Document cayugacounty_gov_doc_24f4afe2c7

2024 City of Auburn 160 Swift St Auburn, NY 13021 Water Supply ID# NY 0501710 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2 2. Where Does Our Drinking Water Come From? 2 2.a. Auburn Water Supply 3 2.b. Auburn Water System 3 3. Facts and Figures 4 3.a. Water Production 4 3.b. Are There Contaminants In Our Drinking Water? 6 3.c. Summary of Detected Contaminants 8 3.d. Summary of Non-Detected Contaminants 10 3.e. Trends for Various Inorganic and Organic Contaminants Over the Past Five Years 12 3.f. Definitions 13 4. What Does This Information 13 4.a. Information on & Giardia 14 4.b. Information on Radiologic Testing 14 4.c. Information on Unregulated Contaminants 14 4.d. Do I Need to Take Special 14 4.e. Information on Lead Service Lines (LSL) 14 5. Why Save Water? 15 5.a. You Have The Power To Save Water 15 6. System Improvements 16 6.a. Future Work 16 7. FAQs 17 8. Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection and Protection Division 2024 Summary 17 Inspection Summary 18 9. Backflow Prevention 18 10. A Note from the New York State Department Of Health 19 11. Additional Sources of Information 19 ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 2 1. Introduction To comply with State and Federal regulations, the City of Auburn (PWS ID# NY 0501710) will be annually issuing a report describing the quality of your drinking water and awareness of the need to protect municipal drinking water sources. Last year, your tap water met all State drinking water health standards. In 2024, City of Auburn Water Filtration Plant operators conducted tests for over 100 contaminants. Testing resulted in the detection of several contaminants. However, none of the contaminants were found at a level above the threshold set forth by the New York State Department of Health. This report provides an overview of last year’s water quality. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to State standards. We want you to be informed about your drinking water. If you have any questions concerning this report on your drinking water, please contact Mr. John West, Chief Water Plant Operator, at (315)-253-8754. If you wish to learn more, please attend any of our regularly scheduled City Council Work Sessions. A schedule of the Council Work Sessions may be obtained from the Mayor’s Office, located in City Hall, (315)-255-4104 or on the City’s website: www.auburnny.gov. 2. Where Does Our Drinking Water Come From? Some contaminants that may be present in source water include: • Microbial contaminants, including bacteria and viruses, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife; • Inorganic contaminants, including salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or a result of urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming; • Pesticides and herbicides, which can come from a variety of sources, such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses; • Organic chemical contaminants, including and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems; and • 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 New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribe regulations limiting the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The NYSDOH and the United States Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health. In general, sources of drinking water (for both tap and bottled water) include: rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land surfaces or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring materials (that are, in some cases, radioactive) and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activities. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 3 2.a. Auburn Water Supply The City of Auburn’s water source is Owasco Lake. Owasco Lake is classified as a Class-AA special water body, designated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) as listed in 6 Part 702. It is considered an excellent source of potable water, and must be protected. In an effort to maintain our source water quality, the City of Auburn actively participates and financially supports the Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection and Protection Division on an annual basis. The Watershed Inspection and Protection Division is charged with enforcement of watershed rules and regulations for Owasco Lake, promulgated by law under Section 1100 (Public Health). The City draws its water through a single 30- inch intake line that extends over 1,800 feet into the lake. The intake structure is a submerged concrete crib. The city’s allowable withdrawal from Owasco Lake is 15 million gallons per day (MGD), as permitted by Water Resource Application #422 dated 10/03/63. The dependable yield is determined to be 48 MGD in a study conducted in 1995 by R & D Engineering, P.C., Buffalo, New York. Dependable yield, sometimes called safe yield, is the amount of water that can be continuously withdrawn from the source without ecological impact. 2.b. Auburn Water System Use The transmission main from the Upper Pumping Station to the Water Filtration Plant on Swift Street consists of approximately 8,800 feet of 24-inch cast-iron pipe. The first 400 feet of transmission main is a new 30-inch diameter pipe installed as part of the reconstruction of the Owasco Lake Seawall Project, completed in 2001. The pipe size is increased to 36-inch at the point where it crosses over the Owasco Lake Outlet adjacent to the State Dam, and is reduced to 30 inches before entering the rapid-sand filtration plant. The City presently operates two filtration plants, a slow-sand and a rapid-sand plant, which function in parallel operation. They are located at the corner of Swift Street and Pulsifer Drive in Auburn. The slow-sand filtration plant was constructed in 1916-17. It underwent a complete rehabilitation in 2024. The plant contains four beds with a total capacity of about 7.5 MGD (millions of gallons per day). The beds consist of about 42 inches of sand supported by 12 inches of gravel. The rapid-sand filtration plant originally constructed in 1969 consists of 3 dual media filters with a combined capacity of about 7.25 MGD. In the rapid-sand plant, all water is pre-treated with poly-aluminum chloride to facilitate coagulation, sedimentation, and settling prior to filtration. All water is disinfected with Sodium Hypochlorite Solution prior to distribution. Reservoirs on Franklin Street and Swift Street maintain reserves of 10.25 million gallons (MG) and 3 MG, respectfully. The City also protects its raw water intake pipe from Zebra mussels by adding a chemical solution of Sodium Hypochlorite. The addition of Sodium Hypochlorite added at concentrations between 0.40 and 0.70 mg /L prevents adolescent zebra mussels from developing into adults which can attach to the inside of the intake pipe and restrict the City’s ability to draw water from the lake. This system was replaced in 2020. During the 2017 season, a Powered Activated Carbon system was built at the Upper Pumping Station to help treat for microcystin, the toxin associated with Harmful Algae Blooms (HAB). Figure 1. Owasco Lake Watershed Boundary ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 4 3. Facts and Figures The City of Auburn water system serves approximately 26,866 (2020 Census) Auburn residents with around 9,100 service connections. Water from the City of Auburn is also distributed to areas within the towns of Sennett, Fleming, Throop, Brutus, Montezuma, Springport, Mentz, and Aurelius. The City also distributes water to the villages of Cayuga, Port Byron, and Weedsport, as well as the Cayuga County Water Authority and the Thruway Authority. It is estimated that Auburn supplies close to 43,000 people in Cayuga County with their drinking water. 3.a. Water Production 73% 27% Total Water Produced in 2024 (gallons) Metered Water Un-Metered Water The total water produced in 2024 was 1,627,584,000 gallons. The daily average of water treated and pumped into the distribution system was 4,446,531 gallons per day. The single highest day was 5,913,000 gallons. The amount of water metered totaled 1,180,553,546 gallons. This leaves a difference of 447,030,454 gallons of un- metered water, or 27% of the total water produced. This water is lost due to leakage, water used to flush reservoirs and mains, wash streets, fight fires, and for internal use at the water treatment plant. Figure 2. Water Filtration Flow, From Lake to Tap ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 5 In 2024, the City flushed hydrants as part of the ongoing work to help control disinfection byproducts. Dead ends were all flushed in 2024 to help with water quality. Leak detection was done on 10 streets in the 2024 road program. One main leak and two service leaks were found and both were repaired. In 2024, all City of Auburn water customers were charged $3.35 per 100 cubic feet of water. The minimum quarterly usage charge for water per user is $20.10, plus a fixed service fee. The fixed water service fee for 5/8” meter is $12.10 per quarter. Below is a cost comparison of similar size communities. *US Average Water and Sewer Bill Information obtained from Bluefield Research, US Municipal Utility Water Rates Index 2024. 1,300,000,000 1,350,000,000 1,400,000,000 1,450,000,000 1,500,000,000 1,550,000,000 1,600,000,000 1,650,000,000 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Gallons Total Water Produced Over the Last Five Years Over the past five years, the total water produced ranged from 1,392,426,000 gallons in 2023 to 1,627,584,000 gallons in 2024, and averaged a value of 1,540,655,400 gallons. The amount of water produced this year, in 2024, falls above this average, closing in at 1,627,584,000 gallons. The City had flow meters serviced in late 2024. This should settle down the large production swings over the last few years. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 6 3.b. Are There Contaminants In Our Drinking Water? As the State regulations require, we routinely test your drinking water for numerous contaminants. The State allows us to test for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. These contaminants include the following: Water Contaminant Levels Contaminant Type Owasco Lake Levels NYSDOH Maximum Limit Physical Raw Water Turbidity (NTU) 0.71-7.41 No Designated Limit Color <5 15 Units Odor <1 T.O.N (Threshold Odor Number) 3 Units Radioactive Contaminants Potable Water Gross Alpha ND 15 pCi/L Gross Beta Activity ND 4 pCi/L Combined Radium 226 and 228 0.850 5 pCi/L Chemical pH 6.68-8.41 6.5-8.5 Hardness (as CaCO3 mg/L) 120 No Designated Limit Inorganics (mg/L) Antimony <0.00040 0.006 Arsenic <0.0010 0.01 Barium 0.022 2 Beryllium <0.00030 0.004 Cadmium <0.0010 0.005 Chloride (2017) 24 250 Chromium <0.0010 0.1 Copper (2021) 0.0045 1.3 Cyanide <0.005 0.2 Fluoride <0.1 2.2 Iron (2021) <0.050 0.3 Iron + Manganese (2021) <0.060 0.5 Lead (2021) 0.0014 0.015 Manganese (2021) <0.010 0.3 Mercury <0.00020 0.002 Nickel 0.0064 0.1 Nitrate 1.2, 1.1, 0.67, 0.84 10 Selenium <0.0010 0.1 Silver (2021) <0.010 0.1 Sodium 17 No Designated Limit Sulfate (2021) 12 250 Thallium <0.00030 0.002 Zinc (2021) <0.020 5 Organics (mg/L) Thrihalomethanes, Total 0.018-0.057 0.08 Haloacetic Acids, (HAA5) 0.004-0.029 0.06 Specific Organic Chemicals (mg/L) (2024 data) Alachor <0.0001 0.002 Aldicarb <0.0005 0.003 Aldicarb Sulfone <0.0008 0.002 ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 7 Aldicarb Sulfoxide <0.0005 0.004 Aldrin <0.001 0.005 Atrazine <0.0001 0.003 Benzo(a)pyrene <0.00002 0.0002 Butachlor <0.01 0.05 Carbaryl (Sevin) <0.001 0.05 Carbofuran <0.0009 0.04 Chlordane, Total <0.00002 0.002 Dalapon <0.001 0.05 1,2 Dibromo-3-Chloropropane <0.00002 0.0002 1, 2 Dibromoethane (EDB) <0.00001 0.00005 Dieldrin <0.001 0.005 2, 4-D <0.0001 0.05 Dinoseb <0.0002 0.007 1,4-Dioxane <0.00002 0.0010 Dicamba <0.01 0.05 Endrin <0.00001 0.002 Bis Adipate <0.0006 0.006 Bis Phthalate <0.0006 0.006 Heptachlor <0.00004 0.0004 Heptachlor Epoxide <0.00002 0.0002 Hexaclorobenzene <0.0001 0.001 Hexachlorocylopentadiene <0.0001 0.005 3-Hydroxycarbofuran <0.001 No Designated Limit Lindane <0.00002 0.0002 Methomyl <0.001 0.05 <0.0001 0.04 Metolachlor <0.01 0.05 Metribuzin <0.01 0.05 Oxamyl <0.001 0.05 Pentachlorophenol <0.00004 0.001 Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS) <0.0000018 0.0000100 Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) <0.0000018 0.0000100 Picloram <0.0001 0.05 Propachlor <0.01 0.05 Simazine <0.0001 0.004 Toxaphene <0.001 0.003 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) <0.0002 0.01 UCMR3/UCMR4 (ug/L) Perfluorobutanesulfonic Acid (2021) <0.030 No Designated Limit Perfluoroheptanoic Acid (2021) <0.0033 No Designated Limit Perfluorohexanesulfonic Acid (2021) <0.010 No Designated Limit Perfluorononanoic Acid (2021) <0.00067 No Designated Limit Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (2021) <0.0013 No Designated Limit Perfluorooctanoic Acid (2021) <0.00067 No Designated Limit Cobalt (2021) <0.33 No Designated Limit Molybdenum (2021) <0.33 No Designated Limit 1,1-Dichloroethane <0.5 No Designated Limit 1,2,3-Trichloropropane <0.5 No Designated Limit 1,3-Butadiene (2021) <0.10 No Designated Limit Bromochloromethane <0.5 No Designated Limit Bromomethane <0.5 No Designated Limit ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 8 Chlorofluoromethane (2021) <0.080 No Designated Limit Chloromethane <0.5 No Designated Limit 1,4-Dioxane <0.020 No Designated Limit Total Microcystin (2021) <0.3 No Designated Limit Microcystin-LA (2021) <0.008 No Designated Limit Microcystin-LF (2021) <0.006 No Designated Limit Microcystin-LR (2021) <0.02 No Designated Limit Microcystin-LY (2021) <0.009 No Designated Limit Microcystin-RR (2021) <0.006 No Designated Limit Microcystin-YR (2021) <0.02 No Designated Limit Nodularin (2021) <0.005 No Designated Limit Anatoxin-A (2021) <0.03 No Designated Limit Cylindrospermopsin (2021) <0.09 No Designated Limit Germanium (2021) <0.3 No Designated Limit Alpha-Hexachlorocyclohexane (2021) <0.01 No Designated Limit Chlorpyrifos (2021) <0.03 No Designated Limit Dimethipin (2021) <0.2 No Designated Limit Ethoprop (2021) <0.03 No Designated Limit Oxyfluorfen (2021) <0.05 No Designated Limit Profenofos (2021) <0.3 No Designated Limit Tebuconazole (2021) <0.2 No Designated Limit Total Permethrin (cis- & trans-) (2021) <0.04 No Designated Limit Tribufos (2021) <0.07 No Designated Limit 1-Butanol (2021) <2.0 No Designated Limit 2-Methoxyethanol (2021) <0.4 No Designated Limit 2-Propen-1-ol (2021) <0.5 No Designated Limit Butylated Hydroxyanisole (2021) <0.03 No Designated Limit o-Toluidine (2021) <0.007 No Designated Limit Quinoline (2021) <0.02 No Designated Limit 3.c. Summary of Detected Contaminants It should be noted that all drinking water, including bottled water, might be reasonably expected to contain 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 1-[PHONE REDACTED] or the Cayuga County Health Department at (315)-253-1405. Table of Detected Contaminants Contaminant Violation: Yes/No Date of Sample Level Detected (Average) (Range) Unit Measurement MCLG Regulatory Limit (MCL, TT, OR AL) Likely Source of Contamination PHYSICAL Turbidity No 5 days per week Avg: 0.102 Range: 0.04- 2.48 NTU N/A 5.0 distribution system Soil runoff/Natural Lake Turnover PHYSICAL Turbidity No 7 days per week Avg: 0.06 Range: 0.01- 0.58 NTU N/A 0.3-1.0 MCL filter performance Soil runoff/Natural Lake Turnover Inorganics Barium No 3/06/2024 0.023 ppm 2 2 Erosion of natural deposits Chloride No 3/23/2017 24 ppm N/A 250 Naturally occurring ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 9 Nickel No 3/06/2024 0.0013 ppm N/A 0.1 Erosion of natural deposits Sulfate No 3/23/2020 12 ppm N/A 250 Naturally occurring Sodium No 3/06/2024 17 ppm N/A No Limit Naturally occurring Nitrate No 2/15/2024 5/16/2024 8/15/2024 11/21/2024 Avg: 0.96 Range: 0.67- 1.2 ppm 10 10.0 MCL Erosion of natural deposits ORGANICS, Trihalomethanes, total, TTHM No 2/14/2024 5/15/2024 8/14/2024 11/20/2024 LRAA4 55.92 Range: 17.6- 56.8 ppb N/A 80 MCL Contained in chlorinated water Haloacetic Acids, HAA5 No 2/14/2024 5/15/2024 8/14/2024 11/20/2024 LRAA 4 21.2 Range: 4.0- 29.4 ppb N/A 60 MCL Contained in chlorinated water Lead No June 2023 July 2023 2.2 1 Range ND- 4.7 ppb 0 AL-15 Contained in Finished Water, an artifact of old piping and lead soldered joints Copper No June 2023 July 2023 0.050 2 Range: 0.0034-0.35 ppm 1.3 AL-1.3 Contained in Finished Water, an artifact of old piping and lead soldered joints Radioactive Contaminants Gross Alpha No 4/26/2021 ND pCi/L 0 15 pCi/L Contained in soil or sedimentary rock formations Gross Beta No 4/26/2021 ND pCi/L 0 4 pCi/L Contained in soil or sedimentary rock formations Combined Radium 226 and 228 No 4/26/2021 0.85 pCi/L 0 5 pCi/L Contained in soil or sedimentary rock formations Unregulated Contaminants TOC No 3rd week 1.0-2.3 ppm N/A N/A Erosion of natural deposits HFPO-DA No 7/09/2024 0.00105 ppb N/A N/A Firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, fast food packaging, etc. PFBA No 7/09/2024 8/06/2024 0.00175 0.00215 ppb N/A N/A Firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, fast food packaging, etc. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 10 Cyanotoxin Microcystin Finished Water No 7/30/2024- 10/31/2024 25 Samples All <0.15 10/8-0.23, retested <0.15 ppb 0 N/A 3 Naturally occurring due to harmful algal blooms/cyanobacteria Microcystin Raw Water N/A 7/30/2024- 10/31/2024 25 Samples Range <0.15- 1.73 ppb N/A N/A Naturally occurring due to harmful algal blooms/cyanobacteria Notes: *1 – The level presented represents the 90th percentile of the 32 samples collected. In this case, 32 samples were collected at your water system and the 90th percentile value was the twenty-ninth highest value, 2.2 ppb. The action level for lead was not exceeded at any one of the 32 sites. *2 – The level presented represents the 90th percentile of the 32 sites tested. A percentile is a value on a scale of 100 that indicates the percent of distribution that is equal to or below it. The 90th percentile is equal to or greater than 90% of the copper values detected at your water system. In this case, 32 samples were collected at your water system and the 90th percentile value was the twenty-ninth highest value, 0.05 mg/l. The action level for copper was not exceeded at any of the sites tested. *3 – The United States Environmental Protection Agency 10-day health advisory level for microcystin is 0.3 ppb for children less than or equal to 5 years of age and vulnerable populations; and 1.6 for all other people. *4 – This number represents the Highest Locational Running Annual Average (LRAA) for 2024. *5 – Estimated value. Analyte value is less than the Reporting/Quantitation Limit. 3.d. Summary of Non-Detected Contaminants The City of Auburn was required to test for the following contaminants in 2024: nitrate, primary inorganic chemicals, disinfection byproducts, principal organic chemicals, PFOA, PFOS, 1,4 dioxane, organic chemicals, alkalinity, TOC, sodium, and a minimum of 30 total coliform samples per month. Contaminants that were detected are in section 3c of this report. The following are chemicals that were tested for but not detected in 2024. Primary Inorganic Chemicals sampled for on 3/06/24: Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Cyanide, Mercury, Selenium and Thallium. Organic Chemicals sampled for on 3/06/24: 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane, 1,2-Dibromoethane(EDB), Aroclor-1016, Aroclor-1221, Aroclor-1232, Aroclor-1242, Aroclor-1248, Aroclor-1254, Aroclor-1260, Aldrin, Chlordane Total, Dieldrin, Endrin, Heptachlor, Heptachlor Epoxide, Hexachlorocyclopentadine, gamma-BHC (Lindane), Toxaphene, 2,4-D, Dalapon, Dicamba, Dinoseb, Pentachlorophenol, Picloram, and 2,4,5-TP (Silvex). Principal Organic Chemicals sampled for on 3/06/24: Benzene, Bromobenzene, Bromochloromethane, Bromomethane, sec-Butylbenzene, n-Butylbenzene, tert-Butylbenzene, Carbon tetrachloride, Chlorobenzene, Chloroethane, Chloromethane, 2-Chlorotoluene, 4-Chlorotoluene, Dibromomethane, 1,2-Dichlorobenzene, 1,3-Dicholorobenzene, 1,4- Dichlorobenzene, Dichlorodifluorimethane, 1,1-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloroethane, cis-1,2-Dichloroethene, 1,1- Dichloroethene, trans-1,2-Dichloroethene, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 1,3-Dichloropropane, 2,2-Dichloropropane, 1,1- ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 11 Dichloropropene, cis-1,3-Dichloropropene, trans-1,3-Dichloropropene, Ethyl benzene, Hexachlorobutadiene, Isopropylbenzene (Cumene), 4-Isopropyl toluene (Cymene), Methylene chloride, n-Propybenzene, Styrene, 1,1,1,2- Tetrachloroethane, 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane, Tetrachloroethane, Toluene, 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2,4- Trichlorobenzene, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, Trichloroethane, Trichlorofluoromethane (Freon 11), 1,2,3-Trichloropropane, Vinyl Chloride, MTBE, Xylenes (total), Surrogate (1,2-DCA-d4), Surrogate (Tol-d8) and Surrogate (4-BFB). Radiological sampled on 4/26/21: Gross Alpha, Radium 226. Organic Chemicals sampled on 12/27/24: PFOA, PFOS and 1,4 Dioxane. UCMR 5 sampled on 5/07/24-10/29/24; final sample in February 2025 will be in 2025 report: Lithium, Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), 4,8-Dioxa-3H- perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA), Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS), 8:2 Fluorotelomersulfonic acid (8:2FTS), 9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonate (9Cl-PF3ONS), 11-ChloroeicosaFluoro-3- oxaundecane-1-sulfonate (11Cl-PF3OUdS), 6:2 Fluorotelomersulfonic acid (6:2FTS), 4:2 Fluorotelomersulfonic acid (4:2FTS), Nona-fluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid (NFDHA), Perfluoro(2- ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid (PFEESA), Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMOPrA), Perfluoro-4- methoxybutanoic acid (PFMOBA), Perfluorotridecanoic acid Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTDA), N-Eperfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSSA), N-Mperfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA). ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 12 3.e. Trends for Various Inorganic and Organic Contaminants Over the Past Five Years 14 16 18 20 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Levels Detected, ppm Sodium Level Trends No Designated NYSDOH Maximum Limit 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 AVG Levels Detected, ppb Trihalomethane Level Trends NYSDOH Maximum Limit: 80 ppb 15 20 25 30 35 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 AVG Levels Detected, ppb Haloacetic Acids Level Trends NYSDOH Maximum Limit: 60 ppb 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 AVG Levels Detected, ppm Nitrate Level Trends NYSDOH Maximum Limit: 10.0 ppm 0 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Levels Detected, ppm Chromium Level Trends NYSDOH Maximum Limit: 0.1 ppm 0.019 0.02 0.021 0.022 0.023 0.024 0.025 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Levels Detected, ppm Barium Level Trends NYSDOH Maximum Limit: 2.0 ppm ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 13 3.f. Definitions o 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. o 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 violation has occurred and/or why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system on multiple occasions. o Maximum Contaminant Level: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set to as close to the as feasible. o 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. o Maximum Residual Disinfection 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. o Maximum Residual Disinfection 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 contamination. o Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant, which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements, which a water system must follow. o Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. o Non-Detects (ND): Laboratory analysis indicates that the constituent is not present. o Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU): A measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person. o Colony Forming Units (CFU): A unit used to measure the number of viable bacteria cells. o Milligrams per liter (mg/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid in one million parts of liquid (parts per million - ppm). o Micrograms per liter (ug/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid in one billion parts of liquid (parts per billion - ppb). o Picocuries per liter (pCi/L): A measure of the radioactivity in water. o Color: The presence of dissolved substances in water. o Hardness: A characteristic of water caused mainly by the salts of calcium and magnesium, such as bicarbonate, carbonate, sulfate, chloride and nitrate. o Inorganic chemicals: Materials such as sand, salt, iron, calcium salts, and other materials of mineral origin. o Odor threshold: The minimum odor of a water sample that can just be detected after successive dilutions with odorless water. 4. What Does This Information Mean? 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. The City of Auburn is responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components 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 steps to reduce your family's risk. Using a filter, certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead, is effective in reducing lead exposures. Follow the instructions provided with the filter to ensure the filter is used properly. 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. You can do this by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes. If you have a lead service line or 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 the City of Auburn Water Filtration Plant at [PHONE REDACTED]. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 14 4.a. Information on & Giardia New York State law requires water suppliers to notify their customers about the risks of and Giardiasis. and Giardiasis are intestinal illnesses caused by microscopic parasites. can be very serious for people with weak immune systems, those on chemotherapy, dialysis or transplant patients, as well as people with Crohn’s disease or Human Immune Deficiency (HIV) infection. People with weakened immune systems should discuss with their health care providers the need to take extra precautions such as boiling water, using certified bottle water or a specially approved home filter. Individuals who think they have may have or Giardiasis should contact their healthcare provider immediately. The city began a two-year testing program for and Giardiasis in October of 2016. Samples of our raw water were collected once a month during this two-year period. Of the 24 samples collected during this period, one sample in April of 2018 tested positive for Giardia. The rest of the samples collected in 2018 were negative for and Giardia. For additional information on or Giardiasis, please contact the Cayuga County Health Department at (315)-253-1405. 4.b. Information on Radiologic Testing Radiologic Testing was performed in 2021. Regulatory limits are listed on the table above, and all testing was below the limit. 4.c. Information on Unregulated Contaminants We were required to test for the unregulated contaminants quarterly starting in May 2024 lasting until February of 2025. No contaminants were detected. A list of what was tested for is in section 3d. 4.d. Do I Need to Take Special Precautions? Some people may be more vulnerable to disease-causing microorganisms or pathogens in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/Acquired Immune Defiency (AIDS) or other immune disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk for infections. These people should seek advice from their healthcare provider about their drinking water. EPA/Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Giardia and other microbial pathogens are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-[PHONE REDACTED]. 4.e. Information on Lead Service Lines (LSL) A Lead Service Line (LSL) is defined as any portion of pipe that is made of lead which connects the water main to the building inlet. An LSL may be owned by the water system, owned by the property owner, or both. The inventory includes both potable and non-potable SLs within a system. In accordance with the federal Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) our system has prepared a lead service line inventory and have made it publicly Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system. Turbidity itself has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbiological growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. Please pay special attention to the additional statement in this document regarding and Giardia. Plant monitoring equipment has been updated and plant procedures have been modified to allow treatment of our water and keep it well within all regulatory requirements. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 15 accessible by our City Website at www.auburnny.gov/municipal-utilities. Once on the page, look to the list on the left-hand side and click Lead Service Line Inventory. 5. Why Save Water? Although our system has an adequate amount of water to meet present and future demands, there are a number of reasons why it is important to conserve water. • Saving water reduces the cost of energy required to pump water and the need to construct costly new wells, pumping systems and water towers. • Saving water lessens the strain on the water system during a dry spell or drought, helping to avoid severe water use restrictions so that essential firefighting needs are met. 5.a. You Have The Power To Save Water By becoming aware of how much water your household is using, and looking for ways to use less, you can conserve water! Some tips to get you started include: Automatic dishwashers use 15 gallons for every cycle, regardless of how many dishes are loaded. So, get a run for your money and load it to capacity. 1 Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. To clean your brush, use short bursts of water. This can save about 80% of the water that would normally be used. 2 Check every faucet in your home for leaks. Did you know? Just a small drip can waste 15-20 gallons a day! Fix it, and you can save almost 6,000 gallons a year! 3 Invest in either a low-flow shower head or adjustable flow-reducer device on your shower head. They can reduce flow by at least 25%. 4 Check your toilets for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank, and watch for a few minutes to see if the color shows up in the bowl. It is not uncommon to lose up to 100 gallons per day from an invisible toilet leak. Fix it, and you can save more than 30,000 gallons per year! 5 Use your water meter to detect hidden leaks. Simply turn off all taps and water-using appliances, and then check the meter after 15 minutes. If it has moved, you have a leak. 6 ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 16 6. System Improvements The City of Auburn Department of Municipal Utilities continues to proactively develop and implement a capital improvement projects on a 5-year look-ahead cycle. In addition to capital project planning, our Operators and Staff deploy multiple annual programmatic improvements to your water system infrastructure. The following list compiles recent capital and operational improvement projects: 1. We continue to use Poly Aluminum Chloride (PACl) for coagulation. By using PACl, we have enhanced the pretreatment of the water, reduced chemical handling costs and now produces 1/3 of the waste sludge by volume as in previous years. 2. We continue to improve our telemetry and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Our SCADA system was recently upgraded to current industry standards in 2019. This allows our operations staff to keep a watchful eye on every water treatment process from our command center on a 24/7/365 basis. 3. Complete, system-wide Distribution Mapping & GIS Integration project completed in 2018. The City now owns and uses a comprehensive mapping system of the entire water distribution system. This mapping allows staff to conduct hydraulic analysis on the system prior to implementation of a water main improvement project so resources are best spent on projects with the most beneficial system wide impacts. 4. Vulnerability Assessment began in 2022 with completion in 2023. 5. Lead Service line inventory work began in 2022 with completion in 2024. The City received a grant to continue to improve the accuracy of its inventory and investigate all unknown service lines over the next 3 years. 6. Intake inspection and cleaning in 2022. 7. Zebra Mussel control system at the Upper Pumping Station upgraded in 2020. 8. Storage Pole Barn addition in 2022 with completion in 2023. 9. Remove stone around Upper Pumping Station and replace with asphalt and flexipave. 10. Rochester St., Brister St., Pulsifer Dr. and Briggs Dr. water main upgrades in 2024. 11. Water main upgrades on sections of South St., Woodlawn Ave., East Genesee St., and North St. in 2021. 12. Upper Pump Station Pump #5 raw water valve replaced in 2021. 13. New control gate at water treatment plant installed in 2021. 14. Water Treatment Plant Low Lift Pump #1 rehabbed in 2021. 15. Slow Sand Filter Plant upgrades in 2023-2024. Improvements to valving, pump, VFD, monitoring equipment, and disinfection clearwell. Improvements made to building interior and exterior. New windows, doors and HVAC equipment. 16. Implemented flushing program to help with disinfection byproducts in 2024. 17. Study effectiveness of current HAB treatment process in 2023-2024. 6.a. Future Work • Slow Sand Filter re-sanding in 2025. • Rapid Sand Filters media replacement and filter rehabilitation in 2025. • Lead service line replacements and inventory improvement • Investigate raw water line intake extension. • Intake inspection and cleaning 2025 Do not over-water your plants and gardens in anticipation of a shortage or drought. Soil cannot store extra water. 7 ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 17 • Water main work on Pulsifer Dr., Bundy Ave., Morris St., Foote St., and Prospect St. to Grant Ave. 7. FAQs Is our Water System meeting other rules that govern operations? Yes. Throughout 2024, our system was in compliance with all applicable State and Federal drinking water requirements. What affects the taste of my water? The taste of drinking water is affected by its mineral content as well as the presence of chlorine, which is used to protect against potential bacterial contamination. Sometimes plumbing can cause a metallic flavor, especially if water has been sitting in pipes for many hours. Taste, however, does not necessarily indicate a higher or lower degree of contamination. At times, when conditions are right, algae blooms occur in our lake sometimes causing objectionable odors and taste in the finished drinking water. Although algae are removed during the treatment process, some of their metabolites may be left behind. The two most common metabolites are geosmin and 2-methylisoborneal (MIB). Even though these compounds are harmless, the human sense of taste and smell are extremely sensitive to them and can detect them in water at concentrations as low as 5 parts per trillion. To give you an idea of what a “part per trillion” is, consider this – One part per trillion is equivalent to one drop of water diluted in 20 Olympic swimming pools. What affects the way my water looks? In addition to naturally occurring minerals, our water also includes small amounts of iron picked up from our source water and also includes small amounts of iron picked up from our cast-iron water mains. When a surge of pressure occurs, usually from a main break or a fire hydrant being used, the sediment becomes stirred into the water. During these episodes, the water supply to your home can be tinted yellow or even brownish-red. The iron is harmless and settles out again in a few hours. Please be aware that it will stain clothing, so don’t wash your clothes if you experience iron-tinted water. Also, avoid running hot water at these times, if possible, so that your water heater doesn’t refill with iron tinted water. Do I really need to buy a Water Filter or Home Treatment System? The decision to buy water filters or home treatment systems is yours. Our water meets and exceeds rigid State and Federal Standards. If you decide to buy a filter system, be a smart shopper and do some homework. Be sure that any treatment device you buy is registered with the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). Information on these systems is available at libraries, or from the NSF. Contact the NSF toll free at [PHONE REDACTED] or visit www.nsf.org. 8. Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection and Protection Division 2023 Summary Lake and Watershed Status 2024 In 2024, the Owasco Lake watershed community experienced warmer than average winter and spring seasons. Winter was highlighted by unusually high temperatures including days in the 50’s in January and days in the 60’s in February. The Town of Moravia’s average daily low temperature in February was 23.6° F, 7.6° F degrees higher than the historical 16.0° F average (world-weather.info). Winter snowfall was lower than average, and accumulated snow melted quickly due to the unseasonably warm weather. Spring brought more seasonable weather, more precipitation and warmer temperatures than usual. Stream and lake levels hovered near their average, punctuated with steep increases from storms. Storms that occurred in the early ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 18 summer caused watershed sediment erosion and subsequent sediment discharges to watercourses, streams and Owasco lake. The summer of 2024 was the 4th hottest on record for the entire US (www.noaa.gov). July and September were abnormally dry, causing moderate drought conditions within the watershed. It is speculated that the warm, dry weather that followed elevated precipitation levels in the early summer, created ideal conditions for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) to occur. Lake monitoring efforts conducted by the Owasco Watershed Lake Association have shown that Owasco Lake average phosphorus and concentrations remained in the range consistent with low levels of algal production. However, the prevalence of HABs in 2024 concerned the watershed community regarding public safety and the health of Owasco Lake; a total of 87 Owasco Lake HABs were reported to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s NYHABs website. Organizations, agencies and watershed residents are collaborating to use clean water plans to fund projects, make positive strides in conservation, and reduce phosphorus loading to Owasco lake. Inspection Summary The Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection and Protection Division (OLWIPD) continued to monitor watershed activities through physical inspections and public outreach initiatives. Observations included identification of sources of pollution, evaluation of erosion and sedimentation, and monitoring land use best management practices. Inspections were based on regulatory parameters with guidance from the Watershed Inspection Committee, relevant stakeholders, environmental agencies, and technical advisors. Inspected sites were categorized by four criteria, Severe erosion and stabilization efforts, Stormwater and construction activities, Agricultural operations, Miscellaneous - ranging from chemical spills to illegal dumping and unauthorized projects. Through site inspections and follow-up visits, Watershed Inspectors documented regulatory compliance based on corrective actions - the extent to which protections and recommended practices were implemented. Violations were primarily solved through compliance, although some were elevated to Cayuga County's Department of Health and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for resolution. The OLWIPD encourages the implementation of precautionary construction site stabilization measures, as well as situational land use conservation practices, to protect water quality. The OLWIPD would like to thank and recognize residents who are committed to watershed protection through the voluntary adoption of best management practices (BMPs) and those who have taken the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council’s ‘Lake Friendly Living Pledge (OLWMC.org).’ If you have any water quality questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the OLWIPD at [EMAIL REDACTED]. 9. Backflow Prevention The Department of Municipal Utilities (DMU) is responsible for providing a continuous supply of safe, clean drinking water to more than 45,000 residents and visitors throughout the City and Cayuga County. To protect the City’s drinking water from contamination, DMU has a robust water quality monitoring program and regularly performs sampling throughout the City to ensure all relevant State and Federal standards are met. DMU also works to prevent contamination before it occurs by ensuring that local businesses comply with all relevant City and State codes. A key component of this enforcement and inspection initiative is the City’s Cross Connection Control Program, (Article IV § 297-32 - §297-38) which requires all commercial businesses and residential four units or more to install and operate approved backflow prevention devices. The City of Auburn at the end of 2024 has 307 businesses, with 449 backflow units in operation. In 2024, there were 6 New Back flow devices installed. There are also 2 back flow applications approved by the Cayuga County Department of Health pending install by licensed plumbers. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Auburn Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2024 I 19 10. A Note from the New York State Department Of Health The NYS Department of Health has completed a source water assessment for the City of Auburn, based on available information. Possible and actual threats to this drinking water source were evaluated. This source water assessment includes a susceptibility rating based on the risk posed by each potential source of contamination and how easily contaminants can move through the subsurface to lakes. The susceptibility rating is an estimate of the potential for contamination of the source water, it does not mean that the water delivered to consumers is, or will become contaminated. (See the section of this document “Are there contaminants in our drinking water?” for a list of the contaminants that have been detected in the drinking water.) The source water assessments are intended to provide managers with additional information for protecting source waters into the future. As mentioned before, our water is derived primarily from Owasco Lake. The source water assessment has rated this source as having an elevated susceptibility to protozoa and phosphorus due to the amount of agricultural lands in the assessment area and the quantity of wastewater discharged from municipal wastewater treatment plants to surface water. In addition, this source water assessment rated Owasco Lake as having an elevated susceptibility to pesticide contamination due to the amount of agricultural lands. County and state health departments will use this information to direct future source water protection activities. These may include water quality monitoring, resource management, planning, and education programs. A copy of the complete assessment is available for review by calling the Cayuga County Health Department at (315) 253-1405. 11. Additional Sources of Information Seth Jensen United States Environmental Protection Agency Director of Municipal Utilities Safe Drinking Water Hotline (315) 255-4180 1-[PHONE REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED] Cayuga County Health Department John West Kathleen Cuddy, Public Health Director Chief Water Plant Operator (315) 253-1560 (315) 253-8754 [EMAIL REDACTED] Ani Fish Director of Environmental Health (315) 253-1405 Visit the City’s website for information regarding our water supply: http://auburnny.gov