A Message from the Director PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PEORIA, AZ PERMIT NO. 44 Treated, Tested and Safe In our desert environment, water resource management and planning are important to ensure that current and future generations have an adequate water supply. Every drop of Peoria’s drinking water is treated using modern, state-of-the-art treatment technology. Hundreds of tests are performed each day to be certain that drinking water meets all federal, state and local water quality standards. This ensures that your drinking water is safe; every drop, every day. ECRWSS Postal Customer In 2011, Peoria received its drinking water from the following supplies: Quintero: • 100 percent from the Colorado River via the Central Arizona Project. Vistancia: • 100 percent groundwater from wells. All other areas served by the city: • 44 percent from the Colorado River via the Central Arizona Project. • 42 percent from the Salt and Verde rivers via the Salt River Project. • 14 percent groundwater from wells. Peoria’s water supply is one of our most valuable assets, making water conservation a necessary way of life. We encourage every citizen to use water wisely and adapt to a water-saving lifestyle. If you have questions regarding Peoria's drinking water and programs, feel free to contact me at 623-773-7286. William Mattingly, P.E., R.L.S. Public Works-Utilities Director Este informe contiene información importante sobre su agua potable. Si usted tiene preguntas sobre este informe, por favor llame al 623-773-7286. 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 EPCOR water companies, you should contact your water supplier directly for water data that affects you: Sunrise: New River: Rose Valley: EPCOR: 623-972-6133 623-561-1848 623-889-2275; info@rosevalleywaterco.com 800-383-0834 (Agua Fria District); formerly Arizona-American City of Peoria Public Works - Utilities Department 9875 N. 85th Avenue Peoria, Arizona 85345 Within this brochure you'll find valuable information on what you can do to keep our drinking water safe as well as city programs to help you save water, and money. You'll also find our annual water report as mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Water Quality Report JUNE 2012 YOUR WATER IS SAVE WATER SAVE MONEY! SAFE . LET’S KEEP IT Peoria’s water resources are critical for the future. The city encourages its citizens to implement water conservation measures in and around their homes. Free information booklets and brochures are available to those interested in learning more about water conservation, Xeriscape and landscape irrigation. The Peoria Utilities Department also offers a variety of free water conservation classes and has information booths at various city events. Check out the rebate program to save money while conserving water. THAT WAY Do your part. Prevent pollution with these small actions: $100 REBATE Fix oil leaks in cars A $100 rebate towards installation of a hot water recirculator. Properly drain pool water using home’s sewer clean-out, not into the street 100 REBATE UP $ TO Up to a $100 rebate for customers who upgrade high water use toilets to high-efficiency EPA WaterSense units. Maximum of 3 rebates per customer account. High-efficiency toilets (HETs) use less than 1.3 gallons per flush. Minimize use of chemicals on yards Pick up pet waste TO $1,650 SAVE UP Safely dispose of household hazardous waste* A credit of up to $1650 for converting high water use landscaping (i.e. grass) to Xeriscape (low water use landscaping that includes plant material). TO $150 SAVE UP Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Can Spell Trouble FOG clings to the inside of pipes, eventually causing complete blockages in homes and are often the cause of damage to the city’s main sanitary sewers. For more information, visit www.azstorm.org and www.peoriaaz.gov/stormwater. Illegal Dumping Hotline (623) 773-7226 Storm Sewer Maintenance (623) 773-7432 * Household Hazardous Waste Disposal www.peoriaaz.gov/hhw Don’t pour fat trimmings, cooking oil, and greasy leftovers down a sink drain, garbage disposal, or toilet. Instead, do pour cooled oils into a disposable container then place in the trash. Use paper towels to wipe up spills and scrape greasy leftovers from dishes and pots into the trash, before washing or placing in the dishwasher. A credit of up to $150 for customers who choose Xeriscape landscaping for a newly constructed home. TO $250 SAVE UP A credit of up to $250 towards purchase and installation of a new water-efficient controller/timer. For more information on classes and rebates (some restrictions apply), visit conserve.peoriaaz.gov or call 623-773-7286. Water saving tips can be found at wateruseitwisely.com Water Quality Report (for calendar year 2011) ANALYTE UNITS PEORIA WATER SYSTEM 04-07-096 QUINTERO WATER SYSTEM 04-07-513 VISTANCIA WATER SYSTEM 04-07-520 EPA LIMIT EPA LIMIT RANGE AVERAGE RANGE AVERAGE RANGE AVERAGE mg/L µg/L mg/L Gr/gal pH Units mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L 120 - 190 ND - 210 14 - 44 ◊ 4.3 - 11.5 ◊ 6.99 - 8.7 9.7 - 21 ◊ 27 - 67.4 ◊ 31 - 73 260 - 374 ◊ 144 112 32 ◊ 7.6 ◊ 7.73 15.2 ◊ 40.2 ◊ 49 307 ◊ 110 - 140 ~ ~ ~ 7.1 - 8.6 ~ 260 ◊ 99‡ ~ 128 ~ ~ ~ 7.9 ~ 260 ◊ 99‡ ~ 200‡ ~ 62‡ 15‡ 7.1 - 8.1 25‡ 77‡ 46 - 55 440‡ 200‡ ~ 62‡ 15‡ 7.4 25‡ 77‡ 50 440‡ N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 250 N/A N/A µg/L ND - 7.1 1.2 ~ ~ ~ ~ 10 0 Total Organic Carbon % Removal % 20.5 - 46.3% 39.6% 14.0 - 36.2% (15% required) 22.2% ~ ~ TT Total Trihalomethanes* µg/L ND - 87* 49** ND - 2.7 0.56 7.9 - 11.2 9.4 Total Haloacetic Acids µg/L ND - 35 19** ND ND ND - 3.6 Arsenic* µg/L ND - 8.2* 8.1** 2.8 - 3.6 3.5 Barium Chromium mg/L µg/L 0.02 - 0.12 ND - 29 0.05 7.23 0.13‡ ND Fluoride Nitrate mg/L mg/L 0.13 - 0.76 0.32 - 9.41 0.24 6.63 Selenium µg/L 2-5 2.6 Alkalinity Aluminum Calcium Hardness pH Magnesium Sulfate Sodium Total Dissolved Solids Bromate* MCL POSSIBLE SOURCES Naturally present NA Erosion of natural deposits Naturally present NA Erosion of natural deposits Naturally present Naturally present Naturally present 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. By-product of drinking water ozonation μg/L Micrograms per liter - Unit of measurement equal to parts per billion N/A Naturally present in the environment mg/L Milligrams per liter - Unit of measurement equal to parts per million 80* N/A By-product of drinking water chlorination MRDL 2.0 60* N/A By-product of drinking water chlorination 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. 3.5 - 5.7 4.5 (average) 10 0 0.13‡ ND 0.03 - 0.05 ND - 8 0.04 0.49 2 100 2 100 0.30 - 0.33 ND - 0.33 0.32 0.16 0.19 - 0.29 1.53 - 2.21 0.24 1.89 4 10 N/A 10 3.0‡ 3.0‡ ND - 3.0 1.9 50 50 Dibromochloropropane ng/L Dinoseb µg/L ND - 0.2 0.02 ND ND ND ND 7 7 Ethylbenzene µg/L ND - 0.5 0.02 ND ND ND ND 700 700 Pentachlorophenol µg/L ND ND ND ND ND - 0.05 0.006 1 0 Xylenes mg/L ND - 0.0018 0.00017 ND - 0.0006 0.0004 ND ND 10 10 Gross Alpha* Gross Alpha Adjusted* Gross Beta pCi/L pCi/L pCi/L 1.3 - 2.8 ND - 2.2 ND - 6 2.2 1.0 2.5 ND ◊ N/A N/A ND ◊ N/A N/A 3.1 - 4.3 N/A N/A 3.7 N/A N/A 15 15 50^ 0 0 0 Erosion of natural deposits; Runoff from orchards Erosion of natural deposits Discharge from steel and pulp mills; Erosion of natural deposits Erosion of natural deposits Fertilizer runoff, erosion of natural deposits Discharge from petroleum and metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits; Discharge from mines Runoff/leaching from soil fumigant used on soybeans, cotton, pineapples, and orchards Runoff from herbicides used on soybeans and vegetables Discharge from petroleum refineries Discharge from wood preserving factories Discharge from petroleum factories; Discharge from chemical factories Erosion of natural deposits Erosion of natural deposits Erosion of natural deposits Uranium Turbidity µg/L NTU 1.6 - 5 0.078 2.95 N/A 4.5-4.9 Ж 0.07 4.7 Ж N/A 3.9‡ ~ 3.9‡ ~ 30 TT=1 NTU 0 0 Erosion of natural deposits Soil Runoff 100.0% N/A 100.0% N/A ~ ~ TT=% of samples <0.3 NTU 5% of monthly samples are positive 0 Soil Runoff ND - 30 5.6 KEY TO TABLE MCLG ND ND ND ND 200 0 Total Coliforms P/A 0.00% N/A 0*** N/A 0*** N/A 0 Naturally present Fecal coliform or E. coli bacteria P/A 0.00% N/A 0*** N/A 0*** N/A 0 Human or animal fecal waste Chlorine Residual mg/L 0.2 - 2.4 0.98 0.13 - 1.69 0.97 0.37 - 1.88 1.04 ANALYTE UNITS 90TH PERCENTILE REPORTED NUMBER OF SITES ABOVE AL 90TH PERCENTILE REPORTED NUMBER OF SITES ABOVE AL 90TH PERCENTILE REPORTED NUMBER OF SITES ABOVE AL EPA ACTION LEVEL (AL) EPA LIMIT MCLG Copper mg/L 0.31 ◊ None 0.34 ◊ None 0.24 ¥ None 1.3 1.3 Lead µg/L 2◊ None 15 ◊ One 2.2 ¥ None 15 0 4 (MRDL) 4 (MRDL) Water additive used to control microbes POSSIBLE SOURCES Erosion of natural deposits, corrosion of home plumbing systems Erosion of natural deposits, corrosion of home plumbing systems. 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. ng/L Nanograms per liter - Unit of measurement equal to parts per trillion. N/A Not applicable ND Not detected NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit - Measure of how light is scattered by particulate matter in water. P/A Presence/Absence 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. * MCL is based on a running annual average. The average given is the highest average. ** Reported RAA for quarters 1-3 are based on results from previous quarters not reported on this table. *** If a system collecting fewer than 40 samples per month has two or more positive samples in one month, the system has a MCL violation. ^ EPA considers 50 pCi/L to be the level of concern for beta particles. ‡ Only one sample collected. ~ Not Required ◊ Data from 2010 ¥ Data from 2009 Ж Data from 2008 Source Water Assessment The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) 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. Please understand that this one well’s high risk rating does not imply poor water quality, only its potential to becoming contaminated. The assessment report is available for review at ADEQ, 1110 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007 between the hours of 8 am – 5 pm. Electronic copies are available from ADEQ at dml@azdeq.gov. To learn more about water quality... ADEQ: www.azdeq.gov Maricopa County: www.maricopa.gov/envsvc Peoria: www.peoriaaz.gov/utilities Tap Into Quality www.tapintoquality.com USEPA: www.water.epa.gov/drink Message 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 which must provide the same protection for public 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 EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791). 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. 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, LEAD & COPPER, TURBIDITY AND TRIHALOMETHANES 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. 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 Peoria 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 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 EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 1-800-426-4791, or at http://www.epa.gov /lead. 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. 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.