Click here for Bourbon Water Works Water
Quality Data - 2008.

Definitions

MCLG or 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.

MCL or Maximum Contaminant Level
The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL are set as close to the MCLGS as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

MRDL or Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
The highest level of the disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that the addition of disinfectant is necessary for the control of microbial contaminants.

AL or Action Level
The concentration of a contaminant, which if exceeded triggers treatment or other requirements, which a water system must follow.

TT or Treatment Technique
A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

THHMs or Total Trihalomethanes
Bromodichloromethane, Bromoform, Chloroform and Dibromochloomethane. By-products of disinfections with chlorine.

HAA5 or Total Haloacetic Acids five
Dibromoacetic Acid, Dichloroacetic Acid, Monobromoacetic Acid, Monochloroacetic Acid, and Trichloroacetic Acid. By-products of disinfections with chlorine.

SOCs or Synthetic Organic Compounds
Example: Atrazine. A group of 30 regulated and 13 unregulated compounds monitored in drinking water in 2003.

IOCs or Inorganic Chemicals
Example: Arsenic. A group of 12 regulated, one unregulated, two waived and one special monitoring chemicals monitored in drinking water in 2002.

VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds
Example: Benzene. A group of 24 regulated and 21 unregulated compounds monitored in drinking water in 2002.

Variances, Waivers and Exemptions
State or EPA permission not to monitor or meet an MCL or Treatment Technique under certain conditions. Waivers were invoked by the water works, which reduced monitoring costs by eliminating monitoring for contaminants, which had no likelihood of existing in our source of supply.

PPB - one part in one billion
PPM - one part in one million
pCi/L - Picocuries per Liter
Bourbon Water Works
Water Quality Review
2008

As a municipal water supplier serving the Town of Bourbon and the Triton School District in Marshall County, Indiana we are pleased to report compliance with all drinking water regulations.

This review provides information on where water comes from, how it compares current water standards and how you can learn more about drinking water safety. This helps you be a more informed user of life's most basic consumable water.

The Bourbon Water Works utility is owned and operated by the Town of Bourbon since its purchase in 1950. Since that time the facilities have seen improvements including new welts, an elevated tower and an iron removal plant. The system has grown to provide for expansion in every direction.

Water contaminants

The sources of drinking (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.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

1.Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from Sewage treatment plants, Septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. .

2.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, minings or farming.

3.Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff and residential uses.

4.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.

5.Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and as production and mining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the sam

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 EPA'S Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons, such as persons 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. The EPA and Centers for Disease Control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium, other microbial contaminants and information about contaminants and potential health effects are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

Lead and Drinking Water

Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. It is possible that the lead levels at your home may be higher than at other homes in the community as a result of materials used in your house's plumbing. If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your home's water, you may wish to have your water tested and flush your tap for thirty (30) seconds to two (2) minutes before using tap water. Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791

return to previous page . . .