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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999 10 25 Informational Item A COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM A CONSENT INFORMATIONAL X PUBLIC HEARING REGULAR October 25, 1999 Meeting MGR~T fr Authorization REQUEST: Utility Department Informing the City Commission of the Consumer Confidence Report that will be sent to all residents. PURPOSE: The purpose of this Board item is to inform the City Commission that a Consumer Confidence Report will be sent to all Residents which is an Annual Report on the Quality of their Drinking Water CONSIDERATIONS: The 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments require that, beginning in October 1999, all community water systems provide customers with an annual report on the quality of their drinking water. It is called the Consumer Confidence Report or CCR. The report format and content are approved in advance by the local DEP office. There are no violations of any contaminant parameters for the City of Winter Springs facilities. This report will be provided on an annual basis to customers in subsequent years. Copies of the CCR are attached as well as questions and answers about the CCR. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Consumer Confidence Report 2. CCR Question and Answers COMMISSION ACTION: None required. A TT ACHMENT NO. 1 Annual Drinking Water Report The City of Winter Springs East System LD. 3591394 - 851 Northern Way WTP #1 West System I.D. 3590879 - 700 Sheoah Blvd. WTP- #2 & 110 W. Bahama Rd. WTP- #3 We're very pleased to provide you with this year's Annual Water Quality Report. We want to keep you informed about the excelllent water and services we have delivered to you over the past year, Our goal has always has been, to provide to you a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. The Tuscawilla and Oak Forest areas are generally served by the East system with the remainder of the City served by the West system. Our East facility delivers over 800 million gallons of treated water annually. A total of three (3) production weIHs at this facility pump an average of 2.2 million gallons daiily to meet the residential, commercial and irrigation needs. Our West facilities deliver over 300 million gallons of treated water annually from both plants. A total of four (4) production weIns pump an average of 1.64 million gallons daily to meet the residential, commercial and irrigation needs. These wells are located within close proximity to the plants and have an average depth of 350 feet, tapping into the Floridan Aquifer, I'm pleased to report that our drinlking water is safe and meets federal and state requirements, If you have any questions about this report or concerning your water utility, please contact the water treatment facility at 365-4415 from 8:00 am to 4:30 P.M. Monday- Friday. We want our valued customers to be informed about their water utility. If you want to learn more, please attend any of our regularly scheduled commission meetings. They are held the second and fourth Monday of every month at 6:30 P,M. at City Hall The City of Winter Springs routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws. This table shows the results of our most recent monitoring period from January 1st to December 31st 1998. The state allows us to monitor for some contaminants less than once a year because the concentration of these contaminants does not change frequently. Some of our data, though representative, are more than one year old. All water analyses are the most recent sampling in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily ~ndicate that the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. In this table you will find many terms and abbreviations you might not be familiar with. To help you better understand these terms we've provided the following definitions: Not Applicable (N/A) - does not apply Non-Detects (ND) - laboratory analysis indicates that the constituent is not present, Parts per million (ppm) or Milligrams per liter (mg/I) - one part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000, Parts per billion (ppb) or Micrograms per liter (ug/I) - one part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000. 10/19/99 Action Level (AL) - the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow, Picocuries per liter (pCi/L) - picocuries per liter is a measure of the radioactivity in water. Action Level - (A.L,) the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - The "Maximum Allowed" is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG)- The "Goal" is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. MCLs are set at very stringent levels. To understand the possible health effects described for many regulated constituents, a person would have to drink 2 liters of water every day at the MCL level for a lifetime to have a one-in-a-million chance of having the desclribed health effect. Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persolIls such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with lfIIV/AlDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, alIld infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EP Alcnc guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791 ), In our continuing efforts to maintain a safe and dependable water supply it may be necessary to make improvements in your water system. The costs of these improvements may be reflected in the rate structure. Rate adjustments may Ibe necessary in order to address these improvements, Please call our office if you have questions. We at the City of Winter Springs work around the clock to provide top quality water to every tap. We ask that all our customers help us protect our water sources, which are the heart of our community, our way of life and our children's future. We constantly monitor for various constituents in the water supply to meet all regulatory requirements. This past year our third quarter trihalomethane report was delayed due to a laboratory error. The annual results were within compliance range. This does not pose any threat to the Quality of our water supply. The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and 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: 10/19/99 2 (A) Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. (B) Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. (C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses. (D) Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by- products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems. (E) Radioactive contaminants, which 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, EP A prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health. 3591394 Winter Springs East. TEST RESULTS TABLE Contaminant and Unit Date of MCUAL Level Range MCLG MCL Likely Source of of Measurement sample Violation Detected Contamination analysis Y/N Radiological Contaminants Gross Alpha (pCi/l) 12/96 N 1.9 N/A 0 15 Erosion of natural deposits Inorganic Contaminants Fluoride (ppm) 11/96 N 0.17 N/A 4 4 Erosion of natural deposits; water additive which promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories Sodium (ppm) 11/96 N 25 N/A N/A 160 Salt water intrusion, leaching from soil Lead and Copper Home Sampling Lead (tap water) (ppb) 1998 N 3.0 N/A 0 AL-IS Corrosion of household (90110 plumbing systems, erosion of percentile) natural deposits Copper (tap water) 1998 N 1.06 1 sampling 1.3 AL-1.3 Corrosion of household (ppm) (90th site plumbing systems; erosion of percentile) exceeded natural deposits; leaching AL from wood preservatives Trihalomethanes TTHM 1997 & N 64 38-86 0 100 By-product of drinking water (Totaltrihalomethanes] 1998 (annual chlorination (ppb) average) 10/19/99 3 3590879 Winter Springs West TEST RESULTS TABLE I I Contaminant and Unit of Date of MCLlAL Level Range MCLG MCL Likely Source of I Measurement sample Violation Detected Contamination ! analysis Y/N ; Radiological Contaminants i i i Gross Alpha (pC ill) 11/96 N ] 1.0 I N/A I 01 15 I Erosion of natural deposits I Inorganic Contaminants i ;! Fluoride (ppm) 11/96 N 0.26 0.23-0.26 4 4 Erosion of natural deposits; I water additive which promotes strong teeth; I discharge from fertilizer and I aluminum factories I Sodium (ppm) 11/96 N 5.3 N/A N/A 160 Salt water intrusion, I leaching from soil ! Lead and Copper Home Sampling I I Lead (tap water) (ppb) 1996 N 4.0 N/A 0 AL=15 Corrosion of household I (90th plumbing systems, erosion percentile) of natural deposits Copper (tap water) (ppm) 1996 N 1.01 2 sampling 1.3 A L= 1.3 Corrosion of household (90th sites plumbing systems; erosion percentile) exceeded of natural deposits; leaching AL from wood preservatives , Trihalomethanes j TTHM 1997 & N 49 4-103 0 100 By-product of drinking [Total trihalomethanes) 1998 (annual water chlorination (ppb) average) HELPFUL WATER HINTS LOWERING WATER BILL & CONSERVING WATER: 1. An average tub holds 50 gallons of water. Conserve water by only partially filling the tub. 2. Install water saving showerheads. 3. Only run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads. 4. Regularly check pipes, hoses, valves, and faucets for leaks 5. Add food coloring to the water in the tank. Ifblue color appears in bowl without flushing, there is a leak. Fix or replace parts. 6. Longer grass means less evaporation. Let grass grow taller in hot, dry weather. 7. Set irrigation timer for early morning, around 2 AM. or 3 AM. to help prevent evaporation and help to increase your water pressure for household activities. 8. Install an irrigation rain gauge to prevent over watering. 9. Use a broom instead of a water hose to clear debris from patios, driveways, and sidewalks. 10. Don't let the hose run while washing your car. 10/19199 4 A TT ACHMENT NO. 2 Questions and Answers about the CCR Q: What is the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) ? A: The 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments require that, beginning in October 1999, all community water systems provide customers with an annual report on the quality of their drinking water. Q: What are the major elements of the CCR? A: Based on the current version of the rule, CCRs must contain -- at a minimum -- the following elements: v Information on the source(s) of the water purveyed (i.e., ground water, surface water, a combination of the two, or water obtained from another system; and the commonly used name(s) and location of the body or bodies of water) v Brief and plainly worded definitions of the following terms: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG), Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), variances, and exemptions v If any regulated contaminant is detected in the water: a statement setting forth the MCLG, the MCL and the level of such contaminant in the water system v Information on any source water assessment which has been completed and how to obtain a copy v Health effects language if a violation has occurred: information on compliance with national primary drinking water standards v Variances and exemptions (if applicable) v Additional information as required by the USEPA Administrator (such as reporting on the health effects of up to three regulated contaminants - even if there has not been a violation of the MCL during the reporting period) v Information on radon or Cryptosporidium, if detected v Notice for non-English-speaking residents (in their native language) on the importance of the information and the need to get it translated v Notice of opportunities for the public to participate, such as water board meeting times or public forums to discuss water issues v Any additional information required by primacy states v A statement that the presence of contaminants in drinking water does not necessarily indicate that the drinking water poses a health risk ( specific language) v A statement that some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population ( specific language) v The USEPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791 Q: What are the key dates I need to know? Proposed rule: February 20, 1998 (anticipated) Final rule: August 1998 (the statutory deadline) Effective date of the rule: 30 days after publication of the final rule in the Federal Register First CCR to Customers: Within 13 months of the effective date of the rule (October 1999) Q: What period of time has to be covere([ in the CCR? A: The utility must report monitoring data for the previous 12 months, but the specific months are not identified. A WW A recommends that utilities select: a period based on their fiscal or calendar year and distribute the report within four months following the 12-month period during which the data was collected. For example, if you choose calendar year 1997, you would have until May 1, 1998 to get the report completed and sent to customers. Once the first 12-month period is selected, each subsequent report must be for a successive 12-month period. Q: How does the CCR get distributed? A: One copy of the report must be mailed to each customer, unless the Governor of a state has waived the mailing requirement for community water systems servicing fewer than 10,000 persons. Those systems for which the mailing requirement has been waived must: I) Inform their customers that the report will not be mailed; 2) - Publish the report in one or more local newspapers serving the area in which the system is located; and 3) make the reports available to the public upon request. A further exception may apply to systems serving 500 or fewer persons, which may forego publication of the report in a local newspaper if they provide notice by mail, door-to-door delivery, or posting in an appropriate location that the report is available. Q: Who will make sure that utilitie.~ comply? A: After utilities complete their CCR, they will certifY to their State Drinking Water Administrator that they have met the requirements of the rule. States will keep the certification letter and a copy of the CCR for a period of 5 years but it is not completely clear whether they will be required to provide copies of the reports to the public. If there is a question about a utility's compliance, any customer or public 2 health interest group may file a complaint or make a request for a copy of the report from either USEP A or the State Drinking Water Administrator. Q: Why do it now? Why not wait untill' have to? A: Producing a CCR in 1998 will do several things. First, it will give you a chance to "practice", work out any"Abugs" you may discover, and get feedback on "what works" from your customers. Second, it will provide an opportunity to time your first reporting period to coincide with your fiscal year, budget year, or normal reporting period rather than be driven into an awkward timing by waiting until the last moment under the regulations. Third, it will give you time to incorporate the CCR into your overall communications strategies and demonstrate your commitment to communicating more effectively with your customers before you are required to do so by the law. Q: Are there any samples 1 can look at? A: Many utilities are already providing a similar report to their customers, and they find it is an excellent way to enhance their communications programs. For those utilities who offer their water quality reports on the World Wide Web, check out the following URL within AWWA's web site: http://www.awwa.orJ!/wllrs.htm There are also samples provided in this Advisory (page 13). Other samples will be provided at upcoming A WW A workshops. Q: How much is this going to cost? A: The cost of producing CCRs will. have to be decided by each utility and will depend on a number of factors, such as the size of the utility, how long or short the report is, whether the state requires significant additional information, whether they are two-, three-, or four-color, whether they have graphics or photos or other artwork, whether they are mailed, published, hand delivered, done in-house or by a consultant. In order to keep costs at a minimum, A WW A recommel1ds that utilities keep these first reports as simple and easy to read as possible - yet provide useful information. Save time and money by taking advantage of AWWA's CCRResources (page 18). Return to CCR Table of Contents Return to A WW A Home Page 10:41 AM on 3/17/98 3