EPA requires regular sampling to ensure drinking water safety. Last year, we conducted more than 10,000 tests on the finished water. The Alliance Water Treatment Plant conducted sampling for bacteria, inorganic, radiological, synthetic organic, and volatile organic contaminants during 2002. Samples were collected for a total of greater than 80 different regulated and unregulated contaminants. The Ohio EPA requires us to monitor for some contaminants every 15 minutes and others less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of our data, though accurate, is more than one year old. There were no samples that exceeded the MCL for lead and copper in 2001. Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. It is possible that lead levels at your home may be higher than at other homes in your community as a result of materials used in your home’s plumbing. If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your home’s drinking water, you may wish to have your water tested and you can flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using tap water. Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791)

During the Month of January, 2002, the Alliance water system failed to monitor for Chlorite in the distribution system. Although samples taken in the system since February, 2002, have been well within the allowable limits, steps have been taken to ensure adequate monitoring.