2002 DRINKING WATER REPORT
University of Connecticut
Main Campus and Depot Campus
Storrs, Connecticut
JUNE 2003

 

  
OWNERSHIP
The University of Connecticut owns and operates the water supply system for the Main Campus (ID # CT0780021) and the Depot Campus, formerly the  Mansfield Training School, (ID#CT0780011), at Storrs. The system also serves a number of adjacent private residences, apartments, commercial properties, and town and state governmental facilities.

 


SOURCES
Water pumped from two large wellfields, each containing four wells, provides water for the University and adjacent users. One wellfield is located on the east bank of the Willimantic River on Spring Manor Farm, about a mile west of the Depot Campus and about three miles west of the Main Campus. The other wellfield is located on the west bank of the Fenton River, about a mile northeast of the Main Campus.


 


WATER QUALITY
In 2002, as in years past, University water met EPA and State drinking water standards. Our water is tested regularly by the Connecticut Department of Public Health.  In 2002, tests were made for 85 contaminants, plus 12 unregulated contaminants. Tests were made at both sources and the distribution system according to Connecticut Department of Health criteria.  Detected contaminants are listed on the table. When contaminants occur in low levels, the State does not require annual testing.  Therefore some of the data are more than one year old.


 


TREATMENT
Water distributed in 2002 to the Main Campus and most of the non-University users in Mansfield is treated with chlorine, fluoride and adjusted for pH. Water distributed to the Depot Campus and residences along Route 32 is treated with chlorine and adjusted for pH but did not have added fluoride.

 

 
WATER QUALITY TABLE
CONTAMINANT MCL MCLG UCONN
WATER		 RANGE OF 
DETECTIONS		 VIOLATION TYPICAL SOURCE OF CONTAMINANT
Inorganic Contaminants
Barium

 

 2 2 0.01
 

 

n/a

 

 No Erosion of natural deposits.
Fluoride(ppm) 4 4 1.4 <0.2 - 5.6 Yes Water additive which promotes strong teeth.
 
Nitrate(ppm) 10 10 0.7 0.1 - 0.7 No Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks; erosion of natural deposits.
Radioactive Contaminants      (1999)
Gross Alpha Emitters(pCi/L) 15 0 0.57 0.2 - 0.57 No Erosion of naturaldeposits.
Disinfection By-Products
Total Trihalomethanes(ppb) 100 n/a 4 1.2 - 6.9 No By-product of drinking water chlorination.

 


ppb: parts per billion ppm: parts per million pCi/L: picoCuries per liter 


 

Fluoride Violation
Testing taken on December 11, 2002 at the Fenton Wellfield Pumphouse showed that the fluoride level was 5.6 mg/L, which exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level of 4.0 mg/L.  This was caused by a mechanical failure in the treatment equipment.  This violation was limited to the Pumphouse at the Fenton Wellfield #1.  After further review, it was decided to stop treating water with fluoride in 2003.

Reporting Violation
Testing and reporting for cyanide was not completed by December 2002 because of a contract laboratory error. Shortly thereafter, a sample was taken in January 2003.  No cyanide was detected at either source. This is consistent with previous year's results which detected no cyanide.

Unregulated Contaminants Testing
As part of the Safe Drinking Water Act, in 2002 the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection required large water supply systems to test for the presence of 12 unregulated contaminants. The regulations required 2 sets of tests from both sources of the University's water supply system, the Fenton Wellfield and the Willimantic Wellfield.  The tests were conducted in May and  October 2002.  None of the 12 contaminants was detected in either source. 
 

 


Definitions

MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal):
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.

MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level):
The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs feasible using the best treatment technology.

AL (Action Level):
The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.

 

CONTACTS

For more information or to make a public comment, contact:
Eugene Roberts
Director of Facilities Operations
University of Connecticut
25 LeDoyt Road Unit 3038
Storrs, CT 06269-3038
 Telephone: 486-3185

To report a water problem or ask for repair:
Call (860) 486-3613

For more information on water quality, contact:
Frank Labato
Director of  Environmental Health and Safety
University of Connecticut
3102 Horsebarn Hill Road Unit 4097
Storrs, CT 06269-4097
 Telephone: 486-3613

 
 
 
GENERAL CONTAMINANT INFORMATION
The sources of drinking 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 naturally occurring minerals and in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity. 

Contaminants that may be present in sources of drinking 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 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, urban stormwater run-off and residential uses;

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 stormwater run-off and septic systems;

Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. 


  
 

Water Source Protection
The University continues to protect the sources of University water. Both the University and the Town of Mansfield have procedures in place to protect our wells, which are located in stratified drift aquifers next to the Fenton and Willimantic Rivers. Protected areas are determined by wellfield mapping. Preliminary boundaries were established by Level B Mapping, which has been approved by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CTDEP). More precise boundaries are determined by Level A Mapping.  Level A Mapping for the Fenton aquifer has been completed by UConn and has been approved by the CTDEP.  Level A Mapping for the Willimantic Wellfield has been completed by UConn and is under review by the CTDEP.

The University is cooperating with the Windham Water Department in a watershed inspection program that will assure continued protection for both the University's Fenton Aquifer and the Windham watershed. Portions of the Storrs Main Campus, including the Fenton Welfield, are located within theWindham Watershed

 
 

Source Water Assessment Program(SWAP)
The Connecticut Department of Public Health is performing an assessment of our drinking water sources.  The completed assessment report will be available for access on the Drinking Water Division's website after July 1, 2003. 

The DWD website address is:
www.dph.state.ct.us/BRS/Water/DWD.htm

Separate assessments are being made for each of the University's sources of water, the Fenton Wellfield and the Willimantic Wellfield.

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DID YOU KNOW?

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 benefits can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (1-800-426-4791). 

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immune compromised persons, such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune 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. Environmental Protection Agency/Center for Disease Control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (1-800-426-4791). 

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA regulations 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 must provide the same protection for public health.

 


What can I do to conserve water?
 
*If you live on campus: 

1. Turn off faucets and showers when not in use.

2.  Take shorter showers.

3.  Wash full loads in washing machines and dishwashers.

4. If you live in a dorm, report water leaks, dripping faucets
and showers and malfunctioning toilets to your Resident Advisor.

5. Report water leaks and running water in other
buildings on campus to Facilities Operations Department 
(486-3113).

 *In your personal residence: 

1.  Repair water leaks;  check toilets for silent leaks.

2. Turn off faucets and showers when not in use.

3.  Take shorter showers.

4.  Wash full loads in washing machines and dishwashers.

5.  Limit running water in food preparation.

6.  Defrost foods in the refrigerator or microwave rather than under running water.

7.  Limit outdoor watering.  If watering, water in the early morning or evening.   Do not water on windy days.

8.  Weed around shrubs and flowers to reduce water demand.

9.  Mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and weed growth. 

10. Limit running water when washing your car or go to a car wash.
*If you work on campus:
1. Turn off faucets when not in use. 

2. Report water leaks and running water in buildings on campus to Facilities Operations (486-3113).

3. Select water efficient equipment.

 *In your business:
1. Turn off faucets and equipment when not in use. 

2. Repair leaks.

3. Install water efficient fixtures and equipment.

Additional information is available from other sources, including the Environmental Protection Agency's website: www.epa.gov/water/water_efficiency.html

Why should I conserve water?

Effective water conservation is the combination of individual actions. Reduction in water use has multiple benefits:         
1) reduces the impact on the environment by reducing surface and groundwater withdrawals, 2) helps maintain water quality via lesser withdrawals,  3) reduces the need to seek additional sources of water and 4) reduces the cost of water.

EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION ON THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF LEAD AND COPPER

Major Sources of Lead and Copper in Drinking Water

Sources of both lead and copper are corrosion of household plumbing systems and erosion of natural deposits. Another major source of copper is leaching from wood preservatives. 

It is possible that lead levels at your home may be higher than at other homes in the community as a result of the materials used in your home's plumbing. If you are concerned about elevated lead or copper levels in your home's water, you may wish to flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using tap water. You may also wish to have your water tested.
Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791). 

Lead

Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children exposed to high levels of lead could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. 

Copper

Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson's Disease should consult their personal doctor.

 

The source of the educational information for:
General Contaminant Information, Did you Know? and For Your Information, is:


EPA, Preparing Your Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report,
Guidance for Water Suppliers 
March 1999.