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Total Coliform Bacteria
Total coliform bacteria samples are collected and analyzed five days a week to
ensure proper disinfection throughout the system. Approximately 180 samples are
collected each month. Our program goes well beyond what is required by federal
law, and our water has always met or surpassed standards.
Coliform bacteria tests are indicator tests. The presence of coliform bacteria
in and of itself is not harmful, but it may indicate the presence of E. coli or
pathogens that pose health risks.
pH
pH is continually monitored at the ozone plant. The measurement of pH is one of
the most important tests in water chemistry. It expresses the degree of acidity
and is measured on a scale from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic), with 7 being
neutral.
An important part of the water treatment process, corrosion control, is pH
dependent. Water with a pH of 8 is less corrosive to water pipes, both in our
distribution system and in your home, than that same water at a pH of 6 or 7.
For this reason the pH of Sebago Lake water, normally near 6.7, is increased to
8.0 with sodium hydroxide. The pH is monitored continuously throughout the
distribution system to monitor the effectiveness of our treatment.
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Meeting customer expectations for high quality water is our first
priority. We know that your water is safe because we regularly monitor
and test it for over 90 substances, and it meets or surpasses all
federal Safe Drinking Water
Act standards. Our modern laboratory is state-certified to conduct
over 40 different analyses. And annually, water quality experts collect
nearly 6,000 samples and perform 16,000 analyses throughout the system,
from Sebago Lake to the tap.
In addition, temperature, pH, turbidity, chlorine residual, ammonia/monochloramine
and ozone residual concentrations are monitored via on- line meters
located at the plant.
Common Water Quality Questions
If you don't find answers to your water quality questions here, contact our
laboratory
by e-mail or phone, 774-5961, ext. 3321.
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