HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport - Mail Packet - 6/23/2015 - Memorandum From Mark Kempton And Carol Webb Re: 2014 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report And The Drinking Water Quality Policy Annual Report2014 Drinking Water Quality Policy Annual Report
June 2015
In October 1993, Fort Collins City Council Resolution 93-144 adopted the Drinking
Water Quality Policy (Attachment A). The purpose of the policy is to ensure the
continuous delivery of high quality drinking water to Fort Collins Utilities’ (Utilities)
customers. This 21st annual report is a requirement of the Drinking Water Quality
Policy and summarizes the actions taken in support of policy goals during 2014.
This report was compiled by the Regulatory and Government Affairs and Water
Production Divisions with contributions from:
Environmental Services Division
Water Field Operations
Cleaning the Pleasant Valley Pipeline
Presedimentation Basin, 2014
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2014 Drinking Water Quality Policy Annual Report
June 2015
RELIABILITY, CAPACITY, AND REDUNDANCY
Utilities owns and operates an 87 million gallon per day capacity drinking water
treatment facility 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure a continuous supply of
high quality drinking water is delivered to our customers. Utilities’ staff is available at
all times to respond to customer complaints and concerns regarding drinking water
quality and reliability of service.
The treatment plant has multiple systems and processes in place to provide high
reliability with low risk of failure. Most of these systems and processes are related to
redundancy. For example, Utilities has two water sources, three raw water pipelines,
multiple chemical storage tanks, delivery systems, treatment trains, filters, and storage
reservoirs.
Utilities also has a robust asset management and preventative maintenance program,
which helps ensure the continual provision of safe drinking water to the community,
and that standards are met for community firefighting and emergency activities.
REGULATION CHANGES
In 2014, changes were made to the State’s drinking water regulations. City staff
participated in multiple stakeholder work groups related to the proposed changes. As a
result of the changes, there will be regulatory requirements on storage tanks, including
periodic tank inspections. Other major changes
include a numerically defined minimum for chlorine
residual in the finished water, required surveying of
the distribution system for cross connections, and a
maximum contaminant level for E. coli. Fort Collins
Utilities is in compliance with many of these changes
and no significant operational changes are anticipated.
The majority of the changes take effect in 2016. Staff participation in the rulemaking
process gave the Utilities a better understanding of the upcoming changes, and also
helped Utilities plan for changes that may need to be made in the future.
GOAL #1: The City will provide water services that meet or exceed
customer expectations for quality, quantity and reliability.
Plant staff inspect and clean the
East Finished Water Reservoir
Page 2 of 11
2014 Drinking Water Quality Policy Annual Report
June 2015
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
NUMBER OF MAIN BREAKS
OCCURRING ANNUALLY, 2010-
2014
.
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The maintenance of
Utilities’ water
distribution system
includes myriad activities:
fire hydrant inspections
and repair, flushing of the
distribution system,
preventative maintenance
on valves and hydrants,
identification of leaks, the
repair of main breaks, and
exercising water valves.
Additionally, staff responds to various service requests, both during and after regular
business hours, and replaces many miles of water main each year to help improve the
distribution system.
0 50 100 150 200 250
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Annual number of miles of water
mains surveyed for leaks, 2010-2014
Miles
GOAL #2: The City will protect and maintain high water quality in the
development of all codes, policies, plans and specifications related to the
acquisition, production and delivery of water services to its customers.
Page 3 of 11
2014 Drinking Water Quality Policy Annual Report
June 2015
PARTNERSHIP FOR SAFE WATER
The Water Treatment Facility earned their 15th consecutive Director’s Award as a
member of the Partnership for Safe Water (PSW). The Director’s Award is awarded to
top-tier water plants that have demonstrated the commitment to providing superior
quality water to their customers, beyond the requirements of the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) regulations.
The Partnership is an alliance
of six drinking water
organizations including the
USEPA. This voluntary
program strives to enhance
water quality through
continuous optimization of
treatment processes. Operators,
managers and administrators
are provided self-assessment
and optimization tools to
improve performance above
and beyond current and
proposed regulatory levels.
The Partnership was originally designed with a focus on treatment of drinking water,
but has recently expanded to inspire and recognize excellence in distribution systems.
In June 2014, the Field Services Division joined the PSW Distribution Optimization
program. During the summer we collected and analyzed the data for baseline reporting.
In October 2014 we completed the requirements to reach Level II of the program. Next
we began compiling the more comprehensive data needed for Level III, as well as
starting our self-assessment toward the goal of applying for the Directors Award in
2015.
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2014 Drinking Water Quality Policy Annual Report
June 2015
KEY SOURCE WATERSHED PARTNERSHIPS
Cache la Poudre River.
Since 2008, the Utilities
Source Watershed
Program has partnered
with the City of
Greeley and the Tri-
Districts in the
Collaborative Upper
Cache la Poudre Water
Quality Monitoring
Program in the shared
interest of sustaining
this pristine water
supply. This program
assists partners in meeting current and future drinking water treatment goals by
reporting current water quality conditions and trends in the Upper CLP watershed and
issues that potentially impact watershed health. Annual and 5-year water quality
reports are available on the Source Watershed Program website:
http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we-do/water/water-quality/source-water-
monitoring/upper-poudre-quality-monitoring.
Horsetooth Reservoir. Fort Collins Utilities has actively monitored
the water quality in Horsetooth Reservoir since the mid-1980s. In
2010, Northern Water added Horsetooth Reservoir to its water
quality monitoring network, and since that time there has been near
full redundancy in monitoring efforts. In 2015, Utilities entered into
a cost-share agreement with Northern Water for the monitoring of
Horsetooth Reservoir water quality. A comparison of the monitoring
GOAL #3: The City’s water supply, treatment, storage, delivery and
laboratory facilities will be planned, designed, constructed, maintained,
staffed and operated to assure safe, reliable and cost-effective service to
the residents of Fort Collins and all those served by the City’s water
utility.
Page 5 of 11
2014 Drinking Water Quality Policy Annual Report
June 2015
program and the data record confirmed good comparability between the design and
quality of the programs, and the new agreement ensures that Utilities receives up-to-
date information about water quality conditions in the Reservoir. In exchange for
monitoring services, the Fort Collins Water Quality Lab is providing in-kind
contribution of chlorophyll-a analysis for samples collected from sites within Northern’s
monitoring network. The value of these analytical services is approximately $6,450.
Water Quality data and Northern Water’s tri-annual reservoir water quality reports are
made available at: http://www.northernwater.org/WaterQuality/MonitoringPrograms.aspx.
Utilities will also continue to provide annual Horsetooth Reservoir water quality
summaries at: http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we-do/water/water-quality/source-water-
monitoring/horsetooth-reservoir-quality-monitoring
Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW). CPRW
was formed in 2013 following the Hewlett Gulch and
High Park Fires to address post-fire restoration needs. The
City of Fort Collins, City of Greeley and Larimer County
committed funding for the initial 2-year development
period and retain fixed seats on the Board of Directors
through September 2015. Ongoing funding thereafter will
be contingent upon program performance and project
relevance to Utilities interests in protecting water supply
and quality. To date, the primary focus of this group has
been on reducing hillslope and stream channel erosion,
which severely impacts the quality of Fort Collins and
Greeley’s Poudre River water supplies during rainstorms
or high flow conditions. Other priorities for CPRW
include monitoring the effectiveness of post-fire
restoration methods and implementing forest restoration
projects aimed at reducing the risk, severity and impacts
of future fires in the watershed. CPRW was a recipient of the Larimer County
Environmental Stewardship Award in 2014. Information about restoration projects,
Watershed Plan development, as well as CPRW members and partnerships can be
found at: http://www.poudrewatershed.org/.
Big Thompson Watershed Forum (BTWF). Fort Collins Utilities also collaborates with the
City of Greeley, the Tri-Districts, Northern Water and the Big Thompson Watershed
Forum on water quality monitoring and assessments. Routine water quality monitoring
of components of the C-BT Project upstream of Horsetooth Reservoir is conducted by
Volunteers sowing native
grass seeds & installing
erosion matting at Skin
Gulch, May 2, 2015.
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2014 Drinking Water Quality Policy Annual Report
June 2015
Northern Water and the U.S. Geological Survey for the Big Thompson Watershed
Forum. The City is a major financial contributor to the Forum and Utilities
representatives serve on the Forum's Board of Directors. This sustainable approach to
monitoring large watersheds reduces sampling costs and provides a significant shared
knowledge base. Current work includes the preparation of the 2015 Water Quality
Report which includes analysis of impacts of the 2013 floods and planning for the
Annual Conference in September 2015. More information about the BTWF can be
found at: http://www.btwatershed.org/.
CERTIFIED LABORATORY
The City of Fort Collins is required to comply with State and Federal drinking water
standards. These standards mandate that a certified laboratory perform all regulatory
compliance testing. The City’s Water Quality Lab staff provides state-certified
regulatory compliance testing and reporting for Utilities as well as ten other regional
water agencies.
The City’s Water Quality Lab first achieved Certification in bacteriology testing in
1978. Since that time the lab has gained certified status for a large array of water quality
tests. Certified status is achieved through a multi-step process:
CERTIFIED
STATUS
Application
The application process
includes documentation
regarding the qualifications
of lab staff, training,
equipment, quality
assurance documentation,
facilities and budget as well
as proof of successful
analysis of “unknown"
performance audit samples
each year.
Audits
These annual audits involve
analysis of samples from
USEPA and other providers
that contain unknown
quantities of unknown
constituents. This rigorous
approach covers an array of
parameters and weeds out
possible reporting of false
positive and false negative
results.
Inspections
Evaluation of lab staff
includes review and
verification of their formal
educational qualifications,
lab training, and lab-related
work experience as well as
hands-on demonstration of
laboratory skills. In addition,
details of written and actual
test methods and
procedures are audited to
ensure “to-the-letter”
compliance with required
EPA
2014 Drinking Water Quality Policy Annual Report
June 2015
WATER QUALITY COMPLAINTS
In 2014, the City received 48 drinking water quality complaints, equating to a rate of
1.42 per 1,000 customers. Staff responded to 42 of the complaints in person at the site to
talk with customers and collect water samples. Based on the most recent QualServe
report from the American Water Works Association, 49 other participating utilities had
a median number of technical water complaints of 5.31 per 1,000 customer accounts.
The “best” quartile rate observed by other participating utilities was 2.06 per 1,000; at
1.42 per 1,000, the City was “better than the best”.
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
Air Chlorine Dirt/RustIllness/Health Lead Other Taste/Odor Total
Complaint Types by Quarter 2014
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Page 8 of 11
2014 Drinking Water Quality Policy Annual Report
June 2015
ASSET MANAGEMENT
Utilities continued risk forecasting efforts within its water production and distribution
asset base throughout 2014. The Asset Management risk forecast is a process to
evaluate the condition of the equipment, piping, and facilities, the types of risks
associated with the system and determinations as to timeline for replacement.
Some 2014 progress highlights:
• Additional improvements were made on the impressed current cathodic
protection system for underground piping at the Water Treatment Facility and in
the distribution system.
• Staff continued adding asset information to the IBM Maximo Enterprise Asset
Management System for the Water Treatment Facility and the distribution
system. This system replaced the existing maintenance tracking program that
had been in use at the facility for many years.
• Substantial sections of critical large underground pipe assets at the Water
Treatment Facility were replaced as part of the proactive underground asset
management process.
• Staff developed a framework for prioritizing Water Treatment Facility
equipment for replacement and began compiling data for population of the
model.
• Staff developed a monetized risk model of the distribution system to prioritize
replacement of pipes across the system based on the risk of loss of service of
these mains.
• In 2014, Utilities replaced 5,852 linear feet, or 1.11 miles, of water mains out of
550 total miles of pipe in the system. This equates to an annual replacement rate
of ~0.20%. Plans are being developed to increase this rate to 1% replacement per
year by 2020.
• The oldest treatment basin at the Water Treatment Facility (#3) had many parts
that were obsolete, or reaching the end of life cycle. A project was begun in 2014
which assessed the condition of all equipment, removed equipment that was in
poor condition, at end of life cycle, or otherwise in need of replacement, and
replaced it with new equipment. Other equipment that was still in serviceable
condition was rebuilt. Several safety features were also added during this
project, such as walkways across the basin for cleaning access and a permanently
mounted ladder.
• The Water Treatment Facility Master Plan is due for review in 2015. This process
will identify and prioritize capital projects at the facility for the next five years,
necessary to maintain system integrity and continue to protect the public health.
Page 9 of 11
2014 Drinking Water Quality Policy Annual Report
June 2015
PLEASANT VALLEY PRESEDIMENTATION BASIN
In 2013, a presedimentation basin was put in service at the entrance to the Pleasant
Valley pipeline. The basin acts as a water quality buffer between the pipeline and the
canal that carries water to the pipeline from North Poudre Irrigation Company’s
Munroe Diversion off the Poudre River. The basin was operated for 32 days in 2013,
and 95 days in 2014. The removed sediment was cleaned from basin for the first time in
2014. The sediment removed at that time totaled 256,128 lbs. (128.06 Tons) dry weight, for an
average sediment removal rate of 2,016 lbs. of sediment per day. A study is planned in
2015 to compare multiple water quality parameters between the influent and effluent of
the basin to further verify the efficiency of the basin and its value in protecting water
quality for our customers.
CHLORINE CONTACT BASIN
A project is in the design phase to add a chlorine contact basin to the treatment
processes at the Water Treatment Facility. This will enable the facility to meet
disinfection contact time (CT) requirements prior to our underground finished water
storage reservoirs. This will provide an additional barrier protecting the public health
and effectively increase the volume available in the reservoirs for storage. Currently,
some of the treated water storage volume must be reserved to meet CT requirements.
STATE CERTIFIED OPERATORS
The water treatment facility operators are all certified by the Colorado Water and
Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Board as Certified Water Professionals. All
plant operators, plus the plant superintendent, have earned the highest level of
classification as Class A. Several staff are also certified as Level I distribution system
operators. Other plant staff are also encouraged to pursue certification as plant
operators, as well as other professional certifications which increase their skills. Other
such certifications held by plant staff include:
• Professional Engineer
• Certified Control Systems Technician
• Hazardous Materials Technician
• Journeyman Electrician
• DOT Certification
• ASE Mechanic Certification
Page 10 of 11
2014 Drinking Water Quality Policy Annual Report
June 2015
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
The Water Treatment Facility has established a formal Environmental Management
System (EMS) that has been certified to conform to the ISO 14001:2004 standard.
A key aspect of this EMS is reduction in energy usage and
greenhouse gas footprint. In support of this, the facility has
participated in the Colorado Industrial Energy Challenge,
sponsored by the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office and the
U.S. Department of Energy.
The facility also conducted technical energy audits and
engineering studies. Plant staff continues to pursue energy efficiency
improvements in order to shrink the greenhouse gas footprint, and control operating
costs associated with energy in the face of rising treated water demands.
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) is a
statewide environmental recognition and reward
program administered by CDPHE’s Sustainability
Program.
The ELP offers benefits and incentives to members
that voluntarily go beyond compliance with state
and federal regulations, and who are committed to
continual environmental improvement.
As the result of process improvements and the ISO 14001:2004 certification of the EMS,
the facility has received recognition as an ELP Gold Leader.
Page 11 of 11
2014
DRINKING WATER
QUALITY REPORT
Para más información de este informe de su cualidad
de agua potable en español, llame Fort Collins Utilities a
970-221-6700, TDD 970-224-6003 o mande preguntas
en español a utilities@fcgov.com.
Where Our Water Originates
Fort Collins Utilities’ water comes from the Horsetooth Reservoir
and Cache la Poudre River. Beginning as rain and snow in the
mountains, Horsetooth water is delivered from the western slope via
the Colorado-Big Thompson Water Project, while Poudre River water
originates on the eastern slope, northwest of Fort Collins.
Our Water Treatment Facility produces nearly all the water it
distributes; however, customers may occasionally receive a blend of
water treated by Utilities and the Soldier Canyon Filter Plant (owned
by the Tri-Districts). Both treatment facilities use Horsetooth
Reservoir and the Cache la Poudre River as sources of water.
Continuing Our Commitment
Know your H2O. Learn where your drinking water comes from and
how it compares to federal standards by checking out this Report.
Fort Collins Utilities remains committed to delivering high-quality
drinking water and meeting the challenges of source water
protection, water conservation and community education.
2
3
Regulated in the Distribution System
Parameter
Month with the lowest number of
samples with detectable chlorine Results
Number of
Samples TT Requirement Meet Standard? Typical Sources
Chlorine November 99.04% 104 For any two consecutive
months, at least 95% of
samples (per month) must
be detectable.
The higher the percentage
the better.
Yes Water additive
used to control
microbes
Chlorine was detectable in 100% of samples in all
other months.
Parameter
Month with the highest
percentage of positive
samples Results
Number of
Samples MCL MCLG Meet Standard? Typical Sources
Total Coliform October 0.93% positive 107 No more than 5.0%
positive samples
per month
(the lower the
percentage
the better)
0 Yes Naturally present
in the environment
Parameter Average
Range of
Individual
Samples
Number
of Samples
Unit of
Measure MCL MCLG
Highest
Compliance
Value
Meet the
Standard? Typical Sources
HAA5 25.53 7.4 to 40 32 ppb 60 N/A 28.5 Yes Byproduct of
drinking water
TTHM 36.36 22.8 to 54.2 32 80 N/A 44.6 Yes disinfection
Chlorite 0.14 0.06 to 0.24 36 1.0 0.8 N/A Yes
Regulated at the Consumer’s Tap—52 Homes Were Tested
Parameter
Monitoring
Period 90th Percentile
Number of
Samples
Unit of
Measure
Action
Level
Number of Sample
Sampled at the Entry Point to the Distribution System
Parameter Month Level Found TT Requirement
Meet the
Standard? Typical Sources
Turbidity, Utilities August Highest single measurement:
0.15 NTU
Maximum is 1 NTU for any
single measurement
Yes Soil Runoff
Turbidity, SCFP April Highest single measurement:
0.13 NTU
Yes
Turbidity, Utilities and SCFP All months
of 2014
100% of samples were less than
0.3 NTU
In any month, at least 95%
of samples must be less than
0.3 NTU
Yes
Parameter Result
Number
of Samples Unit of Measure MCL MCLG
Meet the
Standard? Typical Sources
Barium, Utilities 0.02 1 ppm 2 2 Yes Erosion of natural
deposits
Barium, SCFP 0.016 1 ppm 2 2 Yes
Fluoride, Utilities 0.88 1 ppm 4 4 Yes Water additive promoting
strong teeth
Fluoride, SCFP 0.66 1 ppm 4 4 Yes
Nitrate, Utilities 0.09 1 ppm 10 10 Yes Runoff from fertilizer use
Nitrate, SCFP 0.08 1 ppm 10 10 Yes
4
Unregulated Contaminants
EPA required that we monitor the finished water in 2013 and 2014 for 28 contaminants that are not currently regulated (no MCL).
EPA plans to use this information for writing future regulations.
Raw and Finished Water Ratio
Parameter Average Range
Number
of Samples
Unit of
Measure TT Minimum Ratio
Meet the
Standard? Typical Sources
Total Organic Carbon
Ratio, Utilities
1.30 1.13 to 1.47 12 Ratio 1.00 (the higher
the better)
Yes Naturally present in
the environment
Total Organic Carbon
Ratio,SCFP
1.18 1.03-1.31 12 Ratio 1.00 Yes
Contaminant Year Range of Results Unit of Measure Typical Sources
Chromium 2013–2014 200–300 ppt Naturally occurring metal
Strontium 40–53 ppb Naturally occurring element
Vanadium 200–300 ppt Naturally occurring element
Chromium, hexavalent 170–350 ppt Naturally occurring metal
Chlorate <20–41 ppb Byproduct of drinking water
Treating Source Water
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be
expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants.
The presence of these contaminants does not necessarily indicate
that the water poses a health risk.
As water travels over the land’s surface or through the ground, it
dissolves naturally occurring minerals and can pick up substances
resulting from the presence of animals and humans. To ensure tap
water is safe to drink, the CDPHE regulates the amount of certain
contaminants in water from public water systems. Source water
may contain:
• Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which
may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems,
agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.
• Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which may
be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff,
industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas
production, mining or farming.
• Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety
of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff and
residential uses.
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile
organic chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial processes
and petroleum production. These contaminants also may come
from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems.
• Radioactive contaminants, which may be naturally occurring or
the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
For more information about contaminants and potential health
risks, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or
visiting epa.gov/safewater.
5
Definitions
AL: Action level – concentration of a contaminant, which,
if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that
a water system must follow.
HAA5: Haloacetic Acids
MCLG: Maximum contaminant level goal – 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.
MCL: Maximum contaminant level – 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.
N/A: Not applicable.
NTU: Nephelometric turbidity unit – measure of particles in the
water or clarity.
ppb: Parts of contaminant per billion parts of water, µg/L.
ppm: Parts of contaminant per million parts of water, mg/L.
ppt: Parts of contaminant per trillion parts of water, ng/L
TOC: Total organic carbon.
TT: Treatment technique – required process intended to reduce
the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
TTHM: Total Trihalomethanes
Cryptosporidium and Giardia
Cryptosporidium and Giardia come from animal and human waste
in the watershed and are common in untreated surface water. When
ingested, the organisms may cause fever, nausea and diarrhea.
They are removed by a well-maintained water treatment process.
In 2014, Fort Collins Utilities tested the untreated source water
for the organisms. Both Giardia and Cryptosporidium were found
Monitoring and Protecting Our Water Sources
The City of Fort Collins’ drinking water supply comes from two water
sources, the Cache la Poudre River and Horsetooth Reservoir. Fort
Collins Utilities collaborates with local drinking water providers
to monitor and assess water quality in the upper Cache la Poudre
watershed. We are a member of the Big Thompson Watershed
Forum (btwatershed.org) and partner with a variety of organizations
to monitor and analyze water quality in the C-BT watersheds and
Horsetooth Reservoir. Monitoring data are used to support the
protection of the City’s drinking water sources. The City’s source
watersheds continue to provide reliable, high-quality drinking water
with the exception of “short-lived” impacts on Poudre River water
quality from the after-effects of the 2012 wildfires.
In 2014, the Upper Poudre Watershed continued to experience
post-wildfire impacts on water quality due to sediment erosion
and flash flooding from the Hewett and High Park Fire burn scars.
Utilities used early-warning technology and targeted water quality
monitoring to mitigate post-wildfire impacts on water treatment
operations and evaluate the watershed recovery process. Utilities
treated more Poudre River water in 2014 compared to any pre-
fire year, while continuing to meet the standards for high quality
drinking water.
The City of Fort Collins Utilities completed work with the Natural
Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and other local partners
through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program to
assess and mitigate the hazards associated with flash flooding
and sediment erosion. The final phase of the three year project
was completed in August 2014 with a total of 1,800-acres of land
treated with wood mulch since 2012. Utilities will continue to
monitor watershed recovery and work with watershed stakeholders,
including the newly formed Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed
and its partners, to support watershed protection efforts in our
source watersheds.
The most recent source water quality reports can be found at
fcgov.com/utilities/what-we-do/water/water-quality/source-
water-monitoring.
Environmental Leadership
The Water Treatment Facility is committed to protecting the
environment by identifying and reducing its environmental impacts
in order to increase its operating efficiency. To help achieve
this goal, the facility has established a formal Environment
Management System (EMS) that has been certified to conform
to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
14001:2004 standard. The goals of an EMS are to prevent
pollution, comply with legal requirements, and continually improve
environmental performance. The key environmental objectives set
by the facility include reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by
reducing energy and fuel consumption, and sustainably managing
the facility’s landscape to minimize risks to public safety, private
property, and the environment.
The facility is participating in the Colorado Industrial Energy
Challenge (CIEC), which is sponsored by the Colorado Governor’s
Energy Office and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The CIEC is
a voluntary program that supports industrial facilities to overcome
barriers in achieving energy efficiency goals. Through this program,
the facility conducted technical energy audits and engineering
studies whose recommendations yielded significant reductions in
energy usage, and cost savings; even in the face of rising treated
water demands.
In addition, the facility participates in the Colorado Environmental
Fluoridation
As directed by City Council and our customers, Utilities adds
fluoride to the water, resulting in levels that range from 0.9 to
1.05 ppm.
If you or members of your household are sensitive to fluoride or
fluoridation-related substances or if you provide our water to
an infant younger than six months of age, please consult your
physician or another health expert regarding precautions you may
want to consider. Visit fcgov.com/water/fluoride.php for more
information.
Vulnerable Populations
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in
drinking water than the general population. Particularly at risk
are immunocompromised persons, such as those undergoing
chemotherapy; those who have received organ transplants; people
with HIV/AIDS or other immune-system disorders; and some elderly
and infants. These people should seek advice about drinking water
from their healthcare providers.
Guidelines to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium
and other microbial contaminants are available the EPA/Center
for Disease Control. Call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at
(800) 426-4791 or visit epa.gov/safewater.
Lead
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.
While Utilities is responsible for providing high-quality
drinking water, we 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, you may wish
to have your water tested.
For more information, testing methods and steps to minimize
exposure, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or
visit epa.gov/safewater/lead.
Community Participation
Community members are welcome to attend Fort Collins Utilities’
Water Board meetings, a citizen committee that advises City
Council on matters of policy and budget. Please see the schedule
and location at fcgov.com/cityclerk/water.php.
7
fcgov.com/utilities • utilities@fcgov.com • 970-221-6700 • TDD: 970-224-6003
Water Treatment Process
Leadership Program (ELP), an environmental recognition and
reward program administered by the Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment Division of Environmental Health
and Sustainability. As a result of its continuing environmental
stewardship and the successful ISO certification of the EMS, the
facility was recognized as an ELP Gold Leader in 2014.
The Water Treatment Facility earned their 15th consecutive
Director’s Award as a member of the Partnership for Safe Water.
The Partnership is an alliance of six drinking water organizations
including the USEPA. The director’s award is only awarded to
top-tier water facilities that have demonstrated the commitment
to providing superior quality water to their customers, beyond the
requirements of the USEPA regulations.
6
Sampling the North Fork
Cache la Poudre River
in the Poudre River samples. Neither was found in Horsetooth
Reservoir samples.
Watershed recovery
disinfection
Chlorodifluormethane <80–460 ppt Propellants and refrigerants
Sites Above
Action Level Meet Standard? Typical Sources
Copper 08/25/2014 to
09/29/2014
0.08 52 ppm 1.3 0 Yes Corrosion of
household
plumbing
Lead 2 52 ppb 15 0 Yes systems
Water Quality Test Results
These monitoring results are representative of water treated by Utilities and the Soldier Canyon Filter Plant (SCFP). The unregulated
contaminated monitoring data was collected during 2013 and 2014; all other data are from monitoring completed during 2014, in
compliance with regulations. Acronym definitions are listed on page 5.
specifications. Certification
inspections also include
review of the lab’s budget,
equipment, facilities and
work processes.
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