How to Read a Water Quality Report: Deciphering Your Results for Safety and Health

Understanding what’s in the water we drink is crucial for maintaining our health and well-being. A water quality report, or Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), is an annual statement provided by utility companies that details the quality of your drinking water. It includes information about the water source, the substances found during testing, and how these levels compare with regulatory standards.

When you receive your water quality report, it might seem complex and technical at first glance. The key to comprehending this document lies in learning how to interpret the data it provides. Familiarize yourself with the common contaminants monitored, such as lead, nitrates, and bacteria, and the legal thresholds that should not be exceeded. Furthermore, the report explains if the water in your area complies with the safety regulations set by authorities like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

By taking the time to understand your water quality report, you can be better informed about the safety of your drinking water and what, if any, steps you might need to take to address potential issues. This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions regarding your health and gives you the foundation to take action should the report reveal any concerns.

Key Takeaways

Water quality reports provide vital information on the safety and composition of your drinking water.
Understanding the report allows you to identify contaminants and their relation to health and safety standards.
Reading the report equips you to make informed decisions and take action if required.

Understanding Your Water Quality Report

Your water quality report, also known as a Consumer Confidence Report, is a valuable resource to help ensure your water is safe. It contains detailed information about the quality and contents of your drinking water.

Report Structure and Overview

When you receive your water quality report, you’ll notice it’s divided into specific sections to make the data clear and understandable. Typically, it includes:

Executive Summary: An overview of the water quality during the reporting period.
Test Results Table: Contains the specific findings for various contaminants.
Comparative Standards: How these findings stack up against state and federal regulations.

Use these sections to get a broad sense of the water quality and where to find more detailed information.

Reading and Interpreting Key Terminology

Understanding the terms used in the report is crucial. Look out for key terminology such as:

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest amount of a contaminant that’s allowed in drinking water.
Parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb): Units of measure for the presence of chemicals and minerals.
Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant.

Grasp these terms to accurately interpret the facts and figures in the report and what they mean for your water quality.

Identifying Sources of Water

The report will specify the sources of your water, like rivers, lakes, wells, or aquifers. Each source can influence the presence of certain substances due to:

Geographical Features: Natural minerals or potential contaminants based on location.
Human Activities: Pollution from agriculture, industry, or residential areas.

Knowing the source of your water can help you understand the potential risks and necessary treatments detailed in your report.

Contaminants and Their Health Effects

When you read a water quality report, you’ll find information about various contaminants and their potential health effects. Understanding these details can help you assess the safety of your water supply.

Microbial Contaminants

Microbial contaminants include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can enter water from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.

E. coli: Indicates fecal contamination that can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea or other symptoms.
Cryptosporidium: Resistant to disinfection, it can lead to Cryptosporidiosis, causing respiratory and gastrointestinal illness.

Inorganic Contaminants

Inorganic contaminants are chemical compounds that do not contain carbon. They typically originate from natural mineral deposits or human activities such as industrial processes and agricultural usage.

Lead: High levels can cause brain damage or developmental issues in children.
Arsenic: Long-term exposure can result in skin damage or problems with cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Organic Chemical Contaminants

Organic chemical contaminants are carbon-containing chemicals that can come from industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, or the use of household chemicals.

Benzene: Can cause anemia or a decrease in blood platelets; long-term exposure might lead to cancer.
Atrazine: Exposure to high levels could lead to heart, lung, kidney, or reproductive problems.

Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts

Disinfectants are used to treat microbial contaminants, but they can react with naturally occurring materials in water to form disinfection byproducts (DBPs).

Chlorine: Used to kill harmful organisms; high levels can cause eye/nose irritation and stomach discomfort.
Trihalomethanes (THMs): Some THMs have been associated with cancer and reproductive issues after long-term exposure.

Compliance and Safety Standards

Understanding compliance and safety standards ensures that your drinking water meets established health guidelines.

EPA Drinking Water Standards

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets legal thresholds for over 90 contaminants in water provided by public water systems. These are known as Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and are enforceable standards aimed at safeguarding your health. Primary standards are based on health considerations and include:

Microorganisms: Limits on pathogens to prevent illness.
Disinfectants: Thresholds on disinfectant levels to manage microbial contaminants.
Disinfection byproducts: Caps on byproducts produced by common disinfectants.
Inorganic chemicals: Constraints on metals and other toxic elements.
Organic chemicals: Limits on chemical contaminants from various sources.
Radionuclides: Maximum permissible radiation levels.

Secondary standards are non-enforceable guidelines for contaminants that may affect water’s taste, odor, or color.

State and Local Regulations

State and local regulations can be more stringent than federal standards. Your water supplier must comply with these regulations, which often tailor requirements to address:

Regional contaminants: Specific pollutants that may be more common in certain areas.
Source water protection: Added measures to protect the water at its source.
Treatment methods: Advanced or additional treatment processes to ensure safety.

It is important for you to know your local water quality regulations as they are designed to address the unique challenges of your region’s water supply.

Comparing Water Quality to Standards

When you read a water quality report, it’s crucial to compare the contaminant levels to regulatory standards to ensure your water’s safety.

Understanding the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)

The Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) is the highest level of a contaminant that is legally allowed in drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets these standards based on health considerations. MCLs are enforceable limits intended to protect public health. For instance:

Lead: MCL of 0.015 mg/L
Arsenic: MCL of 0.010 mg/L
Nitrate: MCL of 10 mg/L

Keep in mind that different contaminants have different MCL values, which are measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or micrograms per liter (µg/L).

Evaluating Contaminant Levels in Relation to MCLG

The Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) is a non-enforceable health goal set by the EPA that reflects 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 and are generally lower than MCLs. When you evaluate your water quality:

Check the report for contaminant concentration levels.
Compare these levels to the MCLG and MCL.

Contaminant	Your Water (mg/L)	MCLG (mg/L)	MCL (mg/L)
Chlorine	0.003	4	4
Lead	0.010	0	0.015
Nitrate	5.0	10	10

If your water’s contaminant level is below or at the MCL but above the MCLG, it meets legal standards but may still carry a risk, albeit typically a lower one. If levels exceed the MCL, your water provider should take steps to reduce the contaminant level.

What to Do if Standards Are Not Met

If your water quality report indicates standards are not being met, it is crucial to understand the implications for your health and the necessary steps to remediate the issue.

Public Health Advisories

When contaminant levels are above legal limits, local or state health departments may issue public health advisories. These advisories can include:

Do Not Drink Notices: Advising you to avoid consuming the water until it’s safe.
Boil Water Advisories: Suggesting boiling water to kill bacteria and other pathogens before use.

It’s important to follow these advisories strictly to avoid health risks.

Corrective Actions and Water Treatment Options

To address contaminants, multiple corrective actions may be necessary. These include:

Source Water Changes: Switching to a different water source.
System Upgrades: Improving the existing water treatment infrastructure.

For immediate action, consider in-home water treatment options such as:

Filters: Choose NSF/ANSI certified filters suitable for the specific contaminants.
Distillation Systems: Effective for removing minerals, bacteria, and chemicals.

Always verify the effectiveness of the treatment option against the specific contaminants in your report.