HomeMy WebLinkAbout20032003 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 (2002)
The EPA regulates monitoring of over 80 contaminants. The ones listed in the following tables are the only contaminants detected in your
drinking water during the 2002 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, 2002. 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. 41 32-63 No
By-product of
drinking water
chlorination
The maximum contaminant level for total trihalomethanes is 100 parts per billion. The average level detected in Port Townsend’s water was 38
and the highest level detected was 63 parts per billion. 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=5NTU 0.40 0.12-0.97 No Soil runoff
Port Townsend’s highest daily water turbidity varied from 0.12 to 0.65 NTUs. The maximum contaminant level for turbidity is 5 NTUs.
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.
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 amount 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.
Inorganic Chemical
Contaminants MCL MCLG Port Townsend Water Violation Typical Source of
Contaminant
Fluoride (ppm) 4 4 0.2 No Erosion of natural
deposits
Some people who drink water containing fluoride in excess of the MCL over many years could get bone disease, including pain and tenderness of
the bones. Children may get mottled teeth.
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 the City of Port Townsend General Government Committee.
Information about scheduled meetings is available from the City Administration 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 Water Quality web site http://www.ci.port-
townsend.wa.us/departments/waterquality/.