Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Jul 7, 2010
Author:

We’re very pleased to provide you with this year's Annual Water Quality Report. We want to keep you informed about the excellent water and services we have delivered to you over the past year. Our goal is and always has been, to provide to you a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. This report shows our water quality and what it means.

If you have any questions about this report or concerning your water utility, please contact Burt Allgood, Ronnie Young or Travis Green at the Buffalo Water Treatment Plant (307) 684 - 0572.

Buffalo Water Treatment Plant
8875 U.S. HWY. 16 West
Buffalo, WY. 82834
Phone (307) 684 - 0572
Fax (307) 684 -0573

The Buffalo Water Treatment Plant treats surface water from Clear Creek.

We have a source water protection plan available from our office that provides more information such as potential sources of contamination.

If you are interested in opportunities to be involved with decision affecting your drinking water, please contact any of the individuals listed above or attend the Buffalo City Council meetings which are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month..

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 ,000.

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

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 treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - The “Maximum Allowed” (MCL) is 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 “Goal”(MCLG) is 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 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 contaminants.


TEST RESULTS
Contaminant Violation
Y/N Level
Detected Unit
Measurement MCLG or MRDLG MCL or MRDL
Likely Source of Contamination
Microbiological Contaminants
1. Total Coliform Bacteria N none 0 presence of coliform bacteria in 5% of monthly samples Naturally present in the environment
2. Fecal coliform and E.coli N none 0 a routine sample and repeat sample are total coliform positive, and one is also fecal coliform or E. coli positive Human and animal fecal waste
3. Turbidity N .080 n/a TT Soil runoff
Inorganic Contaminants
15. Copper
Meets 90th percentile
42 samles N .20 ppm 0 1.3 Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives
18. Lead Did Not Meet 90th percentile, 42 samples N .35 ppm 0 .015 Corrosion of household plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits
20. Nitrate (as Nitrogen)


N 0.2 ppm 0 10 Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits
Volatile Organic Contaminants
TTHM3 Total trihalomethanes N Low 20.7 High 39.9 Avg.
30.3 ppm
0 80 By-product of drinking water chlorination
(HAA) Haloacidic Acids N Low 23.4
High 75.7 Avg. 49.6 ppm
0 60 By-product of drinking water chlorination

Total Organic Carbon (as a removal ratio or alternative methodology use noted) N 0.62 removal ratio 0.4 – 1.4ppm TT n/a Naturally present in the environment


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. [Name of PWS] 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 the water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your 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 http://www.epa.gov/safewater.lead


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

All sources of drinking water are subject to potential contamination by substances that are naturally occurring or man made. These substances can be microbes, inorganic or organic chemicals and radioactive substances. All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the 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 at 1-800-426-4791.

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 one-in-a-million chance of having the described health effect.


Total Coliform: The Total Coliform Rule requires water systems to meet a stricter limit for coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria are usually harmless, but their presence in water can be an indication of disease-causing bacteria. When coliform bacteria are found, special follow-up tests are done to determine if harmful bacteria are present in the water supply. If this limit is exceeded, the water supplier must notify the public by newspaper, television or radio. To comply with the stricter regulation, we have increased the average amount of chlorine in the distribution system.

Nitrates: As a precaution we always notify physicians and health care providers in this area if there is ever a higher than normal level of nitrates in the water supply.

Lead: Lead in drinking water is rarely the sole cause of lead poisoning, but it can add to a person's total lead exposure. All potential sources of lead in the household should be identified and removed, replaced or reduced.

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 (800-426-4791).

Please call our office if you have questions.

We at Buffalo Water Plant 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.