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Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2024 EASTERN BRUTUS CONSOLIDATED WATER DISTRICT 3667 E Brutus St Rd, Weedsport NY 13166 (Public Water Supply ID # NY0530054) INTRODUCTION To comply with State regulations, the Eastern Brutus Consolidated Water District will be annually issuing a report describing the quality of your drinking water. The purpose of this report is to raise your understanding of drinking water and awareness of the need to protect our drinking water sources. Last year, your tap water met all State drinking water health standards. We are proud to report that our system did not violate a maximum contaminant level or any other water quality standard. This report provides an overview of last year’s water quality. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to State standards. If you have any questions about this report or concerning your drinking water, please contact Rick La Force – Town Water Operator at (315) 604-7871. We want you to be informed about your drinking water. If you want to learn more, please attend any of our regularly scheduled town board meetings. The meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 6:00 pm in the Town Municipal Building – 9021 North Seneca Street, Weedsport, NY 13166. WHERE DOES OUR WATER COME FROM? In general, 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 activities. Contaminants that may be present in source water include: microbial contaminants; inorganic contaminants; pesticides and herbicides; organic chemical contaminants; and radioactive contaminants. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the State and the EPA prescribe regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The State Health Department’s and the FDA’s regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health. Our water system serves 2,242 people through 260 service connections. Our water source is Owasco Lake, which is located in Cayuga County on the south edge of the City of Auburn, in Auburn NY. The water is filtered by the City of Auburn at the source and as it enters the Town of Brutus system, regularly scheduled chlorination treatment is introduced, prior to distribution. The Town of Brutus purchases water from Cayuga County Water and Sewer Authority who in turn purchases water from the City Of Auburn. Here is a link to the City of Auburn’s 2023 AWQR report ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN OUR DRINKING WATER? As the State regulations require, we routinely test your drinking water for numerous contaminants. These contaminants include: total coliform, turbidity, inorganic compounds, nitrate, nitrite, lead and copper, volatile organic compounds, total trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, radiological and organic compounds. The table presented below depicts which compounds were detected in your drinking water. The State allows us to test for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of our data, though representative, are more than one year old. It should be noted that all drinking water, including bottled drinking water, may be reasonably 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 EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline ([PHONE REDACTED]) or the Cayuga County Health Department ([PHONE REDACTED]). ---PAGE BREAK--- Table of Detected Contaminants Contaminant Violation Yes/No Date of Sample Level Detected →Average Maximum →Range Unit Measur ement MCLG Regulatory Limit (MCL, TT or AL) Likely Source of Contamination Health Effects of Language HALO ACETIC ACIDS (HAA5) No Feb, May, Aug, Nov 2024 Highest Average: 271 Range: 7.5 – 40.2 ug/L N/A 60 By-product of drinking water disinfection needed to kill harmful organisms Some people who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. TOTAL TRIHALO METHANES No Feb, May, Aug, Nov 2024 Highest Average: 611 Range: 33.3 – 87.2 ug/L N/A 80 By-product of drinking water chlorination needed to kill harmful organisms. are formed when water source contains large amounts of organic matter Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Lead No 7/14/2022 Highest Average: 1.9 1 Range: ND – 1.9 ug/L 0 AL= 15 Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits 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. Copper No 7/14/2022 0.0842 Range: 0.0068 – 0.086 Mg/L 1.3 AL = 1.3 Corrosion of household plumbing systems, Erosion of natural deposits 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. 1 – This level represents the highest locational running annual average calculated from data collected. 2 - The level presented represents the 90th percentile of the 10 sites tested. A percentile is a value on a scale of 100 that indicates the percent of a distribution that is equal to or below it. The 90th percentile is equal to or greater than 90% of the ---PAGE BREAK--- lead values detected at your water system. In this case, 10 samples were collected at your water system and the 90th percentile value was the 9th highest value (1.9 ug/L) The action level for lead was not exceeded at any of the sites tested. 3 – The level presented represents the 90th percentile of the 10 sites tested. The action level for copper was not exceeded at any of the sites tested. Definitions: Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the as feasible. Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. allow for a margin of safety. Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (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 The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contamination. Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. Level 1 Assessment: A Level 1 assessment is an evaluation 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 an evaluation 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. Non-Detects (ND): Laboratory analysis indicates that the constituent is not present. Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU): A measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person. Milligrams per liter (mg/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid in one million parts of liquid (parts per million - ppm). Micrograms per liter (ug/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid in one billion parts of liquid (parts per billion - ppb). Nanograms per liter (ng/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid to one trillion parts of liquid (parts per trillion - ppt). Picograms per liter (pg/l): Corresponds to one part per of liquid to one quadrillion parts of liquid (parts per quadrillion – ppq). Picocuries per liter (pCi/L): A measure of the radioactivity in water. Millirems per year (mrem/yr): A measure of radiation absorbed by the body. Million Fibers per Liter (MFL): A measure of the presence of asbestos fibers that are longer than 10 micrometers. WHAT DOES THIS INFORMATION MEAN? As you can see by the table, our system had no violations. We have learned through our testing that some contaminants have been detected; however, these contaminants were detected below the level allowed by the State. We are required to present the following information on lead in drinking water: Lead can cause serious health effects in people of all ages, especially pregnant people, infants (both formula-fed and breastfed), and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and parts used in service lines and in home plumbing. The Eastern Brutus Consolidated Water System is responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes but cannot control the variety of materials used in the plumbing in your home. Because lead levels may vary over time, lead exposure is possible even when your tap sampling results do not detect lead at one point in time. You can help protect yourself and your family by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family's risk. Using a filter, certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead, is effective in reducing lead exposures. Follow the instructions provided with the filter to ensure the filter is used properly. Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula. Boiling water does not remove lead from water. Before using tap water for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula, flush your pipes for several minutes. You can do this by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes. If you have a lead service line or galvanized requiring replacement service line, you may need to flush your pipes for a longer period. If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, contact Cayuga County Water and Sewer Authority at [PHONE REDACTED]. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at ---PAGE BREAK--- IS OUR WATER SYSTEM MEETING OTHER RULES THAT GOVERN OPERATIONS? We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not your drinking water meets health standards. During August of 2024 we did not monitor or test for total coliforms, and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of your drinking water during that time. We tested for total coliforms on September 9 and September 17 and the results were satisfactory.. INFORMATION ON LEAD SERVICE LINE INVENTORY A Lead Service Line (LSL) is defined as any portion of pipe that is made of lead which connects the water main to the building inlet. An LSL may be owned by the water system, owned by the property owner, or both. The inventory includes both potable and non-potable SLs within a system. In accordance with the federal Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) our system has prepared a lead service line inventory and have made it publicly accessible by visiting our office to view a printed inventory. The Town declares that the distribution system has no lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or lead status unknown service lines. You may also view the inventory by visiting our website at: DO I NEED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS? Although our drinking water met or exceeded state and federal regulations, some people may be more vulnerable to disease causing microorganisms or pathogens 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 from their health care provider about their drinking water. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Giardia and other microbial pathogens are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline ([PHONE REDACTED]). WHY SAVE WATER AND HOW TO AVOID WASTING IT? Although our system has an adequate amount of water to meet present and future demands, there are a number of reasons why it is important to conserve water: Saving water saves energy and some of the costs associated with both of these necessities of life; Saving water reduces the cost of energy required to pump water and the need to construct costly new wells, pumping systems and water towers; and Saving water lessens the strain on the water system during a dry spell or drought, helping to avoid severe water use restrictions so that essential firefighting needs are met. You can play a role in conserving water by becoming conscious of the amount of water your household is using, and by looking for ways to use less whenever you can. It is not hard to conserve water. Conservation tips include: Automatic dishwashers use 15 gallons for every cycle, regardless of how many dishes are loaded. So get a run for your money and load it to capacity. Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. Check every faucet in your home for leaks. Just a slow drip can waste 15 to 20 gallons a day. Fix it and you can save almost 6,000 gallons per year. Check your toilets for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank, watch for a few minutes to see if the color shows up in the bowl. It is not uncommon to lose up to 100 gallons a day from one of these otherwise invisible toilet leaks. Fix it and you save more than 30,000 gallons a year. CLOSING Thank you for allowing us to continue to provide your family with quality drinking water this year. In order to maintain a safe and dependable water supply we sometimes need to make improvements that will benefit all of our customers. The costs of these improvements may be reflected in the rate structure. Rate adjustments may be necessary in order to address these improvements. We ask that all our customers help us protect our water sources, which are the heart of our community. Please call our office if you have questions. Town of Brutus – Water Department 9021 North Seneca Street, Weedsport, NY 13166 (315) 834-9398