2009 Water Quality Report

Pennfield Township has always diligently protected its groundwater. We are able to report that all necessary precautions have been taken to protect and care for our water system. This statement is reflective of the hard work provided 24 hours per day by the Pennfield Utilities Department.

Pennfield Township is committed to providing updated and accurate information about our current municipal water supply source. If you should have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to call the Pennfield Township Office at 968-4422.

MICROBIAL CONTAMINANTS, such as viruses and bacteria, may come from sewage treatment plant, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.

INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS. are salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.

PESTICIDES AND HERBICIDES, may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture and residential uses.

RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINANTSare naturally occurring or can be the result of oil and gas production and mining or fainting.

ORGANIC CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS, include synthetic and volatile organic chemical. They are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff and septic systems.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of these contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in the drinking water than the general population. Immune-compromised individuals such as individuals undergoing chemotherapy, individuals who have undergone organ transplants, individuals with HIV/AIDS and some elderly and infants may be particularly at risk.

These people should seek advice about drinking water from their healthcare providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate ways to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800-426-4791) The EPA also has provided a website at www.epa.gov/safewater.

Pennfield Township takes great pride in the care of its municipal water program. Our water system has been online and operating efficiently since September 28, 1998. The Utilities Division tests different areas of the system on a daily basis. Biological samples are tested for microorganisms throughout the entire water system on a monthly basis. Results of these tests are provided to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). If you would like to review these reports, please contact the Utilities Department at 968-4422.

Pennfield Township has compiled two (2) reports for our community on Pages 2 and 3.

The City of Battle Creek report contains information and results from the City of Battle Creek’s water system. Approximately three hundred Pennfield Township residents receive water from this system. This area includes all residents located east of the Battle Creek River, west of Capital Avenue, NE along Roosevelt Avenue, Sharon Avenue south of Roosevelt Avenue and the north end of Garrison. Groundwater for City of Battle Creek customers is obtained from the Marshall Sandstone Aquifer at the Verona Well Field, located in the northeast section of Battle Creek.

PENNFIELD WATER 2008

Monitoring at the Treatment

Regulated Contaminant

MCL

MCLG

Our Water

Sample Date

Violation
Yes / No

Likely Sources of Contaminants

Fluoride (ppm)

0.13

2008

Erosion of natural deposits

Arsenic (ppb)

10*

N/A

2008

Erosion of natural deposits

Barium (ppm)

0.20

2005

002

Erosion of natural deposits

Selenium (ppb )

2005

Erosion of natural deposits

Special Monitoring

Sodium ( ppm )

2008

Erosion of natural deposits

Distribution Monitoring Data

Regulated Contaminant

MCL

MCLG

Our Water

Sample Date

Violation
Yes / No

Likely Source of Contaminate

TTHMs (Total trihalomethanes ) (ppb)

N/A

4.0

2008

Byproduct of disinfection process

Contaminate Subject
to AL

(AL)

MCLG

90% of Samples
<= This Level

Sample Date

Number of Samples
above (AL)

Likely Sources of Contaminants

Copper (ppm)

1.3

.230

2006

Corrosion of household plumbing

Lead (ppm)	15.0	0	6	2006	0	Corrosion of household plumbing

Chlorine Residual Data

MRDL

MRDLG

Sampling Date

Highest running
annual average

Range
(Lowest to Highest)

4 (ppm )

Jan 08– Dec 08

.68 ( ppm )

.45 – 1.21 ( ppm )

WATER QUALITY DATA

NOTE: The EPA requires monitoring of over 80 drinking water contaminants. Those listed above are the only contaminants detected in your drinking water. For a complete list, contact the Pennfield Charter Township Water Department. The above table lists all the drinking water contaminants that we detected during the 2005/ 2008 calendar year. The presence of these contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk, unless otherwise noted, the data presented in this table is from testing done January 1, - December 31, 2008 The State allows us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. All of the data is representative of the water quality, but some are more that one year old. The detected contaminants can either be below or above the State/Federal Safe Drinking Water Standards - (also known as Maximum Contamination level). If the detected concentration is above the safe drinking water standard, a violation has occurred and a "yes" in bold will be in the violation column.

*Arsenic: Theses arsenic values are effective January 23, 2006. Until then, the MCL 50ppb, and there is no MCLG.

Copper: Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson's Disease should consult their personal physician.

Lead: 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. Pennfield Charter Township Water Department 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 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.

Terms and abbreviations used above:

Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant in drinking water below that there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG's

as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water with no known or expected risk to health. MCLG's allow for a margin

of safety.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL's are set as close to the MCLG's as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

N/A: Not applicable, ND: Not detectable at testing limit, ppb: Parts per billion or micrograms per liter

ppm: parts per million or milligrams per liter, pCi/L: picocuries per liter (a measure of radiation)

Action Level - (AL): The concentration of a contaminate which if exceeded, triggers treatment other requirements which a water system must follow.

MRDLG-Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal

MRDL-Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level

Questions regarding the system you are connected to may be directed to Pennfield Utilities Department

CITY OF BATTLE CREEK 2008

Monitoring at the Treatment
Regulated Contaminant	MCL	MCLG	Our Water	Sample Date	Violation Yes / No	Likely Sources of Contaminants
Fluoride (ppm)	4	4	1.1	2008	No	Erosion of natural deposits
Selenium (ppb)	50	50	2	2003	No	Erosion of natural deposits
Barium (ppm)	2	2	.16	2003	No	Erosion of natural deposits

Distribution System Monitoring

Regulated Contaminant	MCL	MCLG	Our Water	Sample Date	Violation Yes / No	Likely Sources of Contaminants
TTHMs (Total trihalomethanes ) (ppb)	80	N/A	41	2008	No	By-products of water chlorination
Lead/Copper ++	(AL)	MCLG	90% of Samples <= This Level	Sample Date	Number of Samples above (AL)	Likely Sources of Contaminants
Lead (ppb) **	15.0	0	2	2006	0	Corrosion of Household Plumbing, Erosion of natural deposits
Copper (ppm) *	1.3	1.3	.621	2006	1	Corrosion of Household Plumbing, Erosion of natural deposits

Chlorine Residual Data
MRDL	MRDLG	Sampling Date	Highest running annual average		Range (Lowest to Highest)
4 (ppm)	4 (ppm)	Jan 08– Dec 08	.63 ( ppm )		.55 - .71 ( ppm)

Special Monitoring
Substance	Average Level Detected	Rangeof ValuesDetected
Sodium ( ppm )	15	n/a

* The number of samples that exceeded the Action Level for Copper was 1 out of 33 samples tested.

** The number of samples that exceeded the Action Level for Lead was 0 out of 33 samples tested.

Information On Radon

Radon sample was collected on 11/16/98 and the concentration detected at 20pCi/L. The EPA states that Radon is a naturally occurring gas present in some ground water. It poses a lung cancer risk when the radon gas is released from water into the air (as occurs during showering, bathing, washing dishes or clothes), and a stomach cancer risk when you drink water containing radon. Radon gas released from drinking water is a relatively small part of the total radon in air. Other sources of radon gas are soils which enter homes through foundations, and radon inhaled directly while smoking cigarettes. Experts are not sure exactly what the cancer risk is from a given level of radon inhaled directly while smoking cigarettes. Experts are not sure exactly what the cancer risk is from a given level of radon in your drinking water. If you are concerned about radon in your home, tests are available to determine the total exposure level.

For additional information on how to have your home tested, contact the Calhoun County Health Department.

++NOTE: The EPA requires monitoring of over 80 drinking water contaminants. Those listed above are the only contaminants detected in your drinking water.

For a complete list, contact the Pennfield Charter Township Water Department. The above table lists all the drinking water contaminants that we detected during the 2007-2008 calendar year. The presence of these contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk, unless otherwise noted. The State allows us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly form year to year. All of the data is representative of the water quality, but some is more that one year old.

The detected contaminants can either be below or above the State/Federal Safe Drinking Water Standards - (also known as Maximum Contamination level). If the detected concentration is above the safe drinking water standard, a violation has occurred an a "yes" in bold will be in the violation column.

Terms and abbreviations used above:

Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG's

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. MCLG's allow for a margin of safety.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL's are set as close to the MCLG's as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

N/A: Not applicable, ND: Not detectable at testing limit, ppb: Parts per billion or micrograms per liter

ppm: parts per million or milligrams per liter, pCi/L: picocuries per liter (a measure or radiation).

Sensitivity (Columbia and Verona Well Fields)

The susceptibility rating is on a six-tiered scale from “very-low” to “high” based primarily on geologic sensitivity, water chemistry, and contaminant sources. The susceptibility rate of the Verona Well Field is “high” and the rating for the Columbia Well Field is “moderately high”.

A continuous leak from a hole this size (dot shown below) at an average household water pressure of 60 psi would, over a three month period, result in the waste listed:

Pennfield Township municipal water is obtained from two (2) groundwater wells located at 19785 Capital Avenue NE. The State of Michigan performed an assessment of our source water in 2003 to determine the susceptibility or the relative potential for contamination. The susceptibility rating is based upon a six-tier scale which begins at “very-low” and ends with “high” and is based primarily on geologic sensitivity, water chemistry and contaminant sources. The susceptibility for our water source is “moderate”.

To ensure tap water is safe to drink, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in drinking water provided by a public water system. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) establishes limits for contaminants within bottled water.

To further ensure the safety of your drinking water, a well- head protection program was incorporated by Pennfield Township. This program, which was approved by the State of Michigan, protects our water supply from potential contamination. The program identifies the size of the ground water recharge area based upon a ten year travel time it takes ground water to reach the township wells. The well-head protection plan is specifically designed to minimize the potential threat to our existing and future water supply.

A copy of the Well-Head Protection Program is available for review at the Pennfield Township Office, 20260 Capital Avenue NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017.

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