From the Environmental Protection Agency To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water. The sources of drinking water (both tap 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. Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria that may be from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, or wildlife; Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, that can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming; Pesticides and herbicides that may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses; Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, that are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems; and Radioactive contaminants that can be naturally-occurring or can be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. Conservation Peoria’s water resources are critical for our future. The City encourages its citizens to implement water conservation measures in and around their homes. We offer free information booklets and brochures to those interested in learning more about water conservation, Xeriscape, landscape irrigation and indoor water conservation. If you would like to request a literature packet, visit www.conserve.peoriaaz.gov or call 623-773-7286. The Peoria Utilities Department also offers a variety of free water conservation classes and has information booths at various City events. In addition the City has a rebate program to provide an incentive for citizens to do their part in conserving our precious water resources. Special Health Information 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 from their health care providers. EPA/CDC (Center for Disease Control) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants along with more information about contaminants and potential health effects are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 800-426-4791. Nitrate & Arsenic The City has five wells with nitrate concentrations between 5 and 10 mg/L. Nitrate at levels above 10 mg/L is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant, ask advice from your health care provider. While your drinking water meets EPA’s standard for Arsenic, it does contain low levels. EPA’s standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s possible health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems. Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years could experience skin damage or problems with their circulatory system and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Source Water Assessment The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality performed a source water assessment for 24 wells used by the City. The assessment reviewed the adjacent land uses that may pose a potential risk to the sources. One of Peoria’s wells was found to have one adjacent land use that posed a high risk of contamination. The complete assessment report is available for review at all Peoria Public Libraries and the Utilities Department office at 8401 W. Monroe Street. To Learn More About Water Quality... USEPA: www.epa.gov/OGWDW ADEQ: www.azdeq.gov Maricopa County: www.maricopa.gov/envsvc More water quality information and answers to frequently asked questions are available at the department website at www.peoriaaz.gov. PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID PEORIA, AZ PERMIT # 44 City of Peoria Utilities Department 8401 W. Monroe Street Peoria, AZ 85345 2008 Water Report Postal Customer Ci t y o f Pe o r i a - Ma i n S y s t e m W ATE R R EPORT 2008 Prov i de reli able, quali ty water serv i ces to Peori a custom ers today and tom orrow. Si usted quiere esta informacion en espanol por favor visita www.peoriaaz.gov /utilities/ o llama al 623-773-7286. Director’s Corner: This annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) provides information on water quality in areas that are serviced by Peoria for calendar year 2008. The City of Peoria Utilities Department is committed to providing a sustainable, high-quality, water supply. We make the commitment to distribute water to your tap that is treated, tested and safe. In our desert environment, water resources and planning management are critical to our future water supply. An important aspect of living in the desert is water conservation. We encourage every citizen to use water wisely and adapt to a water-saving lifestyle. Please read on for more information on how we provide you, our valued customer, with a safe and sustainable water supply both now and in the future. Sincerely, Stephen Bontrager, P.E., D.E.E. Utilities Department Director 623-773-7286 utilities@peoriaaz.gov The information and data contained in this report apply only to those who receive their water from the City of Peoria. There are several private water companies that serve residents in certain areas of the City. If you receive your water from the Sunrise, New River, Rose Valley or ArizonaAmerican water companies, you should contact your water supplier directly for water data that affects you: Sunrise: 623-972-6133 New River: 623-561-1848 Rose Valley: 800-850-4482 Arizona-American: 800-383-0834 TREATED, TESTED AND SAFE: E X C E P T I O N A L S E R V I C E I N E V E RY D R O P The City of Peoria Utilities Department is committed to providing a safe, healthy, assured water supply to the community at a reasonable cost. City of Peoria drinking water is “treated, tested, and safe.” This is a phrase commonly used, but what does it mean to you as a consumer? Treated – Since the City’s drinking water originates from groundwater and surface water, two different treatment methods are used. Water from wells is chlorinated prior to delivery. Surface water undergoes extensive treatment at either the Pyramid Peak or Greenway Water Treatment Plants to meet drinking water standards. These facilities use conventional and chemical treatment including ozone to mitigate taste and odor and minimize disinfection by-products. Tested – Over 200 tests are performed by plant operators each day and several parameters are monitored continuously using state-of-the-art equipment, which notifies staff members of any deviations from acceptable conditions. Once the water leaves the water supply well or water treatment plant, water quality is measured within the distribution system to ensure drinking water standards are maintained. Safe – Drinking water safety is the primary concern of the Utilities Department. Safety is achieved by coordinating technology and qualified staff members to monitor production systems, sample the distribution system, and evaluate opportunities to continually enhance the program while minimizing cost to our customers. Water is treated and tested at groundwater wells and treatment plants and then monitored to ensure it remains safe on the way to your tap. Numerous chemical and biological analyses are conducted daily. A wide variety of compounds are monitored and tested for in your drinking water in accordance with federal and state laws and local water quality guidelines. The Peoria Utilities Department supports a committee of the AZ Water Association called Tap Into Quality (TIQ). TIQ provides educational materials to schools and the public on tap water safety and quality. For more information on Tap Into Quality, please visit tapintoquality.com W H E R E Y O U R WA T E R C O M E S F R O M Peoria has invested in four distinct water supplies. Drinking water, also called potable water, comes from the Salt River Project (SRP), the Central Arizona Project (CAP), and groundwater. This redundancy in our drinking water supply helps ensure the availability of water. When one drinking water supply is experiencing below-normal water levels, the city has two other supplies it can rely upon to provide drinking water to our customers. Reclaimed water, a fourth water supply, offsets some uses where drinking quality water is not needed, such as for irrigation and decorative water features. In 2008, SRP delivered approximately 36% of Peoria’s water supply from its reservoirs on the Salt and Verde Rivers through the Arizona Canal. Approximately 30% of Peoria’s water was supplied from the Colorado River via the 336-mile long CAP canal, which starts in Lake Havasu. Nearly 28% of the city’s water supply came from groundwater. This groundwater use is offset by the recharge of renewable supplies of water (e.g. SRP and CAP). The remaining 6% was supplied as reclaimed water used only for irrigation of large landscaped areas and filling of decorative water features. The data presented provides a detailed microbiological and chemical analysis of Peoria’s water supply for calendar year 2008 in its main water system (PWS 04-07-096). Analyte Units Greenway Pyramid Peak Surface Water Surface Water EPA EPA Sample Concentrations Concentrations Limit Limit Date MCL MCLG Range Average Range Average Range Average Groundwater Concentrations mg/L NR grains/gal 3.8-15.1 pH Units 6.3-8.3 mg/L NR mg/L NR NR 9.5 7.4 NR NR 81-203 NA 6.2-8.3 NA NA 136 15 7.6 48 34 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 250 NA 2008 2007 2008 2008 2008 90th Analyte Units Percentile Reported Copper mg/L Possible Sources Aesthetics Alkalinity Hardness pH Sulfate Sodium Lead and Copper Naturally present. Naturally present. NA Naturally present. Naturally present. Lead µg/L Arsenic* Barium µg/L mg/L Fluoride mg/L Nitrate mg/L Thallium µg/L ND 5.1* NR ND-5* 2.3* 0.04 0.04 0.811.02** 0.87 0.87** 0.378.83** 1.2 1.2** ND ND ND ND 0.14 ND 0.14 10 2 0 2 Erosion of natural deposits; Run2008 off from orchards. 2008 Erosion of natural deposits. 1.3 4 15 water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available form the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. Analyte Units 0.63 4 NA ND ND 10 10 2008 Erosion of natural deposits. Fertilizer runoff, erosion of natu2008 ral deposits. 0.5 Leaching from ore-processing sites; Discharge from electronics, glass, and 2008 drug factories ND ND 2 Organics Dinoseb µg/L ND-0.4 0.4 NR NR ND ND 7 7 Runoff from herbicides used on 2008 soybeans and vegetables. Some people who drink water containing Dinoseb well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience reproductive difficulties Water System Concentrations Greenway Surface Water Concentrations Highest Highest Range Average Average Range Pyramid Peak Surface Water Concentrations Gross Alpha pCi/L NR NR Gross Beta Radium 226 Combined Radium Uranium Radon mrem pCi/L NR NR NR NR ND ND ND ND ND NR ND NR 4 NA 0 NA 2008 Erosion of natural deposits. Decay of natural and man-made 2008 deposits. 2008 Erosion of natural deposits. pCi/L µg/L pCi/L NR NR NR NR NR NR ND 1.5 ND ND 1.5 ND ND 3.7-5.7 NR ND 4.9 NR 5 30 NA 0 0 NA 2008 Erosion of natural deposits. 2008 Erosion of natural deposits. 2008 Erosion of natural deposits. 1.1 6 6 15 0 Radon is a radioactive gas that you cannot see, taste, or smell. It is found throughout the United States. Radon can move up through the ground and into a home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Radon can build up to high levels in all types of homes. Radon can also get into indoor air when released from tap water from showering, washing dishes, and other household activities. Compared to radon entering the home through soil, radon entering the home through tap water will in most cases be a small source of radon in indoor air. Radon is a known human carcinogen. Breathing air containing radon can lead to lung cancer. Drinking water containing radon may also cause increased risk of stomach cancer. If you are concerned about radon in your home, test the air in your home. Testing is inexpensive and easy. For additional information, call your state radon program or call EPA’s Radon Hotline (800-SOS-RADON). EPA EPA Sample Limit Limit Possible Sources Date MCLG MRDL Range Highest Total Organic Carbon % Removal Total Trihalomethanes Total Haloacetic Acids µg/L % NR NR NR ND-6.6 NR 54% (15% 33-64% required) µg/L 1.4-121* 48.8* µg/L ND-33 13.9* NR NR 0.46 NR NR 10 0 NA By-product of 2008 ozonation. NR NR TT NA NA Naturally pre2008 sent. NA By-product of drinking water 2008 chlorination. NR NA NA By-product of drinking water 2008 chlorination. NR 0 NA 4 4 NR NR NR NR 80* 60* NA Other Analysis Radiologicals ND1.1 EPA Limit MCL Disinfection By-Products Bromate 0.63 EPA Action Level (AL) 0.29 Inorganics ND9.3* NR 0.121.02 0.758.83 If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead EPA Number Sample in drinking water is primarily from materiLimit of sites Possible Sources Date als and components associated with serMCLG above AL vice lines and home plumbing. Erosion of natural deposits, The City of Peoria is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but 1.3 2007 Zero home plumbing systems. Erosion of natural deposits, cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your 0 2007 Zero home plumbing systems. Total Coliforms P/A 0-0.7% 0.7% 0-3.2% 3.2% 0.00% Chlorine Residual mg/L 0.21-2 2 0-1.83 1.83 0.92-1.61 5% positive 0.00% monthly 1.61 4 Turbidity Surface Water Level Treatment Found Plant Analyte Units MCL 0.200 TT=1 NTU Greenway Turbidity NTU 100.0% TT= % of samples <0.3 NTU Pyramid Peak Turbidity NTU 0.09 TT=1 NTU TT=%of samples <0.3 NTU Possible Sources MCLG 0 Soil Runoff 0 Soil Runoff 0 0 Soil Runoff Soil Runoff Naturally pre2008 sent. Water additive 2008 used to control microbes. Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. Giardia and Cryptosporidium were tested for but not found at Pyramid Peak and Greenway Water Treatment Plants. Definitions and Abbreviations AL: Action level: The concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow. MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level: 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. MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: 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. μg/L: micrograms per liter: a unit of measurement equal to ppb (parts per billion) mg/L: milligrams per liter: a unit of measurement equal to ppm (parts per million) MRDL: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level: 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. MRDLG: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal: 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: none detected NR: not required NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Unit: measure of how light is scattered by particulate matter in water pCi/L: pico-Curies per liter: a measure of radioactivity TT: Treatment Technique: a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. *: MCL is based on a running annual average. The average given is the highest average. **: Highest concentration detected.