PORTSMOUTH WATER AND FIRE DISTRICT
2007
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT
ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD MEMBERS
Joseph A. Magliocco, Jr. |
Tax Assessor |
Chairman |
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G. David Crockett |
Tax Assessor |
William L. Douglas, Jr. |
Treasurer |
Philip T. Driscoll |
Clerk |
Ronald L. Molleur |
Moderator |
Michael W. Nott |
Water Commissioner |
Gaetano Polselli, Jr. |
Tax Collector |
Phone: (401) 683-2090
e-mail: info@portsmouthwater.org
Dear Customer:
We are pleased to present a summary of the quality of the water provided to District customers during the past year. The federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires that water utilities issue an annual "Consumer Confidence" report to customers in addition to other notices that may be required by law. This report details where our water comes from, what it contains, and the risks our water testing and treatment are designed to prevent. The Portsmouth Water and Fire District is committed to providing you with the safest and most reliable water supply available. Informed consumers are our best allies in maintaining safe drinking water.
About the Portsmouth Water and Fire District
The Portsmouth Water and Fire District is a quasi-municipal agency created by the RI General Assembly in 1952. The District is responsible for providing drinking water and fire hydrants for approximately ninety percent of Portsmouth on Aquidneck Island. The District is governed by a seven-member elected Administrative Board and holds an annual election of officers on the second Wednesday in June. Although the District is not affiliated legally or administratively with the Town of Portsmouth, the District and Town work cooperatively to best serve their common constituents.
The original District was known as the Island Park and Common Fence Point Fire District and its water distribution system was constructed in the mid to late 1950’s. In 1956, the name of the District was changed to the Portsmouth Water and Fire District. In 1965, the District boundaries were changed to include the rest of Portsmouth and the water distribution system was expanded to cover this area in the mid to late 1960’s. The Redwood Farms and Raytheon areas were excluded from the District’s expanded service area as they were already served by Newport Water. Today the District’s water system serves over 6,400 customers and consists of over 125 miles of pipe, 4 water storage tanks, 2 pumping stations and 553 fire hydrants.
The District does not own any water supplies, but purchases its regular water supply on a wholesale basis from the Newport Water Department and relies on the Stone Bridge Fire District in Tiverton for emergency water supply.
The Administrative Board's goal is to provide the customers of the District with an adequate supply of the best quality water available. As part of its effort to improve water quality, the District is in conducting a $1.6 million renovation of its four water storage tanks, which includes cleaning, painting, security enhancements and installing mixing systems within the tanks. As part of its efforts to provide a long-term, adequate water supply for Portsmouth, the District has undertaken a fractured bedrock groundwater evaluation and test well program. The District also continues to require that new water main extensions be looped-in to existing water mains whenever possible, to maintain water quality.
We encourage public interest and participation in our community's decisions affecting drinking water. Regular meetings of the Administrative Board of the Portsmouth Water and Fire District are held on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:15 PM, at the District's office at 1944 East Main Road. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings. Written minutes of the meetings are available upon request. The information in this report and minutes of Board meetings are also available on the World Wide Web at http://www.portsmouthwater.org.
In 2007, the Portsmouth Water and Fire District purchased all of its water from the Newport Water Department. The water is treated at the Lawton Valley Water Treatment Plant in Portsmouth, which is owned and operated by the Newport Water Department. The plant draws surface water from the Lawton Valley Reservoir, St. Mary Pond, and Sisson Pond in Portsmouth, Nonquit Pond in Tiverton and Watson Reservoir in Little Compton, all of which are owned by the Newport Water Department. The emergency Stone Bridge supply is treated at the Stone Bridge Treatment Plant in Tiverton, which draws water from Stafford Pond in Tiverton.
Source Water Assessments
The University of Rhode Island, in cooperation with the RI Department of Health and other state and federal agencies, has assessed the threats to Newport Water’s water supply sources. The assessment considered the intensity of development, the presence of businesses and facilities that use, store or generate potential contaminants, how easily contaminants may move through the watersheds, and the sampling history of the water. The assessment results will be used to plan source water protection efforts in the future.
The water quality monitoring program by the District and Newport Water continues to assure that the water delivered to your home is safe. However, the assessment found that the source waters on Aquidneck Island and in Little Compton and Tiverton are moderately susceptible to contamination. This average ranking for the entire system is based on land use and existing water quality. Because most land in source water areas is privately owned, the focus of the assessments has been on identifying threats from land use so local governments, residents and water suppliers can take action to protect valuable drinking water supplies. This means that monitoring and protection efforts are especially important to assure continued water quality. The complete Source Water Assessment Report is available at our office or by calling the RI Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water Quality at (401) 222-6867. The assessments are also available at the RI Department of Health and URI web sites at www.health.ri.gov/environment/dwq/swap/index.php and www.uri.edu/ce/wq/resources/dwater/Assessments/index.htm, respectively.
Health Effects Information for the Water You Drink
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).
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:
(a) Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife;
(b) Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming;
(c) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses;
(d) 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 stormwater runoff and septic systems;
(e) 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. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than is the general population. Immuno-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 microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
Water Quality IssuesConcerning Lead in Our Water
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. The Portsmouth Water and Fire District 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.
Although there is no lead in the water supplied by the District, it can enter tap water through corrosion of household plumbing materials. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have fixtures and solder containing lead. However, new homes are also at risk: even legally “lead-free” plumbing may contain up to 8 percent lead. The most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures which can leach significant amounts of lead into the water, especially hot water.
Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. It is possible that lead levels at your home may be higher than at other homes in the community as a result of materials used in your home's plumbing. The District can help you get your tap water tested for lead.
The current corrosion control treatment chemical used to control lead at the tap is scheduled to be changed by the Newport Water Department in the fall of 2008 to help improve corrosion control. In addition, the current corrosion control program is being reviewed for optimization with any change in the treatment process that may be implemented to reduce TTHMs (see below).
THE DISTRICT CAN HELP YOU OBTAIN A CERTIFIED LEAD TEST FOR YOUR TAP WATER FOR $12. PLEASE CALL 683-2090 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Concerning Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) in Our Water
When chlorine is used in the treatment of drinking water, it combines with organic and inorganic matter present in water to form chemicals called disinfection byproducts (DBPs). EPA sets standards for controlling the levels of DBPs in drinking water, one of which is TTHMs.
Many water systems disinfect their water with chlorine in order to inactivate pathogens that cause disease. The public health benefits of chlorine disinfection practices are significant and well-recognized. One hundred years ago, water borne diseases such as typhoid and cholera were common throughout American cities and disinfection of drinking water was a major factor in reducing these epidemics. However, disinfection poses risks of its own. EPA’s health effects language for TTHMs states, “Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.” In addition, several reproduction and developmental studies have recently become available, and EPA has completed a more extensive analysis of reproductive and developmental effects associated with DBPs. Both human epidemiology studies and animal toxicology studies have shown associations between chlorinated drinking water and reproductive and developmental endpoints such as spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, neural tube defects, pre-term delivery, intrauterine growth retardation, and low birth weight. New epidemiology and toxicology studies evaluating bladder and rectal cancers have also increased the weight of evidence linking these health effects to DBP exposure.
Consequently, one of the most complex questions facing water supply professionals is how to reduce risks from disinfectants and DBPs while providing increased protection against microbial contaminants.
The District’s TTHM levels are the result of the organic content of the raw water, the chlorination and treatment processes at the Lawton Valley Water Treatment Plant, and the hydraulics at the plant and the District’s system, and largely form prior to purchase by the District.
The District’s Administrative Board is committed to ensuring that the TTHM levels are controlled to allow continued compliance with federal and state standards. The following steps have been taken by the District and Newport Water Department to reduce the TTHM levels:
· The amount of chlorine added to the water from time to time by the District has been reduced while still ensuring reliable bacteriological control.
· The Newport Water Department has modified its plant operations to the extent possible and permissible by regulations in an effort to minimize the production of TTHMs.
· The Newport Water Department has conducted a compliance evaluation of its treatment plants.
· The District, Newport Water Department and Naval Station Newport have participated in a joint study to examine the most efficient way to reduce TTHMs on an island-wide basis.
· The Newport Water Department is proceeding with the engineering, testing and design for improvements to the treatment processes at its two water treatment plants to primarily address the level of TTHMs.
· The District has sought, and will continue to seek, the assistance of the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, the Rhode Island Department of Health and the EPA to ensure that everything possible is being done to reduce the production of TTHMs.
Concerning Manganese in our Water
Customers may occasionally receive water with a yellow or brown color. This is occasionally due to the level of the naturally occurring mineral “manganese” in the water. This occurs mainly in the summer and fall. At times the water in the reservoirs has elevated levels of manganese which do not respond to treatment at the water treatment facilities. The EPA has not established requirements for Manganese as a primary drinking water regulation. The EPA has established secondary drinking water regulations for contaminants such as manganese, which are recommended goals. The secondary drinking water regulations are related to contaminants that primarily affect the aesthetic qualities (taste, color and odor) of drinking water.
The Newport Water Department, which treats the water, must balance the treatment processes to meet both enforceable levels of the primary drinking water regulations with the goals of the secondary drinking water regulations. When elevated levels of manganese are identified, Newport Water adjusts the treatment process as much as possible and changes the reservoir water source. Additional information on primary and secondary contaminants may be found at www.epa.gov/safewater/mcl.html.
Customers are requested to notify the District when discolored water occurs so that we can monitor its extent, intensity and frequency and so that we can consult with Newport Water as necessary. We apologize for the inconvenience of any discolored water problems experienced by our customers.
Concerning Cryptosporidium in Drinking Water
Cryptosporidium is a microbial pathogen found in surface water throughout the U.S. Although filtration removes Cryptosporidium, the most commonly used filtration methods cannot guarantee 100% removal. Consuming water with Cryptosporidium, may cause cryptosporidiosis, an abdominal infection with symptoms including nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Most healthy individuals can overcome the disease in a few weeks. However, immunocompromised people are at greater risk of developing life threatening illness. We encourage immunocompromised individuals to consult their doctor regarding appropriate precautions to avoid infection. Cryptosporidium must be ingested to cause disease, and it may be spread through means other than drinking water. EPA adopted the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2 rule) on January 5, 2006, to control microbial contaminants. The LT2 rule requires the Newport Water Department to monitor the source water for 24 months, calculate an average Cryptosporidium concentration, and use the results to determine if the source water is vulnerable to contamination and may require additional treatment. The Newport Water Department will be submitting its 24 month monitoring results to the RI Department of Health and EPA by June 1, 2008. Based on the results of the monitoring, if necessary, any additional treatment improvements must be completed by September 30, 2013. The results through 2007 indicate additional treatment upgrades at either plant probably will not be required. From April 2006 through December 2007, the Newport Water Department began monthly monitoring of the source water entering each plant for the presence of these organisms. Current test methods do not allow the Newport Water Department to determine if the organisms are dead or if they are capable of causing disease. The organisms were detected at the Lawton Valley Treatment Plant in January 2007 at 0.27 oocysts/liter.
Questions
The Portsmouth Water and Fire District prepared this report. We'll be happy to answer any questions about the District and our drinking water quality. Please contact William J. McGlinn, General Manager and Chief Engineer (401-683-2090).
The Portsmouth Water and Fire District is a proud member and supporter of the American Water Works Association, the New England Water Works Association and the Rhode Island Water Works Association.
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