Waste Water Treatment Annual Drinking Water Report
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Annual Drinking Water Report
This report is addressed to the local Saginaw
Chippewa Indian tribal community. The information
presented below provides information about the
safety of your local tribal water supply. If
you — as a tribal member — have asked
yourself the following questions, we will try
to provide the best answers. We believe informed
customers are our best allies.
Is my water safe?
During 2008, your tap water met all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water safety standards. Your tribal employees vigilantly safeguard your water and supplies, and we area proud to report that your water system had no violations of maximum contaminant levels or any other drinking water quality standards this past year. This report will give you even more information about the safety of your water supply. Please read on for additional information. Informed customers are our best allies.
Do I need to take special precautions?
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immune-comprised 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. The EPA/Centers of Disease Control (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 (1-800-426-4791).
Where does my water come from?
Water for consumer use can come from a variety of sources including rivers, lakes and other surface waters. Your Tribal supply comes from underground aquifers as groundwater to your wells. A benefit of ground water is it is naturally filtered through rocks and soil. Our tribe has four wells. Well #3 is located off of Little Elk Road. Well # 4 is located west of Sheperd Road. Well #5 is located north of Remus Road and Well #6 is located north of Ogemaw.
The water softening plant was put into operation on April 5, 2000. Please consider not using your home water softener for the following reasons: your water will have an increase in the sodium (salt) content, and you water could become corrosive. The plant was designed and is operated to provide the tribal homes and businesses with water that is balanced and softened. Resoftening can create a tinny taste and cause you to use extra water to remove soap residues. The water plant does add fluoride to the water. If you have an aquarium with tropical fish, check with your local pet store for proper treatment of the water to avoid harmful effects on your fish.
Source water assessment and its availability
The tribe has worked with the U.S. EPA to conduct a source water assessment. This assessment consists of identifying the area(s) around the well(s), which need to be protected from contaminations, identifying potential sources of contamination, and determining the susceptibility of the wells to contamination. The assessment also gives us information we need as a tribal community to make sure our drinking water is safe now and in the future. We have a copy available at the water plant for review to anyone who wishes to read it.
Vulnerability Study and Emergency Response Plan
We are required to do a vulnerability study and file it with the EPA. This has been completed as well as the Emergency Response Plan. These are available for review at the water plant.
Wellhead Protection
Because the water we drink comes from underground wells, we all need to be careful how we dispose of harmful contaminants. This means not dumping used oil or solvents onto the ground. They must be taken to a recycle center, or other facility to dispose of them.
Why are contaminants in drinking water?
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 EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).
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 in some cases radioactive material. It can also pick-up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity.
Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.Â
Organic chemical contaminants including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by products of industrial processes and petroleum production, can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.
Radioactive contaminants which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production, and mining activities.
In order to insure that the tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations, which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water that is provided by a public water system.
Lead and Copper
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. The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe 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 water 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 at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
How can I become involved in the safety of my drinking water?
You can contact us at (989) 772-8810
More.....