If you have ever wondered where your water comes from or what is in your drinking water, you will find the answer to these and more questions in the annual Drinking Water Quality Report (also known as the Consumer Confidence Report). Public water suppliers must provide these reports to their water customers each year by July 1, as required by the 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
College Station maintains water quality in the distribution system through continuous monitoring of water pressure, temperature, disinfectant residual, and turbidity. Environmental Technicians collect over 100 water samples month after month throughout College Station for analysis by the Brazos County Health Department. Health Department technicians test the samples for Total Coliform bacteria, which are usually indicators of microbial contamination of drinking water because they are often found in association with other disease-causing organisms (though hardier than most pathogens).
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. However, such contaminants do not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. Call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800.426.4791 for more about contaminants and potential health effects. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health. Contaminants may be found in drinking water that may cause taste, color, or odor problems. These types of problems are not necessarily causes for health concerns. For more information on taste, odor, or color of your drinking water, call 979.764.3660.
You may be more vulnerable than the general population to certain microbial contaminants, such as Cryptosporidium, in drinking water. Infants, some elderly, or immunocompromised persons such as those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer; persons who have undergone organ transplants; those who are undergoing treatment with steroids; and people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, can be particularly at risk from infections. You should seek advice about drinking water from your physician or health care providers. Additional guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800.426.4791.
In January 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposed lowering the recommended level of fluoride in drinking water to 0.7 mg/L. College Station's drinking water comes from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer and, as noted in the drinking water quality reports linked above, contains approximately 0.4 mg/L fluoride already. Following this change by HHS, in September of 2011 the City of College Station discontinued adding fluoride to the drinking water. A detailed explanation of this decision to discontinue fluoridation can be found in this blog post from September 2011. More information about drinking water fluoridation, including its risks and benefits, can be found at DrinkTap.org
College Station Utilities also maintains a chlorine disinfectant residual of at least 0.2 milligrams per liter (mg/L) throughout the water distribution system to prevent against bacteriological contamination after the water leaves the Dowling Road Pump Station. Having a disinfectant residual is required to prevent the spread of waterborne disease.
Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of College Station is responsible for providing high-quality drinking water but cannot control the various materials used in plumbing components. If your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing the tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead and want your water tested, call 979.764.3660. Information on lead, testing methods, and steps to minimize exposure is available by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800.426.4791 or visiting the EPA website.
These reports are full of some complex language and long words. (Trihalomethanes?! Cryptosporidium?!) To help you understand the terms in your drinking water quality report, here are some helpful links from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), and NSF International:
Water Quality Reports from previous years are available by calling CSU at 979.764.3660 or emailing [email protected]