Salisbury Public Works   

   A Team of Teams Making A Difference !   

Introduction.  This web page provides information in the on Salisbury’s drinking water sources, quality and programs that protect the high quality of our City’s water supply. New federal regulation requires public water utilities to provide information to the public on an annual basis. 

• The City supported the passage of this important regulation and we believe the information contained in these reports provide a valuable service to our customers.  These reports strike a balance between the public’s need to know and the overwhelming amount of information that could be presented to you. The data may appear to be complex; that is because providing quality drinking water is a challenging and complex business.

• Protected drinking water is a must for our citizens. The bottom line is that our drinking water is protected and of a high quality. We have no water quality violations and we meet or exceed water quality standards set by state and federal standards.

• The information contained in this document will be formally and routinely submitted to the State of Maryland as well as to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Both agencies monitor our compliance with the numerous regulatory  standards and testing protocols required to assure drinking water that is free from any contamination to the public.

How our City's Water is produced.   If you have any questions about this report or concerning your drinking water, please contact the Water Plant Superintendent, Corinne Cameron at 410-548-3185.  If you want to learn more we offer scheduled tours of the water plants to students, clubs and civic groups.

Summary of the Quality Water Reports

The source of our ground water for the Park Water Treatment Plant is the Manokin Aquifer; Wells # 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18. The wells are located throughout the Salisbury City Park and we pump from between 50 and 95 feet below the earth’s surface.

The Paleo Water Treatment Plant uses the Paleo Channel Aquifer; Wells # 1 and 2, as its source of groundwater. The wells are located off Naylor Mill Road adjacent to the water plant and we pump from between 160 and 195 feet below the earth’s surface.

An aquifer is a sort of underground reservoir, which is tapped by drilling wells and pumping the water to the surface for distribution.  The earth between surface sources of contamination and these underground reservoirs help to purify the water before it actually reaches the aquifer, making it easier for us to treat before we pump it into the water distribution system. The Water treatment process includes aeration, pre-chlorination, filtration, iron removal, disinfection, corrosion control and fluoride addition.  The water storage towers located on College and Edgemore Avenues are annually removed from service to be cleaned and inspected.  Our hydrant-flushing program operates on a semi-annual basis to assist in providing a clear and clean product to our consumers.

The water plants operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week to produce a reliable source of drinking water.  The operations staff consists of six Class T4 Maryland certified operators and two Class T4 Maryland temporary operators, who have a combined experience of more than 100 years among them.  The operators are members and attend meetings and training seminars of the American Water Works Association  (Chesapeake Section), Water and Wastewater Operators Association and the Maryland Rural Water Association.  Together they have attended more than 50 hours of Continuing Education training in the past year in an effort to keep up-to-date with the latest in water treatment techniques.  Their goal is to provide the consumer with the best water possible.

Specific Annual Reports

•  The 1998 Quality Water Report

•  The 1999 Quality Water Report

•  The 2000 Quality Water Report
   

• The 2006 Quality Water Report

• The 2007 Quality Water Report

• The 2008 Quality Water Report

All sources of drinking water are subject to potential contamination by substances that are naturally occurring or man made.  These substances can be microbes, inorganic or organic chemicals and radioactive substances.  All drinking water, including bottled drinking water, may be reasonably expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants.  It’s important to remember that the presence of these constituents does not necessarily pose a health risk.  Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL’s) are set at very stringent levels.  To understand the possible health effects described for many regulated constituents, a person would have to drink 2 liters of water every day at the MCL level for a lifetime to have a one-in-a-million chance of having the described health effect.  More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

We constantly monitor for various constituents in the water supply to meet all regulatory requirements. The table shows that our system had no problems with Total Coliform Bacteria this year.  Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, bacteria may be present.  The Total Coliform Rule requires water systems to meet a stricter limit for coliform bacteria.  Our city lab runs 26 total coliform samples per month.  We have not experienced any problems in 1999 and we do not anticipate any problems with coliform bacteria.

Our system monitoring detected Total trihalomethanes (TTHM), considerably below the MCL.  It is important to understand that the detection of this substance in the drinking water does not constitute a known health threat because it was found only at a level less than the MCL and below the level, that EPA currently feels may constitute a health threat. Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have increased risk of getting cancer.

Nitrates were detected in our groundwater below the MCL.  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 advice from your health care provider.

Radon was detected in our ground water. Presently, there are no federal regulations for radon levels in drinking water. Exposure to air transmitted radon over a long period of time may cause adverse health effects.

The table also shows that all of the contaminants, which were monitored in accordance with State and Federal laws, were of levels less than the MCL and below the level, that EPA currently feels may constitute a health threat. EPA believes the water is safe at these levels. 

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 microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). 

The City of Salisbury would like to thank all of its citizens for their voluntary participation in the state mandated water restrictions imposed over the summer months of 1999.  Water conservation is everyone’s best defense in protecting our water supply for the future.  Thank you for allowing us to continue providing your family with clean, quality water. 

Contaminant

Violation 

(Yes or No?)

Level Detected Distribution System

Date Sampled

Unit Measurement

MCL

MCLG

Likely Source of Contamination

No

 None Detected (ND)

Monthly

Presence  of coliform bacteria in 5% of monthly samples

0

Naturally present in the environment.

No

0.5 NTU

11/17/99

NTU

TT

N/A

Soil runoff

Definitions:

  - MCL:  Maximum Contaminant Level - The “Maximum Allowed” (MCL) 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.

  - MCLG:   Maximum Contaminant Level Goal - The “Goal” MCL 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.

  - N/A:  Non-applicable.

  - NTU:  

  - TT:  A treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. 

Contaminant

Violation 

(Yes or No?)

Level Detected Distribution System

Date Sampled

Unit Measurement

MCL

MCLG

Likely Source of Contamination

Beta/photon Emitters

  Definitions:

   - MCL:  Maximum Contaminant Level - The “Maximum Allowed” (MCL) 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.

   - MCLG:   Maximum Contaminant Level Goal - The “Goal” MCL 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.

  - ND:  laboratory analysis indicates that the constituent is not present or not detectable with best available technology.

  - pCi/l:  picocuries per liter is a measure of the radioactivity in water.

Contaminant

Violation 

(Yes or No?)

Level Detected Distribution System

Date Sampled

Unit Measurement

MCL

MCLG

Likely Source of Contamination

  Definitions:

  - MCL:  Maximum Contaminant Level - The “Maximum Allowed” (MCL) 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.

    - MCLG:   Maximum Contaminant Level Goal - The “Goal” MCL 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.

  - ppb: Parts per billion - one part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000.

Contaminant

Violation 

(Yes or No ?)

Level Detected Distribution System

Date Sampled

Unit Measurement

MCL

MCLG

Likely Source of Contamination

  Definitions:

  - MCL:  Maximum Contaminant Level - The “Maximum Allowed” (MCL) 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.

   - MCLG:   Maximum Contaminant Level Goal - The “Goal” MCL 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.

  - ppm: Parts per million  - one part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000.

Contaminant

Violation 

(Yes or No?)

Level Detected Distribution System

Date Sampled

Unit Measurement

MCL

MCLG

Likely Source of Contamination

No

 None Detected (ND)

Monthly

Presence  of coliform bacteria in 5% of monthly samples

0

Naturally present in the environment.

No

3.1 NTU

11/17/99

NTU

TT

N/A

Soil runoff

Definitions:

  - MCL:  Maximum Contaminant Level - The “Maximum Allowed” (MCL) 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.

   - MCLG:   Maximum Contaminant Level Goal - The “Goal” MCL 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.

  - N/A:  Non-applicable.

  - NTU:  

  - TT:  A treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. 

Contaminant

Violation 

(Yes or No?)

Level Detected Distribution System

Date Sampled

Unit Measurement

MCL

MCLG

Likely Source of Contamination

Beta/photon Emitters

  Definitions:

   - MCL:  Maximum Contaminant Level - The “Maximum Allowed” (MCL) 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.

   - MCLG:   Maximum Contaminant Level Goal - The “Goal” MCL 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.

  - ND:  laboratory analysis indicates that the constituent is not present or not detectable with best available technology.

  - pCi/l:  picocuries per liter is a measure of the radioactivity in water.

Contaminant

Violation 

(Yes or No?)

Level Detected Distribution System

Date Sampled

Unit Measurement

MCL

MCLG

Likely Source of Contamination

  Definitions:

  - MCL:  Maximum Contaminant Level - The “Maximum Allowed” (MCL) 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.

  - MCLG:   Maximum Contaminant Level Goal - The “Goal” MCL 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.

  - ND:  laboratory analysis indicates that the constituent is not present or not detectable with best available technology.

  - ppb: Parts per billion - one part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000.

Contaminant

Violation 

(Yes or No ?)

Level Detected Distribution System

Date Sampled

Unit Measurement

MCL

MCLG

Likely Source of Contamination

  Definitions:

  - MCL:  Maximum Contaminant Level - The “Maximum Allowed” (MCL) 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.

  - MCLG:   Maximum Contaminant Level Goal - The “Goal” MCL 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.

  - ppm: Parts per million  - one part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000.

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If you have any questions, corrections, or comments on the Public Works web pages, please contact the City of Salisbury Department of Public Works at (410) 548-3170.