HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 Water Quality Report
PARAMETER STANDARDS SAMPLE RESULTS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MCLG MCL Typical Source/Comments INORGANIC TEST RESULTS Arsenic (ppb) None 50 ND -2 Erosion of natural deposits Nitrate (ppm)
10 10 ND -3.6 Natural deposits, fertilizer, septic tanks VOLATILE ORGANIC TEST RESULTS Haloacetic Acids (ppb) NA 60 ND -3.0 By-product of drinking water disinfection Total Trihalomethanes
(ppb) NA 80 ND -5.0 By-product of drinking water disinfection UNREGULATED CONTAMINANT AND CHLORINE RESIDUAL TEST RESULTS Sulfate (ppm) None 250 6 -15 Naturally present in the environment
Chlorine Residual (ppm) 4.0 (MRDL) 4 (MRDLG) Avg. 0.64 Range 0.02 -1.48 Measure of disinfectant added to water unit description NA: Not applicable ND: Not detected ppm: parts per million,
or milligrams per liter (mg/l) ppb: parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (μg/l) Residential Lead and Copper Monitoring: Residential lead and copper sampling was not required in
2008. Sampling was last performed in 2006 to determine the concentrations of lead and copper copper that leach from residential water pipes and fixtures. The 90th percentile results
for lead and copper were 2 ppb and 0.46 ppm respectively. The Action Level for lead is 15 ppb and for copper is 1.3 ppm. Fluoride The City of Auburn does not add fluoride to your drinking
water. If you have children and are interested in fluoride supplements, please consult with your pediatrician or dentist. definitionsMCLG: MCL: AL: MRDL: MRDLG: Maximum Contaminant Level
Goal: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. Maximum Contaminant Level: The highest
level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. Action Level: The concentration
of a contaminant which, when exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level: The highest level of a disinfectant
allowed in drinking water. Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal: The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. The Auburn Water
Utility is proud to present you with our 2008 Water Quality Report. This report is a snapshot of last year’s water quality. The test results in this report show that Auburn’s water meets
or surpasses all federal and state standards for public drinking water. Auburn’s water comes from a combination of wells drawing water from deep below the city and springs located near
the walls of the valley. The valley wells and springs serve customers in the valley, Lea Hill and the Forest Villa /Academy area. Additional wells are located in the Lakeland Hills area
and serve our customers south of the White River in the Lakeland Hills neighborhood. AUBURN WATER UTILITY 2008 Water Quality Report
WATE R USE EFFICIENCY The main components of the City of Auburn Water Use Efficiency program are managing the water distribution system to minimize water loss, and encouraging responsible
use of water by our customers. Water loss is the difference between the total water produced and the water used by our customers, presented here as a percentage of water produced. The
City of Auburn Water Utility goal since 1999 has been to maintain water loss at or below 10 percent. In 2008, the Utility’s water loss was approximately 8.4 percent. In an effort to
limit water loss, the Utility performs annual system leak detection and repair; tests production and service meters, calibrating or replacing them as required; and issues permits for
water withdrawal from hydrants. Repairs associated with our 2008 annual leak detection program will save an estimated 6.6 million gallons of water per year. Responsible water use by
our customers is promoted by the Utility through educational programs for school children and homeowners. Quantifying the benefit of educational programs and corresponding behavioral
changes is difficult, but reductions in water use and/or waste can have a significant impact on the amount of water use as a whole. The City of Auburn is committed to efficiently managing
the water distribution system and encourages you to use water wisely. The City’s Water Use Efficiency Annual Performance Report and other information regarding Auburn’s Water Use Efficiency
program is available on the City of Auburn’s website at www.auburnwa.gov. Cross Connection Cross Connection Control Program: Protecting Our Water System From Contamination A cross connection
is a connection between a water pipe and a source of contamination. Examples of cross connections include hose ends submerged in pools, hot tubs or buckets, irrigation systems and most
hose-end spray applicators. Cross connections are extremely dangerous because they provide opportunities for contaminated fluids to be pulled back into the water system. To protect our
water supply, avoid using hose-end sprayers and maintain an air gap by keeping the hose end above the water surface when filling containers. Irrigation systems are required to have a
backflow assembly. Backflow assemblies require a plumbing permit, must be inspected by a cross connection specialist, and must be tested by a certified tester when installed, and yearly
thereafter. For more information or a list of certified testers, call the Water Division at 253-931-3048. required health information from the epa Health Issues Some people may be more
vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population (contaminants are something in drinking water other than water). 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 providers. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines
on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the EPA’s Safe Water Drinking Hotline (800-426-4791). Contaminants
and Regulations 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 water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
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. Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, may come from septic systems, livestock and wildlife. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, can be naturally
occurring or result from urban stormwater run-off, septic systems or fertilizer use. Pesticides and herbicides may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater
run-off and residential uses. Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and
can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater run-off, and septic systems. Radioactive contaminants 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 that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food
and Drug Administration regulations set limits for contaminants in bottled water that are intended to provide similar protection for public health. The Auburn Water Utility is part of
the Public Works Department, which receives oversight from the Public Works Committee of the Auburn City Council. Regular Committee meetings occur on the first and third Mondays of the
month at Auburn City Hall, 3:00 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. Water Utility Information 253-931-3010 Maintenance & Operations 253-931-3048 Billing Information 253-931-3038 City
of Auburn www.auburnwa.gov Washington State Dept. of Health www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov/safewater