Water District 1 of Johnson County

This report aims to inform our valued customers that the water produced by WaterOne consistently meets or exceeds all requirements for safe, high-quality water. WaterOne is required by municipal water regulations to make this water quality report available to customers annually.

Think of it as a nutritional label for the substance you consume most - water! While the technical information can be complex, we've made it readable while including all necessary details. Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and WaterOne want to ensure that consumers are fully informed about their municipal water supply.

WaterOne tests for over 100 regulated and unregulated contaminants in our water supply. Our advanced water quality laboratory employs multiple monitoring systems, and our water undergoes continuous testing every day of the year to ensure premium quality reaches our customers' taps. All data in this report comes from 2017 testing results.

In 2017, WaterOne processed a total of 21.9 billion gallons of water, drawing approximately 9.8 billion gallons from the Kansas River, 5.4 billion gallons from the Missouri River, 5.5 billion gallons from its Wolcott Collector Well (adjacent to the Missouri River), and 1.2 billion gallons from wells south of the Kansas River. Customer consumption ranges between 50-130 million gallons per day (MGD), depending on the season. The peak consumption was 157.5 MGD on July 23.

WaterOne has earned recognition as a Platinum Level utility for excellence in utility management from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies. We also hold the Stage III Directors Award from the Partnership for Safe Water, which acknowledges water system operations that exceed regulatory requirements. Additionally, WaterOne has received the "Best Tasting Water In Kansas" award from the Kansas Rural Water Association.

1. If a water treatment plant is constructed in Pierre, how much will my water improve?
2. If a Water Treatment Plant is built in Pierre, would the City's water quality be similar to the water produced by Mid-Dakota or Mni Wiconi? Yes. The Water Treatment Plant would remove the minerals from Pierre's water that currently differentiate Pierre's water from the water produced by the Mid-Dakota or Mni Wiconi systems.
3. How does Pierre's current water quality compare to Mid-Dakota or Mni Wiconi water quality? All three systems supply municipal water that meets required federal and state drinking water standards. Pierre's water contains manganese that causes brown staining; water produced by Mid-Dakota and Mni Wiconi does not contain manganese. Additionally, the concentrations of calcium and magnesium are approximately 30% higher in Pierre's water supply than in the water produced by Mid-Dakota and Mni Wiconi, making Pierre's water harder than the water supplied by the other systems.
4. If a Water Treatment Plant is built in Pierre, will municipal water stay clear year round? Yes. The treatment system would remove the minerals from the water which can cause water discoloration.
5. If the City does not build a water treatment plant, will the quality of our current water source remain stable or will the quality deteriorate? Over the past few decades, the well water quality has deteriorated, exhibiting increasing concentrations of minerals, hardness, and sulfate. This deteriorating water quality trend is likely to continue as the wells age.
6. Why does Pierre water turn sidewalks, appliances and fixtures a dark color? Pierre's water contains manganese and iron that forms dark deposits when it evaporates.
7. Would the development of a Water Treatment Plant prevent the water from staining? Yes. The treatment process would remove the minerals that cause staining.
8. If the City builds a Water Treatment Plant, will it damage my current plumbing? No. Conversely, treated water tends to have fewer negative impacts on plumbing fixtures.

WATER TREATMENT PLANT PROJECT: FINANCIAL IMPACT

1. If the City builds a Water Treatment Plant, how much more per gallon will it cost me?
2. How much will my water bill increase if the City builds a Water Treatment Facility?
3. How do the estimated "new" costs compare to Mid Dakota, Mni Wiconi?
4. How much money would the City have to put into its present wells or new wells to ensure a stable water source over the next 30 years / the expected life of the water treatment plant?

WATER TREATMENT PLANT: GENERAL QUESTIONS

1. Why doesn't Pierre just tie into Mid-Dakota's water system? Mid-Dakota's water system does not produce enough water to meet the needs of Pierre. Expanding Mid-Dakota's production capacity would cost more than the proposed Water Treatment Plant.
2. Is it still possible to get treated water from Mid-Dakota that already has a treatment plant north of town? Mid-Dakota's water system does not produce enough water to meet the needs of Pierre. Expanding Mid-Dakota's production capacity would cost more than the proposed Water Treatment Plant.
3. How long before our current system of treating municipal water is ineffective? Pierre's current system provides water that meets all current federal and state municipal water safety standards. The federal Environment Protection Agency is currently reviewing its regulations. Changes to their regulations may impact Pierre's treatment method, but no regulatory changes have been identified right now.
4. If voters approve the development of a Water Treatment Plant, how long would it take for treated water to flow? Treated water can flow in about 2 to 3 years, including about 1 year for design, and between 1 and 2 years for construction.
5. What chemicals are added to the current municipal water? (Fluoride, chlorine etc...) Chlorine is added to the water for disinfection. Fluoride is added to help reduce tooth decay. A phosphate chemical is added to inhibit water discoloration and inhibit corrosion.
6. I've heard that manganese is a potential health concern. What is our current concentrations vs treated concentrations of manganese? The current average concentrations of manganese in Pierre's current water supply is 2.5 milligrams/liter. The treated water with the proposed treatment plant would have concentrations of manganese less than 0.05 milligrams/liter.
7. How much park land would be taken up by the proposed Water Treatment Plant? The recommended Treatment Plant location is in the north end of Steamboat Park, just south of the approach to the Missouri River Bridge. An estimated 1 acre will be needed.
8. Could the City use its existing deep wells along the river to irrigate our parks with untreated water? The City can use the existing wells for park irrigation. However, the water will still contain high levels of manganese which will stain sidewalks and other structures near the site of irrigation.