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2024 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report Wells College 456 Main Street, Aurora, NY 13026 (Public Water Supply ID#0512920) INTRODUCTION To comply with State regulations, the Village of Aurora 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 and our system did not violate any 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 Mike White, Village DPW, at (315) 364-5239 or email [EMAIL REDACTED]. We want you to be informed about your drinking water. 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 a population of 740 through 220 metered connections. Wells College draws its water from Cayuga Lake, the water is then filtered through Diatomaceous Earth filters and disinfected by injection of sodium hypochlorite solution before entering the distribution system. Any water not consumed by our customers is then stored in two storage tanks. A 300,000 gallon glass-lined tank located on Sherwood Rd. east of the village and a 150,000 gallon welded steel elevated tank located on the campus of Wells College. The portion of Cayuga Lake where the intake for the Filtration Plant is located is listed as a Class AA Special Water body by the NYSDEC and is considered to be an excellent source of drinking water. NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT The NYS Department of Health has completed a source water assessment for Wells College, based on available information. Possible and actual threats to this drinking water source were evaluated. This source water assessment includes a susceptibility rating based on the risk posed by each potential source of contamination and how easily contaminants can move through the subsurface to lakes. The susceptibility rating is an estimate of the potential for contamination of the source water, it does not mean that the water delivered to consumers is or will become contaminated. (See the section of this document “Are there contaminants in our drinking ---PAGE BREAK--- water?” for a list of the contaminants that have been detected in the drinking water.) The source water assessments are intended to provide managers with additional information for protecting source waters into the future. As mentioned before, our water is derived primarily from Cayuga Lake. The source water assessment has rated this source as having an elevated susceptibility to protozoa and phosphorus due to the elevated density of CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) and the moderate density of sanitary wastewater discharges in the assessment area. The amount of agricultural lands used for crops increases the susceptibility potential for pesticides. An additional source of potential contamination for sediments and turbidity include a stream that discharges into the Lake near the intake. County and state health departments will use this information to direct future source water protection activities. These may include water quality monitoring, resource management, planning, and education programs. A copy of the complete assessment is available for review by calling the Cayuga County Health Department at 253-1405. 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, disinfection products (trihalomethanes, halocetic acids, 1,4 Dioxane) 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 at (315) 253- 1405. Table of Detected Contaminants Contaminant Violatio n Yes/No Date of Sampl e Level Detected (Avg/Max) (Range) Unit Measur ement MCLG Regulatory Limit (MCL, TT or AL) Likely Source of Contamination Microbiological Contaminants ---PAGE BREAK--- Turbidity1 No 01/26/ 24 0.98 NTU N/A MCL-1.0 Soil Run-off Inorganic Contaminants Lead3 No 8/16/ 18 Range ND-42.2 13.43 ug/L 0 AL=15 Corrosion of household plumbing systems and service lines connecting building to water mains; erosion of natural deposits Copper2 No 2/7/2 1 Range 0.124-1.73 0.72 mg/L 1.3 AL=1.3 Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits, leaching from wood preservatives Barium No 10/21/ 24 0.0235 mg/l 2 2 Discharge from metal refineries and drilling wastes and erosion of natural deposits Nitrate No 11/20/ 24 0.87 mg/l 10 10 Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage, erosion of natural deposits Sulfate No 10/03/ 23 58 mg/l N/A 250 Naturally occurring Organic Contaminants No Disinfection Byproducts ---PAGE BREAK--- Total Trihalomethane s No Quart erly Range 23.7-49.7 LRAA 474 ug/L N/A 80 By-product of drinking water chlorination needed to kill harmful organisms. are formed when source water contains large amounts of organic matter. Haloacetic Acids No Quart erly 1.4-12.8 LRAA 204 ug/L N/A 60 By product of drinking water chlorination needed to kill harmful organisms. Chloroform No 10/21 /24 18 ug/l N/A 80 By product of drinking water chlorination needed to kill harmful organisms. Bromodichloro methane No 10/21 /24 14 ug/l N/A 80 By product of drinking water chlorination needed to kill harmful organisms. Dibromochloro methane No 10/21 /24 9.0 ug/l N/A 80 By product of drinking water chlorination needed to kill harmful organisms. Bromoform No 10/21 /24 1.2 ug/l N/A 80 By product of drinking water chlorination needed to kill harmful organisms. Notes: 1 – Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. We test it because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system. Our highest single turbidity measurement for the year occurred on 01/26/24 (0.98). State regulations require that turbidity must always be below 5 NTU. The regulations require that 95% of the turbidity samples collected have measurements below 1.0 NTU. 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 copper values detected at your water system. In this case, 10 samples were collected at your water system and the 90th percentile value was the 0.7 mg/l value. The action level for copper was exceeded at one of the sites tested. 3 – The level presented represents the 90th percentile of the 10 samples collected. The action level for lead was exceeded at one of the 10 sites tested. 4 – This number represents the Highest Locational Running Annual Average (LRAA). ---PAGE BREAK--- 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 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 contaminations. 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. 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). WHAT DOES THIS INFORMATION MEAN? 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 Village of Aurora 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 the Village of Aurora at (315) 364-7293. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at IS OUR WATER SYSTEM MEETING OTHER RULES THAT GOVERN OPERATIONS? ---PAGE BREAK--- We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not your drinking water meets health standards. During 2024, we did not test for lead and copper and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of your drinking water during that time. We will be taking lead and copper samples in June of 2025. 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 link via the village website: www.auroranewyork.us. DO I NEED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS? Although our drinking water 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 (800- 426-4791). 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 fire fighting 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 up 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. ---PAGE BREAK--- 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 at (315) 364-5239.