Marion Water Department recently received notice of a drinking water standard being violated in the municipal water supply. Although this is not an emergency, as residents, we want to keep you informed of what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct the situation.

The Marion water supply is routinely monitored for the presence of drinking water contaminants. Testing results we received on June 4, 2015 show that our system exceeds the standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), for Radium, Combined (226, 228) at source/entry point 05. The standard for Radium, Combined (226, 228) is 5 pCI/L. The average level of Radium, Combined (226, 228) over the last year was 6.2 pCI/L. We will be under this violation for one year during which time new quarterly water samples will be tested and validated.

You do not need to use an alternative (e.g., bottled) water supply. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor. This is not an immediate risk. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. However, some people who drink water containing Radium 226 or 228 in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

The majority of Marion’s water supply comes from the Cambrian-Ordovician (Jordan) Aquifer. In one individual well, the naturally occurring concentration of Radium, Combined (226, 228) has exceeded the standard measurement of 5 pCI/L.

Additional water samples will be taken and sent to a laboratory for further testing and monitoring.  If this particular well continues to supply water containing Radium above the MCL level, we will investigate water treatment alternatives and if needed, install a water treatment process to address the radium issue.

For more information, see our FAQ's  or contact Todd Steigerwaldt, General Manager, via email or by phone at 319-743-6311. Correspondence can also be directed to Marion Water Department, 1225 6^th Avenue, Suite 150, Marion, IA 52302.