Lewistown Boro Municipal Authority

For questions regarding this report or about your water utility, please contact Craig A. Bubb, Executive Director, at 717-248-0165. We encourage our valued customers to stay informed about their water utility. To learn more, please attend any of our regularly scheduled meetings held on the third Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm at the MABL office located at 70 Chestnut Street in Lewistown.

MABL consistently monitors constituents in your tap water according to Federal and State regulations. This report shows results from January 1st to January 31st, 2017. All water sources, including bottled water, typically contain at least small amounts of some constituents, which doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk.

Certain populations may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general public. Immuno-compromised individuals such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders, some elderly, and infants may face increased infection risks. These individuals should seek advice from healthcare providers about their drinking water. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing infection risks from cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Total Coliform Rule: This regulation requires water systems to meet stricter limits for coliform bacteria. Though typically harmless, coliform presence can indicate disease-causing bacteria. When detected, special follow-up tests determine if harmful bacteria exist in the water supply. If limits are exceeded, the water provider must notify the public via media outlets. In 2016, all 367 samples tested negative for coliform growth, meeting EPA standards which require that no more than 10% of samples show coliform presence.

Common Contaminant Information:

• Arsenic: While our water meets EPA standards, it may contain low arsenic levels. EPA balances known health risks against removal costs. Arsenic at high concentrations can cause cancer and is linked to skin damage and circulatory problems. MABL did not detect arsenic in finished water.
• Nitrate: Levels above 10 ppm pose health risks to infants under six months, potentially causing blue baby syndrome. Levels can increase rapidly after rainfall or agricultural activity. MABL did not detect nitrates in testing this year.
• Lead: Elevated lead levels can cause serious health issues, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead primarily comes from service lines and home plumbing materials. To reduce exposure, flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking if water has been sitting for several hours.
• TTHMs (Trihalomethanes): Long-term exposure to high levels may cause liver, kidney, or central nervous system problems and increased cancer risk. TTHMs result from water chlorination. MABL maintains required chlorine levels while removing most "pre-cursors" that form TTHMs, keeping levels in the acceptable range.

Potential Source Water Contaminants:

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

All drinking water sources are subject to potential contamination from natural or human sources. The presence of contaminants doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

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