Regulated
Parameters

Concentration
Units

EPA Goal
MCLG

EPA Limit
MCL

Portsmouth's
Concentration Level

Typical Sources

Notes
Health Effects

Microbial Contaminants

Total Coliform Bacteria

--

0

Presents of coliform bacteria in <5% of monthly samples

0

Normally present in the environment.

This value represents the highest monthly percentage of positive samples during 2001. A minimum of 100 samples are taken each month

Fecal Coliform

--

0

A routine sample and a repeat sample are total coliform positive and one is also fecal or e. coli positive.

0

Human and animal fecal waste.

This value represents the total number of positive samples taken during 2001.

Turbidity

NTU

N/A

TT

0.17

Soil runoff

100% of samples taken met turbidity limits.

Radioactive Contaminants (1999 Data)

Beta/Photon emitters

PCi/L

0

50

3.9

Decay of natural and manmade deposits.

The MCL for Beta particles is 4 mrem per year. EPA considers 50 pCi/L to be a level of concern for beta particles.

Inorganic Contaminants

Antimony

ppb

6

6

<2

Discharge from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder

Arsenic

ppb

N/A

50

<2

Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards; runoff from glass and electronics production waste.

Barium

ppm

2

2

<0. 2

Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits

Beryllium

ppb

4

4

<2

Discharge from metal refineries and coal-burning factories; discharge from electrical, aerospace, and defense industries

Cadmium

ppb

5

5

<2

Corrosion of galvanized pipes; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from metal refineries; runoff from waste batteries and paints

Chromium

ppb

100

100

<10

Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits

Copper

ppm

1.3

AL = 1.3

0.21

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives

Zero of 69 samples taken exceeded Action Level Portsmouth's concentration range is <.01 - .33

Cyanide

ppb

200

200

<10

Discharge from steel/metal factories; discharge from plastic and fertilizer factories

Most recent data from 1996 (see Note 1 below).

Fluoride

ppm

4

4

1.38

Erosion of natural deposits; water additive that promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories

Lead

ppb

0

AL = 15

<1

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits

One of 69 samples taken exceeded Action Level. Portsmouth's concentration range is <1 – 9.

Selenium

ppb

50

50

<10

Discharge from petroleum and metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from mines

Thallium

ppb

0.5

2

<2

Leaching from ore-processing sites; discharge from electronics, glass, and drug factories

Regulated
Parameters

Concentration
Units

EPA Goal
MCLG

EPA Limit
MCL

Portsmouth's
Concentration Level

Portsmouth's
 Concentration Range

Typical Sources

Notes
Health Effects

Volatile Organic Compounds

TTHMs

ppb

N/A

80

79

40-99

By-product of drinking water chlorination

Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Information Collection Rule (ICR) Parameters (See Note 2 Below)

Giardia

Total Cysts

NGE

NLE

8

6-8

Human and animal fecal waste

Only two occurrences above the analytical detection limit were observed in the source water prior to treatment.

THM4

ug/L

NGE

NLE

46

19-46

By-product of drinking water chlorination

HAA5

ug/L

NGE

NLE

81

37-81

"

HAN

ug/L

NGE

NLE

7

5-7

"

HK

ug/L

NGE

NLE

7

3-7

"

CP

ug/L

NGE

NLE

1

0-1

"

CH

ug/L

NGE

NLE

11

2-11

"

TOX

ug/L

NGE

NLE

284

123-284

"

Residual Chlorine

ug/L

NGE

NLE

6

2-6

"