HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 Water Quality Report.pdfRESIDENTIAL LEAD AND COPPER MONITORING:
Residential lead and copper sampling was conducted in 2009 to determine the concentrations of lead and copper that leach
from residential water pipes and fixtures. Lead results ranged from < 1 ppb to 16 ppb. Copper results ranged from < 0.002 ppm
to 0.70 ppm. The 90th percentile results for lead and copper were 9 ppb and 0.40 ppm respectively. The Action Level for lead is
15 ppb and for copper is 1.3 ppm. 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 Auburn Water Utility is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety
of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential
for lead exposure by flushing your tap for thirty seconds to two 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 or at http://www.epa.
gov/safewater/lead.
DEFINITIONS
MCLG: 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.
AUBURN WATER UTILITY
2011 Water Quality Report
WATER 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
accordance with the Water Use Efficiency reporting requirements, the three year average for the years up to and including 2011 was
7.6 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
2011 annual leak detection program will save an estimated 20,498,000 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 used 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 are
available on the City of Auburn’s website at www.auburnwa.gov.
PARAMETER STANDARDS SAMPLE RESULTS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
MCLG MCL Typical Source/Comments
INORGANIC TEST RESULTS
Arsenic (ppb)
Nitrate (ppm)
0
10
10
10
ND - 1
ND - 4
Erosions of natural deposits
Natural deposits, fertilizer, septic tanks
VOLATILE ORGANIC TEST RESULTS
Haloacetic Acids (ppb) NA 60 ND - 4 By-product of drinking water disinfection
Total Trihalomethanes (ppb)NA 80 ND - 9.6 By-product of drinking water disinfection
UNREGULATED CONTAMINANT AND CHLORINE RESIDUAL TEST RESULTS
Sulfate (ppm) None 250 6 - 16 Naturally present in the environment
Chlorine Residual (ppm) 4.0 (MRDL)4 (MRDLG) 0.11 - 1.1
Average 0.67
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)
THE AUBURN WATER UTILITY IS PROUD TO PRESENT YOU WITH OUR 2011 WATER QUALITY REPORT.
This report is a snapshot of 2011 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. Water from the valley wells and springs
is distributed to the entire Auburn service area. Additional wells are located in Lakeland
Hills and serve Auburn customers in the Lakeland Hills neighborhood. The City of Auburn
supplemented its water supply in 2011 with water purchased from the City of Bonney Lake.
Public Works Department
City of Auburn
25 W Main Street
Auburn WA 98001-4998
POSTAL PATRON
AUBURN WA
AUBURN WATER UTILITY
2011 Water Quality Report
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 the Auburn City
Hall Annex, 3:30 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
FLUORIDE
FLUORIDE
The City of Auburn does not add fluoride to your drinking water. In 2012, the City’s water sources will be changing slightly and
although those sources may contain fluoride, when mixed with the City’s water will keep fluoride amounts at or below levels
recommended by Department of Health. If you have questions about fluoride for dental use, please consult with your doctor or
dentist. For more information on fluoride in drinking water visit the EPA website www.water.epa.gov/drink.
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