How to Read the Water Quality Data Tables
The BWL conducts frequent tests of the water and the results of all detected contaminants, even in the smallest traces, are shown in the tables below. Per the EPA, a contaminant is defined as any physical, biological or radiological substance or matter in water. Drinking water may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. These tables contain the name of each contaminant, the highest level allowed if regulated, the ideal goals for public health if established, the amount detected and the usual sources of such contamination. There are also footnotes explaining our findings and a key to units of measurement. The presence of contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk.
Unless otherwise noted, the data presented in this table is from testing done January 1 - December 31, 2017. The BWL is allowed to monitor for certain contaminants less often than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. While all the data are representative of the BWL's water quality, some results are more than a year old.
The tables do not list the hundreds of contaminants for which the BWL tested but did not detect a presence.
Key To Tables:
AL
|
Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.
|
L1
|
Level 1 Assessment: A study of the water supply to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system.
|
L2
|
Level 2 Assessment:A very detailed study 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.
|
MCL
|
Maximum Contaminant Level: 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.
|
MCLG
|
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: 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.
|
MRDL
|
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level: 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.
|
MRDLG
|
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal: The level of a disinfectant in drinking water 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 contamination.
|
ND
|
Not detectable at testing limit
|
pCi/L
|
Picocuries per Liter (a measure of radioactivity)
|
PPM
|
Parts Per Million: Or micrograms per liter (mg/l) (equivalent to one penny in $10,000)
|
PPB
|
Parts Per Billion: Or micrograms per liter (mg/l) (equivalent to one penny in $10,000,000)
|
SUBSTANCES MEASURED IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Total Coliform Bacteria
As referenced by the EPA, total coliforms are a group of related bacteria that are (with few exceptions) not harmful to humans. A variety of bacteria, parasites, and viruses, known as pathogens, can potentially cause health problems if humans ingest them. EPA considers total coliforms a useful indicator of other pathogens (E.coli) for drinking water. Total coliforms are used to determine the adequacy of water treatment and the integrity of the distribution system. https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/revised-total-coliform-rule-and-total-coliform-rule
Microbial Contaminants
|
Number Detected
|
L1 Assessment Triggered?
|
L2 Assessment Triggered?
|
Major Sources
|
Violation?
|
Total Coliform Bacteria
|
1
|
No
|
No
|
Naturally present in the environmental
|
No
|
E. Coli
|
0
|
No
|
No
|
Human or animal fecal waste
|
No
|
Disinfectants and Disinfection ByProducts
The BWL adds chloramine to its water at the conditioning plants to protect against bacterial growth. Chloramine is used instead of other disinfectant options because it minimizes the number and level of chlorination byproducts, persists longer in the distribution system and leaves little or no unpleasant odor and taste. The following table lists the chloramine levels and disinfection byproducts created by the reaction of our chloramine treatment and naturally occurring organic compounds.
Regulated Contaminant
|
Unit
|
MCL
|
MCLG
|
Highest Average Detected Level
|
Range of Detected Levels
|
Major Sources
|
Violation?
|
Chloramines
|
PPM
|
MRDL
|
MRDLG
|
1.8
|
0.18 to 2.7
|
Water additive to control microbes
|
No
|
4
|
4
|
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
|
PPB
|
60
|
N/A
|
2.4
|
0 to 3.6
|
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
|
No
|
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
|
PPB
|
80
|
N/A
|
4.1
|
2.9 to 4.6
|
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
|
No
|
SUBSTANCES MEASURED AT THE WATER CONDITIONING PLANT
Regulated Contaminant
|
Unit
|
MCL
|
MCLG
|
Highest Detected Level
|
Range
|
Date Tested
|
Major Sources
|
Violation?
|
Barium
|
PPM
|
2
|
2
|
0.022
|
0.015 to 0.022
|
07/25/12
|
Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits
|
No
|
Fluoride
|
PPM
|
4
|
4
|
0.64
|
0 to 0.64*
|
07/06/17
|
Erosion of natural deposits; water additive which promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories
|
No
|
Radioactive Contaminant
|
Unit
|
MCL
|
MCLG
|
Highest Detected Level
|
Range
|
Date Tested
|
Major Sources
|
Violation?
|
Radium 226 and 228
|
pCi/L
|
5
|
0
|
ND
|
ND
|
07/07/16
|
Erosion of natural deposits
|
No
|
Water Quality Table Footnotes:
Dye Conditioning Plant was not feeding fluoride from during 2017 while the fluoride feed equipment was down for repair.
Special Monitoring (Not Regulated)
|
Unit
|
MCL
|
Highest Level Detected
|
Range
|
Date Tested
|
Major Sources
|
Violation?
|
Sodium
|
PPM
|
Not Established
|
79
|
60-79
|
07/06/17
|
Natural constituent of groundwater
|
N/A
|
Fluoride
The raw water coming into the BWL’s two water conditioning plants has a naturally occurring level of fluoride at approximately 0.35 ppm. The BWL adds fluoride to the water to bring it to the optimal level of 0.7 ppm recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Public Health Service and approved by the EPA. As stated on the www.CDC.gov/fluoridation/safety website, the “CDC monitors the public health benefits and risks of community water fluoridation from studies published by panels of experts from health and scientific fields. The reviews, conducted over many years, have concluded that water fluoridation is both safe and effective.”
Further information about fluoride in drinking water, including specific information about infants, can be obtained from the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/fluoridation.
SUBSTANCES MEASURED IN HOMES AND BUSINESSES*
Contaminant Subject to AL
|
Unit
|
AL
|
9 out of 10 homes were below a level of:
|
# of samples above the action level:
|
Major Sources
|
Violation?
|
Copper
|
PPM
|
**1.3 at 90th percentile
|
0
|
0
|
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives
|
No
|
Lead
|
PPB
|
***15 at 90th percentile
|
1.1
|
0
|
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits
|
No
|
Water Quality Table Footnotes:
*Lead and copper were last sampled in June 2017
**9 out of 10 homes tested must show a concentration equal to or lower than 1.3 parts per million
***9 out of 10 homes tested must show a concentration equal to or lower than 15 parts per billion
If you're concerned about lead, have the water tested. Arrangements can be made for water testing through the Ingham County Health Department at 517-887-4312 and each test costs about $20. Or, you may choose to install a water filter that is NSF-certified for lead removal. If a water filter is installed, replace it at least as often as recommended by the manufacturer.
Unregulated Contaminants
Unregulated contaminants do not have an MCL or MCLG but are reported to and evaluated by the MDEQ and EPA. Monitoring helps the EPA determine which areas of the country these contaminants are being detected and to develop future regulations. As our customers, you may request the results of our tests by contacting Angie Goodman at 517-702-7059 or angie.goodman@lbwl.com.The BWL monitored for 1,4-Dioxane, at the entry point to the distribution system in 2015 and it was detected at trace levels at our Dye Water Conditioning Plant (less than 0.2 ppb). The EPA has established a lifetime health advisory level of 200 ug/L (or ppb), and the MDEQ established an action level of 7.2 ppb (consistent with the Part 201 Residential Drinking Water Cleanup Criterion). The BWL continues to monitor 1,4-Dioxane quarterly at our Dye Water Conditioning Plant so we can respond accordingly if needed. Quarterly monitoring has shown no change of the 1,4-Dioxane level.
The BWL monitored for Perfluorinated Compounds, which included PFAS and PFOA, at the entry point to the distribution system in 2015 under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 and none were detected.
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 That Were Detected
Unregulated
Contaminants
|
Unit
|
Average Detected Level
|
Range
|
Date
Tested
|
Major Sources
|
Chromium
|
PPB
|
0.2
|
0.2-0.3
|
Feb & Aug 2015
|
Natural constituent of groundwater
|
Molybdenum
|
PPB
|
1.1
|
0-1.2
|
Feb & Aug 2015
|
Industrial activities; naturally occurring sources
|
Strontium
|
PPB
|
166
|
120-210
|
Feb & Aug 2015
|
Industrial activities; naturally occurring sources
|
Vanadium
|
PPB
|
0.3
|
0.2-0.4
|
Feb & Aug 2015
|
Industrial activities; naturally occurring sources
|
Chromium, Hexavalent
|
PPB
|
0.2
|
0.14-0.24
|
Feb & Aug 2015
|
Industrial activities; naturally occurring sources
|
Chlorate
|
PPB
|
174
|
32-330
|
Feb & Aug 2015
|
Byproduct of disinfection
|
1,4-Dioxane
|
PPB
|
0.14
|
0.14-0.14
|
Feb & Aug 2015
|
Industrial activities and landfills
|
Additional Water Quality Parameters of BWL Conditioned Water
The BWL performs an average of 16,000 water quality tests per year. This table represents results of typical concentrations and ranges of other parameters present in your water supply. These results are within acceptable ranges. The results can vary depending on the wells that are in use, the time of the year and the different areas of the water distribution system. For a PDF version of this list, please visit the BWL website at www.lbwl.com/water and click the Typical Analysis of Conditioned Water.
Parameter
|
Units
|
Your Water Results
|
Typical Concentration
|
Range
|
Calcium (as CACO3)
|
PPM
|
57
|
50-65
|
Magnesium (as CaCO3)
|
PPM
|
42
|
33-54
|
Hardness* (as CaCO3)
|
PPM
|
100
|
85-110
|
Hardness* (as CaCO3)
|
Grains per gallon
|
5.8
|
4.9-6.4
|
Carbonate (as CaCO3)
|
PPM
|
20
|
15-30
|
Bicarbonate (as CaCO3)
|
PPM
|
15
|
10-15
|
Total Alkalinity (as CaCO3)
|
PPM
|
35
|
30-45
|
Iron*
|
PPM
|
0.1
|
0.1-0.7
|
Sulfate*
|
PPM
|
90
|
45-80
|
Chloride*
|
PPM
|
60
|
10-100
|
Phosphate, Total (as P)
|
PPM
|
0.6
|
0.2-0.8
|
Phosphate, Ortho (as P)
|
PPM
|
0.3
|
0.2-0.4
|
pH
|
pH units
|
9.2
|
9.0-9.8
|
Turbidity
|
NTU
|
0.1
|
0.1-0.5
|
Conductivity*
|
uS/cm
|
480
|
380-620
|
Water Quality Table Footnotes:
*These parameters will typically be at the high end of the range during high demand periods in the summer months of June, July and August.
The BWL has Zero Water Quality Violations!!