HomeMy WebLinkAbout#13 Arsenic Glenshire Drive Well Agenda Item # 13
WORKSHOP
To: Board of Directors
From: Ed Taylor
Date: October 21, 2009
Subject: Discussion of Arsenic Levels at Glenshire Drive Well
1. WHY THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE BOARD
To inform the Board of the Tier 2 violation of the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)
for Arsenic at Glenshire Drive Well.
2. HISTORY
The USEAP standard, enacted January 2006, lowered the maximum contaminant
level (MCL) of arsenic from 50 ug/I to 10 ug/I. The arsenic level at Glenshire Drive
Well was near the new MCL since it was rebuilt in 2003. In 2003 the arsenic level was
10 ug/I, in 2004 it was 10 ug/I, and in 2005 it was 9.2 ug/I. In December of 2008, the
level was 13 ug/I. Because the December 2008 sample was 13 ug/I, the California
Department of Public Health required the TDPUD to begin quarterly arsenic sampling
of the Glenshire Drive Well. The well was sampled the next 3 quarters with results of
9.2 ug/I, 16 ug/I, and the latest was 10 ug/I. This four quarter average of 12.1 ug/I put
the Glenshire Drive Well in a Tier 2 MCL violation for arsenic. A Tier 2 violation
requires that the TDPUD must notify all their customers within 30 days of receiving
notice from the State.
3. NEW INFORMATION
The Tier 2 violation letter has been completed and approved by the California
Department of Public Health, and is ready to be mailed (see attachment 1). The text
of this letter is largely prescribed by the State.
Staff is testing the Glenshire Drive Well at different pumping levels and flow rates to
find a pump rebate that produces acceptable levels of arsenic. Results of this testing
will be in soon. Additionally staff is testing for arsenic levels with the blending of water
with Prosser Village Well and Old Greenwood Well. We are currently waiting on the
test results. If the test results determine that the two options will not provide the
required arsenic levels then staff will research adding some form of treatment to the
well. At this time the Glenshire Dr. Well is off line until the test results are received and
a process to mitigate the arsenic problem is determined.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this workshop item.
5. RECOMMENDATION
Rec ' e t is r ort nd ovide input.
Ed ayl r Michael D. Holley
Water Utility Manager General Manager
Attachment 1
MPORT �T NF`ORMAT 1 BOUT YOUR,N C ` Il�KIN WATER
Este informe contiene informacion muy importante sobre su agua potable.
Traduzcalo o hable con alguien que to entienda bien.
THIRD CALENDAR QUARTER 2009 NOTICE
Truckee Donner Public Utility District Has Levels of Arsenic
Above the Drinking Water Standard
The Truckee Donner Public Utility District Main (TDPUD) water system has violated the drinking water
standard for arsenic. Although this is not an emergency, you have a right to know what happened, what
you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation.
What happened?
The USEPA standard, enacted January 2006, and the State of California standard, enacted November
2008, lowered the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic from 50 parts per billion (ppb or ug/1) to
10 ppb based on four calendar quarters running annual average of test results.
The Glenshire Dr. Well (one of TDPUD's eleven wells) has had four consecutive quarters of arsenic test
results to indicate that the current running annual average level for the well is near 12.1 ug/L.
These results show levels above the MCL, so you will be notified quarterly until the violation is corrected.
What should I do?
• You do not need to use an alternative water supply (e.g., bottled water).
• This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. However,
some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years may
experience skin damage or circulatory system problems, and may have an increased risk to
getting cancer.
• If you have other health issues concerning the consumption of this water, you may wish to consult
your doctor.
What is being done?
The Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD) is evaluating options to bring Glenshire Dr. Well back
below the arsenic MCL standard. These options include, changing pumping rates, blending with other
wells, treatment, and shutting the well down. For more information, please contact Mark Thomas at
582-3957.
Secondary Notification Requirements
Upon receipt of notification from a person operating a public water system, the following notification must
be given within 10 days [Health and Safety Code Section 116450 (g)]:
SCHOOLS: Must notify school employees, students, and parents (if students are minors).
RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTY OWNERS OR MANAGERS (including nursing homes and care
facilities): Must notify tenants.
BUSINESS PROPERTY OWNERS, MANAGERS, OR OPERATORS: Must notify employees of
businesses located on the property.
This notice is being sent to you by the Truckee Donner Public Utility District.
State Public Water System No. 2910003 Date Distributed: