Water Quality For the City of Bronson:

This report covers the drinking water quality for the City of Bronson for the 2007 calendar year.  This information is a snapshot of the quality of the water that we provided to you in 2007.  Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state standards.

 Your water comes from two groundwater wells east of town on South Parham Road.  The State performed an assessment of our source water to determine the susceptibility or the relative potential of contamination.  The susceptibility rating is on a seven-tiered scale from "very-low" to "very-high" based on geologic sensitivity, well construction, water chemistry and contamination sources.  The susceptibility of our source is rated as “very high” for both wells.  Copies of this report is available at the city office at 141 S. Matteson.

 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).

 Vulnerability of sub-populations:  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 systems 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).

  Sources of drinking water:  The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells.  Our water comes from 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 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 storm water 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 or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

• 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 storm water runoff, and septic systems.

 In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which provide the same protection for public health.