2016 Water Quality Report

The Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) Rule, 40 CFR 141 Subpart O, contains the Right-To-Know provisions in the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act. The South Adams County Water & Sanitation District’s Public Water System Identification Number is CO0101140. Esta información acerca de su agua potable es importante. Si no la pueden leer, necesitan que alguien se la traduzca. which draw from the Arapahoe that contamination has or will WHAT IS formation, and treated surface occur. As a part of the assessment, water from Denver Water. Eight the CDPHE identified potential of the District’s shallow wells are sources of contamination in our THIS REPORT first pumped to the Klein Water source water, such as District Treatment Facility for treatment, customers and neighbors with then mixed with Denver Water chemical storage tanks, EPA ABOUT? before delivery to storage hazardous waste generators, The Environmental Protection reservoirs. The Denver Water chemical inventory storage sites Agency (EPA) requires South portion comes entirely from and Superfund sites (e.g. Rocky Adams County Water & Sanitation surface sources over a watershed Mountain Arsenal, Chemical District (District) and all other covering 3,100 square miles on Sales Co). We use this information public water suppliers to provide both sides of the Continental to evaluate the need to improve consumer confidence reports Divide. The sources include our current water treatment (CCR) to their customers. These the South Platte River and its capabilities and prepare for future reports are also known as annual tributaries, the streams that feed contamination threats. This helps water quality reports. This report Dillon Reservoir and creeks and us ensure that quality finished summarizes the quality of the canals above the Fraser River. water is delivered to your home. water that the District provided last year (2015). It includes The Denver Water Quality Report You may obtain a copy of the information about where the is available online at Assessment Phase Report at District’s water comes from, what www.denverwater.org. http://www.colorado.gov/ it contains, and how it compares cs/Satellite/CDPHE-WQ/ to the standards set by the EPA SOURCE WATER CBON/1251596793639. The and the Colorado Department of ASSESSMENT (SWAP) reports are by county. The District Public Health and Environment is located in Adams County; select 101140 - South Adams County (CDPHE). State and Federal regulations WSD. require safe handling of chemicals WHERE DOES YOUR and protection of our environment. WATER COME FROM? The Source Water Assessment Report (prepared by the Colorado The District’s water consists of Department of Public Health groundwater from eleven wells and Environment) provides a which draw from the alluvial screening-level evaluation of aquifer tributary to the South potential contamination that Platte River, eight deep wells could occur. It does not mean

The South Adams Board of Directors meets at 7:00 PM on the second Wednesday of each month in the Board Room at the Stevenson Administrative Offices located at 6595 East 70th Avenue in Commerce City.

Board Meetings are open to the public. Please visit the District’s Website at www.sacwsd.org for additional information.

2 2016 WATER QUALITY REPORT www.sacwsd.org Devoted to Water Quality

Klein Water Treatment Lab

South Adams County Water analyze samples throughout In fact, it is so important and Sanitation District our water system - from to us that we would like serves a population of over production wells to customer your help! All residents 57,000 people (17,305 water taps. The Water Quality and business owners are connections) and delivers Lab and Water Operations encouraged to report over 2.7 billion gallons of conduct over 1,240 tests suspicious behavior that may water per year. South Adams every month resulting in affect our water resources. distributes drinking water 14,886 tests performed every to its customers traveling year! For a complete list of the across a 65 sq-mi area contaminants tested for - but throughout an extensive not detected, please call the network of 350 miles of pipe. District’s Water Quality Lab The District tests for over at 303.286.0447, or send an 241 compounds on a regular email to [email protected]. For specific questions or basis. Some compounds, Protection of our water comments, please contact such as free-chlorine, are sources is a continuous the Water Systems Manager tested continuously. Our process at the District. We are or the Water Quality Water Operators and doing everything we can to Supervisor at 303.286.0447 Water Chemists collect and safeguard our water supplies.

The Water Quality Lab and Water Operations conduct over 1,240 tests every month resulting in 14,886 tests performed every year!

2016 WATER QUALITY REPORT www.sacwsd.org 3 urban storm water runoff, not necessarily indicate that the industrial or domestic water poses a health risk. Some WATER AT wastewater discharges, oil and people may be more vulnerable gas production, mining and to contaminants in drinking water farming. than the general population. A GLANCE • Pesticides and herbicides Immuno-compromised persons Example: may come from a such as persons with cancer variety of sources including undergoing chemotherapy,persons Sources of drinking water (both tap agricultural applications, who have undergone organ water and bottled water) include urban storm water runoff and transplants, people with HIV-AIDS rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, residential uses. or other immune system disorders, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As some elderly, and infants can be water travels over the surface of • Organic chemical contaminants particularly at risk of infections. the land or through the ground, Example: synthetic and volatile These people should seek drinking it dissolves naturally-occurring organic chemicals which are water advice from their healthcare minerals and, in some cases, by-products of industrial providers. radioactive material. It can also processes, and petroleum pick up substances resulting from production. These also may For more information about the presence of animals or human come from gas stations, urban contaminants and potential health activity. Contaminants that may be storm water runoff and septic effects, or to receive a copy of the present in source water include: systems. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Centers • Microbial contaminants • Radioactive contaminants for Disease Control guidelines on Example: viruses and bacteria Example: may be naturally- appropriate means to lessen the risk which may come from sewage occurring or may be the result of infection by cryptosporidium treatment plants, septic of oil and gas production and and microbiological contaminants, systems, agricultural livestock mining activities. call the EPA Safe Drinking Water operations and wildlife. All drinking water, including Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or online • Inorganic contaminants bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small at http://water.epa.gov/drink/ Example: salts and metals, contaminants. which can be naturally- amounts of some contaminants. occurring or can result from The presence of contaminants does

The District is committed to delivering water that meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water standards. Providing you with safe, high quality drinking water is our priority every day.

4 2016 WATER QUALITY REPORT www.sacwsd.org pumped from our wells has been The water sent to your home or exposed to nontoxic, naturally business meets all EPA water occurring minerals containing quality requirements. If you Water Quality calcium and magnesium as it choose to install a softening travels underground making system or other point of use Data it “hard.” Although the hard treatment in your home please water contributes these minerals follow the recommendations In order to ensure that tap water to your daily dietary needs, it below. is safe to drink, the Colorado has its drawbacks as well. Hard • Make sure you do your Department of Public Health water can leave spots on dishes, research or talk to a and Environment prescribes films on shower doors, and clog knowledgeable and regulations limiting the amount faucet aerators if not cleaned reputable dealer. Different of certain contaminants in regularly. Commercial products devices include softeners, water provided by public water can be purchased to reduce carbon adsorption systems, systems. The Food and Drug the effects of hardness in you particulate filters, and Administration regulations dishwasher or remove scale and reverse osmosis systems. establish limits for contaminants calcium deposits from fixtures. These technologies are in bottled water that must Another option for dealing with designed to treat for different provide the same protection hard water may be installation of things so make sure you for public health. The State a water softener in your home. get the right system for the permits monitoring for some concerns you have. contaminants less than once per SOFTENERS AND IN-HOME year because the concentrations of TREATMENT • Know what you are doing or these contaminants do not change hire a qualified professional frequently. Therefore, some of to do the work. Softener this data, though representative, Personal preferences for water and treatment systems is more than one year old. hardness vary greatly. If installed by a plumber Unregulated contaminants lowering hardness is desired, will need to have a permit are those for which the EPA it can be managed by installing issued by the Commerce has not established drinking a residential water softening City Building department. water standards. The purpose system. There are various types Proper installation will of unregulated contaminant of residential softening systems ensure the system is safe monitoring is to assist the EPA including whole house, and and any hazards such as in determining the occurrence under sink varieties. Softening contamination due to drain- of unregulated contaminants of water used for outdoor line backflow or cross- in drinking water and whether irrigation is not efficient or connections are avoided. future regulation is warranted. recommended. Different types • Follow all manufacturer’s of softening systems include instructions for proper salt-based ion exchange systems maintenance and use. Filters HARD WATER or reverse osmosis (RO) systems. become depleted, cartridges Due to the sodium or potassium need changing, and resins The District has hard water. The addition that occurs when using need regenerated. Proper typical total hardness detected a salt-based system, individuals maintenance will ensure in 2015 was 20 grains per gallon on a sodium-restricted diet may your system is doing what it (342mg/L). The high hardness is want to seek the advice of their is intended to do. due to the groundwater source physician prior to using this of our water supply. The water type of system. Continue to page 6

2016 WATER QUALITY REPORT www.sacwsd.org 5 LEAD IN DRINKING WATER you should ask advice from your healthcare provider. Water Quality The District has tested water inside homes within its CRYPTOSPORIDIUM AND Data Continued distribution system considered GIARDIA at risk for lead and copper • Make sure the unit you contamination, per EPA Cryptosporidium (Crypto) purchase is tested and standards. The District’s water and Giardia are microscopic validated against accepted leaving the treatment plants organisms that, when ingested, standards such as those and water in the distribution can result in diarrhea, cramps, of the National Science system have no detectable lead fever and other gastrointestinal Foundation (NSF), Water and trace levels of copper. Lead symptoms. The District Quality Association, or can get into water through analyzed all shallow wells Underwriters Laboratories lead containing household or that supply drinking water (UL). building plumbing. Softened for microscopic particulates water is more aggressive in 2012. The results indicate a For more information on toward household plumbing. home water treatment low risk for ever seeing Crypto systems please see the EPA NITRATE or Giardia in the source water. Water Health Series Filtration Denver Water has tested for Facts document at this link. Nitrate in drinking water at Crypto in its source water https://www.epa.gov/sites/ levels above 10 ppm is a health supplies and its treated water production/files/2015-11/ risk for infants of less than six since the 1980s and has never documents/2005_11_17_faq_ months of age. High nitrate detected a viable indication of fs_healthseries_filtration.pdf levels in drinking water can either in its drinking water. cause blue baby syndrome. The District also has more Nitrate levels in groundwater If you have any questions information on softeners and may rise quickly for short concerning your water quality hardness under the water periods of time because of please contact our Water quality section of its website. rainfall or agricultural activity. Quality Supervisor Charlene If you are caring for an infant, Seedle at 303.286.0447.

Our Water Operators and Water Chemists collect and analyze samples throughout our water system.

6 2016 WATER QUALITY REPORT www.sacwsd.org Water Quality Data

Regulated Substances Substance Sample MCLG MCL SACWSD - substance with Common Source of Year One or More Detections Substance Average # Samples Range Barium 2015 2 ppm 2 ppm 0.044 1 0.044 ppm Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits

Fluoride 2015 4 ppm 4 ppm 1.62 1 1.62 ppm Natural deposit erosion; water additive which promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer, aluminum factories

Cadmium 2014 5 ppb 5 ppb 0.2 1 0.2 ppb Corrosion of galvanized pipes; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from metal refineries; runoff from waste batteries and paints

Nitrate 2015 10 ppb 10 ppb 4.88 10 0.78-7.71 ppm Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and

iolation s factories; runoff from landfills;

V runoff from cropland o

Selenium 2015 N 50 ppb 50 ppb 1.5 1 1.5 ppb Discharge from petroleum and metal refineries, erosion of natural deposits, discharge from mines 1,1-Dichloroethylene 2015 7 ppb 7 ppb J 10 BDL - 0.8 ppb Discharge from industrial chemical factories 1,1,1-Trichloroethane 2015 200 ppb 200 ppb J 10 BDL - J ppb Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories cis-1,2 Dichloroethylene 2015 70 ppb 70 ppb J 10 BDL - J ppb Discharge from industrial chemical factories Trichloroethylene 2015 0 ppb 5 ppb J 10 BDL - 0.5 ppb Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories Tetrachloroethylene 2015 0 ppb 5 ppb J 10 BDL - 0.6 ppb Discharge from factories and dry cleaners Xylenes 2015 10,000 10,000 J 10 BDL - J ppb Discharge from petroleum and ppb ppb chemical factories Beta/Photon Emitters 2007 0 pCi/L 50 pCi/L 3.6 pCi/L 1 3.3 - 3.8 pCi/L Decay of natural and man-made deposits Uranium 2015 0 µg/L 30 µg/L 15.28 10 2.8-21 µg/L Erosion of natural deposits Gross Alpha 2015 0 pCi/L 15 pCi/L 3.0 10 1-5 pCi/L Erosion of natural deposits Combined Radium (226 2012 0 pCi/L 5 pCi/L 0.1 pCi/L 7 BDL - 0.2 pCi/L Erosion of natural deposits + 228) Di (2-ethyhexyl) 2015 0 ppb 6 ppb 1.1 21 1.1 ppb Discharge from rubber and phthalate chemical factories

2016 WATER QUALITY REPORT www.sacwsd.org 7 Regulated at the Customer’s Tap

Substance Sample ALG AL Number Samples Common Source of Year of exceeding 90th % Substance Samples Action Level Value Copper 2014 1.3 ppm 1.3 ppm 30 0 0.47 ppm Corrosion of household plumbing system; Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from wood preservatives Lead 2014 0 ppb 15 ppb 30 0 2 . 3 ppb Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems (especially for pregnant women and young children). When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. Additional information on lead in drinking water, testing method, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or at http://epa.gov.safewater/lead.

Regulated in the Distribution System

Substance Sample MCL Number of Highest RANGE Number Samples Common Source of Year MCLG Locational Locational Locational OF of Average Substance RAA RAA RAA SAM- Samples PLES Total 2015 n/a 80 ppb 8 57.97 ppb 12.11 - 75.73 32 36.9 ppb By-product of Trihalomethanes* ppb drinking water chlorination

Haloacetic Acids 2015 iolation s n/a 60 ppb 8 32.77 ppb 3.92 -45.65 32 22.0 ppb By-product of

V ppb drinking water o disinfection N Free-Chlorine 2015 4 ppm 12 0.76 ppm 0.15 - 2.00 720 0.70 ppm Water additive used ppm to control microbes

*Total Trihalomethanes are by-products of the disinfection process that are potential cancer risks at levels at or above the regulated levels over an extended period of time. The District samples its distribution system each quarter. Some people who drink water containing Trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Unregulated Substances Substance Sample MCL SACWSD - substance with Common Source of Year MCLG Locational Substance RAA One or More Detections Average # Samples Range 1,1 Dichloroethane 2015 J 10 BDL - J ppb Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories 1, 4- Dioxane 2013 1.54 20 0.0760-3.20 ppb Cyclic aliphatic ether; used as a solvent or solvent stabilizer in man- ufacture and processing of paper, cotton, textile products, automotive coolant, cosmetics and shampoos

Nickel 2014 100 ppb MC L 6.7 8 4.50 - 8.50 ppb Leaching from contact with pipes and n s iolatio o fittings. Dissolution from ore-bearing rock N V

o formations.

Sodium 2015 N 81.4 1 81.4 ppm Natural geology Sulfate 2015 250 ppm 83.1 1 83.1 ppm Natural geology Radon 1998 0 191 pCi/L Natural geology The Colorado Department of Health & Environment (CDPHE) has issued our system monitoring waivers for the following compounds: Cyanide, Asbestos, Glyphosate and Unregulated Inorganics. The next cycle of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (UCMR3) began in 2013. This EPA regulation requires all public water systems serving more than 10,000 people to conduct assessment monitoring for 28 contaminants (List 1). This regulation is part of the EPA’s response to the Safe Drinking Water Act, which requires EPA to identify up to 30 contaminants every five years that are not currently regulated. The results from UCMR3 will help EPA decide whether the contaminants should have a health-based standard set under the Safe Drinking Water Act. 8 2016 WATER QUALITY REPORT www.sacwsd.org The District’s water had hits (detections) for the following compounds listed in the table. Except for 1, 4-Dioxane, the UCMR3 Entry Points South Adams County W & S District compounds detected were well below current regulations Detected Contaminants Lowest Hit Highest Hit Average Hit and the potential future levels under discussion. 1,4-Dioxane 0.0760 µg/L 3.20 µg/L 1.54 µg/L Collecting information about the occurrence of these compounds in water supplies is the first step in the EPA’s Chlorate 34 µg/L 160 µg/L 69 µg/L efforts to determine whether they should be regulated. Chromium (Total Chromium) 0.28 µg/L 0.72 µg/L 0.56 µg/L Among the compounds that the District is monitoring and Hexavalent Chromium (Chromium 6) 0.049 µg/L 0.73 µg/L 0.44 µg/L testing for is a compound called 1,4-Dioxane. Although Molybdenum 1.2 µg/L 3.1 µg/L 1.7 µg/L there is no Drinking Water standard for this compound, the District has detected its presence in a portion of our Strontium 140 µg/L 1,400 µg/L 862 µg/L alluvial groundwater, which is one of our drinking water Vanadium 0.20 µg/L 1.8 µg/L 1.3 µg/L sources. We are working with the CDPHE and Tri-County 1,1-Dichloroethane 0.049 µg/L 0.49 µg/L 0.26 µg/L Health as we move forward with additional analyses and investigation to determine whether additional response will be necessary. The EPA site assessment group is UCMR3 Distribution South Adams County W & S District finalizing the 2015 monitoring report and CDPHE plans Detected Contaminants Lowest Hit Highest Hit Average Hit to drill several new wells near the Chemical Sales site in 2016. This will help them narrow down the source Chlorate 22 µg/L 95 µg/L 58 µg/L of contamination for the District’s wells. We will keep Chromium (Total Chromium) 0.22 µg/L 0.72 µg/L 0.51 µg/L our customers informed as more definitive information Hexavalent Chromium (Chromium 6) 0.082 µg/L 0.56 µg/L 0.42 µg/L becomes available. 1, 4-Dioxane continues to have a very broad range under Molybdenum 1.2 µg/L 3.1 µg/L 1.8 µg/L consideration. We will continue to monitor both the Strontium 96 µg/L 1,400 µg/L 834 µg/L concentrations of this compound and the EPA’s health Vanadium 0.24 µg/L 1.9 µg/L 1.3 µg/L studies and will keep you informed of any developments.

For additional information about https://www.epa.gov/fedfac/emerging-contaminants-and-federal-facility- 1,4-Dioxane from the EPA website: contaminants-concern EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1.800.426.4791 or http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants CDPHE information online: http://www.coepht.dphe.state.co.us/#

Definitions . This report contains water industry terms and MPA - Microscopic Particulate Analysis An analysis abbreviations that may be unfamiliar. The following of surface water organisms and indicators in water. This definitions will provide a general understanding of analysis can be used to determine the existence of surface water the water industry and this water quality report. influence on a ground water well. MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level AL - Action Level The concentration of a contaminant The highest level of disinfectant allowed in drinking water. which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements a There is convincing evidence that addition of water system must follow. a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. ALG - Action Level Goal The “Goal” is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known MRDLG - Maximum Residual Disinfectant level GOAL or expected risk to health. ALGs allow for a margin of safety. The “goal” is the level of drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs BDL - Below Detectable Limit The compound was below do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control detectable limits. microbial contaminants. (including RA, excluding RN & U) The gross Gross Alpha - MRL - Minimum Reporting Level The minimum alpha particle activity compliance value includes radium-266, quantified value that can be reported by a laboratory. The but excludes radon 222 and uranium. MRL must be no lower than the lowest calibration standard. Compound is present, however, the result falls J value - ppm - parts per million or mg/L milligrams per liter between the MDL and MRL. - Corresponds to one minute in 2 years or a single penny in MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level The highest level $10,000. of a contaminant allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set ppb - parts per billion or µg/L micrograms per liter - as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available Corresponds to one minute in 2000 years or a single penny in treatment technology. $10,000,000. MCLG - Maximum Contaminant Level Goal The “goal” pCi/L - picocuries per Liter A measure of radioactivity in is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which water. there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. RAA - Running Annual Average An average of monitoring results for the previous 12 calendar months. MDL - Method Detection Limit The minimum detection level capable with the laboratory method. Waiver - State permission not to test for a contaminant.

2016 WATER QUALITY REPORT www.sacwsd.org 9