Lima City Water Company

The Lima Water Treatment Plant has prepared this comprehensive report to provide residents with vital information about our local water quality. Within this document, you'll find essential health information, detailed water quality test results, guidance on participating in decisions about your municipal water, and important utility contacts.

Our facility currently maintains an unconditional permit to operate the municipal water system. Lima's public water system draws surface water from the Ottawa and Auglaize Rivers. According to Ohio regulations, surface waters are generally considered vulnerable to contamination. Surface water sources are naturally exposed and can be quickly affected by pollutants with minimal warning time for preparation.

Lima's water source protection area contains several potential contamination sources including:

• Agricultural operations
• Industrial stormwater runoff
• Residential developments
• Metal fabrication facilities
• Landfills and waste disposal sites
• Septic systems
• Sewage treatment facilities
• Transportation infrastructure (roads and railways)

Our municipal system treats water to meet quality standards, but no single treatment method can address all potential contaminants. The risk of water quality impacts can be reduced by implementing protective measures for the Ottawa and Auglaize Rivers. For more detailed information, review Lima's Drinking Water Source Assessment report by contacting Michael Caprella at 419-221-5294.

All drinking water sources (both tap and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, and may pick up substances from animal or human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants: Viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants: Salts and metals that occur naturally or result from urban runoff, industrial/domestic wastewater, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides: Various agricultural, urban stormwater, and residential sources
• Organic chemical contaminants: Industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants: Natural sources or oil/gas production and mining activities

High lead levels can cause serious health concerns, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead primarily enters drinking water through materials in service lines and home plumbing. While Lima's municipal system provides high-quality water, we cannot control plumbing materials in homes. If your water has been sitting 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. For lead testing information, contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or visit http:/www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

The EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems, while FDA regulations set limits for bottled water. These standards provide the same public health protections. Improperly treated water may contain disease-causing organisms that can cause nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and headaches.

All water sources naturally contain small amounts of some contaminants, but this doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

Ohio Administrative Code requires public water suppliers to protect systems from cross-connections and prevent backflow. Water customers are ultimately responsible for properly maintaining their plumbing systems and ensuring backflow preventers are tested annually.

Certain populations may be more vulnerable to water contaminants, including those with compromised immune systems (cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS), elderly individuals, and infants. These individuals should seek advice from healthcare providers regarding water consumption.

On February 14, 2018, Lima received an EPA violation notice for failing to promptly report that chlorine residual had fallen below 0.2 mg/l on February 2, 2018. This occurred due to improper backwashing of a granular activated carbon filter, which allowed excess carbon media to reduce chlorine levels in finished water. The issue was resolved and chlorine levels restored within two hours.

The Lima Water Treatment Plant conducts regular testing for bacteria, inorganic, synthetic organic, and volatile organic contaminants. Most substances tested for were not detected in our water supply. Some testing occurs less frequently as contaminant concentrations rarely change, so some data may be more than one year old while remaining accurate.

1. Where does Lima City water come from?
   Lima City supplies surface water to Lima, Ohio.
2. Does Lima City test its tap water?
   Yes. Like every public water system, Lima City 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 Lima City?
   Call 419-221-5288 or visit 50 Town Square, Lima, OH 45801, or use the contact options on the utility’s website.
4. Does Lima City 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 Lima City 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.