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HomeMy WebLinkAbout052004 City of Port Townsend Drinking Water Report Reporting In compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act amendments, the City of Port Townsend is issuing this annual report on water quality monitoring performed during the past year. The purpose of the report is to educate consumers about their drinking water. We are pleased to report that the City’s water surpasses all federal and state drinking water standards. Remember to protect and conserve our precious water resources. Water Sources Water for the City of Port Townsend is surface water that comes from the Big and Little Quilcene Rivers in the northeast corner of the Olympic National Forest. This water is stored in Lords Lake Reservoir, northwest of Quilcene, and City Lake Reservoir, at the south end of Discovery Bay. For over 70 years the City and U.S. Forest Service have cooperated in a joint effort to manage and protect this important resource. By minimizing opportunities for contaminants to enter at the water’s source, we continue to meet the stringent criteria required for remaining an unfiltered surface water system. Potential Contaminants 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’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791). 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. Contaminants that may be present in the source water include: • Microbial contaminants, such as viruses, protozoans, and bacteria, which may come from wildlife and people visiting the watershed. • Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from stormwater runoff. • Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as forestry management and stormwater runoff. • Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which can come from stormwater runoff. • Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations limiting the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health. Port Townsend Annual Water Quality Analysis (2003) The EPA regulates monitoring of over 80 contaminants. The ones listed in the following tables are the only contaminants detected in our drinking water during the 2003 calendar year. Presence of these contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. Data presented in these tables are from testing done January 1 – December 31, 2003. The State requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. Organic Chemical Contaminants MCL MCLG Port Townsend Water Range of Detections Violation Typical Source of Contaminant Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) (ppb) 100 N/A 31.7 N/A No By-product of drinking water chlorination Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. MCL Port Townsend Water (Highest Daily Average) Range of Detections Violation Typical Source of Contaminant Turbidity (NTU) TT=5 NTU 0.38 0.15-1.42 No Soil runoff Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of water quality. High turbidity can hinder the effectiveness of disinfectants. Port Townsend’s highest daily water turbidity varied from 0.15 to 1.42 NTUs. The maximum contaminant level for turbidity is 5 NTUs. Inorganic Chemical Contaminants AL MCLG Port Townsend Water # of sites above AL Violation Typical Source of Contaminant Lead (ppb) AL=15 0 3 0 of 20 No Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits Copper (ppm) AL=1.3 0 0.4 0 of 20 No Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short period of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson’s disease should consult their personal doctor. 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. 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). Definitions: Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, when exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): 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. Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): 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. N/A: Not applicable NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Units - a measure of the cloudiness of the water. ppb: Parts per billion or micrograms per liter. ppm: Parts per million or milligrams per liter. Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. Public Comment The public is invited to participate in decisions that affect drinking water through comment to the City of Port Townsend City Council. Information about scheduled meetings is available from the City Administration Office at 385-3000. More Information The City of Port Townsend’s water meets or exceeds all EPA and State drinking water health standards. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about our drinking water and have available a complete list of compounds we test for. Please call Bob LaCroix at the Port Townsend Department of Water Quality (379-5001). Information is also available on the City’s web site www.ci.port-townsend.wa.us.