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2002 Annual
Water Quality Report
These people should seek advice about drinking water from their healthcare
providers. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Centers for Disease
Control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection
by Cryptosporidium are available from the EPA Safe Water Drinking Hotline:
(800) 426-4791. The water system is occasionally discussed at regularly scheduled board meetings. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend to learn more about their water system or to discuss any concerns they may have. The Ann Arbor Charter Township Board meetings are open to the public and meet on the third Monday of each month. Unless announced otherwise, the meetings are at 7:30 PM in the Ann Arbor Charter Township Hall located at 3792 Pontiac Trail.
Cryptosporidium is a microbial parasite which is found in surface water throughout the U.S. Although Cryptosporidium can be removed by filtration, the most commonly used filtration methods cannot guarantee 100 percent removal. Monitoring of our source water and/or finished water do not indicate the presence of these organisms. Symptoms of infection include nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Most healthy individuals are able to overcome the disease within a few weeks. However, immuno-comprised people have more difficulty and are at greater risk of developing severe, life threatening illness. Immuno-compromised individuals are encouraged to consult their doctor regarding appropriate precautions to take to prevent infection. Cryptosporidium must be ingested for it to cause disease, and may be passed through other means than drinking water. USEPA and the Center for Disease Control have published guidelines on ways to reduce the risk of Cryptosporidium infection. The guidelines are available from the Safe Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791. No Huron River samples collected during 2002 had detectable levels of Cryptosporidium. It is very important to us that this report is clear, easy to understand and provides the information that our customers find useful. Therefore, your input is appreciated. If you have any comments or ideas, we would love to hear them. You may contact us at (734) 663-3418 or email rjudkins@aatwp.org
We are happy to report that the water supply in Ann Arbor Charter Township has remained free of violations, as set forth by USEPA and State drinking water regulations. We will continue to provide safe drinking water for you and your family. 2.1 The form of Public Notice is as follows: "TO ANN ARBOR CHARTER TOWNSHIP PROPERTY OWNERS OR OCCUPANTS: If you experience an overflow or backup of sewage disposal system or storm water system, you must file a written claim with Ann Arbor Charter Township within 45 days after the overflow or backup was discovered. Notice must be mailed to the Utilities Department Supervisor at 3792 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, (734) 663-3418. Failure to provide the required notice will prevent recovery of damages. Contact Ann Arbor Charter Township immediately upon discovery of an overflow or backup to obtain a claim form. However, you do not need to use the Township's form to file a written claim. The written claim should include your name and address, the address of the affected property, the dates of the overflow or backup, the date the backup or overflow was discovered, and a brief description of the overflow or backup.
Safeguarding Your Family The Ann Arbor Charter Township Utilities Department in cooperation with the City of Ann Arbor Water Plant conducts extensive routine monitoring of water quality. Our testing program far exceeds requirements and we are vigilant against potential threats to our water system. We have taken steps to enhance the physical security of our water system. We are following recommendations made by our state regulatory agency, the American Water Works Association and others. We will continue to work to protect the Charter Township of Ann Arbor and its customers from potential threats to the drinking water.
This report is a summary of the quality of water provided to you last year. Included are details about what the water contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies. In coordination with the City of Ann Arbor we monitor for approximately 280 different substances and contaminants in the drinking water and the vast majority of these were not detected in your water. Results were gathered from tests performed by the City of Ann Arbor Water Utilities certified lab. Please note that some substances, such as monochloramine and fluoride, are added to the water to improve health. All the detected substances are well within stringent Federal and State limits. Definition Key AVG Regulatory compliance with MCL is based on running annual of monthly samples. MCL Maximum Contaminant Level: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL's are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. MCLG Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: 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. mg/l milligrams per liter or parts per million - or one ounce in 7,350 gallons of water. g/l micrograms per liter or parts per billion - or one ounce in 7,350,000 gallons of water. MRDL Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level: 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. MRDLG Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal: 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. na not applicable NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit: a measure of light scattered from particles in the water. Turbidity A measure of cloudiness of water. The Ann Arbor Water Treatment staff monitors it because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of the filtration system. Turbidity must be less than 0.5 NTU in at least 95% of the measurements taken throughout each month. It must never exceed 5.0 NTU. Upcoming regulations will lower these levels to 0.3 NTU and 1.0 NTU respectively. TT Treatment Technique: A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
If you have any questions about this report or would like to know anything further about your water and/or water utilities please feel free to call us: Rick Judkins, Utilities Director
http://www.aatwp.org
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