C i t y o f Pe o r i a - M a i n S y s t e m W ATER R EPORT 2009 Provide reliable, quality water services to Peoria customers today and tomorrow. Este informe contiene información importante sobre su agua potable. Si usted tiene preguntas sobre este informe, por favor llame 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 2009. The City of Peoria Public Works - Utilities Department is committed to providing a sustainable, high-quality, water supply. We make the commitment to distribute water that is treated, tested and safe every time you turn on the tap. In our desert environment, water resources planning and management are critical to our future water supply. An important aspect of living in the desert is water conservation. Please visit the City’s website 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, William Mattingly, P.E., R.L.S. Public Works - Utilities 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: Exceptional Ser vice in Ever y Drop The City of Peoria Public Works 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 disinfected 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-ofthe-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 Public Works - 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 analyzed in your drinking water in accordance with federal and state laws and local water quality guidelines. The Peoria Public Works - Utilities Department supports a committee of the AZ Water Association called Tap Into Quality. It 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 Where your water comes from Peoria has invested in four distinct water supplies. Three of these, the Salt River Project (SRP), the Central Arizona Project (CAP) and groundwater are all used for drinking water. 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 non drinking water source is the fourth supply. It offsets some uses where drinking quality water is not needed, such as for irrigation and decorative water features. In 2009, SRP delivered approximately 34% of Peoria’s water supply from its reservoirs on the Salt and Verde Rivers through the Arizona Canal. Approximately 34% of Peoria’s water was supplied from the Colorado River via the 336mile long CAP canal, which starts in Lake Havasu. Nearly 30% of the city’s water supply came from groundwater. This groundwater use is offset by the recharge of renewable supplies of water (i.e. CAP and reclaimed water). The remaining 2% was directly reused for irrigation of large landscaped areas and filling of decorative water features. What’s in my water? Analyte Units Pyramid Peak Surface Water EPA EPA Sample Concentrations Limit Limit Date MCL MCLG Average Range Average Range Average Groundwater Concentrations Range The data presented provides a detailed microbiological and chemical analysis of Peoria’s water supply for calendar year 2009 in its main water system (PWS 04-07-096). Greenway Surface Water Concentrations Possible Sources Aesthetics Alkalinity Hardness pH Sulfate Sodium mg/L NR grains/gal 3.8-15.1 pH Units 6.978.34 mg/L NR NR 120-190 138 NR NR NA NA 2009 Naturally present. 9.5 15‡ 15‡ NR NR NA NA 2007 Naturally present. 7.6 6.9-8.07 7.6 NR NR NA NA 2009 NA NR 48‡ 48‡ NR NR NA 250 2008 Naturally present. Naturally present. mg/L NR NR 147‡ 147‡ NR NR NA NA 2009 Antimony µg/L NR NR 0.2‡ 0.2‡ NR NR 6 6 2009 Arsenic* µg/L 2.6-10* 5.8* 1.3-7.7* 3.1* ND ND 10 0 2009 Barium mg/L NR 0.14 0.14 2 2 2009 mg/L 0.74** 0.05‡ 0.290.37 0.05‡ Fluoride 0.37** 0.4-0.63 0.63** 4 NA 2009 Erosion of natural deposits. Nitrate mg/L NR 0.130.74 0.867.87 Discharge from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder Erosion of natural deposits; Runoff from orchards. Erosion of natural deposits. 7.87** 0.49‡ 0.49‡ ND ND 10 10 2009 Thallium µg/L NR NR ND ND ND ND 2 0.5 2009 Fertilizer runoff, erosion of natural deposits Leaching from ore-processing sites; Discharge from electronics, glass and drug factories µg/L ND ND NR NR NR NR 7 7 2009 Inorganics Organics Dinoseb Runoff from herbicides used on soybeans and vegetables. Some people who drink water containing Dinoseb well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience reproductive difficulties. Radiologicals Gross Alpha pCi/L NR NR ND-1.1 1.1 6 6 15 0 2008 Gross Beta mrem NR NR ND ND ND ND 4 0 2008 Radium 226 Combined Radium Uranium pCi/L NR NR ND ND NR NR NA NA 2008 Erosion of natural deposits. Decay of natural and man-made deposits. Erosion of natural deposits. pCi/L NR NR ND ND ND ND 5 0 2008 Erosion of natural deposits. µg/L NR NR 1.5‡ 1.5‡ 3.7-5.7 4.9 30 0 2008 Erosion of natural deposits. Radon pCi/L NR NR ND ND NR NR NA NA 2008 Erosion of natural deposits. 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). 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 Unit of measurement equal to ppb (parts per billion) mg/L milligrams per liter 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. Lead and Copper Analyte 90th Percentile Reported Units EPA Action Level (AL) EPA Number Limit Sample of sites Date MCLG above AL If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Possible Sources The City of Peoria is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in Lead µg/L 4 15 0 2007 Zero plumbing components. When your 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 from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. Copper mg/L 0.29 Analyte Units 1.3 1.3 Water System Concentrations Range Highest Average µg/L NR Total Organic Carbon % Removal % Total Trihalomethanes Total Haloacetic Acids 2007 Erosion of natural deposits, home plumbing systems. Erosion of natural deposits, home plumbing systems. Zero Pyramid Peak Surface Water Concentrations Greenway Surface Water Concentrations EPA Limit MCL EPA EPA Sample Limit Limit Date MCLG MRDL Possible Sources Range Highest Average Range Highest NR ND-20 1.92 NR NR 10 0 NA of 2009 By-product ozonation. NR NR 35-68% 59% (15% required) NR NR TT NA NA 2009 Naturally present. µg/L ND120* 49.4* NR NR NR NR 80* NA NA µg/L ND-33 13.9* NR NR NR NR 60* NA NA Disinfection By-Products Bromate By-product of 2009 drinking water chlorination. By-product of 2009 drinking water chlorination. Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Some people who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Other Analysis Total Coliforms P/A 0-1.0% 1.0% 0.0% 0.0% Chlorine Residual mg/L 0.4-2.07 2.07** 0-2.03 2.03** 0.00% 0.00% 1.12-1.46 1.46** 5% positive monthly 0 NA 4 4 4 2009 Naturally present. additive used 2009 Water to control microbes. Turbidity Surface Water Level Treatment Plant Analyte Units Found Greenway Turbidity NTU Pyramid Peak Turbidity NTU MCL MCLG Possible Sources 0.26 TT=1 NTU 0 Soil Runoff 100.0% TT= % of samples <0.3 NTU 0 Soil Runoff 0.084 TT=1 NTU 0 Soil Runoff 100.0% TT= % of samples <0.3 NTU 0 Soil Runoff 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 both Pyramid Peak and Greenway Water Treatment Plants. 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 by particulate matter in water pCi/L pico-Curies per liter Measure of radioactivity TT Treatment Technique Required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. ND none detected * MCL is based on a running annual average. The average given is the highest average. NR not required ** Highest concentration detected. NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit Measure of how light is scattered ‡ Only one sample collected as required. 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 Public Works - 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 Public Works - Utilities Department 8401 W. Monroe Street Peoria, AZ 85345 2009 Water Report Postal Customer