Harbor Water P.U.D. – Harbor, Oregon

Water test results for July 2018 through June 2019

The Harbor Water People’s Utility District is giving you this Consumer Confidence Report, which describes the quality of our drinking water. This annual report is required by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and is designed to let you know where your water comes from, what our tests show about it, and how safe your drinking water is. Harbor Water P.U.D. is pleased to tell you that the water provided by us has met all US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Oregon Health Division (OHD) state drinking water health standards. This report is brought to you in accordance with EPA’s 40 code of Federal Regulations, NPDWR Parts 141/142.

What if I have questions about my water? The Harbor Water People’s Utility District board meets on the second Thursday of each month at 5:00p.m. at the district office located at 98069 W. Benham Lane in Harbor, Oregon. You may call Harbor Water PUD at (541) 469-3011, for information concerning Harbor Water P.U.D.

Where does our water come from? Our water is drawn from an infiltration gallery called a “Ranney Collector” located along the Chetco River about 3 miles up South Bank Chetco Road. The Oregon Health Division classifies this source of water as a “Groundwater Source”. Groundwater is considered the safest source for drinking water. Most raw water, including all surface water, must go through a treatment process before it is safe to drink. Our water is treated with chlorine to disinfect the water. The Harbor Water People’s Utility District owns the property around the well and restricts activities that can contaminate it.

Why must you treat my water? Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain very small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily mean that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling EPA’s Safe Drinking Water hotline at (800) 426-4791. Water from the infiltration gallery is pumped to our pump house where is checked for turbidity. That is a measure of cloudiness of water. Then chlorine is added to inactive microorganisms. This process is done so that viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms will not be in your drinking water.

Are there contaminants in the Harbor Water PUD source? We are pleased to report that the Harbor Water People’s Utility District met and exceeded all federal water standards last year. The Oregon Health Division directs the District on testing and monitoring. Following are tests we do at Harbor Water PUD: Bacteria– 3 samples monthly- No detection. Inorganic contaminants– We test every 9 years for 12 contaminants. Synthetic and Volatile Organic contaminants– tested every 3 years for 83 contaminants. Nitrates– One test yearly. Radiological – One test every 9 years Asbestos– One test every 9 years. Turbidity– Daily Chlorine– Daily- Nitrites– One test every 9 years. Disinfection by- products every 3 years.

Click here to download PDF with all detections found during testing

More Facts You Should Know About Water

Contaminants that may be present in raw or source water before it is treated are microbial contaminants, inorganic pesti- cides and herbicides, radioactive con- taminants, and organic chemical con- taminants. 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 storm water 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 agricultural and residential, use. Radioactive contaminants, which are naturally occurring. Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.

Concerning fluoride in your water. Some people who drink water containing fluoride well in excess of the MCL over many years, could get bone disease, including pain and tenderness of the bones. Children could get mottled teeth. Fluoride is a natural substance found in many areas of the country, however, testing shows levels well below the MCL in our water. We do not add fluoride to the water.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than others. Immuno-compromised persons such as people undergoing chemotherapy, or people who have organ transplants, people that have HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly people and some infants– can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care provid- ers. EPA/CDC guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791.

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Harbor Water P.U.D. is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

This annual “Consumer Confidence Report” is required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). It tells you where your water comes from, what our tests show about it, and other things you should know about your drinking water. This report was prepared by the employees of Harbor Water P.U.D. using technical assistance provided by the EPA Office of Water, and the Oregon Health
Division. If you have any questions about this report, you can reach us at (541) 469-3011.

To download full document in PDF form, click here.