Plymouth City Water Background
The City of Plymouth MN has over 350 miles of water mains, 15 deep water wells with depths ranging from 302-473 feet, six storage facilities and 2 water treatment plants.
Plymouth Water Hardness
Plymouth Water Hardness ranges from 22-24gpg and is rated as “extremely hard” by the USGS. A professional-grade Water Softener or Membrane System is highly recommended to reduce hardness less to protect plumbing, water heaters, and appliances.
Iron and Manganese in Plymouth MN City Water
Well water naturally contains small levels of Iron and Manganese. Levels over 0.3ppm Iron and 0.05ppm Manganese can result in discolored water and staining. High enough levels may also cause taste and odor complaints.
The city does filter water for Iron and Manganese, but occasionally low levels of 0-0.4ppm iron will bleed through.
Plymouth MN Annual Drinking Water Quality Reports
The City of Plymouth MN conducts regular testing and provides Annual Water Quality Reports. These reports explain the “water contaminants” and levels that have been detected:
2011 Plymouth Water Report
2009 Plymouth Water Report
2008 Plymouth Water Report
2006 Plymouth Water Report
2005 Plymouth Water Report
MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level – The maximum allowable level of a certain contaminant, aka the “Legal Limit”
MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level GOAL – The level where studies have found ZERO HEALTH RISKS, aka the “Health Limit”
All water contaminants meet the EPA’s “Legal Limit”. Certain water contaminants exceed the EPA’s Health Limit and have been highlighted:
Inorganic Contaminants
Inorganic contaminants include salts and metals like Hard Water and Copper. Inorganics are mostly consumed through drinking water, and most do not easily pass through skin. Carbon Filters (refrigerator and faucet filters) have virtually ZERO impact on these contaminants. Reverse Osmosis and the LINX Evolution are very effective at removing inorganic contaminants.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 2.07 – 2.35 | 0 | 10ppb | Skin damage or problems w/ circulatory systems, increased risk of cancer |
| Barium | 0.15 | 2 | 2ppm | Increase in blood pressure |
| Fluoride | 1.1 – 1.2 | 4 | 4ppm | Bone disease (pain and tenderness of the bones); children may get mottled teeth |
| Hard Water | 22 – 24gpg | NA | NA | Damage to plumbing, appliances, glassware |
| Iron | 0 – 0.4ppm | NA | NA | Damage to plumbing, appliances, water heaters, laundry |
| Sodium | 12ppm | NA | NA | Hypertension |
| Sulfates | 16.2 – 27ppm | NA | NA | Catharsis, Dehydration from diarrhoea |
Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts
Disinfectants are added to control bacteria. When disinfectants like Chlorine react with other water contaminants, a new class of compounds are formed called “Disinfection Byproducts. Many of these chemicals can enter the body through inhalation, absorption through skin, and through drinking water. A Whole House Carbon Filter is a good preventative tool in addition to a Drinking Water System for these compounds.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bromodichloromethane | 4 – 5.9 | 0 | 80ppb | Increased risk of cancer, damage to liver, kidneys, and nervous system |
| Chlorine | 0.49 – 1.95 | 4 | 4ppm | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort |
| Chloroform | 8.66 – 14 | 5.7 | 80ppb | Nervous system depression, increase in kidney and liver tumors |
| Dibromochloromethane | 1.36 – 2.3 | 0.4 | 80ppb | Increased risk of cancer |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 3.96 – 5.6 | 0 | 60ppb | Irritant and corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract |
| Haloacetic Acids | 4 – 5.1 | NA | 60ppb | Increased risk of cancer |
| Trihalomethanes | 1.2 – 19.3 | NA | 80ppb | Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer |
Microbial Contaminants
Bacteria, Virus, and Cysts come from a variety of sources including water main breaks, sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. Microbes are mainly consumed through drinking water. Carbon Filters and Water Softeners do not offer any protection against microbes, but UV Treatment and Ultrafiltration are very effective.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Coliform Bacteria* | 1% | 0 | 5% | Not a health threat itself; it is used to indicate whether other potentially harmful bacteria may be present |
*Upon re-testing, 0% Coliform Bacteria was detected.
Radionuclides
Radionuclides may occur naturally, or be the result of oil and gas production or mining activities. These can be inhaled, or consumed through drinking water.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha Emitters | 5.7 | 0 | 15.4pCi/L | Increased risk of cancer |
| Combined Radium | 0.98 | 0 | 5pCi/L | Increased risk of cancer |
| Radon | 579 | 0 | NA | Increased risk of cancer |
This information was compiled from Plymouth’s water treatment reports, the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), Minnesota Department of Health(DOH), World Health Organization(WHO), and Environmental Working Group(EWG). Please contact us if there are any missing contaminants, or levels that differ from those outlined on this page.
