HomeMy WebLinkAbout20072007 City of Port Townsend
Annual Drinking Water Report
Reporting
In compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act amendments, the City of Port Townsend is issuing this annual report on water quality
monitoring performed January 1 – December 31, 2007. The purpose of the report is to educate consumers about their drinking water.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Washington Department of Health (DOH) regulate monitoring of over 200 potential
contaminants. Washington State requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because concentrations of these
contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. The substances listed in the following tables are the only ones
detected in our drinking water however presence of these substances in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a
health risk. We are pleased to report that the City’s water surpasses all federal and state drinking water standards.
Water Sources
Water for the City of Port Townsend (System ID # 69000R) is surface water from the Big and Little Quilcene Rivers (Source # 01 and
02) in the northeast corner of the Olympic National Forest. This water is stored in Lords Lake and City Lake Reservoirs. As with all
surface water sources, the Washington Department of Health rates the City’s source water as highly susceptible to contamination,
however there are no known potential contaminate sources. For 80 years the City and U.S. Forest Service have cooperated in a joint
effort to manage and protect our municipal watershed. By minimizing opportunities for contaminants to enter the source water, we
continue to meet the stringent criteria required to remain an unfiltered surface water system. Our water treatment consists of screening
for debris such as leaves and disinfection with chlorine to provide protection from microbial contaminants.
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. Due to limited activities within our
watershed there is little opportunity for contaminants to enter the water. Even so, there is always some potential for contamination. In
Port Townsend’s surface water supplies, the potential sources of contamination include:
Microbial contaminants, such as viruses, protozoans, and bacteria, which may come from wildlife and people and pets visiting the
watershed.
Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring.
Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as forestry management.
Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which can come from vehicles in the
watershed or that result from chlorine combining with naturally occurring organic matter.
In order to ensure tap water is safe to drink, the Department of Health and EPA prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain
contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Washington Department of
Agriculture regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.
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).
Port Townsend Annual Water Quality Analysis
Disinfection Byproducts MCL MCLG Highest
Detected Level
Testing
Frequency Violation Typical Source of
Contaminant
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) (ppb) 80 NA 29.7 Once a year No By-product of drinking water
chlorination
Haloacetic Acids (HAAs) (ppb) 60 NA 17.5 Once a year 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.
Some people who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Contaminant MCL MCLG Range of
Detections
Testing
Frequency Violation Typical Source of
Contaminant
Chlorine MRDL =4 MRDLG = 4 0.05 – 0.82 Continuous No Water additive used to
control microbes
Fecal Coliform
Bacteria
90% of samples containing fewer
than 20 colonies per 100 ml of water 0 0-5 3-4 times
per week No Human and animal fecal
waste
Total organic
carbon TT NA ND-1.1 Monthly NA Naturally present in the
environment
Turbidity (NTU) TT=5 NA 0.18-1 Continuous No Soil runoff
Some people who use water containing chlorine well in excess of the MRDL could experience irritating effects to their eyes and nose. Some people
who drink water containing chlorine well in excess of the MRDL could experience stomach discomfort.
Fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in
these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for
infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems. Fecal coliform bacteria sampling was performed prior to
disinfection by chlorine. No distribution system samples tested positive for coliform bacteria.
Total organic carbon (TOC) has no health effects. However, total organic carbon provides a medium for the formation of disinfection byproducts.
These byproducts include trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Drinking water containing these byproducts in excess of the MCL
may lead to adverse health effects, liver or kidney problems, or nervous system effects and may lead to an increased risk of getting cancer.
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
Chemicals AL MCLG 90th Percentile
Value
# of home sites
tested above AL
Range of
Results
Testing
Frequency Violation Typical Source of
Contaminant
Lead (ppb) AL=15 0 4 0 of 20 1-8 Once every
3 years No
Corrosion of household
plumbing systems; erosion
of natural deposits
Copper
(ppm) AL=1.3 0 0.41 0 of 20 0.09-0.53 Once every
3 years 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. Flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using tap water to reduce lead content.
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.
Definitions:
Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, when
exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system
must follow.
Lead and Copper 90th Percentile: Out of every 10 homes sampled, 9
were at or below this level.
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.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of
a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence
that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial
contaminants (e.g. chlorine, chloramines, chlorine dioxide).
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of
a 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.
NA: Not applicable
ND: Not Detected or below State Reporting Limit.
NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Units - a measure of the cloudiness of the
water.
ppb: Parts per billion or micrograms per liter (g/L).
ppm: Parts per million or milligrams per liter (mg/L).
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 through the City Administration Office (385-3000).
More Information
The City of Port Townsend’s water meets or exceeds all EPA and State drinking water health standards. If you have any additional
questions about our drinking water or would like a complete list of substances we test for please call Ian Jablonski at the Port Townsend
Department of Water Quality (379-5001). Information is also available on the City’s web site:
www.cityofpt.us/Publicworks/WaterQuality.asp