This report is a summary of the quality of the water we provide our customers.  The analysis was made by using the data from the most recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required tests and is presented in the following pages.  We hope this information helps you become more knowledgeable about what's in your drinking water.

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.  Contaminants that may be present in source water before treatment include; microbes, inorganic contaminants, pesticides, herbicides, radioactive contaminants, and organic chemical contaminants.

En Espanol

Este reporte incluye informacion importante sobre el agua para tomar.  Si tiene preguntas o' discusiones sobre este reporte en espanol, favor de llamar al tel. 979-345-3123 para hablar con una persona bilingue en espanol.

Public Participation Opportunities

  Date:          Monday, July 9, 2007

  Time:          7 p.m.

   Location:   Council Chambers, 512 E. Brazos, West Columbia, Texas

   Phone No.: 979-345-3123

Where do we get our drinking water?  Our drinking water is obtained from GROUND water sources.  It comes from the CHICOT aquifer.  A source Water Susceptibility Assessment for your drinking water source(s) is currently being updated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and will be provided to us this year.  The report will describe the susceptibility and types of constituents that my come into contact with your drinking water source based on human activities and natural conditions.  The information contained in the assessment will allow us to focus our source water protection strategies.  For more information on source water assessments and protection efforts at our system, please contact us.   

ALL drinking water may contain contaminants

When drinking water meets federal standards there may not be any health based benefits to purchasing bottled water or point of use devices.  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)

Secondary Constituents

Many constituents (such as calcium, sodium or iron) which are often found in drinking water, can cause taste, color, and odor problems.  The taste and odor constituents are called secondary constituents and are regulated by the State of Texas, not the EPA.  These constituents are not causes for health concern.  Therefore, secondaries are not required to be reported in this document but they may greatly affect the appearance and taste of your water.

About the Following Information

The information that follows list all of the federally regulated or monitored constituents which have been found in your drinking water.  U.S. EPA requires water systems to test up to 97 constituents.

DEFINITIONS

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)
The highest permissible level of a contaminant 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.  MRLDGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contamination.

Treatment Technique (TT)
A required process intended to reduce the level of contaminant in drinking water.

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

ABBREVIATIONS

• NTU - Nephelometric Turbidity Units

• 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)

• ppb - parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (ug/l)

• ppt - parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter

• ppq - parts per quadrillion, or picograms per liter
  

Inorganic Contaminants

Organic Contaminants   TESTING WAIVED, NOT  REPORTED, OR NONE DETECTED
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level  Systems must complete and submit disinfection data on the Disinfection Level Quarterly Operating Report (DLQOR).  On the CCR report, the system must provide disinfectant type, minimum, maximum and average levels.

Disinfection Byproducts

Unregulated Contaminants

Bromoform, chloroform, dichlorobromomethane, and dibromochloromethane are disinfection byproducts.  There is no maximum contaminant level for these chemicals at the entry point to distribution.

Lead and Copper

Turbidity  NOT REQUIRED

Total Coliform   REPORTED MONTHLY TESTS FOUND NO COLIFORM BACTERIA.

Fecal Coliform   REPORTED MONTHLY TESTS FOUND NO FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA.

COLIFORMS

What are Coliforms?

Total coliform bacteria are used as indicators of microbial contamination of drinking water because testing for them is easy.  While not disease-causing organisms themselves, they are often found in association with other microbes that are capable of causing disease.  Coliform bacteria are more hardy than many disease-causing organisms; Therefore, their absence from water is a good indication that the water is microbiologically safe for human cunsumption.

Fecal Coliform bacteria and, in particular, E. Coli, are members of the coliform bacteria group originating in the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals and are passed into the environment through feces.  The presence of fecal coliform bacteria (e. Coli) in drinking water may indicate recent contamination of the drinking water with fecal material.  The following table indicates whether total coliform or fecal coliform bacteria were found in the monthly drinking water samples submitted for testing by your water supplier last year.