For Your Information

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

Tests Show Coliform Bacteria in Oskaloosa Municipal Water Dept Water

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation.

We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. We took 10 samples for coliform bacteria during September. 3 of those samples showed the presence of coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more than 5 percent of our samples may do so.

What should I do?

·         You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.

·         People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791.

What does this mean?

This is not an emergency. If it had been you would have been notified immediately. Total coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves. Coliforms are bacteria which are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potential problems.

Usually, coliforms are a sign that there could be a problem with the treatment or distribution system (pipes). Whenever we detect coliform bacteria in any sample, we do follow-up testing to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present. We did not find any of these bacteria in our subsequent testing. If we had, we would have notified you immediately.

What happened? What is being done?

During routine sampling three of our samples came back positive for Coliform and E. Coli.  To insure the safety of the water, repeat samples were taken at the original sites and one on each side of the original site.  One was also taken from a random site in the distribution system.  This was done for each of the three sites that came back positive.  In all, 12 samples were taken as repeat samples to insure the safety of the water.  All 12 samples were negative for Coliform and E. Coli.  Chlorine levels were also checked to insure proper disinfection levels were maintained within the distribution system.  The water remains disinfected and safe.

For more information, please contact Chad Coon at 641-673-8476 or 213 South 1^st Street .

This notice is being sent to you by OSKALOOSA MUNICIPAL WATER DEPT.      

PWSID#: 6273005.  Date distributed:  September 23, 2009