[CGC] Drinking Water Notice

[CGC Administrator]

DRINKING WATER NOTICE
Town of Centreville Has Levels of Arsenic
Above Drinking Water Standards

September 19, 2007, Centreville, Maryland. The Town of Centreville Municipal
Water System ("System") became aware today that approximately 571,000
gallons of water were introduced into the System that had not been treated
to reduce the concentration of Arsenic from naturally occurring levels to
levels below the new Arsenic Standard (10ug/L). The water during this event
("Event") came from Well #4 between September 18, 2007 (yesterday) and 1PM
today when that well was shut off. Tests from Well #4 have shown annual
average levels of 34.8 ug/L. More information on Arsenic, Drinking Water,
and the causes of the Event are below.

As has been reported to the Town, the Event was initiated yesterday when
contractors working to construct the Town's second Water Treatment (Arsenic
Removal) Plant ("WTP") accidentally severed a telecommunications wire that
had not been marked by Miss Utility. This disrupted the communications
controls, which reportedly sent a "no water pressure" signal to turn on Well
#4. During normal operations, Well #4 serves only an emergency backup
function, and would not be called into service as it does not pump the
source water through an Arsenic Removal System. During normal operations,
all water entering the System passes through existing WTP at Well #3, which
provide Arsenic Removal. Except for the event reported today, this has been
the sole source of Town water since March 2007.

MDE has recommend that the Town issue a press release and notify customers
via the Town Website, E-mail, and posted notices. We have also directly
informed the Health Department, the County Council, and Board of Education.

Please be aware that the water introduced during this Event will mix in the
System with the treated water entering from the WTP at Well #3, which has
reported levels between 4 and 7ug/L.

The Town's most recent quarterly Drinking Water Notice is below, which
contains more information about Arsenic and the Town's Drinking Water.

DRINKING WATER NOTICE
Town of Centreville Has Levels of Arsenic
Above Drinking Water Standards

Our water system recently exceeded a new drinking water standard. Although
this is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what
happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this
situation.

We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants.
Testing results for 2006 and 2007 show that our system exceeds the new
standard or Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for Arsenic. The new standard
for Arsenic is 10 micrograms per liter (ug/l). The average level of Arsenic
over the last year ranged from 25.3 ug/l at Well#5 (near the Centreville
Business Park) to 34.8 ug/l at Well #4 (near the Queen Anne's County High
School). The new Well #3 Arsenic removal system (near the Water Tower at 500
Wexford Drive) came into service during the first quarter of 2007. The
Arsenic result for the new plant at Well #3 was 4 ug/l.

What should I do?
You do not need to use an alternative (e.g., bottled) water supply. However,
if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.

What does this mean?
This is not an immediate risk. If it had been, you would have been notified
immediately. On January 23, 2006, the new Arsenic Rule became effective.
This rule changed the MCL for arsenic in drinking water from 50 micrograms
per liter (ug/l) to 10 ug/l. 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 (40CFR 141. 153(d)(6) and 141.154(f)).

Steps We Are Taking
The Town of Centreville will comply with the new standards for Arsenic by
using two Water Treatment Plants, at Wells 3 and 5, to remove Arsenic from
the Town's drinking water. The first plant, at Well #3, is producing water.
Once fully integrated into the Town's system, this facility will provide all
of the Town's water until the second plant is completed. The second plant,
at Well #5, will be built at the current water treatment facility in the
Centreville Business Park. The Town has awarded a contract for the
construction of this facility and anticipates completion in 2007.

Please share this information with all other people who drink this water,
especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for
example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You
can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies
by hand or mail. For more information, please contact Jay Janney, Maryland
Environmental Service at 410-729-8350.

State Water System ID# 017-0001 Date distributed: 9-19-2007



Bob McGrory
Town Manager
Town of Centreville
101 Lawyers Row
Centreville, MD 21617
Phone: 410-758-1180
Fax: 410-758-4741
http://www.TownofCentreville.org