City of Aberdeen

Is your tap water safe? We're pleased to present this year's Annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) as required by the Safe Municipal Water Act (SMWA). This report provides important information about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to regulatory standards.

Special Health Considerations
Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems—such as those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, individuals with HIV/AIDS, the elderly, and infants—may face higher risks. These individuals should seek advice from healthcare providers about their municipal water consumption.

Water Source Information
Aberdeen maintains 4 groundwater wells that supplement our purchased surface water supply.

Understanding Contaminants
All water sources, including bottled water, naturally contain small amounts of various substances. The presence of these substances doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. Water absorbs minerals, and sometimes radioactive material, as it travels over land or underground. It can also pick up substances from animal presence or human activities.

Potential contaminant sources include:

• Microbial contaminants from sewage facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants like salts and metals (naturally occurring or from urban runoff, industrial discharge, farming)
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential use
• Organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from energy production and mining

The EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems to ensure safety, while FDA regulations set similar standards for bottled water.

Water Conservation Tips
The average American household uses approximately 400 gallons of water daily. You can make a difference with these simple changes:

• Take shorter showers - a 5-minute shower uses only 4-5 gallons compared to 60 gallons for a bath
• Turn off water while brushing teeth, washing hair, and shaving to save up to 500 gallons monthly
• Install water-efficient showerheads - inexpensive and saves up to 750 gallons monthly
• Run full loads in washing machines and dishwashers - saves about 1,000 gallons monthly
• Water plants only when necessary
• Fix leaky plumbing - a leaking toilet can waste up to 1,000 gallons monthly
• Adjust sprinklers to water only lawn areas and during cooler parts of the day
• Teach children about water conservation

Cross-Connection Control
We maintain strict cross-connection control regulations to prevent contamination from entering the water system. Please contact us if you have any of these devices:

• Boiler/Radiant heater (excluding standard water heaters)
• Underground lawn sprinkler system
• Pool or hot tub (excluding whirlpool tubs)
• Additional water sources on your property
• Decorative pond
• Watering trough

Source Water Protection
You can help protect our community's water source by:

• Reducing lawn chemical use
• Properly disposing of pet waste
• Maintaining septic systems
• Properly disposing of household chemicals
• Volunteering with local watershed protection groups

1. WHY IS THERE CHLORINE IN MY TAP WATER?
   City of Aberdeen uses chlorine as a safe, effective disinfectant to eliminate harmful microorganisms in your water, ensuring it's safe for consumption.
2. IS THE FLUORIDE IN MY WATER SAFE?
   The small amount of fluoride added to promote dental health is completely safe. Aberdeen water contains an average of 0.91 milligrams of fluoride per liter.
3. WHY DOES MY WATER LOOK CLOUDY SOMETIMES?
   The milky appearance typically occurs when cold water enters your warmer home. Cold water holds more dissolved oxygen, which forms tiny bubbles when warming up, creating a temporary cloudy appearance that clears as temperatures equalize.
4. ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN MY TAP WATER?
   All water, including bottled varieties, contains trace amounts of contaminants. These minute quantities generally don't pose health risks when maintained within regulatory limits.
5. WHY DOES MY WATER SOMETIMES HAVE A STRANGE ODOR?
   Seasonal changes can affect water odor, particularly when upstream lakes discharge into our water source. Temperature shifts cause natural materials (leaves, soil) at lake bottoms to rise and decompose in the water. While treatment reduces most odors, some may persist temporarily, though the water remains completely safe.
6. HOW HARD IS MY WATER?
   Natural minerals in water, especially calcium and magnesium, create "hardness." Water with less than 4 grains per gallon is considered "soft," 4-7 grains is "medium-hard," and above 7 is "hard." Aberdeen water measures 8.4 grains per gallon, placing it in the "hard" category.
7. WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ABOUT LEAD IN TAP WATER?
   Please visit our lead information section for comprehensive details about lead in municipal water.
8. WHAT ARE DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS (DBPS)?
   DBPs form when chlorine and other disinfectants react with naturally occurring substances in our water source. While disinfection is essential for protecting against bacteria, it inevitably creates these byproducts. Research shows limited evidence of harm at levels found in treated water, but the EPA monitors them closely. Aberdeen works diligently to optimize our treatment process and maintain DBP levels below EPA standards while ensuring effective disinfection.

Aberdeen continuously performs over 1,000 water quality tests annually to ensure your tap water remains safe for consumption.