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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 9/24/2019 - Memorandum From Jared Heath Re: 2019 Summer Water Quality Update - Upper Cache La Poudre WastershedUtilities electric · stormwater · wastewater · water 700 Wood Street PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6700 970.221.6619 – fax 970.224.6003 – TDD utilities@fcgov.com fcgov.com/utilities M E M O R A N D U M DATE: September 16, 2019 TO: Mayor Troxell and Councilmembers FROM: Jared Heath, Watershed Specialist THROUGH: Darin Atteberry, City Manager Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager Kevin R. Gertig, Utilities Executive Director RE: 2019 Summer Water Quality Update – Upper Cache la Poudre Watershed Bottom Line: In the shared interest of monitoring the Upper Cache la Poudre (CLP) River drinking water supply, the City of Fort Collins, the City of Greeley, and Soldier Canyon Water Treatment Authority partnered in 2008 to implement the Upper CLP Collaborative Watershed Monitoring Program. The goal of this monitoring effort is to assist the participants in meeting current and future drinking water treatment goals by reporting current water quality conditions and trends within the Upper CLP watershed. The attached water quality update provides a summary of temperature, precipitation, streamflow, and water quality conditions monitored in the Upper CLP watershed during the summer months of June, July and August in 2019. Background: The seasonal water quality updates are designed to inform the Upper CLP Watershed Collaborative Monitoring Program partners, their customers, and other community stakeholders about the condition of our source watershed and the quality of the raw drinking water supply. This seasonal reporting effort began in 2015 to provide a succinct and timely summary of current-year conditions in the Upper CLP Watershed. Seasonal updates are published for the spring, summer, and fall seasons. In depth water quality reporting is done through annual and five-year technical reports. All water quality reports and seasonal updates are made publicly available on the Fort Collins Utilities website, fcgov.com /source-water-monitoring. Summer 2019 Highlights: The Upper CLP watershed continues to be a reliable, high quality drinking water source for the City of Fort Collins. The Upper CLP Watershed experienced above average air temperature and precipitation over the summer 2019 season. The average air temperature measured 2.1 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than average at the Joe Wright Snow Telemetry Station near Cameron Pass. Precipitation measured 134 percent of average over the summer season with 9.0 inches of DocuSign Envelope ID: 83DA60D6-7563-476F-A944-7FF9F5A24446 precipitation falling in the Upper CLP watershed from June through August. All water quality indicators at key sites along the Upper CLP River were measured within the range of baseline conditions indicating normal water quality conditions on the Poudre River during the summer 2019 season. CC: Water Board Carol Webb, Utilities Deputy Director - Water Resources and Treatment Operations Jill Oropeza, Water Quality Services Manager, Utilities Richard Thorp, Watershed Program Manager, Utilities DocuSign Envelope ID: 83DA60D6-7563-476F-A944-7FF9F5A24446 fcgov.com/water-quality SOURCE WATER MONITORING JWC - Joe Wright Creek above the confluence with the Poudre River PJW - Poudre River above the confluence with Joe Wright Creek PBR - Poudre River below the Town of Rustic PSF - Poudre River below the confluence with the Little South Fork PNF - Poudre River above the confluence with the North Fork at the City of Fort Collins’ Intake PBD - Poudre River below the confluence with the North Fork at the Bellvue Diversion The Upper Cache la Poudre (UCLP) Watershed Collaborative Monitoring Program was established in 2008 between the City of Fort Collins, the City of Greeley and Soldier Canyon Water Authority, to help meet present and future drinking water treatment goals. Water quality monitoring of our raw, Cache la Poudre River drinking water supply is conducted from April through November. Monitoring sites are strategically located throughout the UCLP. Water quality data provide valuable information about the health of our source watershed and raw water supply. The Summer 2019 Water Quality Update provides a seasonal summary of watershed conditions in the Upper CLP Watershed by highlighting precipitation, streamflow and drought conditions over the 2019 water year, as well as water quality during the summer season, as defined by the months of June, July and August. Water quality begins to stabilize following peak snowmelt runoff and routine monitoring is reduced to monthly sampling. Routine water quality monitoring results are reported for six key monitoring sites located throughout the Upper Cache la Poudre watershed, which capture water quality conditions above and below major tributaries and near water supply intake structures (Figure 1). Present water quality conditions are compared to baseline water quality data, collected over the period of 2008 to 2012. Figure 1 - Upper Cache la Poudre Collaborative Monitoring Program sampling locations Water Quality Update | Summer 2019 Monitoring and Protecting Our Water Sources DocuSign Envelope ID: 83DA60D6-7563-476F-A944-7FF9F5A24446 TEMPERATURE Air temperature measured over the 2019 summer season was 2.1°F warmer than the long-term average at the Joe Wright Snow Telemetry Station (SNOTEL) near Cameron Pass. The monthly mean air temperature in June was much cooler than average and ranked as the 9th coldest June on record (41 years). The summer months of July and August were warmer than average. July ranked as the 7th warmest July on record and August ranked as the warmest August on record (Table 1). Water Quality Update | Summer 2019 fcgov.com/water-quality Table 1 – Monthly mean air temperatures measured at Joe Wright SNOTEL compared to the 20-year long-term baseline average (1991 – 2010). Note: C = coldest and H = hottest PRECIPITATION Precipitation measured over the summer season was 134% of average and ranked as the 5th wettest summer on record (41 years). The month of June was particularly wet and ranked as the wettest June on record with more than two times the average precipitation falling in the Upper CLP watershed. In contrast, precipitation measured in the month of August was half the average and ranked as the 6th driest August on record. Precipitation measured in the month of July was near average (Table 2). Table 2 – Monthly accumulated precipitation totals measured at the Joe Wright SNOTEL over the 2019 summer season compared to the long- term average (1981 – 2010). Note: W = wettest and D = driest Period of Record Temperature (ºF) Extremes Average Departure Highest Mean Year 2019 Rank June 2019 45.0 -2.6 54.0 2012 9th (C) Average 45.6 July 2019 54.0 0.2 56.0 2005 7th (H) Average 51.7 August 2019 54.0 1.4 54.0 2019 1st (H) Average 49.6 Summer 2019 51.0 2.1 53.3 2012 11th (H) Average 48.9 Period Total Precipitation inches % average 2019 Rank June 2019 5.4 225% 1st (W) Average 2.4 July 2019 2.4 103% 17th (W) Average 2.3 August 2019 1.2 51% 6th (D) Average 2.4 Summer 2019 9.0 134% 5th (W) Average 7.1 Water Quality Update | Summer 2019 fcgov.com/water-quality STREAMFLOW CONDITIONS Total water volume over the summer season was 112% of average at the Cache la Poudre River near the Canyon Mouth stream gage. Colder than average temperatures delayed the start of snowmelt runoff in late spring and early summer. Streamflow began to rise rapidly in early June with several cool and wet weather events slowing snowmelt and extending high runoff into July. The total water volume for the month of June was slightly below average. Peak streamflow, which occurred on July 1st, was three weeks later than average and measured 137% of average at 2,740 cubic feet per second (cfs). Streamflow began to slowly recede following peak but remained above average through July. The total amount of water measured over the month of July was 139% of average. Streamflow remained above average in early August and fell below average in mid-August with the monthly total water volume measuring near average (Figure 2). Figure 2 – Daily average streamflow measured at the Cache la Poudre at Canyon Mouth stream gage (left) and monthly total water volume measure over the summer season (right). Streamflow conditions on the Big South Mainstem CLP River (PJW) on May 3rd (left) and June 17th (right). DocuSign Envelope ID: 83DA60D6-7563-476F-A944-7FF9F5A24446 The Upper Cache la Poudre Collaborative Water Quality Monitoring Program uses several key water quality indicators, including pH, conductivity, temperature and turbidity, which act as surrogates for other parameters (Table 3). These indicators provide a snapshot of water quality conditions and are useful for identifying trends or changes in water quality. Significant changes in water quality indicators may provide an early warning of potential water pollution. Summer monitoring captures water quality conditions during the Poudre River’s highest flow levels (peak streamflow) and when flow levels gradually decrease (the falling limb of the hydrograph) in the months following peak streamflow. During this time of the year water quality conditions stabilize and constituents that were once diluted by high streamflow begin to concentrate as streamflow recedes. In general, water temperature and specific conductivity increase, while turbidity and pH levels decrease. Water Quality Update | Summer 2019 fcgov.com/water-quality WATER QUALITY INDICATORS Temperature Water temperature influences other water quality parameters and is a major driver of biological activity and algal growth in rivers, including certain phytoplankton species that produce the taste and odor compounds, geosmin and 2-methlyisoborneol. Water Quality Indicator Explanation pH pH is an important water quality parameter to monitor, because it influences the solubility and biological availability of chemical constituents, including nutrients and heavy metals. pH near 7 is considered neutral, with more acidic conditions occurring below 7 and more basic, or alkaline, conditions occurring above 7. Conductivity Conductivity is an index of dissolved ionic solids in water. Conductivity is used as a general measure of water quality. Significant increases in conductivity can be used as an indicator of increased pollution. Turbidity Turbidity is monitored to track changes in water clarity. Clarity is influenced by the presence of algae and/or suspended solids introduced to surface waters through various land use activities, including runoff and erosion, urban stormwater runoff and drainage from agricultural lands. For water treatment, turbidity is an important indicator of the amount of suspended material that is available to harbor pollutants, such as heavy metals, bacteria, pathogens, nutrients and organic matter. Table 3 – Water quality indicators measured as part of the Upper Cache la Poudre Collaborative Water Quality Monitoring Program. DocuSign Envelope ID: 83DA60D6-7563-476F-A944-7FF9F5A24446 Water Quality Update | Summer 2019 fcgov.com/water-quality Spring 2018 Median Maximum Median Minimum �������� ���� range ����� �� ��������� ���� ������ ���� � ���� Graphic Explanation Graphic Explanation Baseline data range based on long-term data record 2008-2012 Figure 3 – Water quality indicator data collected at key monitoring sites over the summer 2019 monitoring season compared to baseline spring water quality conditions. Summer Median (2019) Over the summer months of 2019, water quality indicators at most key sites along the Poudre River were within the baseline range of values (Figure 3). Water temperature was slightly cooler than normal on the Big South CLP River (PJW) and the Mainstem CLP River below Rustic (PBR) but normal at all other monitoring sites. pH levels at PJW measured below the baseline minimum and this trend continued downstream at PBR where pH levels were slightly above the baseline minimum. pH levels returned to near normal on the Mainstem CLP River below the confluence with the South Fork (PSF) downstream to the Mainstem CLP River at the City of Greeley’s raw water intake (PBD). Conductivity values were near to below normal at most key monitoring sites. Turbidity levels were slightly above normal, although still very low, at all monitoring locations. WATER QUALITY INDICATORS CONTINUED Joe Wright Creek Canyon Mouth DocuSign Envelope ID: 83DA60D6-7563-476F-A944-7FF9F5A24446 Water Quality Update | Summer 2019 fcgov.com/water-quality TASTE AND ODOR COMPOUNDS Geosmin and 2-Methylisoborneol (MIB) are naturally occurring organic compounds which introduce an earthy odor to water that can be detected by the most sensitive individuals at concentrations as low as 4 nanograms per liter (ng/L) or 4 parts per trillion (ppt). These compounds do not pose a public health risk but are of concern because their detectable presence can negatively affect customer confidence in the quality of drinking water. Geosmin and 2-MIB are monitored at PBR and PNF during routine UCLP monitoring events. Geosmin was detected slightly above the reporting limit (2 ng/L) on the Mainstem CLP River below Rustic (PBR) and on the Mainstem CLP River near the City of Fort Collins raw water intake (PNF) in June. Geosmin concentrations were below the reporting limit in July and August at these monitoring sites. The taste and odor compound 2-MIB was below the reporting limit (5 ng/L) over the summer monitoring season at both monitoring sites (Table 4). Table 4 – Poudre River geosmin and 2-MIB concentrations (ng/L or ppt) during the summer of 2019 on the Mainstem CLP River below Rustic (PBR) and CLP River above the North Fork (PNF). Monitor Date PBR PNF Geosmin (ng/L) 2-MIB (ng/L) Geosmin (ng/L) 2-MIB (ng/L) 06/03/2019 2.30 3.84 2.44 2.22 07/15/2019 0.00 4.11 0.00 4.50 08/12/2019 1.92 0.00 0.96 0.00 DocuSign Envelope ID: 83DA60D6-7563-476F-A944-7FF9F5A24446 Certificate Of Completion Envelope Id: 83DA60D67563476FA9447FF9F5A24446 Status: Completed Subject: Please DocuSign: Summer 2019 Seasonal update memo.doc, Summer 2019 Watershed Newsletter.pdf Source Envelope: Document Pages: 8 Signatures: 0 Envelope Originator: Certificate Pages: 6 Initials: 4 Katherine Martinez AutoNav: Enabled EnvelopeId Stamping: Enabled Time Zone: (UTC-07:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada) 215 N Mason Street Fort Collins , CO 80522 kamartinez@fcgov.com IP Address: 198.59.47.100 Record Tracking Status: Original 9/16/2019 5:07:20 PM Holder: Katherine Martinez kamartinez@fcgov.com Location: DocuSign Signer Events Signature Timestamp Jared Heath jheath@fcgov.com Water Quality Services Division Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Signature Adoption: Drawn on Device Using IP Address: 73.229.189.142 Signed using mobile Sent: 9/16/2019 5:11:12 PM Viewed: 9/16/2019 6:40:30 PM Signed: 9/16/2019 6:40:59 PM Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Accepted: 9/16/2019 6:40:30 PM ID: 69f94b41-df63-41ce-820e-7ff18852a5f1 Kevin Gertig kgertig@fcgov.com Executive Director City of Fort Collins Utilities Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Signature Adoption: Uploaded Signature Image Using IP Address: 73.181.62.8 Signed using mobile Sent: 9/16/2019 6:41:01 PM Viewed: 9/16/2019 7:36:01 PM Signed: 9/16/2019 7:36:56 PM Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Accepted: 6/6/2016 11:44:48 AM ID: bc9e0282-c8d1-43e8-82ba-c7b231b7725f Jeff Mihelich jmihelich@fcgov.com deputy city manager Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style Using IP Address: 198.59.47.100 Sent: 9/16/2019 7:36:58 PM Viewed: 9/18/2019 9:26:11 AM Signed: 9/18/2019 9:26:58 AM Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Accepted: 2/2/2018 11:25:31 AM ID: fff1682a-c6d5-45aa-98b8-719e472dd476 In Person Signer Events Signature Timestamp Editor Delivery Events Status Timestamp Agent Delivery Events Status Timestamp Intermediary Delivery Events Status Timestamp Certified Delivery Events Status Timestamp Carbon Copy Events Status Timestamp Robin Pierce rpierce@fcgov.com Utilities Administrative Services Supervisor City of Fort Collins - Utilities Light & Power Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Sent: 9/16/2019 6:41:01 PM Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via DocuSign Sarah Kane skane@fcgov.com Supervisor, Administration City of Fort Collins, CO Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Sent: 9/16/2019 7:36:58 PM Viewed: 9/17/2019 8:52:34 AM Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via DocuSign Barb Clem bclem@fcgov.com Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Sent: 9/18/2019 9:27:01 AM Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via DocuSign Dawn Kennedy dkennedy@fcgov.com City of Fort Collins – PDT Administration Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Sent: 9/18/2019 9:27:01 AM Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via DocuSign Carol Webb cwebb@fcgov.com Water Resource/Treatment Operations Manager City of Fort Collins Utilities Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Sent: 9/18/2019 9:27:31 AM Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Accepted: 3/31/2016 11:13:25 AM ID: 70e42931-4431-4244-9dd9-9709ee36c9a8 Jill Oropeza joropeza@fcgov.com Utilities Water QUality Services Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Sent: 9/18/2019 9:27:32 AM Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via DocuSign Carbon Copy Events Status Timestamp Richard Thorp rthorp@fcgov.com Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Sent: 9/18/2019 9:27:33 AM Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Accepted: 12/15/2017 4:05:34 PM ID: 12523c46-7dcc-4ee9-aaaa-535e949807d9 Witness Events Signature Timestamp Notary Events Signature Timestamp Envelope Summary Events Status Timestamps Envelope Sent Hashed/Encrypted 9/18/2019 9:27:33 AM Certified Delivered Security Checked 9/18/2019 9:27:33 AM Signing Complete Security Checked 9/18/2019 9:27:33 AM Completed Security Checked 9/18/2019 9:27:33 AM Payment Events Status Timestamps Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure ELECTRONIC RECORD AND SIGNATURE DISCLOSURE From time to time, City of Fort Collins – Water Resources & Treatment Operations (we, us or Company) may be required by law to provide to you certain written notices or disclosures. 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Darin Atteberry datteberry@fcgov.com City Manager Security Level: Email, Account Authentication (None) Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style Using IP Address: 198.59.47.100 Sent: 9/18/2019 9:27:00 AM Viewed: 9/18/2019 9:27:22 AM Signed: 9/18/2019 9:27:29 AM Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure: Not Offered via DocuSign DocuSign Envelope ID: 83DA60D6-7563-476F-A944-7FF9F5A24446