2003 Consumer Confident Report: Bangor Treatment Plant

Bangor Treatment Plant System

South Feather Water and Power is pleased to report to you that your tap water has met all EPA and State drinking water standards. We have not exceeded any maximum contaminant levels or violated any other water quality standard. We test for over 110 different contaminants and chemicals in your drinking water. This report contains information only on contaminants or chemicals that we have detected. SFWP's goal is to provide you with the dependable supply of high quality drinking water that you have experienced in the past. We have made extensive efforts to continually improve the water treatment process and protect our water resources. SFWP is committed to ensuring the quality of your water.

If you have any questions about this report or concerning your water utility, please contact Jim Coffelt or staff at (530) 589-0212. We want our valued customers to be informed about their water utility. If you want to learn more, please call us or attend any of our regularly scheduled Board of Directors meetings. They are held on the fourth Tuesday of each calendar month at 2:00 P.M. in the Agency's Conference Room, 2310 Oro-Quincy Highway, Oroville, California.

A note from Michael Glaze, General Manager

“South Feather Water and Power works with determination to provide top quality water to our customers. We have made changes to the treatment plant, adding new equipment to improve the quality of drinking water we deliver from the Bangor Treatment Plant. We ask that all our customers help us protect our water sources, which are key to the exceptional water quality we enjoy and will ensure that quality in the future.”

SFWP’s Water Source

The entire source for this system is derived from the watershed of the upper South Fork of the Feather River and the upper portion of the Slate Creek watershed. Through a series of dams, canals and tunnels, it is delivered to the Miners Ranch Reservoir, which serves as the terminal reservoir for the system. From this terminal reservoir the water is transported via the Bangor Canal to the intake of the Bangor Treatment Plant.

A source water assessment has been completed for the sources serving the Bangor Water Systems. The sources are considered most vulnerable to the following activities not associated with any detected contaminants: animal grazing, illegal activities and/or unauthorized dumping, Low-density septic system. A copy of the complete assessment may be viewed at: DHS Valley District Office, Attention: Gunther Sturm, (530-224-4866), 415 Knollcrest Drive Suite 110, Redding CA 96002 or at South Feather Water and Power, PO Box 581, Oroville CA 95966. Attention: Mike Glaze, (530) 533-4578.

SFWP’s Drinking Water Testing

South Feather Water and Power routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws. This report shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1st to December 31st, 2003.

In this report you will find many terms and abbreviations you might not be familiar with. To help you better understand these terms we've provided the following definitions:

Parts per million (ppm) or Milligrams per liter (mg/l) - one part per million is about the same as one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000.

Parts per billion (ppb) or Micrograms per liter - one part per billion is about the same as one minute in 2,000 years, a single penny in $10,000,000, or one-tenth of an acre in all the land in California.

Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) - nephelometric turbidity unit is a measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person.

Regulatory Action Level (AL) - the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the PHGs (or MCLGs) as is technologically and economically feasible.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) - The "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.

Public Health Goal ( PHG) - The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. The California Environmental Protection Agency sets these PHGs.


TEST RESULTS

Microbiological Water Quality

Total Coliform Bacteria - We had no violations and detected no total coliform bacteria in our testing this year. The MCL is no more than 1 positive monthly sample. Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, bacteria may be present.

Fecal coliform and E. Coli - We had no violations and detected no fecal coliform or E. coli in our testing this year. The MCL for fecal coliform and E. coli is having a routine sample and repeat sample that is total coliform positive and one of these is also fecal coliform or E. coli positive. Fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes.

Filter Performance

Turbidity The highest single measurement of turbidity was 0.12 NTU. The lowest monthly turbidity samples were below the limit of 0.5 NTU 100% of the time. The turbidity level of filtered water is required to be equal to or less than 0.5 NTU in 95 percent of the measurements taken each month and shall not exceed 5.0 NTU at any time.

Disinfection By-Products

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM): SFWP tested on July 8, 2003, for TTHM, which are byproducts of drinking water chlorination. We detected a level of 19 ppb. The MCL for TTHM is 80 ppb. Haloacetic acid (HAA5) SFWP tested for HAA5, which are byproducts of drinking water chlorination detected a level of 20 ppb. The MCL for HAA5 is 60 ppb.

General Information From the Environmental Protection Ageny
Regarding Drinking Water from Any Source

All 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 the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

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/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the 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 animal or 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, that 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, that are byproducts 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.

In order to insure that tap water is safe to drink, USEPA and the California Department of Health Services (department) prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Department regulations also establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health.