Welcome
City Council
Directory
Map
City Profile
Lifestyle
Area Links
Y2K

Departments
 Administration
 Engineering
 Fire Dept.
 Human Resources
 Housing
 Library
 Municipal Court
 Municipal 
    Development
 Police Dept.
 Public Works
 Utilities

Home
 
 
 
 
 
 

Utilities Sonny Groessel, Director

The City of Terrell is proud of the fine drinking water it provides. This annual water quality report shows the source of our water, lists the results of our tests, and contains much important information about water and health. City of Terrell will notify you immediately if there is any reason for concern about our water.

 The bottom line: Is the water safe to drink? Absolutely.
 Call us for information about the next opportunity for public participation in decisions about our drinking water.
 Find out more about City of Terrell on the Internet at www.cityofterrell.org.

Overview
        
       YOUR DRINKING WATER IS SAFE
          Providing safe and reliable drinking water is the highest priority for the City of Terrell water department. Our employees take pride in providing and delivering water to your home or business. 
          The information in this report is based on test conducted from 1993 through 1998.
          It is important to us that you have information about your Drinking Water so you can have confidence in the product we deliver.

 Water Source
The City of Terrell is supplied by surface water from the New City Lake at Elmo. During drought conditions water is pumped from Lake Tawakoni into the New City Lake at Elmo.

   What Do The Tables Mean?
The tables show the results of our water-quality analyses.  Every regulated contaminant that we detected in the water, even in the most minute traces, is listed here. The table contains the name of each substance, the highest level allowed by regulation (MCL), the ideal goals for public health, the amount detected, the usual sources of such contamination, footnotes explaining our findings, and a key to units of measurement. Definitions of MCL and MCLG are important.

Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: 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 or MCLG: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to Health.

 Key To Table

 AL = Action Level
 MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level
 MCLG = Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
 MFL = million fibers per liter
 NTU = Nephelometric Turbidity Units
 mrem/year = millirems per year (a measure of radiation absorbed by the body)
 pci/l = picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity)
 ppm = parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/l)
 ppt = parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter
 ppb = parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (µg/l)
 ppq = parts per quadrillion, or picograms per liter
 TT = Treatment Technique
 

 
 Inorganic Contaminants
Contaminant Date Tested Unit MCL MCLG Detected Level Range Possible  Sources Violation
Antimony 1/15/98 ppb 6 6 2.00 2.00 Discharge from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder NO
Arsenic 1/15/98 ppb 50 0 2.00 2.00 Erosion of natural deposits; Runoff from orchards; Runoff from glass and electronics production wastes NO
Cadmium 1/15/98 ppb 5 5 0.20 0.20 Corrosion of galvanized pipes; Erosion of natural deposits; Discharge from metal refineries; Runoff from waste batteries and paints NO
Barium 1/15/98 ppm 2 2 0.03 0.03 Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits NO
Beryllium 4/2/97 ppb 4 4 1.0 1.0 Discharge from metal refineries and coal-burning factories; Discharge from electrical, aerospace, and defense industries NO
Chromium 1/15/98 ppb 100 100 10 10 Discharge from steel and pulp mills; Erosion of natural deposits NO
Selenium 1/15/98 ppb 50 50 2.0 2.0 Discharge from petroleum and metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits; Discharge from mines NO
Nitrate 11/12/97 ppm 10 10 0.08 0.08 Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage NO
Thallium 1/15/98 ppb 2 0.5 1.0 1.0 Leaching from ore-processing sites; Discharge from electronics, glass, and drug factories NO
Nitrite 8/2/94 ppm 1 1 0.1 0.1 Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage NO
        
     

Regulated at the Customer’s Tap

Contaminant 90th Percentile Values # of Sites Exceeding Action Level Maximum Contaminant Level Maximum Contaminant Level Goal 
Possible Source of Substance
Lead (ppb) 5.1 0 Action Level=15 15 Corrosion of customer plumbing, service connection
Copper (ppm) 0.1250 0 Action Level =1.3 1.3 
 

Regulated in the Distribution System

Contaminant Range of Detections 
Terrell Water Maximum Contaminant Level Maximum Contaminant Level Goal 
Possible Source of Contaminant
Total Coliforms 0 0 Presence in 5% of monthly samples 0 Human & Animal Fecal waste
Total THMs 60.40-107.40 82 100 0 Chlorine by-products

 
 
Regulated at the Treatment Plant
Turbidity has no health effects. However , turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease – causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches.
Constituent Year Highest Single Measurement Lowest monthly % of samples Meeting Limits Turbidity Limits Unit of Measure Source of Constituent
Turbidity 1998 0.24 100 0.5 NTU Soil runoff

Radioactive Contaminants
Contaminant Date Tested Unit MCL MCLG Detected Level Range Possible Source Violation
Alpha emitters 12/9/93 PCi/L
   pCi/L 15 0 2.0 2.0 Erosion of natural deposits NO
Beta/photon emitters 12/9/93 pCi/L 50 0 4.0 4.0 Decay of natural and man-made deposits NO

Synthetic Organic Contaminants Including Pesticides and Herbicides
Contaminant Date Tested Unit MCL MCLG Detected Level Range Possible Source Violation
Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate 1/5/98 ppb 6.0 0 2.0 2.0 Discharge from rubber and chemical factories NO
2,4-D 8/28/96 ppb 70 70 5.0 5.0 Runoff from herbicide used on row crops NO
2,4,5-TP (Silvex) 8/28/96 ppb 50 50 0 0 Residue of banned herbicide NO
Alachlor 1/15/98 ppb 2.0 0 0 0 Runoff from herbicide used on row crops NO
Atrazine 1/15/98 ppb 3.0 3.0 0 0 Runoff from herbicide used on row crops NO
Benzo(a)pyrene [PAH] 1/15/98 ppt 200 0 0.20 0.20
 Leaching from linings of water storage tanks and distribution lines NO
Carbofuran 2/20/96 ppb 40 40 5.00 5.00 Leaching of soil fumigant used on rice and alfalfa NO
Chlordane 1/15/98 ppb 2.0 0 0.20 0.20 Residue of banned termiticide NO
Dalapon 8/28/96 ppb 200 200 10.00 10.00 Runoff from herbicide used on rights of way NO
Di (2-ethylhexyl) adipate 1/15/98 ppb 400 400 2.00 2.00 Discharge from chemical factories NO
Dinoseb 8/28/96 ppb 7.0 7.0 1.0 1.0 Runoff from herbicide used on soybeans and vegetables NO
Endrin 1/15/98 ppb 2.0 2.0 0.20 0.20 Residue of banned insecticide NO
Heptachlor 1/15/98 ppt 400 0 0.20 0.20
 Residue of banned termiticide NO
Heptachlor epoxide 1/15/98 ppt 200 0 0.20 0.20
 Breakdown of heptachlor NO
Hexachlorobenzene 1/15/98 ppb 1.0 0 0.20 0.20 Discharge from metal refineries and agricultural chemical factories NO
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene 1/15/98 ppb 50 50 1.0 1.0 Discharge from chemical factories NO
Methoxychlor 1/15/98 ppb 40 40 0.20 0.20 Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on fruits, vegetables, alfalfa, livestock NO
Oxamyl [Vydate] 2/20/96 ppb 200 200 5.0 5.0 Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on potatoes and tomatoes NO
Synthetic Organic Contaminants Including Pesticides and Herbicides (continued)

Picloram 8/28/96 Ppb 500 500 3.0 3.0 Herbicide runoff NO
Pentachlorophenol 1/15/98 ppb 1.0 0 1.0 1.0 Discharge from wood preserving factories NO
Simazine 1/15/98 ppb 4.0 4.0 0.20 0.20 Herbicide runoff NO
Toxaphene 7/25/95 ppb 3.0 0 3.0 3.0 Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on cotton and cattle NO

Volatile Organic Contaminants
Contaminant Date Tested Unit MCL MCLG Detected Level Range Possible Source Violation
Benzene 1/15/98 ppb 5.0 0 0.50 0.50 Discharge from factories; Leaching from gas storage tanks and landfills NO
Carbon Tetrachloride 1/15/98 ppb 5.0 0 0.50 0.50 Discharge from chemical plants and other industrial activities NO
Chlorobenzene 1/15/98 Ppb 100 100 0.50 0.50 Discharge from chemical and agricultural chemical factories NO
1,1-Dichloroethylene 1/15/98 Ppb 7.0 7.0 0.50 0.50 Discharge from industrial chemical factories NO
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene 1/15/98 Ppb 70 70 0.50 0.50 Discharge from industrial chemical factories NO
1,2-Dichloropropane 1/15/98 Ppb 5.0 0 0.50 0.50 Discharge from industrial chemical factories NO
Ethylbenzene 1/15/98 Ppb 700 700 0.50 0.50 Discharge from petroleum refineries NO
Styrene 1/15/98 Ppb 100 100 0.50 0.50 Discharge from rubber and plastic factories; Leaching from landfills NO
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 1/15/98 Ppb 70 70 0.50 0.50 Discharge from textile-finishing factories NO
1,1,2-Trichloroethane 1/15/98 Ppb 5.0 3.0 0.50 0.50 Discharge from industrial chemical factories NO
Toluene 1/15/98 Ppm 1.0 1.0 0 0 Discharge from petroleum factories NO
Vinyl Chloride 1/15/98 Ppb 2.0 0 0.50 0.50 Leaching from PVC piping; Discharge from plastics factories NO
Xylenes 7/10/95 Ppm 10 10 0 0 Discharge from petroleum factories; Discharge from chemical factories NO
 1,2-Dichloroethane 1/15/98 Ppb 5.0 0 0.50 0.50 Discharge from industrial chemical factories NO
  
 
 Unregulated Contaminants
         City of Terrell did not test for Cryptosporidium.
  City of Terrell did not test for Radon

 
 Required Additional Health Information
 To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes limits on the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.
 FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water.

 Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of
 Contaminant does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can
 be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

 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 naturally-occurring minerals and 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: 
 (A) Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock
 operations, and wildlife. 
 (B) Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm runoff, industrial or domestic
 wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. 
 (C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, stormwater runoff, and residential uses. 
 (D) Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organics, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum
 production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems.  
 (E) Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure
 that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water
 systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health. 
 Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than is 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 are available from the Safe
 Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

 National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Compliance

 For more information, call the City of Terrell Water Treatment Plant at 972-551-6635
 
 
 
 
 
 

El informe contiene informacion
importante sobre la
calidad del agua en su
comunidad. Tradùzcalo o
hable con alguien que lo
entienda bien.