Compiled by:  The Water Department of the Village of Hicksville, Ohio

Report Dates: January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005

Consumer Contact Telephone Number:  (419) 542-8984

To assist all Village of Hicksville "Water Consumers" in making informed decisions regarding their drinking water, the Hicksville Water Department is pleased to present the following facts about its water supply for the year 2005.

Definitions and Abbreviations used in this text are as follows:

1.   (MCLG) Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health.  MCLG's allow for a margin of safety.

2.   (MCL) Maximum contaminant level: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water.  MCL's are set as close to the MCLG's as feasible using the best available Treatment Technology.

3.   (AL): Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

4.   (ppm) Parts per Million or (mg/l) Milligrams per Liter: are units of measure for concentration of a contaminant.  One part per million corresponds to one second in a little over 11 and a half days.

5.   (ppb) Parts per Billion: are units of measure for concentration of a contaminant.  One part per billion corresponds to one second in 31.7 years.

6.   (pCi/l) Picocuries per Liter: The quantity of radioactive material producing two and twenty two hundredths (2.22) nuclear transformations per minute.

7.   The "<" symbol: A symbol that means "less than".  A result of <5 means that the lowest level that could be detected was five and the contaminant in that sample was not detected at that level.

8.   (EPA) Environmental Protection Agency: The Federal Regulatory Agency that works with and through the states managing programs dealing with air pollution, water pollution, solid waste disposal, water supply, and toxic substances.

9.   (Mrem/yr) Millirems per year: A measure of radiation absorbed by the body.

10. MFL (million fibers per liter): Measurement of decay of asbestos- cement water mains; erosion of natural deposits.

11. TTHMs (Total Trihalomethane’s) Some people who drink water containing trihalomethane’s in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and have an increased risk of getting cancer.

12. BDL – Below Detection Level

13. MRDL – Maximum Residual Detection Level

GENERAL INFORMATION

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; agricultural livestock operations; and wildlife.

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

·     Pesticides and herbicides may come from various sources such as agriculture; urban storm water runoff; & septic systems.

·     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.

To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations, which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.  Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health.  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 poses a health risk.   More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population.  Immune-compromised persons such as those with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, those 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.

The Source: Hicksville's water supply is a ground water source pumped from the MICHINDOH aquifer.

Source Water Assessment: In 1994, the Village of Hicksville, with the assistance of the consulting geologist firm of Eagon and Associates, Inc., at the guidance of the EPA initiated the first phase of what is known as the "Wellhead Protection Program".  This program is designed to prevent the contamination of our water source and to enable the Water Utility to detect and avert any contamination before it impacts the public water supply system.

In November 2002, the Ohio EPA also completed a study of Hicksville’s source of drinking water, to identify potential contaminant sources and provide guidance on protecting the drinking water source.  According to this study, the aquifer (water-rich zone) that supplies water to Hicksville has a low susceptibility to contamination.  This determination is based on the following:  1. The presence of a thick protective layer of low permeable material is overlying the aquifer.  2. There is "significant" depth (over 115 feet below ground surface) of the aquifer.  3. No evidence suggests any significant levels of chemical contaminants from human activities have impacted that ground water.  4. There are no significant potential contaminant sources in the protection area.  This susceptibility means that under current existing conditions, the likelihood of the aquifer becoming contaminated is low.  Implementing appropriate protective measures can minimize this likelihood.  More information about the source water assessment or what the consumers can do to help protect the aquifer is available by contacting the Hicksville Water Department.

Detected Contaminant Information

We are proud to report that the Hicksville Water Utility met or exceeded all federal and state standards for drinking water during 2005.  Hicksville's water  is "Safe" and "Refreshing"!

Disinfectant Residuals

"Who Pays What"

Viewpoint:

The water/sewer bill arrives at your door.  You glance at it passively, and then suddenly a chill runs down your spine.  "There’s No Way I could’ve used that much water", you proclaim!!!

While this scenario is unfortunately a startling reality for some, you should remember that once water passes through your meter (whether its use is known or unknown), the rest of the Village doesn’t wish to pay the tab for you.  From that standpoint, and regardless of how or why the water passed through your meter, it is ultimately "each" customer’s sole responsibility to consistently monitor the physical state of his or her own infrastructures and water using appliances.  There are however rare occasions (based on case-by-case scenarios) when "leaks" are virtually impossible to witness when occurring.  Examples include: An underground leak (in a basement, perhaps) where the water doesn’t surface due to cement flooring, OR, if the leak finds its way to a sewer tile.  In cases such as these, the water department will try to extend as much "reasonable" latitude as possible to alleviate undo costs to that customer.  Be aware that suspicious leaks possibly caused by a malfunctioning toilet or water softener are not qualifiers for a water/sewer adjustment!  "Remember" that nothing is "free", because eventually the rest of us have to cover the costs!  Also, if you plan to leave your residence unoccupied for any amount of time, give us a call to shut your water off until you return (at no cost), but don’t forget to shut your water heater off too!  In conclusion, "If you don’t know how or where your water is being consumed, the water department will make every effort to assist you in finding it, but please don’t "assume" that we know where it went or how it was used either! "Keep Smiling"!!!

Respectfully,

Hal Osmun

Superintendent of Water

Note: This information is being provided in addition to other notices that may be required by law.                                                          

Table of undetected Contaminants (2000-2005)

·     Bacteria: (Total Coliform): As required by the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC).  Four Total Coliform samples per month are required from the distribution system on a routine basis.  A total of 48 routine samples were tested during 2005, resulting in "zero positive" for all 48 samples, in other words: 100 % Safe.  Lab work done by the Bryan Municipal Water Lab.

·     Chlorine: Required as a protection barrier against contamination caused by back-flow, back-siphonage, or any unavoidable means such as main breaks, power failures, flushing operations and any other sudden pressure variations.  Provisions from the OAC require all community water systems to maintain a minimum residual of at least two-tenths milligram per liter free chlorine throughout the distribution system.  The Hicksville Water Department tests this on a daily basis (seven days per week).

·     Iron:  A natural constituent of soil and rock, which may cause staining problems with plumbing fixtures and laundry as well as micro-organism growth which may cause clogging, should be reduced to less than three tenths mg/l if possible.  Hicksville water is tested weekly and the results are consistently less than one-tenth mg/l.  Lab work done by Masi Labs.

·     Total Hardness:  Hicksville water hardness is determined by the sum of calcium hardness plus magnesium hardness, and is measured in terms of milligrams per liter or parts per million of calcium carbonate.  An average measurement of Hicksville water determines it as "very hard" with a reading of about 450 mg/l or 22 Grains per Gallon, which varies daily.

·     Sodium: Hicksville’s "Raw" water Sodium content is approximately 37 mg/l.

You are an "IMPORTANT" partner.  Let your voice be heard!

The Village of Hicksville conducts regular council meetings on the first and third Monday of each month.  These meetings begin at 7:30 PM and are held at the council room located at the Municipal Building, 111-113 South Main Street.  Various water supply issues and concerns are dealt with at these meetings and the public is encouraged to attend.  There are also special committee meetings that are scheduled when necessary.  The time and location of these meetings are listed on the Municipal Building bulletin board just inside the South Main Street entrance.   Requests for further information concerning Hicksville Source Water Assessment as well as a complete listing of tested parameters may be obtained by contacting the Hicksville Water Treatment Plant at (419) 542-8984.