HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQR_2008_Report_FINAL.pdfInside This Issue:
•Wash Rebate
• Water In The News
• Where Does Renton’s
Drinking Water Come From
• 2006 Water Quality Data
PHONE IMAGE GOES
HERE
WATER LEAK IMAGE GOES HEREBeat Peak The
www.washwiserebate.com
Beat the Peak is not a race up Mt Rainier! During the summer, daily water use in Renton typically increases from 50 to 100 percent of the average used during the rest of the year.
This increased water usage is referred to as “peak demand”. The hotter and drier the day, the more water people use. If thousands of people come home from work on that hot, dry day and water their lawn,
take a shower, start the dishwasher, and fill the kiddie pool — we can have a peak hour. This can put huge demands not only on the
volume of water needed, but on the infrastructure needed to move that water throughout the City. This is the Peak we need to Beat!
Beyond the issue of infrastructure capacity, is the fact that we share our water resources. Most of Renton’s water comes from an aquifer that influences, and is influenced by, the Cedar River which in turn is key
to the plight of the Cedar’s struggling salmon. Our legal right to our water is tied not only to a volume, but also to a rate at which we can
utilize that volume. It is important that we learn to use our water efficiently to ensure Renton’s continued growth and prosperity.
Most peak demand volume and rate is attributable to outdoor watering.
Experts estimate that 50% or more of this water goes to waste, due to evaporation, runoff, or simply overwatering. Luckily this is
something we can beat!
Water Conservation Tips — Help Beat the Peak
Start from the ground up: Healthy soils hold more water; mulching keeps the water in the soil.
Plant right for your site: Survey your site and group plants by their needs for water, sun and soil.
Water Smart: Water the whole root zone to encourage deep roots
• Water early in the day or late at night to reduce evaporative losses and to avoid peak water use hours.
• Use timers, soaker hoses or drip irrigation.
• If your soil is dry or compacted, stop watering for awhile to
let water soak in then restart to avoid runoff.
• Protect plants with two inches of mulch or compost to
reduce water loss from the soil.
If you have an irrigation system:
• Adjust your water schedule with
the “Percent Adjust” or “Water Budgeting”
feature on your sprinkler controller -
for Renton/Seattle area adjustments
visit: iwms.org/seattle_area.asp
• Allow your lawn to “go gold” -
the lawn will naturally return to its green,
lush state when the fall rains arrive. Summer dormancy is a natural part of the grass life cycle.
• Adjust sprinklers so only the lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street. Do not water on windy days. Use a commercial car-wash:
• Most car washes recycle their water
Delay tasks such as those below to off-peak hours,8 p.m. and 6 a.m:
• Fill pools, spas and fountains
• Run dishwasher
• Laundry
• Lawn and garden watering
For web sources see page 7
(FU-PBET0G4BWJOHT
www.washwiserebate.com
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Water Utility Rate
Restructure
Beginning January 2008 Renton water utility rates were restructured.
The new rate structure is designed to encourage water
conservation. For single family accounts, it consists of
three tiers, i.e. the more water you use within a billing
period the higher the rate.
Renton Water Rates 2008
Single-Family · Less than 600 cf/month .......... $1.47/100 cf · 600-1,400 cf/month ................. $1.97/100 cf · Over 1,400 cf/month ............... $2.47/100 cf Multi-family: ............................. $1.90/100 cf Non-residential: .................... ... $2.01/100 cf Private Irrigation: ............ ........ $3.20/100 cf Outside City Limits Rates for customers outside city limits are 1.5 times the above.
cf = cubic feet; 100 cf = 748 gallons
In past years, the Utility rates have been adjusted by an
across the board percentage - in 2007, rates increased
by five percent. This year, water wise single-family
residential consumers may see no increase and may
even pay less for their water. The base charge rate - or
fixed charge - for the smallest service single-family and
multi-family residential users has also decreased. This
new rate structure will distribute the costs of service
more fairly, with higher demand customers paying their
fair share.
Water Use Efficiency
Rule Update
On November 19, 2007 Renton City Council approved the City’s water use efficiency goals proposed at the November 9, 2007 public forum.
The purpose of the 2003 Municipal Water Supply-Efficiency Requirements
Act, commonly called the Municipal Water Law, is to help conserve water
for both the environment and future generations by requiring municipal
water suppliers to use water more efficiently. It also supports the Washing-
ton Department of Health’s mission of ensuring safe and reliable drinking
water in the following ways:
• Contribute to long-term water supply reliability and public
health protection.
• Promote good stewardship of the state’s water resources.
• Ensure efficient operation and management of water systems.
Three goals were proposed and set at our public forum. The
goals address both water demand and supply issues.
GOALS
Reduce distribution system leakage to
ten percent or less by 2010.
Progress: Implementation of the Water Loss Control Action Plan has begun.
Limit the peak day demand at 16.5 mgd
or less through 2015.
Progress: Implementation of restructured water rates to encourage conservation.
Continue reduction of the average annual water use per customer
connection by one-half percent per year.
Progress: Nearly 2.5 million gallons of water were saved last year as a result
of customers buying WashWise washing machines.
The success of these goals depends on both the City government and Renton residents saving and using water more efficiently every day as well as beating the summer peak. Updates of our progress will be presented each year in this water quality report.
Water Facts 2008: Amount of water pumped from all water sources in Renton on an average day in 2007 was 8 million gallons.
The highest water demand (Peak Demand) day in 2007 occurred on July 11, when 14,750,000 gallons were consumed. The lowest water demand day in 2007 occurred on February 3 when a low of 3,883,000 gallons of water was consumed.
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Where Does Rent-
on’s Drinking
Water Come
From?
During the year 2006, Rent-
on obtained its drinking water
from three sources: five down-
town wells, located in Liberty and
Cedar River Parks, which draw
water from the Cedar Valley Aqui-fer; Springbrook Springs, a small
spring located at the southern city
limit, and from the Maplewood
wellfield located in the Maplewood
Golf course. In 2006, our combined water sources produced 2.91 billion
gallons of water.
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Notes From The
EPA
Health Information
Our drinking water comes from wells and springs. As our water travels through the ground to the wells, it can dissolve naturally occurring minerals as well as substances from human activity. Drinking wa-ter, including bottled water, may reasonably be ex-pected 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 po-tential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (1-800-426-4791).
Special Information Available
Some people may be more vulnerable to contami-nants 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 provid-ers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by microbial contami-nants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).page 3
Where Does Renton’s Drinking
Water Come From?
During the year 2007, Renton obtained its drinking water from three sources: five downtown wells, located in Liberty and Cedar River Parks, which draw
water from the Cedar Valley Aquifer; Springbrook Springs, a small springs located in south Renton and from the Maplewood wellfield, located in the
Maplewood Golf course. In 2007, our combined water sources produced 2.92 billion gallons of water.
In 2007 the Downtown wells supplied 75% of the City’s water;
Springbrook Springs pro-
duced 20%; and the Maplewood
wells contrib-uted 5%. The
Maplewood wells are
backup wells and started
production in August, 2007.
The water pumped from the Downtown wells and Springbrook Springs sources is very clean and needs minimal treatment.
Chlorine, which destroys bacte-
ria and viruses, is added to
make sure the water stays clean on its way to the customers. Because our water is naturally soft, sodium hydroxide is added to stop corrosion of plumbing. Fluoride
is also added to prevent tooth decay. In the areas of Renton Hill, Talbot Hill, and West Hill, ortho polyphosphates are added to the water to reduce corrosion of the
iron water pipes found in these neighborhoods.
The Maplewood wells water is also very clean but because of its natural mineral content and pH, it must first be treated before it can be co-mingled with the water from the other sources. This treatment process consists of the removal of manganese, hydrogen sulfide,
and ammonia from the raw water. Chlorine is added for secondary disinfection and fluoride to prevent tooth decay.
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Definitions For Reading Water Quality Tables
MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): The level of a contami-nant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin
of safety.
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.
AL (Action Level): The concen-tration of a contaminant which, if
exceeded, triggers treatment or other
requirements which a water system must follow.
MRDL (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.
MRDLG (Maximum Residual Disin-
fectant 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.
ppb (parts per billion): One part
per billion is equivalent to 1/2 of a dissolved aspirin tablet in 1000 full bathtubs of water (approximately
50,000 gallons of water).
ppm (parts per million): One part per million is equivalent to 1/2 of a dis-solved aspirin tablet in a full bathtub
of water (approximately. 50 gallons).
PCi/L (picocuries per liter):
A measure of radioactivity
2007 Water Quality Data For All Water Sources
page 5
SAMPLED IN THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Detected MRDL MRDLG Average Possible SourcesSubstance (Range)
Chlorine 4 ppm 4 ppm 0.8 Water additive
(0.2 - 1.6 ppm) used to control
microbes
Detected MCL MCLG Average Possible Sources
Substance (Range)
Trihalomethane – 80 ppb 8.3 ppb (1.2 - 24.8 ppb)
No MCLG Disinfection established byproducts
Haloacetic Acids 60 ppbTotal 1.6 ppb
(0.6 – 4.4 ppb)
Detected MCL MCLG Highest Possible SourcesSubstance (Range)
Coliform Bacteria 5% positive 0% 1.6% positive samples Naturally present
samples/ (one positive sample) in the environment
month
SAMPLED IN THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Detected Action Level Ideal Goal 90th Percentile Possible SourcesSubstance Value and Range (see note 5)
Copper 1.3 ppm 1.3 ppm 0.38 ppm Corrosion of (0.05 - 0.56 ppm) plumbing systems
No MCL No MCLG
established
Disinfection
byproducts
NOTES CONTINUED
3. Samples taken in 2006. Monitoring was not required in 2007.
4. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed regulating radon in drinking water and required initial monitoring in 2000. This sample was taken 11/08/2002. The proposed MCL is 300 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). A final rule is expected in 2009. Radon entering the home through tap water is usually a small source of radon in indoor air compared to radon entering the home through soil. For more visit EPA’s “A Citizen’s Guide to radon” epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html or call 800.SOS.RADON
5. Thirty-two (32) samples were tested for copper. Ninety percent of the samples (29 samples) had levels at or below the value shown. Ten percent of the samples tested (3 samples) had levels above this value. Samples taken 2004.
The results of our 2007 water quality monitoring are shown in the following tables.
These data are for parameters regulated by federal and state agencies.
The Water Quality staff regularly monitors for over 100
substances, to make sure our drinking water is safe. The
substances listed in the tables below are the only ones that
were detected above the Washington Department of Health
reporting levels. As you can see, water from the all three of
our sources: Downtown wells, Springbrook Springs and
Maplewood wells, meets or exceeds federal and state drinking
water quality standards.
About This
Report
We are sending you this report to let you know that Renton’s wa-ter met or exceeded State and Federal standards for drinking water quality during the 2007 calendar year. This report is written and distributed in com-pliance with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, which requires water utilities to provide annual “consumer confidence” reports to their customers. You will find in this report where our drinking wa-ter comes from; what minerals or chemicals it contains; how it compares to stringent water quality standards; and what Renton is doing to protect our water supply.
We hope that this Water Quality Report will help you, our customer, to better under-stand our drinking water and to heighten your awareness of the need to protect our water resources. We would also like to assure you that providing high quality and safe drinking water is Renton’s highest priority.
Want To
Get Involved?
The City of Renton welcomes your interest in its water system. The Renton City Council is the City’s deci-sion-making body.The Council meets on the first four Mondays of each month at 7:30 pm in the Council Chambers on the seventh floor of City Hall. Call the City Clerk’s office at 425-430-6510 for meeting or agenda informa-tion or check the City Coun-cil info at Renton’s website, rentonwa.gov/government.
SAMPLED AT THE SOURCE AFTER TREATMENT Detected MCL MCLG Highest Possible SourcesSubstance (Range)
Fluoride 4 ppm 4 ppm 1.2 ppm Additive to
(see note 1) (0.4 - 1.2ppm) prevent tooth
decay
Nitrate 10 ppm 10 ppm 2.1 ppm Fertilizer runoff; (0.2 - 2.1 ppm) on-site sewage disposal; erosion of
natural deposits
Sodium No MCL No MCLG 32 ppm Erosion of natural(see note 2) established established (15-32 ppm) deposits; water
treatment additives
Radium 228 5 pC/iL 0 pCi/L 2.4 pCi/L Erosion of natural
(one detection) deposits
Bromodichloromethane 0.85 ppb
(see note 3) (0.2 - 0.85 ppb) Chlorodibromomethane established 0.69 ppb
(see note 3) (0.28 - 0.69 ppb)
Chloroform 1.2
(see note 3) (one detection)
SAMPLED AT THE SOURCE PRIOR TO TREATMENT
Detected MCL MCLG Highest Possible SourcesSubstance (Range)
Radon No MCL No MCLG 305 pCi/L Decay of natural
(see note 4) established established (165 - 305 pCi/L) deposits
NOTES:
1. Fluoride results are from one day in 2007 and are for purposes of comparison to the MCL.
Daily levels in the distribution system are also measured to ensure that fluoride levels are
maintained in the proper range to prevent tooth decay. The distribution system range in
2007 was 0.22 to 1.51 ppm.
2. Although there is no MCL or MCLG, the EPA recommends 20ppm as a level of concern for people on a restricted sodium diet. Another source of sodium is treatment at the Maplewood Wellfield with sodium hypochlorite to remove naturally occurring ammonia. Renton adds sodium hydroxide to prevent corrosion of plumbing. Sodium hypochlorite is
added to water from the Maplewood wells for disinfection purposes and to remove naturally-occurring ammonia.
Continued on page 5
page 6
Watch Your Watering
And avoid higher water rates
If you have a hard time figuring out just how much water you are
using to water your garden, the WaterWatch can help. The Water-
Watch is attached to your hose and measures the amount of
water being applied. Your lawn needs about one inch of water
per week—that’s 62 gallons for every 100 square feet.
If you would like a free WaterWatch, fill out the coupon and mail
it to:
WaterWatch c/o H. Weagraff, Water Utility 1055 S. Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
Or call 425.430.7287
Reservoir News
Construction of the City’s Hazen water reservoir began in
November 2007 and is scheduled for completion in October
2008. The new 4.2 million-gallon reservoir will provide
additional water storage for fire protection and for
domestic uses to the Renton Highlands. As of May
2007, the contractor, T. Bailey, Inc., has installed the
reservoir overflow and stormwater pond, and is currently
constructing the steel tank, which will have a height of
120 feet and a diameter of 80 feet.
Placement of Reinforced Steel for Reservoir Foundation and
Ringwall.
Reservoir Overflow and Stormwater Pond
Shower Power:
WaterSense Looks Ahead to
Showerheads
Showering is one of the biggest uses
of water in the home, representing ap-proximately 17 percent of residential indoor
water use, or more than 1.2 trillion gallons of water consumed in the United States each
year. In the future, to raise consumer aware-ness and improve the water efficiency of
showerheads, WaterSense intends to develop a specification for labeling water-efficient
showerheads. Look for the WaterSense label.
First Name Last Name
_______________________________________
Water Service Address Please print clearly
(street)_________________________________
(city & zip)______________________________
MAIL THIS COUPON
FOR A FREE WATERWATCH
Does the City add fluoride to the water?
Yes. In 1985, the citizens of
Renton voted to have fluoride
added to the City’s drinking
water. Fluoride is added at a
rate of one part per million
to help prevent tooth decay.
Is Renton’s water soft or hard?
Renton’s water falls within the soft
range with about 3.0 grains per gal-
lon of hardness. A water’s hardness
is dependent upon the levels of two
naturally occurring soluble minerals -
calcium and magnesium. This means
that dishwashing and clothes washing
require relatively less soap than in oth-
er areas where the water is hard.
Why is my water sometimes cloudy?
Cloudy water is usually caused by tiny air bubbles in the water similar to gas bubbles in carbonated beverages.These air bubbles are either from dissolved oxygen being released or trapped air in the plumb-ing. Usually, this cloudiness occurs in the winter, when the drinking water is
cold and can hold more oxygen.
Does Renton sell rain barrels? No, we do not participate in any of the regional rain barrel programs. Rain bar-rels and rain barrel spigot kits are usu-ally available at local hardware stores at a reasonable price.
Frequently Asked Questions
BEAT THE PEAK WEB RESOURCES
Smart Watering
• metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/naturalyardcare/watering.asp
• seattle.gov/util/services
Landscape, Weather and Irrigation
• iwms.org/seattle_area.asp
• epa.gov/watersense/pp/irrprof.htm
• envirostars.com
Plant Selection
• greatplantpicks.org
• gardening.wsu.edu/text/nwnative.htm
• dnr.metrokc.gov/topics/yard-and-garden/index.htm
Natural Yard Care
• metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/naturalyardcare
• govlink.org/hazwaste/house/yard
• rodsgarden.50megs.com/waterwise.htm
• epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/green/owners.htm
Water Audit
• wateruseitwisely.com/familywater
• h2ouse.org
Ways to Save Indoor
• wateruseitwisely.com/100ways/NWindoor.shtml
• dnr.metrokc.gov/wtd/waterconservation/tips.htm
Lead is rarely found in source waterbut enters tap water through corrosion of plumbing materials. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures and solder.
However, new homes are also at risk: even le-gally “lead-free” plumbing may contain up to 8 per-cent lead. The most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures which can leach significant amounts of lead into the water,
especially hot water.
WANT MORE INFO ABOUT LEAD?The EPA Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water www.epa.gov/safewater/lead
Unwanted Medicine
Return Program
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products, known as PPCPs, are a group of compounds consisting of human and veterinary drugs (prescription or over the counter) and consumer products, such as fragrance, lotions, sun-screens, house cleaning products, and oth-ers. These compounds have been detected in trace amounts in surface water, drinking water and waste-water effluent sampling conducted in both Europe and the U.S.
To date, scientists have found no evidence of adverse human health effects from PPCPs in the environment. However, the EPA is committed to investigating PPCPs and developing strategies to make sure the health of both the environment and the public is protected.
You can help keep pharmaceutical chemicals out of water by returning unwanted medicines, through a local pilot program, to any Group Health pharmacy location in Washington State.
If you have other questions about disposing of unwant-ed medicines visit the MedicineReturn.com website. For more information about PPCPs in water, the EPA website (epa.gov/ppcp) has the basics and up-to-date information.
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