Preparing Your Drinking Water Annual Water Quality Report: Guidance for Water Suppliers

  1. N/A means not applicable.
  2. A violation occurs at systems collecting 40 or more samples per month when more than 5% of the total coliform samples are positive. A violation occurs at systems collecting less than 40 samples per month when two or more samples are total coliform positive.
  3. A violation occurs when a total coliform positive sample is positive for E. Coli and a repeat total coliform sample is positive or when a total coliform positive sample is negative for E. Coli but a repeat total coliform sample is positive and the sample is also positive for E. Coli.
  4. NTU - Nephelometric Turbidity Unit; a measure of particles in water.
  5. A MCL violation occurs when the average of all daily entry point analyses for the month exceed the MCL rounded off to the nearest whole number
  6. A violation occurs when the average of two consecutive daily entry point analyses exceeds the MCL rounded off to the nearest whole number.
  7. Millirems per year (mrem/yr) - measure of radiation absorbed by the body.
  8. If beta particles are detected at or below 50 pCi/l, report the detected level in pCi/l. This will provide consumers with a standard against which to compare that detected level, include "50*" in the MCL column (rather than the actual MCL of 4 mrem/year) and include a footnote to the table that says "The State considers 50 pCi/l to be the level of concern for beta particles." If beta particles are detected above 50 pCi/l, the water supplier must determine the actual radioactive constituents present in the water to calculate the dose exposure level in mrem/year, and must report both the detected level and MCL as mrem/year.
  9. Picocuries per liter (pCi/L) - picocuries per liter is a measure of the radioactivity in water.
  10. A MCL violation occurs when the annual composite of four quarterly samples or the average of the analysis of four quarterly samples exceeds the MCL.
  11. If the results of a monitoring sample analysis exceed the MCL, the water supplier shall collect one more sample from the same sampling point within two weeks of as soon as practical. An MCL violation occurs when the average (rounded off to the same number of significant figures as the MCL for the contaminant in question) of the two results exceed the MCL.
  12. Million Fibers per Liter (MFL) - million fibers per liter is a measure of the presence of asbestos fibers that are longer than 10 micrometers
  13. Micrograms per liter (ug/l) or parts per billion (ppb).
  14. If arsenic is detected above 5 ug/l, but below 10 ug/l (the MCL) your Annual Water Quality Report must contain the following statement: "NYS and EPA have promulgated a drinking water arsenic standard of 10 parts per billion. While your drinking water meets the standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. The standard balances the current understanding of arsenic's possible health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. EPA continues to research the health effect of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems."
  15. Milligrams per liter (mg/l) or parts per million (ppm).
  16. Include the 90th percentile value for the most recent sampling, the number range of detections, and the number of sites that exceeded the action level. If lead is detected above 15 ug/l (the Action Level) in more than 5%, but fewer than 10%, of the sites sampled [if your system samples fewer than 20 sites and has even one sample above the AL, you will need to include the standard explanation for an AL exceedance], your Annual Water Quality Report must include the following statement: "If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women, infants, and young children. 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. [NAME OF UTILITY] is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but 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 (1-800-426-4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. "
  17. If iron and manganese are present, the total concentration of both should not exceed 500 ug/l.
  18. If the analytical results exceed the MCL, the water supplier shall collect another sample from the same sampling point, within 24 hours of the receipt of results or as soon as practical. An MCL violation occurs when the average of the two results exceeds the MCL.
  19. If nitrate is detected above 5 mg/l, but below 10 mg/l (the MCL), your Annual Water Quality Report must contain the following statement: "Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 mg/l is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant, you should ask for advice from you health care provider."
  20. Each public water system must certify annually in writing to the State that when Acrylamide and Epichlorohydrin are used in drinking water systems, the commination (or product) of dose and monomer level does not exceed the levels specified as follows: (1) Acrylamide = 0.05% dosed at 1 mg/l (or equivalent); and (2) Epichlorohydrin - 0.01% dosed at 20 mg/l (or equivalent).
  21. Nanograms per liter (ng/l) or parts per trillion (ppt).
  22. Unspecified Organic contaminant classification as defined in 10 NYCRR Part 5.
  23. Picograms per liter (pg/l) or parts per quadrillion (ppq).
  24. Each public water system must certify annually in writing to the State that when Acrylamide and Epichlorohydrin are used in drinking water systems, the commination (or product) of dose and monomer level does not exceed the levels specified as follows: (1) Acrylamide = 0.05% dosed at 1 mg/l (or equivalent); and (2) Epichlorohydrin - 0.01% dosed at 20 mg/l (or equivalent).
  25. Principal Organic Contaminant classification as defined in 10 NYCRR Part 5.
  26. Value presented represents the Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) which is a level of disinfectant added for water treatment that may not be exceeded at the consumer's tap without an unacceptable possibility of adverse health effects.
  27. If a contaminant in this table is detected above the MCL please contact the State Health Department for Health Effects Language.
  28. An MCL has not been established for this contaminant. The value presented represents a State Guidance level.