Water Report

water report

 

2023 Water Quality Report for City of Buchanan

Water Supply Serial Number: 0960

 

This report covers the drinking water quality for the City of Buchanan for the 2023 calendar year. This information is a snapshot of the quality of the water that we provided to you in 2023. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and state standards.

Your water comes from 4  groundwater wells, each over 41’ in depth. The State performed an assessment of our source water to determine the susceptibility or the relative potential of contamination. The susceptibility rating is on a seven-tiered scale from "very-low" to "very-high" based on geologic sensitivity, well construction, water chemistry and contamination sources. The susceptibility of our source is Moderately High.

There are no significant sources of contamination in our water supply. We are making efforts to protect our sources by participating in the well head protection program. Buchanan water department takes hundreds of water samples in order to determine the presence of any biological, inorganic, volatile organic or synthetic organic contaminants.

If you would like to know more about this report, please contact: Craig Miller Buchanan Water Department OIC 269-697-3381 Or cmiller@cityofbuchanan.com

Contaminants and their presence in 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 U.S. EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Vulnerability of sub-populations: 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 systems 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. U.S. EPA/Center for Disease Control 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).

Sources of drinking water: The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. Our water comes from 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 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 and residential uses.
  • Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
  • 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.

Black and white drawing of a right hand turning a faucet handle while left hand holds a glass filling with water under the faucet spout.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S. EPA prescribes regulations that limit the levels of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Federal Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which provide the same protection for public health.

 

Water Quality Data

The table below lists all the drinking water contaminants that we detected during the 2022 calendar year. The presence of these contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. Unless otherwise noted, the data presented in this table is from testing done January 1 through December 31, 2022. The State allows us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. All the data is representative of the water quality, but some are more than one year old.

Terms and abbreviations used below:

  • Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): 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.
  • Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
  • Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): 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.
  • Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): 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.
  • Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
  • N/A: Not applicable
  • ND: not detectable at testing limit
  • ppm: parts per million or milligrams per liter
  • ppb: parts per billion or micrograms per liter
  • ppt: parts per trillion or nanograms per liter
  • pCi/l: picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity)
  • Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

 

1Monitoring Data for Regulated Contaminants

Regulated Contaminant

MCL, TT, or MRDL

MCLG or MRDLG

Level Detected

Range

Year Sampled

Violation Yes/No

Typical Source of Contaminant

Arsenic (ppb)

10

0

<1.0

n/a

2023

No

Erosion of natural deposits; Runoff from orchards; Runoff from glass and electronics production wastes

Barium (ppm)

2

2

.067

n/a

2023

No

Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge of metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits

Nitrate (ppm)

10

10

2.7

n/a

2023

No

Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits

Fluoride (ppm)

4

4

0.76

n/a

2022

No

Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive which promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories

Sodium[1] (ppm)

N/A

N/A

8.4

n/a

2023

No

Erosion of natural deposits

TTHM Total Trihalomethanes (ppb)

80

N/A

6.110

n/a

2023

No

Byproduct of drinking water disinfection

HAA5 Haloacetic Acids (ppb)

60

N/A

2.0

n/a

2023

No

Byproduct of drinking water disinfection

Chlorine[2] (ppm)

4

4

.49

.21-.86

2023

No

Water additive used to control microbes

Alpha emitters (pCi/L)

15

0

0

 

2023

No

Erosion of natural deposits

Combined radium (pCi/L)

5

0

0.411

n/a

2023

No

Erosion of natural deposits

Total Coliform

TT

N/A

N/A

N/A

2023

no

Naturally present in the environment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Regulated Contaminant

MCL, TT, or MRDL

MCLG or MRDLG

Level Detected

Range

Year Sampled

Violation Yes/No

Typical Source of Contaminant

Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) (ppt)

370

N/A

0

n/a

2023

no

Discharge and waste from industrial facilities

utilizing the Gen X chemical process

Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) (ppt)

420

N/A

0

n/a

2023

No

Discharge and waste from industrial

facilities; stain-resistant treatments

Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) (ppt)

51

N/A

0

n/a

2023

No

Firefighting foam; discharge and waste

from industrial facilities

Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) (ppt)

400,000

N/A

0

n/a

2023

No

Firefighting foam; discharge and waste

from industrial facilities

Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) (ppt)

6

N/A

0

n/a

2023

No

Discharge and waste from industrial

facilities; breakdown of precursor compounds

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) (ppt)

16

N/A

0

n/a

2023

No

Firefighting foam; discharge from electroplating facilities; discharge and waste

from industrial facilities

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (ppt)

8

N/A

0

n/a

2023

no

Discharge and waste from industrial

facilities; stain-resistant treatments

Inorganic Contaminant Subject to Action Levels (AL)

Action Level

MCLG

Your Water[3]

Range of Results

Year Sampled

Number of Samples Above AL

Typical Source of Contaminant

Lead (ppb)

15

0

1ppb

0 ppb – 3 ppb        

2023

0

Lead service lines, corrosion of household plumbing including fittings and fixtures; Erosion of natural deposits

Copper (ppm)

1.3

1.3

0.1ppm

0.0 ppm- 0.7 ppm

2023

0

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

Information about 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 Buchanan  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 have a lead service line it is recommended that you run your water 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, 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.

Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson’s Disease should consult their personal doctor.

The Buchanan water system services 1795 total service lines. Of those 1795, 607 either contain some portion with lead, or unknown but likely to contain some portion with lead and are, therefore, counted as lead service lines. Another 1031 services are of unknown material, but are likely not to contain lead. The remaining 157 services are known to contain no portions of lead.

Monitoring and Reporting to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Requirements: The State of Michigan and the U.S. EPA require us to test our water on a regular basis to ensure its safety. We met all the monitoring and reporting requirements for 2022.

We will update this report annually and will keep you informed of any problems that may occur throughout the year, as they happen. Copies are available at Buchanan City Hall and Buchanan Public Library, ,as well as at Buchanan Township Hall, and Niles Township Hall. This report will not be sent to you.

We invite public participation in decisions that affect drinking water quality Our city Commission meets the second and fourth Monday of each month at & p.m. at the Buchanan City Hall 302 N Redbud trl. For more information about your water, or the contents of this report, contact Craig Miller Buchanan Water Department OIC @ 269-697-3381 or cmiller@cityofbuchanan.com . For more information about safe drinking water, visit the U.S. EPA at http://www.epa.gov/safewater.

 

[1] Sodium is not a regulated contaminant.

[2] The chlorine “Level Detected” was calculated using a running annual average.

[3] Ninety (90) percent of the samples collected were at or below the level reported for our water.