Frequently Asked Questions

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The Greater Pine Island Water Association, Inc. routinely monitors for contaminants in the drinking water according to Federal and State laws.  Because we regularly exceed Federal and State standards, we have been granted reduced testing for many of the required contaminates.  Therefore, some tests are conducted less frequently than once a year.  If the test was not performed in 2020, then the most recent analysis is listed. 

The Water Quality Data Table in the CCR lists only the contaminants that were detected. The table contains the name of each substance, the highest level allowed by regulation (MCL) and the amount detected along with a description of the contaminants major source. For a list of all regulated contaminants tested, visit our website at www.pineislandwater.com, Water Quality Reports Tab. In addition to these we also tested for many contaminants that were not detected. Results from the most recent testing required by EPA show that the following contaminants were not detected in 2020.

Synthetic Organics: Endrin, Lindane, Methoxychlor, Toxaphene, Dalapon, Diquat, Endothall, Glyphosate, Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, Oxamyl (Vydate), Simazine, Di (2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, Picloram, Dinoseb, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, Carbofuran, Atrazine, Alachlor, Heptachlor, Heptachlor epoxide, 2,4-D, 2,4,5-TP, Hexachlorobenzene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Pentachlorophenol, PolychlorinatedbiphenylsPCB, Dibromochloropropane, Ethylene Dibromide, Chlorodane

Volatile Organics:  1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, Xylenes (total), Dichloromethane, o-Dichlorobenzene, para-Dichlorobenzene, Vinyl Chloride, 1,1-Dichloroethylene, trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene, 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, Carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-Dichloropropane, Trichloroethylene, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, Tetrachloroethylene, Monochlorobenzene, Benzene, Tolune, Ethylbenzene, Styrene.

Inorganic Contaminants:  Asbestos, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Cyanide, Lead, Mercury, Selenium, Antimony, Beryllium, Thallium, Nitrite, Nitrate, Fluoride

Secondary Contaminants:  Aluminum, Manganese, Silver, Odor, Foaming Agents, Copper, Color

Terms and Abbreviations  

In the table below, you may find unfamiliar terms and abbreviations. To help you better understand these terms we've provided the following definitions:

AL=Action Level – the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other               requirements that a water system must follow. 

MCL=Maximum Contaminant Level – the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water.  MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. 

MCLG=Maximum Contaminant Level Goal – the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health.  MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. 

MRDL=Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level – the highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water.  There is convincing evidence that the addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. 

MRDLG=Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal – the level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health.  MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. 

ND=Not Detected

pCi/L=picocuries per liter  – a measure of the radioactivity in water. 

ppm=parts per million or Milligrams per liter (mg/l) – one part by weight of analyte to 1 million parts by weight of the water sample. 

ppb=parts per billion or Micrograms per liter (ug/l) – one part by weight of analyte to 1 billion parts by weight of the water sample.  

TT=Treatment Technique – a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. 

Water Quality Table footnotes: 

GPIWA does not test for Cryptosporidium.  This is not a problem associated with groundwater. 

GPIWA does not test for radon.  DEP has not set regulations for testing. 

GPIWA does not add fluoride to the water supply.  Any detected level present is naturally occurring trace amounts. 

National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Compliance 

More information on Water Quality Data for community water systems throughout the United States is available at https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water. 

No, we do not add fluoride to our water treatment process.  A small amount of fluoride exists naturally in the groundwater.  

No, GPIWA water is in the industry accepted range of soft to moderately hard. This is the most desirable range for consumers.  Water that is too soft makes it very difficult to remove soap from your hands or detergent from your laundry.  Water that is too hard requires an increased use of soap or detergent to adequately clean.    

My dishwasher operator’s manual says that the amount of dishwashing detergent I need to use depends on the grains per gallon of hardness in the water.  GPIWA water has approximately 4 grains per gallon of total hardness.   

Water produced by GPIWA does not need further filtering.  However, if you are not accustomed to the taste of treated water you may want to consider a filter that is attached to your faucet.  We do not recommend kitchen under sink filters unless the customer is diligent in keeping the filter clean.  Filters not kept in good working order will make your tap water have an odd taste and may make the water discolored.