Consumer Confidence Report – 2021 Covering Calendar Year – 2020

TECUMSEH UTILITY AUTHORITY OK1020506

This report is a snapshot of the quality of the water that we provided last year. Included are the details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state standards. We are committed to providing you with information because informed customers are our best allies. If you would like to be actively involved in the decision-making processes that affect drinking water quality, please call TECUMSEH at 405-598- 2188.

Your water comes from 5 Ground Water Well(s):

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as those 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 about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800- 426-4791).

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 EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

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 activity. Please contact us to obtain more information about a source water assessment and its availability.

Contaminants that may be present in source water before we treat it include: 

Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, livestock operations and wildlife.

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.

Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as storm water run-off, agriculture, and residential users. 

Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or the result of mining activity.

Organic contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and also come from gas stations, urban storm water run-off, and septic systems.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limits the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. We treat our water according to EPA’s regulations. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.

Our water system is required to test a minimum of 7 samples per month in accordance with the Total Coliform Rule for microbiological contaminants. Coliform bacteria are usually harmless, but their presence in water can be an indication of disease-causing bacteria. When coliform bacteria are found, special follow-up tests are done to determine if harmful bacteria are present in the water supply. If this limit is exceeded, the water supplier must notify the public.

Water Quality Data

The following tables list all of the drinking water contaminants which were detected during the 2020 calendar year. The presence of these contaminants does not necessarily indicate the water poses a health risk. Unless noted, the data presented in this table is from the testing done January 1- December 31, 2020. The state requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. Some of the data, though representative of the water quality, is more than one year old.

Testing Results for: TECUMSEH UTILITY AUTHORITY

Please Note: Because of sampling schedules, results may be older than 1 year

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Your water system is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. 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

During the 2020 calendar year, we had the below noted violation(s) of drinking water regulations.

Additional Required Health Effects Language:

Total organic carbon (TOC) has no health effects. However, total organic carbon provides a medium for the formation of disinfection byproducts. These byproducts include trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Drinking water containing these byproducts in excess of the MCL may lead to adverse health effects, liver or kidney problems, or nervous system effects, and may lead to an increased risk of getting cancer.

Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potential problems.

Terms & Abbreviations

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): the “Goal” is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to human health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): the “Maximum Allowed” MCL 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.

Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL): recommended level for a contaminant that is not regulated and has no MCL.

Action Level (AL): the concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements.

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

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.

Non-Detects (ND): lab analysis indicates that the contaminant is not present.

Parts per Million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/l)

Parts per Billion (ppb) or micrograms per liter (µg/l)

Picocuries per Liter (pCi/L): a measure of the radioactivity in water.

Millirems per Year (mrem/yr): measure of radiation absorbed by the body.

Monitoring Period Average (MPA): An average of sample results obtained during a defined time frame, common examples of monitoring periods are monthly, quarterly and yearly.

Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU): a measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person. Turbidity is not regulated for groundwater systems.

Running Annual Average (RAA): an average of sample results obtained over the most current 12 months and used to determine compliance with MCLs.

Locational Running Annual Average (LRAA): Average of sample analytical results for samples taken at a particular monitoring location during the previous four calendar quarters.

Monitoring and Reporting (M/R): a violation for failure to conduct regular monitoring of drinking water quality or to submit monitoring results in a timely fashion.

Operational Evaluation Level (OEL): a report triggered by the disinfection by-products rule.

 IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER 

Monitoring Requirements Not Met for TECUMSEH UTILITY AUTHORITY

Our water system violated drinking water requirements over the past year. Even though these were not emergencies, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we are doing (did) to correct these situations.

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 the following monitoring periods, we did not complete all monitoring or testing for the following contaminants, and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of your drinking water during that time.

What should I do? There is nothing you need to do at this time.

What happened? What is being done? We missed taking the required sample(s). We have sampled or will take samples in the future.

When do we anticipate resolving the problem? The problem has been resolved or will be as soon as the samples are taken.

 For more information, please contact:  Name: Current Drinking Water Operator at Phone Number:405-598-2188                                                                                                                                       

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

Monitoring Public Notice OK1020506   Date Distributed: __________________