City of Troy

-- Water Quality Report (covers calendar year 2020)

his pamphlet lists water quality information for the City of Troy. It includes limited details on the source and quality parameters and how our water compares to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state standards. It's important that customers be aware of the efforts that are made continually to improve their water system. The city holds council meeting on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall at 137 1/2 West Walnut in Troy. Contact Jim Richardson at 785/985-2101 for more information.

The water supply for the Troy is produced by the city from its three wells. The water is treated to remove contaminants. A disinfectant is also added to protect the water supply against microbial contaminants.

A message from EPA

To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The city treats water according to EPA's regulations. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in source water before treatment may include:

 Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.

 Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.

 Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture and residential uses.

 Radioactive contaminants, which are naturally occurring.  Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.

 Lead: If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Your water system is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for thirty seconds to two minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

 Total Coliform Rule (TCR): Coliform bacteria are usually harmless, but their presence in water can be an indication of diseasecausing bacteria. When coliform bacteria are found, special follow-up tests are done to determine if harmful bacteria are present in the water supply. If this limit is exceeded, the water supplier must notify the public by newspaper, television or radio. During 2020, the utility collected two samples per month and all were in compliance.

Water Quality Data

The table on the reverse side lists all the drinking water contaminants that we detected during the 2020 calendar year. The presence of these contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. Unless noted, the data presented in this table is from testing done January 1 - December 31, 2020. The state requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. Some of the data, though representative of the water quality, is more than one year old. The bottom line is that the water that is provided to you is safe.  

Terms & Abbreviations

 Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The “Goal” is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to human health.  MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.  Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): the “Maximum Allowed” MCL is the highest level of a contaminant allowed in drinking water.  MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using best available treatment technology.  Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL):  recommended level for a contaminant that is not regulated and has no MCL.

 Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements.

 Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce levels of a contaminant in drinking water.

 Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): Highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water; there is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. 

Non-Detects (ND): Lab analysis indicates the contaminant is not present.

Parts per Million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/l)    

Parts per Billion (ppb) or micrograms per liter (µg/l)

Picocuries per Liter (pCi/L): A measure of the radioactivity in water.

Millirems per Year (mrem/yr): Measure of radiation absorbed by the body. Period Average (MPA): An average of sample results obtained during a

defined time frame, common examples of monitoring periods are monthly, quarterly and yearly.

 Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU): A measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person.

Turbidity is not regulated for ground water systems.

Running Annual Average (RAA): Average of sample results obtained over the most current 12 months and used to determine compliance with MCLs