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WELLS RIVER WATER SYSTEM - VT0005176

Consumer Confidence Report - 2022

This report is a snapshot of the quality of the water that we provided in 2022. Included are the details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state standards. We are committed to providing you with information because informed customers are our best allies. This report is designed to inform you about the quality of water and the services we deliver to you every day. To learn more, please attend any of our regularly scheduled meetings which are held:

 

__The first and third Thursdays - 4 pm at The Village Garage / Office_@ 15 Creamery Street, Wells River, VT 05081_

The person who can answer questions about this report is:  _JEFF MORIN____________________________

Telephone: __802-757-2706_____________________ and/ or Mail @ VOWRH20@GMAIL.COM

 

Water Source Information

Your water comes from:

Source Name

Source Water Type

WELL #1-MAIN WELL

Groundwater

 

The State of Vermont Water Supply Rule requires Public Community Water Systems to develop a Source Protection Plan. This plan delineates a source protection area for our system and identifies potential and actual sources of contamination. Please contact us if you are interested in reviewing the plan.

Drinking Water Contaminants

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include surface water (streams, lakes) and ground water (wells, springs). As water travels over the land’s surface or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals. It also picks up substances resulting from the presence of animals and human activity. Some “contaminants” may be harmful. Others, such as iron and sulfur, are not harmful. Public water systems treat water to remove contaminants if any are present.

In order to ensure that your water is safe to drink, we test it regularly according to regulations established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Vermont. These regulations limit the amount of various contaminants:

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, may come from a variety of sources such as storm water run-off, agriculture, and residential users.
Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or the result of mining activity
Organic contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and also come from gas stations, urban storm water run-off, and septic systems.

Water Quality Data

The table below lists all the drinking water contaminants that we detected during the past year. It also includes the date and results of any contaminants that we detected within the past five years if tested less than once a year. The presence of these contaminants in the water does not necessarily show that the water poses a health risk.

Terms and abbreviations - In this table you may find terms you might not be familiar with. To help you better understand these terms we have provided the following definitions:

Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
Level 1 Assessment: A level 1 Assessment is a study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system.
Level 2 Assessment: A Level 2 Assessment is a very detailed study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why an E. coli MCL violation has occurred and/or why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system on multiple occasions.
Locational Running Annual Average (LRAA): The average of sample analytical results for samples taken at a particular monitoring location during four consecutive calendar quarters.
Maximum Contamination Level (MCL): The “Maximum Allowed” MCL is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL’s are set as close to the MCLG’s as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
Maximum Contamination Level Goal (MCLG): The “Goal” is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to human health. MCLG’s allow for a margin of safety.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. Addition a disinfectant may help control 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. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of disinfectants in controlling microbial contaminants.
Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU): NTU is a measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person.
Parts per million (ppm) or Milligrams per liter (mg/l): (one penny in ten thousand dollars)
Parts per billion (ppb) or Micrograms per liter (ug/l): (one penny in ten million dollars)
Parts per trillion (ppt) or Nanograms per liter (ng/l): (one penny in ten billion dollars)
Picocuries per liter (pCi/L): a measure of radioactivity in water
Running Annual Average (RAA): The average of 4 consecutive quarters (when on quarterly monitoring); values in table represent the highest RAA for the year.
Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
90th Percentile: Ninety percent of the samples are below the action level. (Nine of ten sites sampled were at or below this level).
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): a group of over 4,000 human-made chemicals (they do not occur naturally) that have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide and includes:
    (PFNA): Perfluorononanoic Acid
    (PFOA): Perfluorooctanoic Acid
    (PFOS): Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid
    (PFHpA): Perfluoroheptanoic Acid
    (PFHxS): Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid
    (11Cl-PF3OUdS): 11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic Acid
    (9Cl-PF3ONS): 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic Acid
    (DONA): 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic Acid
    (HFPO-DA): Hexafluoropropylene Oxide Dimer Acid
    (NEtFOSAA): N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic Acid
    (NMeFOSAA): N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic Acid
    (PFBS): Perfluorobutane Sulfonic Acid
    (PFDA): Perfluorodecanoic Acid
    (PFDoA): Perfluorododecanoic Acid
    (PFHxA): Perfluorohexanoic Acid
    (PFTA): Perfluorotetradecanoic Acid
    (PFTrDA): Perfluorotridecanoic Acid
    (PFUnA): Perfluoroundecanoic Acid

 

Detected Contaminants WELLS RIVER WATER SYSTEM

Disinfection Residual

RAA

RANGE

Unit

MRDL

MRDLG

Typical Source

Chlorine

0.473

0.110 - 1.280

mg/l

4

4

Water additive to control microbes

 

Chemical Contaminants

Collection Date

Highest Value

Range

Unit

MCL

MCLG

Typical Source

Manganese

01/24/2022

120

65 - 120

ppb

NA

NA

Erosion of natural deposits. Vermont Department of Health has established a Health Advisory of 300 ppb. Manganese equal to or greater than 50 ppb can lead to unacceptable taste or staining of fixtures.

Nitrate

01/24/2022

0.086

0.086 - 0.086

ppm

10

10

Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits

 

Radionuclides

Collection Date

Highest Value

Range

Unit

MCL

MCLG

Typical Source

Combined Radium (-226 & -228)

07/16/2019

1.437

1.437 - 1.437

pCi/L

5

0

Erosion of natural deposits

Radium-226

07/16/2019

0.471

0.471 - 0.471

pCi/L

5

0

Erosion of natural deposits

Radium-228

07/16/2019

0.966

0.966 - 0.966

pCi/L

5

0

Erosion of natural deposits

 

Disinfection ByProducts

Collection Year

Highest LRAA

Range

Unit

MCL

MCLG

Typical Source

Total Trihalomethanes

2021

15

15 - 15

ppb

80

0

By-product of drinking water chlorination

 

Lead and Copper

Collection Year

90th Percentile

Range

Unit

AL*

Sites Over AL

Typical Source

Lead

2021

0

0 - 0

ppb

15

0

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits

Copper

2021

0.058

0 - 0.058

ppm

1.3

0

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from wood preservatives

*The lead and copper AL (Action Level) exceedance is based on the 90th percentile concentration, not the highest detected result.

Violation(s) that occurred during the year.

We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets health standards. The below table lists any drinking water violations we incurred during 2022. A failure to perform required monitoring means we cannot be sure of the quality of our water during that time.

Type

Category

Analyte

Compliance Period

MONITORING, ROUTINE (DBP), MAJOR

Failure to Monitor

Disinfection Byproducts

01/01/2020 - 12/31/2022

STATE MONITORING/REPORTING VIOLATION

Failure to Monitor

Sum of 5 Regulated PFAS

10/01/2020 - 12/31/2020

 

To be Completed by the Water System. All monitoring violations have been resolved to date.

 

Health Information Regarding Drinking Water

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than 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 microbiological contaminants are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

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 the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

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. WELLS RIVER WATER 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 drinking 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.

Uncorrected Significant Deficiencies

The system is required to inform the public of any significant deficiencies identified during a sanitary survey conducted by the Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division that have not yet been corrected. For more information, please refer to the schedule for compliance in the system’s Operating Permit.

Date Identified

Significant Deficiencies

Facility

09/17/2019

Monthly Reporting Inadequate

 

02/24/2017

Inadequate Water Pressure (Under Normal, Peak, or Maximum Flow Conditions)

DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

To be Completed by the Water System. The monthly reporting issue has been resolved and the current monthly reports are being submitted within the time limit required by the State.

The Water pressure issue on Bible Hill is being investigated at the writing of this report. The Trustees are hoping to have a plan to remedy this issue sometime in the summer of 2023.

 

 

 

 

Public Notice - Permit to Operate Issued:  The Water System is required to notify all users of the following compliance schedule contained in the Permit to Operate issued by the State of Vermont Agency of Natural Resources:

On or before December 1, 2016, the Permittee shall submit a Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) and schedule for any remaining distribution system piping improvements that are necessary to comply with Appendix A, technical standards, as specified by the Rule.

 

To be completed by the Water System:
The Village has done upgrades to your water system in the form of 1) New filter system for the removal of Manganese and Iron. 2) New reservoir with a larger capacity. 3) upgraded water lines on Water Street, Elm Street, Tullar Road, part of Schaeffer Hill Road, Maple Street, part of Main Street from Maple to 14 Main, and from the common to Water Street. Also there have been several new fire hydrants installed in the areas listed.

Distribution Information

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place and distributing copies by hand or mail.

This report will be available on the Village’s website for anyone who wishes to access it.

The Village will also send this report to the water customers in the 2nd quarter, billing at the end of June.

Public Notice - Permit to Operate Issued:  The Water System is required to notify all users of the following compliance schedule contained in the Permit to Operate issued by the State of Vermont Agency of Natural Resources:

1. On or before April 1, 2015, the Permittee shall maintain a minimum of 0.1 mg/L free chlorine to ends of the distribution system. A measurement of the chlorine disinfection residual concentration is to be measured from or near the end of the water distribution system main located at the south end of Tullar Road to verify that a minimum of 0.1 mg/L free chlorine residual concentration is being maintained in the distribution system. The results of the daily disinfectant residual monitoring shall be included on the reporting form that is submitted to the Division each month. Disinfectant residual concentration monitoring shall continue until otherwise directed by the Division. Currently measuring

2. On or before October 1, 2016, the Permittee shall complete construction of the replacement water storage tank in accordance with the PTC that has been issued by the Secretary. Complete and awaiting for an amended operating permit from the Division

3. On or before October 1, 2016, the Permittee shall complete construction of the booster pump station on the Bible Hill section of the Water System in accordance with the PTC that has been issued by the Secretary. Currently working with the Division to try and resolve this issue

4. On or before October 1, 2016, the Permitted shall complete all proposed water distribution system improvements, (including the replacement, modification, or elimination of inadequate fire hydrants), in accordance with the PTC that has been issued by the Secretary. Complete and awaiting for an amended operating permit from the Division

 

1. On or before December 1, 2016, the Permittee shall submit a Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) and schedule for any remaining distribution system piping improvements that are necessary to comply with Appendix A, technical standards, as specified by the Rule.  Still needs to be done