HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 Water Quality Report.pdfRESIDENTIAL LEAD AND COPPER MONITORING:
Residential lead and copper sampling was conducted in 2012 to determine the concentrations of lead and copper that leach from residential water
pipes and fixtures. Lead results ranged from < 1 ppb to 51 ppb. Copper results ranged from < 0.02 ppm to 0.62 ppm. The 90th percentile results
for lead and copper were 2 ppb and 0.29 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 www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
DEFINITIONS
MCLG: MCL: AL:
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.
MRDL: MRDLG: MRL:
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.
Minimum Reporting Level: The minimum
concentration of each analyte.
AUBURN WATER UTILITY
2014 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 2014 was 8.5 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 2014 annual leak detection program might have saved an estimated 38,763,000 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 Average Range Typical Source/Comments
INORGANIC SUBSTANCE
Arsenic (ppb)
Nitrate (ppm)
Fluoride (ppm)
Turbidity (NTU)
0
10
4
NA
10
10
4
5
ND - 2
ND - 3.5
0.10 - 0.90
0.02 - 6.76
Erosions of natural deposits
Natural deposits, fertilizer, septic tanks
Treatment additive
Soil erosion
VOLATILE ORGANIC SUBSTANCE
Haloacetic Acids (ppb) NA 60 ND - 9.8 By-product of drinking water disinfection
Total Trihalomethanes (ppb)NA 80 0.4 - 17.7 By-product of drinking water disinfection
OTHER MONITORED SUBSTANCE
Sulfate (ppm) None 250 6 - 15 Naturally present in the environment
Chlorine Residual (ppm) 4.0 (MRDL)4 (MRDLG) 0.73 0.05 - 1.43 Measure of disinfectant added to water
Total Coliform Bacteria 0 Must not be detected
in more than 5% of
samples in any month
One of the samples collected on 9/8/2014 was
positive. All required follow-up repeat samples
collected on 9/12/2014 were negative.
Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the
environment and are used as an indicator that other
potentially-harmful bacteria may be present.
DETECTED UNREGULATED SUBSTANCE
Vanadium (ppb)0.2 1.642 0.53 - 4.0
Strontium (ppb)0.3 61.583 11 - 110
Chromium (ppb)0.2 0.349 0.21 - 0.55
Chromium-6 (ppb)0.03 0.201 0.05 - 0.46
Chlorate (ppb)20 70.286 25 - 100
Testosterone (ppb)0.0001 0.00053 0.00053
UNIT DESCRIPTION
NA: Not applicable ND: Not detected NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Units 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 2014 WATER QUALITY REPORT.
This report is a snapshot of 2014 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, springs located near the walls
of the valley and surface water from Tacoma Public Utilities. Water from the valley wells, springs and
Tacoma is distributed to the entire Auburn service area. Additional wells are located in Lakeland Hills
and serve Auburn customers in the Lakeland Hills neighborhood.
MRL
Community Development & Public Works Department
City of Auburn 25 W Main Street
Auburn WA 98001-4998
AUBURN WATER UTILITY
2014 Water Quality Report
CROSS CONNECTION
CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL PROGRAM: PROTECTING OUR WATER SYSTEM FROM CONTAMINATIONA 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. 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 at 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 at 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 Community Development and Public Works Department, which receives oversight from the Auburn City Council. Regular Council meetings occur on the first and third Mondays of the month at the Auburn City Hall, 7:00 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
FLUORIDE
FLUORIDEThe City of Auburn does not add fluoride to your drinking water. In 2014, the City purchased water from Tacoma Public Utilities which adds fluoride to their treated water. This water mixes with the City of Auburn’s water and depending on your location in the water system you may receive fluoridated water. Fluoride levels present in Auburn’s water range from 0.10-0.90 ppm. 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 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website at www.epa.gov/drink.
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