2011 Annual Water Quality Report

I. 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.
Customer Service:
(860) 447-5222
Safe Drinking Water Hott
(800) 426-4791
‘Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio
ater & Water Plation Control Authority 2011 Annual
Bobet vena Water Quality
: Report
City of New London Utilities
Serving New London & Waterford Connecticut
WE: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)
Department Office is located on th
id floor ofthe Richard R Martin Cent
on, CT, Water and sewer

‘of New London's water comes from lakes and
at is located in
Salem. The principal reservoirs Lake
irsina protected watershe:
Waterford, Montille, and
Konomoc, storing over 12
moc and
pipes, four pump stations and six water storage tanks
with a capacity of fifteen million gallons.
The water system serves 45,000 customers through 14,0
services. Over 2billion gallons of water per year is
processed using coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation and
carbon fittration. 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 regu plant and by Groton Labs,
astate certified facility
Maintenance of
2,000 hydrants
‘ad in drinking water. Infants
ining lead in excess.of the
could experien«
ent. Children c
‘and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over
years could develop kidney problems or high bk
pressure.
household plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits, and
leaching from wood preservatives. Coppers anessential
nutrient, bu fink water containing copper
vely 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.
se should consult their personal
e *
Pump station
Treatment plant
The Connecticut Department of Public Health, Drinking Water
sssment of Lake Konomoc
essed on the Department of
ebsite: http: /mmvdph state.ctus. The
ic drinking water sour
Lake Konomec, has alow susceptibility to potential sources
of contamination, Additional source water assessme
n can be found at the Environmental Pr
at wwnwepa gor
is untreated water from streams, rivers lakes or
Underground aquifers that is used to supply public drinking
jrinking water contamination at the source
ealth sense, good economic sense, and
good environmental sense. You can be aware of the
challenges of keeping drinking ws and take an active
role in protecting drinking water. There are many ways you
can get involved in drinking water protection. Dispose properly
cof household chemicals, help clean up the watershed, or attend
public meetings to ensure the community’ need for safe
<rinking water is considered in making decisions about land
Use. For more information contact the EPA at 1-800-426-4791 or
visit the EPas website at wwwepagov/safewater/protecthtm!
makes good public
Treatment plant

Additional health information
To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA sets limits on
Regulated at the treatment facility
the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by Highest
public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for Level Major sources
contaminants in bottled water. Small amounts of some Substance MCLG MCL Detected _in drinking water
contaminants are commonly found in all drinking water, di -
including bottled water. The presence of contamtants does WELTY NA 5NTU OsuNTY SoU
not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. Chloride N/A 250ppm 17ppm Natural Deposits; runoff from
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in roadsalting
drinking water. Immuno-compromised persons, such as 5 5 a aa
cancer patients undergoing isthe organ Sadlerin WES ASiem erga See aan cunitien
transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or other
immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be Sulfate N/A N/A 6 ppm Naturally present in the
particularly at risk from infections. These people should environment
seek advice about drinking water from their health care TOC N/A N/A 1.7 ppm Naturally present in the
providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to environment
lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium are available
from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). Fluoride 4ppm 4ppm 1.10 ppm Water additive that promotes
The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled strong teeth
water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, Barium N/A 2ppm 0.005 ppm _ Naturally present in the
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)
environment
Regulated in the New London distribution system
which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic Highest
systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. Substance MCLG MCL ey Panee nee Fatieetan
(B) Inorganic contaminants, (salts and metals) which
can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm HAAS N/A 60 ppb 21 ppb 12-33 ppb Byproduct of chlorinating
runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil drinking water
and gas production, mining, or farming. TTHM N/A 80 ppb 58 ppb 15 - 67 ppb Byproduct of chlorinating
(C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from drinking water
a variety of sources such as agriculture, storm water runoff, ‘chlorine 40ppm 4.0ppm o8ppm 0-15 ppm Water additive used to
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,
control microbes
Regulated in the Waterford distribution system
(E) Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturall Highest
occurring or be the result of oil and gas production an Gian maa ma ey pangs Me Secon
mining activities
HAAS, N/A 60 ppb 20 ppb 1-36 ppb Byproduct of chlorinating
Water quality drinking water
How to read this table jnati
The table shows the results of our water-quality analyses. THM ai Bo pee) Gog 13582 (Pe) ences pone
Every regulated contaminant detected in the water, even in
the minutest traces, is listed here. The table contains the Chlorine = 4.0ppm 4.0ppm = — 1.2 ppm 0-1.8 ppm Water additive used to
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.
control microbes
Regulated at the tap of New London’s customers
; 7 Your Major sources
Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: _ . Substance MCLG MCL Water Range Sample Year Violation _in drinking water
The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in
drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLG's as lead oppb AL=15ppb 3.8 ppb 1site over 20n No Corrosion of household
feasible using the best available treatment technology. action level plumbing systems
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG: Copper 1.3ppm AL=1.3 ppm 0.15 ppm not detected over 201 No Corrosion of household
The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which action level plumbing systems
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 Regulated at the tap of Waterford’s customers
triggers a treatment or other requirement, which a water
system must follow. Your Major sources
N/A: Not applicable Substance MCLG MCL Water Range SampleYear Violation _in drinking water
NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Unit Lead oppb AL=15ppb o not detected over 200 No Corrosion of household
Parts per million or ppm: The equivalent of one action level plumbing systems
second in 12 days
Co} 1.3 ppm AL=1.3 ppm 0.13 ppm not detected over 201 Corrosion of household
Parts per billion or ppb: The equivalent of one Pper Du De Ble action level No plumbing systems
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.
+ Consider replacing your S-gallon per flush toilet with an
efficient 1.6 gallon per flush unit. This will permanently
cut your water consumption by 25%.
+ Run only full loads in dishwashers and washing machines.
Rinse all hand-washed dishes at once.
+ 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.
+ Water shrubs and gardens using a slow trickle around
“** 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
None
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.
If you have any questions regarding this report or any other water quality questions
please call (860) 447-5222
—
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.
the roots.
+ Apply mulch around plantings.
+ Select low-water demanding plants that provide an
attractive landscape without hi;
Qveoua
WATER