Hecla Water Association-Plant PWS Water Company

What are the contamination sources affecting municipal water? Municipal water (both tap and bottled) comes from rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water moves across land surfaces or through soil layers, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals, sometimes radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants like viruses and bacteria from sewage facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants including salts and metals that occur naturally or result from urban runoff, industrial discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential usage
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile compounds, which are industrial process byproducts and petroleum production, potentially coming from gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that may be naturally occurring or result from oil/gas production and mining

The USEPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems, while FDA sets similar limits for bottled water, both aiming to protect public health. Municipal water, including bottled varieties, reasonably may contain small amounts of certain contaminants, though their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the Federal Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

Where does my water come from?

The Norwell Water Department supplies water to the community from ten groundwater wells distributed across three main locations:

1. Where does Hecla Water Association-Plant PWS water come from?
   Hecla Water Association-Plant PWS supplies purchased surface water to Lawrence County, Ohio.
2. Does Hecla Water Association-Plant PWS test its tap water?
   Yes. Like every public water system, Hecla Water Association-Plant 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 Hecla Water Association-Plant PWS?
   Call 740-533-0526 or visit 3190 Sr 141, Ironton, OH 45638, or use the contact options on the utility’s website.
4. Does Hecla Water Association-Plant 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 Hecla Water Association-Plant 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.

The system also includes Well 9, a low-yield source off Bowker Street used occasionally due to limited production capacity and elevated iron levels. Water from this well receives sodium hypochlorite disinfection before entering the distribution system.

The Department maintains two 500,000-gallon steel water storage tanks at Paradise Drive and Judges Hill Drive, plus a 1,000,000-gallon steel storage tank in Assinippi Industrial Park off Phillips Drive. This larger tank includes a Booster Pumping Station designed to provide additional water volume and pressure throughout the distribution system.