Piqua City PWS

The EPA requires consistent sampling to ensure municipal water safety. In 2017, the Piqua Municipal Water System collected samples for bacteria, inorganic, synthetic organic, and volatile organic contaminants. They tested for 87 different pollutants, with most not detected in Piqua's water supply.

The Kansas EPA allows certain contaminants to be monitored less frequently when their concentrations remain stable. While accurate, some of our data is over a year old.

Special Health Precautions:
Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. This includes:

• People undergoing chemotherapy
• Organ transplant recipients
• Individuals with HIV/AIDS or immune disorders
• Some elderly people
• Infants

These individuals 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 (1-800-426-4791).

Common Sources of Water Contamination:
As water travels over land or underground, it can pick up various substances. Potential contaminants include:

1. Microbial contaminants: Viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
2. Inorganic contaminants: Salts and metals that occur naturally or result from urban runoff, industrial wastewater, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
3. Pesticides and herbicides: From agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses
4. Organic chemical contaminants: Byproducts of industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
5. Radioactive contaminants: Naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas production and mining

EPA regulations limit contaminant levels in public water systems, while FDA sets similar standards for bottled water. All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain small amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk.

Lead Health Effects:
Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water primarily comes from materials in service lines and home plumbing. Piqua provides high-quality water but cannot control plumbing material varieties. To minimize lead exposure, flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking if it has been sitting for several hours. For concerns about lead, consider testing your water. Information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

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