Town of Shipshewana Water Quality Report 2018
PWSID# 5244006 June 2018 Report No. 20
Important information for the Spanish-speaking population
Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre la calidad del agua potable que usted consume. Por favor tradúzcalo, o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien y pueda explicarle.
Is my drinking water safe?
Yes, our water meets all of EPA’s health standards. In 2017, we conducted tests for contaminants that may be in drinking water. As you’ll see in the chart on the back, we found all those contaminants to be at safe levels, or below.
Is our water system meeting other rules that govern our operations?
The State and EPA require us to test and report on our water on a regular basis to ensure its safety. We have always met all of these requirements. We want you to know that we pay attention to all the rules.
What is the source of my water?
The Town’s three wells are located just north of Morton Street in the Town Park. Your water comes from a groundwater source over 200 feet below ground. The water is pumped out of the ground to the water treatment plant where impurities such as iron and manganese are removed by aeration and filtration before being disinfected and entering the water distribution system.
Why are there contaminants in my water?
The sources of drinking water (both tap 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 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 runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharge, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. Pesticides and herbicides which may come from a variety of sources such as agricultural, residential use, or storm water runoff. Organic chemicals, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production can also come from gas
stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems. Radioactive materials, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. 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 Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426- 4791).
How can I get involved?
Your Town Council meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at 6:00 pm. Please feel free to participate at these meetings.
DO I NEED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS?
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. 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.
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).
Other Information
Our Wellhead Protection Plan (WHPP) Phase I was approved by IDEM in September 2003. A copy of the plan is available for review at the Town Hall. Our WHPP Phase II was approved in October 2015. These plans help to increase awareness of proper waste disposal, to further protect the source of our drinking water. These plans also provide direction in case of emergency with our drinking water supply.
For more information about your drinking water: Please call us at 260-768-4743
Town of Shipshewana Water Quality Report 2018 Report No. 20
What does this chart mean?
Water Quality Data
- MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, or 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
- MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level, or 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
- NOTE: The EPA requires monitoring of over 80 drinking water contaminants. Those listed below are the only contaminants detected in your drinking water. For a complete list, contact the Town
Contaminant [units] | MCLG | MCL | Highest Level Found (Year) | Compliance Achieved | Typical Source of Contaminant |
Microbiological Contaminants
Total Coliform
[% positive samples] |
0 |
Presence of coliform bacteria in one monthly sample |
0 |
Yes |
Naturally present in human & animal fecal waste |
Total Trichalomethane [ppb] | N/A | 80 | 17 (2017) | Yes | Over 80 ppb is considered dangerous by EPA |
Total Haloacetic Acids [ppb] | N/A | 60 | 13.7 (2017) | Yes | Over 60 ppb is considered dangerous by EPA |
Inorganic Compounds and Contaminants
Alachlor [ppm] | 0 | 0.002 | ND
<0.0002 |
Yes | Agricultural runoff from herbicide used on row crops |
Atrazine [ppm] | 0.003 | 0.003 | ND
<0.0005 |
Yes | Agricultural runoff from herbicide used on row crops |
Arsenic [ppm] | 0 | 0.010 | 0.0061 (2017) | Yes | Erosion of natural deposits |
Barium [ppm] | 2 | 2 | 0.136 (2017) | Yes | Discharge of drilling wastes, discharge from metal refineries, erosion of natural deposits |
Copper [ppm]
10 Samples Collected |
1.3 | 1.3 (AL) | 0.312 (2015) | Yes | Corrosion of household plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits |
Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate [ppm] | 0.4 | 0.4 | ND
<0.0006 |
Yes | Discharge from chemical factories |
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate [ppm] | 0 | 0.006 | ND
<0.0006 |
Yes | Discharge from rubber and chemical factories |
Endrin [ppm] | 0.002 | 0.002 | ND
<0.0001 |
Yes | Residue of banned insecticide |
Fluoride (natural) [ppm] |
4 |
4 |
0.314 (2017) |
Yes |
Erosion of natural deposits, water additive which promotes strong teeth, discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories |
Heptachlor [ppm] | 0 | 0.0004 | ND
<0.0002 |
Yes | Residue of banned termiticide |
Lead [ppb]
10 Samples Collected |
0 | 15 (AL) | 0.009 (2015) | Yes | Corrosion of household plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits – See Special Note below |
Lindane [ppm] | 0.0002 | 0.0002 | ND
<0.0001 |
Yes | Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on cattle, lumber, gardens |
Nitrate (as Nitrogen) [ppm] | 10 | 10 | <0.5 (2017) | Yes | Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits |
Simazine [ppm] | 0.004 | 0.004 | ND
<0.00035 |
Yes | Herbicide runoff |
Sodium [ppm] | N/A | N/A | 9.96 (2017) | Yes | Erosion of natural deposits |
SOCs (Synthetic Organic Compounds in Drinking Water) – None were detected in any samples (2017)
Special Note on 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. Our system 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.
Abbreviations:
AL: Action Limit, or the concentration of a contaminant which, when exceeded, is not a violation but can trigger treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow | ND: Not Detected (or below Detection Level) | N/A: Not Applicable | ppb: Parts per Billion or micrograms per liter (mg/L) | ppm: Parts per Million or milligrams per liter (mg/L)
About the data: Most of the data presented in this table are from testing done during 2017 or earlier. We monitor for some contaminants less than once per year, and for those contaminants, the date of the last sample is shown in the table.