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 2009 Consumer Confidence Report & Annual Water Supply Statement
Your water supply
Statement & statistics
Water quality
Water sources
Source Water Assessment
Sources and treatment		 Frequently asked questions
Cryptosporidium and Giardia
Lead in drinking water
Pharmaceutical Test Summary
Conservation
Water pressure		 Important phone numbers
Detected contaminants
Contaminants not detected
Distribution system map
Terms & abbreviations
East Side Springs Sky Ridge Took's Spring

Detected contaminants

The frequency that various contaminants are tested for is regulated by the State and can vary from source to source. The State allows for some contaminants to be tested for less than once a year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of our data, though representative, is more than one year old. Some contaminants are monitored at the various sources more often than required.

Organic contaminants found at entry point

Di (2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate

Likely source: Used plastic products such as polyvinyl, chloride, plastic toys, vinyl upholstery,adhesives and coatings. Compound likely to be released to the environment during production and waste disposal of these products. Also used in inks, pesticides, cosmetics, and vacuum pump oil.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Feb 09
May 09
Aug 09
Nov 09
 1.0
(nd -1.1) 		µg/L 0 6

 

Dissolved Organic Carbon

Likely source: Naturally occurring.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Monthly 09 2.3
(2.0 - 2.5) 		mg/L N/A N/A

 

Haloacetic acids*

Likely source: By-product of drinking water chlorination.
lake ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 07
May 07
Aug 07
Nov 07		 4.2
(nd - 8.3) 		µg/L N/A 60
*See Terms and Abbreviations for the listing of Haloacetic acid contaminants.

 

Total Organic Carbon

Likely source: Naturally occurring.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Monthly 09 2.3
(2.0 - 3.1) 		mg/L NA N/A
Lake Ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Feb 09
May 09
Aug 09
Nov 09		 1.7
(1.6 - 1.8)		 mg/L NA N/A

 

Total Trihalo Methanes*

Likely source: By-product of drinking water chlorination TTHM's form when source water contains large amounts of organic matter.
lake ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 07
Apr 07
May 07
Aug 07
Nov 07		 15
(12 - 17)		 µg/L N/A 80
*See Terms and Abbreviations for the listing of Trihalomethane contaminants.

 

Metolachlor ESA

Likely source: Degradation of a pesticide.
Lake Ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 09 0.000092 µg/L N/A 50

 

M-Xylene, p-Xylene

Likely source: Leaks from gasoline tanks; Discharge from petroleum factories. Leaching of solvent from lining of potable water tanks.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Feb 09
May 09
Aug 09
Nov 09		 0.68*
(nd - 1.2) 		µg/L N/A 5
*m-Xylene and p-Xylene: The reported values may represent either of these compounds or a combination thereof.

Inorganic contaminants found at entry point

Aluminum

Likely source: Erosion of natural deposits; Residual Aluminum may be from a chemical used in the treatment process.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 09
Sep 09		 0.14
(0.13 - 0.14)		 mg/L N/A N/A
lake ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Jul 09 0.12 mg/L N/A N/A

 

Barium

Likely source: Erosion of natural deposits.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 09
Sep 09		 0.063
(0.032 - 0.093)		 mg/L 2 2
Lake ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Jul 09 0.023 mg/L 2 2
skaneateles lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No May 09 0.023 mg/L 2 2

 

Calcium

Likely source: Naturally occurring.
Otisco lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 09
Sep 09		 38
(32 - 43) 		mg/L N/A N/A
lake ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Jul 09 34 mg/L N/A N/A

 

Chloride

Likely source: Naturally occurring; Road salts.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 09
Sep 09		 40
(38 - 41)		 mg/L N/A 250
Lake ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Jul 09 25 mg/L N/A 250
skaneateles lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No May 09 17 mg/L N/A 250

 

Chlorite

Likely source: By-product of drinking water disinfection at plants using Chlorine Dioxide.
otisco
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Daily* 0.2
(nd - 0.64) 		mg/L N/A 1
*Chlorine Dioxide and Chlorite were tested for daily for 56 days in 2009. During these 56 days OCWA was adding Chlorine Dioxide as a preoxidant in order to control Zebra Mussels at the intake, provide adequate disinfection, and control the formation of undesirable disinfection by-products such as Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic acids. OCWA intends to add Chlorine Dioxide again during warm water conditions in 2010.

 

Chlorine Dioxide Residual

Likely source: By-product of drinking water disinfection at plants using Chlorine Dioxide.
otisco
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Daily* 54.5
(nd - 310) 		µg/L N/A 800 (MRDL)
*Chlorine Dioxide and Chlorite were tested for daily for 56 days in 2009. During these 56 days OCWA was adding Chlorine Dioxide as a preoxidant in order to control Zebra Mussels at the intake, provide adequate disinfection, and control the formation of undesirable disinfection by-products such as Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic acids. OCWA intends to add Chlorine Dioxide again during warm water conditions in 2010.

 

Chromium

Likely source: Erosion of natural deposits.
otisco
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 09
Sep 09
 3.0
(2.5 - 3.5)		 µg/L 100 100

Copper

Likely source: Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from wood preservatives.
Otisco lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 09
Sep 09		 0.01
(nd - 0.01) 		mg/L N/A AL = 1.3
lake ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Jul 09 0.0096 mg/L N/A AL = 1.3

 

Cyanide

Likely source: Discharge from steel/metal factories; Discharge from plastic and fertilizer factories.
Otisco lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 09
Sep 09
Oct 10		 10.7
(nd - 12) 		µg/L 200 200

 

Fluoride

Likely source: Erosion of natural deposits; Water Additive that promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Daily 0.97
(0.18 - 1.18)		 mg/L N/A 2.2
Lake ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Twice Daily 1.03
(0.17 - 1.31)		 mg/L N/A 2.2
skaneateles lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Daily 0.96
(0.11 - 1.46)		 mg/L N/A 2.2
Information on Fluoride Addition: OCWA is on of many drinking water systems that provide drinking water with controlled, low level of fluoride for consumer dental health protection. According to the United States Center for Disease Control, fluoride is very effective in preventing cavities when present in drinking water at an optimal range from 0.8 to 1.2 mg/L. To ensure that the fluoride supplement in your water provides optimal dental protection, the NYS Health Department requires that we monitor fluoride levels on a daily basis. During 2009 monitoring showed fluoride levels in your water were in the optimal range 97.5% of the time for Otisco Lake water, 98.7% of the time for Lake Ontario water, and 99.7% for Skaneateles water.

 

Free Chlorine Residual

Likely source: Added to water to kill harmful bacteria and to prevent the re-growth of bacteria.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Every 4 hours 1.02
(.39 - 1.38)		 mg/L N/A 4 (MRDL)
Lake ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Every 1 hour 0.9
(0.82 - 0.96)		 mg/L N/A 4 (MRDL)
skaneateles lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Every 4 hours 1.37
(0.30 - 2.42)		 mg/L N/A 4 (MRDL)

 

Magnesium

Likely source: Naturally occurring.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 09
Sep 09		 10.3
(9.5 - 11)		 mg/L N/A N/A

 

Manganese

Likely source: Naturally occurring; Indicative of landfill contamination.
lake ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Jul 09 4.5 µg/L N/A 300


Nickel

Likely source: Erosion of natural deposits.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 09
Sep 09		 8.6
(1.1 - 16)		 µg/L N/A N/A
Lake ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Jul 09 1.3 µg/L N/A N/A

 

Nitrate

Likely source: Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 09
Sep 09		 0.54
(0.31 - 0.76)		 mg/L 10 10
Lake ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Jul 09 0.23 mg/L 10 10
skaneateles lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 09 0.66 mg/L 10 10

 

Sodium

Likely source: Naturally occurring; Road salts; water softeners; animal wastes.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 09
Sep 09		 21
(20 - 21)		 mg/L N/A See Health Effects*
Lake ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Jul 09 16 mg/L N/A See Health Effects*
skaneateles lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 09 8.9 mg/L N/A See Health Effects*
*Health Effects of Sodium: There is no MCL for Sodium. however, water containing more than 20 mg/L of sodium should not be used for drinking by people on severely restricted sodium diets. Water containing more than 270 mg/L of sodium should not be used for drinking by people on moderately restricted diets.

 

Sulfate

Likely source: Naturally occurring.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 09
Sep 09		 15
(14 - 16)		 mg/L N/A 250
Lake ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Jul 09 25 mg/L N/A 250
skaneateles lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 09 14 mg/L N/A 250


Radionuclides found at entry point

Total Uranium

Likely source: Erosion of natural deposits.
lake ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Level Found Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 09
May 09
Aug 09
Nov 09		 0.593 µg/L N/A 30

Physical characteristics found at entry point

Odor

Likely source: "Chlorinous" or "bleach" odors are caused by the addition of chlorine. "fishy" ,"musty", and "earthy" odor are caused by algae.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Mar 09
Sep 09		 1
(nd - 1)		 TON N/A 3
The frequency that various contaminants are tested for is regulated by the State and can vary from source to source. The State allows for some contaminants to be tested for less than once a year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of our data, though representative, is more than one year old. Some contaminants are monitored at the various sources more often than required.

Bacteria found in distribution system

Total coliform bacteria

Likely source: Naturally present in the environment.
O C W A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Month with highest % positive samples Units MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Approx 77 per week Jul
0.59%
(2 of 339) 		N/A 0 >5% positive samples in any month
Whenever a positive sample for total coliform is found, the sample is further tested for the presence of E. coli, and four check samples are taken. No samples were found to be E. coli positive in 2009. OCWA regularly samples about 77 sites per week located throughout our distribution system. We test these sites for both bacteria and disinfectant residual to ensure that our water is of a safe and sanitary quality.

Disinfectant & disinfection by-products in distribution system

Disinfection by-products: During disinfection, certain by-products form as a result of chlorine reacting with naturally occurring organic matter. The disinfection process is carefully monitored so that disinfection is effective, while levels of disinfection by-products are kept low. Trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) are classes of chemicals that OCWA is required to monitor in its distribution system.

 

Chlorine residual

Likely source: Added to water to kill harmful bacteria and to prevent the regrowth of bacteria.
OCWA distribution system
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Approx 77 per week 0.53
(nd - 1.70) 		mg/L N/A
(MRDLG)		 4 (MRDL)

 

Chlorite

Likely source: By-product of drinking water disinfection at plants using Chlorine Dioxide.
Otisco
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Aug
Sep
Oct		 0.07
(nd - 0.23) 		mg/L N/A 1

Total trihalomethanes*

Likely source: By-product of drinking water chlorination. TTHMs form when source water contains large amounts of organic matter.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Quarterly: Feb, May, Aug, Nov 52.6
(25 - 73) 		µg/L N/A 80
Lake Ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Quarterly: Feb, May, Aug, Nov 48.3
(29 - 70) 		µg/L N/A 80
Skaneateles Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Quarterly: Feb, May, Aug, Nov 35.5
(26 - 40) 		µg/L N/A 80
*See Terms & Abbreviations for the listing of Trihalomethanes contaminants

 

Haloacetic acids*

Likely source: By-product of drinking water chlorination.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Quarterly: Feb, May, Aug, Nov 34.4
(20 - 50) 		µg/L N/A 60
Lake Ontario
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Quarterly: Feb, May, Aug, Nov 37.6
(19 - 56)		 µg/L N/A 60
Skaneateles Lake
Violation yes/no Date(s) of sampling Average
(range) 		Units measured MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Quarterly: Feb, May, Aug, Nov 29.8
(25 - 32) 		µg/L N/A 60
*See Terms & Abbreviations for the list of Haloacetic acids contaminants


Turbidity

Likely source: Soil runoff.
Otisco Lake
Violation yes/no Sampling frequency (date of highest reading) Average
(range) 		Units MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL) Lowest % of monthly tests meeting limit
No Every 4 hours
(Aug 09) 		0.06
(0.03-0.18)		 NTU N/A TT=0.3 NTU for systems that filter 100%
Lake Ontario
No Every 4 hours
(Aug 09) 		0.06
(0.04-0.10)		 NTU N/A TT=0.3 NTU for systems that filter 100%
Skaneateles Lake
Yes* Every 4 hours
(Dec 09) 		0.44
(0.19 - 13.7)		 NTU N/A TT=5.0 NTU for systems that don't filter N/A
*Treatment Technique Violation for Turbidity: On December 9, 2009 because of high winds, the turbidity levels entering the City of Syracuse's intake exceeded the maximum allowable standard of 5 turbidity units. Notification of this event was made to the public and to the Onondaga County Health Department. OCWA customers were not effected by this high turbidity water. This is because OCWA maintains equipment that continuously monitors the turbidity of Skaneateles Lake water purchased at our connection in the Westhill Water District. This connection is shut down when turbidities approach 5 NTU. Other OCWA customers who receive Skaneateles Water would not have been affected by this event.

About turbidity

Customers of the Onondaga County Water Authority (OCWA) get their water from one of three sources. WAter may originate from Otisco Lake, which is treated by OCWA itself, Lake Ontario which is treated by the Metropolitan Water Board (MWB) and sold to OCWA, or Skaneateles Lake which is treated by the Syracuse Water Department and also sold to OCWA. Customers may also get a mixture of these waters.

Water purveyors are required to measure turbidity as water leaves their plants. Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water. Turbidity is monitored because it is a good indicator of water quality. High turbidity can hinder this effectiveness of disinfectants. Treatment plants that filter also measure it because it is a good indicator of filter efficiency. Otisco Lake and Lake Ontario waters are filtered. Skaneateles Lake water is not.

Health effects of turbidity

Turbidity has no health effects. however, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of discease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. Please pay special attention to the additional statements in this report regarding Cryptospoirdium.

Copper and lead in distribution system

Copper

Likely source: Corrosion of household plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits, leaching from wood preservatives
Violation yes/no Sampling date(s) Average
(range) 		90th percentile Units MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Jun 08 0.1
(0.001 - 0.61)		 0.22 mg/L 0 AL = 1.3*
*AL (Action Level)—Only 10% of samples may exceed this level.

 

Lead

Likely source: Corrosion of household plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits
Violation yes/no Sampling date(s) Average
(range) 		90th percentile Units MCLG Regulatory limit (MCL, TT, or AL)
No Jun 08 1.6
(nd - 8.7) 		3.7 µg/L 0 AL = 15*
*AL (Action Level)—Only 10% of samples may exceed this level.

About lead & copper

In order to deter the leaching of lead and/ or copper from our customers’ pipes, OCWA has been mandated to implement corrosion control. Lead & Copper Sampling is required every 3 years. The method of corrosion control used on waters originating from Otisco and Skaneateles lakes is the addition of orthophosphate . The adjustment of pH is the method used for Ontario water. OCWA’s latest sampling period was in June of 2008 when
OCWA sampled and tested customers’ taps to make sure the corrosion controls were effective.

90th percentile values for lead & copper

The values reported for lead and copper represent the 90th percentile. The 90th percentile value is the concentration that 90% of the taps sampled were at or below. Since the Action Level for lead is 15 µg/L, 90% of the taps tested had to be at or below this value. As you can see from the above chart 90% of the taps tested were at or below 3.7 µg/L in June of 2008. The Action Level for copper is 1.3 mg/L. The observed 90th percentile for copper was 0.22 mg/L.

Of the 123 samples that OCWA tested in June of 2008, no sample exceeded the action level for lead or copper. The testing showed that our methods of corrosion control are working.
More information: or 315-455-7061
After hours & weekend emergency answering service 315-475-7601