Valparaiso Department of Water Works

Under the federal Safe Municipal Water Act (SMWA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes national standards for numerous substances in tap water and specifies various treatment methods that water systems must implement to remove these substances. Each system continuously monitors for these substances and reports to the EPA when they're detected in the municipal supply. The EPA utilizes this data to verify consumers receive clean water and to confirm states properly enforce water regulations.

This publication meets the SDWA requirement that water utilities annually provide detailed water quality information to all customers. We're dedicated to sharing this information about your water supply because informed customers are our strongest allies in maintaining the highest municipal water standards. You're welcome to attend Valparaiso Town Board meetings to voice your concerns about your tap water. These public meetings are held at 205 Billings Road on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:00 pm.

The Valparaiso Town Utilities Department of Water Works proudly presents our annual Water Quality Report. This report aims to:

• Provide information about your municipal water
• Comply with EPA reporting requirements

We've summarized information about your water supply sources, delivery facilities, and water quality. We're taking this opportunity to share additional details about programs that ensure you have safe, reliable municipal water. As new challenges to water security emerge, we remain committed to providing quality water at reasonable prices.

If you have health concerns related to this report, please consult your healthcare provider. For more information or questions about your municipal water, please contact Mr. Shihua Chen, Water Operations and Maintenance Manager, at (219) 462-6174 ext. 1341 or by email at schen@valpo.us.

The Valparaiso Department of Water Works operates two water treatment plants and four well fields. Water treated at the Flint Lake Treatment Plant comes from nine wells in the Lake Michigan Basin Aquifer, while water processed at the Airport Treatment Plant comes from eleven wells in the Kankakee Basin Aquifer. Valparaiso was the first public water supplier in Indiana to complete its Wellhead Protection Program, designed to protect wells from contamination. The Department was also first to complete the phase II update to the Wellhead Protection Plan. For more information, contact Mr. Shaun Shifflett, Water Systems Administrator, at (219) 462-6174 ext. 1322 or sshifflett@valpo.us.

The average household spends approximately $1,100 annually on water and sewer bills. By implementing a few simple water efficiency changes, you could save around $350 yearly. If all U.S. households installed water-efficient appliances, the nation would conserve more than 3 trillion gallons of water and save over $17 billion annually! Using water efficiently reduces the need for costly infrastructure investments and new wastewater treatment facilities. By reducing household water consumption, you help decrease energy requirements for public water supplies and address climate change concerns. When purchasing new appliances and bathroom fixtures, look for ENERGY STAR and WaterSense labels indicating higher efficiency.

To ensure tap water safety, the EPA prescribes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water supplies. FDA regulations establish similar limits for bottled water to provide equivalent public health protection. Municipal water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain small amounts of certain contaminants, though their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Municipal Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Public water systems and bottlers use various water sources including rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and groundwater wells. As water travels over land or underground, it can acquire naturally occurring minerals, radioactive materials, and substances from animal or human activity. Contaminants potentially present in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants (salts, metals) from natural sources, urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses
• Radioactive contaminants occurring naturally or resulting from oil and mining activities

Thanks to the Safe Municipal Water Act, the United States has among the safest water supply and distribution systems globally. However, individuals with special health needs should be aware that some people may be more vulnerable to water contaminants. Immuno-compromised persons—including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders, some elderly individuals, and infants—may be particularly susceptible to infections. These individuals should seek advice from healthcare providers about municipal water consumption. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing infection risk from Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Municipal Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

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