PUBLIC NOTICE

The Centerton Water and Sewer Department (CWSD) is a public water system subject to regulation under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Those regulations require the notification of customers whenever a violation occurs, and is the basis for this notice. This water system failed to meet the maximum contaminant level for total coliform in October 2013.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets drinking water standards and has determined that the presence of total coliforms is a possible health concern. Total coliforms are common in the environment and are generally not harmful themselves. The presence of these bacteria in drinking water, however, generally is a result of a problem with water treatment or the pipes which distribute the water, and indicates that the water may be contaminated with organisms that can cause disease. Disease symptoms may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and possibly jaundice, and any associated headaches and fatigue. These symptoms, however, are not just associated with disease causing organisms in drinking water, but also may be caused by a number of factors other than your drinking water. EPA has set an enforceable drinking water standard for total coliforms to reduce the risk of these adverse health effects. Under this standard, no more than 5 percent of the samples collected during a month can contain these bacteria, except that systems collecting fewer than 40 samples per month that have one total coliform positive sample per month are not violating the standard. Drinking water which meets this standard is usually not associated with a health risk from disease causing bacteria and should be considered safe.

Failure to meet the total coliform standard does not mean that the water is unsafe or that alternate sources of water should be used. The water system distribution lines have been adequately flushed, flushing and compliance sampling procedures have been reviewed, and all required sampling points have been re-sampled and in compliance with the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR).

Should you have any questions concerning this notice, contact the water system at (479)795-0222 or the Engineering Section of the Department of Health at (501)661-2623