2014
Annual Water Quality Report
We are pleased to report that our drinking water surpasses state and federal drinking water standards
Community at Work
Water plays an integral part in our everyday lives. The City of Boca
Raton Utility Services Department continues to remain in the forefront
of new and emerging water treatment technology as well as alternative water
supply technologies in support of water conservation. Water conservation is the
most cost-effective and environmentally sound way to reduce our demand for
water. To promote environmental stewardship and public awareness, the Utility
Services Department offers public outreach and education programs. These
programs are offered to local schools, homeowners associations, civic groups,
and through other venues. Some of the programs include tours of the Water
Treatment Facility, Water Conservation programs, Water Pollution programs,
and Water Quality programs including the use of our EnviroScape® Coastal
Ecosystem model. For more information about our programs or to schedule a
tour, please call 561-338-7306.
ouncil
t Weinroth, C
Mayor Rober
y
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ep
ay
D
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n
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(left to right
er, Mayor Su
ng
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City Council
an
remy Rodgers
CRA Chairm
il Member Je
Member and
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ul
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ic
Member M
Also, we encourage public interest and participation in decisions affecting
our community’s drinking water. Regular City Council meetings usually
occur on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6:00 pm at City
Hall. City Hall is located at 201 West Palmetto Park Road. For information
on meeting schedules and agendas contact 561-393-7740 or visit the City’s
website at www.myboca.us.
Your Drinking Water
Once the water is pumped from our
wells to our Glades Road facility,
the City of Boca Raton uses two types of
water treatment processes.
Traditional Lime Softening: involves the use
of calcium oxide and other chemicals to remove
minerals and particles. The water is then
filtered to remove smaller impurities and then
disinfected with a chlorine compound to destroy
bacteria and other microorganisms.
State-of-the-Art Membrane Softening: involves pumping the water through multimedia pretreatment
pressure filters, 5-micron cartridge filters, and finally semi-permeable membranes. Next, hydrogen sulfide
and carbon dioxide are removed using a degasifying technology. The membrane softened water is also
disinfected with a chlorine compound and blended with the lime softened water. The combined processes
produce high quality water that is pumped through the distribution system to our customers.
Your Drinking Water Source...
The Biscayne Aquifer
The Biscayne aquifer is the primary source of drinking water for over
six million people in South Florida and is the source of the drinking
water for the City of Boca Raton. The City of Boca Raton’s 52 wells
pump water from the Biscayne aquifer to our water treatment facility
located on Glades Road by the I-95 interchange.
Source Water Assessments
Drop Savers
In 2014, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) performed a
Mayor Susan Haynie
Source Water Assessment on the City’s wellfield system in order to ensure our source
proclaimed
April 2015 as
water is protected. The assessment was conducted to provide information about any
Water
Conservation
Month,
potential sources of contamination in the vicinity of the City’s wells. Potential
May
3rd
9th
as
Drinking
sources of contamination are those facilities, sites, and activities that have the
Water Week, and May 17th - 23rd
potential to affect the underlying ground water aquifers or nearby surface waters
as
Water Reuse Week during the
used for public drinking water supply. Many of these potential sources are
April
28, 2015 City Council meeting.
regulated by DEP and the location and status of these sites are maintained
Along
with
this proclamation, the Utility
within DEP databases. By utilizing in-house databases and a geographical
Services
Department
held a Drop Savers
information system (GIS), DEP can access and illustrate the relationships
Water
Conservation
Poster
Contest in which over
of potential contaminant sources to the approximately 12,000 public water
1,000
children,
grades
K
5,
from seven local schools
supply intakes in Florida.
participated. The children designed amazing water
conservation themed posters. Three of the children’s
It should be noted that the potential sources of contamination identified by
posters were selected for entry in the Florida Section
this assessment project are just that; potential sources. Many of these facilities
of the American Water Works Association’s statewide
are regulated and operate under stringent construction and maintenance
poster contest.
requirements designed to protect both human health and the environment. The
purpose of conducting the source water assessments is to provide information
that will lead to actions to reduce current risks or avoid future problems.
The DEP has identified twenty-six unique potential sources
of contamination for the City’s wellfield system with a moderate
or a low susceptibility level. The assessment results and more
information is available on the DEP Source Water Assessment
and Protection Program website at www.dep.state.fl.us/
swapp or can be obtained by calling the Utility
Services Department at 561-338-7310.
Immuno-Compromised
Person
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants
in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised
persons such as persons 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 people should seek advice about drinking
water from their health care providers. EPA/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.
K-1 Entrant:
Kasi Pope,
St. Joan of Arc
2-3 Entrant:
Edgar Handal,
St. Joan of Arc
4 -5 Entrant:
Sophia Simoes,
Pine Crest
Qualit
y Data
e Water
h
t
Table
f
o
n
o
i
t
The City of Boca Raton Utility Services
plana Department routinely
x
monitors for contaminants in your
E
An
drinking water according to Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations. The
table on the next page shows the results of our water quality analysis. Except when indicated
otherwise, this report is based on the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1, 2014 to
December 31, 2014. Data obtained before January 1, 2014 and presented in this report are from the most recent testing
done in accordance with laws, rules, and regulations. The table contains: the name of each substance; the maximum contaminant
level (MCL) or the highest level allowed by regulation; the ideal goals for pubic health; the amount detected; the usual sources of such
contamination; footnotes that explain our findings; and a key to units of measurement. The MCLs are set at very stringent levels.
2014 Water Quality Table
2014 Water Quality Table
Microbiological Contaminants
Contaminant and Unit Contaminants
of
Microbiological
Dates of sampling (mo./yr.)
Measurement
Contaminant and Unit of
Microbiological
Contaminants
Dates of sampling (mo./yr.)
Measurement
Total Coliform
Bacteria
6/14
(% positive samples)
Contaminant and Unit of
Dates
of
sampling
(mo./yr.)
Total Coliform
Bacteria
Measurement
6/14
(% positive samples)
Inorganic
Contaminants
MCL
Violation
Y/N
MCL
Violation
Y/N
N
MCL
Violation
N
Y/N
MCL
N
Violation
Y/N
MCL
Contaminant and Unit of
Violation
Inorganic
Fluoride Measurement
(ppm) Contaminants Dates of sampling
2/14 (mo./yr.)
N
Y/N
MCL
Contaminant
and (ppm)
Unit of
Nitrate
(as Nitrogen)
2/14
N
Dates of sampling
Violation
Fluoride Measurement
(ppm)
2/14 (mo./yr.)
N
Y/N
Sodium (ppm)
2/14
N
Nitrate (as Nitrogen) (ppm)
2/14
N
Fluoride (ppm)
2/14
Stage
2 Disinfectants and Disinfection
By-Products NN
Sodium (ppm)
2/14
Nitrate (as Nitrogen) (ppm)
2/14
N or
MCL
Stage
2 Disinfectants
and Dates
Disinfection
By-ProductsMRDL
Disinfectant
or Contaminant
of sampling
Sodium (ppm)
2/14 (mo./yr.)
N
and Unit of Measurement
Violation
MCL or
Y/N
Disinfectant
or
Contaminant
MRDL
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Dates
Disinfection
By-Products
of sampling (mo./yr.)
and Unit of(ppm)
Measurement
Violation
Chloramines
2014
N
MCL
Y/Nor
Disinfectant or Contaminant
MRDL
MCL
(mo./yr.)
Contaminant and Unit of
LocationDates
Site of sampling
Chloramines
2014
N
and Unit of(ppm)
Measurement
Violation
Dates
of sampling (mo/yr)
Measurement
#
Y/N
(Y/N)
MCL
Contaminant and Unit of
Location Site
Dates
of6/14,
sampling
(mo/yr)
Violation
Chloramines (ppm)
2014
1
3/14,
9/14, 12/14
N
Measurement
#
(Y/N)
MCL
2
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
Contaminant and Unit of
Location
1 Site Dates
3/14,of6/14,
9/14, 12/14
N
sampling
(mo/yr)
Violation
Measurement
3#
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
(Y/N)
2
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (ppb)
41
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
3
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
52
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (ppb)
4
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
63
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
5
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (ppb)
14
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
6
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
25
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
1
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
36
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
Total Trihalomethanes
2
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
(TTHM) (ppb)
41
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
3
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
Total Trihalomethanes
52
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
(TTHM) (ppb)
4
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
63
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
Total Trihalomethanes
5
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
(TTHM) (ppb)
4
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
Lead and Copper (Tap Water)
6
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
5
3/14, 6/14, 9/14, 12/14
N
AL
Lead
and Copper
Contaminant
and Unit of (Tap Water)
(mo./yr.)
Exceeded
6 Dates of sampling
3/14, 6/14,
9/14, 12/14
N
Measurement
(Y/N)
AL
Contaminant
and Unit of (Tap Water)
Lead
and Copper
Dates of sampling (mo./yr.)
Exceeded
Measurement
Copper (tap
water) (ppm)
7/14
N
(Y/N)
AL
Contaminant and Unit of
Dates
of
sampling
(mo./yr.)
Exceeded
Lead (tapMeasurement
water) (ppb)
7/14
N
Copper (tap
water) (ppm)
7/14
N
(Y/N)
1. RAA - Running Annual Average 2. LRAA - Location Running Annual Average
Lead (tap water) (ppb)
7/14
N
Copper (tap water) (ppm)
7/14
N
1. RAA - Running Annual Average 2. LRAA - Location Running Annual Average
Lead (tap water) (ppb)
7/14
N
Total Coliform Bacteria
Contaminant and Unit of
Inorganic
Contaminants
(% positive
samples)
Measurement
6/14 (mo./yr.)
Dates of sampling
Highest Monthly
Percentage
2014 Water Quality Table
MCLG
MCL
Likely Source of Contamination
MCLG
0
MCL
5%
Likely Source of Contamination
Naturally present in the environment
MCLG
0
MCL
5%
Likely Source of Contamination
Naturally present in the environment
Level 3.70%
Range of
Detected
Results
0
MCLG
5%
MCL
Naturally present in the environment
Likely Source of Contamination
Level
0.12
Detected
Range of
N/A
Results
MCLG
4
MCL
4
Erosion of natural deposits; discharge
from fertilizer
and aluminum factories. Water
Likely Source
of Contamination
additive which promotes strong teeth when at the optimum level of 0.7 ppm
Level
0.08
0.12
Detected
13.6
0.08
0.12
13.6
0.08
Level
Detected
13.6 1
RAA
Level
Detected1
2.72
RAA
Level
Level 1
Detected
2.72 2
Detected
RAA
LRAA
Level
Detected
2.72 2
28.3
LRAA
Level
30.3
28.3 2
Detected
29.7
LRAA
30.3
29.6
28.3
29.7
30.7
30.3
29.6
30
29.7
30.7
61.5
29.6
30
49.3
30.7
61.5
60
30
49.3
45.3
61.5
60
57.5
49.3
45.3
60.4
60
57.5
45.3
60.4
57.5
90th
Percentile
60.4
Result
90th
Percentile
0.146
Result
90th
Percentile
3.21
0.146
Result
Range
N/A of
N/A
Results
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Range of
N/A
Results
10
MCLG
4
N/A
10
4
N/A
10
10
MCL
4
160
10
4
160
10
Erosionfrom
of natural
deposits;
discharge
from
fertilizer
aluminum
factories.
Water
Runoff
fertilizer
use; leaching
from
septic
tanks,and
sewage;
erosion
of natural
deposits
Likely Source
of Contamination
additive which promotes strong teeth when at the optimum level of 0.7 ppm
Salt water intrusion, leaching from soil
Runoff
fertilizer
use; leaching
from
septic
tanks,and
sewage;
erosion
of natural
deposits
Erosionfrom
of natural
deposits;
discharge
from
fertilizer
aluminum
factories.
Water
additive which promotes strong teeth when at the optimum level of 0.7 ppm
Salt water intrusion, leaching from soil
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits
Highest Monthly
Percentage
3.70%
Highest Monthly
Percentage
3.70%
MRDLG
MRDL
Source of Contamination
N/A
160
Salt water intrusion, leachingLikely
from soil
Range of
Results
0.69-3.3
MRDLG MRDL
Likely Source of Contamination
4
4
By-product of drinking water disinfection
Range of
Range
of
0.69-3.3
Results
Results
MRDLG
MRDL
Likely
Source of Contamination
4
4
By-product of drinking waterLikely
disinfection
MCLG
MCL
Source of Contamination
3.21
0.146
Range of
0.69-3.3
23.3-35.3
Results
27.3-35.3
Range of
23.3-35.3
Results
27.1-32.6
27.3-35.3
28.3-32.4
23.3-35.3
27.1-32.6
27.4-37.7
27.3-35.3
28.3-32.4
26.8-35.4
27.1-32.6
27.4-37.7
50.8-91.5
28.3-32.4
26.8-35.4
31.2-64.2
27.4-37.7
50.8-91.5
53.9-73.9
26.8-35.4
31.2-64.2
29.3-52.2
50.8-91.5
53.9-73.9
50.5-72.2
31.2-64.2
29.3-52.2
53.3-78.8
53.9-73.9
50.5-72.2
29.3-52.2
53.3-78.8
50.5-72.2
No. of
sampling sites
53.3-78.8
exceeding the
No. of
AL
sampling sites
exceeding
0 the
No.
ALof
sampling sites
1
exceeding
0 the
AL
1
0
3.21
1
MCLG
4
N/A
MCL
4
60
N/A
N/A
MCLG
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
MCLG
0
1.3
60
60
MCL
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
80
60
60
80
60
80
80
60
80
80
80
80
80
80
80
80
80
80
AL
(Action
80
Level)
AL
(Action
1.3
Level)
AL
(Action
15
1.3
Level)
0
1.3
15
1.3
deposits leaching from
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits;
wood preservatives
0
15
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits
MCLG
N/A
MCLG
1.3
Source of Contamination
By-product of drinking waterLikely
disinfection
Likely Source of Contamination
By-product of drinking water disinfection
By-product of drinking water disinfection
By-product of drinking water disinfection
By-product of drinking water disinfection
By-product of drinking water disinfection
By-product of drinking water disinfection
Likely Source of Contamination
Likelysystems;
Source erosion
of Contamination
Corrosion of household plumbing
of natural deposits; leaching from
wood preservatives
Likelysystems;
Source erosion
of Contamination
Corrosion of household plumbing
of natural deposits;
deposits leaching from
wood preservatives
Unregulated Contaminants (UCMR3)
1. RAA - Running Annual Average 2. LRAA - Location Running
1 Annual Average
Contaminant and Unit of
1
Dates
of sampling (mo./yr.)
Unregulated
Contaminants
(UCMR3)
Measurement
Contaminant and Unit of
1
Dates
of sampling
Chlorate Measurement
(ppb)
4/14 (mo./yr.)
Unregulated
Contaminants
(UCMR3)
Hexavalent
Chromium
(ppb)
Contaminant
and Unit
of
Chlorate
(ppb)
Measurement
4/144/14
& 5/14
Dates of sampling
(mo./yr.)
Strontium
Hexavalent(ppb)
Chromium (ppb)
Chlorate (ppb)
4/144/14
& 5/14
4/14
Level Detected
Site A
Site B
Level Detected
290
280
Site A
Site B
Level Detected
0.078
0.074
290
280
Site A
190
0.078
290
Site B
180
0.074
280
Likely Source of Contamination
280-290
0.074-0.078
280-290
Likely Source
of Contamination
Agricultural defoliant or desiccant; disinfection
byproduct;
and used in production of chlorine dioxide
Naturally-occurring element; used in making steel and other alloys; chromium-3 or -6 forms are used for
Agricultural
defoliant
or desiccant;
byproduct;
andpreservation
used in production of chlorine dioxide
chrome
plating,
dyes and
pigments, disinfection
leather
tanning,
and
Likely
Source
ofwood
Contamination
historically
commercial
of strontium
has been inorthe
Naturally-occurring element; used
in making
steel anduse
other
alloys; chromium-3
-6 faceplate
forms areglass
used of
for
cathode-ray
tube
televisions
to blockdisinfection
x-ray emissions
chrome
plating,
dyes
and
pigments,
leather
tanning,
and wood
Agricultural
defoliant
or desiccant;
byproduct;
andpreservation
used in production of chlorine dioxide
Naturally-occurring element;
element;
historically
of strontium
hasisbeen
inorthe
of
Vanadium (ppb)
4/14
0.54
0.55
0.54-0.55
elementalused
metal;
usedcommercial
as steel
vanadium
pentoxide
a chemical
intermediate
Naturally-occurring
in making
anduse
other
alloys;which
chromium-3
-6 faceplate
forms
areglass
usedand
forcatalyst
Strontium
190
180
180-190
Hexavalent(ppb)
Chromium (ppb)
4/144/14
& 5/14
0.078
0.074
0.074-0.078
cathode-ray
tubedyes
televisions
to blockleather
x-ray emissions
chrome
plating,
and pigments,
tanning, and wood preservation
Vanadium (ppb)
4/14
0.54
0.55
0.54-0.55
elementalhistorically
metal; usedcommercial
as vanadium
which
a chemical
intermediate
Naturally-occurring element;
usepentoxide
of strontium
hasisbeen
in the faceplate
glassand
of catalyst
Strontium (ppb)
4/14
190
180
180-190
cathode-ray tube televisions to block x-ray emissions
1.The City of Boca Raton has been monitoring for unregulated contaminants (UCs) as part of a study to help the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determine the occurrence in drinking water of UCs and whether or not these
contaminants
need to be regulated. At present, no health
standards (for example, maximum
have been established
for UCs. However,
are required
publish the
analytical
results
our UCintermediate
monitoring in
ourcatalyst
Vanadium (ppb)
4/14
0.54 contaminant
0.55 levels) 0.54-0.55
Naturally-occurring
elementalwe
metal;
used as to
vanadium
pentoxide
which
is a of
chemical
and
annual water quality report. If you would like more information on the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminants Monitoring Rule, please call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
1.The City of Boca Raton has been monitoring for unregulated contaminants (UCs) as part of a study to help the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determine the occurrence in drinking water of UCs and whether or not these
contaminants need to be regulated. At present, no health standards (for example, maximum contaminant levels) have been established for UCs. However, we are required to publish the analytical results of our UC monitoring in our
annual water quality report. If you would like more information on the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminants Monitoring Rule, please call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
1.The City of Boca Raton has been monitoring for unregulated contaminants (UCs) as part of a study to help the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determine the occurrence in drinking water of UCs and whether or not these
contaminants need to be regulated. At present, no health standards (for example, maximum contaminant levels) have been established for UCs. However, we are required to publish the analytical results of our UC monitoring in our
annual water quality report. If you would like more information on the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminants Monitoring Rule, please call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
180-190
0.074-0.078
280-290
Data Table Key, Definitions, and Abbreviations
Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant, which, if exceeded,
triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.
Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: The highest level of a contaminant
that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as
feasible using the best available treatment technology.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG: The level of contaminant in
drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health.
MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level or MRDL: The highest level
of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that
addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal or MRDLG: The level of a
drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk
to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to
control microbial contaminants.
Parts Per Billion (ppb) or Micrograms per Liter (ug/l): One part by
weight of analyte to 1 billion parts by weight of the water sample.
Parts Per Million (ppm) or Milligrams per Liter (mg/l): One part by
weight of analyte to 1 million parts by weight of the water sample.
Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce
the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Not Applicable (N/A): Does not apply
Standard
U.S. Postage
PAID
Boca Raton, FL
Permit #182
Your 2014
Annual Water Quality Report
Customer Services/Billing: (561) 393-7750 • General Inquiries: (561) 338-7300
Water and Sewer Emergencies: Monday to Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm: (561) 338-7339 • All other times or holidays: (561) 338-7325
Potential Contaminants in Source Water
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, and can pick up substances resulting
from the presence of animals or from human activity.
Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
• 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 stormwater 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 agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and
residential uses.
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and
volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial
processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas
stations, urban stormwater 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 ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA
prescribes regulations, which limit the amount of certain
contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits
for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same
protection for public health.
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 the water poses a health risk. More information about
contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by
calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking
Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
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.
The City of Boca Raton Utility Services Department 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.