Water Quality Reports

2021 ANNUAL DRINKING WATER QUALITY REPORT FOR EASTERN BARTHOLOMEW WATER CORPORATION 812-526-9777

Dear E.B.W.C. Customers:

We’re pleased to present to you this year’s Annual Quality Water Report. This report is designed to inform you about the quality of water and services we deliver to you every day. Our constant goal is provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. We want you to understand the efforts we make to continually improve the water treatment process and protect our water resources. We are committed to ensuring the quality of your water. Our water source is supplied by ground water supply wells. These wells draw from the glacial sand and gravel outwash aquifer and are influenced by the Driftwood and Flatrock Rivers. Our water system is working with the community to increase awareness of better waste disposal practices to further protect the sources of our drinking water. We are also working with other agencies and with local watershed groups to educate the community on ways to keep our water safe.

This report shows our water quality and what it means. If you have any questions about this report or concerning your water quality, please contact Donald Smith, Jr., at (812) 526-9777 or via email at super@ebwconline.net We want our valued customers to be informed about their water utility. Feel free to contact our office with any questions or concerns about your drinking water.

Eastern Bartholomew Water Corporation routinely monitors for constituents in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws. This notice shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1st to December 31st, 2021. All drinking water, including bottled drinking water, may be reasonably expected to contain at least small amounts of some constituents. It’s important to remember that the presence of these constituents does not necessarily pose a health risk.

We at EBWC are proud that your drinking water meets or exceeds all Federal and State requirements. We have learned through our monitoring and testing that some constituents have been detected. The EPA has determined that your water IS SAFE at these levels. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.   Maximum Contaminant Level’s (MCL’s) are set at very stringent levels. To understand the possible health effects described for many regulated constituents, a person would have to drink 2 liters of water every day at the MCL level for a lifetime to have a 1:1,000,000 chance of having the described health effect.

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/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.                                             

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. Eastern Bartholomew Water Corporation 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 drinking 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 www. epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Please call the EBWC office if you have any questions.

A Source Water Assessment (SWA) has been prepared for our system. According to this assessment, our system has been categorized with a moderate susceptibility risk. More information of this assessment can be obtained by contacting the EBWC office at 812-526-9777 or IDEM’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead

We at EBWC work around the clock to provide top quality water to every tap. We ask that all our customers help us protect our water sources, which are the heart of our community, our way of life, and our children’s future.

Sincerely,

Donald Smith, Jr.

Superintendent

Eastern Bartholomew Water Corporation

IMPORTANT TERMS

Non-Detects (ND) – laboratory analysis indicates that the constituent is not present.

Parts per million (ppm) or Milligrams per liter (mg/l) – one part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000.

Picocuries per liter (pCi/L) – picocuries per liter is a measure of the radioactivity in water.

Millirems per year (mrem/yr) – measure of radiation absorbed by the body.

Million Fibers per liter (MFL) – a measure of the presence of asbestos fibers that are longer than 10 micrometers.

Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) – a measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person.

Variance & Exemptions (V&E) – State or EPA permission not to meet an MCL or5 a treatment technique under certain conditions.

Action Level – the concentration of a contaminant, which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements, which a water system must follow.

Treatment Technique (TT) – a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) – 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.

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

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) – the highest level of disinfectant allowed in drinking water

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG) – the level of drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health.

Parts per Billion (ppb) – A measure for concentration equivalent to milligrams per liter.

Potential Violation (P*) – one that is likely to occur in the near future, subject to other applicable requirements.

 

NA – either not available or not applicable.

ppb – micrograms per liter or parts per billion(one ounce in 7,350,000 gallons of water).

ppm – milligrams per liter or parts per million (one ounce in 7,350 gallons of water).

ppt – parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter (ng/l).

ppq – parts per quadrillion, or pictograms per liter (pg/l).

TEST RESULTS

CONTAMINANT	VIOLATION Y/N	LEVEL DETECTED	UNIT OF MEASUREMENT	MCLG	MCL	LIKELY SOURCE OF CONTAMINATION
MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS
Total Coli form Bacteria	N	1	15 Samples per month	0	Presence of coli form bacteria in 5% of monthly samples	Naturally present in the environment Improper Sampling Technique *IDEM changed the required number of monthly samples from 10 to 15 in October 2010.
Fecal Coli form and E.coli	N	None		0	A routine sample and repeat sample are total coli form positive, and one is also fecal coli form or E.coli positive	Human and animal fecal waste
Turbidity	NA			NA	TT	Soil Runoff
RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINANT
Beta/Photon Emitters	N	2.9	mrem/yr	0	50	Decay of natural and man-made deposits
Alpha Emitters	N	1.7	pCi/L	0	15	Erosion of natural deposits
Combined Radium 2017 Uranium 2017	N          N	0.44 1.495	pCi/L PCi/l	0 0	5 30	Erosion of natural deposits Erosion of natural deposits
INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS
Antimony	N	<.001	mg/L	0.006	0.006	Discharge from petroleum refineries, fire retardants, ceramics, electronics, solder
Arsenic    2017	N	0.7	ppb	0	10.0	Erosion of natural deposits, Runoff from orchards’ runoff from glass and electronics production waste
Sodium	N	15.5	mg/L			Erosion of natural deposits
Barium     2020	N	0.0411	ppm	2	2	Discharge of drilling wastes, Discharge from metal refineries Erosion of natural deposits
Beryllium	N	<.002	mg/L	0.004	0.004	Discharge from metal refineries and coal-burning factories Discharge from electrical, aerospace, and defense industries
Cadmium	N	<.002	mg/L	0.005	0.005	Corrosion of galvanized pipes, Erosion of natural deposits Discharge from metal refineries, Runoff from waste batteries
Chromium	N	<.005	mg/L	0.1	0.1	Discharge from steel/pulp mills, Erosion of natural deposits
Copper   2020	N	0.128	ppm	1.3	1.3	Corrosion of household plumbing, Erosion of natural deposits
Cyanide 2017	N	ND	mg/L	0.2	0.2	Discharge from steel, metal, plastic, and fertilizer factories
Fluoride 2021	N	0.5	ppm	4	4.0	Natural erosion; water additive which promotes strong teeth Discharge from fertilizer, aluminum factories
Lead   2020	N	1.6	ppb	15	0	Corrosion of household plumbing, Erosion of natural deposits
Mercury (inorganic)	N	<.00010	mg/L	0.002	0.002	Erosion of natural deposits, Discharge from refineries and factories, Runoff from landfills and croplands
Nitrate (as Nitrogen) 2021	N	2-2.4	ppm	10	10	Erosion of natural deposits, Runoff from fertilizer, Septic tank or sewage leaching
Nickel	N	0.0011	mg/L		0.1	Erosion of natural deposits, Runoff from fertilizer
Selenium	N	<.005	mg/L	0.05	0.05	Erosion of natural deposits, Discharge from petroleum/metal refineries, Discharge from mining
Thallium	N	<.001	mg/L	0.002	0.002	Leaching from ore-processing sites, Discharge from electronics, glass, or drug factories
SYNTHETIC ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS
2,4 – D	N	ND	mg/L	0.07	0.07	Runoff from herbicide used on row crops
2,4,5 – TP (Silvex)	N	ND	mg/L	0.05	0.05	Residue of banned herbicide
Acrylamide	N		mg/L	0	TT	Added to water during sewage/wastewater treatment
Alachlor	N	ND	mg/L	0	0.002	Runoff from herbicide used on row crops
Atrazine	N	ND	mg/L	0.003	0.003	Runoff from herbicide used on row crops
Benzo(a)pyrene (PAH)	N	ND	mg/L	0	0.0002	Leaching from linings of water storage tanks and water mains
Carbofuran	N	ND	mg/L	0.04	0.04	Leaching of soil fumigant used on rice and alfalfa
Chlordane	N	ND	mg/L	0	0.002	Residue of banned termiticide
Dalapon	N	ND	mg/L	0.2	0.2	Runoff from herbicide used on rights of way
Di (2-ethylhexyl)adipate	N	ND	mg/L	0.4	0.4	Discharge from chemical factories
Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate	N	ND	mg/L	0	0.006	Discharge from chemical and rubber factories
Dibromochloropropane	N	ND	mg/L	0	0.0002	Runoff/leaching from soil fumigant used on soybeans, cotton, pineapples, and orchards
Dinoseb	N	ND	mg/L	0.007	0.007	Runoff from herbicide used on soybeans and vegetables
Diquat	N	ND	mg/L	0.02	0.02	Runoff from herbicide used on soybeans and vegetables
Dioxin	N	ND	mg/L	0	0.00000003	Discharge from chemical factories, Emissions from waste incinerations
Endothall	N	ND	mg/L	0.1	0.1	Runoff from herbicide used on soybeans and vegetables
Endrin	N	ND	mg/L	0.0002	0.0002	Residue from banned insecticide
Epichlorohydrin	N	ND	mg/L	0	TT	Discharge from industrial chemical factories Impurity of some water treatment chemicals
Ethylene Dibromide	N	ND	mg/L	0	0.0005	Discharge from petroleum refineries
Glyphosate	N	ND	mg/L	>6.0	700	Runoff from herbicide used on soybeans and vegetables
Heptachlor	N	ND	mg/L	0	0.0004	Residue of banned termiticide
Heptachlor Epoxide	N	ND	mg/L	0	0.0002	Breakdown of heptachlor
Hexachlorobenzene	N	ND	mg/L	0	0.001	Discharge from metal refinery/agricultural chemical factories
Hexachlorocyclo-pentadiene	N	ND	mg/L	0.05	0.05	Discharge from chemical factories
Lindane	N	ND	mg/L	0.0002	0.0002	Runoff/leaching from insecticides used on Cattle/lumber/gardens
Methoxyclor	N	ND	mg/L	0.04	0.04	Runoff/leaching from insecticides used on Fruits/vegetables/alfalfa/livestock
Ox amyl (Vydate)	N	ND	mg/L	0.0005	0.0005	Runoff/leaching from insecticides used on apples/potatoes/tomatoes
PCBs (Polychlorinatedbiphenyls)	N	ND	mg/L	0.001	0.001	Runoff from landfills, Discharge from waste chemicals
Pentachlorophenol	N	ND	mg/L	0.001	0.001	Discharge from wood preserving factories
Picloram	N	ND	mg/L	0.5	0.5	Runoff from herbicide used on soybeans and vegetables
Simazine	N	ND	mg/L	0.004	0.004	Runoff from herbicide used on soybeans and vegetables
Toxaphene	N	ND	mg/L	0.003	0.003	Runoff/leaching from insecticides used on cotton/cattle
VOLATILE ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS
Benzene	N	ND	mg/L	0	0.005	Discharge from factories, Leaching from gas storage tanks/landfills
Carbon Tetrachloride	N	ND	mg/L	0	0.005	Discharge from chemical plants and other industrial activities
Chlorobenzene	N	ND	mg/L	0.1	0.1	Discharge from chemical/agricultural factories
o-Dichlorobenzene	N	ND	mg/L	0.6	0.6	Discharge from industrial chemical factories
p-Dichlorobenzene	N	ND	mg/L	0.075	0.075	Discharge from industrial chemical factories
1,2 – Dichloroethane	N	ND	mg/L	0	0.005	Discharge from industrial chemical factories
1,1 – Dichloroethylene	N	ND	mg/L	0.1	0.1	Discharge from industrial chemical factories
Cis – 1,2 – Dichloroethylene	N	ND	mg/L	0.07	0.07	Discharge from industrial chemical factories
Trans – 1,2 – Dichloroethylene	N	ND	mg/L	0.1	0.1	Discharge from industrial chemical factories
Dichloromethane	N	ND	mg/L	0	0.005	Discharge from pharmaceutical/chemical factories
1,2 – Dichloropropane	N	ND	mg/L	0	0.005	Discharge from industrial chemical factories
Ethyl benzene	N	ND	mg/L	0.7	0.7	Discharge from petroleum refineries
Methyl tert butyl ether	N	ND	mg/L			No MCL has been established
Styrene	N	ND	mg/L	0.1	0.1	Discharge from rubber/plastics factories, Leaching from landfills
Tetrachloroethylene	N	ND	mg/L	0	0.005	Leaching from PVC pipes, Discharge from factories/dry cleaners
1,2,4 – Trichlorobenzene	N	ND	mg/L	0.07	0.07	Discharge from textile finishing factories
1,1,1 – Trichloroethane	N	ND	mg/L	0.2	0.2	Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories
1,1,2 – Trichloroethane	N	ND	mg/L	0.003	0.005	Discharge from industrial chemical factories
Trichloroethylene	N	ND	mg/L	0	0.005	Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories
TTHM (total) 2021	N	15	ppb	No Goal For Total	80	By-Product of drinking water chlorination
Toluene	N	ND	mg/L	1	1	Discharge from petroleum factories
Vinyl Chloride	N	ND	mg/L	0	0.002	Leaching from PVC pipes, Discharge from plastics factories
Xylenes	N	ND	mg/L	10	10	Discharge from petroleum/chemical factories
Halo Acetic Acid (HAA5) 2021 Total	N	4	ppb	No Goal For Total	60	Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
Chlorine   2021	N	1	ppm	4	4	Water additive used to control microbes

Total Coliform

 

Definition of terms:
MCL = Maximum contaminant level. The highest level of a contaminant allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
MCLG = Maximum contaminant level goal. The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
N/A = Not applicable.
pCi/l = Picocuries per liter is a measure of radioactivity in water.
TT = Treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
mg/l = Milligrams per liter or one part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000.
ND = Non-detects are determined by laboratory analysis that the constituent is not present.

 

   Columbus City Utilities 2020 Water Quality Data Table of Detected Compounds

National Primary Drinking Water Parameters	Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)	Water Plant 1	Water Plant 2
CLARITY (NTU)
Turbidity Ground Water	5	0.10	0.12
MICROBIOLOGICAL (Percent Positive)
Coliform	Prescence/Absence	Absent	Absent
INORGANIC COMPOUNDS (MG/L)
Fluoride (Adjusted)	4	0.80	0.72
Nickel	0.1	<0.002	<0.002
NITRATES AND NITRITE (mg/l)
Nitrate (as N)	10	< 0.50	3.42
LEAD AND COPPER (mg/l)
Lead (Action Level)	0.015	0.001	<0.001
Copper (Action Level)	1.300	0.004	0.005
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (ug/L)
Total Trihalomethanes	80	12.4	13.2
RADIONUCLIDES (pCi/L)
Radium 228	5	1.30	<1.0
Uranium (mg/L)	0.03	<0.001	0.0017
Gross Alpha	15	<3.0	<3.0
Gross Beta	50	5.30	4.70
ADDITIONAL PARAMETERS (Unit is mg/L unless specified)
Conductivity (umhos/cm)		651	526
Hardness as CaCO3		289	262
Hardness as CaCo3 (Grains/Gallon)		17.0	15.3
Iron	0.3	0.03	0.02
Manganese	0.05	0.02	0.01
pH (pH Unit)	6.5 – 8.5	7.32	7.26
Total Dissolved Solids		418	355
Arsenic	0.010	0.002	<0.001

 

CONTAMINANT	MCL/MRDL/	MCLG	Value	Date	Violation	Typical Sources
E-coli	TT	N/A	Positive	06-15-17 06-16-17	No	Human & animal fecal waste

Water Quality Report