HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 Water Quality Report
THE AUBURN WATER UTILITY IS PROUD TO PRESENT YOU WITH OUR 2009 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. The Lakeland Service Area also received some water purchased through our
intertie with the City of Bonney Lake. TER UT PARAMETER STANDARDS SAMPLE RESULTS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MCLG MCL Typical Source/Comments INORGANIC TEST RESULTS Nitrate (ppm) 10 10 0.3
-3.9 Natural deposits, fertilizer, septic tanks VOLATILE ORGANIC TEST RESULTS Haloacetic Acids (ppb) NA 60 ND -4.4 By-product of drinking water disinfection Total Trihalomethanes (ppb)
NA 80 3.1 -12.7 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) Avg. 0.65 Range 0.02 -1.18 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 conducted in 2009
to determine the concentrations of lead and copper that leach from residential water pipes and fi xtures. 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. FLUORIDE The City
of Auburn does not not add fl uoride to your drinking water. If you have children and are interested in fl uoride supplements, please consult with your pediatrician or dentist. 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 2009 Water Quality Report WATER USE EFFICIENCY The main components of the City of Auburn Water Use Effi ciency program are managing the
water distribution system to minimize water loss, and encouraging responsible use of water by our customers. Water loss is the diff erence 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 2009,
the Utility’s water loss was approximately 10.2 percent. In an eff ort 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 2009 annual leak detection program will save an
estimated 900,000 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 benefi t of educational programs and corresponding behavioral changes is diffi cult, but reductions in water use and/or waste can have a signifi cant impact on the amount of water
use as a whole. The City of Auburn is committed to effi ciently managing the water distribution system and encourages you to use water wisely. The City’s Water Use Effi ciency Annual
Performance Report and other information regarding Auburn’s Water Use Effi ciency program is available on the City of Auburn’s website at www.auburnwa.gov.
Public Works Department City of Auburn 25 W Main Street Auburn WA 98001-4998 POSTAL PATRON AUBURN WA PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID AUBURN WA 98001 PERMIT NO 193 AUBURN WATER UTILITY 2009
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 fl uids 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 fi lling containers. Irrigation systems are required to have a backfl ow assembly. Backfl ow assemblies require
a plumbing permit, must be inspected by a cross connection specialist, and must be tested by a certifi ed tester when installed, and yearly thereafter. For more information or a list
of certifi ed 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 eff ects 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 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 fi rst 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