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Reporting Year 2022 Presented By City of Blackfoot Water Department PWS ID#: 6060007 ---PAGE BREAK--- Our Mission Continues W e present our annual water quality report covering all testing performed between January 1 and December 31, 2022. Over the years, we have dedicated ourselves to producing drinking water that meets all state and federal standards. We continually strive to adopt new methods for delivering the best-quality drinking water to you. As new chal lenges to drinking water safety emerge, we remain vigilant in meeting the goals of source water protection, water conservation, and community education while continuing to serve the needs of all our water users. The Blackfoot Water Department works around the clock to provide top-quality water to every tap. In 2022 the City of Blackfoot pumped 1.3 billion gallons of water. We ask that all our customers help us protect and conserve our water sources, which are the heart of our community, our way of life, and our children’s future. Please remember that we are always available should you ever have any questions or concerns about your water. Important Health Information S ome people may be more vulnerable to contami nants in drinking water than the general popula tion. Immunocompromised 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, and infants may be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. The U.S. EPA/CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or http:// water.epa.gov/drink/hotline. Questions? If you have any questions about this report or concerning your water utility, please feel free to contact Princton Lee, Water Superintendent, at (208) 785-8608, Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Violation Information W e had two E. coli events in 2022. We took five samples on April 19. One of those samples came back positive for total coliform and E. coli. We performed required retesting, and one of those samples indicated the presence of total coliform. This triggered a boil advisory on April 21. We isolated the issue and began flushing and chlorinating the system on the east side of the city. This lasted through the weekend. We took five samples on April 26 and received results on April 27: all samples tested negative for total coliform and E. coli. We took a second set of samples on April 27 and received another set of negative results on April 28. We lifted the boil advisory on the afternoon of April 28. A second boil advisory was issued on November 10, 2022. Five samples were taken on November 8. Results on November 9 indicated four samples were positive for total coliform. We took 15 samples on November 9, and the results received on November 10 showed E. coli present in 8 samples. We flushed and chlorinated the system throughout the weekend. We took samples on November 14 and had six negative results. Seven samples collected on November 15 were also negative. Eight samples submitted on November 16 tested negative, and four samples taken on November 17 were also negative. We were able to lift the boil order the afternoon of November 18. We installed temporary chlorination in December 2022. A permanent chlorination system will be installed in 2023. E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. Public Meetings W e encourage our valued customers to be informed about their water utility. To learn more, please attend our regularly scheduled meetings in person. Come as you are! City council meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Find out more at www.cityofblackfoot.org or visit the City of Blackfoot on Facebook. Where Does My Water Come From? T he city’s source is groundwater from the Eastern Snake Plain aquifer. It is pumped by nine vertical turbine wells located throughout the system. ---PAGE BREAK--- Substances That Could Be in Water T o ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S. EPA prescribes regulations limiting the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of these contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. 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, in some cases radioactive material, and substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Substances that may be present in source water include: Microbial Contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, or wildlife; Inorganic Contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or may 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 and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production and may also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems; Radioactive Contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or may be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the U.S. EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791. Source Water Assessment A Source Water Assessment Plan (SWAP) is avail able at our office. This plan is an assessment of the delineated area around our listed sources through which contaminants, if present, could migrate and reach our source water. It also includes an inventory of potential sources of contamination within the delineated area and a determination of the water supply’s susceptibility to contamination by the identified potential sources. According to the SWAP, our water system had a susceptibility rating of moderate. If you would like to review the SWAP, please visit idaho.gov/water/swaOnline/Search or contact our office during regular office hours at (208) 785-8608. Level 1 Assessment Update C oliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, waterborne pathogens may be pres ent or that a potential pathway exists through which contamination may enter the drinking water distribution system. We found coliforms, indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treatment or distribution. When this occurs, we are required to conduct assess ments to identify and correct any problems. During the past year, three Level 2 assessments were required for our water system. Three Level 2 assessments were completed. In addition, we were required to take 12 corrective actions. We completed 11 of these actions. Level 2 Assessment Update E . coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. We found E. coli bacteria, indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treatment or distribu tion. When this occurs, we are required to conduct assessments to identify and correct any problems. We were required to complete two Level 2 assessments because we found E. coli in our water system. In addition, we were required to take six corrective actions; we completed five of these actions. Water Treatment Process T he treatment process consists of a series of steps. First, raw water is drawn from our water source and sent to an aeration tank, which allows for oxidation of high iron levels. It then goes to a mixing tank where polyaluminum chloride and soda ash are added. The addition of these substances causes small particles (called floc) to adhere to one another, making them heavy enough to settle into a basin from which sediment is removed. Chlorine is then added for disinfection. At this point, the water is filtered through layers of fine coal and silicate sand. As smaller suspended particles are removed, turbidity disappears and clear water emerges. Chlorine is added again as a precaution against any bacteria that may still be present. (We carefully monitor the amount of chlorine, adding the lowest quantity necessary to protect the safety of your water without compromising taste.) Finally, soda ash (to adjust the final pH and alkalinity), fluoride (to prevent tooth decay), and a corrosion inhibitor (to protect distribution system pipes) are added before the water is pumped to sanitized underground reservoirs and water towers and into your home or business. ---PAGE BREAK--- Test Results O ur water is monitored for many different kinds of substances on a very strict sampling schedule, and the water we deliver must meet specific health standards. Here, we only show those substances that were detected in our water (a complete list of all our analytical results is available upon request). Remember that detecting a substance does not mean the water is unsafe to drink; our goal is to keep all detects below their respective maximum allowed levels. We had a total coliform-positive repeat sample following an E. coli-positive routine sample in April 2022. We had an E. coli-positive repeat sample following a total coliform-positive routine sample in November 2022. The state recommends monitoring for certain substances less than once per year because the concentrations of these substances do not change frequently. In these cases, the most recent sample data are included, along with the year in which the sample was taken. REGULATED SUBSTANCES SUBSTANCE (UNIT OF MEASURE) YEAR SAMPLED MCL [MRDL] MCLG AMOUNT DETECTED RANGE LOW-HIGH VIOLATION TYPICAL SOURCE E. coli positive samples) 2022 TT1 0 10 NA Yes Human and animal fecal waste Gross Alpha Particles (pCi/L) 2022 15 0 <3.0 0.692 NA No Erosion of natural depostits Nitrate (ppm) 2022 10 10 1.324 ND–2.48 No Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits Radium 226 (pCi/L) 2022 5 0 <0.144 0.083 NA No Erosion of natural deposits Radium 228 (pCi/L) 2022 NA NA <0.188 0.365 NA No Erosion of natural deposits Uranium (ppb) 2022 30 0 1.235 0.87–1.60 No Erosion of natural deposits Tap water samples were collected for lead and copper analyses from sample sites throughout the community SUBSTANCE (UNIT OF MEASURE) YEAR SAMPLED AL MCLG AMOUNT DETECTED (90TH %ILE) SITES ABOVE AL/TOTAL SITES VIOLATION TYPICAL SOURCE Copper (ppm) 2021 1.3 1.3 0.182 0/30 No Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits Lead (ppb) 2021 15 0 0.003 0/30 No Lead service lines; corrosion of household plumbing systems, including fittings and fixtures; erosion of natural deposits UNREGULATED SUBSTANCES SUBSTANCE (UNIT OF MEASURE) YEAR SAMPLED AMOUNT DETECTED RANGE LOW-HIGH TYPICAL SOURCE Sodium (ppm) 2022 16.623 13.5–22.4 Erosion of natural deposits 1 Routine and repeat samples are total coliform-positive and either are E. coli-positive or system fails to take repeat samples following E. coli- positive routine sample, or system fails to analyze total coliform-positive repeat sample for E. coli. 90th %ile: The levels reported for lead and copper represent the 90th percentile of the total number of sites tested. The 90th percentile is equal to or greater than 90% of our lead and copper detections. AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. Level 1 Assessment: A Level 1 assessment is 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 Level 2 assessment is 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. MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the as feasible using the best available treatment technology. MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. allow for a margin of safety. MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level): 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. (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. NA: Not applicable. pCi/L (picocuries per liter): A measure of radioactivity. ppb (parts per billion): One part substance per billion parts water (or micrograms per liter). ppm (parts per million): One part substance per million parts water (or milligrams per liter). TT (Treatment Technique): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. Definitions ---PAGE BREAK--- Lead in Home Plumbing I f present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, espe cially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is pri marily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. We are responsible for pro viding high-quality drinking water, but we cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing compo nents. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can mini mize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are con cerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or www.epa.gov/ safewater/lead. Chlorination D isinfection, a chemical process used to control disease-causing microorganisms by killing or inactivating them, is unquestionably the most important step in drinking water treatment. By far, the most common method of disinfection in North America is chlorina tion. Before communities began routinely treating drinking water with chlorine (starting with Chicago and Jersey City in 1908), cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, and hepatitis A killed thousands of U.S. residents annually. Drinking water chlorination and filtration have helped to virtually eliminate these diseases in the U.S. Significant strides in public health are directly linked to the adoption of drinking water chlorination. In fact, the filtration of drinking water and the use of chlorine are probably the most significant public health advancements in human history. Benefits of Chlorination • Potent Germicide Reduction of many disease-causing microorganisms in drinking water to almost immeasurable levels. • Taste and Odor Reduction of many disagreeable tastes and odors from foul-smelling algae secretions, sulfides, and decaying vegetation. • Biological Growth Elimination of slime bacteria, molds, and algae that commonly grow in water supply reservoirs, on the walls of water mains, and in storage tanks. • Chemical Removal of hydrogen sulfide (which has a rotten egg odor), ammonia, and other nitrogenous compounds that have unpleasant tastes and hinder disinfection. It also helps to remove iron and manganese from raw water. What Are PFAS? P er- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of manufactured chemicals used worldwide since the 1950s to make fluo ropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. During production and use, PFAS can migrate into the soil, water, and air. Most PFAS do not break down; they remain in the environment, ultimately finding their way into drinking water. Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, PFAS are found all over the world at low levels. Some PFAS can build up in people and animals with repeated exposure over time. The most commonly studied PFAS are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). PFOA and PFOS have been phased out of production and use in the United States, but other countries may still manufacture and use them. Some products that may contain PFAS include: • Some grease-resistant paper, fast food containers/wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes • Nonstick cookware • Stain-resistant coatings used on carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics • Water-resistant clothing • Personal care products (shampoo, dental floss) and cosmetics (nail polish, eye makeup) • Cleaning products • Paints, varnishes, and sealants Even though recent efforts to remove PFAS have reduced the likelihood of exposure, some products may still contain them. If you have questions or concerns about products you use in your home, contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at (800) 638-2772. For a more detailed discussion on PFAS, please visit http://bit.ly/3Z5AMm8. What’s a Cross-Connection? C ross-connections that contaminate drinking water distribution lines are a major concern. A cross-connection is formed at any point where a drinking water line connects to equipment (boilers), systems containing chemicals (air-conditioning systems, fire sprinkler systems, irrigation systems), or water sources of questionable quality. Cross-connection contamination can occur when the pressure in the equip ment or system is greater than the pressure inside the drinking water line (backpres sure). Contamination can also occur when the pressure in the drinking water line drops due to fairly routine occurrences (main breaks, heavy water demand), causing contaminants to be sucked out from the equipment and into the drinking water line (back-siphonage). Outside water taps and garden hoses tend to be the most common sources of cross-connection contamination at home. The garden hose creates a hazard when submerged in a swimming pool or attached to a chemical sprayer for weed killing. Garden hoses that are left lying on the ground may be contaminated by fertilizers, cesspools, or garden chemicals. Improperly installed valves in your toilet could also be a source of cross-connection contamination. Community water supplies are continuously jeopardized by cross-connections unless appropriate valves, known as backflow prevention devices, are installed and maintained. We have surveyed industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities in the service area to make sure that potential cross-connections are identified and eliminated or protected by a backflow preventer. We also inspect and test backflow preventers to make sure that they provide maximum protection. For more information on backflow prevention, contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.