Birmingham

The City of Birmingham, in partnership with Southeastern Oakland County Water Authority and the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), is committed to delivering high-quality municipal water to our residents. The 2017 Annual Report on Water Quality showcases our water sources, testing results, and essential health information. We promptly notify customers of any water quality concerns and are proud to exceed EPA and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) standards.

Birmingham purchases water from the Southeastern Oakland County Water Authority at eleven connection points. SOCWA distributes GLWA water through its network to approximately 210,000 residents across a 56 square mile service area. Current member communities include Berkley, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Birmingham, Clawson, Huntington Woods, Lathrup Village, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Southfield, and Southfield Township.

Your water originates from the Detroit River watershed, which includes Lake St. Clair and portions of various rivers in both the U.S. and Canada. A 2005 source water assessment conducted by Michigan's Department of Environmental Quality rated Detroit's water source as highly susceptible to potential contamination. However, all treatment facilities have consistently delivered water meeting safety standards.

GLWA has implemented comprehensive source-water protection initiatives including chemical containment, spill response protocols, and a mercury reduction program. In 2015, GLWA received funding to develop enhanced protection for Detroit River water intakes, covering eight key elements: governmental and agency roles, protection area mapping, contamination source identification, management strategies, contingency planning, new source evaluation, and public education.

Water from Lake Huron is classified as having moderately low susceptibility to contaminants. Both water sources have historically received appropriate treatment to meet all regulatory standards. For more information about source water assessments, please contact the water department at (248)288-5150.

All water sources, including bottled water, may contain small amounts of certain contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants from sewage facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants including naturally-occurring minerals, urban runoff, industrial discharge, and agricultural practices
• Pesticides and herbicides from various sources including agriculture, urban runoff, and residential use
• Organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, and waste systems
• Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from energy production activities

Important Health Information - Lead: Elevated lead levels pose serious health risks, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead in water primarily comes from materials in service lines and home plumbing. While Birmingham provides quality water, we cannot control plumbing materials used in homes. If water has been sitting for several hours, minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. For concerns about lead, consider water testing. More information is available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Individuals with Special Health Concerns: Some people may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. Immunocompromised individuals, including those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, elderly persons, and infants can be particularly at risk. These individuals should seek advice from healthcare providers about their drinking water. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminant risks are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

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