The City of Mayer provides drinking water to its residents from a groundwater source: two wells ranging from 260 to 280 feet deep, that draw water from the Jordan aquifer.
Mayer’s water hardness ranges from 22-23 grains which is almost 4-5x harder than the national average. The high level of total dissolved solids (TDS) and organic matter also contribute to a poor overall taste.
The EPA has established two standards for additional contaminants in tap water:
MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level - The maximum allowable level of a certain contaminant
MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level GOAL - The level where studies have found ZERO HEALTH RISKS, aka the "Health Limit"
Certain contaminants that absorb easily through your skin have been highlighted in orange. For those items, a Point of Entry (POE) system is recommended to treat all the water for your home/business.
| Contaminant | Levels Found |
Health Limit |
Potential Effect | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 7.27 | 0ppb | Skin damage or problems with circulatory systems, and may have increased risk of getting cancer | Reverse Osmosis, Pureoflow, Arsenic Filters |
| Bromodichloromethane | 0.2 - 0.4 | 0ppb | Increased risk of cancer, damage to liver, kidneys, and nervous system | Reverse Osmosis, Pureoflow, DMT Systems, Carbon Filters |
| Dichloroacetic acid | 3.1 | 0ppb | Irritant and corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract | Reverse Osmosis, Pureoflow, DMT Systems, Carbon Filters |
| Haloacetic Acids | 1.9 | 0ppb | Increased risk of cancer | Reverse Osmosis, Pureoflow, DMT Systems, Carbon Filters |
| Radon | 51.0 | 1.5pCi/L | Increased risk of lung cancer | Reverse Osmosis, Pureoflow |
| Total Trihalomethanes | 2.3 | 0ppb | Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer | Reverse Osmosis, Pureoflow, DMT Systems, Carbon Filters |
| Contaminant | Levels Found |
Health Limit |
Potential Effect | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | 0.31 - 0.50 | 4.0ppm | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort | Reverse Osmosis, Pureoflow, DMT Systems, Carbon Filters |
| Fluoride | 1.0 - 1.3 | 4.0ppm | Bone disease (pain and tenderness of the bones); children may get mottled teeth | Reverse Osmosis, Pureoflow |
| Hardness | 22 - 23gpg | NA | Increased energy consumption, damage to plumbing, appliances, fixtures, clothing, and glassware | Pureoflow, DMT Systems, Water Softener |
| Nitrate | 0.73 | 10ppm | Infants below the age of six months could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and "blue baby" syndrome. | Reverse Osmosis, Pureoflow |
| Sodium | 48ppm | NA | Hypertension | Pureoflow, DMT Systems |
| Sulfate | 50.5ppm | NA | Catharsis, Dehydration from diarrhoea | Pureoflow, DMT Systems |
This information was compiled from Mayer's water treatment reports, the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), Minnesota Department of Health(DOH), World Health Organization(WHO), and Environmental Working Group(EWG).