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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER Date: August 11, 2021, The Town of Monument Water Department has been notified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), that the water treatment plant that is supplied by well #9 had a recent violation of a drinking water standard of the Maximum Contaminant Level, (MCL), limit for Radium 226 / 228. In the natural environment, radium is found at low levels in soil, water, rocks, coal, plants and food. As our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct the situation. CDPHE requires all public water systems to monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. On July 15, 2021, the Town received notice that one of the designated water sample sites had exceeded the MCL for Radium 226 / 228. The MCL for Radium 226 / 228 is 5.0 pCi/L. CDPHE requires public water systems to obtain four quarters of samples, starting from the initial sample in excess of the MCL, to produce a running average used to determine if there is a system violation. The running average, at the designated sample site, is currently at 7.2 pCi/L based upon the 4 quarters sampled. The running average sample resulted in the CDPHE issuing the violation notice. Well 9 has been removed from service except for emergency use or required monitoring. The Town’s water system consists of 9 groundwater wells that pump water into our distribution system at 7 different locations throughout the Town. The source of the recent increased level in Radium testing results was from the water treatment plant that utilizes water from Well All other wells have tested below the MCL for Radium 226 / 228 and are tested routinely following the compliance schedule. The effects of exposure to this contaminant are not likely to be immediately apparent. However, for some individuals who drink water containing Radium 226 / 228 in excess of the MCL over many years, may have an increased risk of cancer. This risk is elevated for infants, the elderly, and those with a severely compromised immune system or are pregnant and it is advised that you seek advice from a doctor about drinking this water. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by bacteria and other disease- causing organisms are available from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safe ---PAGE BREAK--- Drinking Water Hotline at 1-[PHONE REDACTED]. Alternative drinking water, such as bottled, may be advised. In 2017, the Town installed a temporary “Dilution System” approved by the CDPHE to reduce Radium levels coming from the well. The Town has contracted with a professional water engineering company and a certified contractor to design and build a new system to remove the Radium from the Well #9 water treatment plant. Construction has been underway since July 7, 2021 and is expected to be completed and the water treatment to be online sometimes between December 2021 and January 2022. The new system will be a permanent solution to reduce the Radium. Well #9 went through a pilot study to ensure the planned remedial technology to be installed is efficient at removing a high percentage of the Radium before it enters the distribution system. The pilot study was completed December 3, 2020, and at that time well #9 was shutdown and today remains shutdown until the Radium Removal Project is completed. The Town will continue quarterly sampling until the designated sample site is below the MCL limit. For more information or questions, please contact Thomas A. Tharnish at 719-884- 8039 or e-mail at [EMAIL REDACTED]. Please share this information with others who may not have received this notice directly (those in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You may post this notice in a public place or distribute copies by hand or mail. This notice is being sent to you by the Town of Monument, PWS ID# CO0121475 and distributed on August 11, 2021. Respectfully, Thomas A. Tharnish Director of Public Works Town of Monument [PHONE REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED]