2024 Water Quality Report Shillington Municipal Authority PWSID 3060067 We are very pleased to provide you with this year's 2024 Water Quality Report. We want to keep you informed about the excellent water and services we have delivered to you over the past year. Our goal is and always has been, to provide you a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. Este informe contiene informacion importante acerea de su agua potable. Haga que alguien lo traduzca para usted, o hable con alguien que lo entienda. (This report contains important information about your drinking water. Have someone translate it for you, or speak with someone who understands it.) OVERVIEW: We are a consecutive system, meaning we purchase all our water from the Western Berks Water Authority which is treated surface water from the Tulpehocken Creek. Within our system, we test for lead, copper, total coliform, total trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids and are pleased to report that our water meets all Federal and State requirements. This report also shows the water quality from our supplier and what it means. A Source Water Assessment of our source was completed by the PA Department of Environmental Protection (Pa. DEP) for the Western Berks Water Authority. This Assessment evaluated potential contaminant threats to the raw water sources used by the Western Berks Water Authority and the susceptibility of the sources to these threats. The following items were identified as the top three concerns: 1. Nitrate and pesticide contamination from agricultural runoff. 2. Bacterial and chemical contamination from discharges of sewage treatment plants and industrial sources. 3. Contamination from roadway accidents and urban runoff. The Western Berks Water Authority is concerned about protecting its water source. Current treatment processes ensure that raw water from the Tulpehocken Creek becomes finished water that meets all Federal and State drinking water standards. A summary report of the Assessment is available on the Source Water Assessment & Protection web page at: (www.dep.s state. pa. usldep.-depulatehwatemaweSupectSrePpisoureAssessmenldefauthtm). Complete reports were distributed to municipalities, water suppliers, local planning agencies and Pa. DEP offices. Copies of the complete report are available for review at the Pa. DEP Southcentral Regional Office, Records Management Unit at (717) 705- 4732. If you have any questions about this water quality report or your water utility, please contact Scott D. Brossman, Borough Manager at (610) 777-1338 for any questions concerning the Shillington Municipal Authority. Any questions regarding the water source and/or treatment may be addressed to Matthew R. Walborn, Western Berks Water Authority Operations Manager at (610) 678-4400. We want our valued customers to be informed about their water utility. If you want to learn more, please attend any of the regularly scheduled Borough Council meetings held the second Thursday of each month beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Borough's Municipal Building or the Western Berks Water Authority meetings held the third Monday of each month at 12:00 pm at the treatment plant located at 91 Water Road, Lower Heidelberg Township. The Shillington Municipal Authority routinely monitors for contaminants your drinking water according to Federal and State laws. The following tables show the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2024. The State allows us to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of our data is from prior years in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. The tables indicate the month/year of the most recent samples for those constituents not tested for during the report year. KEY TO TABLES: In the following tables, you will find many terms and abbreviations you might not be familiar with. To help you better understand these terms we've provided the following definitions: -Non-Detects (ND) - laboratory analysis indicates that the contaminant is not present at a detectable level. -Parts per million (ppm) or Milligrams per liter (mg/l) - one part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000. -Parts per billion (ppb) or Micrograms per liter one part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000. -Picocuries per liter (pCi/L) - Picocuries per liter is a measure of the radioactivity in water. Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) - nephelometric turbidity unit is a measure for the cloudiness of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person. -Action Level -The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. -Treatment Technique (TT) - A treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - The "Maximum Allowed" is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGS as feasible using the best available treatment technology. -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 health. MCLGS allow for a margin of safety. -Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) - The 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. -Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG) - The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGS do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contamination. Minimum Residual Disinfectant Level (MinRDL) - The minimum level of residual disinfectant required at the entry point to the distribution system. -Level 1 Assessment - A Level 1 Assessment is a study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria have been found in the water system. -Level 2 Assessment - A Level 2 Assessment is a very detailed study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why an E. coli MCL violation has occurred and/or why total coliform bacteria have been found in the water system on multiple occasions. -N/A - Not applicable TEST RESULTS Chemical Contaminants Contaminant Violation Level Range MCLG MCL Likely Source of Y/N Detected Contamination (Unit of) Water additive which Fluoride (ppm) (a) N 0.49 0.49 4 2* promotes strong teeth. Nitrate (as Nitrogen) N 5.85 1.66 - 5.85 10 10 Runoff from fertilizer use. (ppm) (a) *EPA's MCL for fluoride is 4 ppm. However, Pennsylvania has set a lower MCL to better protect human health. Entry Point Disinfectant Residual Minimum Disinfection Lowest Level Range of Violation Sources of Contaminant Residual Detected Detections Units Y/N Contamination Water additive Chloramine(a) 0.20 2.96 2.26 2.96 ppm N used to control microbes ADDITIONAL TEST RESULTS Disinfection By-Products Contaminant Violation Level Likely Source of (Unit of) Y/N Detected Range MCLG MCL Contamination Chloramine (as CI2)(mg/L) (b) N 3.05 0.20 3.05 4 4 Water additive used to control microbes. Haloacetic Acids(5) N 33 11-33 N/A 60 By-product of drinking (ppb) water chlorination N 28 11-28 N/A 80 By-product of drinking TTHM (ppb) water chlorination Footnotes: (a) Western Berks Water Authority samples (b) The Western Berks Water Authority uses chloramines instead of free available chlorine residual due to the length of its transmission main and the distribution of its consecutive systems. ADDITIONAL TEST RESULTS MICROBIAL Contaminant Violation No. of Positive Likely Source of (Unit of) Y/N Samples/Month MCL MCLG Contamination Total Coliform N None No more than one Naturally present in Bacteria positive sample per 0 the environment month Detected Contaminants Health Effects Language and Corrective Actions - Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other potentialy-harmlu, bacteria may be present or that a potential pathway exists through which contamination may enter the drinking water distribution system. We found coliforms indicating the need to look for potential problems in the water treatment or distribution. When this occurs, we are required to conduct assessments to identify problems and to correct any problems that were found during these assessments. 2024 Distribution Microbial Summary Table Number of Level 2 Number of Number of Level 2 Assessments Triggered by Number of Positive E.coli Assessments triggered Corrective Number ofl Level MCL Multiple Level 1 Actions Sample Results 1Assessments by an E.coli Assessments Required 0 1 0 0 3 ADDITIONAL TEST RESULTS Lead and Copper Rule Number of Contaminant Violation Samples 90th Action Likely Source of (Unit of) Y/N taken percentile Level (AL) MCLG Contamination Copper (ppm) Corrosion of household 2022 N 30 0.341 1.3(c) 1.3 plumbing systems. Lead (ppb) Corrosion of household 2022 N 30 0.003 0.015 (d) 0 plumbing systems. Footnotes (Lead and Copper Rule): (c) None of the 30 samples collected exceeded the action level (d) Two of the 30 samples collected exceeded the action level. Subsequent tests did not exceed the action level. ADDITIONAL TEST RESULTS Turbidity Range Contaminant Violation Your MCL = MCLG Likely Source of (Unit of) Y/N Water Low High (TT) Contamination 95% of Turbidity (NTU) N samples <0.03 0.102 TT=1.0 0 Soil runoff (a) <0.3 Total Organic Carbon Range ofl Percent Number of Source Contaminant Violation Range of % Removal Quarters out of Likely of Y/N Removal Required Achieved Compliance Contamination Naturally present Total Organic N 15-25% 34 49% 0 in the Carbon (a) environment Footnotes: (a) Western Berks Water Authority samples Educational Information: 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 naturaly-occuring 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 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 run-off, 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, urban stormwater run-off and residential uses. Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems. Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturaly-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant, you should ask for advice from your health care provider. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and DEP prescribe regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and DEP regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health. 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). Other Information: Violations The SMA received no violations during the recording year of 2024 Information About Lead: Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components with service lines and home plumbing. The Shillington Municipal Authority is responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components in your home. You share the responsibility for protecting yourself and your family from the lead in your home plumbing. You can take responsibility by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and take steps to reduce your family's risk. Before drinking tap water, flush your pipes for several minutes by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes. You can also use a filter certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead in drinking water. If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, contact the Shillington Municipal Authority at (610) 777-1338. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at hcsAtNNA The Shillington Municipal Authority has prepared a service line inventory of our system that includes the type of materials contained in each service line in our system. This inventory can be accessed by contacting our office at (610) 777-1338. Additional Health Information: 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 HIVIAIDS 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 microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). Other Information: The Shillington Municipal Authority, the Shillington Borough Council and all Shillington employees work diligently to provide you with quality drinking water. We are proud to share this report with you indicating that we have again achieved an outstanding record in meeting the Safe Drinking Water Program requirements during 2024. As always, we are constantly striving to provide you, the consumer, with excellent water. You are encouraged to contact us with any suggestions you feel may benefit us with this effort. Additional information can be obtained at the following websites: wwshilingtonboro.net = for more information on our water system www.wbwa.org - for information on the Western Berks Water Authority system www.epa.govlyour-drinking-water - EPA's drinking water website