Belmont Water Department
Water Quality Report – 2010
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What is the water quality of my drinking water?
We are pleased to report that our drinking water is safe and meets or exceeds Federal and State requirements.
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What is the source of my water?
The water that supplies Belmont comes from two gravel packed wells located on the Town owned parcel Map 242, Lot 31 on Shaker Rd., in the Pout Pond area. A 25% solution of Caustic Soda is added in small doses to raise the pH of the raw water from corrosive to neutral. A sequestering agent consisting of an Ortho-Polyphosphate solution is also added as to help keep unpleasant color and staining from occurring. No Chlorine or Fluoride is added to our water.
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Why are contaminants in my water?
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of 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 Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).
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How can I get involved?
The Operator of our water system is Craig Clairmont. Any emergencies or specific inquiries about our drinking water should be referred to him at 267-8301. The Department is now under the direction of the Director of Public Works and the Board of Selectmen. Meetings with the Board are scheduled as needed, and are most often public. For information on meeting dates, feel free to call the water office at 267-8301.
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Do I need to take special precautions?
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 trans-plants, 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 (1-800-426-4791). |
Definitions: MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, or 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. • MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. They are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology • AL: Action Level, or the concentration of a contaminant which, when exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. • TT: Treatment Technique, or a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. MRDLG: Maximum residual disinfectant level goal or the level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLG’s do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. MRDL: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level or the highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that the addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
Abbreviations: ppt: parts per trillion • ppb: parts per billion • ppm: parts per million • n/a: not applicable • NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Unit • MFL: million fibers per liter • nd: not detectable at testing limits * pCi/l: Pico curies per liter, a measurement of radioactivity
TEST RESULTS |
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Contaminant |
Violation
Y/N |
Level Detected/
Range of Detection |
Unit Meas. |
MCLG |
MCL |
Likely Source of
Contamination |
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Inorganic Contaminants
Well#1/ Well#2 |
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Nitrate (as Nitrogen) |
N |
.87 |
.31 |
ppm |
10 |
10 |
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits |
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Microbiological Contaminants |
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Fecal Coliform, E.Coli Bacteria |
Y
October 09* |
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Human and animal fecal waste |
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Description of Drinking Water Contaminants:
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 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. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.
Source Water Assessment Summary:
The NH Department of Environmental Services has prepared a Source Water Assessment Report for the source(s) serving our community water system, assessing the sources’ vulnerability to contamination. The results of the assessment, prepared on April 17, 2000, are as follows:
Number of Vulnerability Rankings
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Source Description |
Source Type |
Highs |
Mediums |
Lows |
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GPW 001 |
G |
1 |
3 |
8 |
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GPW 002 |
G |
1 |
2 |
9 |
The complete Assessment Report is available for review at the Belmont Water Department Office. For more information call the Belmont Water Department at 267-8301 or visit NH Department of Environmental Services Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau web site at
http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/dwgb/index.htm.
*The Town of Belmont had a violation in October 2009 for Ecoli; a boil order was issued, notification of the violation was given to all users of the Belmont Water System. Measures were taken to flush hydrants, chlorine was added as a disinfectant and samples were retaken. The Boil Order was lifted within one week of issuance and a detailed process for notification and action was put in place.
Belmont, New Hampshire - Best Town by a Dam Site
