Ypsilanti Community Utility Authority

YCUA is proud to present our twentieth annual water quality report. Following guidelines from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), we strive to provide you with safe, reliable water service.

Source Water Assessment
YCUA obtains water from the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), formerly Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. Your water comes from the Detroit River watershed, which includes parts of U.S. and Canadian territories. A 2004 source water assessment by MDEQ rated our Detroit River source water as highly susceptible to potential contamination. However, all GLWA water treatment plants consistently meet drinking water standards through quality treatment processes.

GLWA has implemented protective measures including chemical containment protocols, spill response systems, and mercury reduction initiatives. They've also secured a MDEQ grant to develop comprehensive source water protection for Detroit River intakes, covering government responsibilities, protection area mapping, contamination source identification, management strategies, contingency planning, and public participation.

Health and Safety Information
All drinking water, including bottled water, may contain small amounts of contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. Sources of drinking water (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 activity.

Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants (salts, metals) occurring naturally or resulting from urban runoff, wastewater discharge, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants occurring naturally or resulting from oil/gas production and mining

EPA regulations limit contaminants in public water systems to ensure safety. FDA regulations establish similar protections for bottled water. Based on 2015-2017 testing, all contaminants were below EPA safety thresholds.

Special Health Considerations
Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. Immunocompromised persons (cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or immune disorders), some elderly, and infants may face increased infection risks. These individuals should seek advice from healthcare providers about drinking water safety.

Lead in Municipal Water
Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water primarily comes from materials in service lines and home plumbing. While YCUA provides high-quality water, we cannot control plumbing component materials. To minimize potential lead exposure, flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking when it has been sitting for several hours.

1. What is a water service line?
   The pipeline that delivers fresh water from the utility's connection point to your residence. This line requires proper maintenance.
2. What am I responsible for as a homeowner?
   You are responsible for maintaining and repairing the exterior water service lines on your property, from the utility's connection point to where the line enters your home.