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Añasco Urban
Report
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Introduction
Amendments to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation promulgated
during 1996 require that all owners or operators of public community
water systems prepare a report summarizing the quality of the water
supplied to consumers in the United States and Puerto Rico. To meet
this requirement, we have prepared this report covering 1999 for the
system shown above. The information in this report includes the sources
of water supplied, the components of the system and the compliance
of the water served with water quality standards and established contaminant
levels. The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States establishes
minimum water quality standards which are enforced by the Department
of Health of Puerto Rico. For more information regarding this report,
please contact the Drinking Water Hotline at the following telephone,
653-2123 in the Metropolitan Area or 1-877-581-6363 toll-free from
outside the Metropolitan Area from 5:00 p.m. a 9:00 p.m. starting
July 2, 2001.
Drinking Water
Drinking water, including bottled water, may normally contain certain
contaminants at trace levels. Presence of these contaminants does
not necessarily represent a health risk. Information regarding regulated
and non-regulated contaminants and their potential health risks may
be obtained from the EPA at 729-6951 or the Potable Water Program
of the Department of Health of Puerto Rico at 648-1903.
Drinking Water Regulations
Federal regulation controlling drinking water is contained in the
National Primary Drinking Water Regulation. This regulation was developed
by EPA, as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act, and establishes
maximum limits for contaminants in drinking water and the necessary
treatment techniques to be implemented to provide adequate treatment.
Regulation also requires that all public water systems with surface
water sources, or sources which may be influenced by surface water,
have certified operators. Recent amendments to the regulation require
certified operators for all systems with disinfectionfor the control
of microbiological contaminants. Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority,
in order to comply with this regulation, is currently training its
personnel to enable the Wastewater and Potable Water Operators Examining
Board of Puerto Rico to evaluate its staff and certify them according
to current regulation.
Sources of Potable Water
Sources of potable water include rivers, lakes, streams and brooks
as surface water sources, and wells as groundwater sources. Water
which reaches these sources may dissolve minerals which occur naturally
in the soil as the water travels to the sources. The water may also
carry or dissolve substances which are the result of different activities
of humans and animals. For these reasons, water requires treatment
prior to human consumption, among which is included disinfection to
aid in the elimination of microbiological contaminants. Other forms
of treatment are used depending on the quality of the source water.
Surface water sources normally require more complex treatment, including
filtration.
System and Its Components
This System has the following components and/or sources of water:
(S)-signifies surface water and (G)-signifies ground water. Surface
water sources include filtration plants and ground water sources include
wells.
Añasco Filter Plant (principal water source: Río Humatas - S)
Contaminants in Potable Water Sources
Water sources used by this system before treatment to convert it to
potable water may contain the following contaminants:
- Microbiological - These include bacteria and viruses, which
may have as their origin wastewater treatment plants, septic tanks,
and such activities as cattle grazing and wildlife.
- Inorganic Chemicals - These include metals and salts that may
be naturally present in the water or the result of rainwater run-off.
Other sources for inorganic chemicals may be discharges with domestic
wastes, production of gases, oils, mining or agriculture.
- Pesticides & Herbicides - These contaminants may have as
their origin a variety of sources such as agriculture, storm water
run-off or domestic use.
- Organic Chemicals - These include synthetic and volatile organics
which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum refining.
Other sources include gasoline stations, storm water run-off and
septic tanks.
Current regulation requires sampling of each component in the system
over a period of three years for Inorganic Chemicals, Volatile Organic
Compounds, Synthetic Organic Compounds, and Pesticides & Herbicides
groups of contaminants. Sampling frequency for each group of contaminant
may be quarterly, twice yearly, annually or less frequently. The regulation
requires mandatory monitoring of approximately 70 contaminants, with
an additional 60 non-regulated contaminants for which monitoring is
also performed. Sampling is also required monthly for microbiological
contaminants with frequency based on population, along with the daily
measurement of residual chlorine and turbidity in treated water.
Special Advisory
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water
than the general population. The elderly, infants, immuno-compromised
persons such as sufferers of cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons
who have undergone organ transplants, or those afflicted with HIV/AIDS
or other immune system disorders can be particularly at risk from
infections. These people should seek advise about drinking water from
their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means
to lessen the risk of infection by Cyrptosporidium and other microbial
contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).
Water Quality Information
The Water Quality Information Table contains information regarding
the contaminants found in your water during sampling performed in
2000 or prior years that are above method detection level for each.
In the case of contaminants for which sampling frequency is less than
one year, the most recent sampling results are provided.
Terms and abbreviations used in the table are defined below:
- MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) - The highest level of a contaminant
that is allowed in drinking water. MCL's are set as close to the
MCLG's 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. MCLG's allow for a margin of safety
- Contaminant - Substance either physical, chemical, biological
or radiological present in water
- AL (Action Level) - The concentration of a contaminant which,
if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a
water system must follow
- N/A: Not Applicable
- nd: not detectable, below the limit of detection of the analytical
method used
- ppb: parts per billion or micrograms per liter
- ppm: parts per million or milligrams per liter
- ppt: parts per trillion or nanograms per liter
- TT (Treatment Technique) - A required process intended to reduce
the level of a contaminant in drinking water
- NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units) - Measurement of particulate
matter in water
- Waiver or Exemption - Permit granted by EPA or DOH which allows
non-compliance, under certain conditions, with MCL, treatment
technique or sampling frequency requirements
- DOH - Department of Health of Puerto Rico
- EPA - United States Environmental Protection Agency
- Max. : Maximum
- Min. : Minimum
- > - Greater than
The information contained in this table are based on analyses performed
for Volatile Organic Compounds, Synthetic Organic Compounds, Microbiological
Contaminants, Metals, Inorganic Chemicals and other compounds and
elements. Turbidity is analyzed for surface systems. Radionucleides,
dioxin and asbestos are not included in the analyses performed, as
these are not currently required and are under a sampling waiver.
Water Quality Information Table
Approximatly 130 contaminants are analyzed during the sampling
period established by the regulation, contaminants found are listed
in this table.
| Contaminant (unit)
|
MCL |
MCLG |
Results |
Min.-Max. |
|
|
Sample Date |
| Inorganic Chemicals
|
| Barium (ppm) |
2 |
2 |
0.0520 |
N/A |
|
|
1999 |
| Chromium (ppb) |
100 |
100 |
3.80 |
N/A |
|
|
1999 |
| Fluoride (ppm) |
4 |
4 |
0.08 |
0.06 - 0.08 |
|
|
1999 |
| Nitrate [as Nitrogen]
(ppb) |
10 |
10 |
0.49 |
0.45 - 0.49 |
|
|
2000 |
| Nitrite [as Nitrogen]
(ppb) |
1 |
1 |
0.01 |
N/A |
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1999 |
| Microbiological
|
| Total Coliform Bacteria
(total positives) |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 - 1 |
(1) |
|
July, October, December 2000
|
| Non Regulated
|
| Haloacetic Acids
(ppb) |
Note (3) |
N/A |
48 |
12 - 102 |
|
|
2000 |
| Sulfate (ppm) |
N/A |
N/A |
2 |
N/A |
|
|
2000 |
| Synthetic Organic Chemicals
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| Di(2-ethylhexyl)
phthalate (ppb) |
6 |
0 |
0.9 |
nd - 2.8 |
|
|
2000 |
| Turbidity
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| Turbidity (% less
than or equal to 0.5 NTU) |
95% |
N/A |
92% |
92% - 100% |
* |
|
August & September 2000
|
| Turbidity (maximum)
(NTU) |
5 |
N/A |
8 |
0.04 - 8 |
* |
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September 2000 |
| Volatile Organic Chemicals
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| TTHM's [Total Trihalomethanes]
(ppb) |
100 |
N/A |
42 |
20 - 50 |
|
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2000 |
| Contaminant (unit) |
MCL |
MCLG |
Results |
Locations above AL |
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|
Sample Date |
| Copper & Lead
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| Copper (ppm) |
AL = 1.3 |
1.3 |
0.117 |
0 |
|
|
2000 |
| Lead (ppb) |
AL = 15 |
>0 |
<2.7 |
1 |
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2000 |
| Notes: |
| * MCL Violation
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| (1) The system had 1 positive
result for total coliforms of a total of 33, 36, and 32 samples
taken in July, October and December respectively. During the
year 433 samples were analyzed, of which 3 were positive (1%).
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| (2) USEPA has established an
MCL for haloacetic acids of 60 ppb and this will be effective
for large systems in 2002 and for small systems in 2004. |
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| Barium - Discharge of drilling
wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural
deposits |
| Chromium - Discharge from steel
and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits |
| Copper - Corrosion of household
plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from
wood preservatives |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate -
Discharge from rubber and chemical factories |
| Fluoride - Erosion of natural
deposits; water additive which promotes strong teeth; discharge
from fertilizer and aluminum factories |
| Haloacetic Acids - Residues or
by-products of the disinfection process |
| Lead - Corrosion of household
plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits |
| Nitrate [as Nitrogen] - Runoff
from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion
of natural deposits |
| Nitrite [as Nitrogen] - Runoff
from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion
of natural deposits |
| Sulfate - Regulation requires
sampling of this contaminant while a determination is made
of the necesisty of establishing a MCL and MCLG |
| Total Coliform Bacteria - Naturally
present in the environment |
| TTHM's [Total Trihalomethanes]
- By-product of drinking water chlorination |
| Turbidity - Soil runoff |
| Turbidity - Soil runoff |
Maximum Contaminant Level Violations
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- The treatment technique violation for filtration reported
on the table occurred in August and September at the Añasco
Filter Plant which had a compliance rate of less than
95 percent for turbidity. Another violation occurred in
September at the same facility when a turbidity value
was recorded of more than 5 NTU. Turbidity is a measurement
of particulate matter in water. Turbidity is a measurement
of particulate matter in water. This measurement is important
as irregularly formed particulate matter may shelter different
types of microorganisms. Particulate matter which cause
turbidity are not harmful or visible at the concentrations
being measured but the net effect of turbid water is a
potential increase of microorganisms which may survive
the disinfection process. Among the action taken to bring
the system into compliance was the adjustment of treatment
additives and improvements to the filtration system.
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Working Together…
Water For Puerto Rico
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During the year 2000, the following
improvements were made to the Añasco Urbano system:
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·Improvements to the raw water
supply lines to the Añasco Filter Plant. Frequent breaks in
these lines cause production deficiencies at the Plant. Renewal
and relocation of 800 ml of 10" PVC replaced the 6" raw water
lines. With this service improved and the reliance of the
system has been increased.
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·Sector Orsini del Bo. Daguey
did not have potable water service. Service was provided by
extending pipe line to this sector.
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·Improvements to physical plant
of approximately 30 pumping systems, tanks and wells in the
area. The majority of these facilities were affected by Hurricane
Georges. Basically, work was done in clean-up, weeding, fencing,
painting, repairs of doors and windows and paving the lots.
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Este informe está disponible en la Internet en la dirección/
This report is available at: www.aguaspr.com/CCReport2000
©1999-2001
Beacon Enterprise Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
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