New Buffalo Township Water Department Water Quality Report 2024

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 communities use Lake Michigan as their water source.

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 EGLE 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.

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 (www.epa.gov/ogwdw).

Information about lead: Lead can cause serious health effects in people of all ages, especially pregnant people, infants (both formula-fed and breastfed), and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and parts used in service lines and in home plumbing. The Township of New Buffalo water system is responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes but cannot control the variety of materials used in the plumbing in your home. Because lead levels may vary over time, lead exposure is possible even when your tap sampling results do not detect lead at one point in time. You can help protect yourself and your family by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family's risk. Using a filter, certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead, is effective in reducing lead exposures. Follow the instructions provided with the filter to ensure the filter is used properly. Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula. Boiling water does not remove lead from water. Before using tap water for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula, flush your pipes for several minutes. You can do this by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes. If you have a lead service line or galvanized requiring replacement service line, you may need to flush your pipes for at least 5 minutes to flush water from both your home plumbing and the lead service line. If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, contact Alex Keen, water superintendent, at the Township of New Buffalo water department for available resources. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at https://www.epa.gov/safewater/...

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 Alex Keen, Water Superintendent, at 269-231-5250 or email akeen@newbuffalotownship.org. Board meetings are scheduled on the 3^rd 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 - 2024 Final Report

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 1/1/2024 thru 12/30/2024. 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.