2O12 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for the City of Kermit
Annual Water Quality Report for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2012
This report is intended to provide you with important information about your drinking water and the efforts made by the water system to provide
safe drinking water. For more information regarding this report contact John C. Shepard (Director of Public Works) at 432-586-3468.
En Espanol:
Este reporte incluye informacion importante sobre el agua para tomar. Para asistencia en espanol, favor de llamar al telefono 432-586-3468
para hablar con una persona bilingue en espanol.
Public Participation Opportunities:
To learn about future public meetings concerning your drinking water;
Date: 3rd Thursday of each month
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Council Chambers – City Hall - 110 S. Tornillo St.
Phone: 432-586-3460
Where do we get our drinking water?
Our drinking water is obtained from GROUND water sources. It comes from the following Aquifers: DOCKUM (SANTA ROSA) and PECOS
VALLEY(ALLUVIUM).
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.
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).
Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
-Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment pants, 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,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. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public
health.
Contaminants may be found in drinking water that may cause taste, color, or odor problems. These type of problems are not necessarily
causes for health concerns. For more information on taste, color, or odor of drinking water, please contact the system's business office.
You may be more vulnerable than the general population to certain microbial contaminants, such as Cryptosporidium, in drinking water.
Infants, some elderly or Immunocompromised persons such as those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer; persons 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 providers. Additional
guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-
426-4791).
INFORMATION ABOUT SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENTS:
A Source Water Susceptibility Assessment for your drinking water sources 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 sources based on human activities and natural conditions. The information contained in the assessment allows us to focus source water
protection strategies.
For more information about your sources of water, please refer to the Source Water Assessment Viewer available at the following URL: http:
//gis3.tceq.state.tx.us/swav/Controller/index.jsp?wtsrc=
Further details about sources and source water assessments are available in Drinking Water Watch at the following URL: http://dww.tceq.texas.
gov/DWW
The following sources (water wells) are all from groundwater located in the Dockum and Pecos Valley Aquifers:
Santa Rosa #2 @ County Park
Santa Rosa #3 @ Texas Ave. & Kermit St.
Santa Rosa #4 @ Campbell St. & S. Ave. "B"
Santa Rosa #5 @ Bryan St. & S. Ave. "A"
Santa Rosa #6 @ Houston St. & Cedar St.
Santa Rosa #7 @ Jeffee St.
Underwood #1 @ Halley St. pump house
Underwood #2 @ Arkansas St. & Halley St.
Underwood #5 @ Magnolia St. & Halley St.
Walton #1 @ Walton Park pump house
DEFINITIONS & ABBREVIATIONS: The following tables contain scientific terms and measures, some of which may require explanation.
Avg - Regulatory compliance with some MCLs are based on running annual average of monthly samples.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed 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.
Action Level (AL) - The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must
follow.
Action Level Goal (ALG) - The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected health risk. ALGs allow for a
margin of safety.
na - not applicable
NTU - nephelometric turbidity units (a measure of turbidity)
MFL - million fibers per liter (a measure of asbestos)
pCi/L -picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity)
ppm - parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/L) - or one ounce in 7,350 gallons of water
ppb - parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (ug/L) - or one ounce in 7,350,000 gallons of water
ppt - parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter (ng/L)
ppq - parts per quadrillion, or picograms per liter (pg/L)
Inorganic Contaminants
Date Contaminant Violaton Highest Level Range of Levels MCL MCLG Unit of Likely Source of Contaminant
Detected Detected Measure
2012 Arsenic N 2.2 2.2-2.2 10 0 ppb Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards; runoff
from glass and electronics production wastes.
2012 Barium N 0.115 0.115- 0.115 2 2 ppm Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal
refineries; Erosion of natural deposits.
9/26/2011 Fluoride N 1.16 0.68-1.16 4 4 ppm Erosion of natural deposits; water additive which promotes
strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum
factories.
2012 Nitrate N 2 1.35-2.4 10 10 ppm Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks,
(measured as nitrogen) sewage; erosion of natural deposits.
2012 Selenium N 8 8-8 50 50 ppb Discharge from petroleum and metal refineries; erosion of
natural deposits; discharge from mines.
Volatile Organic Contaminants
Date Contaminant Violaton Highest Level Range of Levels MCL MCLG Unit of Likely Source of Contaminant
Detected Detected Measure
2012 Trichloroethylene N 1 0-1.2 5 0 ppb Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
Year Disinfectant Average Minimum Maximum MRDL MRDLG Unit of Source of Disinfectant
Level Level Level Measure
2012 Chlorine Residual - 0.62 0.20 2.11 4 4 ppm Disinfectant used to control microbes.
free
Disinfection By-Products
Date Contaminant Violaton Highest Level Range of Levels MCL MCLG Unit of Likely Source of Contaminant
Detected Detected Measure
9/27/2010 (TTHM) N 15.5 2.1-15.5 80 None ppb By-product of drinking water disinfection.
Total Trihalomethanes
9/27/2010 (HAA5 ) N 1.6 0-1.6 60 None ppb By-product of drinking water disinfection.
Haloacetic Acids
Radioactive Contaminants
Date Contaminant Violaton Highest Level Range of Levels MCL MCLG Unit of Likely Source of Contaminant
Detected Detected Measure
9/27/2010 Beta/photon N 4.2 0-4.2 50 0 pCi/L* Decay of natural and man-made deposits.
emitters
* EPA considers 50 pCi/L to be the level of concern for beta particles
9/27/2010 Gross Alpha N 3.2 0-3.2 15 0 pCi/L Erosion of natural deposits.
Compliance
Lead and Copper
Year Contaminant The 90th # Sites Action Units of
Percentile Over AL Level (AL) Measure MCLG Violation Source of Contaminant
6/19/2010 Lead 0.763 0 15 ppb 1.3 N Corrosion of household plumbing systems.
Erosion of natural deposits.
6/19/2010 Copper 0.0849 0 1.3 ppm 0 N 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. We are responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but we 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 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 at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
Turbidity NOT REQUIRED
Total Coliform REPORTED MONTHLY TESTS FOUND NO COLIFORM BACTERIA.
Fecal Coliform REPORTED MONTHLY TESTS FOUND NO FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA.
Unregulated Contaminants
Unregulated contaminants are those for which the 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 regulations are warranted.
Year Contaminant Average Minimum Maximum Unit of Source of Contaminant
Level Level Level Measure
2012 Chloroform 0.55 0 1.1 ppb By-product of drinking water disinfection.
2012 Bromoform 1.05 1 1.1 ppb By-product of drinking water disinfection.
2012 Bromodichloromethane 0.3 0 0.6 ppb By-product of drinking water disinfection.
2012 Dibromochloromethane 0.85 0 1.7 ppb By-product of drinking water disinfection.
Secondary and Other Constituents Not Regulated
(No associated adverse health effects - related to taste, odor and color)
Year Constituent Detection Level Unit of Measure Source of Contaminant
2012 Calcium 103 ppm Abundant naturally occurring element.
2012 Copper 0.0038 ppm Naturally occurring element.
2012 Hardness 321 ppm Naturally occurring calcium and carbonate.
2012 Iron 0.011 ppm Erosion of natural deposits.
2012 Magnesium 15.4 ppm Abundant naturally occurring element.
2012 Nickel 0.0020 ppm Erosion of natural deposits.
2012 Sodium 37.9 ppm Erosion of natural deposits; by-product of oilfield activity.