2005 Annual Water Quality Report

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR LIFE 2005 Annual Water Quality Report The City of Española PWS I.D. # 019-21

Water Quality Data Table

The table below lists all of the drinking water contaminants that we detected during the calendar year of this report. 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 in the calendar year of the report. The EPA or the State requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently.

Unit Descriptions

Important Drinking Water Definitions

Violation and Exceedances

Uranium

Some people who drink water containing uranium in excess of the MCL (30ug/L) over many years may have increased risk of getting canter and kidney toxicity. All required sampling has not yet been completed for this contaminant; therefore compliance with the MCL cannot be determined as of the date of this report. Sampling will be conducted quarterly to determine an annual running average. Whether or not the system is in violation will be determined pending the results of the average of the quarterly samples.

For more information contact:

City of Española Water System
Attn: Marvin R. Martinez
405 North Paseo de Oñate
Española , New Mexico 87532 €¢ 505.753.6880 -- Fax 505.747.0153

Spanish (Espanol)

Este informe contiene informacion muy importante sobre la calidad de su agua beber. Traduscalo o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.

Is my water safe?

Last year, we conducted tests for over 80 contaminants. We only detected 10 of those contaminants, and found only 1 at a level higher than the EPA allows. As we told you at the time, our water temporarily exceeded drinking water standards. (For more information see the section labeled Violations at the end of the report.) This report is a snapshot of last year’s water quality. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies. We are committed to providing you with information because informed customers are our best allies.

Do I need to take special precautions?

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 about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Save Water Drinking Hotline (800-426-4791). All required sampling has not yet been completed for Uranium; therefore compliance with the MCL cannot be determined as of the date of this report.

Where does my water come from?

The city of Espanola draws its drinking water from 5 ground water wells. These wells are located throughout the city.

Why are there contaminants in my drinking water?

Drinking water, including bottled eater, my 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 call the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-46-4791). 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 microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural 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 agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses; 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; and radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

How can I get involved?

By saving water, reporting public water leaks and illegal water usage.

Other Information

While the fluoride level is below the MCL of 4ppm, the city of Espanola is in violation of the secondary standard of 2ppm. The city must notify its consumers of this violation.

Additional Information for Arsenic

Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years could experience skin damage or problems with their circulatory systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Water Conservation Tips

Water conservation measures not only save the supply of our water source, but can also cut the cost of the energy costs at the treatment facility associated with pumping, an also chemical costs for processing of the water. There are a number of measures you as the water consumer can do to conserve on water usage.

Conservation measures you can use inside your home include:

1. Fixing leaking faucets, pipes, toilets, etc.
2. Installation of water-saving devices in faucets, toilets and appliances. Low flow fixtures are now the only kind produced since 1994. Simply replacing old fixtures with new will reduce water consumption by nearly one-half.
3. Wash only full loads of laundry.
4. Don’t use the toilet for trash disposal.
5. Take shorter showers. Do not let the water run while shaving, washing, brushing teeth, or cleaning fruits and vegetables.
6. Soak dishes before washing. Run the dishwasher only when full.

You can conserve outdoors as well:

1. Water the lawn and garden as little as possible if you must water, do so in the early evening to morning 7:00 PM to 8 AM.
2. Use mulch around plants and shrubs or choose plants that don’t need much water.
3. Repair leaks in faucets and hoses Use water-saving nozzles.
4. Use water from a bucket to wash your car, and save the hose for rinsing.
5. Sweep clippings and leaves from walks and driveways rather than using the hose.
6. Obey any and all water bans or regulations (the current emergency regulation is on stage 3.)