The EPA requires regular sampling to ensure drinking water safety. Last year, we conducted more than 15,000 tests on the finished water.  The Alliance Water Treatment Plant conducted sampling for bacteria, inorganic, radiological, synthetic organic, and volatile organic contaminants during 2001.  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 four hours 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. The sulfate data in the table is from September, 1995.  The barium data in the table is from November 1998.  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 homes 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)