Annual Drinking Water Report
This report is addressed to the local Saginaw Chippewa Indian tribal community. The information presented below provides information about the safety of your local tribal water supply. If you — as a tribal member — have asked yourself the following questions, we will try to provide the best answers. We believe informed customers are our best allies.
Is my water safe?
During 2001, your tap water met all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water safety standards. Your tribal employees vigilantly safeguard your water and supplies, and we area proud to report that your water system had no violations of maximum contaminant levels or any other drinking water quality standards this past year. This report will give you even more information about the safety of your water supply. Please read on for additional information. Informed customers are our best allies.
Do I need to take special precautions?
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immune-comprised persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advise about drinking water from their health care providers. The EPA/Centers of Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).
Where does my water come from?
Your tribal water supply originates as water
beneath the surface of the earth. This
is called groundwater. Groundwater is
naturally filtered as it travels through
rocks and soil. Our tribe has three wells.
Well #3 is located south of Little Elk,
west of Sheperd Road. Well # 4 is located
west of Sheperd Road, east of Sweet Grass,
and Well #5 is located north of Remus
Road, and west of Seventh Generation.
The new water softening plant was put
into operation on April 5, 2000. Please
consider not using your home water softener
for the following reasons: your water
will have an increase in the sodium (salt)
content, and you water could become corrosive.
The plant was designed and is operated
to provide the tribal homes and businesses
with water that is balanced and softened.
Resoftening can create a tinny taste and
cause you to use extra water to remove
soap residues. The water plant does add
fluoride to the water. If you have an
aquarium with tropical fish, check with
your local pet store for proper treatment
of the water to avoid harmful effects
on your fish.
Source water assessment and its availability
The tribe is currently working with the U.S. EPA to conduct a source water assessment. This assessment consists of identifying the area(s) around the well(s), which need to be protected from contaminations, identifying potential sources of contamination, and determining the susceptibility of the wells to contamination. The assessment will also give us information we need as a tribal community to make sure our drinking water is safe now and in the future. We expect to have a final draft of this available in late June at the water plant for review to anyone who wishes to read it.
Wellhead Protection
Because the water we drink comes from underground wells, we all need to be careful how we dispose of harmful contaminants. This means not dumping used oil or solvents onto the ground. They must be taken to a recycle center, or other facility to dispose of them.
Why are contaminants in drinking water?
Drinking water, including bottled water, may be reasonably expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. Once again, you may want to call the Safe Water Hotline mentioned above for more detailed information (800-426-4791).
The sources of drinking water -- both tap water and bottled water -- include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material. It can also pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. These include:
- Microbial Contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria. These may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
- Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals. These can be naturally-occurring or the result of urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
- Organic Chemical Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals. These can be byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.
- Radioactive Contaminants. These can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
- In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations limiting the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.
How can I become involved in the safety of my drinking water?
You can contact us at (989) 772-8810
