Water Quality Report for 2024 - City of Port OrchardF�V LF
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,WATER QUALITY REPORT FOR 2024
The City Council
meets at 6:30 PM on
the 2nd and 4th
Tuesdays of each
month at the Robert
Geiger Council
Chambers, City Hall
(216 Prospect
Street). Your voice
matters, and the
public is always
invited to attend
and participate in
shaping the future
of our community.
Aoy5"RS?
T ORCHARD WATER DEPARTMENT, ID #68900
The City of Port Orchard is
proud to be home to a
vibrant, close-knit
community set against the
stunning backdrop of the
Pacific Northwest's
waterfront. What makes
Port Orchard truly special is
not just its breathtaking
views, but the incredible
people and resources that
make it such a sought-
after place to live and
connect. Among the most
precious of these resources
is water, a vital element
that we all cherish deeply.
Achieving top -tier water
quality means forward -
thinking planning, both
short-term and long-term.
In 2019, the city unveiled a
state-of-the-art
treatment plant designed
to tackle aesthetic issues
Like manganese —a
naturally occurring mineral
that can cause minor
discoloration in water,
despite being below the
federal threshold. This
investment reflects our
dedication to delivering
clear, clean water that
meets the needs of our
residents.
At the heart of our mission
is the commitment to not
only protect this invaluable
resource but to enhance it
for generations to come.
While our water has always
met the stringent federal
standards set by the EPA,
we're not just aiming to
comply —we're striving to
exceed those standards,
ensuring the highest
possible water quality for
today and the future.
We're also taking steps to
secure our water supply for
years to come by planning
for three new wells
ensuring we have the
resources we need as Port
Orchard continues to grow.
Utility Supervisor Scott
Wolf sums it up best:
"Providing safe, reliable
drinking water that meets
all federal and state
requirements is a
responsibility we take very
seriously." This
commitment drives
everything we do, and it's a
promise we'll continue to
uphold as we look toward
the future.
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Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974, empowering the EPA to establish regulations ensuring
the safety of U.S. drinking water. In 1996, Congress amended the Act, requiring water systems to provide
consumers with key information about their water quality. This report complies with the EPA's Code of Federal
Regulations, National Drinking Water Regulations Parts 141 and 142. The City of Port Orchard supports this
Legislation and is committed to keeping our residents informed about the water they rely on daily. This report
includes details on water quality, compliance with federal regulations, updates on our water system, and
ongoing improvements.
CONTACT (360) 876-4991 / 1 publicworks@portorchardwa.gov O www.portorchardwa.gov
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Water
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The City of Port Orchard uses chlorine to keep our water safe and adds small amounts of fluoride to
promote dental health. In 2012, the City adopted the Wellhead Protection Plan to safeguard our water
sources. This plan identifies well recharge areas and potential contamination risks, and it's available for
viewing at the Public Works Department in City Hall.
The Washington State Department of Health rates our wells as having a low to moderate risk of
contamination. You can find source water assessments for all Class A Community Water Systems in
Washington at this link (or scan QR code below).
Another concern is lead in drinking water, which primarily comes from the corrosion of plumbing
materials like pipes, solder, and fixtures —especially in older buildings. To reduce exposure, run the tap
until the water cools before drinking or cooking. Always use cold water for drinking, cooking, and making
baby formula, as hot water can have higher lead levels. For more information, contact the EPA's Safe
Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or visit the EPA's website (or scan QR code below). The
Department of Health and EPA set standards to ensure tap water is safe, while bottled water is regulated
by the FDA and the Washington State Department of Agriculture to provide similar protection.
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A message from the EPA regarding water contaminants 0
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 indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants
and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised
persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with
HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people
should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the
risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-
426-4791).
The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and well. 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. Microbial
contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock
operations, and wildlife. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm
water runoff, industrial, or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. Pesticides and herbicides
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, are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum
production. They can come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems. Radioactive contaminants can be
naturally occurring or the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
Water Quality
The water quality information in this table comes from the most recent
testing, which is done according to the Department of Health and
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. The presence of
contaminants doesn't always mean the water is unsafe to drink. The
(EPA), through the Washington State Department of Health's Office of
Drinking Water, requires us to test for certain contaminants less than
once a year because their levels don't change often. Some of the data
might be over a year old, but it still reflects the current water quality.
The Office of Drinking Water has reduced the testing requirements for
certain chemicals —such as inorganic, synthetic organic, and volatile
organic chemicals —because the sources of these contaminants are not
considered at risk. The most recent tests for these chemicals met all
safet standards.
F1w�est
Range of
{:oIItumirIehIits MCL
MCLG
Sample Date
VioIatian
Typical Source of Contamina-Uolh
Level
Detection
Erosion of natural deposits, Runoff from
Arsenic (ppb)
_::
::
::.:::: _
- _ _
No
orchards; Runoff from glass and electronics
production wastes
Erosion of natural deposits; Waterad;'�y�.=
=l�aoride
=
=
::._ _
Jul-21
No
which promotes strong teeth;
Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum
factories
Runoff from fertilizer use; Leachingfrom
Nitrate (ppm'I
Apr-2-
No
septictonks, sewage; Erosion of natural
deposits
H a I oa ceti c Aci ds (ppb'I
CAD
N/A
NC, --i-.0
Apr-2-
No
9��product of d ri n ki ng water disinfection
Total trilialomethanes
Aug-2A
-10
B`pr duct ofdrinkingwaterdlslnfe.=1:
� ppb'I
;rocs Alpha (ppb;
_v
-
_.=-
_.=-
Ma�,23
Erosion of natural deposits
Radium (ppb'I
May-23
Erosion of natural deposits
GontBmimants
90th %
Range cf
Exceeds
with Action Levels
AL
MCLG
Semple De#
Typical Source
Level
Detection
ALe
rather than MCLs
carrO4Slarl of household plumbing:
Copper (ppm)
_.3
_.3
r,C —:::: _ -
- _ --
Nv
Erosion of natural deposits
corrosion of household plumbing;
Erosion of natural deposits
Unregulated
EL
Contaminants
EPA has not established standards for
unregulated contaminants. The purpose of
uLI'm -1
::._ _- ::._ _- �n--9 N/A this monitoring is to help EPA determ i n e th ei r
occurrencelndrinkingwater and potential
need for future regulation.
Where Does Our Water Come From?
The City's water system currently draws from four deep wells spread across the area, ranging from 240
feet to 806 feet below ground. Among these are two flowing artesian wells that naturally push water to
the surface. In addition to this, the City occasionally obtains water from Bremerton, which sources its
supply from several groundwater wells and a reservoir nestled behind Casad Dam on the Union River. For
added reliability, the City also has an emergency connection with the West Sound Utility District's water
system, ensuring we're always prepared for any situation.
Protecting Your Water, One Connection at a Time
Did you know that the water flowing into your home could be at risk of contamination? Cross connection
protection is essential to keeping your drinking water safe. It's a system designed to prevent non -potable
(unsafe) water from mixing with clean, drinkable water in your pipes.
A cross connection occurs when a pipe carrying contaminated water —like from irrigation, industrial
processes, or even a clogged sewer —connects to your drinking water supply. Without proper protection,
harmful substances could flow back into your water system, putting your health at risk.
That's where devices like backflow preventers come in. These simple yet effective tools ensure that
water flows in one direction only, keeping contaminants out of our water supply. Cross connection
protection helps safeguard the clean water that you and your family rely on every day. Learn more on
protecting your water at this link or scan this QR code:
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(�) (360) 876-4991 * publicworks@portorchardwa.gov @ www.portorchardwa.gov