Howard Waterworks

In 2017, Howard Waterworks conducted comprehensive testing for various contaminants in your tap water. The results showed that none exceeded EPA action levels or violated regulatory standards for municipal water. Your water meets all safety requirements established for public consumption.

Our monitoring protocols include testing for numerous substances annually, though some contaminants require less frequent assessment. The lists below include only substances actually detected in your water supply. When a contaminant was found last year, it appears without a sample date. For contaminants detected within the past five years but not during the most recent testing cycle, the sample date is included.

Unregulated contaminants are substances without established municipal water standards. The EPA requires monitoring of these substances to determine their prevalence and whether future regulation might be warranted.

According to Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 810.30, treated surface water undergoes turbidity monitoring to verify filtered water remains below 0.1 NTU. Turbidity measures water cloudiness and serves as an excellent indicator of our filtration system's effectiveness. Last year, our highest single measurement was 0.06 NTU.

Regarding lead exposure: Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead in municipal water primarily comes from materials in service lines and home plumbing. While Howard Waterworks provides high-quality water, we cannot control plumbing materials used in homes. To minimize potential lead exposure, flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water after it has been sitting for several hours. If concerned about lead levels, consider having your water tested. More information is available via the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Health Notice: Long-term consumption of water containing trihalomethanes above the MCL may cause liver, kidney, or nervous system issues and potentially increase cancer risk.

Definitions:
AL - Action Level: Contaminant concentration triggering required treatment protocols
MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level: Highest allowable contaminant concentration in municipal water
PCI/l - Picocuries per liter (radioactivity measurement)
ppm - Parts per million (milligrams per liter)
NTU - Nephelometric Turbidity Units
MCLG - Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: Contaminant level below which no known health risks exist
ppb - Parts per billion (micrograms per liter)
nd - None detected

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