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report City of Redmond Summer 2018 From the Mayor 2 Information from the EPA 2 Water Systems 3 Tolt Watershed 4 Groundwater System 5 Keeping the Lead Out 6 2017 Water Use 7 Wellhead Protection 8 PWS ID 71650B ---PAGE BREAK--- Redmond’s Drinking Water: An Essential Resource We are pleased to provide you with the 2017 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report. Redmond has achieved the highest water quality by state and federal standards for more than 30 years. Each day, City of Redmond employees deliver high-quality water and reliable service. City water service connects to more than 16,000 households and over 3,500 businesses within our 17.14-square- mile community, conducting more than 1,200 water quality tests throughout the past year. This report provides an overview of water quality, 2017 test results, and information about how you can conserve and safeguard our water supply. Thank you for your interest in Redmond’s drinking water. We are committed to protecting this valuable resource – now and for future generations. The sources of drinking water (both tap 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 can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animal or human activity. Substances and contaminants that could be present in source water include: Microbes such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from septic systems, livestock, and wildlife. Inorganic chemicals such as salts and metals, which may be naturally–occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, wastewater discharges and farming. Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses. Organic chemicals both and volatile, which are by- products of industry and can also come from gas stations, dry cleaners, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems. Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally–occurring or result from petroleum production or mining activities. In order to ensure the safety of tap water, the EPA regulates the amount of contaminants allowed in public drinking water. The FDA regulates the contaminants in bottled water, which must provide a similar degree of safety. 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 [PHONE REDACTED]. Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. 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 — can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at [PHONE REDACTED]. Information about the EPA - Mayor John Marchione 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- Where does my water come from? Residents on the west side of Lake Sammamish and the Sammamish River, as well as those who live in Redmond Ridge and Trilogy, are served water that comes from the Tolt Watershed in the Cascade Mountains. Residents east of Lake Sammamish and the Sammamish River drink well water from our aquifer. During the summer, water from the Tolt will be blended with the groundwater to help meet peak summer demand. The City of Redmond has a hybrid water system. You may drink water from the Cascade Mountains or well water from an aquifer, depending on where you live. The Tolt Watershed The Groundwater System LAKE SAMMAMISH NE 24 ST BEL-RED RD NE 40 ST NE 104 ST NE 116 ST NE 128 ST NE 124 ST NE 116 ST BELLEVUE SAMMAMISH SAMMAMISH REDMOND NOVELTY HILL RD. TRILOGY PKWY NE CEDAR PARK CRESCENT NE REDMOND R I D G E D R I VE N E WATERSHED PARK WILLOWS RD REDMOND WAY OLD REDMOND RD RED-WOOD RD SAMMAMISH RIVER 132 AVE NE UNION HILL RD 196 AVE NE AVONDALE REDMOND WAY NE 51 ST 156 AVE NE 148 AVE NE 172 AVE NE WE S T L A K E S A M M A M ISH PK WY N Tolt Watershed Water Private Well Water City Well Water Residents on the west side of Lake Sammamish and the Sammamish River, as well as those who live in Redmond Ridge and Trilogy, are served water that comes from the Tolt Watershed in the Cascade Mountains. The Tolt Watershed Residents east of Lake Sammamish and the Sammamish River drink well water from our aquifer. During the summer, water from the Tolt will be blended with the groundwater to help meet peak summer demand. The Groundwater System 3 ---PAGE BREAK--- The Tolt Reservoir and Watershed are located 15 miles east of Redmond in the Cascade Mountains. Rivers, streams, and snowmelt are impounded here to make up the reservoir supply. The water is filtered and treated and then travels through a supply pipeline to Redmond and other eastside water districts on its way to Seattle. The City of Seattle owns the watershed and pipeline. Redmond, as a member of the Cascade Water Alliance, buys From the Cascades to Your Tap 2017 Water Quality Data—Tolt System Detected Compounds Units Levels EPA Limits Typical Sources Average Range MCLG MCL FLUORIDE ppm 0.7 0.6 - 0.8 4 4 Additive for dental health TURBIDITY NTU 0.04 0.01 - 0.2 NA TT Soil runoff ARSENIC ppb 0.4 0.3 - 0.5 0 10 Erosion of natural deposits CHLORINE ppm 0.88 0.20 - 1.46 NA 4 MRDL Additive that kills germs BARIUM ppb 1.4 1.1 - 1.7 2000 2000 Erosion of natural deposits TOTAL COLIFORM % positive 0% 0 out of 626 0 5% Naturally present in environment CHROMIUM ppb 0.2 ND - 0.24 100 100% Erosion of natural deposits BROMATE ppb 0.25 ND - 2.0 0 10 By-product of drinking water disinfection TOTAL TRIHALOMETHANES ppb 29.5 12.6 - 41.4 NA 80 By-products of drinking water chlorination HALOACETIC ACIDS (HAA5s) ppb 34.9 15.7 - 44.9 NA 60 By-products of drinking water chlorination Note: was not detected in any samples from the Tolt water supply (3 samples taken) Untreated Water TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON ppm 1.2 1.1 - 1.3 NA TT Naturally present in the environment MCLG (maximum contaminant level goal): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG’s allow for a margin of safety. MRDL (maximum residual disinfectant level) MCL (maximum contaminant level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL’s are set as close to the MCLG’s as feasible using the best available treatment technology. NTU (nephelometric turbidity unit) A measurement of water clarity. High turbidity can interfere with disinfection. PPM (Parts Per Million): 1 ppm = 1 mg/l PPB (Parts Per Billion): 1 ppb = 1 ug/l TT (treatment technique): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. NA Not Applicable The Tolt Watershed this water, and both Seattle and Redmond monitor and test it to maintain quality. Watershed Protection The Tolt Watershed covers nearly 14,000 acres and is closed to public access. Seattle’s aggressive watershed protection plan safeguards the water supply from degradation and human intrusion. However, according to the State Department of Health, all surface waters in Washington State are given a contamination susceptibility rating of “high,” whether or not contaminants have been detected. Contamination that might occur would most likely be from soil erosion or animal activity. Treatment Water treatment of the Tolt supply consists of filtration, ozonation, chlorine disinfection, and fluoridation. Calcium oxide and CO2 are added to help reduce the water’s natural corrosive effect on plumbing. Filtration removes organic material and makes the water cleaner and clearer. Ozone kills tough potential pathogens like giardia and Other Useful Tolt Watershed Data: • Water Hardness = 16.1 mg/L or .94 grains per gallon. This water is soft. • pH = 7.95 on average • Alkalinity = 18.0 mg/L A list of other contaminants that were not detected, are secondary or unregulated, is available upon request. 4 ---PAGE BREAK--- East of the Sammamish River lies an underground water-bearing formation called an aquifer. For 60 years, the aquifer has supplied 35-40% of Redmond’s drinking water. In 2017, the city’s wells pumped over one billion gallons from the aquifer. This resource is considered to have a high vulnerability to potential contamination because the aquifer is extremely shallow. Groundwater Protection In 2003, Redmond established a Wellhead Protection Program as a way to help protect our groundwater from contamination and depletion. The Wellhead Protection Program is responsible for: • Gathering hazardous materials data and visiting businesses to help identify and eliminate sources of pollution that could contaminate groundwater. Redmond’s Renewable Resource The Groundwater System • Reviewing development proposals to ensure that groundwater will not be adversely impacted. • Measuring groundwater levels and collecting samples from monitoring wells throughout the city. As a result of the Wellhead Protection Program, Redmond is in compliance with the three components of the Washington State Source Water Assessment Program: Protection Area Delineation, Contaminant Source Inventory, and Susceptibility Assessment. To learn more, contact Amanda Balzer at abalzer@redmond. gov or call [PHONE REDACTED]. Treatment Our groundwater is treated for safety and dental health with two common drinking water additives: sodium fluoride and chlorine. Other Useful Groundwater Data: • Hardness = 54-83 mg/L (3.1-4.8 grains per gallon) This water is moderately hard. • pH = 7.50–7.80 • Alkalinity = 46.9 mg/L A list of other contaminants that were not detected, are secondary or unregulated, is available upon request. Chlorine acts as a safety net against disease- causing germs. The well water is adjusted for optimum pH. The groundwater is naturally at about 6.5 on the pH scale which is a bit low for drinking water. By the use of air stripping towers, some of the CO2 in the water is released, thus naturally raising the pH to 7.5. Increasing the pH makes the water less corrosive to household plumbing. Distribution The City of Redmond currently maintains 330 miles of pipe 4” and larger. We have 25 sample sites strategically placed throughout the distribution system for water quality sampling. We collect 26 samples per week and have them analyzed for safety, pH, chlorine residual and temperature as part of our ongoing efforts to deliver clean and tasty water. 2017 Water Quality Data— Groundwater System (City Wells) Detected Compounds Units Levels EPA Limits Typical Sources Average Range MCLG MCL FLUORIDE ppm 0.71 0.50 - 0.85 4 4 Additive for Dental Health CHLORINE ppm 0.7 0.25 - 1.36 NA MRDL Additive that kills germs TOTAL TRIHALOMETHANES (TTHM) ppb 20.2 16.6 - 27.6 NA 80 Chlorination by-products HALOACETIC ACIDS (HAA5) ppb 12.7 8.5 - 26.7 NA 60 Chlorination by-products NITRATE ppm 0.57 ND - 1.7 10 10 Erosion of natural deposits, septic systems and fertilizers TOTAL COLIFORM % positive 0% 0 out of 623 0 5% Naturally present in the environment MCLG (maximum contaminant level goal): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG’s allow for a margin of safety. MRDL (maximum residual disinfectant level) MCL (maximum contaminant level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL’s are set as close to the MCLG’s as feasible using the best available treatment technology. NA Not Applicable NTU (nephelometric turbidity unit) A measurement of water clarity. High turbidity can interfere with disinfection. PPB (Parts Per Billion): 1 ppb = 1 ug/l PPM (Parts Per Million): 1 ppm = 1 mg/l TT (treatment technique): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. TTHM (total trihalomethane): Disinfection by-products HAA5 (Haleoacetic acid): Disinfection by-products 5 ---PAGE BREAK--- Keeping the lead out. Since 1983, Redmond’s drinking water has been treated to minimize corrosion in household plumbing. The current citywide monitoring program began in 1992, which tests water in homes most likely to have plumbing components containing lead. Ten of the 429 samples had exceeded the action level (15 ppb) for lead since inception 2015* Lead and Copper Citywide Monitoring Program Compounds & Units MCLG 90th Percentile Action Level* 90th Percentile Residential Level # of Homes Exceeding Action Level** Sources LEAD (ppb) 0 15 ppb Not Detected 0 out of 31 Corrosion of household plumbing COPPER (ppm) 1.3 ppm 1.3 ppm Not Detected 0 out of 31 Corrosion of household plumbing of the monitoring program. In 2015, samples for lead and copper levels were again collected using the same selected homes and none were found to exceed the action levels for either contaminant. Redmond’s sampling has demonstrated successful compliance with all state and federal requirements relating to lead and copper. *2015: The lead and copper testing program is required every three years. We will be testing again in 2018. The results will be in next year’s 2018 report. **Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant, which if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. Redmond’s Renewable Resource There is no detectable lead or copper in Redmond’s drinking water. However, lead is a serious contaminant and can be found in the water of some homes due to older plumbing. If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Redmond is responsible for providing high quality drinking water but cannot control the variety of materials used in residential and commercial plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your cold water tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned 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, [PHONE REDACTED], or www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. You can also get infor mation from the Redmond Water Quality Office at [PHONE REDACTED]. 6 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2017 Cascade Water Efficiency Program Community Engagement Completed Classroom Presentations / Students Reached 431 / 10,863 Road Shows / Customer Interactions 13 / 4,300 Water Wall Uses / Customer Interactions 7 / 2,500 Cascade Gardener Classes / Attendees 25 / 575 Garden Hotline 251 Irrigation Trainings / Attendees 8 / 140 Real Estate Conservation Trainings / Attendees 2 / 35 Drip Irrigation Projects 4 Savings Generated Savings (Gallons/Day) Completed Residential Clothes Washers 26,265 1,751 Residential Showerheads 76,367 5,920 Residential Aerators 28,541 2,883 Multifamily Showerheads 4,022 479 Multifamily Bathroom Aerators 7,295 1,049 Multifamily Ktichen Aerators 130 50 Commercial Aerators 645 15 Irrigation Projects 200 1 Webpage Conservation Items 4,665 4,665 Road Shows Conservation Items 14,933 14,933 Member-Provided Items 2,650 2,650 Total Savings 165,722 Metering and Distribution Leakage Summary The Redmond water system is fully metered. The state requires that water suppliers maintain their distribution system leakage at 10% or less for a rolling 3-year average. The state recognizes that a certain amount of leakage is expected and unavoidable. The leakage is based on the total water produced by the wells and purchased from Cascade Water, less the amount of water sold to customers and used for other system purposes like flushing and firefighting. The estimated total leakage for Redmond for 2017 was 7.08% and the rolling 3-year average is 6.86%, well within the state DOH leakage standard. Efficiency Performance Report DOH is now allowing Cascade Water Alliance (Cascade) to establish a goal that includes all seven of its members, including Redmond. The new water efficiency goal, which must be updated every six years, was established by Cascade on December 19, 2013, for years 2014 through 2019. Cascade’s goal is to achieve a cumulative drinking water savings of 600,000 gallons per day on an annual basis and 1,000,000 gallons per day during peak season (June – September) by 2020. Cascade provides water efficiency programs and services on behalf of its members. In 2017, Cascade administered many distinct activities, including: • Aerator installations at commercial accounts • Showerheads and aerators for both single family and multi-family accounts • Residential gardening classes • Irrigation system upgrade rebates • Classroom presentations on water topics • Free online ordering of shower timers, rain gauges, and other conservation items • Water audits at King County Housing Authority properties • Free conservation items shipped to multifamily properties • Training for landscape contractors, parks and school district staff, and others on the fundamentals of efficient irrigation management • Development of a WaterSense Labeled New Homes program for builders 2017 Annual Water Use As shown in the table below, these programs and services resulted in approximately 15,000 direct customer interactions promoting water efficiency and a savings of an estimated 257,728 gallons of water per day. Along with savings from 2014-2016, Cascade has achieved approximately 114% of its 6-year cumulative savings goal and 68% of its peak season goal. The Redmond Water Utility is pleased to provide you with its annual performance report. This report, which is required by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Water Use Efficiency Rule (WUE), includes information about our metering status, our distribution system leakage and progress made toward our water efficiency goals. 7 ---PAGE BREAK--- 8 In Redmond, 35-40% of our drinking water comes from groundwater wells located in Redmond. The groundwater is in a shallow aquifer located beneath downtown that also continues north up Avondale and east along Union Hill Road. The aquifer is made up of sand, gravel and rock deposited long ago by rivers and glaciers. Groundwater comes from rain that seeps or “infiltrates” down through the soil and is then stored within and travels through open spaces of all geologic material. The Critical Aquifer Recharge Area (CARA) is an area where the aquifer is vulnerable to contamination, and infiltration has Keep your drinking water safe Wellhead Protection Zones an important effect on replenishing or “recharging” groundwater in the aquifer for drinking water wells. Redmond’s CARA is divided into three Wellhead Protection Zones (shown on the map). These zones are based on the time it takes a drop of water to travel from the point it enters the aquifer to the point it enters the nearest drinking water well. In Zone 1, groundwater takes six months or less to travel to the nearest drinking water well. In Zone 2, it takes one year or less, and in Zone 3 it takes up to 10 years. You can protect our drinking water by preventing pollution from getting onto the ground, especially within the Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas (CARA). Redmond’s Wellhead Protection Program works to protect our drinking water quality and quantity by managing Wellhead Protection Zones throughout the city. The City is in the process of updating the wellhead protection zones which will help inform effective management of our CARA. For more information and to access our online open house, visit participate.online. For more information about how you can help protect our clean and reliable drinking water resources, visit redmond.gov/Environment/ GroundwaterWellheadProtection/Residential. REDMOND WY WILLOWS RD OLD REDMOND RD NE 104TH ST RED-WOOD RD AVONDALE UNION HILL RD REDMOND WAY The Critical Aquifer Recharge Area (CARA) includes these Wellhead Protection Zones: Zone 1 (6-month time of travel) Zone 2 (1-year time of travel) Zone 3 (10-year time of travel) 8 ---PAGE BREAK--- The best way to protect our drinking water is to make sure pollution does not get into the environment around us, especially in the Critical Aquifer Recharge Area (CARA). If you own or operate a business in Redmond, evaluate your hazardous materials handling process. • Properly store products and waste, both indoors and outdoors, utilizing secondary containment (where the original container is placed in another container to catch spills and leaks). • Be prepared for spills. Have a spill kit and spill procedures in place and train employees how to use them. For more information about how get a FREE spill kit, contact a Pollution Prevention Specialist at [PHONE REDACTED]. • Keep lids closed on outside dumpsters and waste bins. • Minimize use of toxic cleaning solvents, such as chlorinated solvents and other toxic chemicals. • For additional information on hazardous materials storage and handling or environmentally safer alternatives, contact our Wellhead Protection staff at [PHONE REDACTED]. Be Vigilant If spills occur, clean them up immediately. Call Redmond’s 24-hour Spill Hotline at [PHONE REDACTED] to report spills. Properly Maintain Your Vehicle Even a small leak can have a big impact. Leaks from your vehicle can pollute groundwater and stormwater. Vehicle leaks are an indication that there is a problem. Fixing leaks not only protects the environment, but will likely extend the life of your vehicle as well. To learn more about checking your car for leaks and steps you can take to fix it visit www.fixcarleaks.org. Limit Your Use of chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides and other hazardous products Use the least toxic products or methods available. Over application or misuse can cause these chemicals to make their way into surface water and groundwater. For more information, visit King County’s website on Natural Yard Care. Learn more at www.hazwastehelp.org/ ChemToxPesticides/yard-care.aspx. Properly dispose of hazardous products Items such as used motor oil, oil based paint, cleaning solvents, fuels, antifreeze, transmission and brake fluid, pesticides and herbicides should never be dumped on the ground or into a stormwater drain on the street. Residents and qualifying businesses are eligible for FREE hazardous waste disposal at King County Hazardous Waste facilities and traveling WasteMobile. For more information about drop off locations, visit King County’s website at hazwastehelp.org. It’s up to all of us Safeguarding our Groundwater 9 ---PAGE BREAK--- Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua de beber. Kathy Caldwell Water Quality Analyst [PHONE REDACTED] Wednesday Smith Cross Connection Control Specialist [PHONE REDACTED] Jeff Thompson Senior Engineer Lynn Arakaki Senior Engineer Brown Senior Engineering Technician Amanda Balzer Groundwater Monitoring Program Manager [PHONE REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED] Tally Young Groundwater Pollution Prevention Specialist [PHONE REDACTED] Editorial Assistance Tess Sturtevant Patty Estes Graphic Design Justin Brewer Water Quality Report Team Redmond Public Works Water Quality Office www.redmond.gov/environment/drinkingwater [PHONE REDACTED] Washington Department of Health www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw [PHONE REDACTED] Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov/safewater Safe Drinking Water Hotline [PHONE REDACTED] American Water Works Association www.drinktap.org www.awwa.org Redmond Wellhead Protection Program www.redmond.gov/groundwater [PHONE REDACTED] Additional Information Get Involved Emergency Alert System If you have questions about this report or about your drinking water, please contact Redmond’s Drinking Water Quality section at [EMAIL REDACTED]. It’s your drinking water and your input is important. Attend and comment at City Council meetings on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm in the Council Chambers, located at 15670 NE 85th Street. Agendas for the meetings can be found on the City’s website (www.redmond.gov) or posted in the lobbies of City Hall and the Public Safety Building. Did You Know? Another way to define these reportable units is by equating ppm to “one drop in one million gallons,” ppb to “one drop in one billion gallons”, ppt to “one drop in 1 trillion gallons,” and ppq to “one drop in one quadrillion gallons,” which shows that these units reflect a very small amount. The City of Redmond has joined the enhanced regional emergency alert system, ALERT King County. This powerful system enables the public to receive important information about significant events or emergency situations. The service is free and confidential and allows you to register home and work addresses for geographic-specific alerts sent to you by phone, text, and email. For example, the system could be used to notify you on your registered cell phone if your address is affected by a drinking water emergency. To sign up, please visit www.redmond.gov/alert. 10