We are pleased to present to you the Annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2025. This report is intended to provide you with important information about your drinking water and the efforts made by the water system to provide safe drinking water.
Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua potable. Tradúzcalo o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.
Contact Information
- Department:
- Water Department
- Phone:
- 1-219-374-7000, Prompt 8 for Public Works
For the schedule of any and all town meetings, please visit cedarlakein.gov/government/meeting-schedule/.
For lead service line inventory information, please visit cedarlakein.gov/lead-service-line-inventory/ and follow the links provided. You may also visit idem.120water-ptd.com.
Sources of Drinking Water
Cedar Lake – Robins Nest uses ground water as its source of drinking water. Our water sources are listed below.
| Source Name | Type of Water | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Well #1 | Ground water | Abandoned – Contingency Well |
| Well #2 | Ground water | Abandoned |
| Well #3 | Ground water | Primary Well – Uses EP01 |
| Well #4 – POE Wells 3 & 4 | Ground water | Primary Well |
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 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.
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 at (800) 426-4791.
Types of Contaminants That May Be Present in Source Water
- Microbial Contaminants – such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
- Inorganic Contaminants – such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
- Pesticides and Herbicides – which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
- Organic Chemical Contaminants – including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
- Radioactive Contaminants – which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA 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.
Special Health Considerations
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Contaminants may be found in drinking water that may cause taste, color, or odor problems. These types of problems are not necessarily causes for health concern. For more information on taste, odor, or color of drinking water, please contact the system's business office.
Immuno-compromised persons—such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly persons, and infants—can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
Important Information About Lead
Lead can cause serious health effects in people of all ages, especially pregnant people, infants (both formula-fed and breastfed), and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and parts used in service lines and in home plumbing. Cedar Lake – Robins Nest is responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes but cannot control the variety of materials used in the plumbing in your home. Because lead levels may vary over time, lead exposure is possible even when your tap sampling results do not detect lead at one point in time.
You can help protect yourself and your family by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking these steps:
- Use a filter certified by an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited certifier to reduce lead, and follow the filter manufacturer's instructions.
- Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.
- Before using tap water for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula, flush your pipes for several minutes by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or running a load of dishes.
- If you have a lead service line or a galvanized-requiring-replacement service line, you may need to flush your pipes for a longer period.
If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, contact Cedar Lake – Robins Nest at 1-219-374-7000. More information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at epa.gov/safewater/lead.
Definitions and Abbreviations
The tables in this report use the following terms and abbreviations.
- Action Level (AL)
- The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.
- Action Level Goal (ALG)
- The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. ALGs allow for a margin of safety.
- Level 1 Assessment
- A study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine, if possible, why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system.
- Level 2 Assessment
- A very detailed study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine, if possible, why an E. coli MCL violation has occurred and/or why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system on multiple occasions.
- Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)
- 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.
- 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 Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG)
- The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
- Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL)
- The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
- Treatment Technique (TT)
- A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
- Variances and Exemptions
- State or EPA permission not to meet an MCL or a treatment technique under certain conditions.
- Avg
- Average – Regulatory compliance with some MCLs is based on the running annual average of monthly samples.
- RAA
- Running Annual Average.
- LRAA
- Locational Running Annual Average.
- mrem
- Millirems per year – a measure of radiation absorbed by the body.
- ppb
- Micrograms per liter (µg/L) or parts per billion – equivalent to one ounce in 7,350,000 gallons of water.
- ppm
- Milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per million – equivalent to one ounce in 7,350 gallons of water.
- pCi/L
- Picocuries per liter – a measure of the radioactivity in water.
- na
- Not applicable.
Water Quality Testing Results
Our water system tested a minimum of 1 sample per month in accordance with the Total Coliform Rule for microbiological contaminants. With the microbiological samples collected, the water system also collects disinfectant residuals to ensure control of microbial growth.
Chemical sampling of our drinking water may not be required on an annual basis; therefore, information provided in the tables below refers back to the latest year of chemical sampling results.
Disinfectant Results
| Disinfectant | Year | Highest RAA | Unit | Range | MRDL | MRDLG | Typical Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | 2025 | 1 | ppm | 0.1 – 1.3 | 4 | 4 | Water additive used to control microbes |
Lead and Copper Results
| Contaminant | Period | 90th Percentile | Range (Low – High) | Unit | AL | Sites Over AL | Typical Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper, Free | 2022 | 0.2694 | 0 – 0.415 | ppm | 1.3 | 0 | Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives |
| Lead | 2022 | 0 | 0 – 5.4 | ppb | 15 | 0 | Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits |
Disinfection Byproducts
| Contaminant | Sample Point | Period | Highest LRAA | Range | Unit | MCL | MCLG | Typical Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 12747 Wheeler | 2023 | 9 | 8.7 | ppb | 60 | 0 | By-product of drinking water disinfection |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 12747 Wheeler | 2023 | 20 | 19.5 | ppb | 80 | 0 | By-product of drinking water chlorination |
Regulated Contaminants
| Contaminant | Collection Date | Highest Value | Range | Unit | MCL | MCLG | Typical Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barium | September 30, 2024 | 0.0162 | 0.0162 | ppm | 2 | 2 | Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits |
| Fluoride | September 30, 2024 | 0.53 | 0.53 | ppm | 4 | 4 | Erosion of natural deposits; water additive which promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories |
| Mercury | September 30, 2024 | 0.2 | 0.2 | ppb | 2 | 2 | Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from landfills; runoff from cropland |
Radiological Contaminants
| Contaminant | Collection Date | Highest Value | Range | Unit | MCL | MCLG | Typical Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined Radium (-226 & -228) | September 30, 2024 | 1.21 | 1.21 | pCi/L | 5 | 0 | Erosion of natural deposits |
| Gross Beta Particle Activity * | September 30, 2024 | 7.9 | 7.9 | pCi/L | * (see note) | 0 | Decay of natural and man-made deposits |
| Radium-226 | September 30, 2024 | 1.21 | 1.21 | pCi/L | 5 | 0 | Erosion of natural deposits |
* The MCL for Gross Beta Particle Activity is 4 mrem/year (50 pCi/L is used as a screening level). Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit forms of radiation known as photons and beta radiation. Some people who drink water containing beta particle and photon radioactivity in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Violations
During the period covered by this report, our water system had the following violations.
| Violation Period | Analyte / Rule | Violation Type | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2025 | Lead & Copper Rule | Follow-Up or Routine Tap Monitoring/Reporting (LCR) | Failed to comply with follow-up or routine tap monitoring requirements related to lead and copper |
| October 7, 2024 – February 25, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Rule | CCR Adequacy/Availability/Content | Inadequate Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or failure to deliver a CCR Certification form to the state on time |
| January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring, Routine (DBP), Major | Failed to monitor/report as required for chlorine or disinfection by-products |
| January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025 | Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring, Routine (DBP), Major | Failed to monitor/report as required for chlorine or disinfection by-products |
| July 1, 2025 – December 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Rule | CCR Report | Failed to deliver Consumer Confidence Report to the state or consumers on time |
| July 1, 2025 – December 9, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Rule | CCR Adequacy/Availability/Content | Inadequate Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or failure to deliver a CCR Certification form to the state on time |
There are no additional required health effects violation notices.
Additional Required Health Effects Information
Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit forms of radiation known as photons and beta radiation. Some people who drink water containing beta particle and photon radioactivity in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.