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Water Quality Report
Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2003
Paul Smith's College
P.O. Box 265, Routes 86 & 30, Paul Smiths, New York 12970
(Public Water Supply ID# 1612265)
Introduction
To comply with State regulations Paul Smith's College, will be annually issuing a report describing the quality of your drinking water. The purpose of this report is to raise your understanding of drinking water and awareness of the need to protect our drinking water sources. Last year your tap water met all State drinking water health standards. We are proud to report that our system has not violated a maximum contaminant level or any other water quality standard. This report provides an overview of last year's water quality. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to State standards. We want our students and faculty to be informed about their drinking water. If you have any questions about this report or want to learn more about your drinking water, please contact Jane Mandeville, Water Operator at (518) 327-6239.
Where does our water come from?
In general, the sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activities. Contaminants that may be present in source water include microbial contaminants; inorganic contaminants; pesticides and herbicides; organic chemical contaminants; and radioactive contaminants. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the State and the EPA prescribe regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The State Health Department's and the FDA's regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.
Our water system serves approximately 1,000 individuals through 39 service connections. The water source for the college is groundwater from a series of wells, including six gravel packed points, three drilled wells and four dug wells. The wells are located on campus. The water is disinfected and corrosion inhibitors are added prior to distribution.
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, gross alpha and beta, inorganic compounds, nitrate, nitrite, lead and copper, volatile organic compounds, disinfection by-products and synthetic organic compounds. 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.
It should be noted that all drinking water, including bottled drinking 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. 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 New York State Department of Health at (518) 891-1800.
| TEST RESULTS |
| Contaminant |
Violation
Y/N |
Date of Sample |
Level Detected
(Maximum)
(Range) |
Unit
Measure-ment |
MCLG |
MCL |
Likely Source of Contamination |
| Inorganic Contaminants |
| Copper |
No |
2003 |
18001
96-33002 |
ug/l |
1,300 |
AL=1,3004 |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives |
| Lead |
No |
2003 |
4.53
ND-4.92 |
ug/l |
0 |
AL=15 |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits |
| Nitrate (as Nitrogen) |
No |
2003 |
440 |
ug/l |
10,000 |
10,000 |
Erosion of natural deposits |
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NOTES:
1 - The level presented represents the 90th percentile of the 10 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 copper values detected at your water system. In this case, 10 samples were collected at your water system and the 90th percentile value was the second highest value (1800 ug/l).
2 - The level presented represents the range of the 10 samples collected.
3 - The level presented represents the 90th percentile of the 10 sites tested. In this case, 10 samples were collected at your water system and the 90th percentile value was the second highest value (4.5 ug/L). Lead was not detected above the action level in any of the sites tested.
4- AL was exceeded as a result of extended holding time; duplicate samples are to be run using recommended holding time.
Definitions:
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.
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.
Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
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 (ppm).
Micrograms per liter (ug/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid in one billion parts of liquid (ppb).
Nanograms per liter (ng/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid in one trillion parts of liquid (ppt).
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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 are present; however, these contaminants were detected below the level allowed by the State.
Do I need to take special precautions?
Although our drinking water met or exceeded state and federal regulations, some people may be more vulnerable to disease causing micro-organisms 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).
Closing
Thank you for allowing us to continue providing you with clean, quality water this year. We ask that the entire Paul Smith's community help us protect our water sources. Please call our office if you have questions regarding the information contained in this report.
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