Annual Water Quality Report - Mobile Area Water & Sewer System --- MAWSS.COM --- Mobile, Alabama

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MAWSS Annual Water Quality Report

1998 MAWSS WATER QUALITY REPORT

Substance	MCL	Highest Level Detected	MCLG
REGULATED AT THE TREATMENT PLANT
Nitrate	10 ppm	0.5 ppm Range: 0.2 ppm to 0.5 ppm	10 ppm
Barium	2 ppm	0.023 ppm	2 ppm
Fluoride	4 ppm	1.2 ppm Range: 0.87 ppm to 1.2 ppm	4 ppm
Turbidity	1 ntu in at least 95% of samples for any two consecutive months (Treatment Technique)*	0.19 ntu Range: 0.11 ntu to 0.19 ntu	N/A
REGULATED IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Total Trihalomethanes	100 ppb Average	60.1 ppb Average Range: 5.4 ppb to 109 ppb	0 ppb
UNREGULATED COMPONENTS OF TOTAL TRIHALOMETHANES
Bromodichloromethane	Not Regulated	8.68 ppb Average Range: 1 ppb to 14 ppb	Not Regulated
Chloroform	Not Regulated	50.2 ppb Average Range: 4.4 ppb to 100 ppb	Not Regulated
Dibromochloromethane	Not Regulated	1.27 ppb Average Range: Non-detect to 3.1 ppb	Not Regulated
REGULATED AT THE CUSTOMER'S TAP
Lead	15 ppb (Action Level)**	5 ppb, at the 90th percentile (Action level exceeded at two sites)	0 ppb
Copper	1.3 ppm (Action Level)**	0.034 ppm, at the 90th percentile (Action level exceeded at 0 sites)	1.3 ppm
Listed above are 10 contaminants detected in Mobile's drinking water during 1998. All are below allowed levels. Not listed are the 115 health-related contaminants for which we tested that were not detected. The MAWSS water treatment facilities perform many tests through daily process control and quality control programs. Some of these tests include continuous in-line monitors that report data to the plant computer. Definitions: Maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) - 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 contaminant level (MCL) - 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. ppm = parts per million by weight ppb = parts per billion by weight ntu = Nephelometric Turbidity Units Treatment Technique - A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. *Action level - The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers a treatment or other requirement which a water system must follow.

Giardia and Cryptosporidium - These are two types of microscopic organisms that can cause illness in humans. There are many ways to come in contact with these organisms including contaminated foods, swimming pools, recreational waters, day care centers, contact with contaminated soil, nursing homes, and drinking water. MAWSS is taking steps to ensure these organisms do not pose a problem in the drinking water. The treatment plants have multiple barriers of protection such as enhanced chemical coagulation, filtration, disinfection, and careful monitoring of turbidity to ensure the optimum removal of these organisms. The water in our system is tested routinely for Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Their presence in raw water is common, and we have discovered an occasional presence in raw water. We have never found either Cryptosporidium or Giardia in the treated drinking water.

For people with compromised immune systems, the EPA advises: "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 infections by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791)."

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