Did you get your annual water report and wonder if those numbers actually affect your family or your appliances? You’re not alone. Milford’s Consumer Confidence Report can look technical, but it’s meant to help you understand your tap water, spot any issues, and know what to do next. In this guide, you’ll learn how to read the CCR, what the key limits mean, what Milford-area homeowners should watch, and when to flush, test, or call for help. Let’s dive in.
What your CCR is and when it arrives
By federal law, community water systems send you a Consumer Confidence Report each year by July 1. The CCR summarizes where your water comes from, what was detected during testing, whether standards were met, and who to contact with questions. If you receive water from the City of Milford Water Division, you should get the CCR by mail or be able to view it online. If you’re outside city service or on a private well, your information will be different, so confirm your specific supplier.
If you want a quick overview of the report format and your rights as a customer, the EPA provides a clear primer on the program in its Consumer Confidence Report overview. You can review it here: EPA Consumer Confidence Reports basics.
How to read the results table
Your CCR includes a table of contaminants with columns for limits, test results, and health notes. Focus on three things first: whether anything exceeded a standard, the likely source, and who to call.
Key terms to know
- MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): The legal limit for a contaminant in finished drinking water.
- MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): The health-based goal. This is not enforceable, but often set very low.
- MRDL/MRDLG: Limits and goals for disinfectants like chlorine.
- AL (Action Level): Triggers action rather than a violation. Used for lead and copper.
- Amount Detected: The utility’s reported value. For lead and copper, you’ll often see the 90th percentile.
- ND: Not detected above the laboratory’s detection limit.
Units you’ll see
- mg/L or ppm: Milligrams per liter, parts per million.
- µg/L or ppb: Micrograms per liter, parts per billion.
A result below the MCL means the system met the federal standard for that contaminant. For some contaminants, the health goal is lower than the legal limit, and the CCR will include any special advice for sensitive groups.
Detection vs exceedance
- Detected but below the MCL: The utility met the standard. The CCR may include guidance for infants, pregnant people, or immunocompromised individuals if relevant.
- Above an MCL or AL: This triggers corrective actions or public education. The CCR must say what happened, what is being done, and what you should do.
- 90th percentile (lead and copper): This means 90 percent of samples were at or below the reported value. If the 90th percentile for lead is above 15 ppb, the system must take action.
For a deeper look at lead and the Lead and Copper Rule, review EPA’s information on lead in drinking water.
Milford-area issues to watch
Milford sits in Sussex County near the Mispillion River and coastal plain aquifers. Agriculture, septic systems, and coastal groundwater conditions can influence what you see in your CCR. Your report is the final word for your service area, but here are topics many local homeowners watch for.
Nitrate
- Source: Fertilizers, septic systems, and manure.
- Health: Infants under six months are most at risk from high nitrate.
- Standard: MCL is 10 mg/L (as nitrogen).
- Action: If your CCR reports a higher level or flags infant health advisories, follow the utility’s guidance and consult your pediatrician about using bottled or alternative water for formula.
Lead and copper
- Source: In-home plumbing materials, solder, and fixtures.
- Standard: Lead AL is 15 ppb and copper AL is 1.3 mg/L, both based on 90th percentile samples.
- What it means: Even if the system meets standards, lead can come from household plumbing. Results can vary from tap to tap.
- Action: Run cold water before drinking or cooking, avoid hot tap water for consumption, and consider a certified lab test if you have older plumbing or fixtures.
Disinfection byproducts
- Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and haloacetic acids (HAA5): These form when disinfectants react with natural organic matter.
- Standard: TTHMs MCL is 80 ppb. The CCR shows averages and ranges.
- Action: If levels trend near the limit and you are concerned, ask the utility about ongoing optimization and whether point-of-use filters are appropriate for your household.
Microbial indicators
- What they show: Total coliforms and E. coli can indicate system integrity issues.
- Action: If a boil-water advisory is ever issued, follow it until the utility lifts it. Your CCR will also note any violations and fixes.
Hardness and minerals
- What to expect: Hardness, iron, manganese, chloride, and sodium may appear in your CCR or be available from the utility on request.
- Impact: Hard water can create scale in water heaters and appliances. Elevated chloride or sodium can affect taste and may increase corrosion.
- Action: Flush and maintain appliances, and consider descaling routines if hardness is high.
PFAS and emerging contaminants
- Background: PFAS are being monitored nationally. Some utilities report PFAS through special monitoring programs.
- Where to learn more: The EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule program explains how emerging contaminants are tracked. Review EPA’s UCMR information.
- Action: Check your CCR for PFAS notes and look for updates from state programs if PFAS monitoring is underway in your area.
Quick homeowner checklist
- Read your CCR when it arrives by July 1.
- Check if any contaminant exceeded a standard or action level.
- Note any special advice for infants, pregnant people, or immunocompromised individuals.
- Confirm your water supplier if you are near the edge of city service.
- Keep utility contact info handy for taste, odor, or color issues.
- If you have older plumbing, consider testing for lead at your kitchen tap.
- Maintain appliances if hardness is high.
Public water vs private wells
Milford has both city utility customers and households on private wells. Your responsibilities differ.
If you’re on City of Milford
- The utility handles routine sampling and reports results in the CCR.
- If the CCR shows an exceedance or includes a health advisory, follow the instructions and timelines.
- Call customer service if you notice sudden discoloration, persistent taste or odor changes, or pressure loss.
If you’re on a private well
- You are responsible for testing and maintenance.
- Test for bacteria and nitrate at least once a year. Test after flooding, repairs, or if water quality changes.
- Consider broader testing for metals, arsenic, and VOCs every 3 to 5 years or after a known event.
- The CDC provides practical guidance for well owners. Start here: CDC private wells overview.
State programs also publish testing recommendations and lists of certified labs. Contact Delaware’s drinking water agencies for local guidance and lab referrals if you need help getting started.
When to flush, test, or call
Flushing basics
- If water has been sitting in your pipes for hours, run cold water until it turns cold and clear.
- For lead reduction, run cold water for 30 seconds to several minutes based on your home’s plumbing.
- Never use hot tap water for drinking or cooking since it can dissolve metals more readily.
When to test
- Consider a tap water lead test if you have older pipes, brass fixtures, or are planning for an infant in the home.
- Private well owners should test annually for bacteria and nitrate, and more often after storms or floods.
When to call the utility
- Sudden brown or discolored water.
- Strong chlorine odor or persistent taste changes.
- Loss of pressure or cloudy, turbid water.
- Any official notice of a boil-water advisory.
Your utility’s contact information is listed in the CCR. Keep it on your fridge or in your phone so you can report issues promptly.
Understanding the numbers: quick reference
- Lead AL: 15 ppb (90th percentile). Utility action required if exceeded.
- Copper AL: 1.3 mg/L (90th percentile).
- Nitrate MCL: 10 mg/L.
- Arsenic MCL: 10 ppb.
- TTHMs MCL: 80 ppb.
- Chlorine MRDL: 4.0 mg/L.
If a result is detected but below the MCL, the system met the federal standard. The CCR will outline any extra advice for sensitive groups.
Finding updates and official contacts
- Check the City of Milford Water Division website or your utility bill insert for the current CCR and any notices.
- You can request a paper copy of the CCR from customer service.
- For Delaware-specific compliance and resources, contact state drinking water programs. They can confirm the certified CCR and any violations.
- To understand the CCR layout and delivery rules, see the EPA’s CCR overview.
- For lead guidance and best practices at home, review EPA’s lead in drinking water information.
How this helps when you buy or sell
When you understand the CCR, you can plan for filters, compare utility data across neighborhoods, and budget for appliance care if hardness is high. If you are buying in Milford or nearby, ask for the latest CCR for the property’s water system and confirm the home’s service type. If it is a private well, request recent well test results and ask about historical maintenance.
If you are selling, having recent CCRs, any in-home test results, and appliance maintenance records ready can help buyers feel confident. That clarity supports a smoother transaction and fewer surprises during inspections.
When you need local insight on neighborhoods, builders, and due diligence for water and utilities, our team is here to help. Request a Free Home Valuation and let us guide your next step with practical, neighborhood-level advice.
FAQs
What is Milford’s Consumer Confidence Report?
- The CCR is your annual water quality report that summarizes sources, testing results, standards, and contact info. Utilities must deliver it by July 1 each year. See the EPA’s CCR basics for an overview.
How do I know if I’m on City of Milford water or a private well?
- Check your utility bill, ask the seller or landlord, or contact the City of Milford Water Division; homes outside city service limits or on rural lots may use private wells.
What does the 90th percentile mean for lead and copper in the CCR?
- It means 90 percent of samples were at or below that value; if the 90th percentile exceeds 15 ppb for lead or 1.3 mg/L for copper, the utility must take action.
If a contaminant is detected but below the limit, is my water safe?
- Meeting the MCL means the system met federal standards; the CCR will include any extra advice for sensitive groups who may wish to take added precautions.
What should private well owners near Milford test for and how often?
- Test annually for bacteria and nitrate, and every 3 to 5 years for a broader panel like metals and VOCs; test after flooding, repairs, or if water quality changes. The CDC private wells guide is a helpful starting point.
What can I do at home to reduce lead exposure from plumbing?
- Run cold water before use, avoid hot tap water for cooking or drinking, and consider a certified lab test if your home has older pipes or fixtures; review EPA’s lead guidance for details.
What should I do if I see brown water or get a boil-water notice?
- Call the utility to report the issue and follow all instructions; if a boil-water advisory is issued, boil water for drinking and cooking until the utility lifts the advisory.
How do hardness and chloride affect my appliances?
- Hardness causes scale buildup in heaters and dishwashers, while higher chloride or sodium can increase corrosion; follow your CCR for typical levels and plan regular descaling and maintenance.
