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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 Water Quality ReportTUKWILA DRINKING WATER ■ Sharing the knowledge of safe water Access to safe, healthful drinking water is a vital part of our lives and the Tukwila Water Department is committed to providing its customers with the highest quality water possible. This report is our opportunity to provide our customers with the results of water quality testing conducted in 2020 and is required by state and federal law. You'll be pleased to know that your drinking water met or exceeded all state and federal drinking water standards during extensive testing in 2020. If you have questions about the information in this report, call Tukwila's Water Department at 206-433-1863. Tukwila's drinking water comes from the Cedar River Watershed, a highly protected water source in the Cascade Mountains owned and maintained by Seattle Public Utilities. The City of Tukwila is a member of Cascade Water Alliance, a regional water supply non- profit made up of seven municipalities that collectively purchase water from Seattle Public Utilities currently and are working towards developing a new source to meet future demand if it is ever needed. Prepared by the City of Tukwila Public Works Department, Water Utility Division System ID Number 89500F Treating the water we drink There are four steps in the treatment of the Cedar water supply: screening, fluoridation, corrosion control, and disinfection. The water first passes through coarse screens to remove debris, and fluoride is added for dental health protection. At the Cedar Treatment Facility, lime is added for pH -adjusted corrosion control to minimize lead leaching in older plumbing systems, and the water is disinfected to eliminate microbial contaminants. The disinfection process is a combination of chlorination, ozonation to improve taste and odor and Giardia control, and ultraviolet light disinfection to disable chlorine -resistant contaminants. Ensuring your water is pure To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) prescribe regulations limiting the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same level of public health protection. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of these contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained from the EPA's Safe 2020 water quality monitoring results Listed in the table below are all regulated contaminants that were detected in water quality testing conducted in 2020 and the level at which they were found. None of the contaminants detected were at or above levels allowed by state and federal agencies. Not listed are the more than 200 compounds tested for but not found. If you would like a copy of the list of undetected contaminants (compounds monitored for but not found), please call Tukwila Public Works Operations at 206-431-1936. EPA'S ALLOWABLE LIMITS LEVELS IN TUKWILA'S WATER M.F.I.MK-v4I Detected Compounds (Units) MCLG C- Typical Sources RAW WATER Total Organic Carbon (ppm) NA TT 0.7 0.3-1.1 Naturally present in the environment FINISHED WATER Turbidity (NTU) NA 5 0.3 0.15-3.1 Soil runoff Arsenic (ppb) 0 10 0.4 0.4-0.5 Erosion of natural deposits Barium (ppb) 2,000 2,000 1.5 1.4-1.7 Erosion of natural deposits Bromate (ppb) 0 10 0.2 ND to 5 By-product of drinking water disinfection Fluoride (ppm) 4 4 0.7 0.6-0.8 Water additive which promotes strong teeth Total Trihalomethanes (ppb) NA 80 34 15.1-58.2 By-product of drinking water chlorination Haloacetic Acids (5) (ppb) NA 60 38 15.1-60 By-product of drinking water chlorination Chlorine (ppm) MRDLG= 4 MRDL= 4 Average = 1.14 Range = 0.49-1.83 Water additive used to control microbes ppm: 1 part per million =1 mg/L =1 milligram per liter ppb: 1 part per billion =1 ug/L =1 microgram per liter Definitions used in the table MCLG Maximum Contaminant Level Goal - The level ofa contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. MCL Maximum Contaminant Level - The highest level ofa contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible, using the best available treatment technology. MRDL Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level - The highest level ofa disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition ofa disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. 1 ppm = 1,000 ppb MRDLG Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal - The level ofa drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. TT Treatment Technique -A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit - Turbidity is a measure of how clear the water looks. High turbidity can hinder the effectiveness of disinfectants. NA Not Applicable Lead and copper and your drinking water - are you at risk? Our source waters do not contain lead or copper. However, lead and copper can leach into water from building plumbing systems containing copper pipes, lead-based solder, brass fixtures, or some types of zinc coatings used on galvanized pipes and fittings. 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 Tukwila Water Department 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 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 or at EPA.gov/safewater/lead. Lead and Copper Monitoring Results Parameter and Units MCLG Action Level 1 2018 Results 2 Homes Exceeding Action Level Source Lead, ppb 0 15 1.6 0 of 50 Corrosion of household Copper, ppm 1.3 1.3 0.07 0 of 50 plumbing systems 1- The concentration of a contaminant which, 'f exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow. 2 - 90th Percentile: i.e., out of every 10 homes sampled, 9 were at or below this level. The monitoring results in the above table are from a regional sampling program conducted in 2018 (most recent testing required by regulation). Of the 50 homes sampled, three were in Tukwila, none of which exceeded the action levels for lead or copper. Important information from the EPA and DOH about all drinking water 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. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) oversees the Source Water Assessment Program. According to DOH, all surface waters in Washington are given a susceptibility of "high," regardless of whether contaminants have been detected or whether there are any sources of contaminants in the watershed. The Cedar River Watershed is publicly owned and managed for water quality. Agricultural, industrial, residential and recreational uses are prohibited. This means there is little opportunity for contaminants to enter the water. However, there is always some potential for naturally occurring sources of contamination. In the Cedar River Watershed the potential sources of contamination include: • microbial contaminants, e.g., viruses and bacteria from wildlife, • inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which are naturally occurring; and • organic contaminants, which result from chlorine combining with naturally occurring organic matter. Information on the source water assessments is available from the DOH website at Fortress.WA.gov/doh/eh/dw/swap/maps/. Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno -compromised persons (e.g., cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV, AIDS or other immune system disorders), some elderly persons, and infants can be particularly at risk for infections. These people or their caregivers should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791). Frequently Asked Questions Is Tukwila's water hard or soft? Water hardness refers to the amount ofcalcium, magnesium and other minerals dissolved in the water. Hard water has more of the dissolved minerals, which prevents soap from lathering, causes spots orfilm on glass, and can cause scale buildup. The hardness of Tukwila's water is approximately 1.5 grains per gallon, which is considered soft. What is the pH of water supplied to Tukwila customers? The average pH of Seattle's source water is 7.0. The pH is boosted to 8.2 in the distribution system as part of SPU's corrosion control program. This reduces the possibility of metals leaching into the water from plumbing pipes and fixtu res. Does the water 1 receive have fluoride in it? Yes. In accordance with a Seattle public vote held in 1968, Seattle Public Utilities adds fluoride to the drinking water at appropriate levels to prevent tooth decay. The concentration of fluoride was reduced beginning in January 2011 from 1.0 parts per million to 0.7 parts per million, the lowest level allowed by State law. This reduction is in response to new federal recommendations and is strongly supported by local health officials. How can 1 get more involved in decisions affecting my drinking water? Please contact the Tukwila Public Works office at 206- 433-0179 with any concerns you might have. The Tukwila Transportation and Infrastructure Committee also welcomes public comment; they meet twice monthly at 6300 Southcenter Boulevard, Suite 100, in Tukwila. To find out more about the current Committee agenda and meeting times, give us a call at 206-433-0179, or check on the City's website at Tu kwi IaWA.gov. Conservation In 2020, the Tukwila Water Department supplied over 596 million gallons of water to its retail and commercial customers. This water comes from a finite regional supply that must be used efficiently in order to meet the needs of people as well as maintaining adequate in -stream flows to protect salmon and other wildlife. Recognizing the importance of conservation in meeting the water needs of future generations, in 2003 the Washington Legislature enacted the Municipal Water Law, which requires municipalities to use water more efficiently. Being connected to a regional water supply means we must take a regional approach to water conservation. In October 2013, with authorization from the Washington State Department of Health, Cascade Water Alliance adopted a single, regional savings goal on behalf of all its members for the next six years. The goal is a cumulative savings of 600,000 gallons per day on an average annual basis and 1,000,000 gallons per day on an average peak season basis. In 2020, Cascade Water Alliance members saved an estimated 48,316 gallons per day or approxi- mately 24% of the six-year savings goal on an annual basis. Along with savings from 2019, Cascade has achieved approximately 47.7% of Cascade's 2019-2022 Water Use Efficiency Goal. These savings were realized by employing a number of different measures including installation of high -efficiency showerheads and aerators on commercial accounts, free online ordering of conservation items through Cascade's website, and training for landscape contractors. Some of the water saving offers available to Tukwila customers include free low - flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and shower timers. Visit their website at CascadeWater.org to look for the water conservation rebates and programs available to Tukwila water customers. The Municipal Water Law also requires water suppliers to keep water loss in their distribution systems below 10% measured as a three-year average. For the three-year period ending in 2020, the Tukwila Water Department kept water loss in the system down to 3.4% with an aggressive program of leak detection and repair. This is considered low by industry standards and is a testament to the investments made in water infrastructure by the City of Tukwila. Water Conservation Tips =a_ DON'T LEAVE THE TAP RUNNING NEEDLESSLY Turn off your sink faucet while washing hands, brushing teeth and scrubbing dishes and pots STOP LEAKY TOILET AND DRIPPING FAUCETS A faucet that drips at the rate of one drop per second will waste 2,700 gallons per year CHOOSE AND USE YOUR APPLIANCES WISELY Use energy efficient appliances REDUCING FLOWS OF WATER Use high efficiency faucet aerator and low Flow shower head For more information TUKWILA PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 6300 Southcenter Blvd., Tukwila, WA 98188 206-433-0179 Water Maint.: 206-433-1860 Email: Public Works@TukwilaWA.gov Website: TukwilaWA.gov CASCADE WATER ALLIANCE Conservation Rebates: 425-453-0930 Website: CascadeWater.org ENVIRONMENTAL Groundwater and Drinking Water site: PROTECTION EPA.gov/safewater/index.html AGENCY Safe Drinking Water Hotline email: hotline-sdwa@EPAmail.EPA.gov Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791 WASHINGTON STATE Website: DOH.WA.gov/ehp/dw DEPT. 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