Water Quality Report - 2007

The purpose of the Consumer Confidence Report is to inform our customers as to the quality of our drinking water and the importance of source water protection. This report also characterizes any risks from exposure to contaminants in the drinking water in an accurate and understandable manner. If you have any questions please feel free to give us a call.

What is the water quality of my drinking water?

We are pleased to report that our drinking water meets federal and state requirements. We will continue to work in your behalf in order to provide you with drinking water of the finest quality.

What is the source of my water?

Our primary drinking water source is surface water from the North Branch of the Gale River and when needed is supplemented by groundwater taken from a bedrock well located on the Brickyard Road.

Other Information:

The Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for Total Trihalomethanes (0.080 mg/l) was exceed by 0.001 mg/l in January 2006 as the running annual average for this compound was 0.081 mg/l. All customers received a mailing in May advising them of this violation, the measures employed to reduce the level of this contaminant. The contaminant level were reduced below the MCL by the following month.

Why are there contaminants in my water?

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of 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 US Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (1-800-426-4791).

How can I get involved?

Attend a Regular Commissioners Meetings that are held on the first and third Mondays of each month at the Littleton Water and Light Department (LWL) conference room. Also check out the information contained on our web site at www.littletonwaterandlight.org

Do I need to take special precautions?

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons, such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ trans-plants, 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 microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

Definitions: 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 safety. || MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. They are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology  || AL: Action Level, or the concentration of a contaminant which, when exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.  ||TT: Treatment Technique, or a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. ||MRDLG: Maximum residual disinfectant level goal or the level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLG's do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. MRDL: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level or the highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that the addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

Abbreviations: ppt: parts per trillion || ppb: parts per billion || ppm: parts per million  || n/a: not applicable || NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Unit || MFL: million fibers per liter || nd: not detectable at testing limits *  pci/l: pico curies per liter, a measurement of radioactivity

Sample Dates: The results for detected contaminants listed below are from the most recent monitoring done in compliance with regulations ending with the year 2006. Results prior to 2006 will include the date the sample was taken.

Radon: Radon is a radioactive gas that you can't see, taste or smell. It can move up through the ground and into a home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Radon can also get into indoor air when released from tap water from showering, washing dishes, and other household activities. It is a known human carcinogen. Breathing radon can lead to lung cancer. Drinking water containing radon may cause an increased risk of stomach cancer. Presently EPA is reviewing a standard for radon in water.

Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. It is monitored by surface water systems because it is a good indicator of water quality and thus helps measure the effectiveness of the treatment process. High turbidity can hinder the effectiveness of disinfectants.

Sample Dates: The State of New Hampshire allows water systems to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations do not change frequently. Thus some of the data presented, though representative, may be more than one year old.

DETECTED WATER QUALITY RESULTS FOR YEAR ENDING 2006

Description of Drinking Water Contaminants:

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. 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, 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. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

Source Water Assessment Summary:

The NH Department of Environmental Services has prepared a Source Water Assessment Report for the source(s) serving this community water system, assessing the sources’ vulnerability to contamination. The results of the assessment, prepared in 2003, are as follows:

North Branch Gale River (Primary Surface water Source), received (0) high susceptibility ratings, (0) medium susceptibility ratings, and (11) low susceptibility ratings.

Brickyard Road Well (Supplemental bedrock/ groundwater source) received (2) high susceptibility ratings, (4) medium susceptibility ratings, and (6) low susceptibility ratings.

The complete Assessment Report with definition of what the susceptibility factor reference is available for inspection at Littleton Water & Light Department, 65 Lafayette Ave, Littleton, NH 03561. For more information, call 603-444-2915 or visit NHDES Drinking Water Source Assessment Program web site.