Mayor Jay Tibshraeny & City Council ** Detected Regulated Contaminants 2009, 2010 & 2011: AL=1.3 N/A 2 100 1.3 Average (of samples) 4.4 0.08 11 0.008 Range (Low to high) 2.0 – 12.4 <0.002 – 0.14 <1 – 32 <0.001 – 0.14 MCL Violation Yes No No No Fluoride (ppm) 4 4 0.57 <0.4 – 1.4 No Nitrate (ppm) 2,4-D (ppb) Dalapon (ppb) Di(2-ethylhexyl)Adipate (ppb) Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (ppb) 10 70 200 400 6 10 70 200 400 0 3.05 0.002 0.25 0.03 0.13 <0.2 – 8.7 <0.1 – 0.18 <1.0 – 3.3 <0.6 - 2.5 <0.6 - 4.3 No No No No No Erosion of natural deposits Erosion of natural deposits Erosion of natural deposits Erosion of natural deposits Natural deposits; water additive that promotes strong teeth Erosion of natural deposits Herbicide runoff Herbicide runoff Discharge from chemical factories Plastic pipes Alpha Emitters (pCi/L) 15 0 1.1 <1- 4.1 No Erosion of natural deposits Uranium (ppb) 30 0 1.9 <1.4 – 7.1 No Erosion of natural deposits Results Violation Sources in Drinking water No Naturally present in the environment No Water additive used to control microbes No Soil runoff No By-product of drinking water disinfection By-product of drinking water disinfection MCL MCLG Arsenic (ppb) (2011 only) Barium (ppm) Chromium (ppb) Copper (ppm) 10 2 100 Likely Source 2011 Drinking Water Quality Consumer Confidence Report Contaminant (units) Distribution System Detections 2011: Units Total Coliform Bacteria Chlorine (Distribution System) ppm Turbidity NTU (TTHMs) Total Trihalomethanes ppb Haloacetic Acids (HAA) ppb Maximum Contaminant Level No more than 5% of monthly samples may be total coliform positive Annual Percentage Monthly Range (low to high) Maximum 4.0 mg/L Minimum Trace Amount (MRDL = Annual Moving Average) TT = 1.0 NTU MAX TT = < or = 0.3 NTU 95% of the time 80 Running Annual Average Range (low to high) 60 Running Annual Average Range (low to high) MCLG 0.0 % MRDLG 4.0 N/A N/A N/A 0.11 % 0.0 % - 0.67% 1.2 annual avg. 0.7 minimum 0.18 100% 46.2 <0.5 - 110 16.6 <2.0 - 51 No Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua beber. Tradúzcalo ó hable con alguien que lo entienda bien. Contaminant Detected Unregulated Contaminant (UCMR2): Contaminant Units MRL Average (of samples) Range (Low to high) Sources in Drinking Water N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) ppb 0.002 0.001 <0.002 – 0.033 By-product of drinking water disinfection * Lead and Copper Study 2010: Lead (ppb) Copper (ppm) Maximum Contaminant Level Action level =15 ppb 90th percentile Number of sites exceeding action level Action level = 1.3 mg/L 90th percentile Number of sites exceeding action level MCLG 0 mg/L Results 5.0 0 1.3 mg/L 0.24 0 Sources in Drinking water Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits Postal Customer Chandler, AZ Contaminant (units) Notes: * The state allows water systems to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of the data, though representative, is more than one year old. Tables contained in this brochure may summarize analytical tests conducted on Chandler’s drinking water in 2009, 2010, or 2011. ** Some average values are less than the low range due to substituting non-detect (<) values with zero, per the regulations governing compliance calculations. City of Chandler PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID CHANDLER, AZ PERMIT No. 1 or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): 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. Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): 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. Minimum Reporting Level (MRL) represent an estimate of the lowest concentration of a compound that can be qualitatively measured by a group of experienced drinking water laboratories Treatment Technique (TT): A required process to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant, which if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow. Average (of samples): The average of all samples taken during the monitoring period. Range (low to high): The lowest analytical result reported to the highest analytical result reported. All other analytical results fall between these two numbers. Municipal Utilities Department Mail Stop 415 PO Box 4008 Chandler, Arizona 85244-4008 Definitions: Parts per million (ppm): Parts per million are a measurement of concentration of substances dissolved in water. One ppm is equivalent to one gallon in one million gallons. Parts per billion (ppb): Parts per billion are a measurement of concentration of substances dissolved in water. One ppb is equivalent to one gallon in one billion gallons. A ppb is one thousand times smaller than a ppm. Parts per trillion (ppt): Parts per trillion are a measurement of concentration of substances dissolved in water. Gr/gal is grains per gallon of hardness, also 1 grain per gallon of hardness equals 17.1 ppm of hardness. One ppt is equivalent to one gallon in one trillion gallons. Picocuries per liter (pCi/L): A measure of the radioactivity of a substance. Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU): A measurement of the relative clarity of drinking water. Non-Applicable (N/A): EPA has not set MCLs or MCLGs for these substances. Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): 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. Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known The City of Chandler Municipal Utilities Department is committed to providing a safe supply of drinking water to our customers. As a result of this strong commitment, the City of Chandler routinely performs more tests on the water residents receive than is required by law. We issue this annual report describing the quality of your drinking water to comply with state and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Much of the language used is mandated by these regulations. The purpose of this report is to raise your understanding of drinking water and awareness of the need to protect your drinking water sources. This brochure provides valuable information about your drinking water, including information about its source and quality. About your Water Supply The drinking water distributed by the City of Chandler to its customers comes from three sources: • The Surface Water Treatment Plant (SWTP) treats and disinfects water from the Salt River, Verde River, the Central Arizona Project (Colorado River), and Salt River Project (SRP) wells that transport water to Chandler through the Consolidated Canal. • 30 active wells supply groundwater from aquifers underlying Chandler. Groundwater is disinfected with chlorine prior to being introduced into the City’s water distribution system. • The City of Chandler and the Town of Gilbert entered into a partnership to construct the Santan Vista Water Treatment Plant located in the Town of Gilbert. The result of this partnership is an additional source of water for our customers. This facility currently treats and distributes up to 12 million gallons per day of Colorado River water from the Central Arizona Project to each city. City of Chandler Water Supply Statistics • • • • 19.6 billion gallons of drinking water was supplied to Chandler water users in 2011. (A daily average of 53.8 million gallons!) Chandler’s Surface Water Treatment Plant produced 12.6 billion gallons, which is 65% of the City’s total drinking water. Groundwater wells produced 4.5 billion 65% Chandler WTP gallons, which is 23% of the City’s total 23% Santan Vista WTP drinking water. 12% Wells The Santan Vista WTP supplied 2.5 billion gallons, or 12% of the City’s total drinking water. Drinking Water and your Health 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 1-800-426-4791. 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/Centers 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 at 1-800-426-4791. 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, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting 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 livestock operations, and wildlife. • Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater 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, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses. • Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems. • Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure 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 United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same level of protection for public health. Information on these regulations may be obtained by calling 1-888-463-6332. Contaminants of concern for drinking water are subject to regulatory requirements for analysis on three-year cycles. The City of Chandler sampled all of its water sources for applicable contaminants in 2009. • Contaminants of concern Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation EPA published the final rule for the Second Unregulated Monitoring Regulation Cycle (UCMR2) in the Federal Register on January 7, 2007. UCMR2 required a total of 25 compounds to be analyzed, with the assigned sampling period for Chandler encompassing the fourth quarter of 2009 through the third quarter of 2010. Twenty-four of the 25 compounds to be analyzed were not detected. The only compound detected was in the low parts per billion range in 4 of 56 samples. Cryptosporidium and Giardia The City of Chandler sampled its water for the presence of the protozoans Cryptosporidium and Giardia in 2005. Though rare, Cryptosporidium and/or Giardia have been identified in the source water Chandler receives from the Consolidated Canal. The filtration system in the City’s Surface Water Treatment Plant exceeds EPA requirements for removal of Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Nitrate The highest nitrate level measured in Chandler’s water during 2011 was 8.7 parts per million (ppm). The average was 3.0 ppm, which is well below the EPA limit of 10 ppm. Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm 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 due to rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant, you should ask advice from your health care provider. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) Recent media reports have highlighted the presence of pharmaceuticals in municipal water supplies. A limited study was undertaken for a small group of the PPCPs. Although the study was limited it did detect trace amounts of estrogen related hormones at part per trillion concentrations (one part per trillion is equivalent to one drop of water in twenty Olympic-sized swimming pools). EPA has no current or proposed regulations for these substances. If future research indicates that certain substances should be removed from water, we will work to find the best method of removal. Arsenic Chandler has constructed arsenic treatment systems on all wells with arsenic levels that were close to, or above, the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 parts per billion (ppb), as set by regulations effective on January 23, 2006. Compliance with this MCL is based on a running annual average, which for 2011 was 4.4 ppb. Lead and Copper Testing Federal regulations require all cities test for lead and copper at selected customer’s taps at least once every three years. The City of Chandler last conducted lead and copper tap sampling in the summer of 2010, with the concentrations of lead and copper well below regulatory limits. The next round of lead and copper sampling will be in June-September 2013. 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. The City of Chandler is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in 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 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 (1-800-426-4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. Turbidity Turbidity is the cloudiness of the water. Turbidity has no health effects, however, high levels of turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity is monitored because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system. Synthetic Organic Chemicals (SOCs) The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) granted the City of Chandler monitoring waivers for glyphosate at seven water production facilities and dioxin at 25 water production facilities for the monitoring compliance period of 2009 through 2011. Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Some people who drink water that contains 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. Protecting Chandler’s Water Supply Backflow Prevention The City of Chandler has a backflow prevention program that ensures proper installation and maintenance of thousands of backflow prevention devices throughout the City. These devices ensure hazards originating on customer’s property and from temporary connections do not impair or alter the water in the City’s water distribution system. Return of any water to the City’s water distribution system after the water has been used for any purpose on the customer’s premises or within the customer’s piping system is unacceptable. Backflow prevention devices range from vacuum breakers on household hose bibs to large commercial reduced-pressure principal devices found throughout the City. Source Water Assessment and Protection Program (SWAP) The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) completed a source water assessment for drinking water wells and surface water sources for Chandler’s public water system in 2005. The assessment reviewed adjacent land uses that may pose a potential risk to water sources. These risks include, but are not limited to, gas stations, landfills, dry cleaners, agriculture fields, wastewater treatment plants, and mining activities. Once ADEQ identified the adjacent land uses, they were ranked on their potential to affect the water source. All surface water sources are considered high risk due to their exposure to open air. The overall risk posed to surface water is addressed by EPA through its increased monitoring requirements for surface water sources. Two of Chandler’s drinking water wells were considered high risk based on adjacent land use criteria. The Chandler public water system conducts regular monitoring of drinking water entering the water distribution system from all wells to ensure that land uses have not impacted the source water. The complete report is available for inspection at ADEQ, 1110 W. Washington, Phoenix, Arizona 85007, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Electronic copies are available from ADEQ at dml@azdeq.gov. For more information, visit ADEQ’s Source Water Assessment and Protection Unit website at http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/dw/ swap.html. You and your Water Supply Stormwater runoff from polluted areas finds its way into the storm drain system, or directly to a lake, stream, river, wetland, retention basin, or canal. Stormwater picks up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants as it runs over driveways, lawns, sidewalks, and streets. It is important to know that stormwater is not treated in the desert Southwest. Considerable expense and effort are required to restore a water supply to a usable drinking water source once it has become polluted. Pollution prevention requires a collective effort, saves money, preserves limited water resources, and helps ensure a safe drinking water supply. Let government representatives know that protective laws and adequate funding for research, inspection, and enforcement are important to you. Guidelines for Everyday Pollution Prevention – “Only Rain In The Storm Drain” • Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly and as directed by the manufacturer. • Pick up after your pet and do not dispose of any waste in washes, canals, or riverbeds. • Only wash your car on a lawn or other unpaved surface, or use a commercial car wash. • Always use a nozzle when using your garden hose around the home. Do not let the water free flow. • Maintain vehicles, machinery, and equipment to be free of leaks. • Sweep up dirt and debris, rather than using a hose. • Do not over-water your lawn. • Call 480-782-3507 or visit http://www.chandleraz.gov for proper pool draining procedures. • Minimize your purchase and use of hazardous products. Dispose of unused quantities properly. • Please contact Solid Waste Services at 480-782-3510 for proper disposal guidelines of hazardous waste materials such as used motor oil and other similar fluids. Seasonal Changes in Flavor The flavor of Chandler’s water may change at certain times of the year, depending on the water source. For example, algae blooms in canals during the summer months may give the water a slightly musty flavor. You also may detect a change in the taste of the water when Chandler switches to well water as its primary source. This usually happens when SRP dries up canals for routine maintenance. Chandler works with SRP to minimize algae in the canal system and to provide treatment at the Surface Water Treatment Plant to reduce off-flavors and odors. Arizona zState University and the City of Chandler have partnered to routinely monitor for taste and odor precursors in the Consolidated Canal. This allows the treatment plant to have more precise control over taste and odor events and to better utilize resources and manage cost. Who do I contact with questions about Chandler’s Drinking Water? If you have any questions about your tap water or the information in this report, please call 480-782-3660 during normal business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday). You can also visit our website at http://www.chandleraz.gov. Citizens who wish to address the City Council about water issues may do so at regularly scheduled City Council meetings normally held the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. The meetings are held at Chandler City Hall Council Chambers, 88 E. Chicago Street. For information about specific meeting times and agenda items, please contact the City Clerk’s office at 480-782-2180, or visit http://www.chandleraz.gov and click on the Government tab and then select City Council Agendas & Minutes from the drop down menu on the home page. Violations and Missed Monitoring Arsenic: Some people who drink water that contains 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. One well was found to be slightly above the 10 ppb drinking water standard set for arsenic. This well was only used during high water demand periods of the day, known as peak periods. The contributing well was disconnected on October 21, 2011 and a Public Notice was mailed on November 16, 2011 to water customers in the impacted area. The notice provided warning of the problem when it was discovered and briefly discussed what you should do, what this means, and what is being done. A study is being conducted to best determine how to permanently resolve the issue. Combined turbidity: The requirement for combined filter effluent turbidity monitoring was not met between July 7, 2011 and July 14, 2011. The SWTP is required to either provide automatic continuous turbidity monitoring or measure the turbidity level in samples every four hours. All individual filter turbidity was recorded and indicates that the water being delivered to customers did not exceed the regulatory limit of 0.3 NTU. If you have questions or desire more information, visit www.chandleraz.gov/waterquality, or call (480) 782-3654 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., or mail your inquiry to City of Chandler, mail Stop 803, P.O. Box 4008, Chandler, AZ 85244-4008.