HOW TO READ THIS TABLE

It's easy! Our water is tested to assure that it is safe and healthy. The results of tests performed in 2008 or the most recent testing available are presented in the table.

The column marked GOAL shows the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG. This is 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.

The column marked MAXIMUM ALLOWED is the Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL. This is 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.

The column marked DETECTED LEVEL shows the results observed in our water during the most recent round of testing.

SOURCE OF CONTAMINANTS provides an explanation of the typical natural or man-made origins of the contaminant. Footnotes below the chart are provided to explain important details.

ACTION LEVEL is the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

The data presented in this report is from the most recent testing done in accordance with regulations. We test for numerous contaminants, but only contaminants found are reported.

The Water We Drink: Summary of Water Quality Data

INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS

DATE TESTED

UNIT

GOAL (MCLG)

MAXIMUM ALLOWED (MCL)

DETECTED LEVEL

RANGE OF VALUES TESTED

SOURCE OF CONTAMINANTS

Barium

2008

ppm

2

2

0.21

0.072-0.21

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

Chromium

2008

ppb

0.1

0.1

0.0071

0.0033—0.0071

Discharge from steel and pulp mills; Erosion of natural deposits.

Copper ¹

2008

ppm

1.3

AL = 1.3

.089

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

Fluoride ²

2008

ppm

4

4

1.0

0.77-1.0

Erosion of natural deposits; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories.

Lead ³

2008

ppb

0

AL = 15

11

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits.

Nickel

2008

ppb

n/a

100

0.0050

0.0023—0.0050

Natrually occurs in soils, groundwater and surface waters, ofen used in electroplating, stainless steel and alloy products.

Nitrate

2008

ppm

10

10

1.6

nd—1.6

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

Sulfate

2005

ppm

n/a

n/a

58

31—58

Erosion of natural deposits.

Sodium

2008

ppm

n/a

n/a

31

12—31

Erosion of natural deposits.

VOLATILE ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS

DATE TESTED

UNIT

GOAL (MCLG)

MAXIMUM ALLOWED (MCL)

DETECTED LEVEL

RANGE OF VALUES TESTED

SOURCE OF CONTAMINANTS

TTHMs
[Total Trihalomethanes]

2008

ppb

n/a

100

18.3

3.9-28.7

By-product of drinking water chlorination.

HAAs
(Total Halocetic Acids)

2008

ppb

n/a

60

5.9

nd—13.7

By-product of drinking water disinfection.

MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS

DATE TESTED

UNIT

GOAL (MCLG)

MAXIMUM ALLOWED (MCL)

DETECTED LEVEL

RANGE OF VALUES TESTED

SOURCE OF CONTAMINANTS

Total Coliform

6/08

% of Samples

0

≥ 5%

Naturally present in the environment

RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINANTS

DATE TESTED

UNIT

GOAL (MCLG)

MAXIMUM ALLOWED (MCL)

DETECTED LEVEL

RANGE OF VALUES TESTED

SOURCE OF CONTAMINANTS

Alpha emitters

2003

pCi/L

0

5

3

nd—3

Erosion of natural deposits

Beta/photon emitters

2003

pCi/L

0

50

5

nd—5

Decay of natural and man-made deposits

Radium 228

2003

pCi/L

0

5

0.4

nd—0.4

Erosion of natural deposits

WATER QUALITY TABLE FOOTNOTES

¹ None of the samples tested had copper at a level that exceeded the Action Level of 1.3 ppm.
² We add fluoride at a concentration to yield a nominal 1 ppm in Mishawaka's water to promote strong teeth in
children.
³ None of the samples tested had lead at a level that exceeded the Action Level of 15 ppb.

Important Information on Lead:

Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. It is possible that lead levels at your home may be higher than at other homes in the community as a result of materials used in your home'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 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using tap water. Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline - (800) 426-4791.