Introduction:  The Marion Water Department, in compliance with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, is providing its customers with its annual water quality report. This report explains where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies.  For further information about your drinking water, you may call 743-6310.

Does Marion water meet EPA standards?  Yes.  Our water meets all of EPA standards.  In 2006 we took over 8400 tests to insure compliance with drinking water standards.  The few chemical detects we found are summarized in the table found within this report.

What is the source of my water?  Marion’s primary source of water for its wells is the Jordan aquifer.  The Jordan aquifer is a large water bearing sandstone formation underlying most of Eastern Iowa.  Marion’s four Jordan wells are 1600 feet deep and are drilled through the 100 foot thick sandstone layer which transports water from northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota.  Our Jordan wells yield as much as 1500 gallons per minute.  Due to the fact that many Iowa cities use the Jordan aquifer as a primary water source, it receives a protected status from the State of Iowa.  Over 90% of Marion’s water comes from the Jordan aquifer, with the balance from two 400 foot Silurian aquifer wells one of which serves an emergency only supply.  The Silurian aquifer is a regional supply receiving recharge from the Cedar River Basin and is also of good quality, though production yields are typically less than one half of the Jordan aquifer.

In 2006, the Marion Water Department obtained 100% of its water from the Jordan aquifer wells.  The Jordan aquifer was determined to be not susceptible to contamination because the characteristics of the aquifer and overlying materials prevent easy access of contaminants to the aquifer.  The Jordan wells will not be susceptible to most contaminant sources except through pathways to the aquifer such as abandoned or poorly maintained wells.  A detailed evaluation of your source water was completed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and is available from the Marion Water Department at 743-6310.

The Marion Water Department serves the 30,000 citizens of Marion through a distribution system of 155 miles of water mains and 11,800 service connections.  The water system also includes 1320 fire hydrants and 2000 valves.

Governing body:  The Water Department is governed by a citizen board – The Board of Trustees.  This three member board is appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council to staggered six-year terms.  The Board of Trustees meets monthly, the second Tuesday of the month, at 5:15 p.m. in City Hall, with public participation welcome.

Is our water system meeting rules that govern our operations?  In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.  FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which also must provide protection for public health.  The State and EPA require us to test our water on a regular basis for over 80 items to ensure its safety.  All tests have been submitted as required.

DO I NEED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS?  Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population.  Immunocompromised 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 microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Why are there contaminants in my water?  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 Environmental Protection Agency’s 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 animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
• Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agriculture livestock operations and wildlife.
• 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, mining or farming.
• Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
• 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.
• Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

Water Quality Data Table:  The water quality data table on the next page lists all the contaminants that were detected during monitoring for the 2006 calendar year.  The presence of these contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk.  Definitions of the terms used in the table and explanations of the abbreviations are given on the bottom of the page.  Some chemicals tested for do not have MCL/MCLG standards and are shown as “NA”.

Radioactive Contaminants

Total Trihalomethanes

Inorganic Contaminants

Chlorine

Note: Test results are from most recent tests taken.

Definitions:

MCLG – Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, or 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 - Maximum Contaminant Level, or 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.

MRDLG – Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal, or the level of a 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 Disinfectant Level, or the highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

ND – No Detect

pCi/L – pico Curies per liter

ppb – parts per billion

ppm – parts per million

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

NA – Not Applicable