EM Consumer Confidence Report on drinking water shows low levels of contaminants
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By LeAnn R. Ralph
ELK MOUND — The Elk Mound Village Board reviewed and approved the 2023 Consumer Confidence Report for drinking water at the May 28 meeting, and the report shows that contaminants are well below the level which would pose a health risk.
The report notes that the drinking water in Elk Mound is tested for many different contaminants, but the report lists only those contaminants that were detected in the village’s drinking water.
In addition, the report states that some contaminants are monitored less frequently than every year, and that some contaminants only need to be monitored every five years.
For those the contaminants that do not need to be monitored every year, the report lists the last date for which those contaminants were monitored.
By-products
For two disinfection by-products produced by drinking water chlorination, one chemical has a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 60 parts per billion (ppb) and the other has an MCL of 80 ppb.
No trace of the chemical with an MCL of 60 ppm was found in the sample, and a level of 1.4 ppb was found for the other chemical with a limit of 80 ppb.
Inorganic contaminants
Arsenic has a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 10 ppb, and the samples contained a level of 1 ppb of arsenic.
Arsenic can come from erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards; and runoff from glass and electronics production wastes.
Barium has an MCL of 2 parts per million (ppm), and the sample contained .001 ppm of barium.
Barium can come from discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; and erosion of natural deposits.
Fluoride has an MCL of 4 ppm, and the samples contained .9 ppm of fluoride.
Fluoride can come from erosion of natural deposits; a water additive to promote strong teeth; and from discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories.
Nickel has an MCL of 100 ppb, and the samples contained 1.8 ppb of nickel, with a range of 1.6 ppb to 1.8 ppb of nickel.
Nickel can occur naturally in soil, ground water and surface water and is often used in electroplating, stainless steel and alloy products.
Sodium does not have a maximum MCL ppm, and the samples contained 15 ppm, with a range between 12 and 15 ppm.
Copper has an Action Level of 1.3 ppm, and the samples contained .0370 ppm of copper.
The report notes that 0 of 10 results were above the Action Level for copper.
Copper can come from corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; and leaching from wood preservatives.
Lead has an Action Level of 15 ppb, and the samples contained .91 ppb of lead.
The report notes that 0 of 10 results were above the Action Level for lead.
Lead can come from corrosion of household plumbing systems; and erosion of natural deposits.
Lead
According to the report, elevated levels of lead causes serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children.
Lead in drinking water primarily comes from materials used in service lines and home plumbing.
The Elk Mound Waterworks is responsible for providing safe, high-quality drinking water but cannot control the different materials that are used in the plumbing components of individual residences, the report states.
If water at a residence has been sitting for several hours, the potential for lead exposure can be minimized by flushing the tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using the water for drinking and cooking.
Anyone who is concerned about the level of lead in the drinking water at his or her home may want to consider having the water tested.
More information about lead in drinking water, testing methods and steps that can be taken to minimize exposure can be found at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead, according to the report.
Radioactive
Two radioactive contaminants are listed on the report, one with a Maximum Containment Level of 15 picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity) (pCi/l), and one with an MCL of 5 pCi/l.
Both of the radioactive contaminants come from erosion of natural deposits, and the last sample date for both was July 7, 2020.
The contaminant with an MCL of 15 pCi/l tested at 2.5 pCi/l with a range of 1.6 to 2.5 pCi/l.
The contaminant with an MCL of 5 pCi/l tested at 1.5 pCi/l with a range of .8 to 1.5 pCi/l.
Other contaminants
The remaining contaminants included in the report have either a Public Health Groundwater Standard (PHGS), a Health Advisory Level (HAL), or a Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL), or both.
While the SMCL contaminants do not pose a public health concern, they may pose aesthetic problems, such as an objectionable taste, odor or color.
PHGS and HAL are levels of contamination that do present a health risk.
All of the contaminants in this category had a sample date of May 14, 2020.
Chloride has a Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level of 250 ppm, and the samples contained 3 ppm of chloride.
Chloride can come from runoff or leaching from natural deposits, road salt and water softeners.
Iron has an SMCL of .3 ppm, and the water samples contained a level of .18 ppm of iron.
Iron can come from runoff or leaching from natural deposits and industrial wastes.
Manganese has an SMCL of .05 parts per million, with a Health Advisory Level of .3 ppm, and the water samples contained .07 ppm of manganese.
Manganese can come from leaching of natural deposits.
Sulfate has a Secondary Maximum Level of 250 ppm, and the water samples contained 20 ppm of sulfate.
Sulfate can come from runoff or leaching from natural deposits and industrial wastes.
The report notes that water containing manganese in quantities that are above the Secondary Maximum Level are not hazardous to human health, but the water may be objectionable for taste, odor or color.
