HomeMy Public PortalAbout2014 CCR2014 ANNUAL DRINKING WATER QUALITY REPORT
May 1, 2015
Re: 2014 Water Quality Report — Town of Gulf Stream
Dear Customers and /or Residents:
We are pleased to present to you this year's Annual Water Quality Report. This report is designed to
inform you about the quality of water and services we deliver to you every day. Our constant goal is to
provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. The Town of Gulf Stream purchases its
water from the City of Delray Beach Utilities. The City of Delray Beach withdraws water from shallow
under - ground aquifers, known as the "Anastasia Formation ", through wells and applies a lime softening
process to treat the water. The Delray Beach Treatment Plant utilizes what is known as "Lime Softening
Process" to treat raw water prior to distribution to its customers. Upon arrival at the Water Treatment
Plant, the raw water is first aerated to remove natural gases. The water is then blended with lime in a
clarifier for softening, color removal and iron removal. After the blending process the water is then filtered
and disinfected per Federal and State drinking water standards. Prior to distribution, Fluoride is injected
to maintain one part per million to prevent tooth decay.
This report shows our water quality and what it means. If you have any questions about this report or
concerning your water utility, please contact the City of Delray Beach Water Plant 561 - 243 -7318 or the
Town Hall 561- 276 -5116.
The Town of Gulfstream routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to Federal
and State laws, rules, and regulations. Except where indicated otherwise, this report is based on the
results of our water monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2014. The data obtained, and
presented in this report are from the most recent tests performed in accordance with the established
drinking water laws, rules, and regulations.
The Town of Gulf Stream is responsible to test for total Coliform bacteria monthly and Lead and Copper
every twelve (12) months in accordance with 40 CFR 141. Subpart I. The City of Delray Beach, the
primary supplier, Is responsible for the monitoring of additional Primary and Secondary contaminants prior
to its delivery in accordance with Federal and State laws. This annual report is for the reporting period of
January 1 to December 31, 2014. The City of Delray Beach exceeded limits for their Coliform bacteria
testing, but the Town of Gulf Stream did not exceed those limits.
The chart below shows substances that the EPA requires our utility to report. To determine how we
compare to the federal regulation, compare the column that shows the highest level allowed by EPA
(MCLs) to the column that shows the level detected at our utility during 2014, our last testing period.
Lead and Copper i a water
No. of
Corrosion of
Contaminant
Dates Of
AL
g0'^
Sampling
MCLG
AL
Likely Source of
and Unit of
Sampling
Exceeded
Percentile
Sites
(Action
Contamination
Measurement
(mo. /yr.)
Y/N
Result
Exceeding
Level)
natural deposits;
the AL
leaching from wood
Lead and Copper i a water
The terms and abbreviations found in the above table are defined below:
Page 1
Corrosion of
Copper (tap
Sept.
NO
0.18
0
1.3
1.3
household plumbing
water) (ppm)
2014
ppm
systems; erosion of
natural deposits;
leaching from wood
preservatives.
Corrosion of
Lead (tap water)
Sept.
NO
3.0
0
0
15
household plumbing
(ppb)
2014
ppb
systems, erosion of
natural deposits.
The terms and abbreviations found in the above table are defined below:
Page 1
2014 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
May 1, 2015
Page 2
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The 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.
Maximum Contaminate Level (MCL): 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.
Parts per million (ppm) — one part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in
$10,000.
Parts per billion (ppb) — one part by weight of analyte to 1 billion parts by weight of the water sample.
Action Level (AL) — the concentration of a contaminant, which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other
requirements, which a water system must follow.
ND — means not detected and indicates that the substance was not found in laboratory analysis.
A — Absent
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
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. The Town of Gulf Stream is responsible for providing high quality
drinking water, but 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 about
lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing
methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available on the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or
at http: / /www.epa.gov /safewater /lead.
The source of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) includes rivers, lakes, streams, ponds,
reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it
dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up
substances resulting form the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be
present in source water include:
a. Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment
plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
b. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally- occurring or result from
urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production,
mining or farming.
c. Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban
storm water runoff and residential uses.
d. Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-
products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations,
urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.
e. Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas
production and mining activities.
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink the EPA prescribes regulations to limit the amount of
certain contaminants water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for
public health.
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 the water poses a
health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling
the Environmental Protection Agency'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 persons with cancer 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/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the
risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from Safe
Drinking Water Hotline (1 -800- 426 - 4791).
We at the Town of Gulf Stream work around the clock to provide top quality water to all our customers.
We ask that you help us protect our water systems, which are the heart of our community, our way of life
and our children's future.
All-Amer
icaC
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH I �1
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT 1993
2001
DRINKING WATER QUALITY REPORT FOR 2014
(This report is mandated by the Florida Department of Environmental Potection and has been produced and distributed at our customers'expense)
The report is for Water Quality supplied to our customers from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. This report is intended to provide our customers with
information relating to the quality of water produced by the City of Delray Beach Water Treatment Plant, Our Drinking Water is produced within the stringent
governmental guidelines for treatment and testing of drinking water in the United States. (ESPANOL) Este as un documento muy importante con respecto a
su ague potable. Este reporte esti disponible an Espanol an La Casa Municipal cuando flame a (561) 243 -7000 o visitenos an la Internet a
www.mydelraybeach.com. (KREYOL) Ti Liv as, se yon Dokiman trh enpotan Konsbnan Kalite Dlo Ke ou bwe. Si ou is vie, ou Kapab jwen'n Ii an Kreyol nan
Komi'n Delray Beach la.
Health Information
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immune - compromised persons such as persons with cancer
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 to infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPAICDC guidelines on
appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptospor dium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-
600- 426 -4791).
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. The City of Delray Beach is responsible for providing high quality drinking
water, but 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 about lead in your
water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available
from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.ega gov /safewaler /lead.
Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially - harmful, bacteria may be present.
Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potential problems. Coliform bacteria are usually harmless. Special follow -up
tests showed no harmful bacteria present in the water supply.
Why are Contaminants present in Drinking Water?
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the
surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances
resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.
Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
(A) Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and
wildlife.
(B) Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater
discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
(C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses.
(D) Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by- products of industrial processes and petroleum production,
and can also, come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.
(E) Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
In order to insure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations, which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water
systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health. 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 Environmental Protection
Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1- 800. 426. 4791).
Where Does Our Water Come From?
The City of Delray Beach withdraws water from a shallow under -ground aquifer known as the "Anastasia Formation ". There are 30 raw water wells located
throughout the City from which water is drawn and piped to the water treatment plant. We are currently operating under a water use permit issued by the South
Florida Water Management District. Our water use permit allows for the withdrawal of up to 19.1 million gallons per day.
In 2014, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) performed a Source Water Assessment of our system. The assessment was conducted
to provide information about potential sources of contamination near City's wells. There were four potential sources of contamination identified for the City's
system with low to moderate susceptibility levels. The assessment results are available on the FDEP Source Water Assessment and Protection Program web
site at www.dep.state.fl.us /swapp or they can be obtained by contacting the city at (561) 243 -7318. The city monitors for source water contaminants on a
semiannual basis to ensure its safety.
How is Our Water Treated?
The City of Delray Beach Water Treatment Plant utilizes what is known as "Lime Softening Process" to treat raw water prior to distribution to our customers.
Upon arrival at the Water Treatment Plant, the raw water is first aerated to remove natural gasses. The water is then blended with lime in a clarifier for softening,
color removal and iron removal. After the blending process the water is then filtered and disinfected per the Health Department. Prior to distribution, Fluoride
is injected to prevent tooth decay.
How we Ensure the Highest Water Quality?
During the treatment process as well as after the water is released into the distribution system, it undergoes a series of intense testing. Thousands of samples
are analyzed each year for chemical, physical and microbiological parameters. The results of this test are compared with standards set by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. These results are indicated on the tables included below 1n this pamphlet. When reading these tables, the lower the lest results, the higher
the water quality. This ongoing testing and research is your assurance that water produced by the City of Delray Beach will be of the highest quality for
consumption each time you turn on your faucet.
Additional Testing
We also conduct tests for the presence of 85 additional contaminants, such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) 8 Pesticides,
Unregulated Contaminants, Arsenic, Asbestos, Mercury and many others. We are pleased to report that all of these additional contaminants were below the
detection limits of our sampling instruments. Compliance monitoring requirements for certain contaminants are less frequent than once per year since
concentrations are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. Some results like Radiological contaminants are from previous years monitoring.
Additional Information
The Environmental Services Department of the City is open Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 4:30pm and can be contacted directly for questions and
concerns relating to water quality. The City of Delray Beach conducts regular City Commission meetings on the first and third Tuesday of every month in the
Commission Chambers at City Hall. These meetings are open to the public and are an excellent forum for citizens to voice their questions and concems. We
have worked very hard to maintain a first rate facility and we welcome the public to tour our Water Treatment Plant. Tours can be scheduled by contacting the
Water Treatment Plant directly. Further details of our water treatment process are also available at our web site www.mvdelraybeach.com.
Important Telephone Numbers
City of Delray Beach Environmental Services Dept. (561) 243 -7322
City of Delray Water Treatment Plant (561) 243 -7318
Palm Beach County Public Health Unit (561) 837 -5900
Interesting Comparisons
1 part per million is equal to 1 cent in $10,000
1 inch in 16 miles
Florida Department of Health (904) 791 -1599
Environmental Protection Agency (800) 426 -4791
1 second in 12 days 1 par in 55,500 rounds of golf
1 pound in 500 tons
Definitions
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG's
allow for a margin of safely.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL's are set as close to the MCLG's as feasible
using the best available treatment technology.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health.
MRDLG's do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a
disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant, which, if exceeded, triggers a treatment, or other requirement that a water system must follow.
Abbreviations
Parts per Million (ppm) Not Detected (ND) Not Applicable (N /A)
Parts per Billion (ppb) Picocurie per Liter (pCi /L)
TEST RESULTS "
2014 CCR - CITY OF DELRAY BEACH
Primary Inorganic Contaminants
Contaminant and Unit of
Measurement
Dales of
sampling
MCLor MRDL
Vlolallon YM
Level Detectetl
engeol Results
MCLG
MCL
Likely Source at
contamination
Barlum (ppm)
1014
N
0.00439 ppm
0.00439
2 ppm
2 ppm
(a)
Chromium (ppb)
10114
N
1.84 ppb
1.84
100 ppb
100 ppb
(b)
Cyanide Total (ppb)
10/14
N
2.87 ppb
2.87
200 ppb
200 ppb
(c)
Fluoride (ppm)
10/14
N
0.93 ppm
0.09 -0.93
4 ppm
4 ppm
(d)
Nitrate as Nitrogen (ppm)
10114
N
0.202 ppm
0.202
10 ppm
10 ppm
(e)
Sodium (ppm)
10114
N
30.4 ppm
30.4
150 ppm
180 ppm
(1)
Mlcmblological Contaminants
Contaminant
Dete of MCL or MRDL
Sampling VCLornY /N
mot r.
Laval Datedetl ange of Regatta
MCLG or
MRDLG
MCL
or, MRDL
Likely Source of
Conteminetlan
Total Colllorm aeclerle
4/14 Y
1 13% 1 0- 12
0
5%
)
Stage 2 DlslnfecrantlDlsinfectlon
By- product (D /DBP) Parameters
/ Stage 1 Chloremines
and or Contaminant
and UDil Of Measurement
Dale of
mop/Ilfg
MCLor MRDL
Vlolallon YM
Violation
Level Datectetl
ergs of Results
MCLGar
MRDLD
MCL
or MROL
Conteminetlon
Contamination
Total Tdhalomethanes(ppb)
11/14
N
31.1 ppb
1 7.5 -43.0
1 0ppb
80 ppb
(h)
Total Halo Acetic Acid (ppb)
11/14
N
24.4 ppb
9.0 -35.9
0 ppb
80 ppb
(h)
Chloremines (ppm)
8114
N
3.7 ppm
0.04— 8.9
4 ppm
4 ppm
(I)
Lead and Copper (Tap Water)
Contaminant end Unit of
Maesuramenl
Dete of
$Cmplfug
mo. r
AL
Eaceetled
Y/N
a0 %
Peroenllle
Racelt
No. of sampling
epee exceeding
the AL
MCLG
AL (Action
Level)
Likely Source of
Contamination
Lead (tap water) ppb
09/14
N
3 ppb
0
0 ppb
15 ppb
0)
Copper (tap water) ppm
09114
N
0.18 ppm
1 0
1 1.3 ppm
1.3 ppm
(k)
Volatile Organic Compounds
Contaminant and Unit of
Mpasurement
Dates of
emapling
MLL or MRDL
Vlolallon Y/N
Level Detected
I
ange of Results MCLG
MCL
Likely Spume of
Canteminatlon
Toluene (ppm)
I 0.000]ppm
NO- 0.0007 1ppm
Ippm
(n
The following is a list of the definition and likely aqufne of contamk}at(on for each detected contaminant.
(a) Barlum
Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits
(b) Chromium
Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits
(c) Cyanide
Discharge from steel /metal factories; discharge from plastic and fertilizer factories
(d) Fluoride
Erosion of natural deposits; water ado ltive which promotes strong teeth at optimum levels between 0.7 and 1.2 ppm;
dlsche es from fertilizer and aluminum factories.
(e) Nitrate as Nitrogen
Nitrite as NII en
Formed when nilrogen Is exposed to oxygen; both are elements occurring in nature. A likely source Is erosion of
natural deposits.
(f) sodium
Salt water intrusion; leaching from soil
(g) Total Conform Bacteria
Naturally present In the environment
(h) TTKIA's 8 HAA -s
TTHM's 8 HAA's are contaminants Idnnetl when chlorine reacts with carbon compounds naturally occurring in
round water. such as chloroform. These Items are a b - roduct of drinking water Chlormalin .
(I) Chloremines
JW.Iror adtlilive used to control mlcrobes
(n Lead
Lead Is an element occurring In nature and often occurs In water as the result of corrosion of household plumbing
s tams.
(k) Copper
Copper is an element occuring In nature and often accurst In water as the result of corrosion of household plumbing
e tams.
(n Toluene
Discharge from petroleum factories