Orange
Water and Sewer Authority
400 JONES FERRY
ROAD
CARRBORO NC 27510
Telephone: (919) 968-4421 or E-mail: OWASA
Test Results Summary For 2003 |
||||||
Substance and Unit Measurement |
Highest Level Detected |
Range Detected |
Highest Level Allowed (MCL) |
Highest Level Goal (MCLG) |
Major Source in Drinking Water |
|
Microbiological |
||||||
Total Coliform Bacteria (percent) |
1 |
0 to 1 |
presence of coliform bacteria in greater than 5% of the monthly samples |
0 |
Naturally present in the environment |
|
E. coli Bacteria (percent) |
0 |
no range |
a routine sample and a repeat sample are total coliform positive, and one is also fecal coliform or E. coli positive |
0 |
Human and animal fecal waste |
|
Turbidity (NTU) |
0.22
and 100% of samples below 0.3 |
0.02 to 0.22 |
1.0
and 95% of samples below 0.3 |
0.3 |
A measure of the cloudiness of water. It may be caused by inorganic soil particles or fragments of organic matter that can interfere with treatment. |
|
Radiological |
||||||
Gross Beta (pCi/L)
|
BDL |
no range |
50 |
0 |
Decay of natural and man-made deposits |
|
Gross Alpha (pCi/l)
|
BDL |
no range |
15 |
0 |
Erosion of natural deposits |
|
Radium 228 (pCi/l)
|
BDL |
no range |
2 |
0 |
Erosion of natural deposits |
|
Inorganics |
||||||
Antimony (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
6 |
6 |
Discharge from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder |
|
Arsenic (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
10 |
N/A |
Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards; runoff from glass and electronics production wastes
|
|
Substance and Unit Measurement |
Highest Level Detected |
Range Detected |
Highest Level Allowed (MCL) |
Highest Level Goal (MCLG) |
Major Source in Drinking Water |
|
Asbestos (MFL) (last tested in 2002) |
BDL |
no range |
7 |
7 |
Decay of asbestos-cement water mains; erosion of natural deposits Last tested 9/93 |
|
Barium (ppm) |
BDL |
no range |
2 |
2 |
Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits |
|
Beryllium (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
4 |
4 |
Discharge from metal refineries and coal-burning factories; discharge from electrical, aerospace, and defense industries |
|
Cadmium (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
5 |
5 |
Corrosion of galvanized pipes; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from metal refineries; runoff from waste batteries and paints |
|
Chromium (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
100 |
100 |
Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits |
|
Copper (ppm) (last tested in 2002) |
0.160 (90 th percentile, with 0 sample sites above the action level) |
0.026 to 0.580 |
1.3 (action level) |
1.3 |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives |
|
Cyanide (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
200 |
200 |
Discharge from steel/metal factories; discharge from plastic and fertilizer factories |
|
Fluoride (ppm) |
0.91 |
0.86 to 0.91 |
4 |
4 |
Erosion of natural deposits; water additive which promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories |
|
Lead (ppb) (last tested in 2002) |
4 (90 th percentile, with 1 sample site above the action level) |
BDL to 36 |
15 (action level) |
0.0 |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits |
|
Mercury (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
2 |
2 |
Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from landfills; runoff from cropland |
|
Nitrate (ppm) |
BDL |
no range |
10 |
10 |
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits |
|
Nitrite (ppm) |
BDL |
no range |
1 |
1 |
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits |
|
Selenium (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
50 |
50 |
Discharge from petroleum and metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from mines |
|
Substance and Unit Measurement |
Highest Level Detected |
Range Detected |
Highest Level Allowed (MCL) |
Highest Level Goal (MCLG) |
Major Source in Drinking Water |
|
Sodium (ppm) |
22.7 |
17.1 to 22.7 |
not regulated |
20 [proposed] |
An element that occurs naturally in soils |
|
Sulfate (ppm) |
27 |
24 to 27 |
not regulated |
500 [proposed] |
A mineral that occurs naturally in soils |
|
Thallium (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
2 |
0.5 |
Leaching from ore-processing sites; discharge from electronics, glass, and drug factories |
|
Synthetic Organics, including Pesticides and Herbicides |
||||||
2,4-D (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
70 |
70 |
Runoff form herbicide used on row crops |
|
2,4,5-TP (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
50 |
50 |
Residue of banned herbicide |
|
Alachlor (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
2 |
0 |
Runoff from herbicide used on row crops |
|
Atrazine (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
3 |
3 |
Runoff from herbicide used on row crops |
|
Benzo(a)pyrene (ppt) |
BDL |
no range |
200 |
0 |
Leaching from linings of water storage tanks and distribution lines |
|
Carbofuran (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
40 |
40 |
Leaching of soil fumigant used on rice and alfalfa |
|
Chlordane (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
2 |
0 |
Residue of banned termiticide |
|
Dalapon (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
200 |
200 |
Runoff from herbicide used on rights of way |
|
Di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
400 |
400 |
Discharge from chemical factories |
|
Substance and Unit Measurement |
Highest Level Detected |
Range Detected |
Highest Level Allowed (MCL) |
Highest Level Goal (MCLG) |
Major Source in Drinking Water |
|
Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
6 |
0 |
Discharge from rubber and chemical factories |
|
Dinoseb (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
7 |
7 |
Runoff from herbicide used on soybeans and vegetables |
|
Endrin (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
2 |
2 |
Residue of banned insecticide |
|
Heptachlor (ppt) |
BDL |
no range |
400 |
0 |
Residue of banned termiticide |
|
Heptachlor Epoxide (ppt) |
BDL |
no range |
200 |
0 |
Breakdown of heptachlor |
|
Hexachlorobenzene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
1 |
0 |
Discharge from metal refineries and agricultural chemical factories |
|
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
50 |
50 |
Discharge from chemical factories |
|
Lindane (ppt) |
BDL |
no range |
200 |
200 |
Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on cattle, lumber, gardens |
|
Methoxychlor (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
40 |
40 |
Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on fruits, vegetables, alfalfa, livestock |
|
Oxamyl (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
200 |
200 |
Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on apples, potatoes, and tomatoes |
|
Polychlorinatedbiphenyls (ppt) |
BDL |
no range |
500 |
0 |
Runoff from landfills; discharge of waste chemicals |
|
Pentachlorophenol, ppb |
BDL |
no range |
1 |
0 |
Discharge from wood preserving factories |
|
Picloram (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
500 |
500 |
Herbicide runoff |
|
Simazine (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
4 |
4 |
Herbicide runoff |
|
Substance and Unit Measurement |
Highest Level Detected |
Range Detected |
Highest Level Allowed (MCL) |
Highest Level Goal (MCLG) |
Major Source in Drinking Water |
|
Toxaphene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
3 |
0 |
Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on cotton and cattle |
|
Volatile Organics |
||||||
Benzene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
5 |
0 |
Discharge from factories; leaching from gas storage tanks and landfills |
|
Carbon Tetrachloride (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
5 |
0 |
Discharge from chemical plants and other industrial activities |
|
Chlorobenzene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
100 |
100 |
Discharge from chemical and agricultural chemical factories |
|
o-Dichlorobenzene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
600 |
600 |
Discharge from industrial chemical factories |
|
p-Dichlorobenzene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
75 |
75 |
Discharge from industrial chemical factories |
|
1,2-Dichloroethane (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
5 |
0 |
Discharge from industrial chemical factories |
|
1,1-Dichloroethylene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
7 |
7 |
Discharge from industrial chemical factories |
|
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
70 |
70 |
Discharge from industrial chemical factories |
|
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
100 |
100 |
Discharge from industrial chemical factories |
|
Dichloromethane (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
5 |
0 |
Discharge from pharmaceutical and chemical factories |
|
1,2-Dichloropropane (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
5 |
0 |
Discharge from industrial chemical factories |
|
Ethylbenzene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
700 |
700 |
Discharge from petroleum refineries |
|
Substance and Unit Measurement |
Highest Level Detected |
Range Detected |
Highest Level Allowed (MCL) |
Highest Level Goal (MCLG) |
Major Source in Drinking Water |
|
Styrene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
100 |
100 |
Discharge from rubber and plastic factories; leaching from landfills |
|
Tetrachloroethylene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
5 |
0 |
Leaching from PVC pipes; discharge from factories and dry cleaners |
|
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
70 |
70 |
Discharge from textile-finishing factories |
|
1,1,1-Trichloroethane (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
200 |
200 |
Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories |
|
1,1,2-Trichloroethane (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
5 |
3 |
Discharge from industrial chemical factories |
|
Trichloroethylene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
5 |
0 |
Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories |
|
Total Haloacetic Acids (ppb) |
54.4 ( running yearly average) |
42 to 78 (individual sample sites) |
60 ( running yearly average) |
0 |
By-product of drinking water chlorination |
|
Total Trihalomethanes (ppb) |
56.1 ( running yearly average) |
34 to 80 (individual sample sites) |
80 ( running yearly average) |
0 |
By-product of drinking water chlorination |
|
Chloramines (ppm) |
3.3 (running annual average of monthly distribution system samples Jan., Feb. and April through Dec.) |
3.0 – 3.7 (range of monthly distribution system sample averages)
|
MRDL = 4 |
MRDLG = 4 |
Water additive used to control microbes. |
|
Chlorine (ppm) |
0.72 (average of distribution system samples in March) |
No range |
MRDL = 4 |
MRDLG = 4 |
Water additive used to control microbes |
|
Tolulene (ppm) |
BDL |
no range |
1 |
1 |
Discharge from petroleum factories |
|
Vinyl Chloride (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
2 |
0 |
Leaching from PVC piping; discharge from plastics factories |
|
Xylenes (ppm) |
BDL |
no range |
10 |
10 |
Discharge from petroleum factories; discharge from chemical factories |
|
Unregulated Synthetic Organic Chemicals |
||||||
Substance and Unit Measurement |
Highest Level Detected |
Range Detected |
Highest Level Allowed (MCL) |
Highest Level Goal (MCLG) |
Major Source in Drinking Water |
|
Aldicarb (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Aldicarb sulfone (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Aldicarb sulfoxide (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Aldrin (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Butachlor (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Carbaryl (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Dicamba (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Dieldrin (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
3-Hydroxycarbofuran (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Methomyl (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Metolachlor (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Metribuzin (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Propachlor (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Unregulated Volatile Organic Chemicals |
||||||
Substance and Unit Measurement |
Highest Level Detected |
Range Detected |
Highest Level Allowed (MCL) |
Highest Level Goal (MCLG) |
Major Source in Drinking Water |
|
Chloroform (ppb) |
7.99 |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
By-product of drinking water chlorination |
|
Bromodichloromethane (ppb) |
1.66 |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
By-product of drinking water chlorination |
|
Bromoform (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
By-product of drinking water chlorination |
|
Chlorodibromomethane (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
By-product of drinking water chlorination |
|
Bromobenzene (ppb) |
BDL
|
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Bromochloromethane (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Bromomethane (ppb) |
BDL
|
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
n-Butylbenzene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
sec-Butylbenzene (ppb) |
BDL
|
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
tert-Butylbenzene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Chloroethane (ppb) |
BDL
|
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Chloromethane (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
o-Chlorotoluene (ppb) |
BDL
|
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Substance and Unit Measurement |
Highest Level Detected |
Range Detected |
Highest Level Allowed (MCL) |
Highest Level Goal (MCLG) |
Major Source in Drinking Water |
|
p-Chlorotoluene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Dibromomethane (ppb) |
BDL
|
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
m-Dichlorobenzene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Dichlorodifluoromethane (ppb) |
BDL
|
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
1,1-Dichloroethane (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
1,3-Dichloropropane (ppb) |
BDL
|
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
2,2-Dichloropropane (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
1,1-Dichloropropene (ppb) |
BDL
|
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
1,3-Dichloropropene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Fluorotrichloromethane (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Hexachlorobutadiene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Isopropylbenzene (ppb) |
BDL
|
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
p-Isopropyltoluene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Methyl-t-Butyl Ether (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Substance and Unit Measurement |
Highest Level Detected |
Range Detected |
Highest Level Allowed (MCL) |
Highest Level Goal (MCLG) |
Major Source in Drinking Water |
|
Naphthalene (ppb) |
BDL
|
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
n-Propylbenzene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
1,2,3-Trichloropropane (ppb) |
BDL
|
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene (ppb) |
BDL |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene (ppb) |
BDL
|
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Disinfection By-product Precursors |
||||||
Total Organic Carbon (ppm) |
6.68 (annual average of source water) |
5.03 to 8.38 |
TT |
N/A |
Naturally present in environment. |
|
Physical Water Quality Characteristics |
||||||
Substance and Unit Measurement |
Annual Average |
Range Detected |
Highest Level Allowed (MCL) |
Limit |
Major Source in Drinking Water |
|
Alkalinity (mg CaCO 3/L) |
38
|
18 to 55 |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Calcium (ppm) |
5.91
|
4.01 to 8.02 |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
|
Substance and Unit Measurement |
Annual Average
|
Range Detected |
Highest Level Allowed (MCL) |
Limit |
Major Source in Drinking Water |
Color (CU) |
0
|
0 to 2 |
No MCL |
15 |
N/A |
Iron (ppm) |
<0.05
|
no range |
No MCL |
0.3 |
N/A |
Manganese (ppm) |
<0.03
|
no range |
No MCL |
0.05 |
N/A |
Ortho-Phosphorus (ppm) |
0.25
|
<0.10 to 0.46 |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
pH |
8.34
|
7.00 to 8.90 |
No MCL |
6.5 to 8.5 |
N/A |
Specific Conductance (umhos/cm) |
170
|
121 to 244 |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
Total Hardness (mg CaCO 3/L) |
26
|
14 to 35 |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
Total Phosphorus (ppm) |
0.43
|
0.28 to 0.69 |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
Total Solids (ppm) |
108
|
36 to 186 |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
Total Suspended Solids (ppm) |
0 |
no range |
Not regulated |
Not regulated |
N/A |
Glossary of Terms in TableMCL - Maximum contaminant level - 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. 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. SMCL - Secondary maximum contaminant level - limits set for aesthetic reasons. They are non-enforceable. Action Level - The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers a treatment or other requirement which a water system must follow. 90 th Percentile – 90 percent of the samples were below this value. Required reporting unit for lead and copper. BDL - Below detection level ppm - Parts per million - equivalent to milligrams per liter. One part per million is comparable to 1 penny in $10,000. ppb – Parts per billion – equivalent to micrograms per liter. One part per billion is comparable to 1 penny in $10,000,000. ppt – Parts per trillion – equivalent to nanograms per liter. One part per trillion is comparable to 1 penny in $10,000,000,000. NTU – Nephelometric Turbidity Units – Units of measurement used for turbidity or the cloudiness of water. PCi/L – PicoCuries per liter – a measure of radioactivity in water with an activity equal to one millionth of a millionth of a curie. MFL – Million Fibers per liter – a measure of the presence of asbestos fibers that are longer than 10 micrometers in water. mg CaCO 3/L - Milligrams of calcium carbonate per liter water. CU - Color units - a measurement used for color of water. umhos/cm - Micromhos per centimeter - a measurement used for conductivity of water. MRDLG – Maximum Residual Disinfection Level Goal – The “Level” of of 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. MRDL – Maximum Residual Disinfection Level - The “Highest Level” (MRDL) of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
|
Home | Water System | Wastewater | Customer Service | Plans | Contact Us | Site Map