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2015 Water Quality Report PDF
2015 Water Quality Report PDF
continues
to meet all
state and
federal
water
quality
standards.
Regulated
Minimum
Maximum
Contaminant
Detected
Detected
Sources of
Contaminant
Turbidity
0.19 NTU
4.04 NTU
N/A
Erosion of
natural deposits
0.81 ppm
1.9 ppm
N/A
N/A
Naturally found
in the environment
Giardia
Not detected
1 Giardia cyst
in 50 liters
N/A
Animal wastes
Fecal Coliform
Bacteria
Not detected
1 sample: 9 bacterial
colonies* per
100ml water
N/A
Animal wastes
Turbidity Bull Run is an unfiltered surface water supply. The typical cause of turbidity is sediment
suspended in the water that can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth.
Giardia Wildlife in the watershed may be hosts to Giardia, the organism that causes giardiasis.
Chlorine is used to control these organisms.
Nutrients
Nitrate
Nitrogen
*Fecal Coliform Bacteria The presence of fecal coliform bacteria in source water indicates that water may be contaminated with animal wastes. Chlorine is used
to control these bacteria. 100% of samples had 20 or fewer bacterial colonies per
100 milliliters of water (1 sample had 9 bacterial colonies per 100 milliliters).
Entry Points to Distribution System: Bull Run, Cascade Wells and South Shore Wells
<0.01 ppm
0.24 ppm
10 ppm
10 ppm
Entry Points to Distribution System: Bull Run, Cascade Wells and South Shore Wells
Regulated
Minimum
Maximum
Contaminant
Detected
Detected
Arsenic
<0.50 ppb
1.46 ppb
10 ppb
0 ppb
Barium
0.00072 ppm
0.016 ppm
2 ppm
2 ppm
Chromium (total)*
0.20 ppb
100 ppb
100 ppb
Copper
0.00202 ppm
N/A
1.3 ppm
Fluoride
0.15 ppm
4 ppm
<0.05 ppb
0.15 ppb
N/A
4 ppm
0 ppb
Lead
Sources of
Contaminant
Found in
natural
deposits
*During the year, tests with varying method reporting limits (MRLs) were used to analyze chromium. The sample with a result of <0.5 ppb was analyzed by a test with a less sensitive MRL
and is why the minimum appears to be greater than the maximum.
Unregulated Contaminants
Contaminant
Minimum
Detected
Entry Points to Distribution System: Bull Run, Cascade Wells and South Shore Wells
Average
Detected
Maximum
Detected
Sodium*
2.8 ppm
8.03 ppm
21.6 ppm
Radon*
Sources of
Contaminanation
Tables and notes contain only contaminants detected in 2014, and indicate location where samples were collected. ppm=parts per milliion. ppb=parts per billion
Unregulated contaminants are those for which EPA has not established drinking water standards. The purpose of unregulated contaminant monitoring is to help EPA determine their
occurrence in drinking water and potential need for future regulation.
*There is currently no drinking water standard for sodium or radon. At the levels found in drinking water, they are unlikely to contribute to adverse health effects.
DEFINITIONS:
Action Level
The concentration of a contaminant
which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or
other requirements which a water system
must follow.
Maximum Contaminant Level or 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.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or
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 Residual Disinfectant Level or
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.
Regulated
Minimum
Maximum
Contaminant
Detected
Detected
11 ppb
28.2 ppb
66.6 ppb
60 ppb
N/A
10.4 ppb
23.0 ppb
51.5 ppb
80 ppb
N/A
0.01 ppm
3.0 ppm
4 ppm
4 ppm
Sources of
Contaminant
Byproduct of drinking
water disinfection
Byproduct of drinking
water disinfection
Chlorine and ammonia
disinfection
Unregulated Contaminants
Regulated
Contaminant
Minimum
Detected
MRL*
Chlorate
<20 ppb
73 ppb
20
Strontium
11 ppb
49 ppb
0.3
Vanadium
<0.2 ppb
30 ppb
0.2
Chromium-6
<0.03 ppb
.073 ppb
0.03
Chromium
<0.2 ppb
0.28 ppb
0.2
Sources of Contaminant
tap
1
2
10
4
7
seconds
9
8
30
11
12
or
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. We are 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 drinking water, you may wish to have your water tested.
Flush your
INFORMATION ON LEAD IN DRINKING WATER, testing methods and steps you can take to minimize exposure
is available from the LeadLine, 503-988-4000, www.leadline.org or the Safe Drinking Water Hotline
1-800-426-4791, www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
Contaminant
Rule Exceedance
MCLG
Typical Source
Over 10% of homes tested have
1.3 ppm
Corrosion of
levels > 1.3 ppm
household and
commercial
Over 10% of homes tested have
0 ppb
plumbing
systems
levels > 15 ppb
Entry Points to Distribution System: Bull Run, Cascade Wells and South Shore Wells
Regulated
Minimum
Maximum
Contaminant
Detected
Detected
Microbiological Contaminants
Total Coliform Bacteria
Not detected
Sources of
Contaminant
Learn More
about your water at:
www.GreshamOregon.gov/water
Toilet rebates
Groundwater protection
Tornado or other
severe weather
event
Hostage or terrorist
event
Major landslide
Public health
emergency
Volcanic eruption
Get Involved
To learn about
City Council meetings
call 503-618-2697.
503-618-2525
Gresham Public Water System #4100357
ON THE COVER: Gabbert Hill Reservoir,
recently rebuilt and earthquake-proofed.