Victoria Water Quality Background
The City of Victoria provides drinking water to its residents from a groundwater source: three wells ranging from 429 to 450 feet deep, that draw water from the Quaternary Buried Artesian aquifer.
Victoria Water Hardness Rating
Victoria 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.
Victoria Annual Drinking Water Quality Reports
The City of Victoria MN conducts regular testing and provides annual drinking water quality reports. These reports explain the “water contaminants” and levels that have been detected:
2009 Victoria Water Report
2008 Victoria Water Report
2006 Victoria Water Report
2004 Victoria 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. Inorganic contaminants are mostly consumed through drinking water. They 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 | 1.24 | 0 | 10ppb | Skin damage or problems w/ circulatory systems, increased risk of cancer |
| Barium | 0.03 | 2 | 2ppm | Increase in blood pressure |
| Fluoride | 0.89 – 1.01 | 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 – 0.2ppm | NA | NA | Damage to plumbing, appliances, water heaters, laundry |
| Sodium | 9.7 – 10ppm | NA | NA | Hypertension |
| Sulfate | 13.7 – 20ppm | 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 | 1.8 – 5.5 | 0 | 80ppb | Increased risk of cancer, damage to liver, kidneys, and nervous system |
| Chlorine | 0.53 – 1.2 | 4 | 4ppm | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort |
| Chloroform | 2.82 – 9.9 | 5.7 | 80ppb | Nervous system depression, increase in kidney and liver tumors |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 1.1 – 3.3 | 0 | 60ppb | Irritant and corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract |
| Haloacetic Acids | 1.8 – 6.0 | 0 | 60ppb | Increased risk of cancer |
| Total Trihalomethanes | 6.3 – 17.9 | 0 | 80ppb | Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer |
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 | 1.3 | 0 | 15.4pCi/L | Increased risk of cancer |
| Combined Radium | 1.52 – 1.8 | 0 | 5pCi/L | Increased risk of cancer |
| Radon | 159 – 284 | 0 | NA | Increased risk of cancer |
This information was compiled from Victoria'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.
