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You drink it.  Wash the dishes with it. Cook with it.  Bathe in it.  It’s there every time you turn on the faucet.  But what do you really know about your tap water? Do you know where it comes from?  How it is protected? Or what’s in it? You should. And you can.

The South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority has recently issued its annual water quality report for the greater New Haven region. The report answers these questions and others. You can call 203-401-6732 or email ask.billing@rwater.com to request a printed copy.

“This report provides customers with a summary of the drinking water quality the Authority supplies to the 15 towns we serve in the region. The report provides information on the overall health of the water system. Our goal is to help you understand more about the water coming out of your tap,” said Regional Water Authority President and CEO Larry L. Bingaman.

The report tells consumers the sources of drinking water for greater New Haven, explains how the Authority treats and delivers the water and shows the results of more than 100,000 laboratory tests performed in 2013. The sources of the region’s tap water are 10 lakes and three aquifers. An aquifer is a place where usable amounts of groundwater are stored. 

The publication, which includes the amount and names of the regulated substances found in the water, complies with the federal rule that requires water utilities to provide information about water quality test results on an annual basis.  A review of water quality data shows that the Regional Water Authority continues to meet or is better than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Connecticut Department of Public Health standards.

The Authority tested for over 70 regulated compounds and more than 40 unregulated contaminants in 2013. The water quality analyses included bacteria, metals, pesticides, herbicides and other organic chemicals. Individuals who are interested in learning more about the report can call the Authority’s Customer Care Center at (203) 562-4020.