2020 Annual Water Quality Report
2020 Consumer Confidence Report for Public Water System CITY OF SMITHVILLE
City of Smithville
TX0110003
This is your annual drinking water quality report for January 1 to December 31, 2020
The City of Smithville is Ground Water
This report is intended to provide you with important information about your drinking water and the efforts made by the water system to provide safe drinking water.
For more information regarding this report contact
Jack Page, Public Works Director
512-237-3282 ext. 2525
Este reporte incluye información importante sobre el agua para tomar. Para asistencia en español, favor de llamar al telefono (512)237-3282 ext.2525.
The CITY OF SMITHVILLE provides groundwater from Carrizo Sand, Queen City Aquifer, located in Bastrop County and the City of Smithville has a Superior Rating.
Information about your Drinking Water
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.
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 EPAs Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
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. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.
Contaminants may be found in drinking water that may cause taste, color, or odor problems. These types of problems are not necessarily causes for health concerns. For more information on taste, odor, or color of drinking water, please contact the system's business office.
You may be more vulnerable than the general population to certain microbial contaminants, such as Cryptosporidium, in drinking water. Infants, some elderly, or immunocompromised persons such as those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer; persons who have undergone organ transplants; those who are undergoing treatment with steroids; and people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, can be particularly at risk from infections. You should seek advice about drinking water from your physician or health care providers. Additional guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
Definitions and Abbreviations
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Definitions and Abbreviations |
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The following tables contain scientific terms and measures, some of which may require explanation. |
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Action Level: |
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The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. |
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Avg: |
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Regulatory compliance with some MCLs are based on running annual average of monthly samples. |
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Level 1 Assessment: |
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A Level 1 assessment is a study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system. |
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Level 2 Assessment: |
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A Level 2 assessment is a very detailed study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why an E. coli MCL violation has occurred and/or why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system on multiple occasions. |
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Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: |
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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. |
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Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG: |
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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. |
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Maximum residual disinfectant level or MRDL: |
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The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. |
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Maximum residual disinfectant level goal or MRDLG: |
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The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. |
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MFL |
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million fibers per liter (a measure of asbestos) |
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mrem: |
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millirems per year (a measure of radiation absorbed by the body) |
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na: |
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not applicable. |
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NTU |
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nephelometric turbidity units (a measure of turbidity) |
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pCi/L |
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picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity) |
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ppb: |
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micrograms per liter or parts per billion |
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ppm: |
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milligrams per liter or parts per million |
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ppq |
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parts per quadrillion, or picograms per liter (pg/L) |
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ppt |
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parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter (ng/L) |
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Treatment Technique or TT: |
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A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. |
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. We are responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but we 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 or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
Information about Source Water
TCEQ completed an assessment of your source water, and results indicate that some of our sources are susceptible to certain contaminants. The sampling requirements for your water system is based on this susceptibility and previous sample data. Any detections of these contaminants will be found in this Consumer Confidence Report. For more information on source water assessments and protection efforts at our system contact Jack Page 512-237-3282
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Lead and Copper |
Date Sampled |
MCLG |
Action Level (AL) |
90th Percentile |
# Sites Over AL |
Units |
Violation |
Likely Source of Contamination |
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Copper |
09/14/2017 |
1.3 |
1.3 |
0.083 |
0 |
ppm |
N |
Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from wood preservatives; Corrosion of household plumbing systems. |
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Lead |
09/14/2017 |
0 |
15 |
2.7 |
0 |
ppb |
N |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits. |
2020 Water Quality Test Results
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Disinfection By-Products |
Collection Date |
Highest Level Detected |
Range of Individual Samples |
MCLG |
MCL |
Units |
Violation |
Likely Source of Contamination |
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Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) |
2020 |
5 |
4.7 - 4.7 |
No goal for the total |
80 |
ppb |
N |
By-product of drinking water disinfection. |
*The value in the Highest Level or Average Detected column is the highest average of all TTHM sample results collected at a location over a year2020
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Inorganic Contaminants |
Collection Date |
Highest Level Detected |
Range of Individual Samples |
MCLG |
MCL |
Units |
Violation |
Likely Source of Contamination |
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Barium |
11/20/2019 |
0.0514 |
0.0514 - 0.0514 |
2 |
2 |
ppm |
N |
Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits. |
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Fluoride |
2020 |
0.12 |
0.12 - 0.12 |
4 |
4.0 |
ppm |
N |
Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive which promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories. |
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Nitrate [measured as Nitrogen] |
2020 |
0.06 |
0 - 0.06 |
10 |
10 |
ppm |
N |
Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits. |
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Radioactive Contaminants |
Collection Date |
Highest Level Detected |
Range of Individual Samples |
MCLG |
MCL |
Units |
Violation |
Likely Source of Contamination |
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Combined Radium 226/228 |
07/08/2015 |
2.6 |
2.6 - 2.6 |
0 |
5 |
pCi/L |
N |
Erosion of natural deposits. |
Disinfectant Residual
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Disinfectant Residual |
Year |
Average Level |
Range of Levels Detected |
MRDL |
MRDLG |
Unit of Measure |
Violation (Y/N) |
Source in Drinking Water |
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Chlorine (Free) |
2020 |
1.69 |
.92-2.4 |
4 |
4 |
Mg/L |
N |
Water additive used to control microbes. |
Violations
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Lead and Copper Rule |
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The Lead and Copper Rule protects public health by minimizing lead and copper levels in drinking water, primarily by reducing water corrosivity. Lead and copper enter drinking water mainly from corrosion of lead and copper containing plumbing materials. |
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Violation Type |
Violation Begin |
Violation End |
Violation Explanation |
Violations
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FOLLOW-UP OR ROUTINE TAP M/R (LCR) |
10/01/2020 |
2020 |
We failed to test our drinking water for the contaminant and period indicated. Because of this failure, we cannot be sure of the quality of our drinking water during the period indicated. |
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LEAD & COPPER RULE MONITORING AND REPORTING VIOLATION
MANDATORY LANGUAGE - TIER III
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
The City of Smithville has violated the monitoring and reporting requirements set by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in Chapter 30, Section 290, Subchapter F. Even though these were not emergencies, as our customers, you have the right to know what happened and what we are doing (or did) to correct these situations.
We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets health standards. During June- July 2020 we did not monitor or test for Lead and Copper and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of your drinking water during that time.
The table below lists the contaminant(s) we did not properly test for during the last year, how often we are supposed to sample for Lead and Copper, how many samples we are supposed to take, how many samples we took, when samples should have been taken, and the date on which the follow-up samples were [or will be] taken.
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Contaminant |
Required sampling frequency |
Number of samples taken |
When samples should have been taken |
When samples were or will be taken |
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Lead and copper tap water sampling |
Every 3 years |
20 |
June-July 2020 |
June- July 2021 |
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Lead and Copper entry point sampling |
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Water quality parameters |
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What is being done?
We are working to correct the problem. For more information, please contact Jack Page at 512-237-3282 Etx. 2525 or P.O.Box 449 Smithville, TX 78957.
_The City of Smithville will be doing our routine sampling June- July of 2021 for lead and copper. _
Please share this information with all other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (i.e., people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by the City of Smithville. Public Water System Number: TX0110003 Date Distributed: July 2021
