CITY OF HUGOTON

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This pamphlet lists water quality information for the City of Hugoton for calendar year 2010. It includes limited details on the source and quality parameters and how our water compares to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state standards. It's important that customers be aware of the efforts that are made continually to improve their water system. To learn more, please attend any of the regularly scheduled meetings that are held on the first Monday of the month after the 4th day of the month at 5:15 p.m. at the City Office, 631 S. Main. For more information, please contact Alan Thomas, Head Operator, at 620/544-8531.

The water source for the City of Hugoton is from six water wells. The water is treated to remove contaminants. A disinfectant is also added to protect the water supply against microbial contaminants. An assessment of our source water has been completed. For the results of the assessment, please contact us or download the results at www.kdheks.gov/nps/swap/SWreports.html.

A message from EPA

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. The city treats water according to EPA's regulations. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.

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).

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 (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 before treatment may 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 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 and residential uses.

Radioactive contaminants, which are naturally occurring.

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.

Total Coliform Rule (TCR): Coliform bacteria are usually harmless, but their presence in water can be an indication of disease-causing bacteria. When coliform bacteria are found, special follow-up tests are done to determine if harmful bacteria are present in the water supply. If this limit is exceeded, the water supplier must notify the public by newspaper, television or radio. During 2010, the utility collected four samples per month; in September one sample was positive.

Water Quality Data

The table on the reverse side lists all the drinking water contaminants that we detected during the 2010 calendar year. The presence of these contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. Unless noted, the data presented in the accompanying tables is from testing done January 1 - December 31, 2010. The state requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. Some of the data, though representative of the water quality, is more than one year old. The bottom line is that the water that is provided to you is safe.

Terms & Abbreviations

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (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 Contaminant Level (MCL): the highest level of contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

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

Treatment Technique (TT): a required process intended to reduce the level of contaminants in water

MRDL: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level

N/A: not applicable; ND: non detect at testing limit

 pCi/I: picocuries per liter (a measure of radiation)

ppb: parts per billion or micrograms per liter (pg/I)

 ppm: parts per million or milligrams per liter (mg/I)

 NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Unit: measure of turbidity

Testing Results for the City of Hugoton

The City had no violations of drinking water regulations in 2010; there where no detections of microbiological contamination in the drinking water.

Turbidity has no health effects.  However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth.  Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms.  These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches.

Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha radiation. Some people who drink water containing alpha emitters in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

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