|
WATER QUALITY TABLE
- 2005 DATA |
|
REGULATED PARAMETERS |
CONCENTRATION UNITS |
EPA GOAL MCLG |
EPA LIMIT MCL |
PORTSMOUTH'S CONCENTRATION LEVEL |
TYPICAL SOURCES |
VIOLATION (YES/NO) |
NOTES HEALTH EFFECTS |
|
MICROBIAL CONTAMINANTS |
|
Total Coliform Bacteria |
-- |
0 |
Presences of coliform bacteria in <5% of monthly
samples |
0% |
Normally present in the environment |
No |
This value represents the highest monthly
percentage of positive samples during 2005. 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. |
No |
This value represents the total number of
positive samples taken during 2005. |
|
Turbidity |
NTU |
N/A |
TT |
0.18 |
Soil runoff. |
No |
100% of samples taken met turbidity limits. |
|
RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINANTS (2003 DATA) |
|
Beta/Photon emitters |
PCi/L |
0 |
50 |
1.8 |
Decay of natural and manmade deposits. |
No |
The MCL for Beta particles is 4mrem per year.
EPA considers 50pCi/L to be the level of concern for beta particles. |
|
Combined radium (radium 226 or 228) |
PCi/L |
0 |
5 |
0.4 |
Erosion of natural deposits. |
No |
Some people who drink water containing radium
226 or 228 in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased
risk of getting cancer. |
|
INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS |
|
Barium |
ppm |
2 |
2 |
0.025 |
Discharge of
drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural
deposits. |
No |
|
|
Beryllium |
ppb |
4 |
4 |
<0.5 |
Discharge from metal refineries and coal-burning factories; discharge
from electrical, aerospace, and defense industries |
|
|
|
Copper |
ppm |
1.3 |
AL = 1.3 |
0.198 |
Corrosion of
household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from
wood preservatives. |
No |
Zero of 98 samples
taken exceeded Action Level. Portsmouth's concentration range is <0.01-.43 2005 data. |
|
Flouride |
ppm |
4 |
4 |
1.26 |
Erosion of natural
deposits; water additive that promotes strong teeth; discharge from
fertilizer and aluminum factories. |
No |
|
|
Lead |
ppb |
0 |
AL = 15 |
<0.005 |
Corrosion of
household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits. |
No |
Zero of 98 samples
taken exceeded Action Level. Portsmouth's concentration range is <1-25. 2005 data |
Nitrate
(Measured as Nitrogen) |
ppm |
10 |
10 |
0.14 |
Runoff form
fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural
deposits. |
No |
Infants below the
age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the
MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms
include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome. |
|
REGULATED PARAMETERS |
CONCENTRATION UNITS |
EPA GOAL MCLG |
EPA MRDL |
PORTSMOUTH'S CONCENTRATION LEVEL |
PORTSMOUTH'S CONCENTRATION RANGE |
TYPICAL SOURCES |
VIOLATION (YES/NO) |
NOTES HEALTH EFFECTS |
|
DISINFECTANT |
| Total Chlorine |
ppm |
N/A |
4.0 |
3.5 |
1.0 –
4.9 |
Used as a disinfectant in
drinking water treatment. |
No |
|
|
VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS |
| TTHMs |
ppb |
N/A |
80 |
56 |
39 -
54 |
By-product of drinking
water chlorination. |
No |
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. |
| HAAs |
ppb |
N/A |
60 |
32 |
12 -
31 |
By-product of drinking
water chlorination. |
No |
Some people who drink
water containing haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over many years may
experience an increased risk of cancer. |
| TOC |
mg/l |
N/A |
TT |
2.46 |
1.97
– 3.4 |
Normally present in the
environment. |
No |
|
