DEFINITIONS
·
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.
·
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.
·
ppb -- parts per billion.
·
ppm -- parts per million.
·
pCi/L – picocuries per liter
·
N/A – Not applicable
·
ND -- Not detected
·
Treatment Technique (TT)
– A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in
drinking water.
·
Action Level (
AL
) – The concentration of a contaminant
which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water
system must follow.
·
Maximum Residual Disinfectant
Level Goal (MRDLG) - The level of a drinking water disinfectant below
which there is no known or expected risk to health.
MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to
control microbial contaminants.
·
Maximum
Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) - The highest level of a disinfectant
allowed in drinking water. There
is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for
control of microbial contaminants.
GENERAL
INFORMATION
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 posed a
health risk. More information
about contaminants or potential health effects can be obtained by calling
the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline
(800-426-4791).
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 infection by Cryptosporidium
and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking
Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
ADDITIONAL
HEALTH INFORMATION
Infants and young children are typically more
vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population.
It is possible that lead levels at your home may be higher than at
other homes in the community as a result of materials used in your
home’s plumbing. If you are
concerned about elevated lead levels in your home’s water, you may wish
to have your water tested and flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes
before using tap water. Additional
information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline
(800-426-4791).
Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm
is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age.
High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome.
Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because
of rainfall or agricultural activity.
If you are caring for an infant you should ask advice from your
health care provider.
OTHER
VIOLATIONS
In June 2006, we failed to monitor
for Coliform, Total (TRC) and in July 2007 we failed to monitor for
Chlorine. Adverse health
effects, if any, are not known. Monitoring
procedures have been corrected to avoid future violations.
SOURCE
WATER ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
The City of
Larchwood
’s water supply obtains its water from the
Cretaceous (Dakota Sandstone) aquifer.
The Cretaceous (Dakota Sandstone) aquifer was determined to be not
susceptible to contamination because the characteristics of the aquifer
and overlying materials prevent easy access of contaminants to the
aquifer. The wells will
somewhat susceptible to activities such as not be susceptible to most
contaminant sources except through pathways to the aquifer such as
abandoned or poorly maintained wells.
A detailed evaluation of your source water was completed by the
IDNR, and is available from City Hall at Larchwood.
OTHER
INFORMATION
Our water utility is making every effort to protect the
water system from potential security threats.
You, as customers, can also help.
If you see any suspicious activity near the water tower, treatment
plant, wells or fire hydrants, please contact us at 477-2366 or the local
police/sheriff department. We
appreciate your assistance in protecting the water system. The City of
Larchwood
has developed a wellhead protection plan, which meets the Iowa Department
of Natural Resources criteria. The
plan enables landowners through the Federal Farm Service Agency to
participate in CRP.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For
questions regarding this information, please contact Tony DeSmet at
712-477-2558 or Sandi DeSmet at 712-477-2366
during the following hours:
8:00-12:00
and
1:00
– 4:00 PM
.
Decisions
regarding the water system are made at the city council meetings held on
first Monday at
6:30 p.m.
at City
Hall/Community Center and are open to the public.
In
September 2004, the City of
Larchwood
went on line with
Lyon Sioux Rural Water. The
City of
Larchwood
and Lyon Sioux Rural
Water partnered together along with the help of Northwest Iowa Planning
and Development and grants and loans from the USDA Rural Development, to
construct a new treatment plant, transmission lines and a 300,000-gallon
water tower complete with paw prints.