2015 Annual Water Quality Report

2015 Annual 
Water Quality 
Report 
C
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Connecticut
City of New London Utilities
Serving New London and 
Waterford Connecticut

The City of New London’s 
annual water quality report 
shows the source of our water, 
lists the results of our tests, 
and contains important
information about water 
and health. 
We are pleased to 
show you how we 
have surpassed 
water-quality 
standards.
If you have concerns about the quality
of water please contact the
cutomer service office.
Este informe continene informacion 
importante acerca de su agua potable. 
Haga que alguien lo traduzca para usted, 
o hable con alguien que lo entienda.

Water system data
T
he City of New London’s water comes from lakes and
reservoirs in a protected watershed that is located in
Waterford, Montville, and Salem. The principal reservoir is Lake
Konomoc; storing over 1.2 billion gallons of water. The water is
treated at Konomoc and delivered through a system of 210
miles of pipes, four pump stations and six water storage tanks
with a capacity of fifteen million gallons.
The water system serves 45,000 customers through 14,000
water services. Over 2 billion gallons of water per year is
processed using coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation and
carbon filtration. Lime is added to the finished water to adjust
the ph, sodium hypochlorite to disinfect, fluoride for dental
health and phosphate for corrosion control. Water quality lab
tests are performed regularly at the plant and by Groton Labs,
a state certified facility.   
Lead and copper advisory
C
orrosion of household plumbing systems and erosion of
natural deposits are sources of lead in drinking water. 
Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess 
of the action level could experience delays in their physical or 
mental development. Children could show slight deficits in 
attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this 
water over many years could develop kidney problems or high 
blood pressure.
Sources of copper in drinking water are corrosion of household 
plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits, and leaching 
from wood preservatives. Copper is an essential nutrient, but 
some people who drink water containing copper in excess of 
the action level over a relatively short amount of time could 
experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink 
water containing copper in excess of the action level over many 
years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson’s 
Disease should consult their personal doctor.
Source water assessment
T
he Connecticut Department of Public Health, Drinking 
Water Division completed a water assessment of Lake 
Konomoc Reservoir System that can be accessed on the 
Department of Public Health’s website: http://www.dph.
state.ct.us. The assessment found that this public drinking 
water source, Lake Konomoc, has a low susceptibility to 
potential sources of contamination. Additional source 
water assessment information can be found at the 
Environmental Protection Agency’s website at www.epa.gov.
Source water protection
S
ource water is untreated water from streams, 
rivers, lakes or underground aquifers that is used to 
supply public drinking water. Preventing drinking water 
contamination at the source makes good public health 
sense, good economic sense, and good environmental 
sense. You can be aware of the challenges of keeping 
drinking water safe and take an active role in protecting 
drinking water. There are many ways you can get involved 
in drinking water protection. Dispose properly of household 
chemicals, help clean up the watershed, or attend public 
meetings to ensure the community’s need for safe drinking 
water is considered in making decisions about land use. For 
more information contact the EPA at 1-800-426-4791 or visit 
the EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/safewater/protect.html
Maintenance of 
2,000 hydrants
Treatment plant
Pump station
Treatment plant

Additional health information
To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA sets limits on
the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by
public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for
contaminants in bottled water. Small amounts of some
contaminants are commonly found in all drinking water,
including bottled water. The presence of contaminants does
not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk.
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in
drinking water. Immuno-compromised persons, such as
cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ
transplant recipients, 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 are available
from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
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 radioactive material and can pick up
substances from the presence of animals or human activity.
Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
(A) Microbial contaminants, (viruses and bacteria)
which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic
systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
(B) Inorganic contaminants, (salts and metals) which
can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm
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, storm water runoff,
and residential uses.
(D) Organic chemical contaminants, (synthetic and
volatile organics) which are byproducts of industrial
processes and petroleum production, and can also come
from gas stations, urban storm water runoff and septic
systems.
(E) Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally
occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and
mining activities.
Water quality
How to read this table
The table shows the results of our water-quality analyses.
Every regulated contaminant detected in the water, even in
the minutest traces, is listed here. The table contains the
name of each substance, the ideal level for public health
(MCLG), the highest level allowed by regulation (MCL), the
amount detected, the usual sources of such contamination,
footnotes explaining our findings, and a key to units of
measurement.
Definitions of MCL and MCLG are important.
Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL:
The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in
drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLG’s as
feasible using the best available treatment technology.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG:
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.
Action Level or AL:
The concentration of a contaminant, which if exceeded
triggers a treatment or other requirement, which a water
system must follow.
N/A: Not applicable
NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Unit
Parts per million or ppm: The equivalent of one
second in 12 days
Parts per billion or ppb: The equivalent of one
second in 32 years.
Water conservation
It is vital that we all work together to maintain it and use it
wisely. Here are a few tips you can follow to help conserve:
• Check for leaky toilets (put a drop of food coloring in
 the tank, let it sit. If the water in the bowl turns color,
 you have a leak). A leaking faucet or toilet can dribble
 away thousands of gallons of water a year.
• Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth or shaving.
• Water lawn and plants in the early morning or evening
 hours to avoid excess evaporation. Don’t water on a windy,
 rainy, or very hot day.
• Be sure your hose has a shut-off nozzle. Hoses without
 a nozzle can spout 10 gallons more per minute.
Public education and  
information
Please call the customer service office for more information 
about the water system, wastewater system or environmental 
concerns. Additional information is available and public 
educational opportunities are available.
Regulated at the treatment facility
 
 
 
Highest
 
 
 
Level 
Major sources
Substance 
MCLG 
MCL 
Detected 
in drinking water 
 
 
 
Turbidity 
N/A 
5 NTU 
0.23 NTU 
Soil runoff
Chloride 
N/A 
250 ppm 
20 ppm 
Natural deposits; runoff from roadsalting
Sodium 
N/A 
* 28 ppm * 
11.7 ppm 
Natural deposits; runoff from roadsalting
Sulfate 
N/A 
N/A 
6.0 ppm 
Naturally present in the environment
TOC 
N/A 
N/A 
1.5 ppm 
Naturally present in the environment
Fluoride 
4 ppm 
4 ppm 
1.07 ppm 
Water additive which promotes  strong teeth; erosion of natural 
 
 
 
 
deposits; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories
Barium 
N/A 
2 ppm 
0.005 ppm 
Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; 
 
 
 
 
erosion of natural deposits 
Nitrate 
N/A 
10 ppm 
0.10 ppm 
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; 
 
 
 
 
erosion of natural deposits
Regulated in the New London distribution system
 
 
 
Highest
 
 
 
Monthly 
 
Major sources
Substance 
MCLG 
MCL 
Average 
Range 
in drinking water
HAA5 
N/A 
60 ppb 
27 ppb 
17 - 29 ppb 
Byproduct of drinking
 
 
 
 
 
water disinfection
TTHM 
N/A 
80 ppb 
66 ppb 
35 - 79 ppb 
Byproduct of drinking
 
 
 
 
 
water disinfection
Chlorine 
4.0 ppm 4.0 ppm 
0.8 ppm 
0.1 - 1.25 ppm 
Water additive used to
 
 
 
 
 
control microbes
Regulated in the Waterford distribution system
 
 
 
Highest
 
 
 
Monthly 
 
Major sources
Substance 
MCLG 
MCL 
Average 
Range 
in drinking water
HAA5 
N/A 
60 ppb 
23 ppb 
16 - 28 ppb 
Byproduct of drinking
 
 
 
 
 
water disinfection
TTHM 
N/A 
80 ppb 
65 ppb 
32 - 80 ppb 
Byproduct of drinking
 
 
 
 
 
water disinfection
Chlorine 
4.0 ppm 4.0 ppm 
1.2 ppm 
0.62 - 1.47 ppm 
Water additive used to
 
 
 
 
 
control microbes
Regulated at the tap of New London’s customers
 
 
 
 
 
 
Your 
 
 
 
Major sources
Substance 
MCLG 
MCL 
Water 
Range 
Sample Year 
Violation 
in drinking water
Lead 
0 ppb 
AL = 15 ppb 4 ppb 
not detected over 
2014 
No 
Corrosion of household
 
 
 
 
action level 
 
 
plumbing systems
Copper 
1.3 ppm AL = 1.3 ppm  0.09 ppm 
not detected over 
2014 
No 
Corrosion of household
 
 
 
 
action level 
 
 
plumbing systems
Regulated at the tap of Waterford’s customers
 
 
 
 
 
 
Your 
 
 
 
Major sources
Substance 
MCLG 
MCL 
Water 
Range 
Sample Year 
Violation 
in drinking water
Lead 
0 ppb 
AL = 15 ppb 3 ppb 
not detected over 
2014 
No 
Corrosion of household
 
 
 
 
action level 
 
 
plumbing systems
Copper 
1.3 ppm AL = 1.3 ppm  0.09 ppm 
not detected over 
2014 
No 
Corrosion of household
 
 
 
 
action level 
 
 
plumbing systems
*** Although there is no EPA MCL for sodium, the State of Connecticut requires systems which exceed 28 ppm notify their customers, so individuals on sodium restricted diets can inform their physicians.
Monitoring and reporting violations   
Violation Information
(1) 29 of 30 Routine Total Coliform (WSF ID: 00600; Monitoring Period: April 1, 2015 – April 30, 2015)
(1) 29 of 30 Physical Parameters (WSF ID: 00600; Monitoring Period: April 1, 2015 – April 30, 2015)
Explanation of Violations 
1. Respondent was required to submit 30 Routine Total Coliform test results by May 9, 2015 for the period of April 1, 
2015 to April 30, 2015 for Water System Facility ID: 00600(distribution system). Respondent failed to submit 1 of these 
records.
2. Respondent was required to submit 30 Physical Parameters test results by May 9, 2015, for the period April 1, 2015 to  
April 30, 2015 for Water System Facility ID: 00600(distribution system). Respondent failed to submit 1 of these results.
We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indica-
tor of whether or not our drinking water meets health standards. We did not monitor or test or did not complete all of the monitoring 
or testing for the requirement(s) listed above and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of our drinking water during that time. The 
health effects are unknown. New procedures have been implemented which include three checks and with signoffs to ensure all future 
sampling is completed. The water quality throughout this period was not affected in any way.
The data presented in this report is from the most recent testing done in accordance with regulations. 
Although we ran thousands of tests for more than a hundred contaminants, only the substances listed above 
were found. They are all within the required MCL.
Infants and children: Delays in physical or mental development; children could show slight deicits in attention span and learning abilities; 
Adults: Kidney problems; high blood pressure; Short-term exposure: Gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure: Liver or kidney damage. 
People with Wilson’s Disease should consult their personal doctor if the amount of copper in their water exceeds the action level 
Infants and children: Delays in physical or mental development; children could show slight deicits in attention span and learning abilities
Adults: Kidney problems; high blood pressure 
If you have any questions regarding this report or any other water quality questions 
please call (860) 447-5222

W&WPCA regular meetings are held at 7:00 pm on 
the fourth Thursday of each month in the New London 
Senior Center Library at 120 Broad Street (rear)  
Public Utilities
120 Broad Street
New London, CT 06320
860-447-5222
Fax: 860-437-6323
The Water Department Office is located on the second 
floor of the Richard R. Martin Center,  120 Broad St., 
New London, CT. Water and sewer bills may be paid 
during the weekdays from  8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Customer Service
(860) 447-5222
Safe Drinking Water Hotline
(800) 426-4791
Mayor Michael Passero
Water & Water Pollution Control 
Authority  
Barry J. Weiner (Chairman) 
Robert Grills (Vice-Chair) 
Gregory Dziczek 
Scott Loring 
Margarita Mogollon 
Martin Olsen 
John Russell
C
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