Scottsdale Water PO Box 25089 8787 E Hualapai Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85255 ScottsdaleAZ.gov/Water 480-312-5650 Water Quality: 480-312-8732 2021 Water Quality Report About This Report At Scottsdale Water we strive every day to epitomize our vision of Water Sustainability through Stewardship Innovation and People. We are dedicated to supplying you with safe, reliable drinking water at an affordable price with outstanding service. Our commitment to that goal is summarized in this annual report. Water is a precious resource for our community, especially in our desert environment. In addition to working to ensure your water is safe, we are also dedicated to ensuring a secure and sustainable water supply for today and the future. Through innovative aquifer recharge programs and effective strategic planning and investment, Scottsdale was the first city in Arizona to meet safe yield – put more water in the aquifer than we take out – and has been doing so every year since 2006, nearly 20 years ahead of the state-mandated deadline to do so. We also work to actively educate and encourage our citizens to use water wisely and conserve whenever possible. I encourage you to review this report and learn about the work and dedication that goes into providing you safe, reliable and affordable drinking water each and every day. Brian K. Biesemeyer, PE • Scottsdale Water Executive Director DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS A NOTE FROM THE EPA Contaminant – Any physical, chemical, biological or radiological substance or matter in the water. To ensure the water from your tap is safe to drink, the Environmental Protection Agency issues regulations limiting the amount of certain impurities allowed in drinking water and the water treatment process. You can expect all drinking water, including bottled water (which is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration), to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. It’s important to know that the presence or detection of impurities does not necessarily indicate a health risk. 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 Contaminant Level (MCL) – The highest level of a contaminant allowed by the EPA in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) – The highest level of a disinfectant (chlorine) allowed in drinking water. There is convincing scientific evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for the control of microbial contaminants. Scottsdale’s drinking water sources include rivers, lakes, reservoirs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring materials and can pick up substances from human or animal activity. Possible contaminants may include: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG) – The level of 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 contamination. • Microbial contaminants including viruses, bacteria and parasites, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural or livestock operations and wildlife. Treatment Technique (TT) – A required process intended 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 provider must follow. Part Per Million (ppm) / Part Per Billion (ppb) – Equivalent to mg/L and µg/L respectively, describe the levels of detected substances. Picocuries Per Liter (pCi/L) – A measure of the radioactivity in a liter of water. Non-detectable (ND) – The substance was analyzed but not detected. Not Applicable (NA) – A regulatory limit does not exist. • Inorganic contaminants such as minerals, 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. • Radiochemical contaminants, which occur naturally or result from oil and gas production and mining activities. • Pesticides and herbicides that may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, stormwater runoff and residential uses. • Organic chemical contaminants including synthetic and volatile organic compounds, which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and also can come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems. Water Supply and Treatment Prior to the 1980s, Scottsdale was 100 percent reliant on groundwater for our water supply. Today, 90 percent of our total water supply comes from renewable surface water sources and recycled water, helping us ensure a long-term water supply for future generations. Depending on the time of year, the weather and customer demand, you may receive water from a single source or from a combination of sources. Water from Lake Mead is treated at Scottsdale CAP Plant SURFACE WATER GROUNDWATER Scottsdale’s main surface water supply comes from the Colorado River. It is transported through the Central Arizona Project canal to the CAP Water Treatment Plant at the Scottsdale Water Campus. A small portion of Scottsdale’s water The Advanced Water Treatment supply also comes from aquifers deep 10% Plant at the Scottsdale Water below ground. The city has 23 active Campus is one of the largest and 12% wells and operates several groundwater most advanced water recycling treatment facilities, including the facilities in the world. The plant Central Groundwater Treatment Facility treats water from Scottsdale and the North Groundwater Treatment businesses and homes to ultrapure 78% that exceed federal Facility, which treat groundwater standards from the North Indian Bend Wash drinking water regulations. That Superfund site. Both facilities were water is then used for turf irrigation built by private companies that were and to replenish our local aquifers. deemed potentially responsible for Since 1998, the state-of-the-art contaminating the groundwater with facility has enabled Scottsdale Trichloroethylene. These companies to recharge over 70 billion pay operating and maintenance costs gallons of water into our area of the facilities. The groundwater is aquifers, safeguarding the city’s treated to levels that exceed federal long-term water supply while and state drinking water standards, ensuring the exceptional water with regulatory oversight by the quality of our local aquifers. EPA, ADEQ and Maricopa County. The CAP Plant, which can treat up to 70 million gallons of water a day, is actually three distinct facilities. CAP I and II use a conventional water treatment process, which includes pretreatment, coagulation/ flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection. Water at CAP III is treated with ultrafiltration membrane technology and disinfection. The CAP Plant uses granular activated carbon to improve taste and odor and treat for disinfection byproducts. We also receive surface water from the Verde and Salt rivers watersheds, which is transported by the Salt River Project to the Chaparral Water Treatment Plant. The Chaparral WTP uses ultrafiltration membranes and granular activated carbon and has a treatment capacity of 27 million gallons a day. RECYCLED WATER Scottsdale’s Water Supply Portfolio 10% 12% Surface Water 78% 63% = CAP 15% = SRP Recycled Water Groundwater SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT PROGRAM In 2004, Scottsdale worked with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to finalize an assessment on the wells and surface water sources we use to provide you with drinking water. This assessment looked at potential risks to our water sources, which include gas stations, landfills, dry cleaners, agricultural fields and wastewater treatment plants. The CAP Water Treatment Plants are located at The assessment concluded that most of Scottsdale’s groundwater the wells have low to Campus mediuminrisk, with the exception of the wells linked Scottsdale Water north Scottsdale. to the North Indian Bend Wash Superfund Site. The water produced by these wells has a high risk of contamination, but is treated to meet or surpass drinking water standards and monitored closely by the city, ADEQ and the EPA. All surface water sources are considered high risk due to their exposure to open air. These risks are addressed by the EPA through its increased monitoring requirements for surface water sources. The complete assessment is available at azdeq.gov/environ/water/dw/swap.html or by calling Scottsdale Water at 480-312-8732. Why choose tap over bottled water? AFFORDABLE A 25-ounce bottle can be refilled 1,200 times for just $1. Your recommended 8 glasses of water a day cost 80 cents a year from Scottsdale Water. SAFE Our lab is so advanced it can test for some substances down to the part per quadrillion. SUSTAINABLE On average, only 1 in 5 plastic water bottles are recycled. That’s equivalent to one drop of water diluted in an ice cube the size of the Empire State Building! 80% end up in landfills and waterways. WATER HARDNESS As water makes its way to treatment plants or through aquifers, it picks up naturally occurring minerals that make the water “hard” and can also affect taste and other characteristics. Hardness is not a primary water quality standard and is not considered to be a health concern. Scottsdale is committed to providing you with the cleanest and safest drinking water possible, at an affordable price. We could implement additional treatment processes to address hardness, but this would not be cost effective, especially since the majority of residential water consumption is for outdoor use. There are varying levels of water hardness throughout Scottsdale as shown in the table to the right. Approximate Hardness Levels Hardness (Grains per Gallon) Hardness (mg/L or ppm) South of Indian School 13-19 220-321 Indian School Road to Chaparral Road 13-17 215-292 North of Chaparral 14-18 238-300 Boundary The Scottsdale Water Citizen Academy provides an inside look at your city’s water utility, which happens to be one of the most advanced municipal water systems in the country! The multiweek course explains all facets of Scottsdale Water planning and policies and takes you inside our state-of-the-art facilities and daily operations. For more information, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov and search “Water Academy.” 2020 Compliance Monitoring Results Scottsdale performs tests for an assortment of contaminants at locations throughout the city. We test samples from eight entry points to the distribution system that represent the treated source water and at 150 locations throughout the distribution system to ensure the water entering your home or business remains safe and reliable. We test for over 100 substances, but only the substances detected in the water are listed in this report. The results shown are from testing performed in 2020 unless otherwise noted. A few substances are discussed in detail below. For more information about other substances or a complete list of all testing, please contact us at 480-312-8732 or visit the EPA’s website, epa.gov/dwstandardsregulations. Arsenic is a naturally occurring mineral commonly found in water due to leaching from rocks and soil. The maximum contaminant level for arsenic allowed in drinking water is 10 ppb (parts per billion), based on a running annual average. occurring organic matter in the water. To minimize the formation of these disinfection byproducts, granular activated carbon is used during the water treatment process to reduce levels of organic matter and subsequently reduce DBP levels. While your drinking water meets or surpasses EPA’s standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. EPA is continually researching the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which has been known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems. In 2020, the highest level of arsenic measured in Scottsdale’s drinking water was 7.1 ppb. Lead and copper are typically found in drinking water because of materials and components found in service lines and home plumbing. If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Scottsdale is committed to 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 (800-426-4791) or at epa.gov/safewater/lead. Nitrate is an inorganic substance that is monitored due to run off from fertilizer use. Nitrate in drinking water at levels greater than 10 ppm (parts per million) is considered a health risk for infants younger than six months of age. (Nitrate levels above 10 ppm in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome.) Nitrate levels in surface water supplies may rise quickly for short periods of time due to rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant you should seek advice from your health care provider. In 2020, the highest nitrate level detected in Scottsdale’s drinking water was 6.0 ppm. Turbidity is a measure of clarity in the water and is reported as Nephelometric Turbidity Units. Turbidity is caused by a variety of substances including sand, dirt and algae. Water is measured for turbidity to determine the effectiveness of the water treatment process. Scottsdale measures turbidity continuously at its surface water treatment plants. Microbiological Testing is performed monthly at over 150 sites within the distribution system for Total Coliform and E. coli bacteria in order to verify the integrity of the distribution system as well as our water sources. Chlorine is used as a disinfectant to ensure the treated water remains safe at all times. We continually monitor chlorine levels throughout the system to ensure that safe and adequate levels are maintained. Scottsdale’s goal is to have a chlorine residual between 0.5 and 1.2 ppm in our drinking water system. Byproducts of using chlorine as a disinfectant are trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids. These are formed as a result of a chemical reaction between chlorine and naturally The most recent testing for lead and copper was performed in 2020. Lead and copper levels reported in the table are from water faucets inside 57 Scottsdale homes that were built before the lead ban. All residents participating in the lead and copper program are notified of their home’s results. If the lead concentration in a home’s water exceeds 15 ppb, the home is retested and the homeowner is contacted for follow-up guidance on ways to lessen the risk of exposure to lead from drinking water. To further protect our customer’s from lead in drinking water, Scottsdale uses caution when changing to a new water source or changing an existing treatment process. Additional monitoring is performed to ensure the water is not corrosive to home plumbing. Additional Monitoring Cryptosporidium is a pathogen found in surface water throughout the United States and can be spread through other methods besides drinking water. Ingestion may cause a gastrointestinal illness. During periodic monitoring conducted in 2017, Cryptosporidium was not detected in our source waters. If present, this organism is removed during treatment through the use of multimedia filtration. 2014 Results – Treated Source Water Results for Regulated Contaminants Highest Amount Detected System Average Highest Running Annual Average1 Substance Unit MCL MCLG Lowest Amount Detected Arsenic ppb 10 0 ND 7.1 3.3 7.1 Leaching of natural deposits Barium ppb 2,000 2,000 28.5 116 77 116 Leaching of natural deposits Likely Source in Drinking Water Chromium ppb 100 100 ND 17.6 2.9 17.6 Leaching of natural deposits Fluoride ppm 4 4 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.5 Leaching of natural deposits Nickel ppb N/A N/A ND 1.7 0.2 1.7 Leaching of natural deposits Nitrate ppm 10 10 ND 6.0 1.4 3.8 Leaching of natural deposits and septic systems; Runoff from fertilizer use Selenium ppb 50 50 1.1 2.2 1.7 2.2 Leaching of natural deposits; Discharge from petroleum refineries and mining Alpha Emitters 2 pCi/L 15 0 ND 2.3 0.5 N/A Leaching of natural deposits ppb 30 0 1.7 6 3.7 N/A Leaching of natural deposits Uranium pCi/L 5 0 ND ND ND N/A Leaching of natural deposits Total Organic Carbon ppm TT N/A 0.8 1.9 1.6 N/A Naturally present in the environment 2,4-D ppb 70 70 ND 0.47 0.03 0.16 Runoff from herbicide used on row crops Substance Unit MCL TT Requirement Highest Measurement Treatment Technique Comparison Turbidity NTU 1 95% less than 0.3 NTU 0.12 100 % less than 0.3 NTU Radium, Combined 2 Highest Amount Detected Average Likely Source in Drinking Water Soil Runoff Substance Unit MCL MCLG Lowest Amount Detected Total Coliform % 5 (monthly) 0 0 0 0 Naturally present in the environment Chlorine ppm 4 (MRDL) 4 (MRDLG) 0.2 1.52 0.76 Water additive used to control microbial growth Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) ppb 80 N/A 15.8 54.6 54.3 3 Byproduct of water disinfection Haloacetic Acids ppb 60 N/A 3.5 12.6 13.0 3 Byproduct of water disinfection Likely Source in Drinking Water Substance Unit AL MCLG 90th Percentile Value # Homes Greater than AL Levels in Treated Water System Average Levels in Treated Water Likely Source in Drinking Water Lead 4 ppb 15 0 4.2 1 out of 57 ND - 2.5 0.3 Corrosion of household plumbing Copper 4 ppb 1300 N/A 243 0 out of 57 ND - 5.3 1.6 Corrosion of household plumbing Highest average at a single sample location Includes 2017 & 2020 Sampling Data 3 Reported value is the highest locational running annual average (LRAA) calculated on a quarterly basis. 4 Lead and Copper Standard: 90% of homes tested must have lead and copper levels below the alert level (AL). 1 2 Attention Immuno-Compromised Citizens If you are a person with a compromised immune system (i.e. undergoing chemotherapy, have had an organ transplant or have HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders) you may be particularly at risk of infections and more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water. Some elderly persons and infants may also have increased risk. You are encouraged to seek advice about drinking water from your health care provider. More information including ways to lessen the risk of infection from microbial contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). Results for Unregulated Contaminants Substance Unit MCL MCLG Lowest Amount Detected Alkalinity ppm NA NA 118 244 Aluminum ppm NA NA ND 0.07 Calcium ppm NA NA 33 90 Chloride ppm NA NA 38 271 Iron ppm NA NA ND 0.4 Magnesium ppm NA NA 21 53 Manganese ppm NA NA ND 0.005 Std. Unit NA NA 7.3 8.3 Sodium ppm NA NA 49 123 Sulfate ppm NA NA 31 232 C NA NA 14 32 F NA NA 57 90 Total Dissolved Solids ppm NA NA 280 724 Zinc ppm NA NA ND 0.025 pH o Temperature o Highest Amount Detected RESULTS FOR UNREGULATED CONTAMINANT MONITORING RULE In an ongoing effort to improve the safety of drinking water, the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR), part of the Safe Drinking Water Act, requires the EPA and water systems to assess the occurrence of unregulated contaminants in drinking water across the country. A new list of contaminants is issued about every five years and can contain up to 30 contaminants. The EPA uses this occurrence data along with health effects studies to determine if additional regulations are needed to protect public health. Monitoring is performed at every location where source water enters the distribution system and some contaminants are also measured at points within the distribution system, where the water is consumed. The table below shows results of the most recent testing conducted in 2020. Substance Unit MCL MCLG Lowest Amount Detected Manganese ppb N/A N/A 0.0 3.3 0.61 Leaching of natural deposits ppb N/A N/A 0 0.44 0.024 Leaching of natural deposits Total Organic Carbon 1 ppm N/A N/A 3.2 5.1 4.1 Decaying natural organic matter Bromide 1 ppm N/A N/A 0.057 0.12 0.08 Natural and industrial sources HAA5 ppb N/A N/A 5.3 13 9.5 Byproduct of drinking water disinfection ppb N/A N/A 8.8 17.0 13.7 Byproduct of drinking water disinfection ppb N/A N/A 11 26 20.0 Byproduct of drinking water disinfection Germanium 2 HAA6Br HAA9 2 1 2 2 Highest Amount Detected Average Likely Source in Drinking Water Halo Acetic Acid Indicator measured in source water Halo Acetic Acid (HAA) Group ADDITIONAL WATER INFORMATION RESOURCES U.S. EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline 800-426-4791, epa.gov/safewater Arizona Department of Environmental Quality 602-771-2300, azdeq.gov/environ/water/dw Maricopa County Environmental Services Department 602-506-6666, maricopa.gov/EnvSvc/WaterWaste Water-related topics may be discussed at City Council meetings or other public forums and we welcome your attendance. Meeting notices and City Council agendas are posted on the city’s website at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “Council Agendas.” Este informe contiene informacion muy importante sobre su agua potable. Si desea una copia de este informe en español o tiene alguna pregunta sobre el, por favor llame a 480-312-8711. Outreach and Education Water Efficiency Workshops Scottsdale Water offers free workshops designed to help you learn how to use water more efficiently in your home and yard. Topics include water-wise gardening, irrigation maintenance and troubleshooting, finding and fixing leaks and desert plants and pruning. Online registration is required for all workshops. Free Publications Scottsdale Water offers a range of free publications to help you conserve water in and around your home. To view the publications online or request a printed copy, visit us at ScottsdaleAZ.gov/Water or call 480-312-5650. Rebates Scottsdale Water has great rebates for anyone who wants to make smart changes to their property. The rebates cover installation of certain WaterSense fixtures and the removal of water softeners, water-intensive turf and pools and spas. Rebates are available for single-family, multifamily, HOA and commercial properties. Outreach Partnerships Identify water-efficient toilets, faucets and other plumbing fixtures by looking for the WaterSense label. EPA.gov/watersense Scottsdale is one of 20 Arizona water partners in a water awareness campaign to promote easy tips for saving water. WaterUseItWisely.com Tap Into Quality is an educational campaign aimed at increasing awareness about the safety, convenience and affordability of the region’s tap water. TapIntoQuality.com Scottsdale works with STORM to educate the public on ways to protect the quality of stormwater runoff and protect our waterways. AZStorm.org ScottsdaleAZ.gov/Water 480-312-5650 Water Quality: 480-312-8732 Landscape Tips for the Desert Southwest When it’s time to create a low-water-use, desert-friendly landscape at your home, use these tips to save water, energy and money: • Choose native plants that require less water. • Plant evergreen trees on the west and trees that drop leaves on the east side of your house to maximize shade and energy savings. • Locate new plants where they have room to grow and mature without the need for constant pruning. • Consider not overseeding for a winter lawn and save a lot of time and effort and help make Bermuda healthier. • Ensure the irrigation system is installed and configured to optimize water use. • Attend a water efficiency workshop on landscape care.