IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

Duquette Pines HOA Had Levels of Arsenic Above Drinking Water Standards

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation.

We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. Testing results we received on October 01, 2011 show that our system exceeds the standard or Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), for arsenic. The standard for arsenic is 10 ppb; Arsenic was found at 15 ppb. If you remember back a few years, the MCL was at 50 ppb (parts per billion). The EPA over the last two decades has been lowering the level. We have isolated one well that has the highest level of Arsenic; we are now in compliance as of our last test in November.

Arsenic in drinking water can come from the erosion of natural deposits, like decomposed granite. Arsenic is known as an IOC (Inorganic Chemical). Arsenic is a semi-metallic chemical that occurs naturally in the environment within the earth's crust, in water, and even in smoke from volcanoes.

What should I do?

· You do not need to use an alternative (e.g., bottled) water supply.

· If you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.

What does this mean?
This is not an immediate risk. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately.

Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years could experience skin damage or problems with their circulatory system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

What is being done?

We have shut down the well that produces the most Arsenic. We are under compliance sampling each quarter for the next year. With the one well shut down we are now experiencing longer times to refill our storage system. We would ask for your help in water usage. Things have been running fine so far; but if there is a mechanical issue (well problems) we will notify you and ask for help in water conservation. This is an ongoing situation and we will have regular updates, and update you on our quarterly testing results via the website. At this point we are not doing any treatment of the water since we are below the Maximum Contaminate Level.

We anticipate resolving the problem by leaving the one well shut down.  Future Arsenic testing (for the next year) and well production capability will determine if this is all we have to do for the next few years.  We will be testing and gathering data.

For more information, please contact Brent Adamson at (208) 392-6604 or PO Box 252 Idaho City, ID 83631.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly.

This notice is being sent to you by Duquette Pines HOA. State Water System ID#: 4080016.