Table of Contents
Can You Drink Tap Water in Canton?
Yes, Canton's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Canton has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.
According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Canton's water utility, Canton Public Water System, had 4 non-health-based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. The last violation for Canton was resolved on Dec. 31, 2020. There has been an active violation for Consumer Confidence Rule since Dec. 31, 2020. This assessment is based on the Canton Public Water System water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.
While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.
The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.
Water Quality Report for Canton Tap Water
The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Canton tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.
Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.
EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.
There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.
We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Canton's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.
Canton Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years
Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Canton Public Water System for Canton in Ohio. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.
For the compliance period beginning Oct. 25, 2021, Canton had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Other Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Consumer Confidence Report Inadequate Reporting which falls into the Other rule code group, and the Consumer Confidence Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: Consumer Confidence Rule.
For the compliance period beginning Dec. 31, 2020, Canton had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Other Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Consumer Confidence Report Inadequate Reporting which falls into the Other rule code group, and the Consumer Confidence Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: Consumer Confidence Rule.
From Oct. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020, Canton had 2 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) which falls into the Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code group, and the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code family for the following contaminant codes: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Is there Lead in Canton Water?
Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Canton water system, Canton Public Water System, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0036 mg/L of lead in Canton water. This is 24.0% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Canton contained more lead.
While Canton water testing may have found 0.0036 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.
No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.
Are there PFAS in Canton Tap Water?
Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Green Armory AASF#1 - near Canton with suspected leaks.
With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Canton has been evaluated for yet.
Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.
Canton SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years
| Compliance Period | Status | Health-Based? | Category Code | Code | Rule Code | Contaminant Code | Rule Group Code | Rule Family Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/25/2021 - | Unaddressed | No | Other Violation (Other) | Consumer Confidence Report Inadequate Reporting (72) | Consumer Confidence Rule (420) | Consumer Confidence Rule (7000) | Other (400) | Consumer Confidence Rule (420) |
| 12/31/2020 - | Unaddressed | No | Other Violation (Other) | Consumer Confidence Report Inadequate Reporting (72) | Consumer Confidence Rule (420) | Consumer Confidence Rule (7000) | Other (400) | Consumer Confidence Rule (420) |
| 10/01/2020 - 12/31/2020 | Resolved | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) | Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) | TTHM (2950) | Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) | Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) |
| 10/01/2020 - 12/31/2020 | Resolved | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) | Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) | Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (2456) | Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) | Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) |
What do these Violations Mean?
Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.
Health Based Violations
- Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
- Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
- Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.
Non-Health Based Violations
- Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
- Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
- Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.
SDWA Table Key
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Compliance Period | Dates of the compliance period. |
| Status |
Current status of the violation.
|
| Health-Based? | Whether the violation is health based. |
| Category Code |
The category of violation that is reported.
|
| Code | A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table. |
| Contaminant Code | A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation. |
| Rule Code |
Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
|
| Rule Group Code |
Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
|
| Rule Family Code |
Code for rule family.
|
For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.
Canton Water - Frequently Asked Questions
| By Mail: | 2664 HARRISBURG RD NE CANTON, OH, 44705 |
Existing customers can login to their Canton Public Water System account to pay their Canton water bill by clicking here.
If you want to pay your Canton Public Water System bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Canton water bill.
If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Canton water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.
Moving to a new house or apartment in Canton means you will often need to put the water in your name with Canton Public Water System. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.
Leaving your house or apartment in Canton means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Canton Public Water System. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.
The estimated price of bottled water
$1.9 in USD (1.5-liter)
USER SUBMITTED RATINGS
- Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility
- Water Pollution
- Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility
- Water Quality
The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Canton, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).
Related FAQS
Canton Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)
The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Canton's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.
City of Canton Water Department
Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report
For 2020
The City of Canton Water Department has prepared the following report to provide information to you, the consumer, on the quality of our drinking water. Included within this report is general health information, water quality test results, how to participate in decisions concerning your drinking water and water system contacts.
The Canton Water Department is pleased to present our
The Canton Water Department has been reinvesting heavily in the future of our public water system through the repair and replacement of aging infrastructure. We have also sought to extend water mains and add new customers where practical. In 2020 alone, 3.2 miles of aging water main were replaced and an additional 5.8 miles of new water main were added to the distribution system. We also installed a new waste water dechlorination system at our Sugar Creek water treatment plant. This will lessen the impact on the environment from discharge water we return to the wetlands and ensure we maintain regulatory compliance.
What to expect from your drinking water? In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, USEPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline
What is the source of Canton’s drinking water? Canton Water Department obtains 100% of its water from underground wells. Our wells extend
1 | P a g e
It only means that the existing/known aquifer conditions are such that ground water within the aquifer could become impacted if the potential contaminant sources are not appropriately managed. We have taken protective measures to avoid contamination. More information can be obtained by contacting Chris Boehm at chris.boehm@cantonohio.gov Should you need to obtain the Source Water Assessment Report please contact the Ohio EPA.
The Wellhead Protection Program is designed to monitor the aquifer for contaminates beginning at a 5- year travel time for ground water. This gives the Canton Water Department 5 years, from the first detection of contaminates, to install mitigation and other treatment techniques to insure the health and safety of our consumers.
Backup Measures: Should the need ever arise, we have several protective backup systems built into our utility that enable us to ensure a dependable flow of drinking water to our consumers. As previously mentioned, Canton has three separate water treatment plants and well fields. If one plant is taken
What are sources of contamination to drinking water? 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
Contaminants that may be present in source water include: (A) Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife; (B) Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally- occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming; (C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses; (D) Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are
Who needs to take special precautions? Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population.
2 | P a g e
What’s in Canton’s Drinking Water? The EPA requires regular sampling to ensure drinking water safety. The City of Canton Water Department conducted sampling for OEPA compliance purposes, UCMR4 and our Wellhead Protection Program. The following tables list those contaminates found in the drinking water. Most contaminates were not detected in the drinking water. The Ohio EPA requires us to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of our data, though accurate, are more than one year old.
How to read the Water Quality Data Table: EPA establishes the safe drinking water regulations that limit the amount of contaminants allowed in drinking water. The table shows the concentrations of detected substances in comparison to regulatory limits. Substances that were tested for, but not detected, are not included in this table.
TABLE OF DETECTED CONTAMINANTS
Lead and Copper
|
|
|
Action |
|
Individual Results |
|
90% of test |
|
|
|
Year |
|
|
|
|
Contaminants (units) |
|
levels were |
|
Violation |
|
Typical source of Contaminants |
|
||||||
|
|
Level (AL) |
|
over the AL |
|
|
|
Sampled |
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
less than |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15 ppb |
|
None |
|
3.6 ppb |
|
No |
|
2019 |
|
Corrosion of household |
|
|
Lead (ppb) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
plumbing systems |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
__0_ out of _50__ samples were found to have lead levels in excess of the lead action level of 15 ppb. |
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.3 ppm |
|
None |
|
0.37 ppm |
|
No |
|
2019 |
|
Corrosion of household |
|
|
Copper (ppm) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
plumbing systems |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
__0_ out of _50_ samples were found to have copper levels in excess of the copper action level of 1.3 ppm. |
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contaminants |
|
MCLG |
|
MCL |
|
Level |
|
|
Range of |
|
Violation |
|
Sample |
|
Typical Source of |
|
|
(Units) |
|
|
|
Found |
|
|
Detections |
|
|
Year |
|
Contaminants |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inorganic Contaminants |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Barium in PPM |
|
2 |
|
2 |
|
0.11 |
|
|
0.058 - 0.110 |
|
No |
|
2019 |
|
Discharge from metals refineries |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and erosion of natural deposits |
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Erosion of natural deposits; |
|
|
Fluoride in PPM |
|
4 |
|
4 |
|
1.23 |
|
|
0.91 – 1.23 |
|
No |
|
2020 |
|
water additive which promotes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
strong teeth |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Residual Disinfectants
Total Chlorine in
PPM
MRDLG MRDG
4 |
|
4 |
|
|
|
0.84
0.70 – 0.95
No
2020
Water additive to control
microbes
Disinfection
|
TTHM in PPB |
|
MRDLG |
|
80 |
|
36 |
|
11.5 - 45.9 |
|
No |
|
2020 |
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
chlorination |
|
||||||
|
Trihalomethanes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HAA5 in PPB |
|
MRDLG |
|
60 |
|
12.3 |
|
ND - 14.8 |
|
No |
|
2020 |
|
|
|
|
Haloacetic Acids |
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
chlorination |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 | P a g e
|
Contaminants |
|
MCLG |
|
MCL |
|
Level |
|
Range of |
|
Violation |
|
Sample |
|
Typical Source of |
|
(Units) |
|
|
|
Found |
|
Detections |
|
|
Year |
|
Contaminants |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unregulated Contaminates |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bromodichloromethane |
|
0 |
|
None |
|
7.7 |
|
3.2 - 13.7 |
|
No |
2020 |
|
||
|
in PPB |
|
|
|
|
|
|
chlorination, a TTHM |
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bromoform in PPB |
|
0 |
|
None |
|
1.8 |
|
1.0 - 3.6 |
|
No |
2020 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
chlorination, a TTHM |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chloroform in PPB |
|
0 |
|
None |
|
7.6 |
|
2.4 |
|
No |
2020 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
chlorination, a TTHM |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dibromochloromethane |
|
0 |
|
None |
|
5.7 |
|
3.8 - 10.5 |
|
No |
2020 |
|
||
|
in PPB |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
chlorination, a TTHM |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Dichloracetic Acid in |
|
0 |
|
None |
|
3.7 |
|
1.3 - 7.7 |
|
No |
2020 |
|
||
|
PPB |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
chlorination, an HHA5 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trichloroacetic Acid |
|
0 |
|
None |
|
2.5 |
|
ND- 5.3 |
|
No |
2020 |
|
||
|
in PPB |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
chlorination, an HHA5 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dibromoacetic Acid |
|
0 |
|
None |
|
1.7 |
|
ND – 2.7 |
|
No |
2020 |
|
||
|
in PPB |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
chlorination, an HHA5 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) Sampling
Unregulated contaminants are those for which EPA has not established drinking water standards. The purpose of unregulated contaminant monitoring is to assist EPA in determining the occurrence of unregulated contaminants in drinking water and whether future regulation is warranted. In 2020 the Canton Water Department participated in the fourth round of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 4). To obtain results from UCMR4 please contact Chris Boehm at chris.boehm@cantonohio.gov
UCMR4
|
Contaminants (Units) |
|
Sample Year |
|
Average Level Found |
|
Range of Detections |
|
Sample Location |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manganese (ppb) |
|
2020 |
|
2.5 |
|
1.1 - 2.5 |
|
Entry Point |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Haloacetic Acids |
|
2020 |
|
6.5 |
|
3.63 - 9.2 |
|
Distribution |
|
|
HAA5 (ppb) |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Haloacetic Acids |
|
2020 |
|
13.6 |
|
8.69 - 18.5 |
|
Distribution |
|
|
HAA9 (ppb) |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Haloacetic Acids |
|
2020 |
|
10.4 |
|
5.6 - 11.93 |
|
Distribution |
|
|
HAA6Br (ppb) |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020 |
|
3.3 |
|
ND - 3.3 |
|
Entry Point |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 | P a g e
Lead Educational Information
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Canton Water Department is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at
PFAS Sampling: In 2020, the City of Canton Water Department was sampled as part of the State of Ohio’s Drinking Water Per- and Polyfluoroakyl Substances (PFAS) Sampling Initiative. Six PFAS compounds were sampled, and none were detected in our finished drinking water. For more information about PFAS, please visit pfas.ohio.gov
Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) Information: The Revised Total Coliform Rule maintains the purpose to protect public health by ensuring the integrity of the drinking water distribution system and monitoring for the presence of total coliform bacteria, which includes E. coli bacteria. The U.S. EPA anticipates greater public health protection under the rule, as it requires water systems that are vulnerable to microbial contamination to identify and fix problems. As a result, the new rule requires water systems that exceed a specified frequency of total coliform occurrences to conduct an assessment to determine if any significant deficiencies exist. The Canton Water Department was not issued any assessments or deficiencies in 2020.
How do I participate in decisions concerning my drinking water? Public participation and comments are encouraged at regular meetings of the City Council which meets every Monday at 7:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. During the summer months of June, July and August, the Council meets every other week.
Who do I contact for more information?
For more information about your drinking water contact the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-
Why do I occasionally see discolored water leaving my tap?
Discolored water is usually due to the presence of iron. Visible Iron in drinking water can be caused by oxidation of dissolved iron by chlorine in the water, corrosion in the pipes that carry the water from the treatment plant to your home or corrosion in your home’s plumbing, including the hot water heater.
Problems with discolored water usually clear themselves within a day. If you have a prolonged discolored water problem, please notify us.
5 | P a g e
Hydrant Flushing: During the warm summer months, you may see Water Department personnel flushing fire hydrants. We do this to remove the accumulation of iron sediment in the pipes, thereby reducing discolored water situations over the long term. Be aware, however, that hydrant flushing may temporarily cause both a drop in water pressure and discolored water.
What is hard water?
Canton’s water contains the naturally occurring mineral calcium, which is better known as hardness. Water was nicknamed hard when people found it hard to make soap suds or lather from the water. The presence of calcium in the water is not a health concern, but rather somewhat of a nuisance that is very costly to remove on a large scale. Some individuals use a water softener to remove unwanted hardness. Calcium buildup can be removed from spigots and coffee pots using vinegar.
Violations
The City of Canton Water Department received a Notice of Violation, on 2/16/2021, for failure to monitor Disinfection Byproducts. The Notice of Violation is as follows.
Canton Public Water System is in violation of Ohio Administrative Code Rule (OAC)
The Water Department failed to collect samples during the Fourth Quarter monitoring period, 10/1/2020 – 10/7/2020, as required by the Ohio EPA. The Water Department returned to compliance on 11/16/2020.
Steps have been taken to ensure that all sampling will be conducted as required by enacting a more comprehensive management plan.
Health effects
Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer
Some people who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer
6 | P a g e
Public Notice
Drinking Water Notice. Monitoring requirements not met for Canton Public Water System.
We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets health standards. During the Fourth Quarter of 2020 time period we did not monitor for the following contaminants and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of our drinking water during that time: Disinfection
What Should I Do?
This notice is to inform you that Canton Public Water System did not monitor and report results for the presence of the contaminants listed above in the public drinking water system during the Fourth Quarter of 2020 time period, as required by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. You do not need to take any actions in response to this notice.
What Is Being Done?
Upon being notified of this violation, the water supply was required to have the drinking water analyzed for the above mentioned parameters. The water supplier will take steps to ensure that adequate monitoring will be performed in the future.
A sample was (will be) collected on 11/16/2020
Sample results and additional information may be obtained by contacting Canton Public Water System at:
Contact Person: |
Chris Boehm |
Phone Number: |
330 438 6562 |
Mailing Address: |
2664 Harrisburg Rd |
|
Canton, Ohio |
|
44705 |
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
PWSID: OH7608112 Facility ID: DS1
Date Distributed: 7/1/2021
7 | P a g e
Definitions:
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
Parts per Million (ppm) or Milligrams per Liter (mg/L) are units of measure for concentration of a contaminant. A part per million corresponds to one second in a little over 11 days.
Parts per Billion (ppb) or Micrograms per Liter (µg/L) are units of measure for concentration of a contaminant. A part per billion corresponds to one second in about 32 years.
Parts per Trillion (ppt) or Nanograms per Liter (ng/L) are units of measure for concentration of a contaminant. A part per trillion corresponds to one second in 31,546 years.
Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
ND: Contaminate Not Detected.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal: (MRDLG) The level of drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLG’s do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
PFAS: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): A group of
Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
8 | P a g e
Contaminants
Canton Public Water System
EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency - Division of Drinking and Ground Waters, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.
Utility details
- Serves: 98260
- Data available: 2012-2017
- Data Source: Groundwater
- Total: 19
Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines
- Bromodichloromethane
- Bromoform
- Chloroform
- Dibromochloromethane
- Dichloroacetic acid
- Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)
- Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
- Trichloroacetic acid
Other Detected Contaminants
- 1%2C4-Dioxane
- Barium
- Chromium (hexavalent)
- Dibromoacetic acid
- Fluoride
- Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
- Monochloroacetic acid
- Nitrate
- Nitrate and nitrite
- Simazine
- Strontium
Reminder
Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.