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This report contains important information regarding the water quality in our water system. The water quality data table below lists all the contaminants that were detected during for the 2005 calendar year unless otherwise noted on the table.  The presence of these contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk.   Definitions of the terms used in the table and explanations of the abbreviations are given below the table.  Our water quality testing shows the following results:

 Note: Contaminants with dates indicate results from the most recent testing done in accordance with regulations.

 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

·          Action Level (AL) – The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.

·          ND – Not detected

·          Treatment Technique (TT) – A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

·          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

   Introduction:   La Porte City Utilities Water Department, in compliance with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, is providing its customers with the annual water quality report.  This report explains where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies

   Does La Porte City water meet EPA standards?  Yes.  Our water meets all of EPA standards.  In 2005, we took over 30 tests to insure compliance with drinking water standards.  The few chemical detections we found are summarized in the table found within this report.  There were no contaminant detections exceeding EPA guidelines for the entire year.

   What is the source of my water? The La Porte City water supply obtains it’s water from the Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer and the Silurian Aquifer.  Both of these aquifers were determined to be not susceptible to contamination because the characteristics of the aquifers and overlying materials prevent easy access of contaminants to the aquifer.  The Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer is a large water bearing sandstone formation underlying most of Eastern Iowa.  The well from this aquifer is 1,200 feet deep and is drilled through the 100 foot thick sandstone layer which transports water from northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota.  The Cambrian-Ordovician well yields as much as 435 gallons per minute.  Due to the fact that many Iowa cities use this aquifer as a primary water source, it receives a protected status from the State of Iowa.  The La Porte City Cambrian-Ordovician and Silurian wells will not be susceptible to most contaminant sources except through pathways to the aquifer such as abandoned or poorly maintained wells.

   The La Porte City Water Department serves the 2,321 citizens of La Porte City through a distribution system of water mains and 880 service connections.  The water system also includes 87 fire hydrants and 125 valves.

   A detailed evaluation of your source water was completed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and is available from La Porte City Utilities at 319-342-3139.

   Governing Body: The Water Department is governed by a citizen board – The Board of Trustees.  This three member board is appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council to six-year terms.  The Board of Trustees meets monthly, the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. in City Hall.  Public participation is welcome.

   Is our water system meeting rules that govern our operations?  In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations, which will limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.  FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which also must provide protection for public health.  The State and EPA require us to test our water on a regular basis for over 80 items to ensure its safety.  All tests have been submitted as required.

   The state requires that a water utility operator be licensed according to one of four classifications assigned to the water utility.  This classification is determined by the type of treatment required for the water system.  Our operator has a Grade II license  and must obtain twenty hours of training every two years in order to renew that license.

   Do I need to take special precautions?  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 form infections.  These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.  EPC/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cyrptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

   Why are there contaminants in my water? 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 the water poses 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).

   The sources of drinking water (both tap 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, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

   Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

·          Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agriculture livestock operations and wildlife.

·          Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.

·          Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, storm water runoff, and residential uses.

·          Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.

·          Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

   This report will be published in the La Porte City Progress Review in lieu of a customer mailing.  Additional copies of this report are available in our office.  To obtain more information about water quality or to request  a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report,  please contact us at: La Porte City Utilities, 200 Main Street, La Porte City, IA  50651 Phone:  (3l9) 342-3139.