ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORTS

Transcription

1 ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORTS Summarizing test results from 2017 Table of Contents Surface System Report (Lower Peninsula) 2 Surface System Extended Data 11 Lightfoot System Report (Upper York County) 19 Lightfoot System Extended Data 28 Click any page number to go directly to that page.

2 ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT Summarizing test results from 2017 NOTICIA EN ESPAÑOL Este reporte continiene información importante acerca de la calidad del agua potable. Haga que algien lo traduzca para usted, o hable con alguien que lo entienda.

3 INSIDE A MESSAGE ABOUT WATER QUALITY Your tap water exceeds the highest standards set for drinking water quality. It comes delivered to your home at a fraction of the cost of bottled water. You can get two gallons of water from your faucet for less than a penny, while a single gallon of bottled water from the store can cost upward of $1.29. And by using tap water, you re saving money and not filling up landfills with plastic bottles! This annual report provides details about the water you drink every day as a customer of Newport News Waterworks. We test our water for the presence of more than 100 substances, and this report includes a chart showing you the levels of several regulated and non-regulated substances we detected in Our goal is to meet your need for a clean, safe, reliable supply of drinking water at a reasonable cost, while providing long-term management of our precious water resources. Your Water Utility... 1 About This Report...2 Additional Testing...2 Where Your Water Comes From...3 Source Water Assessment...3 How We Test Your Water... 4 Key Terms...5 Water Quality Testing Results - Regulated Substances Water Quality Testing Results - Unregulated Substances... 8 Water Quality Testing Results - Non-regulated Microbials... 9 About Cryptosporidium... 9 How We Treat Your Water How Hard Is My Water? More About Source Water...11 Public Health Precautions About Lead Additional Information of Interest How To Get Involved YOUR WATER UTILITY Newport News Waterworks serves as a regional water provider for five jurisdictions: Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, York County and part of James City County. We are committed to providing a reliable supply of high quality drinking water to our customers. Our drinking water is treated and tested using state-of-the-art equipment and advanced procedures, and it meets or exceeds state and federal standards. The bottom line: The quality of your water is excellent WATER QUALITY REPORT 1

4 ABOUT THIS REPORT This annual water quality report or Consumer Confidence Report is written, prepared and distributed by the City of Newport News Waterworks Department (Newport News Waterworks) as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act. It is reviewed and approved by the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water in Norfolk. This report explains where your water comes from, what our tests show about it, and other things you should know about your drinking water. This report and the water quality report for our Lightfoot System, as well as expanded versions of both reports featuring additional test results, are available online at nnva.gov/waterqualityreport. A paper copy of this report is available at all local libraries in the Waterworks service area, in our walk-in services lobby, and in City Halls and County offices in our service area. If you would like to receive a copy of this report in the mail, please call Waterworks at WHERE YOUR WATER COMES FROM Chickahominy River Surface water provides the primary source of your drinking water. It begins with the Chickahominy River. When water is available, it is pumped from the river, above Walkers Dam, and transferred through pipes to reservoirs for storage. Waterworks owns and operates five reservoirs that store and supply water to the treatment plants. Brackish (slightly salty) groundwater from deep wells in the Lee Hall area provide a second source of water. The two source waters are treated separately, then blended together before distribution to the service area. SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT ADDITIONAL TESTING In 2015, Waterworks participated in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency s (EPA) third round of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3). Approximately 6,000 utilities nationwide monitored unregulated contaminants for a year to help the EPA determine the occurrence of these contaminants in drinking water and whether or not they need to be regulated for protection of public health. The results of those findings are in the table on page 8. According to the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission s 2017 Source Water Assessment, our surface water sources were rated as relatively high in susceptibility to contamination (which is one reason why water treatment is so important), while our deep groundwater wells were rated as low in susceptibility using the criteria developed by the state in its approved Source Water Assessment Program. The assessment report includes maps showing the source water assessment area, an inventory of known land-use activities, a susceptibility explanation chart, and definitions of key terms. A copy of the report is available from the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission ( ) or Newport News Waterworks ( ). 2 NEWPORT NEWS WATERWORKS 2017 WATER QUALITY REPORT 3

5 HOW WE TEST YOUR WATER To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA regulations limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish the limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health. The water quality information listed here is based upon tests conducted in 2017 by Newport News Waterworks. Samples of treated water were taken at regular intervals from specific locations (the treatment plants, residences, and businesses) across the Waterworks service area. Every regulated substance that we detected in the water, even in the smallest traces, is listed in the table on pages 6 and 7. The table contains the name of each substance, the highest level allowed by regulation (MCL), the ideal goals for public health (MCLG), the amount detected, the usual sources of such contamination, and whether or not Waterworks meets the set regulation. For help understanding the tables, please see the key terms on the next page and the footnotes at the bottom of the table. Tables with the results of testing for unregulated substances and non-regulated microbials can be found on pages 8 and 9. An expanded version of the tables in this report (listing additional test results) can be found on the Waterworks website at nnva.gov/waterqualityreport. There is a separate water quality report for our Lightfoot well system customers in York County. That report can also be found on our web site. To request that copies of these reports be mailed to you, call our customer service office at KEY TERMS We ve defined these water-quality terms, unique to the water industry, to help you better understand test results on the following pages. AL: Action Level - The concentration of a compound that laboratories of a contaminant which, if exceeded, would report as a detection. triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must ND: Not detected. - Does not equate follow. to zero, but refers to an amount below analytical reporting limits. MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level - The highest level of a contaminant NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity that is allowed in drinking water. Unit - A measure of water clarity. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs Turbidity greater than five NTU as feasible, using the best available is just noticeable to the average treatment technology. person. MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level pci/l: Picocuries per liter - A Goal - The level of a contaminant in measure of radioactivity. EPA drinking water below which there is considers 50 pci/l to be the level no known or expected risk to health. of concern for beta particles. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. ppb: Parts per billion or micrograms MRDL: Maximum Residual per liter (μg/l). Equivalent to one Disinfectant Level - The highest penny in $10 million. level of a disinfectant allowed in ppm: Parts per million or milligrams drinking water. There is convincing per liter (mg/l). Equivalent to one evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of penny in $10 thousand. microbial contaminants. ppt: Parts per trillion or nanograms per liter [ng/l]. Equivalent to one MRDLG: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal - The level penny in $10 billion. of a drinking water disinfectant TT: Treatment Technique - A below which there is no known or required process intended to reduce expected risk to health. MRDLGs do the level of a contaminant in not reflect the benefits of the use of drinking water. disinfectants to control microbial contamination. Turbidity: A measure of water clarity, which serves as an MRL: Minimum Reporting Level - indicator of the treatment Estimate of the lowest concentration facility s performance. 4 NEWPORT NEWS WATERWORKS 2017 WATER QUALITY REPORT 5

6 WATER QUALITY TESTING RESULTS REGULATED SUBSTANCES Contaminant Unit EPA s Ideal Goal (MCLG) Highest EPA Allowed Level (MCL) Highest Result (what we found) Range of Test Results Low-High Meets State & Federal Standards Likely Source INORGANICS Copper ppm 0 AL = YES Corrosion of household plumbing Lead ppb 0 AL = 15 <1.0 1 < YES Corrosion of household plumbing Fluoride ppm YES Added to promote strong teeth Barium ppm YES Erosion of natural deposits Nitrate ppm YES Erosion of natural deposits Nitrite ppm YES Erosion of natural deposits DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS AND PRECURSORS Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) ppb YES By-product of chlorination Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) ppb <2-33 YES By-product of chlorination Total Organic Carbon removal none TT YES Naturally present in the environment MICROBIOLOGICAL Turbidity NTU none TT YES Soil runoff Free Chlorine (Chloramines) ppm MRDLG=4 MRDL= < YES Water additive used to control microbes RADIOLOGICAL (from testing completed in 2016) Radium-228 pci/l < YES Erosion of natural deposits Beta emitters pci/l YES Decay of natural & man-made deposits Footnotes: All results reported in the table above are for samples taken in Samples taken in 2016 are part of required four-quarter or annual running averages. (1) At least 90% of the samples were at or below this level. None of the individual samples exceeded the Action Level. Because our lead and copper levels are so low, we only have to test every three years. Lead and copper testing was completed in (2) The highest detected level of THM and HAA based on a specific location s four-quarter running average. The range numbers are the results from individual samples. The data in Highest Result column include samples from The range is for samples taken in (3) Compliance is based on a running four-quarter average. The range is the individual monthly ratio from both water treatment plants. TOC has no adverse health effects, but can be a critical component in the formation of disinfection by-products. The data in Highest Result column include samples from The range is for samples taken in (4) Turbidity is a measure of water cloudiness. It is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system. 100% of samples were within the turbidity limit. (5) For Chloramines, a system-wide annual running average is used. The range numbers are the results from individual samples. The data in Highest Result column include samples from The range is for samples taken in MCLs are set at very stringent levels. To experience the possible health effects described for many regulated contaminants, a person would have to drink two liters of water at the MCL level every day for a lifetime to have a one-in-a-million chance of having a possible health effect. 6 NEWPORT NEWS WATERWORKS 2017 WATER QUALITY REPORT 7

7 WATER QUALITY TESTING RESULTS UNREGULATED SUBSTANCES Contaminant Unit MRL Average Range of Test Results (Low- High) Likely Source UNREGULATED ORGANICS - MONITORED AT THE TREATMENT PLANT Chloroform ppb n/a By-product of chlorination Dichlorobromomethane Dibromochloromethane ppb n/a By-product of chlorination ppb n/a By-product of chlorination UNREGULATED CONTAMINANT MONITORING REGULATION (UCMR3) This monitoring provides a basis for future regulatory actions to protect public health. Chlorate µg/l ND-550 Agricultural defoliant or desiccant; disinfectant by-product; used in production of chlorine dioxide. Total Chromium Hexavalent Chromium Cr-6 (dissolved) Strontium (µg/l) Vanadium (µg/l) µg/l ND µg/l Naturally occurring. Used in industry and can be discharged by industrial facilities. Total Chromium is the sum of chromium in all its valence states. Naturally occurring. Used in making steel and other alloys. A new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) risk assessment, not finalized yet, has raised concerns about the risk to human health. µg/l Naturally occurring. Has been used commercially to produce color TV tubes. It also blocks x-ray emissions. µg/l Naturally occurring. Is used as an additive to steel to make engine parts and tools. WATER QUALITY TESTING RESULTS NON-REGULATED MICROBIALS MONITORED AT THE SOURCE* Contaminant Unit MCLG MCL Highest Amount Detected Range of Test Results (Low- High) Likely Source Cryptosporidium #/L n/a TT ND Human or animal fecal waste * Found in source water only, not in treated water. ABOUT CRYPTOSPORIDIUM Cryptosporidium is a parasitic microbe found in surface waters throughout the U.S. Our monitoring indicates the presence of these organisms at very low levels in our source water but not in our treated water. Current test methods approved by the EPA do not allow us to determine if the organisms are dead or if they are capable of causing disease. Ingestion of cryptosporidium may cause cryptosporidiosis, an abdominal infection. Symptoms of infection include nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Cryptosporidium must be ingested to cause disease, and it may be spread through means other than drinking water. Most healthy individuals can overcome the disease within a few weeks. However, immuno-compromised people, infants and small children, and the elderly are at greater risk of developing life-threatening illness. We encourage immuno-compromised individuals to consult their doctor regarding appropriate precautions to take to avoid infection. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at NEWPORT NEWS WATERWORKS 2017 WATER QUALITY REPORT 9

8 HOW WE TREAT YOUR WATER Untreated water is pumped to our treatment plants, where it passes through screens, before aluminum sulfate (alum) and polymer are added. These chemicals cause tiny particles in the water to cling together (coagulation), making the particles easier to remove. After the water is clarified, ozone (disinfection) is added to kill microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. The water is then sent through filters to remove any remaining particles (filtration). Lime is added to adjust the ph, fluoride is added to prevent tooth decay, and zinc orthophosphate is added to Ozone control corrosion inside the pipe system. Generators Finally, chloramines, the secondary disinfectant, are added to maintain disinfection through the pipe system to your home or business. The brackish groundwater is pumped to our desalination plant located at our Lee Hall facility. Using a process called reverse osmosis, water is forced by high pressure through membranes that can remove the salt and other contaminants to produce very high quality water. The water is blended with treated surface water and sent out to our customers. HOW HARD IS MY WATER? There is no EPA standard for hardness. Water treated by Newport News Waterworks is considered moderately hard (4-6 grains which is equal to mg/l as calcium carbonate or CaCO3). In 2017 the average was 81 mg/l with a range of MORE ABOUT SOURCE WATER Generally speaking, 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 radioactive material and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Substances that may be present in source water include: Microbial, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. Inorganics, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, stormwater runoff, and residential uses. Organic chemicals, including synthetic and volatile organics, are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems. Radioactive, which can be naturallyoccurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. 10 NEWPORT NEWS WATERWORKS 2017 WATER QUALITY REPORT 11

9 PUBLIC HEALTH PRECAUTIONS 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 Environmental Protection Agency s (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline at Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as those 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. ABOUT LEAD Lead is not detectable in the treated water tested monthly from either treatment plant. However, if present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water comes primarily from materials associated with service lines and home plumbing. Waterworks is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. If your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by running cold water until it becomes as cold as it will get before using it for drinking or cooking. This could take as little as 30 seconds or 2 minutes or longer. Waterworks and the health department recommend that you use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and especially for making baby formula. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at epa.gov/safewater/lead. 12 NEWPORT NEWS WATERWORKS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OF INTEREST Sodium - The EPA has not set a standard for sodium in drinking water. However, sodium levels are usually low and unlikely to be a significant contribution to adverse health effects. The average level of sodium found in our treated water in 2017 was 14 mg/l, and the range was Should you have a health concern, please contact your health care provider. Fluoride - Fluoride is added to water to help prevent tooth decay. Newport News Waterworks adheres to drinking water regulations set by the EPA and guidance provided by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). VDH has adopted the recommendation of 0.7 mg/l, set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as the optimum level of fluoride concentration in drinking water. This is the target Waterworks strives to achieve. HOW TO GET INVOLVED Because Waterworks is a department of the City of Newport News, major decisions about your drinking water are made by Newport News City Council. They meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 pm, and you are welcome to attend and participate. These meetings are broadcast live on Newport News City Channel (in Newport News - Cox channel 48 and Verizon FIOS channel 19) and can be viewed live or on-demand by all customers in our service area on the web at nnva.gov/nntv WATER QUALITY REPORT 13

10 CONTACT INFORMATION If you have questions or concerns about your water or water quality, please contact Waterworks Customer Service. Here are some important numbers and information to keep handy: a.m. - 5 p.m., Mon. - Fri. monitored 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mon. - Fri. Walk-in Service Center Walk-in Payment Center 700 Town Center Drive 2400 Washington Avenue (City Center Oyster Point) (Newport News City Hall Annex) 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mon. - Fri. Emergency Services: For emergencies only, after normal business hours, on weekends and holidays. nnva.gov/waterworks On our website you can manage your account, pay your water bill online, sign up for paperless billing & automatic payment options, and read a more detailed water quality report. facebook.com/nnwaterworks Like us on Facebook to receive helpful tips, special announcements and updates. Plus, we get to hear from you! Louis Martinez, Director Michael L. Hotaling, P.E., Facilities Manager Sherry L. Williams, Water Quality Manager

11 Waterworks Surface System Water Quality Report Expanded Version TERM DEFINITION TERM DEFINITION AL Action Level NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units Finished Water Treated water, drinking water ppb parts per billion or micrograms per liter (ug/l) ICR Information Collection Rule ppm parts per million or milligrams per liter (mg/l) MCL Maximum Contaminant Level pci/l picocuries per liter ( a measure of radioactivity) MCLG Maximum Contaminant Level Goal Source Water Water prior entering the treatment plant, reservoir water MRDL Maxiumum Residual Disinfection Level TT Treatment Technique ND Nephelometric Turbidity Units VOC Volatile Organic Compound 2017 Regulated Contaminants of the Distribution System CONTAMINANT UNIT MCLG MCL MAX CONC RANGE COMMENTS Total Coliform 0 Presence of coliform bacteria in >5% of monthly samples E.Coli 0 A routine sample & a repeat sample are total coliform positive, and one is also fecal coliform or E.coli positive Total Trihalomethane (THM) 0.00% 0.0% - 0.0% 0 positive samples of 2172 total samples collected in % ppb Max Conc - qt compliance avg at a specific site; Range - individual samples collected in 2017 HAA(5) <2-33 Max Conc - qt compliance avg at a specific site; Range- individual samples collected in 2017 Total Chlorine (Chloramines) TOC Removal 4 MRDL= < Max Conc - mn compliance avg, includes 2016 data; Range - individual samples collected in 2017 TT (Compliance removal ratio) 1.17 (Min % removal) Min Conc - qt compliance avg, includes 2016 data; Range - weekly samples collected in 2017 Lead ppb AL=15 (>10% samples exceed AL) Copper ppm AL=1.3 (>10% samples exceed AL) <1.0 90% percentile % percentile < Sampling event; no sample exceeded the AL Sampling event; no sample exceeded the AL

12 2017 Regulated Health Risk Contaminants Inorganics - Regulated at the Treatment Plant SUBSTANCE UNIT MCLG MCL MAX CONC RANGE LIKELY SOURCE MEETS EPA STANDARDS Arsenic ppb none 50 <1 YES NO Antimony ppb 6 6 <1 YES NO Barium ppm Erosion of natural deposits Beryllium ppb 4 4 <1 YES NO Cadmium ppb 5 5 <1 YES NO Chromium ppb <1 YES NO YES VIOLATIONS? NO COMMENTS Cyanide ppb <5 YES NO 2016 data Fluoride ppm YES NO Fluoride is added to promote strong teeth Mercury ppb 2 2 <0.05 YES NO Nitrate N, ppm Erosion of natural deposits Nitrite N, ppm Erosion of natural deposits Lead ppb n/a 15-AL <1 YES NO 2016 data Selenium ppb <2 YES NO Thallium ppb <1 YES NO Bromate ppb 0 10 <1 YES NO Turbidity NTU n/a TT YES NO At least 95% of monthly samples had turbidity of <0.30 NTU YES YES NO NO

13 2017 Regulated Health Risk Contaminants Organics - Regulated at the Treatment Plant SUBSTANCE UNITS MCLG MCL AVERAGE RANGE LIKELY SOURCE MEETS EPA STANDARDS Regulated VOC Benzene ppb 0 5 ND ND YES NO Carbon Tetrachloride ppb 0 5 ND ND YES NO Chlorobenzene ppb ND ND YES NO o-dichlorobenzene ppb ND ND YES NO p-dichlorobenzene ppb ND ND YES NO 1,2-Dichloroethane ppb 0 5 ND ND YES NO 1,1-Dichloroethylene ppb 7 7 ND ND YES NO cis-1.2-dichloroethylene ppb ND ND YES NO trans-1,2-dichloroethylene ppb ND ND YES NO Dichloromethane ppb 0 5 ND ND YES NO 1,2-Dichlorpropane ppb 0 5 ND ND YES NO Ethylbenzene ppb ND ND YES NO Styrene ppb ND ND YES NO Tetrachloroethylene ppb 0 5 ND ND YES NO 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene ppb ND ND YES NO 1,1,1-Trichloroethane ppb ND ND YES NO 1,1,2-Trichloroethane ppb 3 5 ND ND YES NO Trichloroethylene ppb 0 5 ND ND YES NO Toluene ppb 1 1 ND ND YES NO Vinyl Chloride ppb 0 2 ND ND YES NO Xylene ppb ND ND YES NO Unregulated VOC Chloroform ppb n/a n/a By-product of drinking water chlorination n/a n/a Dichlorobromomethane ppb n/a n/a By-product of drinking water chlorination n/a n/a Dibromochloromethane ppb n/a n/a By-product of drinking water chlorination n/a n/a Bromoform ppb n/a n/a ND ND-1 By-product of drinking water chlorination n/a n/a VIOLATIONS?

14 Radiological Regulated at the Treatment Plant SUBSTANCE UNIT MCLG MCL MAX CONC RANGE LIKELY SOURCE MEETS EPA STANDARDS VIOLATIONS? COMMENTS Gross Alpha, inc Radon & Uranium pci/l 0 15 ND ND Erosion of natural deposits YES NO 2016 samples Radium-228 pci/l < YES NO 2016 samples Beta emitters pci/l Decay of natural & man-made deposits YES NO 2016 samples 2017 Regulated Nonhealth Risk Contaminants CONTAMINANT UNITS MCLG MCL AVERAGE RANGE ph n/a Chloride ppm n/a Color color units n/a Copper ppm n/a 1.3 ND ND Iron ppb n/a ND Manganese ppb n/a Silver ppb n/a 100 <1 ND Sulfate ppm n/a 500 (proposed) Total Dissolved Solids ppm n/a Zinc ppm n/a

15 2017 Miscellaneous Analyses of Finished Water at Water Treatment Plant CONTAMINANT UNITS MCLG MCL AVERAGE RANGE Alkalinity CaCO3 ppm n/a n/a Aluminum ppb n/a Ammonia ppm n/a n/a Bromide ppb n/a n/a <0.011 < Calcium ppm n/a n/a Hardness CaCO3 ppm n/a n/a Lead ppm n/a n/a <1 <1 Magnesium ppm n/a n/a Molybdate ppb n/a n/a <1 <1 Nickel ppb n/a n/a <1 <1 Ortho-Phosphorus P, ppm n/a n/a Potassium ppm n/a n/a Silica ppm n/a n/a Sodium ppm n/a n/a Specific Conductance uhmo/cm n/a n/a Microbial Monitoring of Source Water SUBSTANCE UNIT MCLG MCL MAX CONC RANGE Giardia #/L 0 n/a ND Cryptosporidium #/L 0 TT ND

16 2014 Unregulated Contaminiate Monitoring Regulation- UCMR3 ( ) SUBSTANCE UNITS MRL AVERAGE RANGE COMMENTS Chlorate ug/l ND-550 Chromium ug/l ND-0.7 Agricultural defoliant or desiccant; disinfectant byproduct; and used in production of chlorine dioxide See chromium -6 for use or source information; though the amount measured when analyzting for "total Chromium" is the sumof choromium in all its valence states, the MCL for EPA's current total regulation was determined based upon the health effects for chromium-6. Hexavalent Chromium (Dissolved) ug/l Naturally occurrring element; used in making steel and other alloys; chromium -3 or -6 forms are used for chrome plating, dyes and pigments, leather tanning, and wood preservation Strontium ug/l Vanadium ug/l Naturally occurring element; historically commerical use of strontium has been in the faceplate glass of cathode ray tube televsions to block x-ray emissions Naturally occurring elemental metal; used as vanadium pentoxide which is a chemical intermediate and catalyst

17 Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation-3 (URMC3) SUBSTANCE UNIT MRL MAX RANGE UCMR3- Oxyhalide Anion Chlorate μg/l ND-550 UCMR3- Trace Metals Chromium μg/l < Strontium μg/l Vanadium μg/l Cobalt μg/l 1 <1 <1 Molybdenum μg/l 1 <1 <1 UCMR3- Chrominum 6 Hexavalent Chromium (Dissolved) μg/l UCMR3- Synthetic Organic Compound: 1,4-Dioxane μg/l 0.07 <0.07 <0.07 UCMR3- Perfluorinated Compounds Perfluoro octanesulfonic acid - PFOS μg/l <0.041 <0.041 Perfluoro-1-butanesulfonic acid -PFBS μg/l <0.091 <0.091 Perfluoro-1-hexanesulfonic acid -PFHxS μg/l 0.03 <0.03 <0.03 Perfluoroheptanoic acid - PFHpA μg/l 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 Perfluoro-n-nonanoic acid -PFNA μg/l 0.02 <0.02 <0.02 Perfluorooctanoic acid - PFOA μg/l 0.02 <0.02 <0.02 UCMR3- Volatile Organic Compounds 1,1-Dichloroethane ng/l 30 <30 <30 1,2,3-Trichloropropane ng/l 30 <30 <30 1,3-butadien ng/l 100 <2100 <2100 Bromochloromethane ng/l 60 <60 <60 Bromomethane (Methyl Bromide) ng/l 200 <200 <200 Chlorodifluoromethane ng/l 80 <80 <80 Chloromethane(Methyl Chloride) ng/l 200 <200 <200

18 Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation-3 (URMC3) - Continued SUBSTANCE UNIT MRL MAX RANGE UCMR3- Hormones 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol μg/l < < beta-Estradiol μg/l < < androstene-3,17-dione μg/l < < Equilin μg/l <0.004 <0.004 Estriol μg/l < < Estrone μg/l <0.002 <0.002 Testosterone μg/l < < NOTE: Unregulated contaminants are those that don t yet have a drinking water standard set by the USEPA. The purpose of monitoring for these contaminants is to help EPA decide whether the contaminants should have a standard.

19 ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT Summarizing test results from 2017 Lightfoot System

20 INSIDE About This Report... 2 Where Your Water Comes From... 2 A Message About Water Quality... 3 How We Treat Your Water... 3 How We Test Your Water... 4 Key Terms... 5 Water Quality Testing Results Source Water Assessment... 8 More About Source Water...9 Public Health Precautions...10 About Lead Additional Information of Interest...12 How Hard Is My Water?...12 How To Get Involved...12 Contact Information... Back cover YOUR WATER UTILITY Newport News Waterworks serves as a regional water provider for five jurisdictions: Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, York County and part of James City County. We are committed to providing a reliable supply of high quality drinking water to our customers. Our drinking water is treated and tested using state-of-the-art equipment and advanced procedures, and it meets or exceeds state and federal standards. The bottom line: The quality of your water is excellent WATER QUALITY REPORT - LIGHTFOOT SYSTEM 1

21 ABOUT THIS REPORT This annual water quality report or Consumer Confidence Report is written, prepared and distributed by the City of Newport News Waterworks Department (Newport News Waterworks) as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act. It is reviewed and approved by the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water in Richmond. This report explains where your water comes from, what our tests show about it, and other things you should know about your drinking water. This report, as well as the water quality report for our surface water system and expanded versions of both reports (with additional test results), are available on our website at nnva.gov/waterqualityreport. A paper copy of this report is available at the Williamsburg Regional Library in Norge and in our walk-in services lobby in Newport News. If you would like to receive a copy of this report in the mail, please call Waterworks Customer Service at A MESSAGE ABOUT WATER QUALITY Your tap water exceeds the highest standards set for drinking water quality. It comes delivered to your home at a fraction of the cost of bottled water. You can get two gallons of water from your faucet for less than a penny, while a single gallon of bottled water from the store can cost upward of $1.29. And by using tap water, you re saving money and not filling up landfills with plastic bottles! This annual report provides details about the water you drink every day as a customer of Newport News Waterworks. We test our water for the presence of more than 100 substances, and this report includes a chart showing you the levels of several regulated and non-regulated substances we detected in Our goal is to meet your need for a clean, safe supply of drinking water at a reasonable cost, while providing long-term management of our precious water resources. HOW WE TREAT YOUR WATER WHERE YOUR WATER COMES FROM Your drinking water comes from fresh water wells located in the Lightfoot area. Newport News Waterworks provides, on average, a little more than 360,000 gallons of water per day to our Lightfoot customers. Groundwater usually requires little or no treatment. Newport News Waterworks adds a small amount of chlorine to your well water for disinfection purposes and to ensure a disinfection residual throughout the distribution system. Chlorine also provides a level of protection against what is called cross-connection failure and negative pressure which can allow contaminant infiltration. The addition of chlorine to your water helps us to protect public health and to best abide by the Environmental Protection Agency s 2006 Groundwater Rule (epa.gov). 2 NEWPORT NEWS WATERWORKS 2017 WATER QUALITY REPORT - LIGHTFOOT SYSTEM 3

22 HOW WE TEST YOUR WATER To ensure that the water provided to you is safe to drink, the Virginia Department of Health and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set limits on the amounts of certain substances in water provided by public water systems. We routinely monitor for substances in your drinking water according to these Federal and State laws. (The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is responsible for setting these limits on bottled water.) The table on pages 6 and 7 includes the monitoring results for samples collected by Newport News Waterworks in 2016 and Every regulated substance that was detected in the water, even in the smallest traces, is listed below. The table contains the name of each substance, the highest level allowed by regulation (MCL), the ideal goals for public health (MCLG), the amount detected, the usual sources of such contamination, and whether or not Waterworks meets the set regulation. For help understanding the table, please see the definitions on the next page and the footnotes at the bottom of the table. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA s toll free Safe Drinking Water Hotline at An expanded version of the tables in this report, listing additional test results, can be found on our website at nnva.gov/waterqualityreport. (Be sure to look at the Lightfoot Well System Report). A second water quality report is available on our website for our customers on the Lower Peninsula, who are served by our surface water supply system. To request that copies of these reports be mailed to you, call our customer service office at KEY TERMS AL: We ve Action defined Level these - The water-quality concentration terms, of unique a contaminant to the water which, industry, if exceeded, to help you triggers better treatment understand or test other results requirements on the following that a water pages. system must follow. MCL: AL: Action Maximum Level - Contaminant The concentration Level - health. The highest MRDLGs level do not of a reflect contaminant that of a is contaminant allowed in drinking which, water. the MCLs benefits are of set the as use close of to the MCLGs if exceeded, as feasible, triggers using treatment the best or available disinfectants treatment to control technology. microbial other requirements that a water contamination. MCLG: system Maximum must follow. Contaminant Level Goal - The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which MRL: there Minimum is no known Reporting or expected risk MCL: to Maximum health. MCLGs Contaminant allow for a margin Level of - Estimate safety. of the lowest Level - The highest level of a concentration of a compound MRDL: contaminant Maximum that is Residual allowed Disinfectant in that Level laboratories - The level would of report a disinfectant drinking allowed water. in MCLs drinking are set water. as There as a detection. is convincing evidence that addition close to the of a MCLGs disinfectant as feasible, is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. using the best available treatment ND: Not detected. - Does not technology. equate to zero, but refers to an MRDLG: Maximum Residual Disinfectant amount Level below Goal analytical - The level reporting of a drinking MCLG: Maximum water disinfectant Contamnant below which limits. there is no known or expected Level Goal risk - to The health. level of MRDLGs a do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants contaminant in to drinking control microbial water contamination. pci/l: Picocuries per liter - A below which there is no known measure of radioactivity. EPA ND: or expected Not detected. risk to Does health. not MCLGs equate to considers zero, but 50 refers pci/l to to an be amount the level below allow for analytical a margin reporting of safety. limits. of concern for beta particles. pci/l: MRDL: Picocuries Maximum per Residual liter - A measure ppb: of Parts radioactivity. per billion The or MCL for Beta Disinfectant particles Level is 4 mrem/year. - The highest EPA considers micrograms 50 pci/l per liter to be (μg/l). the level of level concern of a disinfectant for beta particles. allowed Equivalent to one penny in $10 in drinking water. There is million. ppm: Parts per million or milligrams per liter (mg/l) - Equivalent convincing evidence that addition to one penny in $10,000 ($10 thousand). ppm: Parts per million or of a disinfectant is necessary for milligrams per liter (mg/l). ppb: control Parts of microbial per billion contaminants. or micrograms Equivalent per liter (µg/l) to one - penny Equivalent in $10 to one penny in $10,000,000 ($10 million). MRDLG: Maximum Residual thousand. Disinfectant Level Goal - ppt: Parts per trillion or nanograms per liter [ng/l]. Equivalent The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there to one penny in $10 billion. is no known or expected risk to 4 NEWPORT NEWS WATERWORKS 2017 WATER QUALITY REPORT - LIGHTFOOT SYSTEM 5

23 WATER QUALITY TESTING RESULTS REGULATED SUBSTANCES Contaminant and Unit of Measurement EPA Ideal Goal (MCLG) Highest EPA Allowed Level (MCL) Max Detected Level Range Detected (Low-High) Meets State & Federal Standards Likely Source Year Tested LEAD AND COPPER Lead (ppb) 0 AL = ND-2.6 YES Corrosion of household plumbing 2016 Copper (ppm) 1.3 AL = YES Corrosion of household plumbing 2016 INORGANICS Fluoride (ppm) YES Fluoride occurs naturally in groundwater 2017 Nitrate (N, ppm) ND YES Erosion of natural deposits 2017 REGULATED CONTAMINANTS IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Total Trihalomethanes (ppb) N/A YES By-product of drinking water chlorination 2017 Haloacetic Acids (ppb) N/A YES By-product of drinking water chlorination 2017 DISINFECTANTS Free Chlorine (ppm) MRDLG = 4 MRDL = 4 Avg = YES Disinfectant added to control microbes 2016 & 2017 RADIOLOGICAL Alpha Emitters (pci/l) ND-0.8 YES Erosion of natural deposits 2016 Beta/Photon Emitters (pci/l) YES Decay of natural and man-made deposits 2016 Radium (pci/l) ND-0.6 YES Occurs naturally in rock, soil, water, plants and animals 2016 WATER QUALITY TESTING RESULTS UNREGULATED SUBSTANCES Contaminant and Unit of Measurement Max Detected Level Range Detected (Low- High) Likely Source UNREGULATED ORGANICS - MONITORED AT THE WELL SITE Year Tested Chloroform (ppb) By-product of chlorination 2016 Dichlorobromomethane ppb) By-product of chlorination 2016 Dibromochloromethane (ppb) By-product of chlorination 2016 Footnotes: (1) At least 90% of the samples were at or below this level. None of the individual samples exceeded the Action Level. Our low lead and copper levels require us to only test every three years. (2) The highest detected level is based on an annual running average which will include data from The range numbers are the results from individual samples collected in Note: MCLs are set at very stringent levels. To experience the possible health effects described for many regulated contaminants, a person would have to drink two liters of water at the MCL level every day for a lifetime to have a one-in-a-million chance of having a possible health effect. 6 NEWPORT NEWS WATERWORKS 2017 WATER QUALITY REPORT - LIGHTFOOT SYSTEM 7

24 MORE ABOUT SOURCE WATER SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) conducted a Source Water Assessment of the Lightfoot Wells in Using the criteria developed by the state in its approved Source Water Assessment Program, the VDH determined the susceptibility to contamination was high for one of the two wells. One way our well water customers can protect their drinking water is by keeping septic systems in good repair and functioning properly. The assessment report consists of maps showing the Source Water Assessment area; inventory of known Land Use Activities, Potential Conduits to Groundwater, and Potential Sources of Contamination of Concern; Susceptibility Explanation Chart; and Definitions of Key Terms. The Source Water Assessment report is available from Newport News Waterworks by contacting Customer Service at Generally speaking, 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 radioactive material and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Substances that may be present in source water include: Microbial, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. Inorganics, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, stormwater runoff, and residential uses. Organic chemicals, including synthetic and volatile organics, are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems. Radioactive, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. 8 NEWPORT NEWS WATERWORKS 2017 WATER QUALITY REPORT - LIGHTFOOT SYSTEM 9

25 PUBLIC HEALTH PRECAUTIONS 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 Environmental Protection Agency s (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline at Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as those 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. ABOUT LEAD Lead is not detectable in the treated water we tested. However, if present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water comes primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Newport News Waterworks is responsible for providing high quality drinking water but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. If your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by running cold water until it becomes as cold as it will get before using it for drinking or cooking. This could take as little as 30 seconds or 2 minutes or longer. Waterworks and the health department recommend that use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and especially for making baby formula. 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 any exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline ( ) or at epa.gov/safewater/lead. 10 NEWPORT NEWS WATERWORKS 2017 WATER QUALITY REPORT - LIGHTFOOT SYSTEM 11

26 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OF INTEREST Sodium - The EPA has not set a standard for sodium in drinking water. However, sodium levels are usually low and unlikely to be a significant contribution to adverse health effects. The average level of sodium found in our treated water in 2017 was 57 mg/l, and the range was Should you have a health concern, please contact your health care provider. Fluoride - No additional fluoride is added to your well water. Any fluoride detected is naturally occurring. HOW HARD IS MY WATER? No EPA standard is set. Water from the Lightfoot Well System is considered slightly hard at an average of 36 mg/l in a range of mg/l as CaCO3 or calcium carbonate. HOW TO GET INVOLVED Because Waterworks is a department of the City of Newport News, major decisions about your drinking water are made by Newport News City Council. They meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7 pm, and you are welcome to attend and participate. These meetings are broadcast live on Newport News City Channel and can also be viewed live or on-demand by all customers in our service area on the web at nnva.gov/nntv. 12 NEWPORT NEWS WATERWORKS

27 CONTACT INFORMATION If you have questions or concerns about your water or water quality, please contact Waterworks Customer Service. Here are some important numbers and information to keep handy: a.m. - 5 p.m., Mon. - Fri. monitored 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mon. - Fri. Walk-in Service Center Walk-in Payment Center 700 Town Center Drive 2400 Washington Avenue (City Center Oyster Point) (Newport News City Hall Annex) 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mon. - Fri. Emergency Services: For emergencies only, after normal business hours, on weekends and holidays. nnva.gov/waterworks On our website you can manage your account, pay your water bill online, sign up for paperless billing & automatic payment options, and read a more detailed water quality report. facebook.com/nnwaterworks Like us on Facebook to receive helpful tips, special announcements and updates. Plus, we get to hear from you! Louis Martinez, Director Michael L. Hotaling, P.E., Facilities Manager Sherry L. Williams, Water Quality Manager

28 Waterworks Lightfoot System Water Quality Report Expanded Version TERM DEFINITION TERM DEFINITION AL Action Level NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units Finished Water Treated water, drinking water pci/l picocuries per liter ( a measure of radioactivity) ICR Information Collection Rule ppb parts per billion or micrograms per liter (ug/l) MCLG Maximum Contaminant Level Goal ppm parts per million or milligrams per liter (mg/l) MCL Maximum Contaminant Level ICR Information Collection Rule MRDL Maxiumum Residual Disinfection Level Source Water Water prior to being treated ND Not Detected. Does not equate to zero, but refers to an amount below analytical reporting limits. TT VOC Treatment Technique Volatile Organic Compound 2017 Regulated Contaminants of the Lightfoot Distribution System CONTAMINANT UNITS MCLG MCL MAX CONC RANGE YR TESTED COMMENTS Total Coliform 0 Presence of coliform bacteria in >1 of monthly samples E.Coli 0 A routine sample & a repeat sample are total coliform Total Trihalomethane THM positive, and one is also fecal coliform or E.coli positive ppb HAA(5) % 0% positive samples of 104 total samples analyzed in % 0% positive sample of 104 total samples analyzed in 2017 Free Chlorine 4 MRDL= Max Conc- mn compliance avg, includes 2015 data; Range - individual samples collected in 2016 Lead ppb 0 AL=15 (>10% samples exceed AL) Copper ppm 1.3 AL=1.3 (>10% samples exceed AL) % percentile % percentile ND No sample exceeded the AL No sample exceeded the AL