2010 Annual Water Quality Report - CWD - Covington Water District

Covington Water District2012 Water Quality Report

Safe And Reliable Drinking WaterCovington Water District is committed toproviding our consumers with safe,reliable drinking water.Our goal is to continue to improve ourproduct by implementing cost effectivemeasures, including source and distributionsystem improvements, that will provide you,our customer, with reliable high quality waterthat exceeds federal and state regulatoryagency drinking water standards.Your participation in the goal to continue toprotect this valuable and precious resourcewill help preserve this investment for futuregenerations.Please take the time to review this report andjoin us in appreciating the vital role water playsin all of our lives.2

Reliable Service and Commitment to YouCovington Water District is proud to present yourannual Water Quality Report. This edition summarizes theresults of water quality testing completed from January throughDecember of 2012. The results contained in this reportshow that Covington Water District is providing safepotable water that meets or exceeds federal and stateregulatory agency requirements. We hope that the contentsof this report are useful and informative.Covington Water District’s drinking water comes from Districtowned ground water sources operated by District staff; the RegionalWater Supply System (RWSS), a Green River surface water sourceoperated by City of Tacoma Water Department staff; and frominterties with neighboring utilities. If you have any questions orconcerns regarding the information contained in this report pleasecontact Glenn Stockman, the District’s Water Quality Specialist at253-867-0944 or glenn.stockman@covingtonwater.com3

Sources Of Drinking WaterMost of your water comes from the Green River in south KingCounty. The Green River Watershed is a 231-square-mile forestedarea that serves as a collection point for melting snow and seasonalrainfall in an uninhabited area of the Cascade Mountains betweenChinook and Snoqualmie passes. Tacoma Water owns land along theriver, which accounts for approximately 11 percent of the watershed.Partnership For The CommunityIn 2010, RWSS Partners initiated the Green River Water Supply FiltrationProject. Once completed, the filtration facility will be capable of treatingup to 150 million gallons of water per day. Filtration will insure that ourCustomers receive a higher quality and more reliable source of water forgenerations to come. The Green River Treatment Facility is scheduledto go online in late 2014.Through agreements with other landowners, Tacoma limits accessand carefully controls all activities within the watershed such asrecreation, road maintenance and logging. Tacoma also owns andoperates seven wells on the North Fork of the Green River within thewatershed and takes water from those sources during periods whenGreen River water is unavailable due to high turbidity.Covington Water District supplements the Green River supply, alsoreferred to as the Regional Water Supply System (RWSS), with it ownground water sources located in proximities near Lake Wilderness,Pipe Lake, and Lake Sawyer.This project will provide significantly improvedreliability, and substantial water quality benefits including:vProtection against a broad range of contaminants,including giardia and cryptosporidium.vImproved taste, odor, and appearance of the water.vReduced amounts of silt and sand entering the water system.vMinimized natural organic material, which helps reducebyproducts from disinfection processes.Howard Hanson Dam Green River Water Supply4

Important Information For Your HealthDrinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expectedto contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presenceof contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a healthrisk. More information about contaminants and potential health effectscan be obtained from the Environmental Protection Agency’s SafeDrinking Water hotline, (800) 426-4791.Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking waterthan the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such aspersons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who haveundergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immunesystem disorders, some elderly and infants can be particularly at risk frominfections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from theirhealth care providers. Environmental Protection Agency/Centers forDisease Control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk ofinfection by cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants areavailable from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, (800) 426-4791.Minerals - Lead & CopperStudies cited by the EPA show swallowing lead or copper can cause health problems, especially in pregnant women and young children. Leadand copper found in drinking water usually come from home plumbing. Some homes have higher levels than other homes. Water with a low pHcan cause copper from copper pipes, and lead from the solder used to connect the pipes, to dissolve directly from pipes into the drinking water.Lead-based solder was banned in 1986, but small amounts of lead can still be found in many brass-plumbing fixtures and can slowly dissolve intowater that has been left standing in pipes for longer periods of time.Federal and state drinking water rules establish “action levels” allowable for lead and copper in water samples collected from homes. Atleast 90 percent of the samples collected may have no more than 0.015 milligrams of lead in one liter of water and no more than 1.3milligrams of copper per liter. Once every three years, the District samples 30 homes for lead and copper. The most recent sampling wascompleted in 2010. Results show our system met action levels for both lead and copper (see the lead and copper results for 2010 in theWater Quality Analytical Results chart on page 7). Though we have met regulatory requirements, we will continue to monitor and adjust pHlevels to reduce corrosion in pipes. We will sample again for lead and copper in 2013.Pregnant women and young children can be more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. If you have concerns aboutlead levels in the water at your home, have your water tested. Running water between 30 seconds and two minutes after it sits stagnant in thepipe for a few hours can help clean the tap and reduce the amount of lead and or copper in your water. A change in the temperature of waterwill also tell you when fresh water arrives. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods and steps you can take to minimize exposureis available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791 or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead 5

How Do We Treat Your Water?Chlorine (Sodium Hypochlorite)We treat our ground water sources with the addition of chlorine(sodium hypochlorite) to protect against microorganisms whichcan cause illnesses such as typhoid, cholera, hepatitis andgiardiasis. This chlorination process is completed at the sourcewhere chlorine levels are monitored 24/7. Free chlorine residualsare also monitored throughout the water system on a daily andweekly schedule to make sure the water system is protected at alllocations, up to the service connection. While chlorine does anexcellent job of killing the microorganisms that may be harmful toyou, chlorine also reacts with natural organic material commonlyfound in surface water sources such as the Green RiverSupply/Regional Water Supply System (RWSS). This reaction formscompounds called “disinfection byproducts.” We must meetdrinking water standards for two groups of disinfection byproductcompounds. Byproduct levels found in water depend primarily on:‣The amount of natural organic material in the water.‣The amount of chlorine used to treat the water.‣The amount of time it takes water to reach the customer.‣The temperature of the water.Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide)We treat our 222 nd Wellfield sources with sodium hydroxide toraise the pH (a measurement of acidity) of the water, to make itless corrosive on plumbing and reduce the amount of lead andcopper that can dissolve into drinking water.Water Quality Improvements!We have installed active mixing devices in 4 ofthe 8 storage facilities to improve waterquality, eliminate stratification, reduce waterage, and provide equalization of free chlorine.This will reduce taste and odor issues and helpreduce the formation of disinfectionbyproducts. We plan on installing activemixing in all storage facilities throughadditional capital improvement projects.Filtration of the RWSS source water,scheduled for completion in late 2014, willalso remove a percentage of the naturalorganic material, further reducing theformation of disinfection byproducts.6

What’s In Your WaterThe results in this table showthe substances we identifiedat the water source, at thetreatment plant, and in thedistribution system in 2012.The table does not includeother volatile organicchemicals and syntheticorganic chemicals we testedfor but did not detect in ourdrinking water, includingmany industrial chemicals,herbicides and pesticides.RegulatedSubstancesUnitWater Quality Analytical ResultsYear SampledCovington Water District Water Quality Table 2012MCL (Maximumamount allowed)MCLG (Idealamount or less)Regulated at the SourceNickel ppb 2012 100 ppb 100 ppbRange of levelDetected or #exceed AL3 ppb (singlesample)Regulation Met?YESPotential sourcesof contaminantNatural erosionNitrate ppm 2012 10 ppm 10 ppm .016 - 0.9 ppm YES Natural erosionRegulated in the Distribution SystemChlorine ppm 2012 MRDL = 4 ppm NA .01 - 1.49 ppm YES Treatment additiveFluoride ppm 2012 4 ppm 4 ppm 0 - 1.2 ppm YES Treatment additiveAcronymsNA: Not ApplicableND: Not DetectedNTU: NephelometricTurbidity Units, measure ofthe clarity, or turbidity, ofwater.ppm: Parts per million, ormilligrams per liter (mg/L)ppb: Parts per billion, ormicrograms per liter (mg/L)DefinitionsTotal Coliforms 1 Sample 2012Haloacetic Acids(HAA's)TotalTrihalomethanes(TTHM's)5.0% of 50 samplesper month0 0 YESppb 2012 60 ppb NA 12.3 -58.5 ppb YESppb 2012 80 ppb NA 6.7 - 52.4 ppb YESRegulated at the Customer's TapLead ppb 2010 AL = 15 ppb 0Copper ppm 2010 AL = 1.3 ppm 1.3 ppm8 ppb (Amountdetected 90%).35 ppm (Amountdetected 90%)Coliforms arenaturally presentin the environmentDisinfectioninteractionDisinfectioninteractionMCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health.MCLG’s allow for a margin of safety.MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLG’s asfeasible using the best available treatment technology.AL: Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant which, when exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system mustfollow.MRDL: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level: The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water.MRDLG: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal: The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk tohealth.YESYESHouseholdPlumblingHouseholdPlumbing7

Additional Health Related InformationCryptosporidiumCryptosporidium is a microscopic organism commonly found in surface water sources. Swallowing cryptosporidium can cause diarrhea, fever andother stomach and abdominal symptoms. Tacoma Water Department tests the Green River for cryptosporidium on a monthly basis. Since 2001,samples have been collected and analyzed using the best available methods approved by the EPA. Tacoma detected cryptosporidium in theuntreated Green River in 2012. Neither Tacoma nor Covington Water District have had any reported instances of cryptosporidium-related healthproblems in their service area’s, and since 2001, Tacoma has only found three organisms during monthly testing. New federal drinking water rulesrequire Tacoma to construct additional treatment facilities at the Green River water source (RWSS), to eliminate the threat of cryptosporidium bythe end of 2014.FluorideCovington Water District receives a majority of its source water from the RWSS. This source of supply is operated by City of Tacoma Water staff,and is treated prior to entering the Covington Water District System. The addition of fluoride is completed at the RWSS Treatment Facility at atarget level of 0.8 mg/L. Covington Water District consumers can expect to receive fluoride in their water at or near this level. We stronglyencourage you to contact our staff if you have any questions regarding the level of fluoride that you receive at your residence.Drinking Water Contaminants InformationTap water and bottled water sources include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface andthe land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substancesresulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.Contaminants that may be present in source water include:Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestockoperations, and wildlife.Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial ordomestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial processes andpetroleum production and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.8In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in waterprovided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulationsestablish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protectionfor public health.

Saving Water!Growing communities, agriculture, industry and the importance of conserving water for fish have placed an increasing demand on ourstate’s water resources. To help meet these growing needs, the Washington State Legislature passed the Municipal Water Supply –Efficiency Requirements Act of 2003, better known as the Municipal Water Law. The law gives municipal water suppliers certainbenefits, such as more certainty and flexibility for water rights held by water systems, improved ability to plan for future growth, and agreater reliability of safe drinking water for communities. The law also obligates municipal water suppliers to comply with the WaterUse Efficiency Rule (WUER) by developing a Water Use Efficiency Program (WUE Program). The WUER is designed to help conservewater for the environment and future generations.The goal of the District’s WUE Program is to meet future needs, operate successfully within financial, managerial, and technicalconstraints, and continue to deliver safe and reliable drinking water. The District’s goals for the 2008 to 2013 period were adoptedafter a public process on January 2, 2008, are:To reduce the average annual Single Family Household (SFH) per day consumption from 200 to 196 gallons or 86,000 gallonsper day on an average annual basis at full implementation by the end of 2013.To reduce the average SFH per day consumption during the peak season (June – August) from 254 to 246 gallons or 121,000gallons per day at full implementation.To maintain the District’s water loss at 8% or less of the total annual production at full implementation in 2013.The District continued to exceed its Water Use Efficiency goals in 2012 as it has done every year since the goals were adopted. The2012 results are as follows:2012 Single Family Household Per Connection Per Day SavingsType Goal Actual Total SavingsPeak Season Savings 246 gallons per day 172 gallons per day 160,064,000 gallonsAnnual Savings 196 gallons per day 156 gallons per day 256,960,000 gallonsThe District is also proud to announce that its annual water loss for 2012 was 5.9%, well below the 10% required by the Department ofHealth and the goal adopted by the District.We encourage and appreciate all of the efforts our customers are taking to conserve water anduse it efficiently.Water conservation measures are an important step in protecting our water supply. Not only dothey conserve water, but can also save money by reducing your water bill.To conserve water inside your home:• Fix leaking faucets, pipes, and toilets or replace them with water-saving devices.• Wash only full loads of dishes or laundry; do not use the toilet for trash disposal. Take shortershowers and don’t let the water run while shaving or brushing teeth.Conserving outdoors:• Water the lawn and garden in the morning or evening, only as needed. Use mulch aroundplants and shrubs.• Repair leaks in faucets and hoses and use water-saving nozzles.• Wash your car using water from a bucket, and save the hose for rinsing.9

Where You Can Get Additional InformationWater Quality(253) 867-0944glenn.stockman@covingtonwater.comCross Connection Control Backflow Prevention(253) 867-0962craig.hurley@covingtonwater.comCustomer Service Division(253) 631-0565CustomerServiceDivision@covingtonwater.comWashington StateDepartment of Health(253) 395-6750www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dwUnited StatesEnvironmental Protection Agencywww.epa.gov/safewaterSafe Drinking Water Hotline(800) 426-4791Covington Water District Board MeetingsCovington Water District Board Meetings are regularlyscheduled open public meetings held on the first and thethird Wednesday of every month at the DistrictHeadquarters, beginning at 6:30 PM. Customers areinvited and encouraged to attend.COMMISSIONERS:Vern AllemandJeff ClarkG.D. (Dennis) HoldenDavid R. KnightLloyd WebsterGENERAL MANAGER:Gwenn Maxfieldwww.covingtonwater.com10The hotline and EPA website offers information about drinking water contaminants and their potentialhealth affects as well as guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control about appropriate ways toreduce the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants. Both sources also offerinformation about lead in drinking water, testing methods and steps you can take to minimize exposure.