2020 CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT

KING COUNTY WATER DISTRICT NO. 119

JUNE 2021

ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT

King County Water District No. 119 (WD119) is pleased to bring you our annual water quality
report. As our customer, you have a right to fully understand the operations of your water
district. WD119 is committed to ensuring the quality of its system and its compliance with
government standards. This report is intended to provide you with information on the quality of
your drinking water. For those of you who are new to WD119, the information contained in this
report should be enlightening. For those of you who have received the report in the past, the
information will appear similar with a few exceptions. This report, and some of the actual text,
are required by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), and we will continue to send you
an update each year. Although parts of this report may seem repetitive, it is the intent of WD119
to make it as informative and useful as possible. The District welcomes comments and
suggestions regarding this report and the services we provide. We will do our best to
incorporate the recommendations we receive into our next publication. We hope you’ll find the
information contained in this report useful. Drinking water is our most precious resource, and we
are committed to delivering safe water of the highest quality to your home and place of work.
District’s Mission We encourage all customers to use water wisely, and we appreciate your conservation efforts.
Statement
ABOUT YOUR WATER SUPPLY
The mission of the District
is to provide safe, high All of WD119's water is supplied by the Seattle’s Public Utility Department’s (SPU) Tolt River
Watershed. The watershed consists of 12,500 acres of uninhabited land and a surface water
quality potable water reservoir that can store up to 18.3 billion gallons of water. The reservoir is supplied with water
service in an efficient and from rivers, streams, snowmelt and 90 to 160 inches of precipitation per year. From the
cost effective manner with reservoir, the water enters into the Tolt River Treatment Facility. After the water is treated, it then
a high level of customer travels 7.5 miles west through a supply pipeline to WD119 and other eastside cities and water
satisfaction. districts on its way to Seattle.

WATER SOURCE ASSESSMENT

Inside This Report Providing protection for the water source is very important to the quality of our water. SPU
protects your drinking water by enforcing an aggressive watershed protection plan. No
• Where does our water agricultural, industrial or recreational activities are allowed in the area. Access to the watershed
come from? is restricted to only authorized staff, and participants in scheduled educational programs
conducted by SPU staff. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has determined
• How is the water source the Tolt River Watershed to have a low vulnerability to contamination. This means there is little
opportunity for contaminants to enter the water.
protected?

• What is in our drinking IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS REPORT

water?
This Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) summarizes the testing of contaminants in our
• Water quality and you drinking water. Every year, the District and other water providers are required to prepare and
distribute a CCR to all water customers. This CCR includes a comparison of the District’s water
• Water conservation to water quality standards set by the DOH and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The purpose of the report is to let you, our customers, know the quality of your water.
• How can I get more
information QUESTIONS. . . ?
If you want to learn more about the District, visit our website at www.wd119.org or attend
our board meetings held on the first Wednesday of the month. Visit the website to
confirm the time and location of the meeting. If you have questions about this report
please contact the District Office by phone at (425) 788-2885 or by email at
[email protected].

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Terry Olson
Michelle Orndorf
Jeff Popp
 WATER QUALITY AND YOU

Sources of Drinking Water Are Contaminants a Health Risk?

Common sources of drinking water, both tap and bottled To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Environmental
water, include rivers, lakes and streams (surface water) and Protection Agency and the Washington State Department of
wells and springs (groundwater). As water travels over the Health prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain
surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves contaminants in water provided by public water systems.
naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive The Food and Drug Administration and the Washington
material. The water can also pick up substances resulting State Department of Agriculture have similar regulations
from the presence of animals or from human activity. which establish limits for contaminants in bottled water,
Substances that may be present in our source water include: providing the same protection for public health.

• Microbial Contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be
which may come from wildlife; expected to contain at least small amounts of some
contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not
• Inorganic Contaminants, such as salts and metals, which necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk.
are naturally occurring;
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in
• Organic Chemical Compounds, which result from chlorine drinking water than the general population. Immuno
combining with the naturally occurring organic matter; compromised persons such as persons with cancer
undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone
• Radioactive Contaminants, which can be naturally organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune
occurring. system disorders, the elderly and some infants can be
particularly at risk from infections. These people should
Our water travels from the Cascade Mountain watersheds seek advice about drinking water from their health care
and is then treated at the Tolt Reservoir to ensure it is free providers. More information about contaminants and
of contaminants before being sent through water mains to potential health effects can be obtained by calling the
the pipes in your home. Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water
Hotline (800-426-4791).

Covid - 19 System Updates

EPA recommends that Americans continue to use and drink There are parts of the District’s distribution system which
tap water as usual. The World Health Organization has are nearly 60 years old. The District will be replacing as
stated that the “presence of the COVID-19 virus has not part of our Capital Improvement Plan the older water
been detected in drinking-water supplies and based on mains and other mains which have experienced breaks.
current evidence the risk to water supplies is low.” Sections of piping will be replaced on an annual basis
depending on the construction bidding climate and as
Your water is safe from the novel coronavirus that causes other District needs develop.
Covid-19. There is no evidence of coronavirus in the water
supply, and Seattle’s water is treated which protects you
from contaminants such as viruses.

The water supply is monitored continuously to make sure it

remains safe for consumers.

National, Washington State and local department guidelines

related to water quality, including bacteria and viruses, are
followed.
 WATER QUALITY DATA
The monitoring results for last year are summarized in the table below. The results are for those parameters found in our water which are
regulated by federal and state agencies. In addition to these, our supply was checked for more than 200 additional compounds but none were
detected. The first two columns list each compound found and the units of measure. The third and fourth columns list the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's goals and allowable limits. The fifth and sixth columns list the levels found in our supply. The seventh column indicates
if the water meets the required standards. The last column is where these compounds may come from or how they are formed.

Detected EPA’s Allowable Limits Your Water Compliant

Units Typical Sources
Compound MCLG MCL Average Range (Y/N)

Raw Water (untreated water from the source)

Naturally present in the

Total Organic Carbon ppm NA TT 1.5 1.0 to 1.3 Y
environment

Finished Water (treated water that is ready to drink)

Turbidity NTU NA TT 0.04 0.02 to 0.18 Y Soil Runoff

Water additive which

Fluoride ppm 4 4 0.7 0 to 0.8 Y
promotes strong teeth

Erosion of natural
Barium ppm 2000 2000 1.2 1.1 to 1.3 Y
deposits

Byproduct of drinking
Bromate ppm 0 10 ND ND Y
water disinfection

Erosion of natural
Arsenic ppb 0 10 0.4 0.3 to 0.5 Y
deposits

Total Trihalomethanes ppb NA 80 38 30 to 47 Y

Byproduct of drinking
water chlorination
Haloacetic Acids(5) ppb NA 60 47 30 to 38 Y

Average = 0.93 Water additive use to

Chlorine ppm MRDLG = 4 MRDL = 4 Y
Range = 0.44 to 1.27 control microbes

MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal. The level in drinking water NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Unit. Turbidity is a measure of how clear the
below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG's allow for water looks. The turbidity in the treated Tolt supply ranged from 0.02 to 0.18
a margin of safety. NTU’s with an average of 0.04 NTU’s in 2020.
MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level. The highest level of a contaminant that
is allowed in drinking water. MCL's are set as close to the MCLG's as NA: Not Applicable
feasible using the best treatment technology. ND: Not Detected
MRDL: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level. The level of a contaminant in ppm: 1 part per million = 1 mg/L
disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that ppb: 1 part per billion
addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. 1 ppm: = 1000 ppb
MRDLG: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal. The level of water
disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. * Cryptosporidium was not detected in any samples (3 samples)
MRDLG's do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control
microbial contaminants. W e are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on
a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or
TT: Treatment Technique. A required process intended to reduce the level not drinking water meets health standards.
of a contaminant in drinking water.

Lead and Copper Results (samples collected at customer taps)

Parameter Action1 Combined Regional Monitoring WD119 - 2011
MCLG Source
and Units Levels 2016 Results 2
Homes Exceeding Homes Exceeding
Lead, ppb 0 1.5 3 2 of 50 0 of 3
Corrosion of household
plumbing systems
Copper, ppm 1.3 1.3 0.10 0 of 50 0 of 3
1
The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
2
90 th Percentile: i.e. 90 percent of the samples were less than the values shown.
 LEAD AND COPPER

WD119 is confident with the quality of our water source. Here are a few simple things you can do to protect your
The water does not naturally contain lead or copper. Many water if you have plumbing with lead components.
people do not realize that the pipes in their home can have
an impact on the quality of their drinking water. Of particular 1. If you haven’t used your water for over 6 hours, run the
concern are homes that have copper pipe with lead solder tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking with it.
(primarily homes plumbed with copper pipe prior to 1980) or (Don’t forget to save! The water you run to flush your
homes that do not meet the plumbing code. pipes can be used for watering plants or doing the
dishes.)
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health
problems, especially for pregnant women and young 2. Always use the COLD water tap for drinking and
children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials cooking—lead dissolves more quickly in hot water.
and components associated with service lines and home Never make baby formula or other drinks or food for
plumbing. WD119 is responsible for providing high quality children from the HOT water tap.
drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials
used in plumbing components. When your water has been 3. Be sure to select low-lead or no-lead plumbing fixtures.
sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for
lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 Since January 2014 manufacturers can have only 0.25%
minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. lead in a fixture, reduced from 8% previously.

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 their website:
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING

UCMR4 MONITORING 2019 MONITORING RESULTS

Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 4 (UCMR4) data Analyte Range Average

are reported to let you know about new contaminants that (ppb) (ppb)
may be regulated in the future. The EPA requires water
suppliers to monitor contaminants that do not have defined
health-based standards. The EPA uses this information to Manganese 1.4 to 1.6 1.5
determine the occurrence of contaminants in drinking water
systems, which may lead to future regulations. The Dichloroacetic Acid 0.5 to 16 7.7
contaminants monitored were selected through a data-driven
process that considered adverse health effects (potency and Trichloroacetic Acid 1.2 to 18.3 11.3
severity) and occurrence (prevalence and magnitude), but
additional health information is needed to know whether the Bromochloroacetic Acid 1 1
contaminants pose a health risk. For more information about
Dibromoacetic Acid 0.5 0.5
the program, visit EPA’s website at:
https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/fourth-unregulated-contamin
ant-monitoring-rule

CROSS-CONNECTIONS, BACKFLOW, AND WATER QUALITY

Backflow from common household plumbing fixtures connected to drinking water pipes, a cross-connection, can impact
your drinking water quality. For example, if a garden hose connected to your home plumbing system is left in the sun, the
water can heat up and flow back to your house, affecting the taste and odor of your drinking water. Some backflows can
become hazardous. For example, a sudden drop in water pressure from a water main break can cause water that may not
be safe for consumption to flow into a building’s drinking water pipes and potentially into the public water system from
residential, commercial, or institutional properties that don’t have required backflow prevention equipment. WD119’s
cross-connection control program helps protect the drinking water from potentially harmful backflow events. We partner with
our water customers to keep the drinking water safe; this means working together to protect home drinking water from
potentially hazardous connections. Learn more about cross connections and protecting your drinking water at:
seattle.gov/utilities/backflow.
 WATER CONSERVATION

WD119 Efforts Regional Efforts

WD119 adopted a new water conservation goal in 2014 in The Saving Water Partnership (SWP), which is made up of
accordance with Washington State's Water Use Efficiency SPU and its utility partners including WD119, has set a ten-
Rule. The rule requires the system's conservation goal be year conservation goal: reduce per capita use from current
re-established at a minimum of every six years, and that levels so that the total average annual retail water use is
progress toward the goal be reported annually to the state less than 110 mgd from 2019 through 2028 despite
and our customers. The performance report covers the forecasted population growth. In order to meet the goal, the
conservation goals, distribution leakage and metering. amount of water used per person will need to decrease to
offset growth. The Saving Water Partnership has met
WD119 has had an active water conservation program since previous goals consistently. Here are some great ways to
the 1990's. Water use efficiencies have been achieved save water and lower your water bills.
through conservation programs, seasonal water rates,
customer education and system leak detection. Our
• Check for leaks and fix them as soon as you can; follow
unaccounted for water was less than 13% of the total water
the step-by-step videos at www.savingwater.org or call
purchased in 2020. Unaccounted for water consists of water
206-684-SAVE (7283) to learn more.
lost due to main breaks, pipeline leakage, theft, fire
protection and inaccurate meters. Here’s what you can do
• Water saving rebates are available for low water use
to prevent or reduce leaks, which could save a lot of money
plumbing fixtures. Learn more at
on your water bill:
http://www.seattle.gov/utilities/services/water/reduce-
• Check your water meter for a spinning dial. water-use/water-saving-rebates

• Replace worn toilet flappers. • Use less water in your garden by putting a thick layer of
mulch around your plants. Learn more at:
• Replace worn washers and gaskets in faucets, http://www.seattle.gov/utilities/environment-and-cons
showerheads and hoses. ervation/lawn-and-garden/smart-watering
• Keep an eye out for unusually damp or green patches • For water saving advice in your garden: call the Garden
in your yard; these could be a sign of an underground Hotline at (206) 633-0224 or use e-mail to contact
leak.
[email protected].
• Check irrigation systems each spring for freeze
damage and broken parts.
• Visit www.savingwater.org or call 206/684-7283 for
more water saving advice.

WD119 WATER SYSTEM FACTS FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Square miles served 13.50 WD119 Email [email protected]

• Number of connections 1,280 WD119 Telephone (425) 788-2885

• Average water usage 190 WD119 Fax (425) 788-6787

(gallons per day per residence)
WD119 Office Address 32730 NE Big Rock Road
• Water Storage capacity (gallons) 898,000 Duvall, WA 98019
O'Dell tanks 420,000
Lake Joy tanks 300,000 WD119 Mailing Address 32730 NE Big Rock Road
Cherry Garden tank 178,000 Duvall, WA 98019

• Miles of water main 36 WSDOH web www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/

• Number of fire hydrants 240 EPA web site www.epa.gov/safewater

• Number of pump stations 4 EPA Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791

• Number of pressure reducing stations 7 EPA Drinking Water Hotline [email protected]

Email

This material can be made available to accommodate people with disabilities and those who need language translation if the
need arises by contacting the WD119 office at the above noted telephone number.