Every public water utility in the country is required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish a special report each year called a “Consumer Confidence Report.” The purpose of the report is to protect public health by requiring water utilities to publish information about any potential health risks from the quality, treatment, and management of their drinking water supply so that consumers can make informed decisions. The Food and Drug administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health.
In Marion County, Indiana three public water utilities provide drinking water for residents: the city of Lawrence which supplies water to the City of Lawrence, Speedway Waterworks which supplies water to the Town of Speedway, and Citizens Energy Group which supplies water to the rest of Marion County.
Drinking water may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily pose a health risk. Each contaminant in the Consumer Confidence Reports is listed with a contaminant level goal (the level of contaminant below which there is no known or expected risk to human health), the highest level of contaminant allowed, and the level of the sampling down by the utility.
Other interesting information in the reports include likely sources each of contaminants such as “herbicide runoff”, “water treatment additive”, or “natural deposits.” As you review your utility’s report you are likely to recognize some of these sources as common groundwater pollution prevention efforts.
Each utility’s report is provided on their website and often contains links to previous reports. Find the latest reports at these links of the Marion County water utilities.
- Citizens Energy Group (Marion County with the exception of Lawrence and Speedway)
- City of Lawrence
- Town of Speedway
