WILKINSBURG-PENN JOINT WATER AUTHORITY - PWS ID 5020056 2013 WATER QUALITY REPORT
The Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority (WPJWA) is pleased to present our 2013 Water Quality Report. Este informe contiene informacion muy importante sobre su agua berber. Traduzcalo o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien. (This report contains very important information about your drinking water. Translate it, or speak to someone who understands it) The potable water produced by the WPJWA meets and/or exceeds the water quality standards adopted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). We test our water using advanced technologies at numerous intervals in the treatment process to ensure the quality of our drinking water. The WPJWA’s “2013 Water Quality Report” provides information about our system, the quality of our water and related health information. Our staff of dedicated employees work to deliver one of the finest drinking waters available at a reasonable cost. If you have any questions, desire additional information, or would like to become involved, please contact Mr. Nick Bianchi at 412-243-6200. The Authority’s Board of Directors meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Authority Office located at 2200 Robinson Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. These meetings are open to the public.
SOURCE OF WATER
The WPJWA obtains its raw water from the Allegheny River at our Nadine Intake on Allegheny River Boulevard in Verona, PA. We are classified as a “surface water supply.” The quality of the Allegheny River is affected by mine acid drainage, livestock runoff, sewage runoff, plant discharges, underground and river pipelines, chemical storage tanks, river barges, railroad car chemicals and combined sewer overflows. As water travels over the surface of land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and can pick up bacteria and other organisms from animal and/ or human waste products. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
Microbiological contaminants such as viruses and bacteria which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil & gas production, mining and farming. Pesticides and herbicides which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses. Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes, petroleum production and can also come from gasoline stations, urban storm water runoff and septic systems. Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil & gas production and mining activity.
In order to ensure that your tap water is safe to drink, the US EPA and the PA DEP have established regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health. All drinking water, including Bottled Water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of these contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. Information about contaminants and potential health effects of chemicals detected in our drinking water are listed in this pamphlet. Further information can be obtained by calling the US EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791or on the US EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/safewater.
SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT
A Source Water Assessment of WPJWA’s intake water (located on the Allegheny River) was completed in 2002 by the PA Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP). The Assessment has found that our source water is potentially most susceptible to road deicing materials, accidental spills along railroad tracks and leaks from submerged pipelines and storage tanks. Overall, the Allegheny River Watershed has a moderate risk of significant contamination. Summary reports are available by writing to Mr. Thomas McCafferty, PA DEP, 400 Waterfront Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 and may be available on the PA DEP website at: www.dep.state.pa.us (Keyword: “DEP source water”). Complete reports were distributed to municipalities, water suppliers, local planning agencies and PA DEP offices. Copies of the complete report may be available for review at the PA DEP Southwestern Regional Office, Records Management Unit at 412-442-4000.
In 2013, the Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority applied for assistance from the PA DEP Source Water Protection Technical Assistance Program. In April 2013, DEP approved the work plan and initiated the project. The project developed a source water protection plan that delineates the recharge areas for the WPJWA water source, determines transport times and pathways of potential contaminants, identifies potential sources of contamination, educates the public on the importance of source water protection, plans for pollution events and complies with the DEP Chapter 109 regulations.
SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR PEOPLE WITH SEVERELY WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEMS
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. If you have any of the following medical conditions, care for a person having a medical condition, or are an immuno-compromised individual, you should pay particular attention to the following information.
Persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Persons who have undergone organ transplants. People with HIV/AIDS or immune system disorders. Some elderly and/or infants which are particularly “at risk” from infections.
These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care provider. The US EPA/CDC (Center for Disease Control & Prevention) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the US EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline 800-426-4791 or the US EPA’s website: http://www.epa.gov/safewater.
WPJWA IN TOP 10%
WPJWA is happy to announce that our water company was in the top 10% of water treatment plants of our size in Pennsylvania for optimization of treatment (i.e. lowest finished water turbidity) in 2013. We are striving to continue being in the top ten percent in the future.
SECURITY OF YOUR WATER SYSTEM
All of the Authority’s impounded potable water is housed in secure covered reservoirs and tanks. All of our divisions are staffed twenty four hours a day – seven days a week and all of our vehicles are in constant radio and/or telephone communication. Our SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system monitors water quality, availability and security of our production, treatment and storage facilities. The one area that you can be of assistance in maintaining the security of our water system is by being aware of the fire hydrants, tanks and reservoirs in your neighborhood. If you should see something suspicious happening to any of our facilities, please contact the WPJWA at 412-243-6200 or your local police department.
WATER QUALITY REPORT
You can request a hard copy of our current Water Quality Report by calling 412-243-6200 and selecting Customer Service Option 4 or you can print a copy by visiting www.wpjwa.com.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
To Our Valued Customers,
First and foremost, I would like to commend all of our employees for enduring the challenges of this past year and thank you our customers for your understanding and more importantly your patience. The employees of the Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority remain dedicated and recognize our inherent responsibility to meet the demands of the public trust and confidence. Change is inevitable. We continue to see change in requirements for maintaining clean, potable water. Change in regulations that are imposed by DEP, along with requirements to meet new quality standards are outlined in this publication. These changes also equate to cost increases, such as cost of testing, chemicals and the cost of electricity. We continually face the cost of maintaining our fleet, the increasing cost of healthcare and the everyday challenge of maintaining an aging water system. As our resources continue to shrink, more than ever, we must remain conservative in our decision making process. When it comes to getting the most for your dollars, we will continue to explore innovative opportunities to purchase needed services. We also recognize a need to assist our customers in managing your limited resources. In an effort to assist your bill paying, we accept credit card payments and offer, except for delinquent accounts, an option to pay online. In 2013, we began the transition to monthly billing with the goal of converting all customers by the end of 2014. The monthly billing cycle will provide, for your budgeting purpose, a more predicable bill and more importantly an affordable bill. The Board of Directors and our employees recognize our responsibility to meet the demands of public trust and confidence in providing service to the communities we serve. Our commitment is to provide a quality product and maintain a respectable and competitive rate. Please visit us on our website at www.wpjwa.com.
Nick Bianchi
CONSUMER WATER TIPS
Conserving water can save you money by reducing your water bill. Following are some tips to that end:
Instead of pre-rinsing dishes, try one of the new dishwater detergent s in your dishwasher that can break up stuck on foods and run the dishwasher with full loads only.
Many leaks found in homes result from the flapper valve in the toilet tank not sealing properly. Try adding a small amount of blue food coloring to you tank water, let it sit overnight, and check the bowl contents in the morning. If the bowl water is blue, you have a leaking flapper.
Try cutting your shower time by 5 or 10 minutes.
Install low flow shower heads and faucets (2 – 3 gal./min.) in your home.
Replace washers or the “O” rings (in cartridge type) faucets if they constantly drip when shut off.
Water your lawn or garden in the early morning or late evening. Why let the afternoon sun evaporate the water sprayed?
Use mulch around plants and shrubs to hold moisture longer.
Make sure outside faucets don’t leak. A good idea is to have an inside shut-off valve for outside faucets to prevent vandals from opening the outside faucet while you are on vacation or at night while you are sleeping.
Use water from a bucket to wash your car and save the hose for rinsing.
Information on other ways that you can conserve water can be found at: www.epa.gov/safewater/publicoutreach/index.html.
ADDITIONAL TESTING PERFORMED
In response to those consumers who would like to see chemicals tested for, but not included in a year to year tally, we have included some in this year’s report. The US EPA only requires us to list those chemicals that are above the method detection level.
1) DEHP – Di (2-ethylhexyl ) phthalate – a (SOC) - was below the detection limit of the analyzer.
2) VOC’s – (Volatile Organic Compounds) – All 20 were found to be below the detection limit of the instrument.
3) Cryptosporidium – After 2 years of testing, (2006 – 2008 ) none were found in our intake (source) water.
4) Unregulated Contaminants Stage 2 – (tested in 2008) – compounds that don’t yet have a drinking water standard set by the US EPA. The purpose of monitoring for these contaminants is to help EPA decide whether the contaminants should have a standard. a. NDMA – (N – Nitrosodimethylamine) – was detected in our plant and distribution water at an average concentration of 3.7 parts per trillion (ppt). The range of detections of this compound during the year varied from < 2 ppt to 7 ppt. The EPA is proposing a minimum reporting limit of 2 ppt. The Health Effects Language for this compound is that EPA considers NDMA to be a probable human carcinogen.
5) E.Coli testing was performed along with Cryptosporidium over a two year period (2006 – 2008) The average found was 54 E.coli. in 100mls. of river water. The range of detections were (0 – 579) E.coli. per 100mls. in 48 separate samples during that time.
6) Asbestos fibers were found at 0.16 MFL . The MCL is 7.0 MFL. (2011 Data). Some people who drink water containing asbestos in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of developing benign intestinal polyps.
VIOLATION
From November 7, 2013 to November 25, 2013, the Authority did not meet treatment technique requirements. We were required to maintain a disinfectant residual of at least 0.2 mg/l in the water leaving the plant entering the distribution system. Water samples taken during this 15 day time period showed a disinfectant residual concentration of 0.15 -0.19 mg/l, which constituted a break down in treatment. However, all our required chlorine contact times were met during this period and all water samples taken throughout our system during the month November were negative for coliform bacteria and were significantly below maximum levels for Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) bacteria. All samples were less than 10% of the maximum level. In addition, 93% of the HPC samples were at levels at or near zero. We should have notified the DEP, Allegheny County Health Department and consumers of the problem. We also should have notified you to have used boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation until the problem was corrected on November 26, 2013. After we were made aware of the problem by the Allegheny County Health Department, we conducted and posted a public announcement of the violation to all of our customers by January 21st, 2014. After the violation was corrected, we performed the following to ensure that the problem does not reoccur: We installed and set chlorine alarm monitors that will immediately alert our operators anytime the chlorine residual drops below 0.25 mg/l. (The chlorine monitor alarm operates on a 24 hour basis.) Also, plant management conducted training of the requirement to all personnel working at the filter plant.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION NEWS
As part of the requirements of the Public Notification Rule promulgated in 2009, WPJWA has entered into an agreement with Rapid Response to manage our public notification situations. This will enable WPJWA to get in contact with our customers in case the need presents itself (i.e. Tier 1 violation, health warning, areas of flushing, water conservation orders, etc.) in the most quick and efficient way. Please contact us with your current phone number at 412-243-6165 or at www. wpjwa.com.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
ESTE INFORME CONTIENE INFORMACION IMPORTANTE ACERCA DE SU AGUA POTABLE. HAGA QUE ALGUIEN LO TRADUZCA PARA USTED, O HABLE CON ALGUIN QUE LO ENTIENDA.
Monitoring Requirements Not Met for the 1st Quarter of 2014
Our water system violated a drinking water standard this year. Even though this was not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did to correct this situation.
We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets health standards. During the 1st quarter of 2014 we took samples for the Total Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic acids analysis 2 days late.
What should I do?
There is nothing you need to do at this time.
The table below lists the contaminants we did not properly test for this year, how often we are supposed to sample for Total Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acids and how many samples we are supposed to take, how many samples we took, when samples should have been taken, and the date on which follow-up samples were taken.
Contaminant Required Number of When all When samples sampling samples taken samples should were taken frequency have been taken
Total Trihalomethanes Quarterly 8 January 14-20, January 22, 2014 2014 Total Haloacetic Acids Quarterly 8 January 14-20, January 22, 2014 2014
What happened? What was done?
On January 22, 2014 we collected our Total Trihalomethane (TTHM) and Haloacetic 5 (HAA5) samples for the first quarter of 2014. As per our new Stage 2 monitoring plan they should have been collected on or within the dates of January 14 to 20 of 2014. We had been collecting these samples on the 3rd Tuesday or Wednesday of the 1st month of the quarter since 2008 and continued this practice based on an older monitoring plan. We should have changed the sampling dates when we received the new monitoring plan but were unclear about the specific sampling date changes in the new monitoring plan. There were no potential adverse health effects in general nor was there any specific portion of the population at risk or vulnerable as a result of this violation. You do not need to use any alternative water supplies and there are no actions that you the consumer need to take at this time. This violation was corrected during the very next quarterly monitoring period which was April of 2014. These samples will be collected within the 7 day sampling window in the future as well.
For more information, please contact Lou Ammon at (412) 243-6254.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example people in nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by the Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority, 2200 Robinson Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
PWS ID# 5020056 Date Distributed: June 1, 2014 WPJWA WATER QUALITY REPORT - 2013 PWS ID# 5020056
LISTED - Chemicals that were detected in WPJWA drinking water. Even though detected, all are below the allowable levels. NOT LISTED - More than fifty other chemicals which were tested for and not found to exceed federal or state laws. These analyses were performed to ensure the quality of the water produced. CONTAMINANT VIOLA- MCL MCLG LEVEL RANGE OF MAJOR SOURCES (Units) TION? DETECTED IN DETECTIONS OF CONTAMINANT Y/N WPJWA WATER Turbidity (NTU) TT=95% of 0 0.04 (a) 0.00 - 0.18 (a) Soil Runoff N samples < 0.3 NTU 100%
Total Coliform Bacteria 5% of monthly Naturally present in the environment N samples are 0 2.1% 0 - 2.14 % positive Chlorine (ppm) - enrty point Y Minimum = 0.2 MRDLG = 4 0.12 0.12 - 0.70 Water additive used to control microbes
- distribution N MRDL = 4 MRDLG = 4 1.04 0.00- 1.04 Fluoride (ppm) Erosions of natural deposits; discharge N 2 2 0.81 0.63 - 1.08 from fertilizer & aluminum factories; water additive for strong teeth Nitrate (ppm) N 10 10 0.105 <0.10-0.21 Fertilizer runoff; sewage and septic tank leakage; erosion of natural deposits Trihalomethanes (ppb) N 80 (LRAA) N/A 62.2 (LRAA) 36.3-87.0 By-product of drinking water chlorination Haloacetic Acids (ppb) N 60 (LRAA) N/A 24.7 (LRAA) 5.9-56.2 By-product of drinking water chlorination Total Organic Carbon (ppm) N TT N/A 1.93 ( e ) 1.28 - 2.61 ( e ) Naturally present in the environment. Beta/Photon emitters (pCi/L) N 50 0 1.92 ( b ) (d) 0 -1.92 ( b ) (d) Decay of natural & manmade deposits Radium 226 & 228 (pCi/L) N 5 0 1.32 ( b ) ( d ) ( f ) 0-1.32 ( b ) ( d ) ( f ) Erosion and decay of natural deposits. Uranium (ug / L) N 30 0 0.62 ( b )( d ) 0.07 - 0.62 ( b )( d ) Erosion of natural deposits. Barium (ppm) N 2 2 0.032 0.032 Discharge of drilling wastes and metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits 90th PERCENTILE NO. OF SITES RESULT OF ABOVE ACTION SAMPLE SITES LEVEL Lead (ppm) N AL = 0.015 0 0.0115 ( c ) 4 out of 55 Corrosion of household plumbing Range ( 0 - 48 ) systems; erosion of natural deposits Copper (ppm) N AL = 1.3 1.3 0.139 ( c ) 0 out of 55 Corrosion of household plumbing Range ( 0 - 0.33 ) systems; erosion of natural deposits ( a ) 100% of Turbidity samples met the Turbidity limits specified in the PA Safe Drinking Water Act. ( b ) Testing required every 9 years ( c ) All samples were taken from a targeted sample pool, focused on those sites with the greatest risk of lead and/or copper leaching. See further info below. ( d ) 2011 Data - Compliance with the MCL may be assumed without further analysis if the average concentration of Gross Beta Particle Activity is less than 50 pCi / L. The MCL for Beta particles is 4 mrem/yr. EPA considers 50 pCi / L to be level of concern for Beta particles. ( e ) Alternative Compliance Criteria of less than or equal to 2.0 mg/L TOC met for the year. (f) Result is at the analytical instrument minimum detection level. DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED
Action Level ( AL ) - The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. Location Running Average (LRAA) - The average, computed quarterly, of quarterly averages all results taken at a monitoring location during the most recent 4 quarters Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLG's as feasible using the best available treatment technology. Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) - The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG's allow for a margin of safety. Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) - 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. Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG) -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 contamination. NTU - Nephelometric Turbidity Units (a measure of water clarity) Picocuries Per Liter (pCi/L) - A measure of radioactivity. Parts Per Billion (ppb) - One part per billion, or micrograms per liter. (Equivalent to one penny in 10 million dollars). Parts Per Million (ppm) - One part per million, or milligrams per liter. (Equivalent to one penny in 10 thousand dollars). Haloacetic Acids (HAAs) - A group of chemicals called "disinfection by-products", which form during chlorination. Total Trihalomethanes (THMs) - A group of chemicals called "disinfection by-products" that form during chlorination. THM's form when natural organic matter in the river (e.g. leaves and algae) decompose and combine chemically with the chlorine added for disinfection. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) - The measure of the carbon content of organic matter. The measure provides an indicator of how much organic material is in the water and could potentially react with chlorine to form HAAs and THMs. Treatment Technique (TT) - A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. Millirems Per Year ( Mrem/year ) - A measure of radiation absorbed by the body. Lead: Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. It is possible that lead levels at your home may be higher than at other homes in the community as a result of materials used in your home's plumbing. If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your home's water, you may wish to have your water tested and flush your tap for 1 to 2 minutes before using tap water to cook with or drink. Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline @ www.epa.gov/safewater/lead