Oneonta Utilities Board

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants you to understand: To ensure tap water is safe for consumption, the EPA establishes regulations limiting certain contaminant levels in public water systems. Similarly, FDA regulations set contaminant limits for bottled water to provide equal public health protection.

All water sources, whether tap or bottled, may reasonably contain small amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and radioactive material, and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activity.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants like viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals, naturally occurring or from urban runoff, wastewater discharge, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, storm runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile chemicals from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants, naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas production and mining

Information About Lead: Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in tap water primarily comes from materials in service lines and home plumbing. Oneonta Utilities Board provides high-quality water but cannot control plumbing materials used. When water sits unused for several hours, minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned about lead, consider water testing. Information on lead in water, testing methods, and exposure reduction is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

.. ...