Consumer Confidence Report

Merrimack Village District

2015

What is a Consumer Confidence Report?

The Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) details the quality of your drinking water, where it comes from, and where you can get more information. This annual report documents all detected primary and secondary drinking water parameters, and compares them to their respective standards known as Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).

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:

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, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.

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 storm water runoff, and septic systems.

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. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

What is the source of my drinking water?

The District is supplied by 6 “ground water” wells known locally as Wells 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8. Water is treated as required at the pumping stations prior to being released into the District network. The source assessment done in 2002 indicates that our wells are rated overall in LOW vulnerability to the susceptible criteria used. Four (4) wells were rated low, the other two (2) wells were rated in the medium range. The 4 page completed report can be obtained from the NHDES website at:

http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/dwgb/dwspp/reports/documents/merrimack.pdf

Why are contaminants in my water? 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 at 1-800-426-4791.

Do I need 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 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 at 1-800-426-4791.

Source Water Assessment Summary

DES prepared drinking water source assessment reports for all public water systems between 2000 and 2003 in an effort to assess the vulnerability of each of the state’s public water supply sources. Included in the report is a map of each source water protection area, a list of potential and known contamination sources, and a summary of available protection options. The results of the assessment, prepared for Well 7 in 2000 and the remainder of the wells in 2002 are noted below.

Susceptibility Rating
Well #	High	Medium	Low
1	1	2	9
2	1	2	9
3	1	2	9
4	3	4	5
5	4	3	5
7	1	2	9
8	1	2	9

Note: This information is over 10 years old and includes information that was current at the time the report was completed. Therefore, some of the ratings might be different if updated to reflect current information. At the present time, DES has no plans to update this data.

The complete Assessment Report is available for review at MVD, 2 Greens Pond Road, Merrimack, NH. For more information, call Ronald Miner, Jr, Superintendent at (603) 424-9241 x107 or visit the DES Drinking Water Source Assessment website at http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/dwgb/dwspp/dwsap.htm.

How can I get involved?

For more information about your drinking water, please call Jill Lavoie, Water Quality Testing at (603) 424-9241 x103 (email jill.lavoie@mvdwater.org) or Superintendent Ronald Miner, Jr. at (603) 424-9241 x107 (email ron.miner@mvdwater.org).

The MVD Board of Commissioners meets the 3rd Monday of each month except holidays. You may submit questions in writing to the MVD by sending them to 2 Greens Pond Road, Merrimack, NH 03054.

Violations None.

Definitions

Ambient Groundwater Quality Standard or AGQS: The maximum concentration levels for contaminants in groundwater that are established under RSA 485-C, the Groundwater Protection Act.

Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs 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.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level or MRDL: The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal or 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 the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

Treatment Technique or TT: A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

Turbidity: A measure of the cloudiness of the water. It is monitored by surface water systems because it is a good indicator of water quality and thus helps measure the effectiveness of the treatment process. High turbidity can hinder the effectiveness of disinfectants.

Abbreviations

BDL: Below Detection Limit

mg/L: milligrams per Liter

NA: Not Applicable

ND: Not Detectable at testing limits

NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Unit

pCi/L: picoCurie per Liter

ppb: parts per billion

ppm: parts per million

RAA: Running Annual Average

TTHM: Total Trihalomethanes

UCMR: Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule

ug/L: micrograms per Liter

Drinking Water Contaminants:

Lead: 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. This water system is responsible for high quality drinking water, but can not control the variety of materials used in your plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing cold water from your tap for at least 30 seconds before using water for drinking or cooking. Do not use hot water for drinking and 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://water.epa.gov/drink/info/lead/index.cfm

Radon: Radon is a radioactive gas that you can’t see, taste or smell. It can move up through the ground and into a home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Radon can also get into indoor air when released from tap water from showering, washing dishes, and other household activities. It is a known human carcinogen. Breathing radon can lead to lung cancer. Drinking water containing radon may cause an increased risk of stomach cancer.

Substances required for EPA testing	Highest Level Allowed (MCL)	Average Level Detected	Likely Source of Substance	Substances not required for EPA testing	Highest Level Allowed (MCL)	Average Level Detected	Likely Source of Substance
Lead (Pb)	.015 ppm	<.01 ppm	Corrosion of household plumbing systems	pH	6.4 – 10.00 units	5.90 units	Not a substance: indicator of level of acidity
Copper (Cu)	1.3 ppm	<.01 ppm	Corrosion of household plumbing systems	Radon (Rn)	4000 pCi/L	1414 pCi/L	Natural decomposition of granite rock
Nitrate	10 ppm	.28 ppm	Excessive use of lawn fertilizers	Chloride	250 ppm	159 ppm	Road salt
Nitrite	1 ppm	<.1 ppm	Excessive use of lawn fertilizers	Sodium (Na)	250 ppm	83 ppm	Mixture of naturally occurring salt deposits; most likely road salt
Arsenic (As)	.010 mg/l	<.005 mg/l	Naturally occurring
Flouride*	4 ppm	<.1 ppm	Erosion of natural deposits, sometimes added to water supply but not in Merrimack

Merrimack Village District

2 Greens Pond Road, Merrimack, NH 03054

(603) 424-9241 www.mvdwater.org