Jay Water Works
2007 Water Quality Report
2007 has seen a
continuation of a major project for Jay Water Works plant # 1021674(JWW). The
project will include moving the raw water pumps at
This will move
the raw water pumps from the current 22ft. depth of water to approximately
60ft. of water with greater ability to sustain the City of
In 2007 Jay Water Works continued to test
for and monitor in accordance with the new and tighter regulations that began
in 2004. Two of the tests being performed on the water include TOC’s and
TTHM’s. TOC is the acronym for Total Organic Carbon and ties into the test for
Total Trihalomethane’s(TTHM’s). Chlorine can react with the organic carbon in the
water and produce TTHM’s. Limiting the amount of organic carbon in the water
and the amount of chlorine added to the water reduces TTHM’s. This however
requires a delicate balancing act as we have to add enough chlorine to ensure
public safety. Our chlorination system adds chlorine to the raw water as it
enters our plant (pre-chlorination) and also to the potable water as it leaves
the plant (post-chlorination). This process is monitored closely to reduce TTHM
production.
Jay Water Works is in the process of meeting the
even stricter requirements of these regulations that will take effect in 2009. Jay Water
Works also continues to meet 2005 regulation changes in the form of stricter
turbidity monitoring and lower turbidity allowance levels and also individual
filters to be monitored. This ensures that all filters are performing
efficiently and safely.
Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
Microbial contaminants – such as viruses and
bacteria, which 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 water runoff,
industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining,
or farming
Pesticides and herbicides – which may come from a variety of
sources such as agriculture and residential uses.
Radioactive contaminants – which are naturally
occurring
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
Definitions:
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) -The highest level of a
contaminant that is allowed in the drinking water. MCL's are set as close to
the MCLG's as feasibly possible using the best available treatment technology.
Maximum Containment Level Goal (MCLG) - The level of a contaminant in drinking
water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG's allow
for a margin of safety.
Action Level (
Parts per million
(ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L) - One part of contaminant per million parts of
water.
Parts per billion
(ppb) or micrograms per liter (ug/L) - One part of a contaminant per billion parts of
water.
Nephelometric
Turbidity Unit (NTU) - A measure of the clarity of water. A Turbidity of 5.0 NTU is
just noticeable to the average person.
Picocuries per liter
(pCi/L) -
A measure of the radioactivity in water.
Treatment Technique (TT) - A treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the level
of a contaminant in drinking water.
|
Substance |
MCl |
MCLG |
Detected |
Possible Sources
of Contamination |
||||
|
Min |
Avg |
Max |
||||||
|
Turbidity Level found |
5.0 Ntu |
Not available |
|
4.44 % |
0.96 NTU |
Geology, Soil runoff |
||
|
Lowest Monthly % |
TT ≤ 0.5 NTU in at least 95% of samples |
99% |
||||||
|
Total Coliform Bacteria |
One sample per month testing positive |
No samples per month testing positive |
|
|
1 |
Naturally present in the
environment |
||
|
Alpha Emitters ** |
15 pCi/L |
0 pCi/L |
0.39 pCi/L |
0.49 pCi/L |
0.55 pCi/L |
Geology |
||
|
Beta/Photon Emitters ** |
50 pCi/L |
0 pCi/L |
1.84 pCi/L |
2.16 pCi/L |
2.54 pCi/L |
Geology |
||
|
Nitrite-Nitrate as N |
10 ppm |
10 ppm |
0.64 ppm |
0.64 ppm |
0.64 ppm |
Runoff from fertilizer use, septic tanks, sewage |
||
|
Fluoride |
4 ppm |
4 ppm |
0.97 ppm |
0.97 ppm |
0.97 ppm |
Erosion of natural deposits, added at JWW |
||
|
Barium |
2 ppm |
2 ppm |
43ppb |
43ppb |
43ppb |
Erosion of natural deposits; mining |
||
|
Copper |
|
0 ppb |
23 ppb |
23 ppb |
23 ppb |
Corrosion of home water pipes |
||
|
Trihalomethanes |
80 ppb annual average |
0 ppb |
37 UG/L |
69 ppb |
92.1 UG/L |
Disinfection by-product of chlorine in drinking
water |
||
|
Haloacetic Acids |
60 ppb annual average |
0 ppb |
29 UG/L |
71 ppb |
99 UG/L |
By-product of drinking water disinfection |
||
|
Arsenic |
0.01 mg/L |
Not Available |
Testing |
Not |
Performed 2007 |
Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards;
runoff from glass and electronics production wastes |
||
** This Test last
performed in 2000
Some
people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general
population. Arsenic: Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess
of the MCL over many years could experience skin damage or problems with their
circulatory system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Arsenic
sampling was not performed resulting in a violation. HAA5: Some people who
drink water containing halo acetic acids in excess of the MCL over many years
may have an increased risk of getting cancer. An HAA5 sample was missed
resulting in a violation of monthly and quarterly average Immune-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. Total
Coli form: Coli forms are bacteria that are naturally present in the
environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially- harmful,
bacteria may be present. Coli forms were found in more samples than allowed and
this was a warning of potential problems, however retest samples were
clear. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate
means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbiological
contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
MCLs are set at very stringent levels. To understand the possible health
effects described for many regulated constituents, a person would have to drink
2 liters of water every day at the MCL level for a lifetime to have a
one-in-a-million chance of having the described health effect. All sources of
drinking water are subject to potential contamination by constituents that are
naturally occurring or are man-made. Those constituents can be microbes,
organic or inorganic chemicals, or radioactive materials. All 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 the water poses a health risk. More information about
contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the
Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at
1-800-426-4791.
JWW routinely monitors for
constituents in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws. This
table shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1st to
December 31st, 2007 (Some of our data
may be more than one year old because the state allows us to monitor for some
contaminants less often than once per year.)
There are seventy-six regulated contaminants that community water
systems are required to test for including microbiological, radioactive, inorganic,
synthetic organic including pesticides and herbicides, and volatile organic
contaminants. We are exempt from testing for synthetic organic contaminants
based upon a vulnerability assessment conducted by the Oklahoma Department of
Environmental Quality.
JWW routinely monitors for
constituents in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws. This
table shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1st
to December 31st, 2007. (Some of our data may be more than one year
old because the state allows us to monitor for some contaminants less often
than once per year.)
There are seventy-six
regulated contaminants that community water systems are required to test for
including microbiological, radioactive, inorganic, synthetic organic including
pesticides and herbicides, and volatile organic contaminants. We are exempt from testing for synthetic
organic contaminants based upon a vulnerability assessment conducted by the
Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.
The table above shows only those contaminants that were detected.
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 (800-426-4791).
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.
We have a source water protection plan
available from our office that provides more information such as potential
sources of contamination.
JWW treats surface water drawn from Lake Eucha,
5 miles south of Jay to supply high quality water for Jay, Oakhill, and RWD 1. If you have any questions concerning this report or your
water in general contact Eric Cooper by phone at (918) 253-4790, or stop by our
plant at 2329 S. Main in
It is very important to ensure water quality in lakes and
streams, especially when they are the source of water for cities and towns.
This is sometimes difficult as a river can pass through several states and lake
watersheds can encompass huge areas. Here are some things every citizen can do
to ensure water quality for themselves and for the next generations
- Don’t
Litter. When you’re near a stream or lake pick up your trash. Be nice and
pick up someone else’s trash.
- Examine
the chemicals you use on gardens and lawns. Rivers and lakes can be
contaminated by runoff water when it rains. Chemicals can also can
penetrate the ground and enter the groundwater which will empty into
streams and rivers. That is a reason why septic systems are located
downslope from wells. Contamination may not be immediate but can happen
years later.
- Ensure
your wastewater systems are running properly. Almost all wastewater plants
empty their treated water into streams and lakes. An improperly operating
facility can have a severe impact on water quality.
- Check
your government. Our government was designed with each branch checking and
balancing the other branches, but the most important check is the people.
Citizens must voice their opinion and ask questions in order to ensure that
the right to safe and enjoyable lakes and streams continues for themselves
and the next generation.
Jay Utilities Board
Wayne
Dunham - Chairman
Les
Newkirk - Vice Chairman
Sally
Baker - Member
Kathie
Stuart - Member
Dwaine
Ellis - Member
Report
compiled and audited by Eric Cooper