This report presents Artesian Water Company's annual water quality risk assessment for its Delaware service area, covering more than 300,000 consumers. It details 2013 monitoring and testing data across inorganic, organic, radiological, microbiological, and disinfection by-product contaminant categories, comparing detected levels against EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). The report also describes the company's water sources — including 60 groundwater wells and purchased surface water — treatment practices, infrastructure investments exceeding $20 million in 2013, and special health considerations for vulnerable populations. Conclusions affirm that water quality met all federal and state standards, with recommendations provided for sensitive consumer groups.
Artesian Water Company hereby presents its annual risk assessment report. Together with other companies, this report is presented to the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the public also has the opportunity to read the report in order to check for contaminants. This report therefore presents information regarding contaminants which might or might not be found in Artesian's drinking water and the ways in which they may affect health. It creates awareness among consumers about what it takes the company to deliver safe drinking water, and helps consumers make informed decisions about what they drink.
The report includes a table of results from the company's monitoring and testing data for the water source in 2013. As the company supplies drinking water to more than 300,000 consumers, it is necessary to regularly maintain and upgrade facilities. In 2013, Artesian invested more than $20 million in water utility infrastructure. This included $3 million in water main extensions, $4.2 million in main replacement and renewal projects, and $5.7 million in the construction of new treatment facilities, improvement of existing treatment facilities, and rehabilitation of pumping equipment. The company has continued its regional approach of connecting existing supply infrastructure to available new developments, which has continued to offer increased reliability to consumers. Such efforts were accomplished through an investment of $5.5 million.
Our consumers have been required to pay approximately $1.50 per day for every day's supply. This is a modest amount charged for receiving quality tap water, which additionally provides fire protection, public health protection, support for the economy, and an improved quality of life for our customers. The company takes its responsibility to supply quality water very seriously, and these best efforts will continue on behalf of its customers.
The following table presents the 2013 water quality monitoring results for Artesian Water Company (Public Water System I.D.: DE00663), organized by contaminant category. Detected levels are compared against the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) — the highest level allowed — and the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) — the ideal target.
Arsenic (ppb): MCL 10 | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 7 | Range: nd–7 | Source: Erosion of natural deposits.
Barium (ppb): MCL 2,000 | MCLG 2,000 | Highest detected: 8 | Range: 10–196 | Source: Erosion or discharge of natural/artificial deposits.
Chromium (ppb): MCL 100 | MCLG 100 | Highest detected: 28 | Range: nd–5 | Source: Erosion of natural deposits.
Fluoride (ppm): MCL 4 | MCLG 4 | Highest detected: 1 | Range: nd–2 | Source: Erosion of natural deposits.
Nickel (ppb): MCL 100 | MCLG 100 | Highest detected: 6 | Range: nd–7 | Source: Erosion of natural deposits.
Nitrate (ppb): MCL 10 | MCLG 10 | Highest detected: 5 | Range: nd–7.8 | Source: Runoff from fertilizer use; sewage or septic tank leaching.
Selenium (ppb): MCL 50 | MCLG 50 | Highest detected: 2 | Range: nd–6 | Source: Discharge from mines, petroleum refineries, and metal refineries.
Turbidity (ntu): MCL 5 | MCLG n/a | Highest detected: 7 | Range: nd–3.5 | Source: Soil runoff.
2,4-D (ppb): MCL 70 | MCLG 70 | Highest detected: 0.1 | Range: nd–0.1 | Source: Runoff from herbicide used on crops.
Chloroethene (ppb): MCL 2 | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 1.2 | Range: nd–1.2 | Source: Remains of banned termiticide.
cis-1,2-Dichloroethene (ppb): MCL 70 | MCLG 70 | Highest detected: 1.4 | Range: nd–1.4 | Source: Release from industrial chemical factories.
Di(ethylhexyl)adipate (ppb): MCL 400 | MCLG 400 | Highest detected: 0.2 | Range: nd–0.2 | Source: Release from industrial chemical factories.
Di(ethylhexyl)phthalate (ppb): MCL 6 | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 4.1 | Range: nd–4.1 | Source: Release from industrial chemical factories.
Dibromochloropropane (ppt): MCL 0.2 | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 1 | Range: nd–1 | Source: Release from petroleum refineries.
Heptachlor Epoxide (ppb): MCL 0.2 | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 30 | Range: nd–30 | Source: Banned termiticide breakdown.
Methylene Chloride (ppb): MCL 5 | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 2.7 | Range: nd–2.7 | Source: Release from industrial chemical factories.
Methyl-t-butyl Ether (MTBE) (ppb): MCL 5 | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 1.8 | Range: nd–1.8 | Source: Gasoline additive.
Pentachlorophenol (ppb): MCL 1 | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 0.5 | Range: nd–0.5 | Source: Discharge from wood-preserving factories.
Tetrachloroethene (ppb): MCL 5 | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 5.79 | Range: nd–5.7 | Source: PVC pipe leaching.
Trichloroethene (ppb): MCL 5 | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 2 | Range: nd–2 | Source: Release from metal degreasing sites and other factories.
Alpha emitters (pCi/L): MCL 15 | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 4.6 | Range: nd–4.6 | Source: Natural deposit erosion.
Chlorine (free/total) (ppm): MRDL 4 | MRDLG 0 | Highest detected: 3.8 | Range: nd–3.8 | Source: Used as disinfectant in the drinking water industry.
Haloacetic Acids, total (ppb): MCL 60 | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 17.85 | Range: nd–17.8 | Source: Drinking water chlorination by-product.
Dibromoacetic Acid (ppb): MCL n/r | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 1.7 | Range: nd–1.7 | Source: Drinking water chlorination by-product.
Dichloroacetic Acid (ppb): MCL n/r | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 45.4 | Range: nd–45.4 | Source: Drinking water chlorination by-product.
Monobromoacetic Acid (ppb): MCL n/r | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 2.1 | Range: nd–2.1 | Source: Drinking water chlorination by-product.
Monochloroacetic Acid (ppb): MCL n/r | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 3.2 | Range: nd–3.2 | Source: Drinking water chlorination by-product.
Trichloroacetic Acid (ppb): MCL n/r | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 40 | Range: nd–40 | Source: Drinking water chlorination by-product.
Trihalomethanes, total (ppb): MCL 80 | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 21.55 | Range: nd–21.5 | Source: Drinking water chlorination by-product.
Bromodichloromethane (ppb): MCL n/r | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 11.2 | Range: nd–11.2 | Source: Drinking water chlorination by-product.
Bromoform (ppb): MCL n/r | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 3.2 | Range: nd–3.2 | Source: Drinking water chlorination by-product.
Chloroform (ppb): MCL n/r | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 54.4 | Range: nd–54.4 | Source: Drinking water chlorination by-product.
Dibromochloromethane (ppb): MCL n/r | MCLG 0 | Highest detected: 6 | Range: nd–6 | Source: Drinking water chlorination by-product.
Lead (ppb): Action Level 15 | MCLG 0 | 90th Percentile: 13 | Range: nd–56 | Sites exceeding action level: 0 | Source: Corrosion of household plumbing; erosion of natural deposits.
Copper (ppb): Action Level 1,300 | MCLG 1,300 | 90th Percentile: 8 | Range: nd–754 | Sites exceeding action level: 0 | Source: Corrosion of household plumbing; erosion of natural deposits.
Monitored unregulated contaminants included acetone, total alkalinity, alpha-chlordane, aluminum, free carbon dioxide, chloride, apparent color, conductivity, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, dieldrin, diethylphthalate, di-n-butylphthalate, di-n-octyl phthalate, gamma-chlordane, calcium hardness, total hardness, iron, and manganese. A one-time high manganese reading was noted; closing of affected stations allowed the well to rest.
pH (0–14 scale): No MCL | Recommended range: 6.5–8.5 | Highest detected: 9.7 | Range: 6–9.7 | Note: Fluctuations related to short-term pH adjustment in the system.
Phosphate (ppm): No MCL | Highest detected: 5.2 | Range: nd–5.2.
Sodium (ppm): No MCL | Highest detected: 88 | Range: 3–88.
Total Dissolved Solids (ppm): No MCL | Highest detected: 500 | Range: 41–430.
Sulfate (ppm): No MCL | Suggested limit: 250 | Highest detected: 38.5 | Range: 2–38.5.
Surfactants (MBAS) (ppb): No MCL | Suggested limit: 500 | Highest detected: 20 | Range: nd–20.
Tetrahydrofuran (THF) (ppb): No MCL | Highest detected: 1.5 | Range: nd–1.5.
Trichlorofluoromethane (ppb): No MCL | Highest detected: 1.2 | Range: nd–1.2.
Zinc (ppb): No MCL | Suggested limit: 5,000 | Highest detected: 338 | Range: nd–338.
The highest percentage of positive samples in any single month was 5%, recorded in May (6 positive out of 135 total samples). Major sources include naturally occurring organisms present in the environment. All resamples were absent for bacteria. A total of 3 E. coli-positive samples were recorded (1 in February, 1 in March, and 1 in May). Major sources include human and animal fecal waste. All E. coli resamples were absent. Overall, 99.9% of total monthly samples returned negative results. Approximately 140 coliform samples are collected every month.
The Delaware Division of Public Health used the May 2013 sample results to issue a public notice to Artesian Water on June 19; however, subsequent resampling showed no traces of bacteria by the indicated date. Bacteria such as E. coli, when found in water, indicate that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes found in such wastes may cause short-term effects including nausea, cramps, headaches, and diarrhea, among other symptoms. Their presence places infants, young children, some elderly individuals, and people with severely compromised immune systems at special health risk.
Artesian Water Company is continually supplied with water drawn from 60 wells situated within northern New Castle County. These 60 wells are found in the Cockeysville Marble, Potomac, Columbia, and Mount Laurel formations. Artesian's groundwater wells rely on the natural filtering capability of the aquifer to remove harmful bacteria and other substances from the water. The wells are situated within confined aquifers, which provide additional protection from surface-borne contaminants.
In the previous year, the company purchased an average of 4.0 million gallons per day of surface water from the Chester Water Authority and 0.8 million gallons per day from the City of Wilmington. The City of Wilmington supply originates from the Brandywine River basin, while the Chester Water supply originates from the Susquehanna River basin. The water purchased by Artesian meets all standards required by State and Federal regulations and is used to augment the company's groundwater supply.
The best available technologies are employed in treatment to ensure that water meets or exceeds all EPA and State Division of Public Health water quality parameters. Continuous testing maintains the expected high quality. The state's water supply is further evaluated by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) through a program that assesses the susceptibility of public water sources to contamination. The company makes available to its consumers a complete DNREC source water assessment plan that has been approved by the EPA.
"General contamination risk and EPA regulatory framework"
"Vulnerable populations, radon, Cryptosporidium, and waivers"
Since the founding of Artesian Water Company, the primary aim has not been to maximize profit but to provide the public with safe drinking water. All testing conducted by both the State of Delaware's Office of Drinking Water and the United States Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed that results meet the required standards for safe drinking water. Consumers can therefore be confident in the quality of Artesian's water supply.
The following recommendations are offered:
Drinking water for infants less than six months of age should not contain nitrate levels above 10 ppm. Consumers are encouraged to contact the company directly with any questions requiring further clarification. Elderly individuals, young children, infants, and people with severely compromised immune systems should seek medical advice before relying solely on tap water. Other water companies are encouraged to emulate Artesian Water Company's efforts in ensuring that the public has access to safe drinking water.
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