2007 Water Report - Pennfield Charter Township

Pennfield vigilantly safeguards its ground water. We are able to report that all necessary precautions are taken to protect and care for our water system. This statement is reflective of the hard work the Utilities Department employees are providing each and every day, 24 hours a day. Pennfield Utilities is committed to providing you with information about your water supply, because customers who are well informed are our best allies in supporting improvements necessary to maintain the highest drinking water standards.

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 CONTAMINANT, 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 contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immune-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 microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline. (1-800-426-4791) EPA also has a website: www.epa.gov/safewater/

Pennfield Utilities takes tremendous pride in the care and effort it gives to assure the community of its precious resource, water. Our new water system has been online and operating since Sept. 28, 1998. We test different areas of the system on a daily and monthly basis. We perform chemical analysis on chlorine residuals each day. Biological samples are performed for micro-organisms throughout the entire water system monthly. Results of these tests are provided to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. They are available at the Pennfield Water Treatment Plant.

Monitoring at the Treatment
Regulated Contaminant	MCL	MCLG	Our Water	Sample Date	Violation Yes / No		Likely Sources of Contaminants
Fluoride (ppm)	4	4	0.10	2006	NO		Erosion of natural deposits
Arsenic (ppb)	10*	N/A	4	2005	NO		Erosion of natural deposits
Barium (ppm)	2	2	0.20	2005 002	NO		Erosion of natural deposits
Selenium (ppb )	50	50	0	2005	NO		Erosion of natural deposits

Special Monitoring
Sodium ( ppm )			9	2006		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)	80	N/A	4.0	7/22/2005	NO		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	1.3	.230	2006	0		Corrosion of household plumbing

Chlorine Residual Data
MRDL	MRDLG	Sampling Date	Highest running annual average		Range (Lowest to Highest)
4 (ppm )	4 (ppm )	Jan 06– Dec 06	.44 ( ppm )		.31 - .58 ( ppm )

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/ 2006 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, 2006 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.

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.

Monitoring at the Treatment
Regulated Contaminant	MCL	MCLG	Our Water	Sample Date	Violation Yes / No	Likely Sources of Contaminants
Fluoride (ppm)	4	4	1.0	2006	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

Regulated Contaminant	MCL	MCLG	Our Water	Sample Date	Violation Yes / No	Likely Sources of Contaminants
TTHMs (Total trihalomethanes ) (ppb)	80	N/A	65	2006	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 06 – Dec 06	.66 ( ppm )		.60 - .86 ( ppm)

* 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.

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 2006 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.

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

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.

WHERE PENNFIELD WATER COMES FROM

The Pennfield Water Treatment Plant is in the Marshall Sandstone Aquifer. The address is 19785 Capital Avenue NE, where we have two municipal wells at depths of about 300 feet.

As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells.

Therefore, it is essential to perform monthly biological bacterial sample tests, as required by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. We also treat the water from our wells to remove potential contaminants and add disinfectants to protect our community against microbial contaminants.

Contaminants that might be expected in untreated water include: biological contaminants such as viruses and bacteria; inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals; pesticides and herbicides; organic chemicals from industrial or petroleum use, and radioactive materials.

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 US EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791)

WATER STUDY

As Pennfield continues to grow, municipal water plays an important part in the development. To plan for our future, we will be doing a rate study to determine rates, connection fees, water main sizes as well as proposed areas of expansion and looping of the present system to improve service to our residents.

ABANDONED WELL CLOSURE PROGRAM

Do you have an unused (abandoned) water well? Now is the time to plug it! Why should you plug your well?

You will help protect your drinking water,
Unless you are using the well, state law requires you to have it plugged.
Plugging it is free while grant funding is available,
And you will be Paid $75 when your well is plugged!

The grant money is only available through September 2007 so if you want to take advantage of this program please contact the Pennfield Utilities Department at 209-5860 or 209-586l and set up an appointment.

SAFE WATER

To ensure tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food & Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.

To further ensure your safe drinking water, a well head protection program has been initiated for Pennfield's well field. This program, which is approved by the State of Michigan, will protect the water supply from potential contamination. The program identifies the size of the ground water recharge area based on a 10 year travel time it takes ground water flow to reach the township's wells. Once the wellhead protection area is determined, existing and potential sources of ground water contamination within the area would be identified. The wellhead protection plan is to minimize the threat to the town-ship's existing and future water supply.

SUMMARIZATION OF SOURCE WATER
ASSESSMENT REPORT

Pennfield water comes from two groundwater wells located at 19785 Capital Avenue NE. The State performed an assessment of our source water in 2003 to determine the susceptibility or the relative potential of contamination. 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 of our source is moderate.

We are protecting our sources by continued involvement in the Wellhead Protection program. A copy of the full report can be obtained at the Pennfield Charter Township office.