Inorganics 

Tested for but not found in Peoria: Asbestos, Antimony; Beryllium; Cyanide; Mercury; Nitrite; Selenium; Thallium

Nitrate: The City of Peoria has five wells with nitrate concentrations above 5.0 mg/L but less than the MCL of 10.0 mg/L.  The wells are located at 11940 N 75th Ave, 8301 N 103rd Ave, 14017 N 73rd Ave, 8451 W bell Rd., and 8897 W Beardsley Rd. Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 mg/L is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant you should ask advice from your health care provider.

Fluoride Secondary Violations 2003: Two of the city wells, one at 16111 N 83rd Ave. and one at 15410 N 87th Ave. are periodically producing water slightly above the Secondary Contaminant Level of 2.0 mg/L. The affected areas include 83rd Ave. near the Peoria Sports Complex and an area from 81st Ave west to 91st Ave. and south of the Greenway Rd alignment to the Acoma Rd alignment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets drinking water standards and has determined that fluoride is a health concern at certain levels of exposure. Federal regulations require that fluoride, which occurs naturally in a water supply, not exceed a concentration of 4.0 mg/l, a PRIMARY contaminant level, in drinking water. Exposure to drinking water levels above 4.0 mg/l for many years many result in some cases of crippling skeletal fluorosis, which is a serious bone disorder. Federal law also requires notification when monitoring indicates that the fluoride in drinking water exceeds the SECONDARY contaminant level, 2.0 mg/l. This is intended to alert families about dental problems that might affect children under nine years of age. Fluoride in children's drinking water at levels of approximately 1.0 mg/l reduces the number of dental cavities.

However, children exposed to levels of fluoride greater than about 2.0 mg/l may develop dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis, in its moderate to severe forms, is a brown staining and pitting of the permanent teeth. Because dental fluorosis occurs only when developing teeth (before they erupt from the gums) are exposed to elevated fluoride levels, households without children are not expected to be affected by this level of fluoride. Families with children under the age of nine are encouraged to seek other sources of drinking water for their children to avoid the possibility of staining and pitting. Lower concentrations of fluoride in the water will provide the benefits of cavity prevention while the possibility of stained and pitted teeth is minimized. Removal of fluoride may increase water costs. Treatment systems are also commercially available for home use. Low fluoride bottled drinking water that would meet all standards is also commercially available. The city has removed from service the well at 15410 N 87th Ave.

Arsenic information: The City of Peoria obtained about 23% of its water from ground water wells during 2003. Some of these wells contain arsenic above a new MCL of 10 ug/L that goes into effect in 2006. Due to the variation of the arsenic concentration, the city is providing the following statements as required by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Peoria has evaluated its arsenic treatment options this year and developing a compliance strategy.

Arsenic Educational Statement: While your drinking water meets EPA’s standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. EPA’s standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s possible health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems.

Arsenic Health Effects Statement: Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years could experience skin damage or problems with their circulatory system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Possible Sources: 1-Erosion of natural deposits   2-Fertilizer runoff,