JULY 2011

 “We have a current, unconditioned license to operate our water system”

PURPOSE:

The City of Aurora has prepared the following annual Consumer Confidence Report to provide information to you, the consumer, on the quality of our drinking water and raise awareness about what is involved with the production and delivery of safe water.  This report is required as part of the Safe Drinking Water Act Re-authorization of 1996.

THE SOURCE OF YOUR WATER:

The City of Aurora purchases its water from Portage County Water Resources (PCWR).  The water is derived from a well field located on Coit Road.  The water is treated at the Shalersville Water Treatment Plant.  The plant produced an average of 2.52 million gallons of water per day in 2010.  The Shalersville plant utilizes ion exchange to soften the water from over 300 ppm down to about 150 ppm.  Portage County Water Resources maintains a comprehensive Source Water Protection Program, to protect the area around the wells.  Portage County supplies water to the cities of Aurora and Streetsboro, as well as Shalersville Township, from this plant.  Since October 2003, PCWR has purchased water from the City of Ravenna to assure a constant water supply.  The City of Ravenna water system uses surface water drawn from Lake Hodgson.  Water was purchased at an average of 0.200 MGD.  The City of Aurora also has access to an emergency water connection with the City of Cleveland.  Both Cleveland and Ravenna are surface water supplies and meet all state and federal standards.  In the Spring/Summer 2011 a new water main from the City of Cleveland will provide water to the Aurora system to assure we continue to provide adequate and safe drinking water for our customers.

WHAT ARE SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION TO DRINKING WATER?

The sources of drinking water both tap water and bottled water includes; 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 can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.  The aquifer, that supplies drinking water to the Shalersville area has a high susceptibility to contamination due to the sensitive nature of the aquifer in which the drinking water wells are located and existing potential contamination sources identified.  More information is available by calling 1-800-963-1292.  Portage County Water Resources vigilantly safeguards its ground water supplies.  Future contamination may be avoided by implementing protective measures, and once again we are able to report that the department has never had a violation of a contaminant level or of any other water quality standard.

Contaminants that may be present 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 storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, farming, or mining; (C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources, including agriculture, urban storm run-off, 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, 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.

Portage County Water Resources has actively monitored the area around its well field for thirty-four (34) years to protect it from potential pollution.  Ohio EPA has approved the Shalersville “Wellhead Protection Area Delineation” and has prepared a “Drinking Water Source Assessment” on the Shalersville well field area.  This document can be found on their web site at www.portageco.com/waterresources.htm.  There are presently no known sources of pollution affecting our ground water and we intend to use public education and constant monitoring to improve our protection program.  We need the cooperation of everyone living and working in the area where our water originates to prevent contamination.

To ensure the safety of our tap water, the EPA regulates contaminant levels in water provided by public water systems.  The FDA regulates contaminant limits in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.

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 Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

WHO NEEDS TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS?

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population.  Immuno-compromised persons - such as persons with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, as well as some elderly persons and infants - can be particularly at risk from infections.  These people should seek advice about drinking water from their healthcare providers.  The Environmental Protection Agency and Centers for Disease Control offer guidelines on the appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium.  This information is available by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER:

The EPA requires public water systems to perform routine testing to ensure the safety and quality of its drinking water.  The City of Aurora conducts routine bacteria sampling monthly, taking a total of 212 samples in 2010.  All sampling completed for the year proved negative for coliform bacteria.  Daily chlorine residual samples are conducted to ensure that the water distribution system is maintaining an acceptable level to control bacteria.  In 2010 the city performed 730 samples.  All sampling met the Ohio EPA standards.

DISINFECTANT BYPRODUCTS:

With the Aurora system receiving a blend of well and surface water, the city falls under the Disinfectant / Disinfectant Byproducts Rule.  Disinfectant byproducts are a group of compounds formed when certain organic compounds react with chlorine used for disinfection.  Four groups of samples were taken quarterly in 2010.  The running annual average totals for TTHM and HAA5 is 60.51 and 15.6 respectively.  Results range from 5.44-18.30 for HAA5 and 31.16-78.20 for TTHM. 

AN EXPLANATION OF THE WATER QUALITY DATA TABLES:

The following two (2) tables present the information on any regulated contaminant that was found to be present in any amount in the drinking water.  Table A is for the water produced by the Shalersville WTP.  Table B is for the water produced by the Ravenna WTP and purchased as supplemental water for the Shalersville system, normally in the northeastern portion of the County distribution system and during emergencies.

2010 Shalersville Treated Water Quality – Table A 2010 Detected Contaminants

SUBSTANCE / YEAR	UNIT	MCL	EPA MCLG’S	LEVEL DETECTED	RANGE	SOURCES OF CONTAMINANTS	VIOLATION
FLOURIDE (2010)	PPM	4	4	1.04	0.79-1.20	Erosion of natural deposits. Discharge from fertilizer plants and aluminum factories	NO
COPPER (2010)		AL=1.3	1.3	0.650 90%	0.190-0.670	Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits	NO
LEAD (2010)		AL=15	0	2.5  90%	<2.0-3.4	Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits	NO
BARIUM (2010)	PPM	2	2	0.028	N/A	Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits	NO
SODIUM (2010)		N/A	N/A	129.0	117-142	Naturally occurring deposits	NO
IRON (2010)	PPM	N/A	N/A	0.10	0.08-0.11	Naturally occurring deposits	NO
MANGANESE (2010)	PPM	N/A	N/A	0.04	0.03-0.050	Naturally occurring deposits	NO
HARDNESS (2010)	PPM	N/A	N/A	151.9	141.6-172.0	Naturally occurring deposits	NO
PHOSPHATE (2010)		N/A	N/A	0.20	0.20-0.40	Naturally occurring deposits	NO
CHLORIDES (2010)	PPM	N/A	N/A	57.9	45-64	Naturally occurring deposits	NO
Volatile Organic Contaminants
BROMODICHLORO-METHANE  (2010)		N/A	N/A	8.0	N/A	Byproduct of Chlorination	NO
BROMOFORM (2010)		N/A	N/A	2.0	N/A	Byproduct of Chlorination	NO
CHLOROFORM (2010)		N/A	N/A	3.4	N/A	Byproduct of Chlorination	NO
DIBROMOCHLORO-METHANE (2010)		N/A	N/A	9.1	N/A	Byproduct of Chlorination	NO

DEFINITIONS:

PPB:  Parts Per Billion         PPM: Parts Per Million        TTHM: Total Trihalomethanes           HAA5: 5 Haloacetic Acids

Maximum contaminant level (MCL):  “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 contaminant level goal (MCLG):   “The level of a contaminant in drinking water, below which there is no known or expected risk to health.  MCLG’s allow for a margin of safety.”

Action level (AL):   “The concentration of a contaminant, which if exceeded, triggers a treatment or other requirement which a water system must follow.”

2010 Ravenna Treated Water Quality – Table B 2010 Detected Contaminants

SUBSTANCE / YEAR	UNIT	MCL	EPA MCLG’S	LEVEL DETECTED	RANGE	SOURCES OF CONTAMINANTS	VIOLATION
Inorganic Contaminants
FLOURIDE (2010)	PPM	4	4	1.02	0.77 – 1.05	Natural Geology & Supplement	NO
NITRATE (2010)	PPM	10	10	0.42	0.11 – 0.42	Fertilizer Runoff, Leaching from septic	NO
COPPER (2009)	PPM	1.3 AL	1.3	0.42	0 – 1.10	Corrosion of household plumbing systems	NO
LEAD (2009)	PPB	15 AL	0	12.0	0 – 93	Corrosion of household plumbing systems	NO
BARIUM (2010)	PPM	2	2	0.010	N/A	Erosion or Drilling	NO
CHLORITE (2010)	PPM	1.0	0.8	0.99	0.00 – 0.99	Byproduct of Chlorination	NO
CADMIUM (2010)	PPM	.005	.005	<0.005	N/A	Corrosion of galvanized pipes; Erosion of natural deposits	NO
NICKEL (2010)	PPM	.10	.10	<.10	N/A	Discharge from stainless steel, and alloy products	NO
Microbiological Contaminants
TURBIDITY (2010) 99% of samples were below the TT value of 0.3	NTU	0.3	TT	0.50	0.05 – 0.5	Soil Runoff	NO
TOTAL COLIFORM BACTERIA (2010)	0	1	0	0	N/A	Naturally present in environment	NO
TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON UV254 (2010)	PPM	TT	N/A	1.65	1.46 – 1.86	Naturally present in environment	NO
Radioactive Contaminant
GROSS ALPHA (2010)	pCi/L	15	0	<3	N/A	Decay of Natural & man- made deposits	NO
RADIUM(2010)	pCi/L	5	0	<1	N/A	Decay of Natural & man-made deposits	NO
Volatile Organic Contaminants
BROMODICHLORO-METHANE (2010)	PPB	N/A	N/A	14.0	N/A	Byproduct of Chlorination	NO
CHLOROFORM (2010)	PPB	N/A	N/A	42.0	N/A	Byproduct of Chlorination	NO
CHLORODIBROMO-METHANE (2010)	PPB	N/A	N/A	2.1	N/A	Byproduct of Chlorination	NO

2010 City of Aurora Treated Water Quality

SUBSTANCE / YEAR	UNIT	MCL	EPA MCLG’S	LEVEL DETECTED	RANGE	SOURCES OF CONTAMINANTS	VIOLATION
TRIHALOMENTHANE TTHM TOTAL (2010)	PPB	80 PPB	80 ARA	60.51	5.44 – 18.30	Byproduct of Chlorination	NO
HALOACETIC ACID TOTAL (2010)	PPB	60 PPB	60 ARA	15.6	31.16 – 78.20	Byproduct of Chlorination	NO

During the month of January 2010 the City of Aurora failed to monitor/report one sample for Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).  The city has implemented more stringent reporting methods and contracted with a new testing laboratory.

LEAD AWARENESS:

“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. City of Aurora 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 at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.”

“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 will be higher than at other homes in the community, as a result of materials used in your home’s plumbing.  If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your home’s water, you may wish to have your water tested by a laboratory at your expense.  Flush your tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using tap water.  Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

LEAD AND COPPER ACTION LEVEL:

In 2009, 30 samples were collected and tested.  All tested within the acceptable range: Lead concentration levels ranged from < 2 to 9 micrograms per liter.  The 90^th percentile of lead levels was 3 PPB.  Copper concentration levels ranged from 30 to 580.  The 90^th percentile of copper levels was 420 PPB. Thirty samples will be collected again in June 2012.

Lead and Copper	Collection Date	Highest Level Detected	# of Samples Over AL	MCLG	Action Level (AL)	SOURCES OF CONTAMINANTS	VIOLATION
Copper	June 2009	.42	0	1.3	1.3	Erosion of natural deposits	NO
Lead	June 2009	3	0	0	1.3	Erosion of natural deposits	NO

ASBESTOS LEVEL:

The City of Aurora tested for Asbestos in drinking water in 2004.  There were no detectable levels in the samples.

Listed above are the analyses for which contaminants were detected.  Not listed are the other contaminants for which we test that were not detected.

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE IN DECISIONS CONCERNING MY DRINKING WATER?

If you are interested in learning more about the water department and water quality call The Utilities Department / Customer Service at 330-995-9109.  If you are interested in serving on the Utilities Committee please call the Mayor’s office at 330-995-9126.  Inquiries about public participation and policy decisions can be made by calling The Utilities Department at 330-995-9109.  The City of Aurora Utilities Committee and City Council meetings are open to the public.

NEED TO KNOW MORE?

Additional information concerning the extensive quality testing done by Portage County Water Resources may be obtained by calling 330-297-3685.