HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQR_2013_Report_FINAL.pdfCity of Renton
2013 Water Quality Report
The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act requires water utilities to provide an annual “consumer confidence” report to their customers.
In this report you will find:
• The source of your drinking water
• What minerals or chemicals it contains
• How it compares to stringent water quality standards
• What Renton is doing to protect our water supply
• Update on our Water Use Efficiency goals
•
rentonwa.gov/CCR2013
Renton 2013 Water Quality Report
Where Does Renton’s Drinking Water Come From?
During 2012, 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 at the south Renton; and from the Maplewood wellfield, located
in the Maplewood Golf Course. In 2012, our combined water sources
produced 2.37 billion gallons of water.
Another potential water source is the agreement to buy water from
Seattle Public Utilities (Cedar and Tolt rivers). This source became
available January 2012. During 2012 this source provided approximately
1.6% of the City’s water. The SPU water will be primarily a backup supply
used mostly during summer peak use periods for some years to come.
The water pumped from the downtown wells and Springbrook Springs
sources is very clean and needs minimal treatment. Chlorine is added to
destroy bacteria and viruses that possibly can enter our source water.
Chlorine also protects water in the distribution system in case there is
a contamination event like a water main break or backflow incident.
Because the water from our downtown wells and Springbrook Springs is
naturally soft, sodium hydroxide is added to help prevent the corrosion of
household plumbing. Fluoride is also added to prevent tooth decay and, in
the areas of Renton Hill, Talbot Hill and West Hill, ortho polyphosphates
are added to reduce the internal corrosion of old cast iron water mains
that are found in these neighborhoods.
Water from the Maplewood wells is also very clean, but because of its
naturally occurring substances, it must first be treated before it is pumped
into the distribution system. The treatment process consists of the
removal of manganese, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia from the source
water. Chlorine is added to protect the water in the distribution system
and fluoride is added to prevent tooth decay.
Want To Get Involved?
The City of Renton welcomes your interest in its
water system. The Renton City Council is the City’s
decision-making body. The Council meets on the first
four Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. 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 information or check the City Council calendar
at Renton’s website: rentonwa.gov/government
2012 Water Facts
Total number of
metered connections
in Renton:
17,422
Population within
retail service area:
62,100
Total population:
93,910
Number of supply
sources:
9 wells, 1 spring
Water produced
from all sources in
operation:
2,372,782,500
gallons
Water produced on
average day:
6,483,012
Water produced on
highest demand day
Sept. 7, 2012:
11,445,000 gallons
Water produced on
lowest demand day
February 11, 2012:
4,627,000 gallons
Total miles of water
main in service:
306 miles
Who Do I Call?
Questions about this report:
• Call Water Utility Engineering at 425-430-7287
Water discoloration, taste or odor:
• Call Water Quality at 425-430-7400 (7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
Or 425-430-7500 after hours or weekends
To report water pressure problems,
water leak in the street or at a meter:
• Call Water Maintenance at 425-430-7400 (7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
Or 425-430-7500 after hours or weekends
Moving and need to arrange a change of
water service, or for general billing questions:
• Call Utility Billing at 425-430-6852
Emergencies: Call 9-1-1
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 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 Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (1-800-426-4791).
Special Information Available
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 about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).
Lead Info
Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. The City of Renton Water Utility 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 thirty seconds to two 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 (1-800-426-4791) or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead
Renton 2013 Water Quality Report
Typical Single-Family Home Water Use
52% outdoors
10% Toilets
10% Showers
9% Laundry
9% Leaks
8% Faucets
1% Baths
1% Dishwashers
Renton 2013 Water Quality Report
Notes:
1. Renton also measures fluoride levels daily in the distribution system. In 2011, Renton
established the goal to maintain fluoride at a level of 0.8 ppm, which is the new level
recommended by the Washington State Department of Health. Renton citizens voted to add
fluoride to the drinking water in 1985.
2. The EPA recommends 20 ppm as a level of concern for people on a sodium-restricted diet.
Renton adds sodium hydroxide to prevent corrosion of plumbing. Sodium hypochlorite is
added to water from the Maplewood wells for disinfection and to remove naturally-occurring
ammonia.
3. Fifty-two (52) samples were tested for copper and lead. Ninety percent of the samples tested
(47 samples) had levels at or below the value shown. Ten percent of the samples tested (5
samples) had levels above this value.
DOWNTOWN WELLS, SPRINGBROOK SPRINGS, AND MAPLEWOOD WELLFIELD
SAMPLED AT THE SOURCE AFTER TREATMENT
Detected Substance Year MCL MCLG Highest Amount Possible Sources (Range)
Fluoride (see note 1) 2012 4 ppm 4 ppm 1.1 ppm Water additive to (0.6 – 1.1 ppm) prevent tooth decay
Sodium (see note 2) 2010 Not established Not established 20 ppm Erosion of natural deposits; (8 – 20 ppm) Water treatment
Nitrate 2012 10 ppm 10 ppm 2.1 ppm Fertilizer runoff; Leaching (0.3 – 2.1 ppm) from septic tanks, Erosion of natural deposits
Copper 2010 AL = 1.3 ppm 1.3 ppm 0.1 ppm Erosion of natural deposits; (ND – 0.1 ppm) Leaching from wood preservatives
Total Trihalomethanes 2012 80 ppb Not established 2.7 ppb Disinfection byproduct (ND – 2.7)
SAMPLING POINTS IN THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Detected Substance Year MCL or MCLG or Average Amount Possible Sources MRDL MRDLG (Range)
Coliform Bacteria 2012 5% of samples 0% (MCLG) 0% Naturally present in the positive/month (no samples environment (MCL) positive)
Chlorine 2012 4 ppm ( MRDL) 4 ppm (MRDLG) 0.95 ppm Additive to control microbes (0.06 - 1.77 ppm)
Total Trihalomethanes 2012 80 ppb (MCL) Not established 16.6 ppb Disinfection byproduct (2.0 – 21.4 ppb)
Haloacetic Acids 2012 60 ppb (MCL) Not established 7.2 ppb Disinfection byproduct (ND – 7.7 ppb)
RESIDENTIAL WATER TAPS
Detected Substance Year Action Level MCLG 90th Percentile Possible Sources Value and RangeCopper (see note 3) 2010 1.3 ppm 1.3 ppm 0.77 ppm Corrosion of plumbing (0.06 – 1.00 ppm) systems; Erosion of natural depositsLead (see note 3) 2010 15 ppb 0 2 ppb Corrosion of plumbing (0 – 4 ppb) systems; Erosion of natural deposits
The results of our 2012 water quality monitoring requirements are shown in the following tables. These data are for substances 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.
Renton 2013 Water Quality Report
In January 2012, the City of Renton began a 50-year (2012-2062) water supply contract with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) to provide the City of Renton with long-term water to meet the City’s future needs. Total of 1.6% of the City’s water was supplied by the SPU source in 2012. The results of the 2012 water quality monitoring requirements conducted for water provided by SPU from the Cedar River and Tolt River sources are shown in the following table.
SEATTLE PUBLIC UTILITIES 2012 WATER QUALITY MONITORING RESULTS
EPA’s Allowable Levels in Cedar Levels in Tolt Limits Water Water
Detected Compounds Units MCLG MCL Average Range Average Range Typical Sources
RAW WATER
Total Organic ppm NA TT 0.7 0.4 to 1.2 1.1 to Naturally present in theCarbon 1.1 1.4 environment
Cryptosporidium* #/100L NA NA ND ND ND ND Naturally present in the environment
FINISHED WATER
Turbidity NTU NA TT 0.3 0.2 to 0.06 0.04 to Soil runoff 2.3 0.38
Barium ppb 2000 2000 1.8 (one 1.9 (one Erosion of natural sample) sample) deposits
Cadmium ppb 5 5 ND (one 0.35 (one Erosion of natural sample) sample) deposits
Fluoride ppm 4 4 0.8 0.7 to 0.8 0.7 to Water additive, which 0.9 0.9 promotes strong teeth
Nitrate ppm 10 10 0.02 (one 0.13 (one Erosion of natural sample) sample) deposits
Definitions:
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.MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in
drinking water. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment
technology. AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or
other requirements which a water system must follow.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.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.ppb (parts per billion): One part per billion is equivalent to ¼ 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 ¼ of a dissolved aspirin tablet in a
full bathtub of water (approximately 50 gallons)ND: Not DetectedTT: Treatment Technique - A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in
drinking water.NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Unit - Turbidity is a measure of how clear the water looks. The
turbidity MCL that applied to the Cedar supply in 2012 is 5 NTU, and for the Tolt it was 0.3 NTU
for at least 95% of the samples in a month. 100% of the samples from the Tolt in 2012 were below
0.3 NTU.NA: Not Applicable
* Cryptosporidium was not detected in any samples from the Cedar or Tolt (3 samples each supply)
Water Use Efficiency Rule Update for 2012
In 2003, the Washington State Legislature passed the Municipal Water
Law, to address the increasing demand on the state’s water resources. The
law established that all municipal water suppliers must use water more
efficiently in exchange for water right certainty and flexibility to help them
meet future demand.
Goals
On November 19, 2007, Renton City Council adopted three water use
efficiency goals developed at a public forum held on November 9, 2007:
1. Reduce the distribution system leakage to 10% or less by 2010.
2. Limit the peak day water demand to 16.5 million gallons per day (MGD)
or less through 2015.
3. Continue reduction of the average annual domestic water use per
customer connection by one-half percent per year.
These goals were to be in effect for six years, until November 2013, unless
they were replaced or renewed prior to that date.
January 2012, the City of Renton joined the Saving Water Partnership
(SWP), a collaboration of 19 local water utilities who provide water
conservation programs in Seattle and King County. During 2012, the City
participated in the Partnership’s conservation programs and will formally
adopt the 2013-18 SWP regional goal in 2013, which will replace our
current goals. Efforts taken by the city to achieve the three water use efficiency goals.
1. Reduce the distribution system leakage (DSL) to 10% or less by 2010.
In 2012, 2.41 billion gallons of water were produced from all water
sources. The DSL for 2012 was 7.7%. This equates to a 11.2% rolling
average over the past 3 years. This is still short of our goal of 10%,
but an improvement over last year’s 12% DSL. The DSL includes:
“real losses” such as leaking and broken pipes; and “apparent losses”
such as meter inaccuracies, data billing errors, tampering of meters
and hydrants, and the flushing and cleaning of mains and reservoirs.
We should easily reach 10% rolling average in 2013. This continued
three year DSL decline confirms that our Water Control Action Plan
(Appendix P of the 2012 Water System Plan) is working as the city
continues to take necessary steps to reduce all water losses.
2. Limit the peak day water demand to 16.5 million gallons per day or less through 2015. On September 7, 2012, the city’s water supply sources
experienced its highest peak day water demand of 11.4 million gallons
– well below the 16.5 MGD goal maximum.
3. Continue reduction of the average annual domestic water use per customer connection by one-half (0.5%) percent per year. The average
per connection residential customer water use in 2012 (compared
to 2011 usage) was approximately 1.6% decrease from 2011. This
exceeds the WUE goal of 0.5% reduction. This decrease in per
Renton 2013 Water Quality Report
connection residential water consumption was despite the fact that,
during the 2012 growing season (May through September), there were
8.6% more growing degree days (GDD)* than in 2011 and 0.07 fewer
inches of rain. The greatest decrease was in the single family use.
Saving Water Partnership Regional Efforts
The Saving Water Partnership has set a regional conservation target of
11 million gallons per day of cumulative annual average savings from
2000 through 2010 and a target of 15 MGD cumulative annual average
savings from 2011 through 2030.
Progress in Reaching Goals
In 2012, the Saving Water Partnership achieved an estimated 0.78 mgd
of annual average savings. The regional WUE goal includes demand
reduction from the SWP conservation program and, for 2011 and 2012,
customer price response to water and consumption-based sewer rates
over the combined SWP service area. Since 2000, the program has
achieved an estimated 11.78 mgd of savings.
Perspective on Savings: Regional water consumption has decreased by
19 percent since 2000, when the Saving Water Partnership was formed.
Our water consumption is as low as it was in the late 1950s, even though
our population has grown by more than 80 percent since then.
The Regional Conservation Program offers customers many ways to
conserve. In all or part of 2012, rebates were available for:
• Single family residential customers: Automatic irrigation system
upgrades, WaterSense toilets.
• Multifamily property owners: WaterSense toilets, Coin-op laundry,
Irrigation system upgrades.
• Business customers: Commercial toilets and urinals, Commercial
laundry, Food steamers, Cooling and refrigeration systems, Medical
equipment, Irrigation systems, Process water improvements, Other
water use technologies.
Educational messages reminded customers about actions to take that save
water, for example:
• Find and fix toilet and faucet leaks – In addition to direct mail and
TV ads, 5 “fix a leak” videos were translated into Chinese, Somali,
Spanish and Vietnamese, and published on our web site.
• Install efficient toilets.
• Mulch garden beds to retain moisture longer.
• Plant the “Right Plant in the Right Place” for healthier gardens.
• Plant trees, shrubs and perennials in the fall so they can develop
stronger roots before next year’s dry summer weather.
• Attend free Savvy Gardener classes to create and maintain healthy
landscapes that are good for families and for the environment.
*Growing Degree Day (GDD): one degree of departure, on a single day,
of the daily mean temperature from a given standard temperature; GDD
is based on 50° F measured May 1- October 1. This provides a relative
measure of plant water demand based on temperature.
Renton 2013 Water Quality Report
home-water-works.org/
gardenhotline.org 206-633-0224
About This Report
This report is written and distributed in compliance 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 water
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 this report will help you better understand your drinking water. We would
also like to assure you that providing high quality and safe drinking water is one of
Renton’s highest priorities.
This year your 2013 water quality report is easily accessible online at:
rentonwa.gov/CCR2013
Or, if you would prefer, call 425-430-7287 or email
hweagraff@rentonwa.gov and we will print and mail a copy to you.
Renton 2013 Water Quality Report
Healthy Rivers, Fish, and You
Summer is the peak season for water use—the time when rainfall is
considerably less frequent and people use more water in their yards
and gardens. It is especially important to conserve water in summer
and fall, when streams are at their lowest. Your actions can save
money on your water bill and protect salmon and their freshwater
habitat. Your conservation actions make a difference!
Sockeye
Chum
Chinook Coho
Coastal Cutthroat Trout
Steelhead Pink