2002 annual for Snohomish County PUD Water Customers june 2003 YOUR WATER IS SAFE TO DRINK SNOHOMISH COUNTY PUD is pleased to report that your drinking water safely complies with federal drinking water quality standards. This report summarizes the key findings of the PUD s 2002 water quality testing program. It illustrates the utility s commitment to providing customers with more information about their local water supply. All information contained in this report has been collected and reported in accordance with water quality standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). The report provides you with details about where your water comes from, what s in it, and how safe it is. How Do We Know your Water is Safe to Drink? At the PUD, ensuring the safety of your drinking water is the most important thing we do. The PUD collects water samples monthly for bacteriological testing from various points throughout all the water systems that we own and operate. The number of bacteriological samples collected depends on the population served by the system (the larger the population, the more samples taken). In addition, state and federal regulatory agencies require routine testing for inorganic minerals, corrosion by-products and man-made compounds such as pesticides and petroleum additives. The PUD collects samples for water quality contaminants on a frequency specified within state and federal regulations. All samples are submitted to independent laboratories for analysis. In addition, since the PUD purchases water from the City of Everett, the City also regularly collects samples for testing, including untreated and treated water.
SNOHOMISH COUNTY PUD Where Does your Water Come From? The water distributed to your home is purchased from the City of Everett. The City of Everett water comes from the Spada Lake Reservoir, which is located at the headwaters of the Sultan River. Created in 1965 by construction of the Culmback Dam and increased in size in 1984, Spada Lake Reservoir holds about 50 billion gallons of water. Water from Spada Lake travels eight miles by tunnel and pipeline to the Jackson Hydroelectric Project powerhouse where turbines generate enough power to supply about 28,000 homes. The water is then routed by pipeline from the powerhouse to Everett s Lake Chaplain, where it is held in preparation for treatment. Everett s treatment plant uses coagulation and advanced filtration techniques to remove suspended particles that may contaminate the water. Chlorine is added as a disinfectant to make sure the water is free of harmful microorganisms, and fluoride is added for enhanced dental protection. The levels of these two additives are monitored constantly to assure proper dosages are being used. Samples are taken at our facilities, various sample sites within the system, and at our customers homes. The PUD owns wells in Lake Stevens, but they are used for emergency purposes only. Tests on the Lake Stevens wells are not included in this report. A view of Spada Lake in the Sultan Basin. 2
ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT environmental protection agency s safe drinking water hotline 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 from the presence of animals or from human activity. To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes limits on the amount of certain substances in water provided by public water systems. U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for substances in bottled water. 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 the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). 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 and/or Center for Disease Control (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. Contaminants that may be present in source water include: Microbial contaminants such as viruses and bacteria Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals Pesticides and herbicides Organic chemical contaminants including synthetic and volatile organics Radioactive contaminants Possible source sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. naturally occurring or result from urban storm runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming. a variety of sources such as agriculture, stormwater runoff and residential uses. by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems. naturally occurring or the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health. 3
SNOHOMISH COUNTY PUD DEFINITION OF TERMS USED Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements 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 (see below) as feasible, using the best available water treatment technology. How Do I Read This Report? The Maximum Allowable column provides you with the maximum level established by the EPA or the Department of Health. These are standards that all drinking water suppliers serving over 15 customers must meet. The Range Detected or Highest Result shows you the contaminant level detected in the water analysis test. The next-to-last column tells you the Major Sources in Drinking Water for the substance. The last column [Complies?] tells you whether or not the test complies with regulations. A Yes indicates that the range detected is within EPA regulations. Snohomish County PUD also regularly performs tests for unregulated compounds for which state and federal agencies have not set standards at this time. 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 and N/R: N/A means the EPA has not set MCLGs. N/R means it is not regulated by the EPA. ppm: One part per million (corresponds to one dollar in $1,000,000). ppb: One part per billion (corresponds to one dollar in $1,000,000,000). TT: Treatment Technique, a required process intended to reduce a containment level in drinking water. Turbidity: Turbidity has no health effects. It is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. It is monitored because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system. 4
ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT GREATER LAKE STEVENS, arlington & GRANITE FALLS WATER system Where both Everett and the PUD test, results are that of the PUD. EPA REGULATIONS TESTING RESULTS Ideal Level/ Maximum Range Detected or Major Sources in Substance and Units Goal (MCLG) Allowable (MCL) Highest Result Drinking Water Complies? MICROBIAL TURBIDITY, AND INORGANICS Turbidity (NTU) 1 N/A TT 0.24 Soil erosion Yes Total Coliform (% Positive) 2 0 5% positive 0% per month Naturally present in the environment Yes Fluoride (ppm) 3 2 4 0.9 1.1 Dental additive, erosion of natural deposits Yes Nitrate (ppm) 4 10 10 0.02 0.14 Erosion of natural deposits, animal waste Yes DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS Total Trihalomethanes (ppb) 5 N/A 80 27 49.3 By-product of drinking water chlorination Yes Chloroform (ppb) 6 N/R N/A 25.6 47.3 By-product of drinking water chlorination Yes Bromochloromethane (ppb) 6 N/R N/A 1.5 1.8 By-product of drinking water chlorination Yes Bromodichloromethane (ppb) 6 N/R N/A 1.3 3.8 By-product of drinking water chlorination Yes Dichloroacetic Acid (ppb) 6 N/R N/A 2.5 17.3 By-product of drinking water chlorination Yes Dibromoacetic Acid (ppb) 6 N/R N/A 11.6 17.0 By-product of drinking water chlorination Yes Trichloroacetic Acid (ppb) 6 N/R N/A 7.9 23.9 By-product of drinking water chlorination Yes Haloacetic Acids (5) (ppb) N/A 60 15.1 36.3 By-product of drinking water chlorination Yes LISTED ABOVE are the substances detected in water delivered to Snohomish PUD water customers in 2002. All are below allowed levels. Not listed are other substances analyzed with No Detects. 1 Turbidity is a measure of the amount of particulates in water measured in Nephlometric Turbidity Units (NTU). Particulates in water can include bacteria, viruses, and protozoans that can cause disease. Turbidity measurements are used to determine the effectiveness of the treatment process in removing these particulates. 2 Total coliform bacteria testing is used to monitor microbial quality in the water distribution system. 3 Fluoride is added to your water in carefully controlled levels for dental health. 4 The small amount of nitrate comes from natural sources in the watershed. 5 Trihalomethanes form as by-products of the chlorination process that is used to kill or inactivate disease-causing microbes. 6 These substances are disinfection by-products that must be monitored quarterly every year to determine compliance with the Disinfectants/Disinfection By-products Rule. Arsenic: In January 2001, considerable media attention was given to the Bush Administration s decision to review the new arsenic standard for drinking water approved by President Clinton. After extensive review of all available health effects data, the USEPA and President Bush reinstated the new maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic in drinking water of ten parts per billion (10 ppb). Over the past year, treated water purchased from the City of Everett has been routinely monitored by the city for arsenic. None was detected in any of the samples collected. Disinfection By-Products and Risks to Pregnancy: Some recent health effects studies have suggested that high levels of trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water may be linked to increased risks of birth defects or miscarriage in pregnant women. THMs are one of the by-products that form when drinking water is chlorinated to kill disease-causing organisms. The studies suggest that levels of THMs above the new EPA safety standard of 80 parts per billion (ppb) may be of concern for pregnant women. In January 2002, the Environmental Working Group and the US Public Interest Research Group released a joint independent report listing all US water systems since 1995 that have provided or are currently providing water exceeding the new 80 ppb standard. The Everett and PUD water systems are not on that list. Since required monitoring began nearly 15 years ago, the THM content in the water purchased from the City of Everett, and subsequently distributed through the PUD s integrated system, has consistently been below the new maximum allowable safe level of 80 ppb. EPA REGULATIONS TESTING RESULTS Ideal Level/ Action Level Homes Exceeding Substance and Units Goal (MCLG) (AL) AL Major Sources in Drinking Water Copper (ppm) 1.3 1.3 90th% level = 0.13 Corrosion of household plumbing systems; 1 of 176 Homes (0.6%) erosion of natural deposits Lead (ppb) 0 15 90th% level = 3 Corrosion of household plumbing systems; 1 of 176 Homes (0.6%) erosion of natural deposits USEPA regulations require monitoring for the presence of lead and copper at household taps every three years. The above data was collected in 2000. The next round of required sampling will be conducted in late-summer 2003. The 90th percentile level is the highest result obtained in 90% of the samples collected when the results are ranked in order from lowest to highest. The results for water tested before it enters household plumbing are even lower. This indicates that there is virtually no lead or copper in the water you are provided, but your household plumbing may contribute to the presence of lead and copper at your tap. For more information, the City of Everett maintains a 24-hour Water Quality Hotline at (425) 257-8821. 5
SNOHOMISH COUNTY PUD Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua potable. Tradúzcalo o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien. Snohomish PUD participates in the AT&T language line service. If you need help with the English language or need an interpreter, please contact a customer service representative at 425-783-1000 and an interpreter will be called (Se illamará a un intérprete). Customer Views Welcome If you are interested in learning more about your water utility and water quality, or participating in the decision-making process, there are a number of opportunities available. Questions about water quality or inquiries about water policies can be answered by calling our office at 425-783-8605. The Snohomish County PUD Board of Commissioners meets at 1:30 PM on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at Snohomish County PUD, 2320 California Street in Everett. Board sessions are open to the public. Please call 425-783-8611 in advance to confirm meeting dates and times, or check the meeting agenda on our website. Our website also has a section devoted to Water Resources at www.snopud.com. Water Resources 425-783-8605 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Toll-free in Western Washington and outside the Everett local calling area at 1-877-783-1000, extension 8605 Water Resources PO Box 1107 Everett, WA 98206-1107 presorted standard US POSTAGE paid EVERETT WA Permit No 193 6