NEW HAVEN – You drink it. Wash the dishes in it. Cook with it. Bathe in it. It’s there every time you turn on the faucet. But what do you really know about your tap water? Do you know where it comes from? How it is protected? Or what’s in it?
You should. And you can. The Regional Water Authority has issued its annual quality report for the greater New Haven region today. It answers these questions and others.
“This report provides customers with a summary of the region’s drinking water quality. Reading it, should be like reviewing the results of a physical exam with a doctor. It provides a view of the overall health of the water system. Our goal is to help you understand more about the water coming out of your tap,” said Regional Water Authority Vice President of Water Quality and Outreach Tom Chaplik.
The report tells consumers the sources of drinking water in the area, explains how the Authority prepares and delivers the water and shows the results of water quality laboratory tests. The sources of the region’s tap water come 10 lakes and three aquifers. An aquifer is a place where usable amounts of groundwater are stored.
The publication, which includes the amount and names of the regulated substances found in the water, complies with the federal rule that requires water utilities to provide information about water-quality test results on an annual basis.
A review of water-quality data shows that the Regional Water Authority meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Connecticut Department of Public Health
standards. The Authority tested for over 70 regulated compounds and more than 40 unregulated contaminants. The water quality analyses included bacteria, metals, pesticides, herbicides and other organic chemicals.
Individuals who are interested in learning more about the report can call the Authority’s Customer Service staff at (203) 562-4020. This report is also available on the company’s website at www.rwater.com.
