Water Quality Report

Overview

This Water Quality Report, or Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), covering calendar year 2025, gives an accounting of the water quality and services the City of Newton delivers every day. We are committed to providing a safe and dependable drinking water supply. This report details where your water comes from, how it’s treated, what it contains, and how it compares to state and federal standards.

This report is a snapshot of the quality of the water that we provided last year. We are committed to providing you with information because informed customers are our best allies. If you would like to observe the decision-making process that affects drinking water quality, please call Ed Bonham at 316-284-6020.

Where Newton's Water Comes From

Our drinking water is supplied from another water system through a Consecutive Connection (CC). The source is groundwater. Sources include:

  • CC from Harvey Co RWD 1 Emergency
  • CC from North Newton Emergency
  • CC from Public Wholesale WSD 17 NONPWS
  • City of Newton Wells 01-16

2025 Water Quality Test Results

Water Testing and Monitoring

The City of Newton regularly tests its drinking water as required by federal and state law. These tests measure a range of potential contaminants. While all drinking water sources may contain naturally occurring substances, they are generally not harmful at low levels. Removing 100% of contaminants is often unnecessary and cost-prohibitive.

Why Does My Water Contain Contaminants?

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 EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

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 naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in source water before we treat it include:

  • Microbial contaminants – viruses or bacteria from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, livestock operations, and wildlife.
  • Inorganic contaminants – salts and metals that occur naturally or enter water through urban stormwater runoff, industrial discharge, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
  • Pesticides and herbicides – chemicals used in agriculture, landscaping, and residential yards that can wash into streams or soak into groundwater.
  • Organic chemical contaminants – synthetic and volatile compounds generated by industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, and septic systems.
  • Radioactive contaminants – elements released from natural deposits, mining activities, or oil and gas production.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. We treat our water according to the EPA’s regulations. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.

Our water system is required to test a minimum of 20 samples per month in accordance with the Revised Total Coliform Rule for microbiological contaminants. Coliform bacteria are usually harmless, but their presence in water can be an indication of disease-causing bacteria. When coliform bacteria are found, special follow-up tests are done to determine if harmful bacteria are present in the water supply. If this limit is exceeded, the water supplier must notify the public.

Water Quality Data

The following tables list all of the drinking water contaminants that were detected during the 2025 calendar year. The presence of these contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. Unless noted, the data presented in this table is from the testing done January 1- December 31, 2025. The state requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. Some of the data, though representative of the water quality, is more than one year old. The bottom line is that the water that is provided to you is safe.

Regulated Contaminants  Collection Date Highest Value Range (Low/High) Unit MCL MCLG Typical Source
Arsenic  3/18/2024 4.3 4.3 ppb 10 0 Erosion of natural deposits; Runoff from orchards; Runoff from glass and electronics production wastes
Barium 3/18/2024 0.17 0.17 ppm 2 2 Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits
Chromium 3/18/2024 1 1 ppb 100 100 Discharge from steel and pulp mills; Erosion of natural deposits
Fluoride 1/21/2025 0.57 0.46 - 0.57 ppm 4 4 Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive which promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories
Nitrate 5/12/2025 3.2 3.2 ppm 10 10 Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits
Selenium 3/18/2024 2.9 2.9 ppb 50 50 Discharge from petroleum and metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits; Discharge from mines

There are no additional required health effects notices.

Radiological Contaminants  Collection Date Highest Value Range Unit MCL MCLG Typical Source
 Gross Alpha, Incl. Radon & U 8/2/2021 1 1 PCI/L 15 0 Erosion of natural deposits
 Disinfection Byproducts Sample Point Period Highest LRAA Range Unit MCL MCLG Typical Source 
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 2224 N Anderson 2025 7 2.5 - 2.5  ppb 60 0 By-product of drinking water disinfection
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 601 SE 36th 2025 14 7.9 - 7.9 ppb 60 0 By-product of drinking water disinfection
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 8029 SW 24th 2025 1 0 - 0 ppb 60 0 By-product of drinking water disinfection
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 810 N Oliver 2025 11 7.3 - 7.3 ppb 60 0 By-product of drinking water disinfection
 TTHM 2224 N Anderson 2025 13 5.6 - 5.6 ppb 80 0 By-product of drinking water chlorination
 TTHM 601 SE 36th  2025 39 18 -18 ppb  80  0 By-product of drinking water chlorination
 TTHM 8029 SW 24th  2025 0 0 - 0 ppb 80  0 By-product of drinking water chlorination
 TTHM 810 N Oliver  2025 23 15 - 15 ppb 80  0 By-product of drinking water chlorination

There is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have an increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.

Lead and Copper  Monitoring Period 90th Percentile Range (Low/High) Unit AL Sites Over AL Typical Source
 Copper, Free 2022-2024 0.59 0.044 - 0.82 ppm 1.3 0 Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from wood preservatives
 Lead 2022-2024 1.2 0 - 1.6 ppb 15 0 Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits

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 Newton is responsible for providing high-quality drinking water and removing lead pipes but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components in your home. You share the responsibility for protecting yourself and your family from the lead in your home plumbing. You can take responsibility by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family's risk. Before drinking tap water, flush your pipes for several minutes by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. You can also use a filter certified by an American National Standards Institute-accredited certifier to reduce lead in drinking water. If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, contact the City of Newton at 316-284-6020. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at the EPA's website.

The Lead and Copper rules require water systems to develop and maintain a Service Line Inventory. The service line is the underground pipe that supplies your home or building with water. To view the Service Line Inventory, which lists the material type(s) for your location, you may schedule a time to view this at 1100 S. Kansas Ave, Newton. Please call 316-284-6080, option 2, to make an appointment.

Chlorine/Chloramines Maximum
Disinfection Level 		 MPA MPA Units RAA RAAUnits
4/1/2025 - 4/30/2025 1.60000 MGA/L 1.30000 MG/L
Secondary Contaminants – Non-Health Based Contaminants - No Federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) Established  Collection Date Highest Value Range (Low/High) Unit SMCL
Alkalinity, Total 3/18/2024 180 180 MG/L 300
Calcium  3/18/2024  57 57 MG/L 200
Chloride  3/18/2024 26 26 MG/L 250
Conductivity @ 25 C UMHOS/CM 3/18/2024 490 490 UMHO/CM 1500
Corrosivity 3/18/2024 0.31 0.31 LANG 0
Hardness, Total (As CaCO3) 3/18/2024 170  170 MG/L 400
Magnesium 3/18/2024 6.9 6.9 MG/L 150
PH 3/18/2024 7.7 7.7 PH 8.5
Phosphorus, Total 3/18/2024 0.18 0.18 MG/L 5
Potassium 3/18/2024 1.2 1.2 MG/L 100
Silica  3/18/2024 28 28 MG/L 50
Sodium 3/18/2024 36 36 MG/L 100
Sulfate 3/18/2024 28 28 MG/L 250
TDS 3/18/2024 320 320 MG/L 500

There are no additional required health effects notices.

Understanding the Terms

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The “Goal” is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to human health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The “Maximum Allowed”  is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL): The recommended level for a contaminant that is not regulated and has no MCL.

Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements.

Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce levels of a contaminant in drinking water.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that the addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

Non-Detects (ND): Lab analysis indicates that the contaminant is not present.

Parts per Million (ppm): Or milligrams per liter (mg/L)    

Parts per Billion (ppb): Or micrograms per liter (µg/L)

Picocuries per Liter (pCi/L): A measure of the radioactivity in water.

Millirems per Year (mrem/yr): Measure of radiation absorbed by the body.

Monitoring Period Average (MPA): An average of sample results obtained during a defined time frame; common examples of monitoring periods are monthly, quarterly, and yearly.

Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU): a measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person.  Turbidity is not regulated for groundwater systems.

Running Annual Average (RAA): An average of sample results obtained over the most current 12 months and used to determine compliance with MCLs.

Locational Running Annual Average (LRAA): Average of sample analytical results for samples taken at a particular monitoring location during the previous four calendar quarters.

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