2005 ANNUAL WATER Q U A L I T Y R E P O R T Tucson Water Water Quality Management This Annual Water Quality Report provides information on your drinking water. The United States Environmental Agency (USEPA) requires that all drinking water suppliers provide a water quality report to their customers on an annual basis. This report also serves as a reference with important information on the quality of water and with contacts and phone numbers you may need from time to time. Este informe contiene informacion muy importante sobre la calidad de su agua beber. Traduscalo o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien. Para obtener una copia de este reporte en Espanol, llme al (520) 791-4331. WHERE DOES MY WATER COME FROM? VERDE RD CLE RD O RA CRAYCROFT RD BROADWAY 22ND STREET AJO HIG AY HW VALENCIA RD IRVINGTON RD RD KOLB RD KI NN EY PIMA MINE RD 2 TANQUE HOUGHTON The South Side well field, which contains treated water from the Tucson Airport Area Remediation Project (TARP) SNYDER RD SPEEDWAY COUNTRY CLUB RD • ER RO A GRANT RD Y WA NOGALES HIGH The Santa Cruz well field R IV IRONWOOD HILLS The Southern Avra Valley well field • SKYLINE DR MISS ION RD • The Clearwater well field (which delivers a blend of recharged Colorado River water and groundwater) INA RD D • If you are a non-English speaking resident, we recommend that you speak with someone who understands the report. You may also obtain a copy in Spanish by calling 791-4331. SANDARIO RD Tucson Water serves about 690,000 people in the Tucson area. The water supply comes from approximately 200 groundwater wells located in and around the Tucson metropolitan area (see map). In urban Tucson, most of the wells (also known as Points of Entry or POE) serve the neighborhood in which they are located, with excess supply routed to reservoirs for use elsewhere in the system. Wells located outside the urban core often deliver water to a single “collector” main prior to delivery to customers. In these cases, the collector main is termed a “combined Point of Entry” to the drinking water system. The Tucson Water system has four combined Points of Entry: WERE THERE ANY CONTAMINANTS DETECTED IN MY DRINKING WATER? Tucson Water regularly samples the drinking water that is delivered to you. Much of this testing is required by drinking water regulations. In addition to this required monitoring, we perform a great deal of discretionary monitoring in order to provide both Tucson Water staff and customers with additional information. Tests performed in 2005 indicated that we met all standards set by the USEPA. Three inorganic contaminants of special interest are arsenic, fluoride, and nitrate. Fluoride and arsenic are naturally occurring and tend to increase as water is drawn from greater depths. Nitrate, on the other hand, is typically found in higher concentrations near the surface of the groundwater table because it is frequently associated with fertilizer use, septic tanks and other human activities. For more information, please see the Detected Contaminants Table and the specific explanations, which follow the table. In most cases, the minimum detectable level of a contaminant is well below the USEPA regulatory limit for that contaminant. The table on page 4 lists the contaminants that were detected in the required drinking water monitoring. To compare the detected amount with the amount allowed by the USEPA, refer to the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) column in the table. The vast majority of regulated contaminants were not detectable in drinking water delivered by Tucson Water. Those non-detected results were not included in the table. For a complete list of all USEPA regulated contaminants contact the USEPA at 1-800-426-4791 or visit the USEPA website at www.epa.gov/safewater/mcl.html#mcls WHY ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN MY DRINKING WATER? All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. Tucson’s groundwater contains dissolved minerals and organic compounds, which have been leached from the rock, sediments, and plant materials through which the water travels. One would expect to find beneficial minerals such as calcium and magnesium, harmless minerals such as chloride, bicarbonate, and sulfate, and metals such as iron, copper, arsenic, and lead, which may be either beneficial or harmless at low concentrations, but harmful at high concentrations. In addition to these naturally occurring contaminants, our groundwater may contain contaminants resulting from human, industrial or domestic activities. For this reason, water utilities must currently monitor for approximately 90 regulated and 12 unregulated contaminants. The following language is required by the USEPA to DO I NEED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS? While the Safe Drinking Water Act regulations are intended to protect consumers throughout their lifetime, some people may be more vulnerable to infections from drinking water than the general population. These “atrisk” populations include: immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, people who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, and in some cases, elderly people and infants. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. USEPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the USEPA’s Safe Drinking Water hotline. appear in this report, some of which may not be applicable to deep groundwater wells, the source of the Tucson Water supply: Contaminants that may be present in a source water can include: • Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage, agricultural livestock, 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 byproducts 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 be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, USEPA regulations limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health. Bottled water may come from either a surface water source or groundwater source, and may be treated minimally or extensively. For information on the quality of your bottled water, contact the water bottling company. 3 DETECTED CONTAMINANTS TABLE Contaminant Maximum Result Range Haloacetic Acids (HAA) Dibromoacetic Acid 1.6 ppb <1 - 1.6 ppb Dichloroacetic Acid 1.4 ppb <1 - 1.4 ppb Total Haloacetic Acids (5) 2.4 ppb <1 - 2.4 ppb Running Annual Average for HAA5 < 2 ppb Inorganics Arsenic 6.1 ppb <2 – 6.1 ppb Barium 0.11 ppm <0.02 - 0.099 ppm Fluoride 2.4 ppm <0.1 - 2.4 ppm Nitrate (as N) 4.9 ppm 0.38 – 4.9 ppm Radiochemical Adjusted Gross Alpha 1.7 pCi/L 0.1 - 1.7 pCi/L Radium 226 & 228, combined (2003) 1.1 pCi/L 1.1 - 1.1 pCi/L Uranium 6.6 ppb 2.1 - 6.6 ppb Trihalomethane Bromodichloromethane 3.4 ppb <0.5 - 3.4 ppb Bromoform 10.2 ppb <0.5 - 10.2 ppb Chlorodibromomethane 7.9 ppb <0.5 - 7.9 ppb Chloroform 2.8 ppb <0.5 - 2.8 ppb Total Trihalomethanes 21.3 ppb <0.5 - 21.3 ppb Running Annual Average for TTHMS 5.8 ppb Volatile Organics Trichloroethylene 1.5 ppb 1.5 – 1.5 ppb Ethylbenzene (2004 Data) 0.6 ppb 0.6 – 0.6 ppb MCL MCLG Major Sources of Contaminant 60 ppb None 0 ppb None By-product of chlorination By-product of chlorination By-product of chlorination 50 ppb 2 ppm 4 ppm 10 ppm 0 ppb 2 ppm 4 ppm 10 ppm Total Xylenes (2004 Data) 0.0036 ppm Synthetic Organics (2004 Data) Atrazine 0.11 ppb Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate 0.8 ppb Hexachlorocyclopentadiene 0.11 ppb 0.0016-0.0036 ppm <0.05 - 0.11 ppb <0.6 - 0.8 ppb <0.05 - 0.11 ppb 15 pCi/L 5 pCi/L 30 ppb 0 pCi/L 0 pCi/L 0 ppb Natural deposits Natural deposits; Industrial uses Natural deposits Natural deposits; septic tanks; agriculture; sewage Natural deposits Natural deposits Natural deposits 80 ppb 0 ppb 0 ppb 0.06 ppb 0.07 ppb 0 ppb By-product of chlorination By-product of chlorination By-product of chlorination By-product of chlorination By-product of chlorination 5 ppb 700 ppb 0 ppb 700 ppb 10 ppm 10 ppm (TCE) Solvent used in degreasing metal parts Solvent used in paint coatings; component of aviation & automobile gasoline Solvent used in paint coatings; adhesives, & fuel 3 ppb 6 ppb 50 ppb 3 ppb 0 ppb 50 ppb Herbicide Plasticizer for PVC and other polymers Chemical manufacturing; Industrial wastewater and emissions Major Sources No. of Samples Above 90th Percentile Action Level MCLG the Action Level Value Lead and Copper in Standing Water Samples - 2005 Lead none 3.0 ppb 15 ppb 0 Corrosion of household plumbing systems Copper none 0.16 ppm 1.3 ppm 1.3 ppm Corrosion of household plumbing systems 1 Months with % of Positive Total # of MCL MCLG Major Sources Coliform Samples for Samples Collected Detections the Month for the Month Microbiological1 Total Coliform June 0.4 250 ≤ 5% 0 Naturally present in environment Total Coliform July 0.4 250 ≤ 5% 0 Naturally present in environment Total Coliform August 0.4 250 ≤ 5% 0 Naturally present in environment Total Coliform September 0.8 252 ≤ 5% 0 Naturally present in environment 1 The MCL for microbiological contaminants is 5% of the total number of samples collected in the month. Maximum Range MRDL MRDLG Major Sources of Contaminant Monthly Average Maximum Residual Disinfection Level (MRDL) Chlorine 0.78 ppm 0.70 – 0.78 ppm 4 ppm 4 ppm Disinfection additive used to control microbes DRINKING WATER TERMS AND DEFINITIONS: 4 Action level The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers a treatment or other requirement which 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 as feasible using the best available treatment technology. If a contaminant is believed to cause health concerns in humans, then the MCL is set as close as practical to zero and at an acceptable level of risk. Generally, the maximum acceptable risk of cancer is 1 in 10,000 with 70 years of exposure. 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. 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. Parts Per Billion (ppb) Some constituents in water are measured in very small units. One ppb equals one microgram per liter. For example, one part per billion equals: 2 drops of water in a 15,000 gallon backyard swimming pool, one second of time in 31.7 years, or the first 16 inches of a trip to the moon. Parts Per Million (ppm) One ppm equals one milligram per liter or 1000 times more than a ppb. One part per million equals: 1/4 cup of water in a typical 15,000 gallon backyard swimming pool or one second of time in 11.6 days. Picocurie Per Liter (pCi/l) The quantity of radioactive material in one liter which produces 2.22 nuclear disintegrations per minute. Point of Entry (POE) All water sources are monitored at the point of entry to the distribution system before the first customer but after any required treatment. DETAILED INFORMATION ON DETECTED CONTAMINANTS Haloacetic Acids (HAA) are a group of chemicals that are formed along with other disinfection byproducts when chlorine or other disinfectants used to control microbial contaminants in drinking water react with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter in water. The regulated haloacetic acids, known as HAA5, are: monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid, and dibromoacetic acid. EPA has recently published the Stage 2 Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts Rule to regulate HAA5 at 60 parts per billion running annual average. The running annual average for four quarters of 2005 for HAA5 was detected at below 2 ppb concentration (the MCL is 60 ppb). Arsenic EPA recently finalized a reduction in the arsenic drinking water standard from 50 ppb down to 10 ppb. All water utilities must meet this reduced standard beginning January 2006. While your drinking water meets USEPA’s reduced standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. USEPA’s new standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s possible health effects against the cost of removing arsenic from drinking water. USEPA continues to research the health effect 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. The highest arsenic concentration detected during 2005 was 6.1 ppb. Barium occurs naturally at very low concentrations in our groundwater. The highest barium value in 2005 was 0.11 ppm (the MCL is 2 ppm). Fluoride is an important naturally occurring mineral that helps to form healthy teeth and bones. A concentration of 1 ppm is considered optimum. At concentrations above 2 ppm, fluoride can cause mild discoloration of teeth, and exposure at above the MCL of 4 ppm can cause both severe discoloration of teeth and over many years of exposure, bone disease. The highest level for fluoride during 2005 was 2.4 ppm detected on a well with limited use. This well was permanently removed from service on August 24, 2005. (The MCL is 4 ppm). Nitrate is a form of nitrogen and an important plant nutrient. Tucson Water performs more frequent monitoring of wells high in nitrate for extra assurance that action can be taken when approaching the MCL. 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. The highest level for nitrate during 2005 was 4.9 ppm. (the MCL is 10 ppm). Adjusted Gross Alpha is a measure of radioactivity due to naturally occurring minerals in groundwater. This excludes the radioactivity contributed by either radon or uranium. A comprehensive sampling of our wells for gross alpha was conducted in 2001. The highest level for adjusted gross alpha during 2005 was 1.7 picocuries per liter or pCi/L (the MCL for gross alpha radioactivity is 15 pCi/L). Radium 226 and 228 are two of the most common radium isotopes. Radium is a naturally occurring radionuclide, formed by the decay of uranium or thorium in the environment. It occurs at low concentrations in virtually all rock, soil, water, plants, and animals. During 2003, an extensive sampling of these two isotopes was performed at our wells. The highest concentration found in 2003 for combined radium 226 and 228 was 1.1 pCi/l (the MCL for combined radium 226 and 228 is 5 pCi/l). Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that may cause cancer, and may be found in drinking water and indoor air. While ingesting radon in drinking water has a small risk, inhaling radon is a primary health concern, particularly for smokers or ex-smokers. Radon diffusing up from the soil into homes and buildings is usually the main source of radon in indoor air. Only about 1-2 percent of radon in indoor air comes from drinking water. If you are concerned about radon in your home, you should test your house and install controls if you find a level of 4 pCi/L or higher in your indoor air. For more information, call USEPA’s Radon Hotline (800-SOS-RADON) or visit the web site http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/. The USEPA does not currently have a final regulation for radon in drinking water. A comprehensive radon monitoring was performed on all Tucson Water wells in two quarters during 2000. The average and maximum results were 720 pCi/L and 1420 pCi/L respectively. Test results indicate that, when compared with other communities across the country, Tucson has fairly typical concentrations for radon in the water supply. Uranium is a metallic element, which is highly toxic and radioactive. In December 2003, the USEPA set a new standard of 30 ppb for uranium. A comprehensive sampling of our wells for uranium was conducted in 2001. The highest level for uranium during 2005 was 6.6 ppb (the MCL is 30 ppb). Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) are formed when chlorine combines with naturally occurring organic material in water. Since the level of organic matter in our groundwater is extremely low, these compounds are found at very low concentrations. The compounds, which make up the TTHMs include bromodichloromethane, bromoform, chlorodibromomethane, and chloroform. The highest result for Total THM during 2005 was 21.3 ppb and the 5 DETAILED INFORMATION ON DETECTED CONTAMINANTS (continued) highest concentration for any of the four compounds was 10.2 ppb for bromoform. Compliance with the TTHM standard is based on the running quarterly average concentration at 16 distribution monitoring points. The running annual average for the 4 quarters of 2005 was 5.8 ppb. (The MCL is 80 ppb.) Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) include such compounds as trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE). VOCs are volatile, like alcohol or gasoline, and are made up of relatively small molecules, which allows them to migrate readily through soils. Solvents such as TCE and PCE have been commonly used for cleaning machine parts, and for dry cleaning. These contaminants are often associated with industrial operations and landfills. The highest concentration of TCE during 2005 was 1.5 ppb, detected at only one well with a limited use (the MCL is 5 ppb). Despite the vulnerability of groundwater to such contamination, Tucson Water’s potable supplies are virtually free of such contamination. TCE was detected during 2004 and 2005 in only one well out of approximately 200 wells. Ethylbenzene, Toluene, and Xylenes are residual solvents, typically associated with the coatings used to protect new or refurbished water pressure tanks. These low concentration releases from pressure tank coatings rapidly decrease as the tank ages. Ethylbenzene was detected in 2004 at a concentration of 0.6 ppb (the MCL is 700 ppb). The highest concentration of xylenes detected, also in 2004, was 0.0036 ppm (the MCL is 10 ppm). Synthetic Organic Compounds (SOCs) Unlike VOCs, which have been repeatedly shown to readily migrate through soils to groundwater, SOCs are generally less mobile. Atrazine, a herbicide and possible carcinogen at high doses was detected at concentration of 0.11 ppb during 2004 (the MCL is 3 ppb). Another SOC, hexachlorocyclopentadiene, a plasticizer for polyvinylchloride (PVC) and other polymers was also found at concentration of 0.11 ppb during 2004 (the MCL is 50 ppb). Finally, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, or DEHP, is the most commonly used of a group of related chemicals called phthalates or phthalic acid esters. The greatest use of DEHP is as a plasticizer for polyvinylchloride (PVC) and other polymers including rubber, cellulose and styrene. Because of its very broad use in plastic and rubber products, DEHP is frequently a laboratory contaminant. It was detected at a concentration of 0.8 ppb during 2004 (the MCL is 6 ppb). Lead and Copper are naturally occurring metals, which are generally found at very low levels in source waters. However, these levels can increase when water 6 contacts plumbing materials that contain lead or copper or brass. Infants and young children are more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. While Tucson Water is well within the standards, concerned customers can take an extra precaution to protect children from lead leached from new brass faucets by running the water for a few seconds and using the water for something other than drinking. This is especially important if the water has been sitting in the pipes for a few hours or more. These same precautions also help to give you the best tasting water. The required lead and copper monitoring was performed in 2005. The 90th percentile value was 3 ppb for lead and 0.16 ppm for copper. No sample was above the action level of 15 ppb for lead or 1.3 ppm for copper. Coliform Bacteria are commonly found in the environment and in the digestive tract of animals. While rarely harmful, Coliform bacteria in drinking water are indicators that the water may also contain harmful microorganisms. In 2005, there were five positive total coliform samples for the entire year. The highest monthly percentage positive was 0.8 % or 2 positive samples which occurred in September. (The MCL is 5% per month or not more than 12 positives in the 247 samples collected each month.) Chlorine Disinfection Approximately 0.8 ppm of chlorine is added to the drinking water supply at well sites, reservoirs and other facilities to provide assurance that water delivered to customers will remain free of microbiological contamination. This also ensures that the water meets microbiological drinking water standards from the time it is pumped from the ground until it reaches the customer’s tap. Chlorine Residual Disinfection is measured from 247 sample stations where the bacteriological samples are collected monthly. The annual Chlorine Residual is calculated using the monthly chlorine averages for the past 12 months. The annual average for twelve months of 2005 was 0.74 ppm. The highest monthly average was 0.78 ppm. (The Maximum Residual Disinfection Limit or MRDL is 4 ppm.) 1,4-Dioxane was first detected in 2000 using recent improvements in analytical methods, which greatly reduced the detection level. The laboratory’s minimum reporting limit for this chemical is 1 ppb. Because the EPA has not set a limit for 1, 4 Dioxane, it is not represented on the Detected Contaminants Table. The highest concentration in 2005 was 2.8 ppb. 1,4 dioxane is used primarily as a stabilizer in chlorinated solvents, particularly 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA). The EPA Office of Drinking Water has a Health Advisory Level of 3 ppb. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has completed a source water assessment for Tucson Water drinking water wells. This assessment reviewed the adjacent land uses that may pose a potential risk to the water sources. These risks include, but are not limited to gas stations, landfills, dry cleaning, agricultural fields, wastewater treatment plants, and mining activities. The assessment found approximately 1/3 of our wells as high risks. City’s available CAP supply by delivering the river water to shallow basins and allowing the water to percolate (or recharge) naturally through the earth to reach and blend with the groundwater below. Tucson Water began delivery of this blend of recharged Colorado River water and groundwater on May 3, 2001. At the end of 2005, the blend was about 70% native groundwater and 30% recharged Colorado River water. Over time, it will contain an increasing percentage of recharged Colorado River water. Information on the quality of this blend is contained in the detected contaminant table, and more information is available on Tucson Water’s web site. Tucson Water insures the safety of our drinking water by conducting regular monitoring of all sources. If any contamination approaches the drinking water MCL, the source is removed from service. HOW IS OUR DRINKING WATER TREATED? SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (SWAP) The complete SWAP report is available for review at ADEQ, 1110 W. Washington, Phoenix, Arizona or by requesting an electronic copy from Donna Lucchese at e-mail address dml@ azdeq.gov. The groundwater delivered by Tucson Water meets all drinking water standards without treatment, with the exception of the water supplied from the Tucson Airport Area Remediation Project (TARP). However, approximately 0.8 ppm of chlorine is added to the drinking water supply at well sites, reservoirs and other facilities to provide assurance that water delivered to customers will remain free of microbiological contamination. This also ensures that the water meets microbiological drinking water standards from the time it is pumped from the ground until it reaches the customer’s tap. MONITORING WAIVERS MORE ABOUT TARP The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the regulatory agency for all public water suppliers in Arizona, grants waivers for certain monitoring requirements. Waivers are granted for specific contaminants if previous monitoring results, and/or the land uses within a half-mile radius of the well, allows ADEQ to conclude that the risk of contamination by a specific substance is very low. The Tucson Airport Area Remediation Project (TARP) was developed in order to clean and make beneficial use of water contaminated with the industrial solvent trichloroethylene (TCE). Tucson Water operates TARP under an agreement with the USEPA and other industrial and governmental agencies, which pay for operation of the TARP program. Residents can help protect our water sources by practicing good septic system maintenance, limiting pesticide and fertilizer use, and by taking hazardous household chemicals to the Household Hazardous Waste Program. Call 791-4502 or visit www.deq.co.pima.az.us/waste/househol.htm ANY MONITORING FAILURES OR VIOLATIONS? At the end of each quarter, Tucson Water conducts an internal audit of compliance monitoring records to verify that all required monitoring has been completed and reported to the State. There have been no monitoring failures or violations during 2005. WHAT ABOUT CAP WATER? City of Tucson has rights to approximately 136,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water per year, delivered through the Central Arizona Project (CAP). In 2005, the City of Tucson’s Colorado River allocation was not used directly, but a portion of this allocation was recharged. The % of CAP allocation utilized by Tucson Water at the end of 2005 was approximately 45%. At the Clearwater Renewable Resource Facility located in Avra Valley, Tucson Water is recharging a portion of the Nine wells extract the contaminated water and deliver it through a pipeline to a treatment plant that removes the TCE from the water. The TARP treatment plant uses an “air stripping” process which forces volatile contaminants such as TCE to evaporate from the water into air. The air is then passed through activated carbon filters, which removes the airborne TCE. The TARP plant is designed to treat approximately 5.73 million gallons of water per day. During 2005, this plant treated a total of approximately 1.192 billion gallons of water. The treatment system removed 152 pounds of combined VOCs from the ground water. 7 HOW CAN I HAVE BETTER TASTING WATER? WHOM DO I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION? It may be stating the obvious, but water drawn from the tap may have chlorinous odors. It may have also been in contact with pipes for hours or even longer. It may contain dissolved air, and it may be warmer than you may like. You can improve the taste of your drinking water by simply drawing it after other water uses, which brings fresh water to the tap, then allowing it to stand several hours or longer in a clean odor-free pitcher or bottle. You can store your water either on the kitchen counter or in the refrigerator, depending on which temperature you prefer. If you store the water in the refrigerator, you may want to be sure it is capped to help prevent picking up refrigerator odors. For more information on this Tucson Water report, contact Mohsen Belyani with the Water Quality Management Division. Call 791-5252 or e-mail your questions to mbelyan1@ci.tucson.az.us. Telephone Numbers: Tucson Water Public Information Office 791-4331 Tucson Water Quality Management Division 791-5252 Tucson Water Customer Liaison 791-5945 Tucson Water Customer Service/Billing 791-3242 Tucson Water 24 hour Emergency 791-4133 United States Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791 USEPA Website: www.epa.gov/safewater/ City of Tucson TTY# 791-2639 Si usted desea este documento escrito en español, por favor, llame al 791-4331. 8 The Water Quality Management Division also publishes the following reports: • Annual Microbiological Report detailing the results of monthly distribution system monitoring. • Annual Turbidity Report, evaluating the clarity of the water throughout the year. • Annual Major Water Quality Parameters Report, which provides detailed information on a number of water constituents monitored throughout the year. In 2005, Tucson Water also collected a large amount of additional monthly water quality data. The results of these additional monitoring are also available on the Tucson Water web page, www.tucsonaz.gov/water/. Tucson Water in collaboration with ten community partners and the USEPA has established the Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking Program (EMPACT) which is designed to provide the community with more information about your drinking water. For more information please call 791-2666 or visit our web site at www.tucsonaz.gov/water/ The approximate cost for each of these individual reports was 16 cents. City of Tucson Tucson Water P.O.Box 27210 Tucson, AZ 85726-7210 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID TUCSON, AZ PERMIT NO. 426