2013 Drinking Water Quality Report

City of Everett PRSRT STD Public Works U.S. Postage Department P a i d 3200 Cedar Street Permit No. 71 Everett, WA 98201 Everett, WA 2013 Drinking Water INSIDE: Your City of Everett Drinking Water Public Works We’re in this Together Quality Report Quality Report Department Esingn ur an Adequate Supply I n 2013, your water was tested for more than 100 possible ater is a precious resource. Conservation helps The regional conservation program is planned and contaminants. What does all the us meet the needs of people, industries, busi- implemented in six-year cycles, as part of Everett’s Clean, Safe Drinking Water Taste, Quality W information in this report mean? nesses and farms, while also keeping fish and other comprehensive water plan, which is submitted every Simply put, the data confirms Delivered to Your Tap and Value aquatic life alive and well. Since Everett provides water six years. The first plan covered the period from 2001 that your drinking water meets to the majority of water systems in Snohomish County, through 2006; the second from 2007 through 2012. or exceeds all government our drinking water comes from Spada Lake ater is a life-essential we operate a regional water conservation program. This Everett is currently in the process of updating its standards and is safe to drink. YReservoir, located about 30 miles east of Wresource. Yet, at about a program is planned and developed with the water sys- comprehensive plan and planning the conservation Everett at the headwaters of the Sultan River. penny a gallon, it costs very tems we serve and funded from water system revenues. activities that will be implemented through 2018. This 50-billion-gallon storage facility serves as little compared to its value. Your Opinion Matters a collection point for rain and snowmelt from Over the last decade, more than $6.5 million has been In the interim, regional conservation efforts are Let us know how we’re doing and what you the Cascade Mountains. It was created in 1964 Your water rates pay for invested in regional water conservation activities. This focused on youth education and the distribution of think about your water. Call 425-257-8800 through a partnership between the City of Everett everything it takes to includes such things as youth education, indoor and conservation kits. In 2013, 650 water conservation or email us at [email protected]. and the Snohomish County PUD as part of the operate our water system, outdoor water conservation kits, rebates for water- workshops were conducted in classrooms throughout Jackson Hydroelectric Project. from storage and treatment, efficient clothes washers and toilets, leak detection, Snohomish County, reaching more than 17,300 to delivering the water to business water audits and school irrigation audits. students. Participating water systems also distributed Spada Lake Reservoir is located in the Upper your tap. Your water rates Through these efforts, we collectively saved about 3.6 more than 3,000 indoor conservation kits and 4,400 Sultan River Watershed, an area encompassing also help pay for water million gallons per day (MGD) through 2012—enough outdoor conservation kits. These 2013 activities are more than 80 square miles. This is one of the system improvements that water to fill more than 85,000 bathtubs a day. estimated to have saved about 0.72 MGD regionally. wettest watersheds in the continental United ensure that we will provide City of Everett Water Quality Office States. The average annual rainfall is about 165 high-quality drinking water for Phone: 425-257-8800 inches—five times the rainfall in Everett. generations to come. Cone s rvation Tips: he Partnership Partnership Partnership’s high What You Website: www.ci.everett.wa.us/pw • Install water-efficient showerheads and Tfor Safe Water for water-quality stan- State Department of Health (DOH) Water quality in the Sultan Basin is carefully As this year’s Drinking Water take shorter showers. is a voluntary effort dards. Phone: 1-800-521-0323 monitored. To protect the naturally pristine water in Quality Report shows, this supported by more Safe Water Website: www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/ Spada Lake Reservoir, the watershed is patrolled and is an exceptional value for • Fix leaky faucets and toilets. Leaks Since the City of waste a lot of water. than 200 water Can Do: U S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) human activities are limited to minimize the impact the clean, safe, great-tasting Everett began par- • Install low-flow toilets. This can reduce utilities, the US En- Phone: 1-800-426-4791 on water quality. We continue to evaluate and adjust drinking water you receive. ticipating in the indoor water use by as much as 20 vironmental Protec- Website: www.epa.gov/safewater our security measures on an ongoing basis. program more than Conserve percent. tion Agency (EPA), To get involved in decisions affecting your a decade ago, it has • Only run full loads in your dishwasher the American Water Be Informed drinking water, attend and comment at Everett and clothes washer. Works Association and met the performance City Council meetings every Wednesday in the rom 1898 to 1916, Everett’s water came from Wood Creek, a small tributary of the Get Involved Council Chambers at 3002 Wetmore Ave. lower Snohomish River. As Everett grew, the demand for water increased. So, in • Use a soaker hose on steep slopes to other prominent drinking standards set by the F 1916, Everett established the Sultan River as its source of supply. prevent wasteful runoff. water organizations in the Partnership. Recently, Ev- Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m., except the meeting United States. The goal of the erett renewed its commitment on the fourth Wednesday of each month which is In 1929, Everett constructed Lake Chaplain Reservoir in the Sultan Basin as its new • Water small areas by hand to avoid at 12:30 p.m. Agendas are available on the City’s to continuously improve perfor- water source. Water was diverted from the Sultan River to Lake Chaplain Reservoir for watering the sidewalk and driveway. program is for participating utili- website at www.ci.everett.wa.us. ties to use a continuous improve- mance at its water treatment storage and delivered to Everett in a newly-constructed 48-inch transmission line. Over • Replace grass in seldom-used areas of City of Everett Elected Officials the following years, Lake Chaplain Reservoir was enlarged and additional transmission plant and is implementing some your yard with groundcovers and plants ment process developed by the M ayor: Ray Stephanson lines were built to deliver drinking water to Everett. that use less water. Partnership members. of the Partnership’s tools to op- City Council: President Jeff Moore, Richard In the 1960s, Everett and the Snohomish County PUD constructed the George • Adjust your mower to a higher setting. timize performance at the plant. Anderson, Scott Bader, Ron Gipson, Scott Murphy, A Brief History Culmback Dam, creating Spada Lake Reservoir. This supplied water to Lake Chaplain A taller lawn retains moisture and The program is designed to help Paul Roberts and Brenda Stonecipher. Reservoir, eliminating the need for withdrawals from the Sultan River. In 1984, the dam requires less water. drinking water utilities optimize The City of Everett will continue Learn more about your water at was raised and renamed the Henry M. Jackson Hydroelectric Project, increasing Spada • Put a layer of mulch around plants their treatment plants to produce to participate in this cooperative www.ci.everett.wa.us/pw Lake Reservoir to its current capacity of 50 billion gallons. and trees. Mulch holds moisture and drinking water of a higher qual- effort to strive for excellence. We Today, Everett provides water to 80 percent of the homes and businesses in Snohomish discourages weed growth. believe this is the best way to Like us on Facebook ity than is required by regula- County. Raw water flows from Spada Lake Reservoir to Lake Chaplain Reservoir, tions. To participate, each treat- ensure our customers will always www.facebook.com/everettwapublicworks F or more information about our where it is treated at the Everett Drinking Water Treatment Plant before it is delivered ment plant must demonstrate receive the highest quality drink- published by the city of everett public works department throughout the county through a series of transmission and distribution lines. water conservation programs, go to Editor: Greg Moore • Water Quality Specialist: Mark Weeks that it can consistently meet the ing water possible. www.everettwa.org/conservation. This report is required and costs about 40 cents to produce and mail to you. Left top and bottom: Culmback Dam’s Morning Glory Spillway, completed in 1965. CITY OF EVERETT • 2013 Water Quality Analysis Results

e rom Spada Reservoir, the water travels through a D eTECTED Regulated Contaminants pipeline to Chaplain Reservoir which holds about 4.5 Th Drinking F Your Drinking Ideal Maximum Range Average billion gallons of water. This is where the Everett Drinking Level/Goal Allowable or or Highest Water Treatment Plant is located. At the plant, the water is Parameter Major Source Units (MCLG) (MCL) Other Result Comply? Water treated with advanced filtration and disinfection. Nitrate Erosion of natural ppm 10 10 0.023–0.105 0.062 Yes Water Facts deposits, animal waste First, a coagulant is added to the water to cause particles to clump together. Next, the water passes through large Total Coliform Naturally present in % 0 5% Positive 0–0.8 0.80% Yes Bacteria1 the environment Positive per Month Treatment filters that remove the particles. These particles can include 2 and Figures Fluoride Dental health additive ppm 2 4 0.5–0.9 0.8 Yes sediment and natural materials as well as viruses, bacteria We test your drinking water 365 days a year. and other disease-causing organisms. Finally, sodium Residual Disinfectant Added as a drinking ppm 4.0 4.0 0.2–1.1 0.6 Yes hypochlorite solution is added to the water to kill any Process Level (free chlorine) water disinfectant (MRDLG) (MRDL) The following statements are required by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). organisms that were not removed by the filtration process. Haloacetic Acids (5) By-product of drinking ppb NA 60 18.3–33.0 28.9 Yes During the treatment process, polymers are added as part (HAA5) water chlorination ll water sources (both tap water and bottled water) n order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, Acontain impurities. As water flows over the surface US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 1. of the filtration process, fluoride is added for dental health Total Trihalomethanes By-product of drinking ppb NA 80 22.0–48.3 42.9 Yes I of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally Precipitation and purposes and soda ash is added (TTHM) water chlorination prescribes regulations which limit the amount of snowmelt from the to adjust the pH level of water so occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive certain contaminants in water provided by public Turbidity3 Soil erosion NTU NA TT 100% 0.17 Yes mountains are it is less corrosive on pipes and material, and can pick up substances resulting from water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) collected in Spada plumbing fixtures. These additives 1O ne total coliform sample collected in January 2013 was positive. The location was retested and the results were negative. No total coliform was detected the presence of animals or from human activity. regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled Lake Reservoir. the remainder of 2013. Contaminants that may be present in source water water which must provide the same protection for are carefully monitored and the 2 0.8 ppm is the lowest level allowed under current State regulations. include: public health. water is continually tested to make 3I n 2013, no filtered water turbidity results were above the EPA 0.3 NTU limit so 100% met the requirement. sure it is safe to drink. • Microbial contaminants such as viruses and bacteria, Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably D eTECTED Unregulated Contaminants Important Terms: which may come from sewage treatment plants, be expected to contain at least small amounts of some septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and • AL: Action Level – The concentration of a contaminants. The presence of contaminants does Ideal Level/Goal Range Average contaminant, which, if exceeded, triggers a wildlife. 2. Parameter Units (MCLG) Detected Value not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. treatment or other requirements that a water The water system must follow. • Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, More information about contaminants and potential treatment process Bromodichloromethane ppb 0 1.2–2.1 1.6 • MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level – The which can be naturally occurring or result from urban health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA Safe begins at Lake Chloroform (trichloromethane) ppb 300 20.6–46.6 30.8 highest level of a contaminant that is allowed surface water, industrial or domestic wastewater Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. Chaplain Reservoir, in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming. 2 where the City’s Dichloroacetic Acid ppb 0 2.9–13.7 8.4 MCLGs as feasible using the best available Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants water treatment water treatment technology. • Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a in drinking water than the general population. Immuno- plant is Trichloroacetic Acid ppb 300 12.1–21.0 17.4 • MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal – located. The level of a contaminant in drinking water variety of sources such as agriculture, urban surface compromised people, such as people with cancer 1 These substances are individual disinfection by-products for which no MCL standard has been set, below which there is no known or expected water and residential uses. undergoing chemotherapy, people who have undergone but which must be monitored. risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other safety. • Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants Leo ad, C pper and pH • MRDL: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products – The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in of industrial processes and petroleum production, can be particularly at risk from infections. These 5 Ideal Action 90th Homes drinking water. There is convincing evidence people should seek advice about drinking water from 3 that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for and may also come from gas stations, urban Parameter Major Level/Goal Level % Exceeding their health care providers. EPA and US Center for & Units Source (MCLG) (AL) Level the AL control of microbial contaminants. stormwater runoff and septic systems. • MRDLG: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means Lead, Corrosion of 0 15 2 None Level Goal – The level of a drinking water • Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally to lessen risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other ppb1 household pumbing disinfectant below which there is no known occurring or be the result of oil and gas production microbial contaminants are available from the Safe or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not and mining activities. 4 Copper, Corrosion of 1.3 1.3 0.109 None reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. ppm1 household plumbing to control microbial contaminants. • N/A: Not Applicable 2 pH, s.u. Soda ash added to Daily Avg Min Daily Average Minimum • ppb: Parts per Billion – 1 part per billion = Cryptosporidium T reatment Polymers increase pH 7.6 Avg 7.4 7.6 7.4 1ug/L = 1 microgram per liter. Cryptosporidium is a one-celled intestinal parasite that if During water treatment, organic polymer coagulants are • ppm: Parts per Million – 1 part per million = 1 ingested may cause diarrhea, fever, and other gastrointestinal added to improve coagulation and filtration that remove This data is for household taps. The results for water before it enters homes are lower. This indicates 1mg/L = 1 milligram per liter. there is virtually no lead or copper in the water, but household plumbing may contribute to the distress. It can be found in all of Washington’s rivers, streams, particulates from water. The particulates that are removed presence at the tap. • TT: Treatment Technique – A required process and lakes and comes from animal or human wastes deposited can include viruses, bacteria and other disease causing 2 and performance criteria intended to reduce 3. The average daily pH cannot be below 7.4 for more than nine days every six months. In 2013, the in the watershed. Cryptosporidium is resistant to chlorine, but organisms. The USEPA sets limits on the type and amount 5. average daily pH never dropped below 7.4. the level of a contaminant in drinking water. The Everett is removed by effective filtration and sedimentation treatment of polymer that a water system can add to the water. Treated water is Drinking Water such as that used by Everett. It can also be inactivated by 4. delivered to about In addition to the EPA limits, the State of Washington Treatment Plant USEPA required lead statement. The USEPA drinking water regulations require this statement be included with the lead and copper sampling certain types of alternate disinfection processes such as requires that all polymers used be certified safe for Water 600,000 people results regardless of the levels observed: If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women treats water using ozonation and UV light contactors. Past monitoring results transmission or 80 percent of and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The potable water use by an independent testing organization coagulation, pipelines carry the businesses City of Everett Public Works Department is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used suggest that Cryptosporidium is present in Everett’s source only (NSF International). During treatment, Everett adds only flocculation, filtration drinking water and households in in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your occasionally and at very low concentrations. In 2013, Everett NSF approved polymers and the levels used are much less and disinfection. tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to to Everett. Snohomish collected monthly samples for Cryptosporidium oocysts from the than the safe limits set by the USEPA. have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the source water at the plant intakes. No oocysts were detected. County. Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. City of Everett PRSRT STD Public Works U.S. Postage Department P a i d 3200 Cedar Street Permit No. 71 Everett, WA 98201 Everett, WA 2013 Drinking Water INSIDE: Your City of Everett Drinking Water Public Works We’re in this Together Quality Report Quality Report Department Esingn ur an Adequate Supply I n 2013, your water was tested for more than 100 possible ater is a precious resource. Conservation helps The regional conservation program is planned and contaminants. What does all the us meet the needs of people, industries, busi- implemented in six-year cycles, as part of Everett’s Clean, Safe Drinking Water Taste, Quality W information in this report mean? nesses and farms, while also keeping fish and other comprehensive water plan, which is submitted every Simply put, the data confirms Delivered to Your Tap and Value aquatic life alive and well. Since Everett provides water six years. The first plan covered the period from 2001 that your drinking water meets to the majority of water systems in Snohomish County, through 2006; the second from 2007 through 2012. or exceeds all government our drinking water comes from Spada Lake ater is a life-essential we operate a regional water conservation program. This Everett is currently in the process of updating its standards and is safe to drink. YReservoir, located about 30 miles east of Wresource. Yet, at about a program is planned and developed with the water sys- comprehensive plan and planning the conservation Everett at the headwaters of the Sultan River. penny a gallon, it costs very tems we serve and funded from water system revenues. activities that will be implemented through 2018. This 50-billion-gallon storage facility serves as little compared to its value. Your Opinion Matters a collection point for rain and snowmelt from Over the last decade, more than $6.5 million has been In the interim, regional conservation efforts are Let us know how we’re doing and what you the Cascade Mountains. It was created in 1964 Your water rates pay for invested in regional water conservation activities. This focused on youth education and the distribution of think about your water. Call 425-257-8800 through a partnership between the City of Everett everything it takes to includes such things as youth education, indoor and conservation kits. In 2013, 650 water conservation or email us at [email protected]. and the Snohomish County PUD as part of the operate our water system, outdoor water conservation kits, rebates for water- workshops were conducted in classrooms throughout Jackson Hydroelectric Project. from storage and treatment, efficient clothes washers and toilets, leak detection, Snohomish County, reaching more than 17,300 to delivering the water to business water audits and school irrigation audits. students. Participating water systems also distributed Spada Lake Reservoir is located in the Upper your tap. Your water rates Through these efforts, we collectively saved about 3.6 more than 3,000 indoor conservation kits and 4,400 Sultan River Watershed, an area encompassing also help pay for water million gallons per day (MGD) through 2012—enough outdoor conservation kits. These 2013 activities are more than 80 square miles. This is one of the system improvements that water to fill more than 85,000 bathtubs a day. estimated to have saved about 0.72 MGD regionally. wettest watersheds in the continental United ensure that we will provide City of Everett Water Quality Office States. The average annual rainfall is about 165 high-quality drinking water for Phone: 425-257-8800 inches—five times the rainfall in Everett. generations to come. Cone s rvation Tips: he Partnership Partnership Partnership’s high What You Website: www.ci.everett.wa.us/pw • Install water-efficient showerheads and Tfor Safe Water for water-quality stan- State Department of Health (DOH) Water quality in the Sultan Basin is carefully As this year’s Drinking Water take shorter showers. is a voluntary effort dards. Phone: 1-800-521-0323 monitored. To protect the naturally pristine water in Quality Report shows, this supported by more Safe Water Website: www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/ Spada Lake Reservoir, the watershed is patrolled and is an exceptional value for • Fix leaky faucets and toilets. Leaks Since the City of waste a lot of water. than 200 water Can Do: U S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) human activities are limited to minimize the impact the clean, safe, great-tasting Everett began par- • Install low-flow toilets. This can reduce utilities, the US En- Phone: 1-800-426-4791 on water quality. We continue to evaluate and adjust drinking water you receive. ticipating in the indoor water use by as much as 20 vironmental Protec- Website: www.epa.gov/safewater our security measures on an ongoing basis. program more than Conserve percent. tion Agency (EPA), To get involved in decisions affecting your a decade ago, it has • Only run full loads in your dishwasher the American Water Be Informed drinking water, attend and comment at Everett and clothes washer. Works Association and met the performance City Council meetings every Wednesday in the rom 1898 to 1916, Everett’s water came from Wood Creek, a small tributary of the Get Involved Council Chambers at 3002 Wetmore Ave. lower Snohomish River. As Everett grew, the demand for water increased. So, in • Use a soaker hose on steep slopes to other prominent drinking standards set by the F 1916, Everett established the Sultan River as its source of supply. prevent wasteful runoff. water organizations in the Partnership. Recently, Ev- Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m., except the meeting United States. The goal of the erett renewed its commitment on the fourth Wednesday of each month which is In 1929, Everett constructed Lake Chaplain Reservoir in the Sultan Basin as its new • Water small areas by hand to avoid at 12:30 p.m. Agendas are available on the City’s to continuously improve perfor- water source. Water was diverted from the Sultan River to Lake Chaplain Reservoir for watering the sidewalk and driveway. program is for participating utili- website at www.ci.everett.wa.us. ties to use a continuous improve- mance at its water treatment storage and delivered to Everett in a newly-constructed 48-inch transmission line. Over • Replace grass in seldom-used areas of City of Everett Elected Officials the following years, Lake Chaplain Reservoir was enlarged and additional transmission plant and is implementing some your yard with groundcovers and plants ment process developed by the M ayor: Ray Stephanson lines were built to deliver drinking water to Everett. that use less water. Partnership members. of the Partnership’s tools to op- City Council: President Jeff Moore, Richard In the 1960s, Everett and the Snohomish County PUD constructed the George • Adjust your mower to a higher setting. timize performance at the plant. Anderson, Scott Bader, Ron Gipson, Scott Murphy, A Brief History Culmback Dam, creating Spada Lake Reservoir. This supplied water to Lake Chaplain A taller lawn retains moisture and The program is designed to help Paul Roberts and Brenda Stonecipher. Reservoir, eliminating the need for withdrawals from the Sultan River. In 1984, the dam requires less water. drinking water utilities optimize The City of Everett will continue Learn more about your water at was raised and renamed the Henry M. Jackson Hydroelectric Project, increasing Spada • Put a layer of mulch around plants their treatment plants to produce to participate in this cooperative www.ci.everett.wa.us/pw Lake Reservoir to its current capacity of 50 billion gallons. and trees. Mulch holds moisture and drinking water of a higher qual- effort to strive for excellence. We Today, Everett provides water to 80 percent of the homes and businesses in Snohomish discourages weed growth. believe this is the best way to Like us on Facebook ity than is required by regula- County. Raw water flows from Spada Lake Reservoir to Lake Chaplain Reservoir, tions. To participate, each treat- ensure our customers will always www.facebook.com/everettwapublicworks F or more information about our where it is treated at the Everett Drinking Water Treatment Plant before it is delivered ment plant must demonstrate receive the highest quality drink- published by the city of everett public works department throughout the county through a series of transmission and distribution lines. water conservation programs, go to Editor: Greg Moore • Water Quality Specialist: Mark Weeks that it can consistently meet the ing water possible. www.everettwa.org/conservation. This report is required and costs about 40 cents to produce and mail to you. Left top and bottom: Culmback Dam’s Morning Glory Spillway, completed in 1965. City of Everett PRSRT STD Public Works U.S. Postage Department P a i d 3200 Cedar Street Permit No. 71 Everett, WA 98201 Everett, WA 2013 Drinking Water INSIDE: Your City of Everett Drinking Water Public Works We’re in this Together Quality Report Quality Report Department Esingn ur an Adequate Supply I n 2013, your water was tested for more than 100 possible ater is a precious resource. Conservation helps The regional conservation program is planned and contaminants. What does all the us meet the needs of people, industries, busi- implemented in six-year cycles, as part of Everett’s Clean, Safe Drinking Water Taste, Quality W information in this report mean? nesses and farms, while also keeping fish and other comprehensive water plan, which is submitted every Simply put, the data confirms Delivered to Your Tap and Value aquatic life alive and well. Since Everett provides water six years. The first plan covered the period from 2001 that your drinking water meets to the majority of water systems in Snohomish County, through 2006; the second from 2007 through 2012. or exceeds all government our drinking water comes from Spada Lake ater is a life-essential we operate a regional water conservation program. This Everett is currently in the process of updating its standards and is safe to drink. YReservoir, located about 30 miles east of Wresource. Yet, at about a program is planned and developed with the water sys- comprehensive plan and planning the conservation Everett at the headwaters of the Sultan River. penny a gallon, it costs very tems we serve and funded from water system revenues. activities that will be implemented through 2018. This 50-billion-gallon storage facility serves as little compared to its value. Your Opinion Matters a collection point for rain and snowmelt from Over the last decade, more than $6.5 million has been In the interim, regional conservation efforts are Let us know how we’re doing and what you the Cascade Mountains. It was created in 1964 Your water rates pay for invested in regional water conservation activities. This focused on youth education and the distribution of think about your water. Call 425-257-8800 through a partnership between the City of Everett everything it takes to includes such things as youth education, indoor and conservation kits. In 2013, 650 water conservation or email us at [email protected]. and the Snohomish County PUD as part of the operate our water system, outdoor water conservation kits, rebates for water- workshops were conducted in classrooms throughout Jackson Hydroelectric Project. from storage and treatment, efficient clothes washers and toilets, leak detection, Snohomish County, reaching more than 17,300 to delivering the water to business water audits and school irrigation audits. students. Participating water systems also distributed Spada Lake Reservoir is located in the Upper your tap. Your water rates Through these efforts, we collectively saved about 3.6 more than 3,000 indoor conservation kits and 4,400 Sultan River Watershed, an area encompassing also help pay for water million gallons per day (MGD) through 2012—enough outdoor conservation kits. These 2013 activities are more than 80 square miles. This is one of the system improvements that water to fill more than 85,000 bathtubs a day. estimated to have saved about 0.72 MGD regionally. wettest watersheds in the continental United ensure that we will provide City of Everett Water Quality Office States. The average annual rainfall is about 165 high-quality drinking water for Phone: 425-257-8800 inches—five times the rainfall in Everett. generations to come. Cone s rvation Tips: he Partnership Partnership Partnership’s high What You Website: www.ci.everett.wa.us/pw • Install water-efficient showerheads and Tfor Safe Water for water-quality stan- State Department of Health (DOH) Water quality in the Sultan Basin is carefully As this year’s Drinking Water take shorter showers. is a voluntary effort dards. Phone: 1-800-521-0323 monitored. To protect the naturally pristine water in Quality Report shows, this supported by more Safe Water Website: www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/ Spada Lake Reservoir, the watershed is patrolled and is an exceptional value for • Fix leaky faucets and toilets. Leaks Since the City of waste a lot of water. than 200 water Can Do: U S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) human activities are limited to minimize the impact the clean, safe, great-tasting Everett began par- • Install low-flow toilets. This can reduce utilities, the US En- Phone: 1-800-426-4791 on water quality. We continue to evaluate and adjust drinking water you receive. ticipating in the indoor water use by as much as 20 vironmental Protec- Website: www.epa.gov/safewater our security measures on an ongoing basis. program more than Conserve percent. tion Agency (EPA), To get involved in decisions affecting your a decade ago, it has • Only run full loads in your dishwasher the American Water Be Informed drinking water, attend and comment at Everett and clothes washer. Works Association and met the performance City Council meetings every Wednesday in the rom 1898 to 1916, Everett’s water came from Wood Creek, a small tributary of the Get Involved Council Chambers at 3002 Wetmore Ave. lower Snohomish River. As Everett grew, the demand for water increased. So, in • Use a soaker hose on steep slopes to other prominent drinking standards set by the F 1916, Everett established the Sultan River as its source of supply. prevent wasteful runoff. water organizations in the Partnership. Recently, Ev- Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m., except the meeting United States. The goal of the erett renewed its commitment on the fourth Wednesday of each month which is In 1929, Everett constructed Lake Chaplain Reservoir in the Sultan Basin as its new • Water small areas by hand to avoid at 12:30 p.m. Agendas are available on the City’s to continuously improve perfor- water source. Water was diverted from the Sultan River to Lake Chaplain Reservoir for watering the sidewalk and driveway. program is for participating utili- website at www.ci.everett.wa.us. ties to use a continuous improve- mance at its water treatment storage and delivered to Everett in a newly-constructed 48-inch transmission line. Over • Replace grass in seldom-used areas of City of Everett Elected Officials the following years, Lake Chaplain Reservoir was enlarged and additional transmission plant and is implementing some your yard with groundcovers and plants ment process developed by the M ayor: Ray Stephanson lines were built to deliver drinking water to Everett. that use less water. Partnership members. of the Partnership’s tools to op- City Council: President Jeff Moore, Richard In the 1960s, Everett and the Snohomish County PUD constructed the George • Adjust your mower to a higher setting. timize performance at the plant. Anderson, Scott Bader, Ron Gipson, Scott Murphy, A Brief History Culmback Dam, creating Spada Lake Reservoir. This supplied water to Lake Chaplain A taller lawn retains moisture and The program is designed to help Paul Roberts and Brenda Stonecipher. Reservoir, eliminating the need for withdrawals from the Sultan River. In 1984, the dam requires less water. drinking water utilities optimize The City of Everett will continue Learn more about your water at was raised and renamed the Henry M. Jackson Hydroelectric Project, increasing Spada • Put a layer of mulch around plants their treatment plants to produce to participate in this cooperative www.ci.everett.wa.us/pw Lake Reservoir to its current capacity of 50 billion gallons. and trees. Mulch holds moisture and drinking water of a higher qual- effort to strive for excellence. We Today, Everett provides water to 80 percent of the homes and businesses in Snohomish discourages weed growth. believe this is the best way to Like us on Facebook ity than is required by regula- County. Raw water flows from Spada Lake Reservoir to Lake Chaplain Reservoir, tions. To participate, each treat- ensure our customers will always www.facebook.com/everettwapublicworks F or more information about our where it is treated at the Everett Drinking Water Treatment Plant before it is delivered ment plant must demonstrate receive the highest quality drink- published by the city of everett public works department throughout the county through a series of transmission and distribution lines. water conservation programs, go to Editor: Greg Moore • Water Quality Specialist: Mark Weeks that it can consistently meet the ing water possible. www.everettwa.org/conservation. This report is required and costs about 40 cents to produce and mail to you. Left top and bottom: Culmback Dam’s Morning Glory Spillway, completed in 1965.