Yarmouth Water
99 Buck Island Road West Yarmouth, Massachusetts 02673
Massachusetts Public Water Supplier # 4351000

Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for the year ending 1999

We Want You to Know About Your Drinking Water
If you have questions about this report call Richard Crowley Superintendent at 771-7921

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was signed into law on December 16, 1974.
The purpose of the law is to assure that the nation's water supply systems serving the public meet minimum national standards for the protection of public health.

As amended and re-authorized by the 1996 U.S. Congress the SDWA requires that all public water systems with piped water for human consumption with at least 15 service connections or a system that regularly serves at least 25 individuals, must provide such consumers with an "Annual Drinking Water Quality Report".

The SDWA directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish national drinking water standards. These standards limit the amount of certain contaminants provided by public water.

The Yarmouth Water Department is committed to providing Yarmouth residents and visitors with high quality drinking water 24 hours a day 365 days a year. To ensure we deliver this quality product Yarmouth Water has made significant investments in water treatment facilities, water quality monitoring, water source protection, and distribution systems. We are pleased to be reporting the results of our 1999 water testing directly to you the consumer.

Your Drinking Water Source

Protecting Source Waters

Water Quality Testing
Each year the Yarmouth Water Department conducts more than 1,000 water quality tests on samples taken throughout the Town of Yarmouth. These tests confirm that your tap water meets all state and federal drinking water quality standards, and that your water is safe to drink. This report is the second annual report on water quality.  We will be mailing you a report each year with information about the quality of your drinking water.

Water Quality Summary
The table below shows only the substances that were detected in the Yarmouth Water in 1999. Not all substances were detected in each of the 24 well fields and none of the samples collected at the 24 well fields exceeded the highest level (MCL) allowed for any one substance.

* Lead sampling was from consumers systems which may be effected by plumbing solder, less expensive brass alloy faucets and or electrical grounding problems. ** 90^th percentile action level, which the EPA defines as the equation: (number of samples) x (0.9) = the sample corresponding to the 90th percentile. *** Number of sites above action level. This report was prepared by Dan Mills Assistant Superintendent of Yarmouth Water. For more information, call the Yarmouth Water at 508-771-7921 or email dmills@yarmouthwater.org.

The Substances Found in Your Tap Water

Drinking water, including bottled water, may be reasonably expected to contain at least some small amounts of certain substances that the EPA calls "contaminants". The presence of these substances does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. For example, naturally occurring dissolved minerals are commonly found in well water. More information about substances found in your tap water and their potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791)

Vulnerable Population

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 from their health care providers.

Unregulated Contaminants

Unregulated contaminants are those for which the EPA has not established drinking water standards. The purpose of unregulated contaminants monitoring is to assist the EPA in determining the occurrence of unregulated contaminants in drinking water and whether future regulation is warranted.

Definitions You Need to Know

Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.
Total Coliform Bacteria, Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present.
Fecal Coliform and e. Coli, Fecal coliforms and e. Coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal waste. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely-compromised immune systems.
Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally - occurring or resulting from urban storm-water runoff, industrial or domestic waste water discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.
Organic Chemical contaminants, include synthetic and volatile organic chemicals that 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, can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production, and mining activities.
pCi/l, Pico curies per liter. A measure of radioactivity.
MCL, The "Maximum contaminant level" is 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, "The Maximum contaminant level goal" is 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.
ppm, "Parts per Million" which is also the same as saying Milligrams per liter (mg/l). One part per million corresponds to a single penny in $10,000.00 or one minute in a two year period.
ppb, "Parts per Billion" which is also the same as saying Micrograms per liter. One part per billion corresponds to a single penny in $10,000,000.00 or one minute in a 2,000 year period.
AL, Action level, the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.

Variances and Exceptions

Yarmouth Water was granted a renewal of waivers December 18,1998 by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water Supply Office, not requiring our system to monitor for synthetic organic compounds (SOC’s). Previous years of testing have indicated that these substances do not occur in our source water. Yarmouth Water however does test for these contaminants for our historical database and will continue sampling annually. A complete list of all the contaminants tested for, is available at our offices, located at 99 Buck Island Road W. Yarmouth, 8:30 am – 4:30pm. 771-7921

Consumer Educational Statements

Nitrate.   Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome.  Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity.   If you are caring for an infant, you should ask for advise from your health care provider.

Lead.   Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population.  It is possible that lead levels at your home may be higher than at other homes in the community as a result of materials used in your home's plumbing.   If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your home's water, you may wish to have your water tested.  Additionally, flushing your tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using tap water to reduce lead content.  Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 1-800-426-4791

Water Related Informational / Educational Sites

Visit these web sites at your public library or from your home for more information on all aspects of water. American Water Works Association – www.awwa.org - an international nonprofit scientific and educational society dedicated to the improvement of drinking water quality and supply. Water Environment Federation - www.wef.org - a not-for profit technical and educational organization. Its goal is to preserve and enhance the global water environment. Yarmouth Water – www.yarmouthwater.org - your local water provider with links to other water related sites and updated information on our department activities.

Yarmouth Water is proud to be a member of the following Associations. American Water Works Association (AWWA), Massachusetts Water Works Association (MWWA), New England Water Works Association (NEWWA), Plymouth County Water Works Association (PCWWA), and the Barnstable County Water Utilities Association (BCWWA), North East Rural Water Association (NERWA), Barnstable County Public Works Association (BCPWA).

Landlords please forward our web site URL www.yarmouthwater.org/CCR1999 to your Tenants, or advise them that the report can be obtained at the Yarmouth Town Hall, Local Libraries or the Yarmouth Water Department