Drinking Water Report
Celebrate National Drinking Water Week: May 5-11, 2013!
Download this report in PDF Format. Call 360-473-5920 for more information.
Bremerton Drinking Water Quality Excellent
The City of Bremerton Water Utility is pleased to provide you with its annual water quality and efficiency report. Bremerton is committed to safeguarding its surface and groundwater sources. This brochure is a summary of the test results for water provided to over 50,000 customers last year. It reflects the commitment of Water Utility employees to deliver you excellent quality water. Included are details about:- where your water comes from,
- what it contains, and
- how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies.
Protecting Our Water Supplies
Bremerton is fortunate to have well-protected water supplies. Surface water from the Union River Reservoir and groundwater from production wells located in the Bremerton area provide the supply for Bremerton's water. All sources are managed in accordance with Washington State Department of Health requirements, Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, and best management practices for water supply systems. Bremerton owns and protects the 3,000 acre watershed surrounding the Union River supply - this is a great value to our rate payers. Access to the watershed is secured, patrolled, and limited to water supply and forestry management activities. Each year the Washington State Department of Health inspects the surface supply. Groundwater wells are also safeguarded through efforts to protect critical areas around the wellheads. All water facilities are monitored and patrolled.
Bremerton's Water Needs Minimal Treatment
Bremerton's water system is operated and maintained by experienced personnel certified by the State. The Washington State Department of Health determined Bremerton's Union River water source to be of such good quality that the City is not required to install a filtration facility as long as all water quality, operational, and watershed protection requirements are met. Bremerton consistently meets these quality standards. Treatment of Bremerton's water currently consists of disinfection (chlorine and ultraviolet light) and corrosion control. Corrosion treatment increases the pH of the water and is required to prevent Bremerton's water from leaching lead from customer's household plumbing. Sampling results confirm this treatment is successful in achieving corrosion control.The City of Bremerton performs systematic flushing of the water distribution system. Customers are notified about flushing through newspaper ads, neighborhood signs, the City's website, and the Water Hotline (360-473-5490). Flushing is a process of sending a rapid flow of water through the mains to clean them. This helps to maintain water quality by removing naturally-occurring sediment. Flushing may cause temporary discoloration of your water. While this discoloration may be unpleasant, it is not harmful. If this happens, call the Water Hotline or visit Bremerton's website for instructions on flushing your service. If your water does not clear up after the flushing process, please call the Customer Response Line at 360-473-5920.
Information from EPA
Sources of both tap and bottled drinking water include rivers, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring substances such as minerals and radioactive materials. It also dissolves substances resulting from animal or human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water are microbes; pesticides; herbicides; and radioactive, organic and inorganic chemicals. To ensure tap water is safe to drink, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Washington State Board of Health regulate the amount of certain contaminants in public drinking water.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 at 1-800-426-4791.
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons, such as those 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 guidelines on appropriate means to lessen risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. Please note that Bremerton has been testing for Cryptosporidium since 1994 and has never detected this organism in the water source. Please note that Bremerton's ultraviolet treatment inactivates cryptosporidium.
Bremerton Water is a Great Value
Your water rates pay for delivering high-quality water to your tap and keeping the water system in top condition. City customers pay water rates among the lowest in Washington State and nationwide. We are able to keep rates low through ownership of the watershed, conscientious system operation and maintenance, and award of ARRA funding for our Advanced Disinfection Facility completed in 2011. Water Quality Summary
Your drinking water is regularly tested in accordance with all federal and state regulations for over 50 substances in both the water sources and the distribution system. Last year the City of Bremerton conducted over 1,000 tests for the parameters listed below. Only those detected are listed in the water quality summary.Listed below are the few substances detected in Bremerton's water last year. All results meet protective standards set by federal and state agencies. Not listed are the substances that were tested but NOT detected. The amounts allowed in drinking water are so small, they are measured in parts per million or parts per billion. We have tried to make this report easy to understand; however, drinking water quality issues can be complex and technical. For additional water quality information, please call 360-473-5920.
Definitions
Action Level is the concentration of contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements a water system must follow. Ninety percent (90%) of all samples must be below this amount.MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) is the 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.
MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal) is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which no known or expected risk to health exists. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level) is the highest level of a disinfectant allowed in water.
MRDLG (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal) is the level of a drinking water disinfectant below which no known or expected risk to health exists.
pCi/l stands for picocuries per liter. This is in parts per trillion.
ppb is parts per billion (equivalent to one penny in $10,000,000).
ppm is parts per million (equivalent to one penny in $10,000).
N/A means not applicable.
NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit) is the measurement of water clarity. Monitoring turbidity is a good indicator of water quality.
Treatment Technique is a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant. Bremerton's surface supply is shut off when turbidity increases above set points.
Water Use Efficiency Performance Report for 2012
Efficient water use benefits the environment, public health, and economy by helping to improve water quality, maintain aquatic ecosystems, and protect water resources. The City of Bremerton has emphasized water use efficiency since the 1990's. The City has a customer conservation program and is active in regional water use efficiency programs such as the Water Purveyors Association of Kitsap County, the Partnership for Water Conservation, and the Alliance for Water Efficiency.2012 Total Annual Water Production: 6.3 Million Gallons per Day
2012 Water Distribution Leakage The State requires <10%): 8.1% 3-year average
Bremerton's Main Systems Water Use Efficiency Goals | ||
| Goal | How Goal Was Met | Comments |
| Maintain water use per single family residence to below 195 gallons per day on a three year average. | Three year average water use single family residence was 145 gallons per day. | Goal was met. Great job by our customers! |
| Keep maximum day demand less than twice the average day demand on a three year average. | Three year average maximum day demand was 1.99 times the average day demand. | Goal was met. The highest daily water use was September 13 when 13.5 million gallons were used. |
How to Use Water Wisely
Bremerton's water supplies are dependent on rainfall to fill the reservoir and feed underground aquifers. Wise water use is always recommended and your conservation efforts are important. Improve your home's water efficiency - use water wisely to save money and this remarkable resource. Tackle the biggest water guzzlers first!- Install high efficiency low flow toilets.
- Consider purchasing a water/energy efficient clothes washer/dishwasher.
- Repair leaky toilets and faucets.
- User water saving habits such as washing full loads only, turn off the faucet when you shave or brush your teeth, and take shorter showers.
- Install low flow showerheads.
- Look for the WaterSense label on new plumbing fixtures.
- Water late in the evening or early in the morning.
- Consider drought tolerant plants or native plants in your landscape.
- Use soaker hoses or install drip irrigation.
- Repair broken irrigation system sprinkler heads.
- Water lawns no more than 1 inch per week using a shallow can to measure.
- Install a rainwater collection barrel.
- Wash your car in a commercial car wash that recycles.