The level of lead or copper which, if exceeded in over 10% of the homes tested, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.
Acute Health Effect
An immediate (i.e., within hours or days) adverse health effect that may result from exposure to certain drinking water contaminants (e.g., pathogens).
Aquifer
A natural underground layer, often of sand or gravel, that contains water.
Best Available Technology
The water treatment(s) that the US EPA certifies to be the most effective for removing a contaminant.
Chronic Health Effect
The possible result of exposure over many years to a drinking water contaminant at levels above its Maximum Contaminant Level.
Coliform
A group of related bacteria whose presence in drinking water may indicate contamination by disease-causing microorganisms.
Community Water System
A public water system which supplies drinking water to 25 or more of the same people year-round in their residences.
Compliance
The act of meeting all state and federal drinking water regulations
Contaminants
Anything found in water (including microorganisms, minerals, chemicals, radionuclides, etc.) which may be harmful to human health.
Cryptosporidium
A microorganism commonly found in lakes and rivers which is highly resistant to disinfection. Cryptosporidium has caused several large outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness, with symptoms that include diarrhea, nausea, and/or stomach cramps. People with severely weakened immune systems are likely to have more severe and more persistent symptoms than healthy individuals.