PGMS, the operator of our water system, supplied 10 households with water sampling bottles with directions for the homeowner to use for the sampling process. PGMS also picked up the completed samples from the selected homes and sent the samples to a TCEQ certified lab. Apparently one household took a little while before completing the sampling but regardless the lab accepted all samples and forwarded the testing data (all samples were fine) to TCEQ. Apparently one sample was received (time stamped) 4 hours beyond the allowed 14 day period and even though the lab accepted it TCEQ rejected it for being late. By the time PGMS was notified of the rejection the 90 day window (6/1/15 – 9/30/15) was closed, hence the violation even though the water met acceptable limits.
The following is the exact language of the public notice:
The Ruby Ranch WSC, PWS ID# 1050122 (the “WSC), was informed that it has violated the monitoring and reporting requirements set by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in Chapter 30, Section 290, Subchapter F. Even though these were no emergencies, as our customers you have the right to know what happened and what we are doing to correct this situation. 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 January – December 2015, the water system did not complete all monitoring or testing for lead and copper and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of your drinking water during this timeframe.
The table below lists the contaminant(s) not properly tested for during last year, how often we are supposed to sample for lead and copper, how many samples we are supposed to take, how many samples we took, when samples should have been taken, and the date on which the follow-up samples will be taken.
| Contaminant | Required SamplingFrequency | Number of samples taken | When samples should have been taken | When samples were or will be taken |
| Lead & Copper tap water sampling | 10 samples every year | 10 | June 1 – Sept. 30, 2015 | June 1 – Sept. 30, 2016 |
What is being done? We are working to correct the problem. For more information, please contact Mr. Carroll Campbell by calling (512) 894-3322, or by mail to; 26550 Ranch Road 12, Suite 1, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620.
Lead and Copper samples were collected during July – September 2015, submitted to the laboratory, and the results forwarded to TCEQ by the laboratory. The TCEQ advised the WSC that they rejected one of the samples that was accepted by the laboratory for testing in error. The WSC was not informed of this situation in a timely fashion so that the rejected sample could have been retaken prior to the September 2015 deadline. All laboratory tests results have indicated that any detectable levels of lead and/or copper are well below the action levels prescribed by the TCEQ.
Please share this information with all other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (i.e., 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.
This notice is being sent to you by the Ruby Ranch WSC / Public Water System Number 1050122