Beachwood Water Company: Water Quality Report

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NW Natural Water

Beachwood Water Company presents herein our annual Water Quality Report (known as a “Consumer Confidence Report”), as required by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Beachwood Water Company is committed to providing you with water that meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water standards. This report sets out where our water comes from, what the current year tests show about it, and other information that you may wish to know about drinking water.

Beachwood Water Company utilizes King Water Services – A NW Natural Water Company as its state-certified Satellite Management Agency (SMA). NW Natural Water Services acquired King Water Company. King Water Services performs water system management and operations and is responsible for all water testing, ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and county standards. During this transitional period, King Water Services has implemented several new processes and protocols to improve compliance tracking, water sampling, and other operational changes. The management and compliance teams have been working in close contact with the Washington Department of Health, the Department of Ecology, and your board of directors/commissioners to improve the standard of service to your water utility, and to continue providing safe, quality drinking water to its customers. For more information about this report, or for any questions you have about your drinking water, please contact the NW Natural Water Services Compliance Department at (503)-554-8333.

WATER SOURCE

Our system pumps groundwater from an Island County aquifer and transmits the water to the reservoir. The water is chlorinated at the treatment plant, to minimize the risk of any coliform bacteria growing in your system. If you experience any extended deterioration in water quality, please call King Water and they will flush the lines.

WATER QUALITY TABLE

The information set out in the table is based on tests conducted during the year. Terms used in the Water Quality Table and in other parts of this report are defined below.

TERMINOLOGY

• Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) - 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.
• Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - the highest level of contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL’s are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
• Action Level (AL) - the concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requhements that a water system must follow.
• Parts per million (ppm) or Milligrams per liter (Mg/l) - one part per million corresponds to one minute in 2 years or one penny in $10,000.
• Parts per billion (ppb) or Micrograms per liter (Ug/l) – one part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years or one penny in $10,000,000.

SUBSTANCES EXPECTED TO BE IN DRINKING WATER

To ensure that tap water meets acceptable drinking standards, the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) prescribes regulations limiting the amount of certain contaminants that may be in drinking water. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and radioactive material and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or aom human activity. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some of these contaminants. However, their presence does not necessarily mean that the water poses a health risk. Such substances may include:

• Microbial contaminants, such as bacteria and viruses, may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock, or wildlife. These are tested monthly.
• Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, can be naturally occurring or may result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, mining, or farming. These are tested based on a schedule prescribed by the state Department of Health (DOH); they include nitrates, which are tested annually.
• Pesticides and Herbicides may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, stormwater runoff and residential uses. These are tested based on a schedule prescribed by the DOH.
• Organic Chemical Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals which are by-products of industrial processes, gas stations, storm water runoff and septic systems. These are tested based on a schedule prescribed by the DOH.
• Radioactive contaminants, which are usually naturally occurring. These are tested based on a schedule prescribed by the DOH.

VIOLATIONS

The system accrued a Maximum Contaminant Level violation for Arsenic. Additional testing has been conducted and the data is being extrapolated to determine the next steps.

The annual TTHM & HAA5 (Disinfection by-products) tests was missed in error during the NW Natural transition. Since being notified of the missed samples NW Natural Water Services has been working diligently with Washington State Department of Health and has scheduled these tests to be completed on their next recommended testing date.

NITRATE

Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm are considered to be a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity.

ARSENIC

Your drinking water currently meets EPA’s revised drinking water standards for arsenic. However, it does contain low levels of arsenic, compared to the state MCL of 10 ppb. There is a small chance that some people who drink water containing low levels of arsenic for many years could develop circulatory disease, cancer, or other health problems. Most types of cancer and circulatory disease are due to factors other than exposure to arsenic. The EPA’s standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s health effects against the cost of removing arsenic from drinking water.

IRON AND MANGANESE

Typical of much of the Island’s water, your water contains elevated levels of Iron and Manganese, which are abundant in the rocks and soils in the area. These are secondary contaminants, and the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has not mandated treatment to reduce the levels of contamination. Scientific findings suggest that the levels found pose no threat to human health. Manganese and iron are considered to be an aesthetic problem. At sufficient concentrations, iron can adversely affect the taste of water and can leave rust-colored stains on laundry, plumbing fixtures, and porcelain. Manganese can cause similar problems, has a bitter metallic taste and may leave black “specks” in ice cubes. Manganese can also produce staining and cause water to have a brown or black discoloration.

The Washington State Department of Health Office of Drinking Water (ODW) is modifying their recommendations for public water systems that have manganese in their water supply. For many years, manganese in drinking water was considered as only an aesthetic concern, causing discoloration and staining. However, recent studies show negative health effects from exposure to high levels of manganese in drinking water. They have used this new information to revise their guidelines, which are expected to be implemented in the coming years. Additional information can be found on the state DOH website at 331-740 Manganese in Drinking Water: What Customers Should Know.

The treatment plant currently removes the majority of iron and manganese present in your water system. King Water Services periodically tests the water for iron and manganese to ensure that the treatment system is working properly.

LEAD AND COPPER

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Your water system is responsible for providing high quality drinking water but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. 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. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE

SHARED RESPONSIBILITEES

Sometimes problems occur associated with snow, freezing weather, heavy rains, and flooding – all of which can cause water pipes to break and necessitate the need to get the water turned off in an emergency. Please remember that it is the responsibility of your water system (the purveyor) to deliver safe drinking water to your property. As a rule, this responsibility stops at the meter or shut-off valve - usually located at, or close to, the property line. However, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to know where their shut-off valve is located and to keep the area clear and readily accessible.

ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. They include immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer, those undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, the elderly, and infants, who can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice from their health care providers before drinking any water. More information about EPA/CDC guidelines to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium, other contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Water services in your water system may have been installed with, or upgraded to include a check valve that helps protect the water system from a backflow event, This occurs when a drop in pressure in the mains allows water to be drawn into the mains from the service connection; as a result, the system water can be contaminated.

The installation of the check valve causes the home to become a “closed system” and makes it susceptible to damage caused by thermal expansion of the water. Thermal expansion takes place in water heaters when water is heated. As the water is heated, it expands and increases in volume. Traditionally, the increased volume of water flows back into the supply line and into the public water supply main. With the addition of backflow preventers, check valves, and pressure-reducing valves on the supply line, a closed loop is formed, and the water cannot flow back into the supply line. The volume of water then increases, and the resultant pressure increases beyond what the hot water system is designed to handle. The increase in pressure causes the emergency relief valve on the water tank to open and discharge water creating a nuisance and resulting in inefficient operation. Excessive pressure may also rupture pipe fittings and lead to water heater explosions. To eliminate this potential hazard, the owner must install pressure relief valves or accumulators in the plumbing system to relieve pressure. Please ensure that your water heater has been properly installed with working protection devices (T&P valve and expansion tank); if in doubt, consult with your plumber.

For more information about this report, or for any questions you have about your drinking water, please contact:

NW Natural Water Services Compliance Department at (503)-554-8333