2013 Annual Water Report

Is my water safe? 

We are pleased to present this year’s Annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). This report is designed to provide details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies. This report is a snapshot of last year’s water quality. We are committed to providing you with information because informed customers are our best allies.

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 from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Water Drinking Hotline (800-426-4791).

Where does my water come from?

The City of Dixon Water Department is supplied by groundwater from seven wells ranging in depth from 1600 to 1800 feet at various locations throughout the city. Two of the wells are located on the Northside and the others are located on the Southside.

Source water assessment and its availability

We want our valued customers to be informed about their water quality. If you would like to learn more, please feel free to attend our regularly scheduled meetings. The source water assessment for our supply has been completed by the Illinois EPA. If you would like a copy of this information, please stop by City Hall or call our water operator at 815-288-3381. To view a summary version of the completed Source Water Assessments, including: Importance of Source Water; Susceptibility of Contamination Determination; and ocumentation/recommendation of Source Water Protection Efforts, you may access the Illinois EPA website at

http://www.epa.state.il.us/cgi-bin/wp/swap-fact-sheets.pl.

Based on information obtained in a Well Site Survey published in 1990 by the Illinois EPA, several potential secondary sources are located within 1,000 feet of several of the wells. The Illinois EPA has determined that the Dixon Community Water Supply’s source water is not susceptible to contamination. The determination is based on a number of criteria including: monitoring conducted at the well: monitoring conducted at the entry point to the distribution system: and available hydrogeologic data on the wells. Furthermore, in anticipation of the U.S. EPA’s purposed Ground Water Rule, the Illinois EPA has determined that the Dixon Community Water Supply is not vulnerable to viral contamination. This determination is based upon the evaluation of the following criteria during the Vulnerability Waiver Process: the community’s wells are properly constructed with sound integrity and proper siting conditions: a hydraulic barrier exists which should prevent pathogen movement: all potential routes and sanitary defects have been mitigated such that the source water is adequately protected: monitoring data did not indicate a history of disease outbreak: and the sanitary survey of the water supply do not indicate a viral contamination threat. Because the community’s wells are constructed in a confined aquifer, which should prevent the movement of pathogens into the wells, well hydraulics were not consider to be a significant factor in susceptibility determination. Hence, well hydraulics were not evaluated for this system’s water supply.

Why are there contaminants in my drinking 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 water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

The sources of drinking water (both tap water 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: microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that 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; and radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations that 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 which must provide the same protection for public health.

How can I get involved?

We encourage public interest and participation in our community’s decisions affecting drinking water. City Council meetings occur the first and third Monday’s of each month at 5:30p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall. The public is welcome.

In addition to required testing we are required to perform, our water system voluntarily tests for additional substances and microscopic organisms to make certain our water is safe and of high quality. If you are interested in a more detailed report, contact Superintendent Willard Cox.

Description of Water Treatment Process

Your water is treated by disinfection. Disinfection involves the addition of chlorine or other disinfectant to kill dangerous bacteria and microorganisms that may be in the water. Disinfection is considered to be one of the major public health advances of the 20th century.

Water Conservation Tips

Did you know that the average U.S. household uses approximately 400 gallons of water per dayor 100 gallons per person per day? Luckily, there are many low-cost and no-cost ways to conserve water. Small changes can make a big difference – try one today and soon it will become second nature.

· Take short showers – a 5 minute shower uses 4 to 5 gallons of water compared to up to 50 gallons for a bath.

· Shut off water while brushing your teeth, washing your hair and shaving and save up to 500 gallons a month.

· Use a water-efficient showerhead. They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.

· Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

· Water plants only when necessary.

· Fix leaky toilets and faucets. Faucet washers are inexpensive and take only a few minutes to replace. To check your toilet for a leak, place a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it or replacing it with a new, more efficient model can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

· Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered. Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it and during the cooler parts of the day to reduce evaporation.

· Teach your kids about water conservation to ensure a future generation that uses water wisely. Make it a family effort to reduce next month’s water bill! 

· Visit www.epa.gov/watersense for more information.

Cross Connection Control Survey

The purpose of this survey is to determine whether a cross-connection may exist at your home or business. A cross connection is an unprotected or improper connection to a public water distribution system that may cause contamination or pollution to enter the system. We are responsible for enforcing cross-connection control regulations and insuring that no contaminants can, under any flow conditions, enter the distribution system. If you have any of the devices listed below please contact us so that we can discuss the issue, and if needed, survey your connection and assist you in isolating it if that is necessary.

· Boiler/ Radiant heater (water heaters not included)

· Underground lawn sprinkler system

· Pool or hot tub (whirlpool tubs not included)

· Additional source(s) of water on the property

· Decorative pond

· Watering trough

Source Water Protection Tips

Protection of drinking water is everyone’s responsibility. You can help protect your

community’s drinking water source in several ways:

· Eliminate excess use of lawn and garden fertilizers and pesticides – they contain hazardous chemicals that can reach your drinking water source.

· Pick up after your pets.

· If you have your own septic system, properly maintain your system to reduce leaching to water sources or consider connecting to a public water system.

· Dispose of chemicals properly; take used motor oil to a recycling center.

· Volunteer in your community. Find a watershed or wellhead protection organization in your community and volunteer to help. If there are no active groups, consider starting one. Use EPA’s Adopt Your Watershed to locate groups in your community, or visit the Watershed Information Network’s How to Start a Watershed Team.

· Organize a storm drain stenciling project with your local government or water supplier. Stencil a message next to the street drain reminding people “Dump No Waste – Drains to River” or “Protect Your Water.” Produce and distribute a flyer for households to remind residents that storm drains dump directly into your local water body.

Additional Information for Lead

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. City of Dixon 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 or 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 or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

We will be happy to answer any questions about the City of Dixon Water Department and our water quality.  If you would like additional information, please contact Willard “Rusty” Cox or call the City of Dixon Finance Department at 815-288-3381.