what’s in your water? Water Quality Report JUNE 2014 Treated, Tested and Safe A Message from the Director 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. In 2013, Peoria received its drinking water from the following supplies: Quintero: • 100% from the Colorado River via the Central Arizona Project. Vistancia: • 100% groundwater from wells. All other areas served by the city: • 44% from the Colorado River via the Central Arizona Project. • 32% from the Salt and Verde Rivers via the Salt River Project. • 24% groundwater from wells (recovered water) 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. This brochure provides information on what you can do to keep our drinking water safe as well as your Annual Water Quality Report. This report is a summary of the thousands of tests and measurements performed by the city during the 2013 calendar year. Our dedicated staff of certified and highly trained water professionals works to ensure the City provides drinking water that is treated, tested and safe. Sincerely, 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) OUR WATER IS SAFE . LET S KEEP ’ IT THAT WAY! Do your part. Prevent pollution with these good practices: Safely dispose of household & hazardous waste.* Cool Fats, Oils, and Grease after cooking and secure in a container to dispose in a trash can. Don't flush these items: medication, personal care products, paint, cleaning chemicals, pesticides. These products can make their way into our aquifers! * Household & Hazardous Waste Disposal www.peoriaaz.gov/hhw Unlike a sanitary sewer system that carries water to a wastewater treatment plant, storm sewers carry untreated rain water and urban runoff into washes, rivers, retention basins, canals and parks. Flowing storm water picks up dirt, debris, chemicals, oil, grease and many other pollutants. This water re-enters the water cycle without being treated. Polluted storm water is a serious threat to clean water for us and the environment. Please prevent contamination of our drinking water. • Fix oil leaks in vehicles • Pick up pet waste • Properly drain pool water using home’s sewer clean-out, not into the street • Minimize the use of chemicals on yards, especially prior to rain • Use a broom, not a hose, to clean up your garage or driveway • Adjust your irrigation system to avoid overwatering For more information, visit www.azstorm.org and www.peoriaaz.gov/stormwater. ONLY RAIN Goes in the DRAIN TRASH THAT TRASH! COTTON BALLS AND SWABS CLEANING AND FACIAL WIPES GLOVES DISPOSABLE DIAPERS, NURSING PADS & BABY WIPES HAIR FEMININE PRODUCTS & APPLICATORS “FLUSHABLE” WIPES These items belong in the trash can, not the toilet. The label may say “flushable”, but these “disposable” items are clogging residential pipes and sewer lines as well as damaging expensive pumps and treatment plant components. Help stop costly repairs and equipment downtime. Don’t flush trouble down the toilet! For more information, call 623.773.7286 or visit www.peoriaaz.gov/envresources KEEP MEDS OUT of our WATER Prescription Drug Collection Program Leftover prescription medicine inside our homes is highly susceptible to misuse, theft and abuse. To help with this growing problem, the Peoria Police Department is offering a safe and responsible way to dispose of these drugs. You can drop off potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs anonymously in the Green boxes at each Police precinct station, available during normal lobby hours. Items such as needles, liquids, or aerosols (such as inhalers) are NOT accepted. Locations & Hours: Public Safety Administration Building 8351 W. Cinnabar Avenue Monday–Friday 6a.m. to 6p.m. Pinnacle Peak Public Safety Building 23100 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway Monday–Thursday 7a.m. to 6p.m. Desert Fusion Garden Need ideas on how to create a great looking landscape that utilizes low water plant material? Head to Peoria’s Desert Fusion Garden at City Hall. The Desert Fusion Garden utilizes a wide variety of low water and desert adapted plants to form five different environmentally responsible landscapes. Did you know there are over 100 different species of Prickly Pear Cactus? Go ahead – mix ‘em up! Use different types of rock mulches and boulders in your xeriscape. Low water use plants can bring color and pollinators to your yard. Visit www.peoriaaz.gov/waterconservation for more information on the Desert Fusion Garden and other water conservation and low water landscaping tips. 2013 Water Quality Report ANALYTE UNITS PEORIA WATER SYSTEM 04-07-096 QUINTERO WATER SYSTEM 04-07-513 VISTANCIA WATER SYSTEM 04-07-520 EPA LIMIT AVERAGE RANGE AVERAGE RANGE AVERAGE ppm ppm grains/gal pH Units ppm ppm ppm ppm 138-202 13-56 4 - 17 7.1 - 8.3 8 - 28 37.6 31 - 187 294 157 37 10 7.7 19 37.6 55 294 132 - 146 70 16 - 17 7.5 - 8.4 25 260 (2008) 95 - 98 N/A 140 70 16 8.0 25 260 (2008) 96 N/A 200 (2011) 62 (2011) 14.5 - 16.1 7.2 - 7.6 25 (2011) 77 (2011) 52 440 (2011) 200 (2011) 62 (2011) 15.3 7.4 25 (2011) 77 (2011) 52 440 (2011) 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 ppb ND - 23.2 4.4* N/A N/A N/A N/A 10 0 Total Organic Carbon % Removal % 22.2% - 46.8% 34.7% 14.8% - 48.8% 26.5% N/A N/A TT Total Trihalomethanes ppb 3.5 - 74 50 ND - 2.1 0.09 7.1 - 31.5 14.5 Total Haloacetic Acids ppb ND - 35 16 ND ND 1.3 - 5.5 Arsenic ppb 1.6 - 9.1 7.0 2.9 - 3.2 3 Barium Chromium ppm ppb 0.01 - 0.11 ND - 38 0.04 11.5 0.1 - 0.11 ND Fluoride ppm 0.10 - 0.78 0.35 0.30 - 0.32 Alkalinity Calcium Hardness pH Magnesium Sulfate Sodium Total Dissolved Solids Bromate MCL EPA LIMIT RANGE Naturally present Erosion of natural deposits Naturally present N/A 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 MRL Minimum Reporting Level - The lowest accurately reportable concentration N/A Naturally present in the environment MRDL 80 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. 2.6 60 N/A By-product of drinking water chlorination 4.9 - 5.6 5.2 10 0 0.1 ND 0.04 - 0.05 ND 0.04 ND 2 100 2 100 0.31 0.21 - 0.23 0.22 4 N/A Dibromochloropropane ppt ND - 30 1.9 ND ND ND ND 200 0 Dinoseb ppb ND - 0.2 0.05 ND ND ND ND 7 7 Xylenes ppb ND - 0.8 0.05 ND ND ND ND 10,000 10,000 pCi/L pCi/L 1.5 - 3.2 ND 2.32 ND 3.4 ND 3.4 ND 3.3 - 4.2 N/A 3.6 N/A 15 15 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; Water additive to promote strong teeth 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, and vegetables Runoff from herbicides used on soybeans and vegetables Discharge from petroleum factories; Discharge from chemical factories Erosion of natural deposits Erosion of natural deposits ppb NTU 1.9 - 4.9 0.23 3.4 N/A 4.9 0.14 4.9 N/A 3.9 (2011) N/A 3.9 (2011) N/A 30 TT=1 NTU 0 0 Erosion of natural deposits Soil Runoff NTU 100.0% N/A 100.0% N/A N/A N/A 0 Soil Runoff Present/ Absent 0% N/A 0** N/A 0** N/A TT=% of samples <0.3 NTU 5% of monthly samples are positive 0 Naturally present ppm 0.23 - 2.08 1.24 0.09 - 2.07 1.77 0.42 - 1.95 1.25 4 4 Water additive used to control microbes 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 ppm 0.33 One 1.06 None 0.39 (2012) None 1.3 1.3 Lead ppb 2 None 8 None 2.9 (2012) None 15 0 Nitrate ppm 0.41 - 8.9 3.50 ND - 0.34 0.29 1.69 1.69 10 10 Selenium ppb ND - 5.6 3.1 3.0 - 3.1 3.0 3-5 4 50 50 Gross Alpha Gross Alpha Adjusted Uranium Turbidity Total Coliforms Chlorine Residual POSSIBLE SOURCES Erosion of natural deposits; Corrosion of home plumbing systems Erosion of natural deposits; Corrosion of home plumbing systems 2013 Results for Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) ANALYTE UNITS RANGE AVERAGE MRL Bromochloromethane ppt 62 62 60 Chromium ppb 0.21 - 0.24 0.22 0.2 Chromium-6 ppb 0.043 - 0.078 0.057 0.03 Molybdenum ppb 4 - 4.6 4.2 1 Strontium ppb 920 - 1000 957 0.3 Vanadium ppb 0.48 0.48 0.2 KEY TO TABLE POSSIBLE SOURCES MCLG 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. N/A not applicable ND not detected NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit - Measure of how light is scattered by particulate matter in water pCi/L pico-Curies per liter - Measure of radioactivity ppb Parts per Billion - Unit of measurement equal to micrograms per liter ppm Parts per Million - Unit of measurement equal to milligrams per liter ppt Parts per Trillion - Unit of measurement equal to nanograms per liter 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. **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. 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... Peoria: www.peoriaaz.gov/utilities USEPA: http://water.epa.gov/drink ADEQ: www.azdeq.gov Maricopa County: www.maricopa.gov/envsvc Tap Into Quality: www.tapintoquality.com Water Use It Wisely: www.wuiw.com Peoria is committed to protecting public health. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires us to collect data on 28 currently unregulated contaminants. They then use the results from this monitoring to determine whether or not to regulate these substances in the future. There are no Maximum Limits at this time. Instead, results are reported to the Minimum Reporting Level (MRL - the lowest accurately reportable limit). Only the 6 substances listed were detected. This monitoring study will continue through the end of 2015. Should new regulations be developed, Peoria will ensure that your drinking water continues to be treated, tested and safe. A 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 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, TRIHALOMETHANES AND TURBIDITY 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 www.epa.gov/lead. SPECIAL HEALTH INFORMATION 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 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 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. • Radioactive contaminants that can be naturally-occurring or can be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.