Page 11 - 2023 Summer BPU Connection-WQR FINAL v10 PDF

Definitions: Kansas Department of
Health & Environment
Action Level (AL) - the concentration of a contaminant,
which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that Bureau of Water ……………………… (785) 296-5500
a water system must follow.
Web site: www.kdheks.gov/water/
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - the highest level of a
Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua
contaminant allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to
beber. Tradúzcalo ó hable con alguien que lo entienda bien. Te 2009-2022
the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG—see below)
as feasible, using the best available treatment technology. Board of Public Utilities está de acuerdo con tadas las regulaciones
gubermentales para su agua.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) – the level of a
contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known Kansas City Board of Public Utilities
or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. 540 Minnesota Avenue
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) - the
(913) 573-9000
highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water.
www.bpu.com
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG) –
the level of disinfectant in drinking water below which there What you should know about
is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs allow for a lead in drinking water
margin of safety.
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems,
MFL – million fibers per liter. especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking
Micromhos per Centimeter (μmhos/cm) – a measure of water is primarily from materials and components associated with
the ability of water to carry electric current. service lines and home plumbing. The Kansas City Board of Public
Utilities is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but
Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) - a measure of the
cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components.
clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTUs is just noticeable
When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize
to the average person.
the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds
Non-Detect (ND) - laboratory analysis indicates that the to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are
contaminant is not detected with present technology. concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water
Not applicable (N/A) – the data does not apply for this tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and
contaminant and category. steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from EPA’s Safe
Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or at http://www.epa.gov/
Parts per Million (ppm) - one part per million corresponds
safewater/lead.
to one minute in two years, or one grain of salt in six ounces of
tomato juice. It is the same as milligrams per liter, mg/L. Some People who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess
of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver,
Parts per Billion (ppb) - one part per billion corresponds to
kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of
one minute in 2,000 years, or one grain of salt in 55 gallons of
getting cancer.
tomato juice. It is the same as micrograms per liter, μg/L.
The value of your tap water
Picocuries per Liter (pCi/L) - a measure of the radioactivity
in water.
Water is one of our most precious natural resources, and plays a critical
Running Annual Average (RAA)- an average of sample
role in our daily lives. There are a number of benefits to the safe reliable
results obtained over the most current 12 months and used to
drinking water you enjoy, including:
determine compliance with MCL’s
Public Health – Safe water runs below our streets and to our
SMCL – Secondary Maximum Contaminant level (or optimal
homes, business, and workplaces 24 hours a day. BPU operates its own
range) set by KDHE.
testing laboratory to monitor raw water quality as well as ensure water
Standard Units (S.U.) – a measuring unit for pH, based on quality leaving the plant and in the distribution system, monitoring for
hydrogen ion concentration. contaminants and meeting the regulations for water safety and quality.
Treatment Technique (TT) - a treatment technique is a Fire Protection – In most communities, water flowing to fire
required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant hydrants is transported by the same system of mains, pumps, and
in drinking water. storage tanks that deliver drinking water. One of the greatest values
of BPU’s water infrastructure is the fire protection it provides our
Useful phone numbers at BPU: community. BPU currently services and maintains 6,242 fire hydrants
in our community.
Water Processing Division …………… (913) 573-9272
Economic Support – It would be difficult, if not impossible, to
General BPU number,
grow a community or economy if safe water was not readily available.
Monday – Friday (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) …… (913) 573-9000
Current and future development depends on easy access to water, be it
Customer Service (to turn service on or off, or for billing for residential use in homes, industrial uses in manufacturing facilities,
questions by telephone)
or recreational uses like a large water park, a new resort casino, or a
Monday - Friday (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.) …… (913) 573-9190 professional soccer stadium.
Water Trouble ………………………… 913) 573-9622 Quality of Life – Three percent of the tap water people use for
drinking, with the other 97 percent used for other purposes including
Electric Trouble………………………… 913) 573-9522
outdoor watering, bathroom uses, clothes washing, etc. Tap water is so
Environmental Protection Agency much a part of our daily lives, most take it for granted. From making
orange juice to washing fruit, from watering a garden to washing a car,
Safe Drinking Water Hotline ………… (800) 426-4791 within BPU’s water service territory the water you need is always there
when you need it – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Web site: www.epa.gov/safewater 11
SUMMER 2023 |