Inorganic Chemicals include heavy     metals, fluoride and nitrate.  Our water is no longer tested for asbestos since there is no asbestos water pipe in the distribution system.  NJUS has current ADEC testing waivers for Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, Selenium, Antimony, Beryllium, Cyanide, Nickel, and Thallium.

Fluoride occurs naturally in Nome’s water at about 0.2 mg/l.  Fluoride is added to promote dental health.  Less than 1 mg/l of Nitrate (as nitrogen) occurs naturally in Nome’s water and is not a concern at this low level.

Lead and copper are from the corrosion of copper pipes, fittings, and old lead/tin solder inside houses and service lines. 

The Lead and Copper rule is based on 90% of the results being less than or equal to the action level which if        exceeded would require additional water treatment or addition of corrosion    inhibiting chemicals to our water.   Nome is currently under reduced lead and    copper monitoring requirements because historically our test result sites have been less than the maximum contaminant level (MCL).  Compliance testing scheduled once every three years was last completed in November 2005 with 90% of the samples under the MCL for both lead and copper.

Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC) are either disinfections residual byproducts such as total Trihalomethane (TTHM) that are formed when naturally occurring

organics in the water that is chlorinated or from contamination by petroleum and other products.  No Volatile Organic Chemicals were detected in Nome’s   water in 2005.

Synthetic/Other Organic Chemicals include pesticides and herbicides.  Nome is a non-agricultural area and these chemicals are not used; as a result ADEC has granted Nome a testing waiver.

Radioactive Contaminants have never been detected in Nome’s water.

Other testing and waivers

Explanation of     violation

“Total Coliform Rule” (TCR)    requires monthly collection of TCB samples.

In December 2005 we collected only 4 of required 5 samples resulting in a violation  of the TCR.

A residual chlorine test was to have been collected concurrently which resulted in ADEC registering a disinfection violation.

On the day the TCB  sample was to have been collected NJUS did perform a separate routine  chlorine test, the results of which confirmed disinfectant levels never dropped below  regulated levels.

Could you be vulnerable?

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population.  Immuno-compromised persons such as people 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 individuals should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.  EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate methods to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

If you have questions

We are happy to answer any other questions about our water system or water quality.  If you have any questions about this report or are interested in learning more about the drinking water system in Nome, you may contact:

  Water & Sewer Superintendent – 443-6330 or

      the Utility Manager’s Office – 443-NJUS.

The Utility Board holds regularly scheduled     meetings the third Tuesday of each month.  The public is invited to direct any concerns not         addressed by management to the Board.

You may also call the Alaska Department of        Environmental Conservation – Drinking Water     Division in Fairbanks, AK (907-451-2179).

NOME JOINT UTILITY SYSTEM

443-6587

 

John K. Handeland

General Manager/Chief Operating Officer

 

Toby M. Schield

Water & Sewer Superintendent

 

State-Certified

Water Treatment Operators:

Jay H. Wieler

Carl O. Merchant

Wesley S. Perkins

 

Testing Laboratories:

Norton Sound Regional Hospital

Analytica, Inc.

 

NOME JOINT UTILITY BOARD:

Berda J. Willson, Chair

Fred H. Moody, Vice Chair

Jim West, Jr., Secretary

Carl Emmons, Member

Ronald Parker, Member

Hmm… could it be something in the

bottled water?!