City of Mansfield - Water Treatment - Water Quality Report 2006

The City of Mansfield is proud to present our 2007 Water Quality Report. This report includes valuable information regarding your drinking water. The report emphasizes the quality product the City produces and gives you assurance that your drinking water will continue to be safe.

We are proud to report that the water provided by the Mansfield Water Treatment Plant meets or exceeds established water quality standards. This is based on routine chemical and bacteriological testing of City water at the water plant and in the distribution system. Our treatment plant is constantly maintained, evaluated, and upgraded to stay abreast of advancements in technology and government regulations. Through foresight and planning, efficiency in operations, and focus on excellence in customer service, we will provide you the best quality drinking water at an economical price.

This report will answer three important questions:

We will also provide you with information about available sources that will answer other questions on water quality and health effects.

Mansfield City water is a blend of surface and ground water. Surface water is supplied to the treatment plant from the 3.5 billion gallon Clearfork Reservoir. Ground water is supplied from ten municipal wells, located within 1.5 miles from the plant. Water is blended using approximately 60% surface water and 40% well water. The percent blend is determined by surface water clarity, seasonal algal tastes and odors and water temperature.

The treatment process consists of a series of steps. Raw water is pumped from the reservoir to the plant through a 36" line. The wells are pumped to the plant through a 16" line. The water is blended at the plant in a raw water wet well. From the wet well the water is pumped to the flash mix where alum polymer and powdered carbon are added. The carbon removes any tastes or odors occurring in the lake water. The alum polymer causes small particles to adhere to one another (called floc) making them heavy enough to settle in a basin from which sediment is removed.

After settling,the water is then filtered through layers of fine coal, silicate sand, and gravel. As smaller, suspended particles are removed, turbidity disappears and clear water emerges.

Next, caustic soda and corrosion inhibitors are added for pH balance and corrosion reduction in the distribution system.

Finally, as a precaution against any bacteria that might remain, chlorine is added before water flows to sanitized, underground storage reservoirs, water towers, and into your homes and businesses. We carefully monitor the amount of chlorine added, trying to provide the lowest quantity necessary to protect the safety of your water at the furthest distance from the plant without compromising taste.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be 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 Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

The sources of drinking water (both tap 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 activity.

Contaminants Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
  (A) Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems,
        agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
  (B) Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runoff,
        industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
  (C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and
       residential uses.
  (D) Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial
        processes and petroleum production, and can, also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff and septic systems.
  (E) Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

Surface water sources, such as rivers and reservoirs, are more susceptible to contamination than ground water sources. Mansfield utilizes additional drinking water treatment techniques due to the potential for contamination from agricultural, residential, and commercial land uses upstream from the Clearfork Reservoir. For over 50 years, the Mansfield public water system has effectively treated this water to meet drinking water quality standards.

In 2003, Ohio EPA completed a Source Water Area Protection (SWAP) report for the Clearfork Reservoir. For details regarding their report, please contact Angelo Klousiadis, WTP manager at 419-884-3310.

In order to insure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.

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 advise about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

The table shows the results of our water quality analyses. Every regulated contaminant that we detected in the water, even in the minutest traces, is listed here. The table contains the name of each substance, the highest level allowed by regulation (MCL), the ideal goals for public health, the amount detected, the usual sources for such contaminants, footnotes explaining our findings, and a key to units of measurement. Definitions of MCL and MCLG are important.

Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: 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.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG: 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.

MRDLG: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level is the level of drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRLDG’s do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

MRDL: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level is the highest level of disinfectant allowed in drinking water, There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

Detected Level: The highest level detected of a contaminant for comparison against the acceptance levels for each parameter. These levels could be the highest single measurement, or an average of values depending on the contaminant.

Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant, which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

Range: The lowest to the highest values for all samples tested for each contaminant. If only one sample is tested, or no range is required for this report, then no range is listed for that contaminant in the table.

Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

Member of: American Water Works Association

PSWID # 7002914

LEAD IN DRINKING WATER

Lead is a naturally occurring element in our environment. Consequently, our water supply is expected to contain a small, undetectable amount of lead. However, most of the lead in household water usually comes from the plumbing in your home, not from the local water supply. The most common cause of lead in drinking water is due to corrosion, a reaction between the water and the lead pipes or solder. All kinds of water, however, may have high levels of lead. We maintain our drinking water supply at an optimum pH and mineral content to help prevent corrosion in your home’s pipes.

Lead in drinking water is a concern because elevated levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. A dose that would have little effect on an adult can have a big effect on a small body. On average, it is estimated that lead in drinking water contributes between 10 and 20 percent of total lead exposure in young children. To reduce lead levels in your drinking water you should flush your cold water pipes by running the water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes until it becomes as cold as it will get; and use only water from the cold tap for drinking, cooking, and especially for making baby formula. Hot water is likely to contain higher levels of lead. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY WATER?

If the amount of a contaminant exceeds a predetermined safe level in your drinking water, (MCL, action level, etc.), the Mansfield
Water Treatment Plant will notify you by newspaper, radio, TV or other means within 24 hours. With the notification you will be
instructed on what appropriate actions you can take to protect your family’s health.

SCHEDULE OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING

You are invited to participate in our public forum and voice your concerns about your drinking water. The City of Mansfield Council
meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm on the third floor of the City Municipal Building located at
30 North Diamond Street.

QUESTIONS?

Should you have any questions regarding this report or your drinking water, please call Angelo Klousiadis, Plant Manager, with the
Mansfield Water Treatment Plant at (419) 884-3310. We will be pleased to answer your questions and if you wish, schedule a tour
of the treatment plant.

CITY OF MANSFIELD WATER QUALITY REPORT 2007

CITY OF MANSFIELD
WATER QUALITY REPORT 2007