Annual Drinking Water Quality Report

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 advise 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
(1-800-426-4791)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants you to know: 

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminates in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health.

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).

The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, spings, and wells.  As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occuring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that me 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, 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.

Notes:

1 The state allows us to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of our data, though accurate is more than one year old.

2 Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system.

3 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 and anemia.

4 The MCL for beta particles is 4 mrem/year. EPA considers 50 pCi/L to be the level of concern for beta particles.

5 Some people who drink water, containin trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidney or dentral nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Contaminants may be found in drinking water that may cause taste, color, or odor problems.  These types or problems are not necessarily causes for heath concerns.  For more information on taste, odor, or color of drinking water please contact the system's business office.

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, espcially for pregrant women and young children.  Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing.  the City of Gonzales 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.

Definitions:

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL’s are set as close to the MDLGs 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 risk to health. MCGLs allow for a margin of safety.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal or MRDLG: The level of drinking water disinfectant below which there is no know or expected risk to health. MRDLG's do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level or MRDL: 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.

Action Level (or AL): The concentration of a contaminant, which if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements, which a water system must follow.

Treatment Technique (or TT): A required process intended to reduce the lever of a contaminant in drinking water.

90th Percentile: 90% of samples are equal to or less than the number in the chart.

NTU (or Nephelometric Turbidity Units): A measure of clarity.

MREM (millirems):  a measure of radiation absorbed by the body.

NA: Not applicable

ND: Not detectable at testing limits.

PPB (or parts per billion): microgram per liter (ug/l).

PPM (or parts per million): milligrams per liter (mp/l).

EPA: Environmental Protection Agency

pCi/L (picocuries per liter):  a measure of radioactivity.

TCEQ: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.