KEEP IT PURE

From your Mountains to your Tap

Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities

Water Quality Report 2021

PWSID# UTAH 18026

OUR PRIMARY GOAL at Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities (SLC Public Utilities) is to always deliver the best drinking water possible. This means water that meets and exceeds all state and federal regulations. Federal law requires regular updates of these rules. SLC Public Utilities will continue to support and contribute to ongoing research efforts with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), state and local agencies, and universities. Our community’s health and safety are our top priorities. During the year we faced various challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, earthquakes, and

a windstorm. We want to assure you these events did not impact our water supplies and water quality. If you have any questions or concerns about your drinking water, we invite you to contact our office.

This Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) is a snapshot of last year’s (2020) water quality data. This report includes details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to the EPA and State of Utah Division of Drinking Water (Utah DDW) standards. SLC Public Utilities is committed to accuracy and transparency in providing this information.

OUR SERVICE AREA AND

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

SLC Public Utilities’ service area includes Salt Lake City and portions of Millcreek, Holladay, Cottonwood Heights, and other communities. A map of our service area can be found at www.slc.gov/utilities. We are committed to building trust with our community. We invite you to engage with us on our social media sites: facebook.com/slcpu, instagram.com/slcpu, and twitter.com/slcpu. You may also contact Holly Mullen, Communications and Engagement Manager, for information at holly.mullen@slcgov.com. We encourage your participation in decisions that affect our community’s drinking water. The SLC Public Utilities Advisory Committee (PUAC) meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. We welcome you to these open meetings. Please note, the PUAC generally does not meet during the summer months. For more information, please visit www.slc.gov/boards/boards-commissions/ public-utilities-advisory-committee or contact us at 801.483.6770.

WATER ASSIST PROGRAM

We recognize paying utility bills may be an economic hardship for some customers or at certain times. SLC Public Utilities, in partnership with the Salt Lake City Chapter of the Salvation Army (which administers the program), offers Project Water Assist for Salt Lake City customers who qualify for financial aid to pay their utility bills. For assistance, a customer must qualify at 150 percent of poverty level and/or have a family member who meets one or more of the following criteria: age 60 or older; has a disability; or who qualifies for the Salt Lake County Tax Abatement Program. To learn more about the program, please visit www.slc.gov/ utilities/pay-my-bill/water-bill-assistance or www.saltlakecity. salvationarmy.org. If you would like to donate to Project Water Assist, you can check the box that appears on your utility bill or your online account.

We are serious about protecting our source waters as the first stage of treatment. Clean water at the start means higher quality water from your tap. We regularly monitor our source waters in the nearby Wasatch Mountains and groundwater, as well as prepare source protection plans.

SURFACE WATER SOURCE PROTECTION

Our primary source waters are from mountain streams including City Creek, Parleys Creek, Big Cottonwood Creek, and Little Cottonwood Creek, which are in the protected watersheds located south and east of Salt Lake City in the Wasatch Mountains. Salt Lake City Ordinances 17.04 and 17.08 were adopted to protect these mountain streams from pollution. To see a map of our protected watershed area, visit www.slc.gov/utilities/watershed. Furthermore, we have invested in and receive treated water from our wholesale water supplier, Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake & Sandy (MWDSLS). In addition to Little Cottonwood Creek, sources of this water include the Provo, Duchesne, and Weber Rivers, stored in the Jordanelle and Deer Creek reservoirs.

For several years, our “Keep It Pure” campaign has helped to educate the community on the value of protecting our watershed and water resources. Please help us maintain good water quality by protecting your culinary drinking water watershed. For more information, visit www.slc.gov/utilities/ watershed.

GROUNDWATER SOURCE PROTECTION

Just like our mountain streams from the Wasatch Mountains, our groundwater must be protected. SLC Public Utilities’ wells and springs are spread across the valley from Cottonwood Heights to the mouth of City Creek Canyon. The quality of our groundwater is affected by what happens on the ground above. Salt Lake City zoning Ordinance 21A.34.060 was adopted

to help protect our groundwater resources. In addition, Salt Lake County Ordinance 9.25 helps protect groundwater resources outside of the Salt Lake City boundaries. Never dispose of chemicals or hazardous materials on the ground. These materials can migrate through the soils and impact groundwater.

SLC Public Utilities routinely monitors the quality of the groundwater and remains a concerned and active stakeholder for sites where groundwater contamination has been identified. As such, we work with the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, the EPA, and others

to protect our residents and their interests. For more information on protecting groundwater sources, please visit www.slc.gov/utilities/ groundwater-source-protection.

Where does our water come from? How is it treated?

Our water is blended with different sources depending on demand and supply. We have also built redundancy into our system to avoid disruption in service and to provide for future water needs. Our source waters include mountain streams, surface water reservoirs, and a network of groundwater wells and springs. During the summer months, when mountain stream runoff declines, groundwater from wells is mixed with the stream water throughout Public Utilities’ system. This allows us to meet the increased summer water demand and maintain pressure in the water system to ensure fire flow protection for public safety.

SLC Public Utilities owns and operates three surface water treatment plants and purchases water from the MWDSLS. Like many public water systems around the country, the surface water treatment for SLC Public Utilities uses a multi-step treatment process, including coagulation and flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection. The primary disinfectant used is sodium hypochlorite, which is a chlorine compound often used as a disinfectant. We typically use our network of wells in the summer months to meet high demand. Because of SLC Public Utilities’ excellent groundwater resources, groundwater does not require special treatment. However, similar to the filtration process of surface water, groundwater is continually filtered through a natural process as it passes through the subsurface geology.

After the water leaves the treatment plants and wells, SLC Public Utilities routinely collects samples throughout the distribution system to monitor the quality of water as it travels from the source to your tap.

Source Water

Mountain Streams

& Reservoirs

Chemical Addition

Coagulant – Ferric Chloride

Disinfectant - Chlorine

Mixing & Coagulation

Coagulant causes small particles to stick together and form larger particles

Flocculation &

Sedimentation

Filtration

remove small particles

Fluoridation

Fluoride added per Salt Lake County,

Rule #33

Storage Reservoirs & Distribution

Treated water to your tap

CONSERVATION, CLIMATE, & WATER SUPPLY

In December 2020, the Salt Lake City Council adopted the Salt Lake City Water Conservation Plan. This plan provides information on water supply, historical water demand, and establishes new water conservation goals. It also describes the dozens of water conservation programs and practices that will help us achieve our short and long-term conservation goals. Since the beginning of our Conservation Program in 2001, we have reduced water use by more than 27 percent. However, we can all do more to protect and sustain our limited water resources. Want to use less indoors? Join the 7-Gallon Challenge! Or maybe you want to learn how to use less water outdoors? Sign up for a FREE Water Check! Or maybe you work at or own a local business and want to help? Visit www.slc.gov/utilities/conservation to learn about these opportunities and more!

CONSERVATION, CLIMATE, & WATER SUPPLY

The climate conditions of 2020/2021 produced above average temperatures, below average snow accumulation, dry soils and below average stream flows. We are engaged with many stakeholders to understand and prepare for annual variations in climate as well as potential long-term climate change scenarios. Regardless of snow totals, spring runoff, or supply levels, please remember: We are situated in an arid climate and conservation is always the best practice.

Lead and Copper

Lead and copper in drinking water is a topic of important national discussion. Lead is a naturally occurring soft metal used in a wide range of products and can be found throughout the environment and home. Possible sources of lead include flaking of lead-based paint, gasoline, consumer products, the soil, hobby materials such as solder, and plumbing. Lead and copper in drinking water are primarily caused by leaching (discharging) from plumbing materials containing lead or copper in home plumbing.

We are fortunate that due to the high-quality drinking water sources, we have not detected lead in the distribution system that feeds drinking water to homes. Furthermore, SLC Public Utilities removed lead water main pipes from the drinking water distribution system many years ago. However, we do not control the materials used in household plumbing components and private service lines.

HEALTH IMPACTS OF LEAD AND COPPER

Identifying and controlling sources of lead and copper in the home and drinking water is important for public health. Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.

SALT LAKE CITY’S LEAD AND COPPER SAMPLING PROGRAM FOR DRINKING WATER IN HOMES

and analysis from high-risk homes. These high-risk homes are known to contain lead and/or copper pipes and lead solder, which is more likely to contribute to elevated lead levels. Due to the high quality of our water, SLC Public Utilities is on the triennial (three year) schedule. Our 2018 results for lead and copper were very similar to our historical levels and in line with those across the state. This year, 2021, we will be performing our triennial lead and copper sampling and analysis from high-risk homes. If you are interested in taking part, please complete the form at www.slc.gov/utilities/ leadandcoppersurvey or contact Arlene Larsen at 801.483.6832 or arlene. larsen@slcgov.com.

For more information including how to reduce exposure to lead and copper in drinking water, visit www.slc.gov/utilities/leadandcopper.

Cross Connection Control & Backflow Prevention

Our cross-connection control program provides oversight and monitors connections to our system to prevent water back-flowing from residential, commercial, or industrial consumers into our distribution system. Backflow is the unwanted reversal of flow of water created by a hydraulic condition caused by backpressure or back-siphonage. Backflow preventer assemblies, devices, and other methods are installed at cross connections to prevent backflow and protect water quality. A cross-connection is any actual or potential connection between the water you want to drink with any fixture, equipment, apparatus or non-potable system that may pollute (non-health hazard) or contaminate (health hazard) your drinking water. You can do your part by monitoring your own water use and connections within your home or business. Please be mindful that without proper backflow prevention measures, any connections made to your water system could potentially end up in your drinking water. For more information regarding cross-connection, please visit www.slc.gov/utilities/water-quality/cross-connections.

TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL CROSS CONNECTIONS:

Drinking Water Contaminants

Drinking water sources include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and can pick up contamination from animal or human activity. Contaminants include microbial contaminants (viruses and bacteria), inorganic contaminants (salts and metals), pesticides and herbicides, organic chemicals (synthetic and volatile organic chemicals), and radioactive contaminants. The EPA prescribes regulations limiting the amount of certain contaminants in public water systems. We support these regulations and work daily to provide you with the best possible drinking water.

Your drinking water is treated and tested for more than 170 individual contaminants to ensure it meets all state and federal standards. Last year we conducted more than 18,000 tests. The state allows us to monitor for some contaminants less often than annually because their concentrations do not change frequently. Some of our data, though representative, is more than one year old. The table provides a listing of some compounds we analyze. Potential contaminants not detected are not listed.

EPA UNREGULATED CONTAMINANT MONITORING RULE

We also take part in federal programs aimed to assist with the development and refinement of regulatory levels for possible contaminants. We recently completed monitoring for the EPA 4th Unregulated Contaminants Monitoring Rule (UCMR) program, which spanned from 2018 to 2020. The UCMR provides EPA and other interested parties with scientifically valid data on the occurrence of contaminants in drinking water. This national survey is one of the primary sources

of information on occurrence and levels of exposure that EPA uses to develop regulatory decisions for contaminants in the public drinking water supply. Results from this and previous programs and have not raised concerns. Many compounds were not detected during the UCMR4 sampling effort. The following table lists only the compounds that were detected. The presence of these compounds in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk, rather the results will allow the EPA to best assess future regulations. For a list of all compounds sampled for UCMR4, please visit www.slcdocs.com/utilities/ PDF%20Files/UCMR4.pdf. For more information on UCMR4, please visit www.epa.gov/dwucmr/fourth-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule.

Health Alert

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain trace amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants in drinking water does not necessarily indicate a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800.426.4791. Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population.

Immunocompromised people, such as those with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, those who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly people, and infants can be particularly at risk for infections. If you fall within any of these categories, please seek advice about drinking water from your health care providers.

Fluoridation of Drinking Water

In the year 2000, residents of Salt Lake County voted to fluoridate drinking water. As a result, since October 2002 Salt Lake County Health Department Regulation #33 has mandated public water suppliers, such as SLC Public Utilities, to fluoridate the water delivered to their customers. The purpose of Regulation #33 is to promote public health through the protection and maintenance of dental health. Salt Lake County Health Department is responsible for oversight of this regulation.

Water picks up a variety of minerals as it flows through the ground and over geologic features; therefore, fluoride is naturally present in our water sources. However, as these levels are below the regulatory mandate, SLC Public Utilities adds additional fluoride to our water supply to meet the Regulation #33 requirement of 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L) (700 ppb).

As with all of our water treatment, there are multiple safeguards and redundancies in place to protect against an accidental overfeed of fluoride. The equipment used to deliver fluoride to the drinking water is carefully monitored, which includes regular inspections, alarms, back-up power, and server redundancy.

For more information, please contact us or Salt Lake County Health Department at 385.468.4100.

© 2021 Goldstreet Design Agency, Inc. All Rights Reserved

800 South 500 East Artesian

Well Park and Liberty Park

Drinking Fountain

Although not part of the SLC Public Utilities drinking water system, the 800 South 500 East artesian well and the Liberty Park artesian drinking fountain are routinely monitored by our staff. These natural water sources meet federal and state requirements for drinking water. However, low levels of perchlorate, a compound that may be naturally occurring or related to explosives manufacturing, have been detected

in the 800 South 500 East artesian well. The levels detected are below what the EPA considers a concern and this compound is not currently regulated in Utah. For more information on the artesian well parks, please visit www.slc.gov/parks. If you have questions about the water quality data, please contact us.

Stormwater

We monitor stormwater discharges to ensure that stormwater is as clean as possible before discharging to our creeks and rivers. Please help us in this effort by keeping the gutter in front of your homes clean and free of debris such as plastic bottles, leaves, grass, and other pollutants that can enter the storm drains. If you observe a clogged storm drain or illegal discharge, please report the incident to 801.483.6700 (SLC Public Utilities 24-hour dispatch) or 801.580.6681 (Salt Lake County Health Department 24-hour hotline).

AFFILIATIONS

SLC Public Utilities is a member of American Water Works Association, American Water Research Foundation, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, American Water Resources Association, Partnership for Safe Water, Utah Water Quality Alliance,

RESOURCES

Information about contaminants and potential health effects, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure can be obtained by calling EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline

at 800.426.4791, or www.epa.gov/ ground-water-and-drinking-water.

The Utah DDW and the EPA have excellent websites regarding lead in drinking water at deq.utah.gov/division-drinking-water and

SALT LAKE CITY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES CONTACT INFORMATION

SLC Public Utilities Customer Service: 801.483.6900

SLC Public Utilities 24-hour Emergency:

801.483.6700

SLC Water Quality Division: 801.483.6832 or 801.483.6765

www.slcgov.com/utilities

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS

Utah Division of Drinking Water:

801.535.4200

deq.utah.gov/division-drinking-water

Salt Lake County Health Department:

385.468.4100 www.slco.org/health

EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline:

800.426.4791

National Association of Clean Water Agencies, Western Urban Water Coalition, Salt Lake County Stormwater Coalition, as well as others.

www.epa.gov/your-drinking-water/basic- information-about-lead-drinking-water.

For more information on fluoride in drinking water, please visit Salt Lake County Health Department at slco.org/health/water- quality/drinking-water/ or 385.468.4100.

FOR QUESTIONS ON THIS REPORT:

Marian L. Rice

Deputy Director

Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities

801.483.6700 (24-hour Customer Service)