Leavenworth Water Department

Waterworks Panel Updates - We're pleased to share the 2018 Water Quality Report with our community. This report details the quality of water and services we provide daily. Our mission remains delivering safe, reliable drinking water to all customers.

The Waterworks Panel is committed to excellent service, efficient system management, affordable rates, and superior water quality. A distinctive feature of Leavenworth Waterworks is our commitment to providing softened water, offering better value to customers. We're the only provider in Leavenworth County supplying softened water that meets all EPA and KDHE regulations.

Water Conservation Tips:

• Fix leaking faucets, pipes, and toilets promptly
• Install water-saving fixtures and flow restrictors
• Take shorter showers and turn off water while brushing teeth
• Use water-efficient dishwashing techniques
• Water lawns only when necessary, during cooler times of day

Municipal Water and Your Health:
All water sources may contain small amounts of contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Immunocompromised individuals, including those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, the elderly, and infants may be particularly vulnerable. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about their water consumption.

Water Sources and Potential Contaminants:
Our water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves natural minerals and can pick up substances from animal or human activities.

Potential contaminants include:

• Inorganic substances like salts and metals
• Microbial contaminants from sewage treatment plants and wildlife
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture and urban runoff
• Organic chemicals from industrial processes and petroleum production
• Radioactive substances from natural sources or human activities

Water Safety Measures:
EPA regulations limit contaminant levels in public water systems. We treat our water according to these standards. Similarly, FDA regulations establish limits for bottled water, providing equivalent public health protection.

Lead Information:
Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in water typically comes from service lines and home plumbing materials. When water sits unused for several hours, minimize potential exposure by running taps for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned, consider water testing. More information is available at HTTP://EPA.gov/safewater/lead.

Water Treatment Process:
Our drinking water comes from two sources: surface water treated at the North Water Plant from the Missouri River, and groundwater treated at the South Water Plant from nine wells near the river. State-certified operators work round-the-clock to make water safe for consumption and pleasantly soft for household use.

Building Projects and Improvements:
In 2017, we continued replacing older water mains, with three miles of pipeline replaced. This program has shown impressive results - main breaks decreased from 133 in 2012 to just 46 in 2017, a 289% reduction. This represents significant savings in time, money, and contamination risk.

The South Plant emergency generator installation was completed in 2017, ensuring full functionality during extended power outages. Work has also begun on replacing water supply wells for the South Plant.

1. What is the average water bill cost? An average quarterly water bill runs approximately $49.00. Current rate information is available on our website.
2. Do you accept credit card payments? Yes, we accept credit cards in person, by phone, and through our website. A small convenience fee applies.
3. How many gallons are in a cubic foot of water? There are 7.48 gallons in one cubic foot. Most water meters measure usage in cubic feet.
4. Are bills issued monthly or quarterly? Water bills are issued on a quarterly basis.
5. Is fluoride added to the water supply? No, we do not add fluoride to our water. Complete water quality information is available in our online reports.
6. Can I set up automatic payments? Currently, automatic payment setup is not a service we offer.
7. What is the source of the District's water? The District maintains four man-made ponds and dams located in the Town of York: Boulter Pond, Upper Folly Pond, Middle Pond, and the Bell Marsh Reservoir.