Annual Drinking Water Quality Report Addendum for 2022 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report Addendum for 2022

INTRODUCTION

The information contained in this report is a supplement to the report prepared by the Erie County Water Authority.  If you did not receive that report feel free to contact The Village Office at (716) 934-3240 or it can be obtained on-line at https://www.ecwa.org/files/pdf/2022_awqr_report.pdf.

WHERE DOES OUR WATER COME FROM?

Water for the Village of Silver Creek is provided by the Erie County Water Authority.  The ultimate source of water provided by the ECWA is from Lake Erie and it is extensively treated.  More information about their water source and treatment can be found in their Annual Water Quality Report.

ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN OUR DRINKING WATER?

As the State regulations require, we routinely test your drinking water for numerous contaminants. These contaminants include: total coliform, total trihalomethanes, Haloacetic acids and Lead and Copper. The table presented below depicts which compounds were detected in your drinking water.  The State allows us to test for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently.  Therefore, some of our data, though representative, are more than one year old.

 

It should be noted that all drinking water, including bottled drinking water, may be reasonably 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 calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) or the Chautauqua County Health Department at 716-753-4481.

 

Table of Detected ContaminantsContaminant | Violation | Date of Sample | LevelDetected | UnitMeasure-ment | Regulatory LimitMCL/AL | MCLG | Likely Source of Contamination

Haloacetic Acids(59 Buffalo St) | No | Quarterly(2022) | Avg.= 18.3Range=18 – 56 | ug/l | 60 (MCL) | N/A | By-products of drinking water chlorination.
Total Trihalomethanes(341 Central) | No | Quarterly(2022) | Avg.= 78.3Range=62 – 99 | ug/l | 80 (MCL) | N/A | By-products of drinking water chlorination.  TTHM’s are formed when source water contains large amounts of organic matter.

Lead (1) | No | 9/21/22 | 1.9Range=ND-2.3 | ug/l | 15 (AL) | 0 | Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits.
Copper (2) | No | 9/21/22 | 0.074Range=0.004-0.102 | mg/l | 1.3 (AL) | 1.3 | Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from wood preservatives.

ChlorineResidual | No | Daily(2022) | Avg.= 1.01Range=0.6-2.0 | mg/l | 4.0 (MCL) | N/A | Water additive used to control microbes.

 

1- The level presented represents the 90th percentile of the 20 sites tested.  A percentile is a value on a scale of 100 that indicates the percent of a distribution that is equal to or below it.  The 90th percentile is equal to or greater than 90% of the Lead values detected at your water system.  In this case 20 samples were collected at your water system and the 90th percentile value was calculated to be the third highest value at 7.3 ug/l. The action level for Lead was not exceeded at any of the sites tested.

 

2-The level presented represents the 90th percentile of the 20 samples collected.  20 copper samples were collected at your water system and once again the 90th percentile was calculated to be the third highest value at 0.074 mg/l.  The action level for Copper was not exceeded at any of the sites tested.

 

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.

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 a disinfectant that is allowed in drinking water.  There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health.  MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contamination.

Non-Detects (ND): Laboratory analysis indicates that the constituent is not present.

Milligrams per liter (mg/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid in one million parts of liquid (parts per million – ppm). 

WHAT DOES THIS INFORMATION MEAN?

As you can see by the table, our system had no violations. We have learned through our testing that some contaminants have been detected; however, these contaminants were detected below the level allowed by the State. Lead and copper were detected within the system but of 20 samples collected, none were found exceeding the action levels.  We are however required to present the following information on lead in drinking water:

 

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.  The Village of Silver Creek is responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components in your home.  You share the responsibility for protecting yourself and your family from the lead in your home plumbing.  You can take responsibility by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family’s risk.  Before drinking tap water, flush your pipes for several minutes by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes.  You can also use a filter certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead in drinking water.  If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, contact the Village of Silver Creek at (716) 934-3240.  Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

IS OUR WATER SYSTEM MEETING OTHER RULES THAT GOVERN OPERATIONS?

We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis.  Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not your drinking water meets health standards.  During 2022, our system was in compliance with all applicable State drinking water operating requirements, but not monitoring and reporting requirements. We failed to monitor for Disinfection Byproducts in the third quarter and thus cannot be sure of your water quality during that time. We completed lead and copper testing in 2022, but failed to provide the results of that monitoring to the Chautauqua County Health Department on time.

DO I NEED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS?

Some people may be more vulnerable to disease causing microorganisms or pathogens 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 from their health care provider about their drinking water.  EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium, Giardia and other microbial pathogens are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

INFORMATION FOR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING RESIDENTS

Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua beber.  Tradúzcalo ó hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.

French

Ce rapport contient des informations importantes sur votre eau potable.  Traduisez‑le ou parlez en avec quelqu’un qui le comprend bien.

WHY SAVE WATER AND HOW TO AVOID WASTING IT?

The Village of Silver Creek encourages water conservation. Although the Village has an abundant source of good water, it must not be wasted. A few simple steps will preserve the resources for future generations. You can play a role in conserving water by becoming conscious of the amount of water your household is using, and by looking for ways to use less whenever you can.  It is not hard to conserve water.  Conservation tips include:

CLOSING

Thank you for allowing us to continue to provide your family with quality drinking water this year. In order to maintain a safe and dependable water supply we sometimes need to make improvements that will benefit all of our customers. The costs of these improvements may be reflected in the rate structure. Rate adjustments may be necessary in order to address these improvements.  We ask that all our customers help us protect our water sources, which are the heart of our community.  Please call our office