Duration:  In May and June 1998, turbidity recorded in water provided from Moonlight Springs was above the reportable threshold of 1 NTU on several occasions.  In May, 186 samples were taken; 91% (169 samples) were below 1 NTU. In June, 176 samples were taken; 86% (152 samples) were below 1 NTU.  Between June 2 and June 5, for a combined period of approximately 20 hours, a turbidity reading of 5 NTUs was recorded.  It is considered a violation if at least 95% of the samples are not below 1 NTU during a monthly reporting period, or if the NTU reading is 5 or above.

Health Effects:  Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water and is used because it is a good indicator of the quality of water and has the potential for interference with disinfection. Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms. These organ-isms include  bacteria,   viruses,   and  parasites  that  can   causesymptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Compliance

Our water system failed to test and report required results for lead and copper tests in 1998. (Testing was done in 1995 and is required every three years.)  Our monitoring is now up to date, with 20 samples taken in 1999.  We do not believe that missing these monitoring requirements had any impact on public health. Repeated failure to monitor and report, however, might allow conditions to remain undetected, which could have adverse health consequences. System managers are committed to rigorous compliance with these regulations in the future.