New Buffalo Township Water Department Water Quality Report 2019

This past year, as in all past years your drinking water has met all EPA and State drinking water standards. Everyday New Buffalo Township strives to provide their Township water customers with the safest drinking water possible. This report will show that we have been meeting those goals. The Township purchases its drinking water from Michigan City, Indiana. We also pump City of New Buffalo water into our system for use at the Four Winds Casino. Both those communities use Lake Michigan as their source for water.

Source Assessment

Because our water source is Lake Michigan, the State of Michigan has performed an assessment to determine how susceptible that source would be to contamination. Because of the “open” source that it is, it rated at “moderately high” level. It is important that you know both Michigan City and the City of New Buffalo sample and test their respective waters 365 days a year. New Buffalo Township is also required by the Michigan DEQ and the EPA to take various samples on a regular basis. This is a combined effort to make sure your drinking water is safe. New Buffalo Township feels very confident with our source suppliers. This report includes both Water Quality Data sheets from our two suppliers.

Health and Safety

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 the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health affects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Contaminants that might be expected to be in source water (untreated 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 urban stormwater 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, urban stormwater 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 stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

All the above contaminants were below the level of concern for your water supply. To ensure that the tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the number of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. EPA regulations establish limits for contamination in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

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 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 microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or visit (ww.epa.gov/ogwdw).

Effects of Lead in Drinking Water: If present, elevated levels of lead 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. New Buffalo Township is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking and cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 1-800-426-4791 or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

If you have any questions regarding this report or any questions regarding your water utility you may attend any New Buffalo Township Board meeting or contact Archie Barkman, Water Superintendent, at 269-231-5250. Board meetings are scheduled on the 3rd Monday of every month at the Township Hall at 17425 Red Arrow Highway.

Download and view PDF reports below (requires Adobe Acrobat)

New Buffalo Township Water Analysis Report - View file

City of New Buffalo Water Analysis Report - View file

Michigan City Water Analysis Report - View file

Definitions

Maximum Residual Disinfection Level (MRDL) — The highest level of disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of Microbial contaminants.

Maximum Residual Level Goal (MRDLG) — The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLG's do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

AL (action level) — The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceed, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.

MCL — Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLG as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

MCLG — Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) is 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.

NTU — Nephelometric Turbidity Units ppb

PPM — Parts per million

PPB — Parts per Billion

MG/L — milligrams per liter

UG/L — micrograms per liter

pCi/L — picocuries per liter

TT — Treatment Technique (TT) is a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

Unregulated Contaminants — Unregulated contaminants are those for which EPA has not established drinking water standards. The purpose of the unregulated contaminant monitoring is to assist EPA in determining the occurrence of unregulated contaminants in drinking water and whether future regulation is warranted.

90th Percentile — 90 percent of the samples were below the number listed.

N/A — Not applicable.

N/D — None Detected

Turbidity — Turbidity is a measurement of the cloudiness of the water.

RAA — Running Annual Average.

*Lead & Copper — the state allows us to monitor for these substances less than once per year, so some data may be more than 1 year old, current results were collected from 1/1/2016 thru 12/30/2016. Infants and children who drink water containing lead higher than action levels could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.