Mark of Excellence
The City of Huron Water Division’s goal has been to produce the safest and highest quality water for all of our customers. In implementing our goal we routinely collect and test water samples, from the water source right to your home. Our treatment plant is constantly maintained, evaluated and upgraded to stay abreast of advancements in technology and government regulations. Through foresight and planning, efficiency in operations, and focus on excellence in customer service, we will provide you the best quality drinking water at an economical price.

This report will answer three important questions:
♦ Where does my water come from?
♦ How is my water treated and purified?
♦ What is in my water?

Also, we will provide you with information about available resources that will answer other questions on water quality and health effects.

Working Hard For You
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for setting national limits on hundreds of substances in drinking water and also specifies various treatments that water systems must use to remove these substances. Similarly, F.D.A. regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health. Each water system continually monitors for these substances and reports directly to the EPA if they were detected in the drinking water. EPA uses this data to ensure that consumers are receiving clean water and to verify that states are enforcing the laws that regulate drinking water.

This publication conforms to the new federal regulations under SDWA requiring water utilities to provide detailed water quality information to each of its customers annually. The Huron Water Division is committed to providing you with this information about your water supply, because customers who are well informed are our best allies in supporting improvements necessary to maintain the highest drinking water standards Protecting our drinking water is the responsibility of all area residents. Please dispose of hazardous chemicals in the proper manner and report polluters to the appropriate authorities. Only by working together can we insure a safe and adequate supply of water for future generations.

For information about this report, or for any questions relating to your drinking water, please call Ron Marsinick, Superintendent, Huron Water Division at (419) 433-9502.

Where Does My Water Come From?
The water provided by the City of Huron comes directly from Lake Erie. This is our sole source of water supply, and consumers use almost two million gallons of water a day.

How is my water treated and purified?
The treatment process consists of a series of steps. First, raw water flows by gravity through a 36” concrete intake pipe from a submerged crib located approximately 2200 feet out into Lake Erie. When the water enters the treatment plant it is held in the raw water wet well. From the wet well the water is pumped to the flash mix where alum is added. The alum causes small particles to adhere to one another (called floc) making them heavy
enough to settle into a basin from which sediment is removed. After settling, the water is then filtered through layers of fine coal and silicate sand. As smaller, suspended particles are removed, turbidity disappears and clear water emerges.

Finally, as a precaution against any bacteria that might remain, chlorine is added before the water flows to sanitized, underground storage reservoirs, water towers and into your homes and businesses. We carefully monitor the amount of chlorine added, trying to provide the lowest quantity necessary to protect the safety of your water without compromising taste. Finally, fluoride is added to the water to help prevent cavities. and a pH balance is maintained by adding caustic soda to reduce corrosion.

Substances expected to be in drinking water
The sources of drinking water (both tap 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 naturallyoccurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from presence of animals or from human activity.

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. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish
limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised 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 from their health care providers.
Center for Disease Control (CDC) and EPA guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk or infection by
Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-
800-426-4791).

What Is In My Water?
We are pleased to report that during the past year, the water delivered to your home or business complied
with all state and federal requirements. For your information, we have compiled a list at the following link.
showing what substances were detected in our drinking water during 2007. Although the substances below
are under the Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL) set by the U.S. EPA, and therefore not expected to
cause any health risks, we feel it is important that you know exactly what was detected and how much of
the substance was present in the water.

Lead in Drinking Water
Lead is a naturally occurring element in our environment. Consequently, our water supply is expected to
contain a small, undetectable amount of lead. However, most of the lead in household water usually comes
from the plumbing in your home, not from the local water supply. The most common cause of lead in
drinking water is due to corrosion, a reaction between the water and the lead pipes or solder. All kinds of
water, however, may have high levels of lead. We maintain our drinking water supply at an optimal pH and
mineral content to help prevent corrosion in your home’s pipes.

Lead in drinking water is a concern because young children, infants, and fetuses appear to be particularly
vulnerable to lead poisoning. A dose that would have little effect on an adult can have a big effect on a
small body. On average, it is estimated that lead in drinking water contributes between 10 and 20 percent
of total lead exposure in young children. To reduce lead levels in your drinking water you should flush
your cold water pipes by running the water until it becomes as cold as it will get; and use only water from
the cold tap for drinking, cooking, and especially for making baby formula. Hot water is likely to contain
higher levels of lead.

How will I know if there is a problem with my water?
If the amount of containment exceed a predetermined safe level in your drinking water, (MCL, action level,
etc.), the Huron Water Division will notify you by newspaper, radio, TV or other means within 24 hours.
With the notification you will be instructed on what appropriate actions you can take to protect your family’s
health.

Source Water Protection
The City of Huron public water system uses surface water drawn from an intake on Lake Erie. For the purposes
of source water protection, in Ohio all surface waters are considered to be susceptible to contamination.
By their nature, surface waters are readily accessible and can be contaminated by chemicals and pathogens
which may rapidly arrive at the public drinking water intake with little warning or time to prepare. The
City of Huron’s drinking water source protection area contains potential contaminant sources such as municipal
sewage treatment plants, industrial wastewater, home sewage disposal system discharges, combined
sewer overflows, runoff from residential, agricultural and urban areas, oil and gas production and mining operations, as well as accidental releases and spills, especially from commercial shipping operations and recreational boating.

The City of Huron’s public water system treats the water to meet drinking water quality standards, but no
single treatment technique can address all potential contaminants. The potential for water quality impacts
can be further decreased by implementing measures to protect Lake Erie. More detailed information is provided
in the City of Huron’s Drinking Water Source Assessment report, which can be obtained by calling
Ronald E. Marsinick at (419) 433-9502.

Schedule of City Council Meeting
You are invited to participate in our public forum and voice your concerns about your drinking water. The
City of Huron Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:30 at the City
Municipal Building. Work sessions are held on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM as needed. Visit the City Council or calendar page of this website for meeting information.

We also offer individual and group tours of the Huron Water Treatment Plant, which can be scheduled by
calling (419) 433-9502. For more information contact Ronald E. Marsinick, Superintendent Huron Water
Dept.

Questions?
Call U.S. EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

More detailed information is provided in the City of Huron’s Drinking Water Source Assessment report, which can be obtained by calling Ronald E. Marsinick at (419) 433-9502.