2003 Water Quality Report

Contaminant

North Conway Water Precinct Water Quality Report 2003

What is the source of my water?

The North Conway Water Precinct derives its water from a series of gravel packed wells (groundwater) located within the Saco River Basin. These wells are located within the floodplain and range in depth from 80' to 115' with a yield of between 300 and 1400 gallons per minute. Information concerning the location and wellhead protection / monitoring may be obtained directly from the Precinct Superintendent.

Why are there contaminants in my water?

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amount 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 (1-800-426-4791).

Is my drinking water safe?

Contaminant	Violation Y/N	Level Detected/ Range of Detection	Unit Meas.	MCLG	MCL	Likely Source of Contamination
Microbiological Contaminants

Total Coliform Bacteria (% positive samples)	N			0	Presence of coliform bacteria in > or = 5% of compliance samples	Naturally present in the environment

Turbidity	N			N/A	TT	Soil Runoff

Fecal coliform and E coli	N			0	A routine sample and repeat sample are total coliform positive, and one is also fecal coliform or E. coli positive.	Human and fecal waste

Radioactive Contaminants

Beta/photon emitters	N		mrem/yr	0	4	Decay of natural and man-made deposits

Alpha emitter	N	<1.0	pCi/1	0	15	Erosion of natural deposits

Combined radium	N		pCi/1	0	5	Erosion of natural deposits

Inorganic Contaminants

Antimony	N	2.00	ppb	6	6	Discharge from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder

Arsenic	N	5.00	ppb	n/a	50	Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards; runoff from glass and electronics production wastes

Asbestos	N	0.18	MFL	7	7	Decay of asbestos cement water mains; erosion of natural deposits

Barium	N	0.100	ppm	2	2	Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits

Beryllium	N	1.0	ppb	4	4	Discharge from metal refineries and coal burning factories; discharge from electrical, aerospace and defense industries

Cadmium	N	1.0	ppb	5	5	Corrosion of galvanize pipes; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from metal refineries; runoff from waste batteries and paints

Chromium	N	10.0	ppb	100	100	Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits

Copper	N	0.050	ppm	1.3	AL=1.3	Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives

Cyanide	N	40.00	ppb	200	200	Discharge from steel/metal factories; discharge from plastic and fertilizer factories

Fluoride	N	1.21	ppm	4	4	Erosion of natural deposits; water additive which promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories

Lead	N	5.0	ppb	0	AL=15	Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits

Mercury (Inorganic)	N	1.0	ppb	2	2	Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from landfills; runoff from cropland

Nitrate (as Nitrogen)	N	<.50	ppm	10	10	Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits

Nitrite (as Nitrogen)	N		ppm	1	1	Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits

Selenium	N	5.0	ppb	50	50	Discharge from petroleum and metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from mines

Thallium	N	1.0	ppb	0.5	2	Leaching from ore-processing sites; discharge from electronics, glass and drug factories

Synthetic Organic Contaminants including Pesticides and Herbicides

2,4-D	N	Nd	ppb	70	70	Runoff from herbicide used on row crops

2,4,5-TP (Silvex)	N	Nd	ppb	50	50	Residue of banned herbicide

Acrylamid	N	Nd	ppb	0	TT	Added to water during sewage/wastewater treatment

Alachlor	N	Nd	ppb	0	2	Runoff from herbicide used on row crops

Atrazine	N	Nd	ppb	3	3	Runoff from herbicide used on row crops

Benzo(a)pyrene (PAH)	N	Nd	ppt	0	200	Leaching from linings of water storage tanks and distribution lines

Carbofuran	N	Nd	ppb	40	40	Leaching of soil fumigant used on rice and alfalfa

Chlordane	N	Nd	ppb	0	2	Residue of banned termiticide

Dalapon	N	Nd	ppb	200	200	Runoff from herbicide used on rights of way

Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate	N	Nd	ppb	400	400	Discharge from chemical factories

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate	N	Nd	ppb	0	6	Discharge from rubber and chemical factories

Dibromochloropropane	N	Nd	ppt	0	200	Runoff/leaching from soil fumigant used on soybeans, cotton, pineapples, and orchards

Dinoseb	N	Nd	ppb	7	7	Runoff from herbicide used on soybeans and vegetables

Diquat	N	Nd	ppb	20	20	Runoff from herbicide use

Dioxin [2,3,7,8-TCDD]	N	Nd	ppq	0	30	Emissions from waste incineration and other combustion; discharge from chemical factories

Endothall	N	Nd	ppb	100	100	Runoff from herbicide use

Endrin	N	Nd	ppb	2	2	Residue of banned insecticide

Epichlorohydrin	N	Nd	ppb	0	TT	Discharge from industrial chemical factories; an impurity of some water treatment chemicals

Ethylene dibromide	N	Nd	ppt	0	50	Discharge from petroleum refineries

Glyphosate	N	Nd	ppb	700	700	Runoff from herbicide use

Heptachlor	N	Nd	ppt	0	400	Residue of banned termiticide

Heptachlor epoxide	N	Nd	ppt	0	200	Breakdown of heptachlor

Hexachlorobenzene	N	Nd	ppb	0	1	Discharge from metal refineries and agricultural chemical factories

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene	N	Nd	ppb	50	50	Discharge from chemical factories

Lindane	N	Nd	ppt	200	200	Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on cattle, lumber, gardens

Methoxychlor	N	Nd	ppb	40	40	Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on fruits, vegetables, alfalfa, livestock

Oxamyl [Vydate]	N	Nd	ppb	200	200	Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on apples, potatoes and tomatoes

PCB's [Polychlorinated biphenyls]	N	Nd	ppb	0	500	Runoff from landfills; discharge of water chemicals

Pentachlorophenol	N	Nd	ppb	0	1	Discharge from wood preserving factories

Picloram	N	Nd	ppb	500	500	Herbicide runoff

Simazine	N	Nd	ppb	4	4	Herbicide Runoff

Toxaphene	N	Nd	ppb	0	3	Runoff/Leaching from insecticide used on cotton and cattle

Volatile Organic Contaminants

Benzene	N	Nd	ppb	0	5	Discharge from factories; leaching from gas storage tanks and landfills

Carbon tetrachloride	N	Nd	ppb	0	5	Discharge from chemical plants and other industrial activities

Chlorobenzene	N	Nd	ppb	100	100	Discharge from chemical and agricultural chemical factories

o-Dichlorobenzene	N	Nd	ppb	600	600	Discharge from industrial chemical factories

p-Dichlorobenzene	N	Nd	ppb	75	75	Discharge from industrial chemical factories

1,2-Dichlorethane	N	Nd	ppb	0	5	Discharge from industrial chemical factories

1,1-Dichloroethylene	N	Nd	ppb	7	7	Discharge from industrial chemical factories

cis-1,2-ichloroethylene	N	Nd	ppb	70	70	Discharge from industrial chemical factories

trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene	N	Nd	ppb	100	100	Discharge from industrial chemical factories

Dichloromethane	N	Nd	ppb	0	5	Discharge from pharmaceutical and chemical factories

1,2-Dichloropropane	N	Nd	ppb	0	5	Discharge from pharmaceutical and chemical factories

Ethylbenzene	N	Nd	ppb	700	700	Discharge from petroleum factories

Styrene	N	Nd	ppb	100	100	Discharge from rubber and plastic factories; leaching from landfills

Tetrachloroethylene	N	Nd	ppb	0	5	Leaching from PVC pipes; discharge from factories and dry cleaners

1,2,4,-Trichlorobenzene	N	Nd	ppb	70	70	Dischare from textile-finishing factories

1,1,1-Trichloroethane	N	Nd	ppb	200	200	Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories

1,1,2-Trichloroethane	N	Nd	ppb	3	5	Discharge from industrial chemical factories

Trichloroethylene	N	Nd	ppb	0	5	Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories

TTHM (total trihalomethanes)	N	Nd	ppb	0	100	By-product of drinking water chlorination

Toluene	N	Nd	ppb	1	1	Discharge from petroleum factories

Vinyl Chloride	N	Nd	ppb	0	2	Leaching from PVC piping; discharge from plastic factories

Xylenes	N	Nd	ppb	10	10	; Discharge from petroleum factories; discharge from chemical factories

Health Effects Information:
Presently the US Enviromental Protection Agency is determining a standard for radon in water. Radon gas which is inhaled has been linked to lung ancer however, it is not clear that at what level radon in your drinking water contibutes to this health effect.

The New Hampshire Department of Enviromental Serices has prepared a Source Assessment Report for the source(s) serving this public water supply. The results of the assessment are as folows. For wells # 4 & 5, 1 of suscepibility factors were rated high, 2 were rated mendium and 9 were rated low. Fr well #3, 1 of susceptibility factors were rated high, 1 was rated high and 8 were rated low. For well # 2, 2 of susceptibility factors were rated high, 1 was rated medium and 9 were rated low. The complete Assessmetn Report is available at the North Conway Water Precinct office. For more information, call Superintendent Gary R. Chandler @ (603)356-5382 or visit the NH DES's Drinking Water Source Assessnebt Program web site at www.des.state.nh.us/dwspp.

The North Conway Water Precinct takes pride in the fact that our water is safe and meets Federal and State Requirements.

Do I need to take special precautions?

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised 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/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 (1-800-426-4791).

Definitions:

MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, or the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLs: The highest level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. They are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. AL: Action Level, or the concentration of a contaminant which, when exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. TT: Treatment Technique or a required process intended to reduce the level of contaminant in drinking water.

Abbreviations:

PPT: Parts per Trillion PPB: Parts per Billion ppm: parts per million or n/a: not applicable

NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Unit MFL: million fibers per liter nd: not detectable at testing limits.

Archives:
2001 Water Report
2002 Water Report

How can I get involved?

Further information regarding the Water Quality or Operations of the North Conway Water Precinct can be obtained by contacting Gary R. Chandler, Superintendent @ 603-356-5382, Monday - Friday, 7:00am-4:00pm. The North Conway Water Precinct Board of Commissioners meet every other Wednesday @ 8:00am in the conference/training room at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Meetings are noticed in the Conway Daily Sun's Government Calendar.

Other information

The North Conway Water Precinct is a governmental agency established by a Special Act of the New Hampshire Legislature back in 1905. Service at that time was limited to the immediate village of North Conway and less than 200 customers were served. Water was obtained from two open brook fed reservoirs with limited fire protection. Now in 2003 the Precinct supplies over 2200 service connections using an average of over 1.2 million gallons a day with a capacity to provide in excess of 5 million gallons per day. Over 34 hydrants provide fire protection and the Pine Hill and Hurricane Mtn. Tanks each store 2 million gallons of water.

Other operations of the Precinct include a "state of the art"wastewater collection and treatment system and the North Conway Fire Department. The North Conway Water Precinct has completed both a Water and Wastewater Master Plan with present 2003 construction projects ongoing for Rte. 302. (Rte 302 to Artist Falls Rd). Future upgrades (2004) for both Water and Wastewater include RTe. 16 (Artist Falls Rd to RT 16A), Kearsarge Rd, Intervale Crossroad and Dinsmore Rd.