2019 Consumer Confidence Report

City of Strawn 2019 Annual Drinking Water Report

(Also known as the Consumer Confidence Report) Water System Identification Number – TX1820005

Annual Water Quality Report for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2019

City of Strawn treats surface water from Lake Tucker and Groundwater from the Desdemona Wellfield.

For more information regarding this report contact: Danny Miller, City Secretary at (254) 672-5311

Este reporte incluye informacion sobre el agua para tomar. Para asistencia en espanol, favor de

llamar at

telephono (254) 672-5311

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES

Date: Second Monday of the month. Time: 6:00 pm

Location: City Hall, Strawn, Texas 76475

Sources of Drinking Water

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.

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 EPAs Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

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, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.

• Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result

from urban storm water 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 storm water 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 storm water 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 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 fo contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

Contaminants may be found in drinking water that may cause taste, color, or odor problems. These

types of problems are not necessarily causes for health concerns. For more information on taste,

odor, or color of drinking water, please contact the system's business office.

You may be more vulnerable than the general population to certain microbial contaminants, such as

Cryptosporidium, in drinking water. Infants, some elderly, or immunocompromised persons such as

those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer; persons who have undergone organ transplants; those who

are undergoing treatment with steroids; and people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders,

can b particularly at risk from infections. You should seek advice about drinking water from your

physician or health care providers Additional guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of

infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant

women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components

associated with service lines and home plumbing. We are responsible for providing high quality

drinking water, but we cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When

your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by

flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you

are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead

in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from

the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Information about Source Water Assessments:

TCEQ completed an assessment of your source water, and results indicated that some of our sources

are susceptible to certain contaminants. The sampling requirements for you water system is based

on this susceptibility and previous sample data. Any detections of these contaminants will be

found in this Consumer Confidence Report. For more information on the source water assessments and

protection efforts at our system, please contact Danny Miller, City Secretary at (254) 672-5311.

Water Quality Test Results Explanation of Acronyms Used in this Report: The following tables

contain scientific terms and measures, some of which may require explanation.

Avg: Regulatory compliance with some MCLs are based on running annual average of monthly samples.

Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: 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.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG: 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.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level or MRDL: 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.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal or MRDLG: 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.

Level 1 Assessment: A level 1 assessment is a study of the water system to identify potential

problems and determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water

system.

Level 2 Assessment: A level 2 assessment is a very detailed study of the water system to identify

potential problems and determine (if possible why an E. coli MCL violation has occurred and/or why

total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system on multiple occasions.

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

drinking water.

MFL: million fibers per liter (a measure of asbestos)

na: not applicable

mrem: millirems per year (a measure of radiation absorbed by the body)

NTU: nephelometric turbidity units (a measure of turbidity)

pCi/L: picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity)

ppb: micrograms per liter or parts per billion-or one ounce in 7,350,000

gallons of water.

ppm: milligrams per liter or parts per million-or one ounce in 7,350 gallons of water. ppt:

parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter (ng/L)

ppq: parts per quadrillion, or picograms per liter (pg/L)

Disinfectant (Chloramine) levels Testing Results in the City of Strawn Drinking Water

Disinfectant

Chloramines

Year of Range

2019

Average Level

2.02

Minimum Level

0.83

Maximum Level

6.6

MRDL

4.0

MRDLG

4.0

Unit of Measurement

ppm

Violation

Source of Chemical

Disinfectant used to control microbes

Microbiological (Coliforms) Testing Results in the City of Strawn Drinking Water

Maximum Contaminant level Goal

Total Coliform Maximum Contaminant Level

0 positive

Highest No. of Positive Samples

Two or more samples collected in a month which are Total Coliform positive

Fecal coliform or E. coli Maximum Contaminant Level

Total Number of Positive E. coli or Fecal Coliform Samples

Violation

Likely Source of Contaminant

Naturally present in environment

2019 Water Loss Audit Information

Time Period Covered by Audit Estimated Gallons of Water Lost During 2019

Comments and/or Explanations

January to December 2019 1,187,400

Most of the water lost during 2019 was the result of flushing to maintain

water quality or leaks in the

distribution system

Regulated Contaminants Detected

Lead and Copper

Definitions:

Action Level Goal (ALG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no

known or expected risk to health. ALGs allow for a margin of safety. Action Level: The

concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a

w system must follow.

Lead and Copper Copper

Lead

Date Sampled 2018

2018

MCLG

1.3

Action Level(AL) 1.3

90th Percentile 0.209

1.53

#Sites Over AL 0

Units

ppm

ppb

Violation

Likely Source of Contamination

Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from wood preservatives; Corrosion of household plumbing

systems.

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits.

Regulated Contaminants in the City of Strawn Drinking Water

Disinfectants and Disinfection

By-Products Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)

Collection Date

2019

Highest Level Detected 276

302

Range of Levels Detected 134-325

232-323

MCLG

No Goal for the Total No Goal for the Total

MCL

Units

ppb ppb

Violation

Y Y

Likely Source of Contamination

By-product of drinking water disinfection.

Inorganic Contaminants

Nitrate

[measured as Nitrogen]

Collection Date

2019

Highest Level Detected

0.145

Range of Levels Detected

0.145-0.145

MCLG

MCL

Units

ppm

Violation

Likely Source of Contamination

Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits.

Barium

Cyanide

Fluoride

Radioactive Contaminants

Beta/photon emitters

2019

Collection Date

2018

0.086

115

0.1

Highest Level Detected 4.3

0.086- 0.086

115-115

0.0667 –

0.0667

Range of Levels Detected 4.3 – 4.3

200

MCLG

200

4.0

MCL

ppm

ppb

ppm

Units

pCi/L

Violation

Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits.

Discharge from plastic and fertilizer factories; Discharge from steel/metal factories.

Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive which promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer

and aluminum factories.

Likely Source of Contamination

Erosion of natural and man-made deposits

Turbidity

Limit (Treatment Technique)

Level Detected

Violation

Likely Source of Contamination

Highest single measurement

1 NTU

0.3 NTU N

Soil runoff

Lowest monthly % meeting limit

0.3 NTU

100% N

Soil runoff

Information Statement: Turbidity is a measurement of the cloudiness of the water caused by

suspended particles. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of water quality and the

effectiveness of our filtration.

Total Organic Carbon

The percentage of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) removal was measured each month and the system met all

TOC removal requirements set, unless a TOC violation is noted in the violations section.

Violations

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)

Some people who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over many years may

have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Violation Type

Violation Begin

Violation End

Violation Explanation

FAILURE SUBMIT OEL REPORT FOR HAA5

MCL, LRAA MCL, LRAA MCL, LRAA MCL, LRAA

12/11/2018

01/01/2019

04/01/2019

07/01/2019

10/01/2019

03/19/2019

03/31/2019

06/30/2019

09/30/2019

12/31/2019

We failed to submit our operational evaluation level (OEL) report to our regulator. The report is

needed to determine best treatment practices necessary to minimize possible future exceedances of

HAA5.

Water samples showed that the amount of this contaminant in our drinking water was above its

standard (called a maximum contaminant level and abbreviated MCL) for the period indicated.

Water samples showed that the amount of this contaminant in our drinking water was above its

standard (called a maximum contaminant level and abbreviated MCL) for the period indicated.

Water samples showed that the amount of this contaminant in our drinking water was above its

standard (called a maximum contaminant level and abbreviated MCL) for the period indicated.

Water samples showed that the amount of this contaminant in our drinking water was above its

standard (called a maximum contaminant level and abbreviated MCL) for the period indicated.

Public Notification Rule

The Public Notification Rule helps to ensure that consumers will always know if there is a problem

with their drinking water. These notices immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem

with their drinking water (e.g., a boil water emergency).

Violation Type

Violation Begin

Violation End

Violation Explanation

PUBLIC NOTICE RULE LINKED TO VIOLATION

04/04/2019

06/20/2019

2019

We failed to adequately notify you, our drinking water consumers, about a violation of the drinking

water regulations.

We failed to adequately notify you, our drinking water consumers, about a violation of the drinking

water regulations.

Violations

PUBLIC NOTICE RULE LINKED TO VIOLATION

10/20/2019

12/26/2019

2019

We failed to adequately notify you, our drinking water consumers, about a violation of the drinking

water regulations.

We failed to adequately notify you, our drinking water consumers, about a violation of the drinking

water regulations.

Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR)

The Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) seeks to prevent waterborne diseases caused by E. coli. E.

coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal

wastes. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps,

nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young

children,

Violation Type

Violation Begin

Violation End

Violation Explanation

MONITORING, ROUTINE, MAJOR (RTCR)

08/01/2019

08/31/2019

We failed to test our drinking water for the contaminant and period indicated. Because of this

failure, we cannot be sure of the quality of our drinking water during the period indicated.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)

Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may

experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an

increased risk of getting cancer.

Violation Type

Violation Begin

Violation End

Violation Explanation

FAILURE SUBMIT OEL REPORT FOR TTHM

MCL, LRAA MCL, LRAA MCL, LRAA MCL, LRAA

12/11/2018

01/01/2019

04/01/2019

07/01/2019

10/01/2019

03/19/2019

03/31/2019

06/30/2019

09/30/2019

12/31/2019

We failed to submit our operational evaluation level (OEL) report to our regulator. The report is

needed to determine best treatment practices necessary to minimize possible future exceedances of

TTHM.