Frequently Asked Questions about the Drinking Water in Tumwater
Is my tap water safe to drink?
How will I know if my water isn't safe to drink?
What's this new drinking water report that I've heard about?
How can I get my water tested?
What is a drinking water standard?
I don't like the taste/smell/appearance of my tap water. What's wrong with it?
I'm worried about a specific drinking water contaminant [lead, Cryptosporidium, nitrate, radon, etc.]. What should I know?
What if I have a severely compromised immune system?
What should I do if I have my own drinking water well?
What about bottled water?
Where does my drinking water come from?
How can I help protect my drinking water?
Where can I get more information?
Water Resources Home City of Tumwater Home
Q: Is my tap water safe to drink?
A: Yes. The City of Tumwater is proud to supply some of the nation's cleanest and best-tasting water. The water consistently meets, and in most cases, exceeds the EPA's standards for tap water quality. Every year, the City publishes an annual water quality report (sometimes called a consumer confidence report), which provides our customers with general information on water quality and various programs the Utility has to offer.
Q. How will I know if my water isn't safe to drink?
A: City staff will make every effort to notify you by newspaper, mail, radio, or hand-delivery if your water doesn't meet EPA or state standards or if there is a waterborne disease emergency. The notice will describe any precautions you need to take, such as boiling your water. If you ever receive such a notice, READ THE NOTICE CAREFULLY - it will contain all the information you need to know about the issue and any actions you will need to take. The most common drinking water violation is contamination by coliform bacteria. In most cases, no action is necessary on your part. If, however, disease-causing germs were detected, boiling your water for one minute will kill these germs. See EPA's emergency disinfection fact sheet for specific directions on how to disinfect your drinking water in an emergency.
Q. What's the drinking water report that I've heard about?
A. The City publishes an annual drinking water quality report. This report will tell consumers what contaminants have been detected in the drinking water over the previous year, how these detection levels compare to drinking water standards, and where the water comes from. The reports are provided annually before July 1, and, in most cases, are mailed directly to your home. Contact Water Resources, (360) 754-4140 if you have not received a copy, or the online version can be found on our Drinking Water page.
Q. How can I get my water tested?
A: If your home is served by the City, get a copy of your annual water quality report before you test your water. This report will tell you what contaminants have been found in your drinking water and at what level. After you've read this report, you may wish to test for specific contaminants (such as lead) that can vary from house to house, or any other contaminant you're concerned about. The City does not test individual homes, and cannot recommend specific laboratories to test your drinking water, but can provide a list of certified laboratories upon request. Depending on how many contaminants you may wish to test for, a water test can cost from $25 to hundreds of dollars.
Q. What is a drinking water standard?
A. Under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), EPA sets standards for approximately 90 contaminants in drinking water. For each of these contaminants, EPA sets a legal limit, called a maximum contaminant level, or requires a certain treatment. Water that meets these standards is safe to drink, although people with severely compromised immune systems and children may have special needs. For a more detailed description, read about how standards are set or about EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
Q. I don't like the taste/smell/appearance of my tap water. What's wrong with it?
A. Even when water meets our state and federal standards, it may still taste or smell a bit off, or have a cloudy appearance. While these aesthetic concerns are not regulated, we would still like to know. Some problems may be resolved by examining the plumbing in your home, especially in older developments. Due to it’s size, the City needs to disinfect the water in order to eliminate bacterial contamination. The City is currently using chlorine, which may slightly affect the taste of the water at times. Common complaints about water aesthetics include temporary cloudiness (typically caused by air bubbles) or chlorine taste (which can be improved by letting the water stand exposed to the air).
Q. I'm worried about a specific drinking water contaminant [lead, Cryptosporidium, nitrate, radon, etc.]. What should I know?
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. As long as they occur below federal and state standards, they don't pose a significant health threat, although people with severely compromised immune systems and children may have special needs. For more information about a specific contaminant, see EPA's fact sheets on drinking water contaminants, which have more detailed information on every contaminant EPA currently sets standards for and those EPA is considering setting standards for.
Q. What if I have a severely compromised immune system?
A. Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. People with severely compromised immune systems, such as people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, people 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/Centers for Disease Control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection from Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants offer more detailed advice.
Q. What should I do if I have my own drinking water well?
A: If you have your own well, you are responsible for making sure that your water is safe to drink. Private wells should be tested annually for nitrate and coliform bacteria to detect contamination problems early. Test more frequently and for other contaminants, such as radon or pesticides, if you suspect a problem. You can help protect your water supply by carefully managing activities near your water source. If you have specific questions, Water Resources staff may be able to assist you in finding resources to answer your questions (360) 754-4140.
Q. What about bottled water?
A: Bottled water is not necessarily safer than your tap water. The EPA and WA Dept of Health sets the standards for tap water provided by the City of Tumwater; the Food and Drug Administration sets bottled water standards based on EPA's tap water standards. Bottled water and tap water are both safe to drink if they meet these standards, although people with severely compromised immune systems and children may have special needs. Some bottled water is treated more than tap water, while some is treated less or not treated at all. Bottled water costs much more than tap water on a per gallon basis. Bottled water is valuable in emergency situations (such as floods and earthquakes), and high quality bottled water may be a desirable option for people with weakened immune systems. Consumers who choose to purchase bottled water should carefully read its label to understand what they are buying.
Q. Where does my drinking water come from?
A. The drinking water you receive comes entirely from groundwater aquifers pumped from numerous wells throughout the City.
Q. How can I help protect my drinking water?
A: Drinking water protection is a community-wide effort, beginning with protecting the groundwater, and including education, funding, and conservation. The City has already established groundwater protection programs and has ordinances in place to protect our source. To find out more, visit the Wellhead Protection page or call (360) 754-4140.
Q. Where can I get more information?
A: For more information on your drinking water, contact us at (360) 754-4140 or via e-mail.
You can also contact:
EPA has also prepared a citizen's guide to drinking water called Water on Tap: What You Need To Know.
|
