 13 60 n/a NO By-product of drinking water chlorination
Radiological Contaminants              
Compliance Gross Alpha (pCi/L) 2005 5.9 nd-5.9 15 0 NO Erosion of natural deposits
Uranium (ppb) 2005 0.6 0.1-0.6 30 0 NO Erosion of natural deposits
Radium 226 & 228 (pCi/L) 2005 0.6 nd-0.6 5 0 NO Erosion of natural deposits
Radon (pCi/L) 4/17/2008 654 nd - 654 Not Regulated Erosion of natural deposits
  Date Collected 90th Percentile Action Level MCLG # of Sites Sampled # sites above Action Level Violation Yes/No Typical Source of Contaminant
Lead (ppb) 9/2008 < 5 15 0 32 0 No Corrosion of household plumbing system
Copper (ppm) 9/2008 0.064 1.3 1.3 32 0 No Corrosion of household plumbing system
What is the source of my drinking water?
Our watershed is a 27.5 square mile area from which rainfall drains, becoming a source for the Pennichuck Brook, and ultimately, the Pond System.  This is Pennichuck's primary source of water, accounting for about 75% of our total annual supply.  Other supplementary sources of water are the Bon Terrain Well, in Amherst, NH, the Amherst Village District well in Amherst, NH (this well was not used during 2009), and the Merrimack River, which is used primarily during the summer months.
Source Water Assessment Summary
    Summary of Susceptibility Factors
Source Name Date Low Med High
Harris Pond Reservoir 7/5/01 6 3 2
Supply Pond / Springs 7/5/01 6 3 2
Merrimack River 10/25/01 2 4 5  
Bon Terrain Well 10/30/00 8 1 3
Amherst Village District Well 10/30/00 7 3 2
The complete Assessment Report is available for review.  For more information call Gary Tetley at 800-553-5191 ext. 2378 or visit NH Department of Environmental Services Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau web site at http://www.des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/dwgb/dwspp/reports/index.htm