City of Bloomington Utilities

To ensure tap water safety, the USEPA and Indiana Department of Environmental Management establish regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. This publication outlines these guidelines specific to Bloomington's municipal water. FDA regulations similarly restrict contaminants in bottled water to provide equivalent public health protection.

All water sources, including bottled water, may reasonably contain small amounts of certain contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems—such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, individuals with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders, some elderly, and infants—should seek advice from healthcare providers regarding their drinking water. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing infection risk from Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

Important Lead Information: Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water primarily comes from materials associated with service lines and home plumbing. We cannot control all plumbing component materials. When water sits unused for several hours, you can minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned, consider having your water tested. Information about lead in drinking water, testing methods, and exposure reduction steps is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Water Source Information: Bloomington's municipal water comes from surface water at Monroe Reservoir, located nine miles southeast of the city. The City has received Indiana's Monroe Reservoir Source Water Assessment, as federal regulations require Indiana to issue Source Water Assessments identifying potential contamination sources. For information about Monroe Reservoir's Source Water Assessment, contact Bloomington's Water Quality Office.

CBU participates in EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. Contact the Quality Office for more information or testing results.

Potential Contaminant Sources:

• Microbial contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage treatment, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants (salts, metals) from natural sources or urban runoff, industrial/domestic wastewater, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from oil/gas production and mining

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