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PWS ID# 70050H WATER QUALITY REPORT 2 0 1 5 THE CITY OF PUYALLUP A great place to live, work, and play. ---PAGE BREAK--- Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants 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/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care provider. Environmental Protection Agency/Center for Disease Control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by and other microbial contaminants are also available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, (800) 426-4791 While your drinking water meets the U.S. EPA’s standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. The EPA’s standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s possible health effects against the cost of removing arsenic from drinking water. The EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems. Reducing Lead Exposure in Drinking Water If you live in older housing built before the mid-1940s, we recommend you run your tap at least 2 minutes after water has sat in the pipes for 6 hours or more. This will help flush out any lead that may have accumulated in your pipes. If you live in newer housing and are concerned about lead, you can flush your pipes by running your tap until the water is noticeably cooler. Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula. Hot water may contain higher levels of lead. Clean the screens and aerators in faucets frequently to remove captured lead particles. Use only “lead free” piping and materials for plumbing when building or remodeling. Contributing factors for water use trends: • An improved economy and drier than normal weather conditions contributed to the recent increase. • Water use efficiency goals, such as leak detection, repairs, and other conservation measures contribute to the overall trend of reduced consumption. Puyallup’s full capacity is over 5 billion gallons per year. Puyallup Water Usage 2009-2015 2011 2012 2013 2009 2010 2014 1.50 Billion 1.25 Billion 1.00 Billion 0.75 Billion 0.50 Billion 0.25 Billion 0 2015 1.431 Billion 1.317 Billion 1.262 Billion 1.277 Billion 1.252 Billion 1.341 Billion 1.385 Billion The City of Puyallup is experiencing above average growth in both residential and commercial development. Common sense tells us that our domestic water production should increase as well, yet we experienced only increased consumption in 2015. The overall trend in recent years shows decreased consumption. Taking care of our precious resources today helps ensure a livable city for the future. General Information Once again we are proud to present our annual water quality report. This edition covers all testing completed from December 2014 through December 2015. We are pleased to tell you that our compliance with all state and federal drinking water laws remains exemplary. As in the past, we are committed to delivering the best quality drinking water. To that end, we remain vigilant in meeting the challenges of source water protection, water conservation, and community education while continuing to serve the needs of all of our water users. For more information about this report, or for any questions relating to your drinking water, please call Craig Hale, Water Supervisor, at (253) 841-5503. The City of Puyallup provides exceptional water to you! Water Related Capital Improvement Projects 2015-2020 2015: Water Main Replacement 3rd St NE, 500 block (completed 2015) 2015: Land Slide Repair 9th St & 15th Ave SE (completed 2016) 2016: Water Main Replacement 300 block of 15th St Pl NW (completed 2016) 2016: Water Main Replacement 300 block 14th St Pl NW (under construction) 2016: Salmon Springs Transmission Main Replacement Phase 1 (under construction) 2016: Water Main Replacement, Bridge St Bridge (in design) 2017: Water Main replacement 20th St NW & 12th Ave NW 2017: Water Main Replacement Forest Green Phase 3 (north side cul-de-sacs) 2018: Water Main replacement 26th St NW, 900 block to 1000 block 2018: Salmon Springs Transmission Main Replacement Phase 2 2019: Water Main Replacement 7th Ave SW, 14th St SW to 18th St SW 2020: Water Main Installation 23rd Ave SW, 1300 block to 1700 block drinking, by lead. aerators remove ing and when ---PAGE BREAK--- DURING THE PAST YEAR we have taken hundreds of water samples in order to determine the presence of any radioactive, biological, inorganic, volatile organic or organic contaminants. The table below shows only those contaminants that were detected in the water. Although all of the substances listed here are under the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), we feel it is important that you know exactly what was detected and how much of the substance was present in the water. SAMPLING Results All 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 the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-[PHONE REDACTED]. IS MY WATER HARD? If substantial amounts of Calcium or Magnesium, both nontoxic minerals, are present in drinking water, the water is said to be hard. Hard water does not dissolve soap readily, so making lather for washing and cleaning is difficult. Conversely, water containing little Calcium or Magnesium is called soft water. City of Puyallup’s water averages 72.57 ppm or 4.24 grains 100 ppm 200 ppm 0 ppm Very Soft Moderately Hard Very Hard Cl 9 sealed reservoirs totals 19.3 million gallons Inter-tie with the City of Tacoma Chlorine is added as a disinfectant to kill any harmful bacteria that may be present. We carry a free chlorine residual of 0.5 ppm ealed reservoirs total Well #43 Well #33 Well #27 Well #13 Maplewood Springs Salmon Springs Well #17 4 2 1 Iron and manganese filtration 3 The City of Puyallup has served its customers award winning water since 1890. Where does it come from? 1 The City of Puyallup currently obtains its drinking water from 2 natural springs, 5 deep wells, and an inter-tie with the City of Tacoma. Salmon Springs supplies approximately 47% of the City’s water. Maplewood Springs supplies approximately 23% and Well #27 supplies approximately 18%. Wells #13, 17, 33, and 43 combine to supply the remaining 11%. The City of Tacoma supplies less than 1% of our total annual domestic water supply. 2 99.1% of the City’s water is collected deep beneath the ground surface and is conveyed through sealed water mains into sealed storage tanks. The water never sees the light of day and has a very low probability for contamination. The high quality water the City serves its customers requires no treatment to meet minimum County, State, and Federal requirements. The State does require the City to chlorinate its domestic water as insurance against any possible contamination. All of our sources, with the exception of Well #43, are treated with chlorine. 3 We filter iron and manganese at Well #17. There are no adverse health affects with these minerals in the water, though they could cause negative aesthetic effects such as color, taste, odor, and staining of plumbing fixtures. 4 After disinfection, the water is pumped to the City’s distribution and storage system. The water is distributed throughout Puyallup for residential and commercial use via more than 200 miles of pipeline. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION Your input on water quality is always welcome. The City Council meeting schedule is posted on our website at cityofpuyallup.org. Meetings are held in the Council Chambers on the fifth floor of City Hall (333 South Meridian). Please feel free to participate in these meetings. © 2015 Design Agency, Inc. All Rights Reserved Substance MCL [MRDL] MCLG Highest Amount Detected Range Low-High Violation Arsenic (ppb) 10 0 7 ND-7 No Chlorine (ppm) 4 4 1.2 0.1-1.2 No HAAs (ppb) (stage 2) 60 N/A ND ND No HAAs (ppb) (stage 60 N/A 14.9 8-14.9 No Nitrate (ppm) 10 10 3.1 <0.2-3.1 No (ppb) 80 N/A 5.1 ND-5.1 No (ppb)* 80 N/A 30 14-30 No Copper (ppm) AL 1.3 m/L 1.3 m/L 1.5 Above AL 2/32 No Lead (ppb) AL 0.015 mg/L 0.015 mg/L 90th % < 10ppb Above AL 1/32 No Chloride (ppm) SMCL 250 N/A 17 2.0-17.0 No Iron (ppb) SMCL 300 N/A < 0.1 <0.1 No Manganese (ppb) SMCL 50 N/A 70 ND-70 Yes Sulfate (ppm) SMCL 250 N/A 8 ND-8 No Bromdicloro-Methane (ppb)** 1.8 ND-1.8 No Chlordibromo-Methane (ppb) 1.3 ND-1.3 No Chloroform (ppb) 2.5 ND-2.5 No Chloroform (ppb)* 28.3 6.7-28.3 No Sodium (ppm) 28 6.0-28 No Barium (ppm) 2 2 <0.01 <0.01 No Chromium (ppb) 100 100 <7 <7 No Nickel (ppb) 100 100 <5 <5 No Gross Alpha 15 ND ND No Radium 228 5.0** ND ND No AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. 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 contamination. 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. 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. N/A: Not applicable ND: Not detected TT (Treatment Technique): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. ppm (parts per million): One part substance per million parts water (or milligrams per liter). ppb (parts per billion): One part substance per billion parts water (or micrograms per liter). NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units): Measurement of the clarity, or turbidity, of water. TABLE DEFINITIONS * Tacoma Water A Maximum Contaminate Level of 5pCi/L total is allowed for Radium 228 System Average Highest Site Range All Sites # of Sites LRAAs Puyallup 0.00196 0.00422 ND-0.00422 7 HAAs ND ND ND 7 LRAAs Tacoma 0.01897 0.01897 0.01897 1 HAAs 0.011 0.011 0.011 1 ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Puyallup relies on multiple groundwater sources to meet its water supply needs. To protect groundwater supplies, the U.S. EPA and the Washington State Department of Health require public water utilities to develop a wellhead protection program as a component of their comprehensive water plan. The purpose of a wellhead protection program is to provide local utilities with a proactive program for preventing groundwater contamination. One of the major components of a successful plan is a susceptibility assessment, which determines the susceptibility of each source to contamination. The susceptibility rating for all of the City of Puyallup’s wells is low. Salmon Springs and Maplewood Springs are rated high. 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 and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include: • Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from wastewater 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 and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts 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, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health. WHY PROVIDE A Water Quality Report?