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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTruckee-Main System 2015 CCR2015 WATER QUALITY REPORT Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua potable. Tradúzcalo ó hable con alguien que lo entienda bien. Where Does Our Water Come From? Drinking water served to Truckee Donner Public Utility District customers in the Truckee system is groundwater from 12 deep wells. Each week the system is sampled for microbial quality. Because of natu- ral filtration, the ground- water aquifer is protected from surface contamina- tion. This gives us high quality water. Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD) vigilantly safeguards its mountain groundwater supplies Last year, your tap water met all EPA and State drinking water health standards. This brochure is a snapshot of the quality of wa- ter provided to customers for the 2015 calendar year. Included in this pamphlet are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to State and USEPA Standards. TDPUD is committed to providing you with the information about your water supply because customers who are well informed are the District’s best allies in supporting improvements that are neces- sary to maintain the highest drinking water standards. For More Information  About this report or the water treatment process, contact Truck- ee Donner Public Utility District’s Senior Water Quality Tech, Julie Nelson at (530) 582-3926.  About water conservation and efficiency, the TDPUD has new water conservation programs that will help customers save wa- ter and save money. Information can be found on the TDPUD’s website at www.tdpud.org or by calling (530) 582-3931. Customer Views Are Welcome If you are interested in participating in the decision-making pro- cess of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District, you are welcome to attend Board meetings. The Board of Directors meet at 6:00 PM on the first and third Wednesday of each month in the TDPUD Board room located at 11570 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, Califor- nia. Agendas for upcoming meetings may be obtained on our web- site at www.tdpud.org or from the Deputy District Clerk ’s office, (530) 582-3909. Truckee Main Water System #2910003 Truckee Donner Public Utility District TERMS USED IN THIS REPORT Detected Compounds: The State allows us to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because the concen- trations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of our data, though representative, are more than one year old . Not listed are the hundreds of other compounds for which we tested that were not detected. Regulated Contaminants with Secondary MCLs (a): There are no PHGs, MCLGs, or mandatory standard health effects lan- guage for these constituents because secondary MCLs are set on the basis of aesthetics. Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. Primary MCLs are set as close to the PHGs (or MCLGs) as is economically and technologically feasible. Secondary MCLs are set to protect t he odor, taste and appearance of drinking water. 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 are set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Public Health Goal (PHG): The level of a contaminate in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. PHGs are set by the California Environmental Protection Agency. Primary Drinking Water Standards (PDWS): MCLs and MRDLs for contaminants that affect health along with their monitor- ing and reporting requirements, and water treatment requirements. Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is con- vincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk of health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contam inants. Secondary Drinking Water Standards (SDWS): MCLs for contaminants that affect taste, odor, or appearance of the drink- ing water. Contaminants with SDWSs do not affect the health a the MCL levels. Regulatory Action Level (AL) : The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. Radiochemical Parameters—Compounds found in drinking water which emit radiation. Microbial Parameters—Disease-causing organisms that, at certain levels, may be harmful. Additional information about Cryptos- poridium and Giardia is supplied in this report. Unregulated Compounds Analyzed—Unregulated Compounds Analyzed— Unregulated compounds that the Truckee Donner Public Utility District has tested for. These compounds are not known to be associated with adverse health effects. TABLE KEY N/D– not detectable at testing limit ppm—Parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/L) ppb—Parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (ug/L) μS/cm—Micro Siemens per centimeter > - Greater than pCi/L (Picocuries per Liter) - A measure of radioactivity. N/T– not tested N/A—Not Applicable ACU (Apparent Color Unit) - A measure of color in drinking water. Lead and Copper The Lead and Copper Monitoring Rule (LCMR) was established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1991 with the goal of reducing exposures to harmful levels of lead (Pb) and copper (Cu). According to the EPA, lead has been known to cause dam age to the brain, red blood cells and the kidney, especially in children and pregnant women. Copper has been known to cause stomach and in- testinal distress, liver and kidney damage, and complications of Wilson's disease in genetically predisposed individuals. Th e current MCL for lead (Pb) is .015 mg/L, and for copper is 1.3 mg/L. Sources of lead and copper contamination in public drinking water sys tems can be traced back to lead service lateral pipe materials, as well as residential plumbing that contains copper with lead based sold er. Leaching of lead and copper from residential plumbing into drinking water is enhanced by the corrosive properties of the water, if not p roperly man- aged. The TDPUD water distribution system does not contain lead water service laterals that the District's staff is aware of . The LCMR initial sampling requirements call for lead an copper testing to be completed every six months. Once compliance has been established, the sampling requirements are reduced to every three years. The last sampling period for the Truckee Main Syste m was in 2013, where all 30 of the District's sampling locations tested "non-detect" for lead and copper. The next round of sampling wil l take place in the Summer of 2016. The last round of sampling for the Hirschdale System was in 2015, where all five sample locations tes ted "non- detect" for lead and copper. Recent reports and news stories related to the lead exposures within the Flint, Michigan public water system may have generat ed ques- tions or concerns regarding risks associated with local water supplies. It is important to understand that the conditions fac ed by Flint, Mich- igan and other regions are significantly different than those faced locally with respect to water chemistry and plumbing infrastructure. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead and copper in dri nking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://w ww.epa.gov/ Source Water Assessment A source water assessment was prepared in 2002 for the wells serving the Truckee area. The wells are considered most vulnerable to the fol- lowing activities not associated with any detected contaminants: sewer collection systems, utility stations, railroads, and herbicide use. A copy of the complete assessment may be viewed at the Truckee Donner Public Utility District office locat- ed at 11570 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, CA or by calling Brian Wright at (530) 582-3957. Some people may be more vulnerable to con- taminants in drinking water than the general pop- ulation. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, people who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be par- ticularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. USEPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptos- poridium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. Drinking water, including bottled wa- ter, 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 USEPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800- 426-4791 or at http: water.epa.gov/drink/ Radon Radon is a radioactive gas that you cannot see, taste, or smell. It is found throughout the U.S. Radon can move up through the ground and into a home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Radon can build up to high levels in all types of homes. Ra- don can also get into indoor air when released from tap water from showering, wash- ing dishes, and other household activities. Compared to radon entering the home through soil, radon entering the home through tap water will in most cases be a small source of radon in indoor air. Radon is a known human carcinogen. Breathing air containing radon can lead to lung cancer. Drinking water containing radon may also cause increased risk of stomach cancer. If you are concerned about radon in your home, test the air in your home. Testing is inexpensive and easy. You should pursue radon removal for your home if the level of radon in your air is 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) or higher. There are simple ways to fix a radon problem that are not too costly. For additional information, call your State radon program (1-800-745-7236), the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791), or the National Safety Council Radon Hotline (1-800-SOS-RADON). No Cryptosporidium or Giardia in District Water You may have seen or heard news reports about Cryptosporidium and Giardia, micro- scopic organisms that can enter surface waters from run-off containing animal wastes. If ingested, Cryptosporidium and Giardia can cause diarrhea, fever and other gastro- intestinal symptoms. Because the Truckee Donner Public Utility District’s water comes from deep wells rather than surface water, it is almost impossible to have these contaminants in the District’s water supply. GENERAL INFORMATION The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs a nd 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. Contaminants that may be present in source water include: Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural live- stock operations and wildlife. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, that can be naturally -occurring or result from urban stormwater 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 agricultural, 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, agricultural application, and septic systems. Radioactive contaminants, that can be naturally -occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the State Department of Public Health (Department) prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water sys tems. Depart- ment regulations also establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health. Arsenic : While your drinking water meets the current Federal and State standards for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. The standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s possible health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. The USEPA 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. Glenshire Drive Well: The Glenshire Drive Well water is blended with the Prosser Village Well and the Old Greenwood Well prior to any connection to the consumer. The well was in use from May to October in 2015. The Arsenic test re- sults at the blending point ranged from a low of 5.0 ppb to a high of 5.5 ppb with an average of 5.3 ppb. TABLE 1 – SAMPLING RESULTS SHOWING THE DETECTION OF COLIFORM BACTERIA Microbiological Con- taminants Highest No. of Detec- tions No. of months in violation MCL MCLG Typical Source of Bacteria Total Coliform Bacteria 0 0 More than 2 sam- ples in a month with a detection 0 Naturally present in the envi- ronment TABLE 2 – DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS Contaminant # Samples, Frequency Aver- age Level Range MCL MCLG Typical Source of Contami- nant Chlorine Residual (ppm) 40-50 per month 0.37 0.37-0.45 4 4 Drinking water disinfectant added for treatment Total Trihalomethanes (ppb) 2 on 8/12/15 3.75 3.3-4.2 80 N/A By-product of drinking water disinfection TABLE 3 – DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM CUSTOMER TAP SAMPLING FOR LEAD AND COPPER Lead and Copper Sample Date No. of sam- ples col- lected 90th percen- tile level detected No. sites exceed- ing AL AL PHG Typical Source of Contami- nant Lead (ppb) August 2013 30 N/D 0 15 0.2 Internal corrosion of house- hold water plumbing systems; discharges from industrial manufacturers; erosion of natural deposits Copper (ppm) August 2013 30 0.054 0 1.3 0.3 Internal corrosion of house- hold plumbing systems; ero- sion of natural deposits; leach- ing from wood preservatives TABLE 4 – SAMPLING RESULTS FOR SODIUM AND HARDNESS Chemical or Constituent (reporting units) Sample Date Level De- tected Range of Detections MCL PHG (MCLG) Typical Source of Contami- nant Sodium (ppm) 2006 – 2014 11.07 3.5-29 N/A N/A Salt present in the water and is generally naturally occurring Hardness (ppm) 2006 – 2014 66 41-97 N/A N/A Sum of polyvalent cations pre- sent in the water, generally magnesium and calcium, and are usually naturally occurring TABLE 5 – DETECTION OF CONTAMINANTS WITH A PRIMARY DRINKING WATER STANDARD Chemical or Constitu- ent (reporting units) Sample Date Level Detected Range of De- tections MCL [MRDL] PHG (MCLG) [MRDLG] Typical Source of Contami- nant Inorganic Contaminants Arsenic (ppb) 2011- 2015 3 N/D-9.9 10 0.004 Erosion of natural deposits Fluoride (ppm) 2006- 2014 0.11 N/D-0.11 2.0 1 Erosion of natural deposits Nitrate as NO3 (ppm) 2014 1.1 N/D-4.9 45 45 Runoff and leaching from ferti- lizer use; leaching from septic tanks and sewage; erosion of natural deposits Nitrate as N (ppm) 2015 0.3 N/D-0.4 10 10 Radioactive Contaminants Gross Alpha Particle Activity (pCi/L) 2005- 2014 3.4 N/D-3.4 15 0 Erosion of natural deposits Radon (pCi/L) 2004 545 530-560 N/A* N/A* Erosion of natural deposits *Note The State of California does not have an MCL for Radon. The EPA has an advisory MCL of 4000 pCi/L for Radon. TABLE 6 – DETECTION OF CONTAMINANTS WITH A SECONDARY DRINKING WATER STANDARD Chemical or Constit- uent (reporting units) Sample Date Level De- tected Range of Detec- tions MCL PHG (MCLG) Typical Source of Contaminant Color (ACU) 2006- 2014 0.75 N/D-5.0 15 15 Naturally-occurring organic materials Chloride (ppm) 2006- 2014 7.9 N/D-53 250 250 Leaching of natural deposits Copper (ppm) 2006- 2014 7.6 N/D-87 1000 1000 Erosion of natural deposits Manganese (ppb) 2006- 2014 6.4 N/D-6.4 50 50 Leaching of natural deposits Odor-Threshold 2006- 2014 0.8 N/D-2 3 3 Naturally-occurring organic materials pH 2006- 2014 8 7.1-8.3 N/A N/A Leaching of natural deposits Specific Conduct- ance (μS/cm) 2006- 2014 183.3 N/D-360 1600 1600 Substances that form ions when in water. Sulfate 2006- 2014 2.9 N/D-16 500 500 Leaching of natural deposits Total Dissolved Solids (ppm) 2006- 2014 121.8 N/D-230 1000 1000 Leaching of natural deposits