What is Arsenic an why is it an issue? 

Arsenic is an element that occurs naturally in rocks and soil, water, plants, and animals. Volcanic activity, the erosion of rocks and minerals, and forest fires are natural source occurances that can release arsenic into the environment. Arsenic is also used by industry in the United States in its refined state. Arsenic is used for wood preservative purposes, paints, drugs, dyes, soaps, metals and semi-conductors. 

The current federal and state maximum contaminant level (MCL) is 50 parts per billion (ppb). The Environmental Protection Agency will lower the MCL from 50 to 10 ppb in 2006. Keep in mind that a penny in $10 million dollars is equivalent to 1 part per billion (ppb).

What is Peoria doing about it? 

Since arsenic is found naturally in rocks and soil, it is often found in Peoria’s groundwater that is pumped from those mineral deposits. The Utilities Department is completing an arsenic study to evaluate our options since treating the groundwater will be expensive.

Lead and Copper

Lead and Copper occur naturally or result from degradation of home plumbing systems.

Percentile Reporting: Samples were collected from 78 homes. In Percentile Reporting, data is first organized from smallest to the largest. In this case there were 78 samples ranging from 0.01 to 0.36 mg/L. The reporting level is determined by taking 90% of the total number samples taken. In this case 90% of 78 samples is sample number 70, which measured 0.18 mg/L. Ninety percent of the data is below 0.18 mg/L while the remaining ten percent is above.  

Radiological 

Radiological contaminants occur naturally or as the result of oil and gas production or mining operations. 

Tested for but not found: @Greenway WTP - Gross Beta, Radium 226, Radium 228; @Pyramid Peak WTP - Radon *only one sample