Bellefontaine City PWS Water Company

Common Questions About Your Water Service

1. Where does Bellefontaine City PWS water come from?
   Bellefontaine City PWS supplies groundwater to Bellefontaine, Ohio.
2. Does Bellefontaine City PWS test its tap water?
   Yes. Like every public water system, Bellefontaine City PWS must test its water under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and publish an annual water quality report (Consumer Confidence Report). Ask the utility for the latest report or look for it on its website.
3. How do I contact Bellefontaine City PWS?
   Call 937-592-4376 or visit 135 N. Detroit St., Bellefontaine, OH 43311, or use the contact options on the utility’s website.
4. Does Bellefontaine City PWS water contain lead?
   Water usually leaves the treatment plant without lead. Lead can enter tap water from older service lines, solder and brass fixtures inside homes, especially when water sits in the pipes. Run the tap before drinking if water has been sitting, and ask the utility about lead testing and service line records.
5. Is Bellefontaine City PWS water hard?
   Hardness depends on the source and changes over time. The annual water quality report lists hardness, or you can test it at home. If it is above about 7 grains per gallon, a water softener sized to your measured hardness will stop scale and spotting.

Our comprehensive testing covers more than 150 individual parameters, with very few contaminants detected. Current water quality testing shows excellent results with no detectable contamination.

Pure water is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. As water travels through soil, it naturally dissolves small quantities of minerals. Our supply contains varying levels of iron, manganese, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium - all naturally occurring minerals typical to Cape Cod. While these don't pose health risks, they can cause nuisance issues like sediment deposits in water mains (necessitating annual system flushing) and occasional complaints about staining, taste, or odor.

Water hardness primarily comes from calcium and magnesium content, measured as calcium carbonate (CaCO3) equivalent. The American Water Works Association scale classifies water as: very soft (0-75 mg/l), moderately hard (75-150 mg/l), hard (150-300 mg/l), and very hard (above 300 mg/l). Our average hardness measures at 14 mg/l or 1 grain per gallon (multiply mg/l by 0.06), categorizing our supply as very soft.

We also monitor sodium levels (which can increase from road salting) and nitrates. While current nitrate levels remain well below the 10 ppm limit, we aim to maintain levels under 5 ppm, noting that readings have increased tenfold over the past thirty years. Ongoing monitoring helps us address resident questions and explain common water quality concerns.