Coal Creek Utility District

Who: Your tap water is monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which establishes water quality standards, testing protocols, and monitoring requirements for all water utilities. The EPA sets maximum contaminant levels and requires public notification whenever violations occur. Starting in late spring, CCUD staff will begin conducting all water quality sampling required by EPA and Washington Department of Health (DOH) ourselves, rather than relying on Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). To accomplish this, our team installed 6 additional water quality sampling stations (bringing the total to 9), plus 3 new chlorine monitoring locations. The newly installed sampling stations use water-conserving designs that only flow during sampling, unlike the older continuously flowing models. We plan to upgrade the remaining three continuous stations with non-flowing models this Spring. SPU will continue handling laboratory analysis for microbes and contaminants at their Seattle facility.

What: All municipal water, including bottled varieties, can be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of these substances doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-(800) 426-4791.

When: Water quality monitoring occurs 365 days per year to ensure consistent safety and compliance.

Where: Your water originates from the Cedar River and Tolt Watersheds.

How: Last year, your tap water underwent testing for over 200 compounds and additional contaminants. Testing occurs before treatment, after treatment, and throughout the distribution system. The following tables list all detected contaminants from our most recent required testing and compare them to EPA and State of Washington limits to verify your water's safety. More than 200 additional compounds were tested for but not detected in your water. Contact us for a complete list or with any water quality questions.

Please note: Asbestos monitoring isn't required in our District because all asbestos concrete pipes in our distribution system were replaced prior to 1999.

The Best News: Your water consistently meets all state and federal guidelines for every contaminant, with levels substantially below EPA limits.

Lead and Copper Monitoring Results: Our local water supply contains no lead or copper naturally. However, your home may have higher levels than others in the community due to materials used in your plumbing. Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead in municipal water primarily comes from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. While Coal Creek Utility District provides high-quality water, we cannot control the materials used in household plumbing components. To minimize potential lead exposure when water has been sitting for several hours, flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned about lead, consider having your water tested. Information on lead in water, testing methods, and exposure reduction steps is available from the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-(800) 426-4791 or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

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