Painesville City PWS Water Company

Our system obtains municipal water from Lake Erie (specifically the portion of Lake Erie directly off Titus Beach, Coach, Ohio) and Grand River. Being located near Mentor Headlands State Park and Mentor Marsh, our source waters are exposed to environmental conditions and classified as surface water.

Surface water assessments indicate the Painesville water supply area is vulnerable to various contamination sources including:

• Municipal and county wastewater treatment discharges
• Industrial wastewater releases
• Air pollution deposition
• Residential, agricultural and urban runoff
• Oil and gas operations
• Transportation-related spills (rail, vehicular, industrial shipping)
• Recreational boating activities

While Lake Erie was determined susceptible to contaminants, our water treatment plant has consistently treated this source water to meet quality standards. The interconnections with Fairport, Lake County, and Aqua-Ohio were not used during 2017 as primary water sources.

Our municipal water travels through approximately 140 miles of mains, delivering an average of 2.93 MGD (million gallons daily) to nearly 25,000 residents. For 2017, water pumpage totaled 1.07 billion gallons, with average pH of 7.2, hardness of 121 mg/l, and alkalinity of 82 mg/l.

Potential contaminant sources in municipal water include:

• Microbial contaminants from sewage treatment, septic systems, livestock operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants like salts and metals from natural sources, urban runoff, wastewater discharges, and industrial activities
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential usage
• Organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants from natural sources or industrial activities

Painesville Water Treatment monitored for Cryptosporidium in 2017, detecting one oocyst in 12 sampling events. Giardia was detected in 3 of 12 sampling events. While filtration helps remove these organisms, current methods cannot guarantee 100% removal. Immunocompromised individuals should consult their physicians about appropriate precautions.

The EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems, while FDA regulations set similar limits for bottled water. Some contaminants may be present in water without necessarily posing health risks. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

1. Where does Painesville City PWS water come from?
   Painesville City PWS supplies surface water to Painesville, Ohio.
2. Does Painesville City PWS test its tap water?
   Yes. Like every public water system, Painesville City PWS 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 Painesville City PWS?
   Call 440-392-9598 or visit 7 Richmond Street, Painesville, OH 44077, or use the contact options on the utility’s website.
4. Does Painesville City PWS 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 Painesville City PWS 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.