2005 CUSTOMER

CONFIDENCE REPORT

WELL #15

---Under Construction---

WELL #15

---In Operation---

The Marshalltown Water Works now has Well #15 in operation, and it is pictured on the front page. The well’s production is large enough that it alone will handle the entire system’s capacity. The Water Works is using it exclusively, and it will produce up to approximately 6.6 million gallons of water per day. Well #15 has made it possible for us to better manage the Marshalltown Water Works well field by providing more diversity on the combination of wells we can use at any one time.

The Marshalltown Water Works obtains a portion of its water from the Mississippian aquifer. The aquifer was determined to be not susceptible to contamination because the characteristics of the aquifer and overlying material prevent easy access of contaminants to the aquifer. The Mississippian wells will not be susceptible to most contaminant sources except through pathways to the aquifer such as abandoned or poorly maintained wells. A detailed evaluation of your source water was completed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and is available from the Marshalltown Water Works at (641) 753-7913.

For over 100 years the Marshalltown Water Works has been committed to providing the safest, highest quality, and most reliable drinking water. This report gives you an overview of our treatment process from the source to your faucet.

You will see that the contaminants detected in your drinking water are very minute compared to the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guidelines for Drinking Water.

The source of your water is ten deep wells located on the north side of the Iowa River drawing water from the Mississippian Aquifer. The water is pumped to the treatment plant where it first goes through aeration to remove iron, radon, and hydrogen sulfide. It then travels to the softening basin for removal of the excess hardness and the remaining iron. The water is then pH adjusted and flows to the filters where it passes through the sand filters to remove the remaining very small particles. Chlorine is added as a disinfectant and fluoride is added to prevent tooth decay before being stored in the underground clear well. The water is pumped from the clear well to the distribution system for public use.

The Marshalltown Laboratory and Production Staff collect samples hourly at the water plant and daily from the distribution system at various locations around the City to ensure the safety and purity of the water supplies to you.

MARSHALLTOWN WATER WORKS 2004 DRINKING WATER QUALITY REPORT

SUBSTANCE	HIGHEST LEVEL ALLOWED (MCL)	MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL GOAL	MARSHALLTOWN’S HIGHEST LEVEL DETECTED	SOURCES OF CONTAMINANT
		COPPER Regulated at Customer Tap
Copper	1.3 ppm*	1.3 ppm*	0.023 ppm	Corrosion of plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from wood preservatives
		INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS
Fluoride	4.0 ppm	4.0 ppm	1.2 ppm	Water additive which promotes strong teeth; Erosion of natural deposits; Discharge from fertilizer & aluminum factories
Sodium	N/A	N/A	14.8 ppm	Erosion of natural deposits; Added to water during treatment process

NOTE: The EPA requires monitoring of over 80 drinking water contaminants. Those listed above are the only contaminants detected in your drinking water. For a complete list, contact Marshalltown Water Works.

D E F I N I T I O N S

Inorganic Chemicals: Chemical substances of mineral origin, such as lead and copper.

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

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

Microbiological Contaminants: Very small organisms, such as bacteria, algae, plankton, and fungi.

p Ci/L: picocurie per liter

ppm: parts of contaminant per million parts of water.

N/A: Non-applicable

*Action Level: The concentration of a contaminate which triggers treatment or other requirement which a water system must meet.

IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATION

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 systems 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 microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

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. Any bottled water that is labeled “drinking water” has to meet EPA’s drinking water regulations. 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 effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

SAFE DRINKING

WATER HOTLINE

1-800-426-4791

www.epa.gov/OGWDW

MARSHALLTOWN WATER WORKS

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETINGS

Third Monday of each month

205 East State Street

Marshalltown, IA 50158

For more detailed information on water analysis call

Water Production Plant

753-3997

Customer Service

753-7913