Health Effect Information About The Water Quality Data Table


Arsenic - While your drinking water meets the EPA’s standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. EPA’s standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s possible health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. The EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems.


Nitrate - In drinking water levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant, you should ask advice from your health care provider.


Lead - 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 City of Avondale is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, however, 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 from 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 (800- 426-4791) and at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.


Turbidity - A measure of the cloudiness of water and is an indication of the effectiveness of our filtration system. 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 organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems and may have an increased risk of cancer.


Total Organic Carbon (TOC) has no health effects. However, total organic carbon provides a medium for the formation of disinfection byproducts. These byproducts include trihalomethanes (THM) and haloacetic acids (HAA). Drinking water containing these byproducts in excess of the MCL may lead to adverse health effects, liver, or kidney problems, or nervous system effects, and may lead to an increased risk of cancer.


OTHER 7


HOUSEHOLD CLEANING clothes washer, dishwasher, etc.


FAUCETS


10 11


SHOWERS & BATHS


TOILETS


13 14


OUTDOORS landscaping, pools, leaks, etc.


65


GALLONS USED THIS MONTH


WaterUseItWisely.com


NUMBER OF PEOPLE


THE MONTH DAYS IN


GALLONS PER PERSON PER DAY (GPD)


Adapted from the Water Research Foundation’s Residential End Uses of Water, Version 2 Executive Report (2016)


120 GALLONS HOURS 24 OUTDOOR


65 Gallons Per Day


55 Gallons Per Day


INDOOR 1 PERSON


The average American's water footprint for buying, using and throwing away consumer goods (excluding food) is 583 gallons of water per day.


Visit www.watercalculator.org/ footprint/the-hidden-water-in-ev- eryday-products/ to learn more!


PAGE 9 2023 AVONDALE WATER QUALITY REPORT


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12