Maumee City

Maumee purchases its water from the City of Toledo, which draws from Lake Erie, a surface water source. The intake system is located approximately 9 miles east of Toledo and 3 miles offshore. This circular cement structure measures 83 feet in diameter and extends 24 feet below the lake's surface. Water enters through sixteen ports and flows by gravity through a 9-foot pipe to the Low Service Pumping Station in Jerusalem Township.

From there, water is pumped to the Collins Park Water Treatment Plant in East Toledo before distribution. Maumee receives treated water via 42-inch transmission mains at Eastgate Road and the Ohio Turnpike. The water flows into a one-million-gallon reservoir at the Michigan Avenue Pump Station, then to two elevated storage tanks before reaching customers through an underground distribution network.

Ohio has completed a Source Water Assessment for Toledo's surface water from Lake Erie. Surface waters are naturally vulnerable to contamination from chemicals and pathogens. The water system's intake, though offshore, may be susceptible to contaminants from municipal sewage treatment facilities, industrial wastewater, combined sewer overflows, septic systems, dredge disposal, agricultural and urban runoff, oil and gas production, mining, and accidental releases from shipping and recreational boating.

Toledo treats water to exceed quality standards, but no single treatment can address all potential contaminants. Implementing protective measures for Lake Erie can further reduce quality impacts. More details are available in Toledo's Drinking Water Source Assessment Report by calling 419-936-3021.

ALL WATER, including bottled water, reasonably contains at least trace amounts of contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and health effects, call the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 800-426-4791.

Water sources include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves minerals and potentially radioactive materials while picking up substances from animal presence or human activity. Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage plants, septic systems, agriculture, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants (salts, metals) occurring naturally or from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants occurring naturally or from oil/gas production and mining

To ensure tap water safety, EPA regulations limit contaminant levels in public water systems. FDA regulations establish similar limits for bottled water to provide equivalent public health protection.

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to certain water contaminants than the general population. Immunocompromised persons (cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients, elderly, and infants) should seek advice from healthcare providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing infection risk from Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Who sets and enforces municipal water standards?

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the primary federal law ensuring water quality. Under SDWA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes standards and oversees states, localities, and suppliers implementing these requirements. In New York, the State Health Department enforces EPA regulations, often making them more stringent. The EPA regulates approximately 150 contaminants with legal limits called maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) and specifies testing and reporting protocols. Water suppliers must meet these standards. In Erie County, the Health Department administers these requirements (716-961-6800).

Where does my water come from?

Municipal water sources include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water moves across land or through ground, it dissolves natural minerals and potentially radioactive materials while collecting substances from animal presence or human activities. Possible contaminants include microbes, inorganics, pesticides, organic chemicals, and radioactive materials. New York State Department of Health and EPA regulations limit contaminant levels in public water systems, while NYSDOH and FDA set similar standards for bottled water.

Erie County's water comes from two sources: The ECWA's Sturgeon Point Treatment Plant draws from Lake Erie for southern Erie County and parts of Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties. The Van de Water Treatment Plant draws from the Niagara River for northern Erie County and portions of Genesee and Wyoming Counties. These facilities serve over 500,000 Western New York residents.

How is my water treated?

Both ECWA facilities use conventional filtration. Raw water flows through intake tunnels to the treatment facility where pumps draw it through screens that block large objects. Polyaluminum chloride is added to create floc particles that settle in sedimentation basins. The water passes through layers of anthracite, sand, and gravel to remove remaining particles. Chlorine disinfects by killing bacteria, fluoride helps prevent tooth decay, and caustic soda stabilizes alkalinity to prevent home plumbing corrosion. Activated carbon may be added in summer to eliminate unpleasant tastes and odors.

After temporary storage in clearwells or tanks, high-service pumps distribute clean water through over 3,574 miles of mains to homes and businesses. ECWA monitors 38 pump stations and 38 storage tanks, delivering an average of 68.1 million gallons daily to serve over 500,000 customers.

Are there contaminants in our water? Do I need special precautions?

All municipal water, including bottled varieties, reasonably contains at least minimal amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate health risks. For contaminant information and potential health effects, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) or Erie County Health Department (716-961-6800).

While our municipal water meets all state and federal standards, certain populations may be more vulnerable to waterborne pathogens. Immunocompromised individuals, including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or immune disorders, some elderly individuals, and infants may face increased infection risks. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about their water consumption. EPA/CDC guidelines for reducing infection risks from Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and other microbes are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).