2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater Table of Contents Executive Summary……………………………………………………...3 Introduction………………………………………………………………..4 Safe Drinking Water Act…………………………...……………...4 State primacy for the Safe Drinking Water Act…………......…..4 Public Water Supply program funding………………………..….4 Four types of public water systems……....……………………...5 Source and cost of water………………………………………….5 Public Water System Testing……………………………………….…..6 2015 Compliance Rates Strong…………………………………..…….7 Health-based violations summary………………...………..….…7 Contaminant trends over time…………………....…………….…8 Monitoring and reporting violations………..…………….…….…9 Treatment technique violations………………………………….10 Public notice violations…………………………………………...10 Consumer confidence report violations……………………....…11 Enforcement actions in 2015……………………………………. 11 DNR Helps Provide Safe Water……………………………………….12 Partnering for safe drinking water………………………….……13 Drinking Water News on Tap : Lead in Drinking Water……………..14 Challenges for the future……………………………………………….15 Appendices………………………………………………………………..16 A: Maximum permissible contaminant levels…………………...16 B: Number of systems in violation by system type……………..17 C: Drinking water violations by contaminant group…………….18 D: Communities receiving low-interest loans…………………...22 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 2 Executive Summary Wisconsin’s drinking water remained safe and affordable in 2015 due to strong efforts and partnerships among local water suppliers, the state, professional associations, consultants and others working to ensure safe drinking water issues. On average, Wisconsin residents pay $5.50 for 1,000 gallons of tap water—mere fractions of a penny per gallon according to the state Public Service Commission.  Despite economic challenges, public water systems continued their strong performance, with over 96 percent—11,036 of 11,470 systems—meeting all health-based standards. These systems had no water samples exceeding health-based standards for regulated contaminants. That is a slight improvement over what Wisconsin’s public water systems achieved in 2014.  Bacterial contamination again ranked as the most common health-based violation, followed by violations for nitrates and radioactivity. A violation of a health-based standard does not mean that people who drank the water experienced adverse health effects; it means users were exposed to a contaminant at a level deemed by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to pose an unreasonable risk to health, or that the system failed to treat its water to the extent necessary.  Monitoring and reporting violations represent the area where public water system performance needs the most improvement, which is a continuing challenge. In 2015, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) worked to address 518 M/R violations, compared with 777 in 2014. The decrease resulted mainly because public water systems did a better job providing notice of test results to customers who took a sample for lead. DNR continues working with public water systems through assistance from staff, contractors, and county public health departments to ensure that water samples are collected in the required time frames and public notices are issued correctly.  Fewer formal enforcement actions were needed in 2015 than in 2014. This improvement is due to DNR's work in previous years establishing long-term agreements with public water systems for correcting violations and improved efforts to address violations in a timely manner.  Twenty-two communities received more than $35 million in assistance for drinking water system infrastructure improvements, of which $32.9 million was low interest loans. These low interest loans can provide a cost savings of up to 30 percent to communities, enabling them to address challenges more quickly and economically. 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 3 INTRODUCTION The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) works to protect the state’s water resources to ensure safe drinking water is available to anyone who lives, works and plays in Wisconsin. Abundant fresh water, strong state and federal regulations and cooperative efforts between public water systems, trade associations, individual operators, county health officials, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), DNR and other organizations have contributed to the success in managing drinking water resources in Wisconsin. The 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report for Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems summarizes performance of the state’s public water systems between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015. Additionally, it highlights compliance with drinking water standards and state and local efforts to assure a safe, adequate supply of drinking water. Safe Drinking Water Act Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), passed by Congress in 1972 and amended several times since, the EPA sets national limits for several groups of bacteriological and chemical contaminants in drinking water. These limits, health-based standards known as Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), are specific for each contaminant. Federal law details how frequently a public water system must test for contaminants and report results to the state, EPA, and the public. These testing or “monitoring” requirements vary according to system type, population served, vulnerability of the water source to contamination, and results of previous monitor- ing. EPA also requires public water systems serving more than 10,000 people, to monitor for additional unregulated contaminants of concern to help the agency gauge the prevalence and the need to set new health-based standards. State primacy for the Safe Drinking Water Act EPA may grant states regulatory authority to implement the SDWA program for public water systems. Wisconsin has such authority or “primacy” implemented by the DNR’s Drinking Water and Groundwater (DG) program. DNR maintains an inventory, reviews monitoring results and conducts inspections to make sure public water systems meet requirements. DNR also provides technical help to public water system owners and operators, reviews construction plans for public water systems, and coordinates formal enforcement to address violations when necessary. DNR’s Bureau of Community Financial Assistance provides low-interest loans to help communities improve or expand their public water systems. Public Water Supply program funding In 2015, DG had the equivalent of 74 full-time staff working with the states 11,470 public water systems. The public water supply program receives funding from several sources including federal and state governments (Graph 1). Of the total $9.8M received, the majority goes to funding program staff and twenty percent of the budget went to contracts with organizations, colleges, county health departments and consultants for Graph 1: Public Water Supply Program State Fiscal Year 2014 - 2015 Estimated Spending by Funding Source State Funds, $2,895,073 31% Federal Security & Underground Injection Control, $139,048 2% Federal SDW Loan Set-Aside , $3,076,106 33% Federal Public Water Supply Supervision, $3,148,213 34% Total Spending - $9,258,440 Contracts - $1,829,905 Estimated Full Time Employees - 74 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 4 training and technical help. Four types of public water systems EPA and DNR define public water systems as those providing water for human consumption to at least 15 service connections or regularly serving an average of at least 25 people a day for at least 60 days per year. Types of public water systems:   Municipal Community (MC) systems are owned by cities, villages and sanitary districts and regularly serve at least 25 yearround residents. Other Than Municipal Community (OTM) systems are privately owned and regularly serve at least 25 year-round residents. These include mobile home parks, apartment buildings and condominium complexes.  Non-transient Non-community (NN) systems regularly serve at least 25 of the same people six months of the year. These include schools, day care centers and factories.  Transient Non-community (TN) systems serve at least 25 people at least 60 days of the year. These include motels, restaurants, parks, taverns, churches and campgrounds. Graph 2 shows the breakdown of Wisconsin's 11,470 public water systems. By far, the state's 9,527 TN systems make up the largest category. However, the state's 609 municipal systems serve the most people, more than 60 percent of the population. Source and cost of water Based on municipal water user rates reported to the Public Service Commission, on average Wisconsin residents pay approximately $5.50 for 1,000 gallons of tap water—mere fractions of a penny per gallon. The vast majority of Wisconsin’s public water systems rely on groundwater as their water source. However, there are 58 systems that rely on surface water, via lakes, to provide their drinking water. These surface water systems serve some of the state’s largest communities, including Milwaukee and Green Bay. Such surface water systems serve 1.9 million people, while groundwater systems serve about 3.1 million. The DNR tracks the amount of water used by Wisconsin’s municipal water systems, which totaled almost 178 billion gallons in 2015 (Table 1). Table 1: Water Use by Source Water pumped Surface water annually Gallons Total 82,793,173,044 Groundwater 95,148,910,360 177,942,083,404 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 5 PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM TESTING The SDWA mandates that public water systems collect water samples, test them for potential contaminants and report the results to their customers and the primacy agency. The number and frequency of samples collected for testing is dependent on the water system type, population served, and whether the water source is a groundwater aquifer, lake or river. Potential contaminants are categorized as having either an acute or chronic health risk. Acute contaminants, such as bacteria or nitrates, pose an immediate risk to human health—people can become ill within hours or days of exposure. Contaminants that pose a long-term health risk are called chronic contaminants. Their maximum permissible levels are risk-based and are typically set so that no more than one in 1,000,000 people would face an increased risk of developing cancer by drinking two liters of water a day for 70 years. All public water systems monitor for acute contaminants. The largest public water systems collect hundreds of water samples for acute contaminant testing every month, while the smallest systems test once a year. Chronic contaminants are monitored less frequently and the smallest systems, TNs, are not required to test. Regulated contaminants fall into several groups based on their characteristics. The categories of regulated contaminants are:      Total coliform bacteria Nitrate Inorganic chemicals (IOCs); Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs); Synthetic organic chemicals (SOCs);      Radionuclides Lead Copper Disinfection by-products Groundwater Rule Each category may include multiple contaminants. For instance, “synthetic organic chemicals” include 30 different substances. Municipal systems, which test for the most contaminants, test for over 90 regulated contaminants to protect public health. Appendix A, page 16, contains a list of regulated contaminants and their health-based standard, or MCL. EPA also sets aesthetic or “secondary” standards for certain contaminants. These substances may cause an unpleasant smell, taste, or appearance, or stain sinks or discolor clothes when they exceed certain levels. Public water systems may be required to take corrective actions if they exceed secondary standards for contaminants such as manganese, iron, copper, and sulfate. Every five years the EPA identifies a list of unregulated contaminants for potential regulation under the SDWA. Contaminants such as chromium, vanadium and enteroviruses were evaluated under the EPA’s most recent Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) to determine their prevalence in drinking water. Sampling for these contaminants, which was conducted at randomly selected community and non-community water supply systems in Wisconsin and across the United States, began in 2013 and was completed in 2015. EPA will evaluate the analytical results of contaminants monitored under UCMR3 and determine whether any will be considered for regulation. 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 6 2015 COMPLIANCE RATES STRONG Health-based violation summary The vast majority of Wisconsin’s public water systems met all SDWA requirements: they collected water samples, tested them for the appropriate contaminants, reported the results, and did not exceed health-based standards. They also used appropriate treatment techniques and delivered Consumer Confidence Reports to their customers. Table 2 outlines how well public water systems complied with SDWA requirements in 2015, and Appendix B contains additional detail on violations that occurred during the year. The most serious violations of the SDWA occur when contaminants are detected in water samples and exceed the MCL thresholds. A MCL violation does not mean that people who drank the water experienced adverse health effects. It means that a contaminant in drinking water was detected at a higher concentration than what EPA has determined is allowable to protect human health. Table 2: Water systems’ compliance with SDWA Requirements--percent systems in compliance Water System Type Type of Requirement MCL (water samples met all health standards) Monitor- Treatment ing/ Technique Reporting Municipal OTM (condos, mobile home parks, etc. with own water supply) Nontransient Noncommunity (NN) (schools, day care centers, etc. with own water supply) 94.6% 92.6% 86.7% 76.1% 98% 99% 94.3% 89.0% 100% Transient Noncommunity (TN) (restaurants, taverns, churches, with own water supply) 96.7% 97.6% 100% During 2015, over 96 percent of the state's public water systems—or 11,036 of 11,470— served water to their customers without exceeding any of the MCL standards for regulated contaminants. The remaining 4 percent, or 439 public water systems, collected water samples that exceeded the MCL for at least one contaminant. Graph 3 below is a breakdown of systems with MCL exceedances. Of these, the state's smallest systems—TN systems—accounted for about 73 percent of the health-based violations. This group includes motels, restaurants, parks, taverns, churches, and campgrounds. Appendix C contains details of specific contaminants detected in water samples during 2015. The 2015 compliance rates are notable because SDWA requirements for most systems have increased as EPA has implemented new regulations over the years. Of the compliance categories, meeting the monitoring and reporting (M/R) requirements continues to be the area needing the most improvement. *Several systems exceeded the MCL for both Radium and Gross Alpha, and are included in each category. 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 7  Bacterial violations top list again In 2015, as in the past, the most MCL violations resulted because bacteria were detected in drinking water. Public water systems collected a total of 78,188 samples for bacteriological analysis, and 3.2 percent, or 366 of the 11,470 public water systems, reported results that exceeded the MCL (Table 3). Most of the violations (299) occurred at TNs, the smallest public water systems. It should be noted this is an improvement over the number of violations in 2014. Table 3: Systems Exceeding Bacteria Standards System Type # Systems Exceed- % System Type ing the Bacteria Exceeding the Bacteria Standard Standard (MCL) (MCL) Municipally owned (cities, villages, sanitary districts) 12 Other-thanMunicipal (mobile home parks, condo associations, etc.) 25 5.6% Non-transient non -community (NN) (schools, day cares, factories) 30 3.4% Transient noncommunity (TN) (motels, taverns, restaurants, etc.) 299 3.1% 366 3.2% TOTAL 2.0% mediately when E. coli is present and can usually address the presence of these microorganisms quickly.  Nitrate MCLs Community and NN water systems reported 39 nitrate MCL violations in 2015, a drop from 57 nitrate MCL violations reported the previous year. The contaminant poses an acute health risk to infants six months and younger and women who are or may become pregnant, and a longer term health threat to the general population. In addition to the 39 nitrate MCL violations at community and NN water systems, 39 TN water systems also exceeded the nitrate MCL. The TN water systems are currently allowed to operate as long as they post a continuous notice that nitrate levels exceed the MCL. They must also provide an alternate water source when requested.  Radioactivity MCLs In 2015, 14 community water systems served water that exceeded the combined radium standard and/or the gross alpha standard for at least part of the year, making this the third most prevalent MCL violation. While radium is a naturally occurring contaminant present in groundwater aquifers, people exposed over their lifetime to drinking water with elevated radioactivity levels run a greater risk of developing disease. Contaminant trends over time Systems test for both total coliform and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. Total coliform bacteria are microscopic organisms that can be found in human and animal waste, in soil, on plants, and in runoff. Total coliform bacteria in water indicate that other bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause illness may also be present. Over the past seven years, 2.6-3.7 percent of Wisconsin's public water systems have incurred violations of the bacteria standards. This is a top health-related priority for DNR and public water systems, since bacteriological contamination represents an acute health risk. E. coli are a large and diverse group of bacteria found in the environment, foods and intestines of people and animals. People may become ill after just one exposure to water containing E. coli. Public water systems must notify customers im- Research and monitoring results suggest the need for greater focus on nitrates and viruses. In 2014, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services notified DNR that adverse health effects may result from long-term exposure (a 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 8 year or more) to drinking water with nitrate levels exceeding the MCL. Working with public water systems to maintain nitrate levels below the MCL will continue to be a priority. DNR has worked with public water systems exceeding the radium and arsenic MCLs for several years. Many public water systems have taken action to return to compliance, including installing treatment systems, reconstructing wells, or finding alternative water sources. Radium and arsenic compliance will be a continued priority for DNR due to the common occurrence of these contaminants in Wisconsin. least 90 percent of the required samples for turbidity and disinfectant residuals. No SWTR violations were reported in 2015. Failure of a system to notify customers of their lead and copper compliance monitoring results is also a M/R violation. In 2015, approximately one percent of public water systems (132 systems) incurred these violations. Municipal water systems incurred 35 of these M/R violations for not notifying customers of lead results. During 2015, municipal water system compliance for all M/R requirements (Graph 4a & 4b) was about 87 percent (see Appendix B for details). Monitoring and reporting violations EPA specifies the water testing methods that public water systems must use and sets schedules for monitoring frequency and reporting results. A public water system that does not follow the schedule or use appropriate methods incurs a M/R violation. States must report M/R violations when samples are not taken or results are not reported during a compliance period. The Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR) sets monitoring requirements for public water Monitoring public water systems for contaminants is the foundation for safe drinking water. States must report significant monitoring violations, which occur when no samples are taken or results are not reported. systems using lakes or rivers, or groundwater directly influenced by surface water, as a source. A major M/R violation of the SWTR occurs if a public water system fails to collect at 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 9 The compliance rate for TN systems shows improvement over previous years. For example, only 1.3 percent of TN systems incurred M/R violations for failing to monitor for bacteria, and fewer than one percent failed to collect nitrate samples in 2015 (Graph 5). DNR will continue to provide technical assistance to small public water systems to improve their compliance with M/R requirements. tions in 2015. Public notice violations If a public water system exceeds a contaminant MCL, fails to properly treat its water, or does not monitor according to the prescribed schedule, it must notify its customers and correct the problem. Public notification is required by federal and state regulations, and is key to informing and protecting the public. Public water system operators must inform their customers of the nature of the violation, corrective actions that are being taken, potential health effects, and any preventative measures consumers should take, including using bottled water or boiling their water. The public can be notified by radio or television, newspapers, door-to-door notification or inserts in water bills. Public water systems that exceed a bacteriological MCL must notify the public within 24 hours. Treatment technique violations Treatment technique (TT) violations occur when a public water system fails to use a mandated process to reduce people’s exposure to a contaminant, or when it fails to correct significant deficiencies in the water system construction. In 2015, there were 123 systems (1.1%) that incurred a violation for failure to post a public notice. The most common public notice requirement was the result of the water system’s failure to monitor for chronic chemicals, the lowest risk level of the three tiers of public notice violations. In addition, EPA has agreed to work with DNR to formally close out public notice violations at 1546 public water systems that occurred between 2004 and 2013. These public notice violations occurred because the system failed to notify their customers of a violation related to system operation or monitoring. There were no known public health concerns resulting from these violations. In all cases the underlying reason for the violation has been addressed because the system has returned to compliance, or entered into a formal agreement to take corrective action. TT violations represent a potential for increased health risk since customers can’t be sure whether their water was treated or protected to adequately reduce exposure to a contaminant. Wisconsin’s public water systems reported 31 TT viola2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 10 Consumer Confidence Report violations All community water systems are required to provide customers with a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) by July 1 of each year. The report outlines results of all water quality monitoring and any violations of SDWA requirements during the previous calendar year. In 2015, 95 percent (99 of 1,056 systems) of Wisconsin’s community water systems submitted CCRs by July 1. The remaining 57 systems that did not report on time received a violation and were still required to submit a CCR to their customers. What’s in My Water? Every year Wisconsin’s community water systems (those that serve residential customers) must provide each customer with a Consumer Confidence Report. This report details contaminants detected in the water, health effects, and treatment methods. If you didn’t receive a report, contact your water system or generate your own. http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/DrinkingWater/CCR.html or search “CCR” on the DNR web page Table 4 shows the history of violations, and the number of respective actions taken over the past five years. A decrease in the number of written orders indicates that timely, consistent follow up for violations is effective in returning systems to compliance as soon as possible. See Appendix B for additional detail on the 2015 violations. Table 4: Violation Actions Systems with Total Written Year Violations NONs 2011 1,118 2,437 2012 940 2,171 2013 1,262 2,469 2014 1,325 2,690 2015 983 2,432 Written Orders 163 74 47 21 15 In 2015, there were 518 M/R violations for all contaminant categories, compared to the 777 M/R violations in 2014. This improvement occurred because there was a significant decrease in violations for failure to notify customers of their lead and copper monitoring results. This is believed to be the result of an ongoing partnership with technical assistance contractors and county employees assisting in implementing the SDWA. DNR will continue these partnerships to reduce the number of M/R violations. Enforcement action summary is as follows: Enforcement actions in 2015 When systems don’t meet SDWA requirements, DNR works towards resolving the issue quickly to protect public health. Most of these situations are resolved through a process in which DNR sends a public water system a written Notice of Noncompliance (NON). In the event corrective action is not taken by the system in response to an NON, the DNR follows a stepped enforcement process with each step being more severe. The final step consists of a written order. Types of orders used for enforcement purposes include consent orders, administrative orders and administrative penalty orders. If a violation is not resolved, DNR may refer a case to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for further enforcement.  DNR sent 2,432 NON letters, which informed public water systems about a failure to report sample results or other information required by the SDWA, or that test results exceeded a drinking water standard.  DNR sent 44 Notice of Violation (NOV) letters, requiring public water system owners to meet with DNR drinking water and enforcement staff to discuss corrective actions and a timetable for returning the system to compliance.  DNR held 33 enforcement conferences to develop written documents that establish actions and time lines necessary for public water systems to return to compliance. 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 11    DNR developed 15 written orders that established actions and timelines necessary for a public water system to return to compliance. DNR did not refer any cases to the Department of Justice for further enforcement in 2015. DNR HELPS PROVIDE SAFE WATER DNR is committed to supporting public water systems in providing safe drinking water. A variety of indirect activities help public water systems meet requirements of the SDWA.  Technical assistance The DNR works with contractors to provide a technical assistance program for the state's NN and OTM public water systems (1,334 systems). Technical assistance providers support these systems via telephone, email and in person. In 2016, 5,678 quarterly reminders to the systems about monitoring and reporting requirements and upcoming deadlines were delivered. Since the reminders began in 2013, the number of M/R violations incurred by these systems dropped nearly 50 percent from 364 in 2014 to 205 violations in 2015. Monitoring assessments Every three years DNR evaluates well construction and potential contamination sources at community and NN systems. DNR may reduce monitoring frequency when an assessment shows the public water system meets particular criteria. This may significantly reduce monitoring costs, potentially saving Wisconsin public water systems in excess of $3 million per year.  Annual monitoring schedules To promote timely monitoring and reporting, DNR sends annual monitoring schedules to public water system operators detailing all sampling that must be completed throughout the year.  Protecting drinking water sources Wellhead protection plans prevent groundwater pollution by minimizing potential sources of contamination near municipal source water supplies. These plans are required for newly constructed wells. DNR also encourages using this tool to protect existing wells. At the end of 2015 there were 395 municipal systems had developed wellhead protection plans for one or more of their wells. Additionally, technical assistance providers make in-person site visits that are intended to 1) help system owners and operators investigate and resolve problems, 2) identify operational issues or 3) train new personnel. The total for 2015 was 508 site visits.  On-site assessments In 2015, DNR conducted 2,675 inspections of the water source, facilities, equipment, operation and maintenance at public water systems. Inspections are important prevention tools; they can help identify problems before a health-based violation occurs. 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 12  Financial assistance In 2015, DNR awarded $32.9 million in low interest loans and $2.8 million in principal forgiveness (i.e. grants) to municipal public water systems for projects that help provide safe drinking water for consumers. Depending on market interest rates, the savings to communities from a lower interest rate loan can equal 20 to 30 percent compared to a market rate loan. Since the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program began in 1998, 280 projects have received over $555 million in loans and grants. Examples of how communities used funds to provide safe drinking water in 2015:   The City of Mosinee received approximately $2.5M for chemical and mechanical rehabilitation of Wells No. 3, 4 and 5, and for treatment plant upgrades to address disinfection by-products and lead. The City of Sheboygan received approximately $3.6M for construction of an ultraviolet light (UV) disinfection facility, and for clearwell improvements at the treatment plant. This will provide an additional barrier for protection against microbials (UV disinfection) and to meet design standards (clearwells).  The Village of Tennyson received approximately $160,000 to replace water mains on Bunker Hill Street.  The Village of Wrightstown received approximately $7.2M for construction of a transmission main to connect to the Village of Ashwaubenon water system. This will help Wrightstown address water quality and quantity issues with their current wells.  The Village of Fredonia received approximately $965,000 to replace water mains on Fredonia Avenue. Partnering for safe drinking water Safe drinking water is a result of cooperative efforts between public water systems, federal, state, and local agencies, trade associations, individual operators, DNR and others. In 2015, about $1.83 million, or 20 percent of the public water program’s total $9.3 million budget, went to contracts with trade associations, county health officials and consultants to help provide educational training and technical assistance to water system owners and operators. These contract programs assisted:  County health officials to collect the water samples required of churches, restaurants, parks, and other transient non-community systems.  Wisconsin Rural Water Association to help small public water systems by providing onsite technical assistance, monitoring reminders, training programs, and continuing education for certified operators.  Moraine Park Technical College to provide a Water Quality Technology degree program that offers training for new operators and continuing education opportunities for certified operators. » Find a full listing in Appendix D on page 22 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 13 Drinking Water News on Tap mains that deliver municipal water to customers. Replacing full lead service lines is critical for effectively reducing exposure to lead. Sampling suggests that sites with disLead in Drinking Water turbed lead service lines, such as during partial lead service line replacement, had elevated lead levels. These Lead is a common metal that can be found in lead-based elevated lead levels may continue for years following parpaint, air, soil, household dust, and food. Lead can enter tial lead service line replacement. Since homeowners drinking water if the water contacts lead service lines, lead pipes, or other lead components in the water distribution sys- must cover the cost for replacing their portion of a lead tem. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) esti- service, they often opt not to have it replaced. This conmates that drinking water accounts for 20 percent or more of tributes to an increased risk of lead in drinking water. a person’s total exposure to lead. Infants who consume To assist homeowners, DNR is making money available mostly mixed formula can receive 40 percent to 60 percent to water utilities to subsidize or pay for replacement of the of their exposure to lead from drinking water. homeowners’ portion of the lead service lines. DNR will target low- to moderate– income areas with $11.8 million Results of lead testing of the water supplies in Washington, in grants to replace these lead pipes. The current proD.C, Chicago and Flint, MI, suggest that lead service lines posal is that small communities with 50,000 people or are a major source of lead in drinking water. Sampling reless could receive up to $300,000; medium-sized comsults also demonstrated that consumers are likely to be exmunities could receive up to $500,000 and large commuposed to elevated lead levels if a community water supplier nities (Milwaukee) could receive up to $1,000,000. The removes a utility-owned portion of a lead service line, but program is scheduled to begin July 1, 2016. does not replace a home owner portion of the line. Reducing your risk to lead in drinking water While you cannot see, taste, or smell lead in drinking water, there are some actions you can take to reduce your exposure to lead:  Check whether your home has a lead service line connecting to the water main.  Work with community and water utility officials if your home has a lead service line. It’s important to replace these lines in their entirety.  Check whether you have water fixtures or plumbing materials that may contain lead. These factors will play a major role in EPAs upcoming revi Consider replacing with non-lead materials where sions to the Lead and Copper Rule. As identified by the Napossible. tional Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC) recom Flush the water before drinking. mendations, other issues that should be addressed include a  If you have lead water fixtures, lead plumbing matemore assertive public education program, stronger corrosion rials or a lead service line, flush any time the water control treatment measures, full lead service line replacehas been motionless for four hours or more. ment, and funding for customers’ portions of lead service  If you have a lead service line, flush your water until lines. the line is cleared.  If you have lead fixtures but no lead service line, The City of Madison, Wisconsin, represents a success story flush the tap for approximately one minute. involving full lead service line replacement. In cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and EPA,  Clean faucet aerators regularly. Madison put in place a program to replace both the city Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby forowned and customer’s portion of about 10,000 lead service mula. lines. The effort to replace all of Madison’s lead service line  Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water began in 2001, took about 10 years to complete, and cost tap; lead dissolves more easily in hot water. roughly $15.5M. In the end, Madison was able to reduce lead levels in water delivered to its customers, while avoiding  Do not boil water to remove lead. adding phosphate into drinking water that is ultimately dis Boiling water can increase the concentration. charged to surrounding lakes and streams.  Consider a water filter.  Select a filter that is approved to reduce lead. While this serves as a model for the rest of the country, there  Contact NSF International at 800 NSF 8010, or is still significant work to be done in Wisconsin. The Public www.nsf.org for information on performance standService Commission estimates that the state has at least ards for water filters. 176,000 lead service lines connecting older homes to water 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 14 Challenges for the future Wisconsin’s water supply infrastructure, like the nation’s, is aging, and citizens and communities face a big bill to upgrade the pipes, pumps and treatment systems necessary to bring safe water to our homes every day. In 2011, EPA conducted the most recent Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. Nationally, an estimated $384 billion is needed to meet infrastructure needs between 2011 and 2031. The price tag for Wisconsin was estimated to be over $7.1 billion. Here’s how that bill breaks down: Public Water System Needs Large-size system (>100,000 people served) $1.7B Medium-size system (3,300-100,000) $3.4B Small-size system (<3,300 people served) $1.5B Not-for-profit non-community $550M Over 60 percent ($4.4 billion) of these costs are needed for distribution and transmission infrastructure, while the 20-year treatment facility improvement needs will cost $1.4 billion. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Cathy Stepp, Secretary Environmental Management Division Pat Stevens, Administrator Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater Stephen M. Ales, Acting Director Public Water Supply Section Steven Elmore, Chief Public Water Engineering Section Cathrine Wunderlich, Chief Copies of this report may be obtained by contacting the Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707, (608) 267-4230. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment, programs, services, and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan. If you have any questions, please write to Equal Opportunity Office, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. This publication can be made available in alternative formats on request. Please call (608) 267-4230 for more information. 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 15 Appendix A Maximum Permissible Contaminant Levels for Drinking Water MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level - Violation occurs when contaminant level exceeds the maximum concentration allowed in drinking water MRDL = Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS Antimony Arsenic Asbestos (fiber length >10 microns) Barium Beryllium Cadmium Chromium Cyanide Fluoride Mercury Nickel Nitrate Nitrite Total Nitrate & Nitrite Selenium Thallium Lead & Copper MCL (milligrams per liter or mg/L) 0.006 0.010 7 million fibers per liter 2 0.004 0.005 0.1 0.2 4.0 0.002 0.1 10 1 10 0.05 0.002 Action Level Lead Copper 0.015 1.3 Radionuclides MCL Picocuries per liter (pCi/L) 15 5 Gross Alpha Radium 226+228 (combined radium) Uranium 30 micrograms/l (ug/l) VOLATILE ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS MCL (mg/L) SYNTHETIC ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS MCL (mg/L) Benzene Carbon Tetrachloride o-Dichlorobenzene 0.005 0.005 0.6 2,4-D 2,4,5-TP Alachlor 0.07 0.05 0.002 p-Dichlorobenzene 1,2-Dichloroethane 1,1-Dichloroethlyene 1,2-Dichloroethylene,cis 1,2-Dichloroethylene,trans Dichloromethane 1,2-Dichloropropane Ethylbenzene Chlorobenzene Styrene Tetrachloroethylene Toluene 1,2,4 Trichlorobenzene 1,1,1-Trichloroethane 0.075 0.005 0.007 0.07 0.1 0.005 0.005 0.7 0.1 0.1 0.005 1 0.07 0.2 Atrazine Benzo(a)pyrene Carbofuran Chlordane Dalapon Di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthallate Dibromochloropropane Dinoseb Dioxin Diquat Endothall Endrin Ethylene Dibromide 0.003 0.0002 0.04 0.002 0.2 0.4 0.006 0.0002 0.007 3x1-8 0.02 0.1 0.002 0.00005 1,1,2 Trichloroethane Trichloroethylene Vinyl Chloride Xylenes (Total) 0.005 0.005 0.0002 10 Glyphosate Heptachlor Heptachlor epoxide Hexachlorobenzene Hexachlorocyclopentadiene 0.7 0.0004 0.0002 0.001 0.05 Lindane Methoxychlor 0.0002 0.04 Disinfection Byproducts Total Trihalomethanes 0.080 Oxamy 0.2 Haloacetic Acids Bromate Chlorite 0.060 0.010 1.0 PCBs Pentachlorophenol Picloram Simazine Toxaphene 0.0005 0.001 0.001 0.004 0.003 Residual Disinfectants MRDL (mg/L) Chlorine Chloramines Chlorine dioxide 4.0 as Cl2 4.0 as Cl2 0.8 (as ClO2) 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 16 Appendix B Number of Systems in Violation by System Type Reporting period Jan. 1, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2015 MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level - Violation occurs when contaminant level exceeds the maximum concentration allowed in drinking water. M/R = Monitoring and Reporting - Violation occurs when a system fails to collect water samples and/or fails to report results. TT= Treatment Technique - Violation occurs when a system fails to take measures to ensure control of a contaminant when there is no reliable method to measure a contaminant at particularly low concentrations. 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 17 Appendix C Drinking Water Violations by Contaminant Group Reporting period Jan. 1, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2015 VOLATILE ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS MCL (mg/L) Max. Contaminant Level (MCL) Treatment Technique Monitoring/Reporting (M/R) # Violations Systems In Violation # Violations Systems In Violation # Violations Systems In Violation 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 Benzene Carbon Tetrachloride o-Dichlorobenzene 0.005 0.005 0.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 p-Dichlorobenzene 0.075 0 0 0 0 1,2-Dichloroethane 0.005 0 0 0 0 1,1-Dichloroethlyene 0.007 0 0 0 0 1,2-Dichloroethylene,cis 0.07 0 0 0 0 1,2-Dichloroethylene,trans 0.1 0 0 0 0 8 Dichloromethane 1,2-Dichloropropane Ethylbenzene 0.005 0.005 0.7 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8 8 8 Chlorobenzene 0.1 0 0 0 0 8 8 8 8 Styrene 0.1 0 0 0 0 8 8 Tetrachloroethylene 0.005 0 0 0 0 8 Toluene 1 0 0 0 0 8 8 1,2,4 Trichlorobenzene 0.07 0 0 0 0 8 8 1,1,1-Trichloroethane 0.2 0 0 0 0 8 8 1,1,2 Trichloroethane 0.005 0 0 0 0 8 8 Trichloroethylene 0.005 0 0 0 0 8 8 Vinyl Chloride 0.0002 0 0 0 0 8 8 Xylenes (Total) 10 0 0 0 0 8 8 80 0 0 0 0 8 8 1 1 0 0* 176 8* Disinfection By products (DBP) TOTALS 8 8 * The same water systems each had at least 1 violation for each contaminant within the VOC category. When calculating the total number of systems in violation, systems with violations of multiple contaminants in the same group are only counted once. 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 18 Appendix C (continued) Drinking Water Violations by Contaminant Group Reporting period Jan. 1, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2015 SYNTHETIC ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS MCL (mg/L) Max. Contaminant Level (MCL) Systems In # Violations Violation Treatment Technique # Violations Systems In Violation Monitoring/Reporting (M/R) Systems In #Violations Violation 1,2 Dibromo-3Chloropropane (DBPC) 0.0002 0 0 0 0 1 1 2,3,7,8-TCDD (Dioxin) 3x10-8 0 0 0 0 1 1 2,4-D 2,4,5-TP Alachlor Atrazine Benzo(a)pyrene Carbofuran Chlordane Dalapon Di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthallate Dinoseb Diquat Endothall Endrin Ethylene Dibromide Glyphosate Heptachlor Heptachlor epoxide Hexachlorobenzene Hexachlorocyclopentadiene Lindane Methoxychlor Oxamyl PCBs Pentachlorophenol Picloram Simazine Toxaphene 0.07 0.05 0.002 0.003 0.0002 0.04 0.002 0.2 0.4 0.006 0.007 0.02 0.1 0.002 0.00005 0.7 0.0004 0.0002 0.001 0.05 0.0002 0.04 0.2 0.0005 0.001 0.001 0.004 0.003 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 0 *0 30 *1 TOTALS *The same systems had violations of all the contaminants within the “Synthetic Organic Chemicals” category with the exception of two chemicals. When calculating the total number of systems in violation, systems are only counted once for violations of multiple contaminants within the same contaminant group. 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 19 Appendix C (continued) Drinking Water Violations by Contaminant Group Reporting period Jan. 1, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2015 INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS MCL (mg/L) MCLs Treatment Technique Monitoring/Reporting Violations Systems in Violations Systems in Violations Systems In Violation Violation Violation Antimony 0.006 Arsenic 0.05 Asbestos (fiber length > 10 7 million. fibers per 2 9 2 7 0 0 0 0 1 5 1 5 microns liter Barium Beryllium Cadmium 2 0.004 0.005 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 Chromium Cyanide 0.1 0.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 Fluoride Mercury Nickel 4 0.002 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 Nitrate Nitrite Selenium 10 1 0.05 1 39 0 1 39 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 76 11 1 75 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sodium Thallium SECONDARY CONTAMINANTS (Not health-related standards) Alkalinity Aluminum Chloride Hardness Iron Manganese Magnesium pH Total Dissolved Solids Silver Zinc TOTALS 0.002 Standard (mg/l) ** 0.05 to 0.2 ** ** 0.3 0.05 ** ** 500 0.1 5 51 49 0 *0 1 1 2 2 1 1 Significant Monitoring/Reporting Violations Systems In Violation 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 193 8 *94 *To calculate the total number of systems in violation, systems are only counted once for violations of multiple contaminants within the same contaminant group. ** There are no drinking water standards for these compounds, but results are used together to determine corrosivity and other water quality characteristics. 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 20 Appendix C (continued) Drinking Water Violations by Contaminant Group Reporting period Jan. 1, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2015 Contaminant Group MCL (mg/L) Or Action Level Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) # Violations Systems in Violation Treatment Technique # Violations Systems In Violation Monitoring/ Reporting (M/R) # Violations Systems In Violation Lead 0.015 N/A N/A 10 10 8 8 Copper 1.3 N/A N/A 10 10 8 8 8 8 132 132 156 148 Water Quality Parameters Lead Customer Notice TOTALS 10 10 0 0 Radionuclides Picocuries per liter Gross Alpha 15 6 6 0 0 11 11 Radium 226+228 (combined radium) 5 13 13 0 0 11 11 Combined Urani- 30 mg/l 0 0 0 0 1 1 19 *19 0 0 23 12* 575 366 0 0 230 191 TOTALS Total Coliform Rule Totals No Detect *To calculate the total number of systems in violation, systems are only counted once for violations of multiple contaminants within the same contaminant group. 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 21 Appendix D Communities Receiving Low-Interest Loans for Drinking Water Projects Municipality County FAA Amount Brillion, City of Calumet $1,689,997 Construct Well #5 and transmission main Lake Hallie, Village of Chippewa $2,516,139 Construct new storage tank and connecting main; upgrade SCADA Mosinee, City of Marathon $2,497,999 Sheboygan $3,622,030 Racine, City of Racine $1,931,200 Thorp, City of Clark $867,061 Construct Well #15, wellhouse and SCADA; replace water main along Washington Street and STH 73 Siren, Village of Burnett $825,191 Replace undersized water mains and loop dead ends Sheboygan, City of Colby, City of Marathon $1,135,678 Project Description Chemical and mechanical rehabilitation of Wells #3, 4 & 5 Install ultraviolet light (UV) disinfection system; construct UV building with electric equipment; construct clear well improvements Modifications to high lift station Abandon existing well(s); construct new well, wellhouse and SCADA Tennyson, Village of Grant $159,914 Replace watermains on Bunker Hill Street Albany, Village of Green $379,770 SCADA upgrades, chemical feed system upgrades at Wells #1 and #2 Orfordville, Village of Rock $969,220 Replace steel water mains Whitehall, City of Trempealeau $1,788,158 Construct Well #3 with SCADA; raw water main and water main relay from tower to USH53 Fredonia, Village of Ozaukee $965,235 Replace water main on Fredonia Avenue Fall Creek, Village of Eau Claire $375,994 Construct new Well #1 pumphouse, install chemical feed storage Bayfield $995,530 Replace undersized water mains on STH 13 Bayfield, City of 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 22 Appendix D (continued) Communities Receiving Low-Interest Loans for Drinking Water Projects Municipality County FAA Amount Project Description Allouez, Village of Brown $2,127,307 Replace undersized watermains and construct looping mains Brown $7,244,797 Install 62,000 feet of 16" water main to connect to Ashwaubenon for water supply Wood $2,091,776 Replace water mains and construct looping mains Dane $1,491,359 Replace water mains on Main Street, USH 14 and East Street Dane $730,296 Re-coat/rehabilitate water storage facility Mayville, City of Dodge $589,317 Replace water mains in South Clark Street area Mineral Point, City of Iowa $699,173 Replace water mains on Chestnut and Decatur Streets Total $35,693,141 Wrightstown, Village of Biron, Village of Cross Plains, Village of Cottage Grove, Village of 2015 Annual Drinking Water Report Wisconsin’s Public Water Systems—WDNR Bureau of Drinking Water & Groundwater 23