What 'Detected', 'Median' and 'Range' Mean in the Sampling Record on This Page
When the City of Yuma's public water system records show chloramine as 'detected,' it means that instruments identified this disinfectant at some level in the water supply. The term does not specify concentration or pose an immediate concern. The 'median' reflects the middle value in a series of measurements, helping gauge typical levels, while the 'range' expresses the lowest to highest levels noted over time. These terms describe the system's water broadly, not any single household’s water quality.
Why Aesthetic Secondary Standards Differ from Health-Based Limits, Applied to This Constituent
Chloramine is used as a disinfectant in surface water treatment in Yuma, Arizona. Secondary standards govern aspects like taste and staining, separate from health-based limits that protect safety. Exceeding a taste or appearance guideline for chloramine is not a health violation. Understanding this distinction helps clarify that chloramine presence primarily affects aesthetic experience rather than indicating danger under normal conditions.
How Seasonal or Multi-Year Variation Shows in the Record (Dates and Ranges Given)
The record reflects sampling through 2024, with variation expected due to surface water source changes and treatment adjustments. Peaks and troughs in chloramine levels can occur seasonally or year-to-year, influenced by environmental factors and water demand. Observing a range rather than a fixed value gives context for these natural fluctuations over the timeframe.
What Questions a Commercial or Industrial Operator Adds That a Household Does Not
While households often focus on taste and appliance effects, commercial and industrial users must consider chloramine’s impact on manufacturing processes, sensitive equipment, and regulatory compliance specific to their operation type. This leads to testing at more hazardous endpoints or in-process water, questions about residual disinfectant stability through treatment, and integration with other water quality measures beyond household scope.
A Worked Example: Reading the Record's Median and Range as a Homeowner Would
Suppose you see that chloramine is detected in Yuma's water system with reported values fluctuating over time. As a homeowner, you understand that this detected range helps estimate what your tap water might contain, but only direct testing of your household water can confirm your specific levels. Knowing the system uses surface water treated with chloramine allows anticipation of certain water traits and consideration of filtration methods if needed.
What the Measured Range Means Against the Relevant Federal Standard, and What It Does Not Mean
The City of Yuma’s water system has documented chloramine presence as part of its treatment process, with no health-based violation attributed solely to chloramine. Federal standards involve maximum residual disinfectant levels, but a detection with a fluctuating range does not imply non-compliance or health risk. It also does not reflect individual household plumbing conditions or require alarm.
To address concerns from chloramine in Yuma’s treated surface water, the Fleck Chloramine (City Water) Filter ships ready to configure for residential use. This system targets chloramine selectively, enhancing water quality experience based on the demand your household testing reveals.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2024-12-31. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA SDWIS record for CITY OF YUMA (AZ0414024), surface water supply, serving 103264 people: 23 health-based violations of 87 total; lead 90th percentile 0.0011 mg/L