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CITY OF COLUMBIA 2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM 4010001 • COLUMBIA, SC • CITY OF COLUMBIA WATER WORKS
The Customer Meter Upgrade Project Hits 100,000 Installations! Columbia Water’s new advanced meter upgrade project hit a milestone when it surpassed 100,000 new meter installations in February 2021. This is about two-thirds of the more than 150,000 meters that will be installed as part of the project, which is scheduled to finish in early 2022. This project will provide customers with fewer estimated bills, real-time alerts about possible leaks, and the ability to better manage water use. If you don’t have a new meter yet, you can visit gis.columbiasc.gov/ami/ to see if your house or business is on the upcoming schedule. If it hasn’t been scheduled yet, please check back at a later time. If you have a new meter, please download our Eye On Water app that allows you to track you water usage in real time and set up leak notifications. Go to columbiascwater.eyeonwater.com/signin for more details.
Columbia Water Begins Testing for PFAS Compounds in Drinking Water PFAS is an acronym for man-made chemicals used globally since the 1940s in a variety of industrial and commercial products. PFAS resist heat and repel oil and water, so they are found in such products as firefighting foams, stain- and water-resistant coatings, and non-stick coatings. The same properties that make PFAS useful for industrial and consumer products make them difficult to degrade and very persistent in the environment, leading to PFAS being found literally everywhere on earth. Because of this persistence, it is not unusual for some PFAS to be found anywhere, including the City’s drinking water. In June of 2020, the South Carolina Department of Health and
Environmental Control (SCDHEC) conducted testing of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the City of Columbia’s two drinking water treatment plants at Lake Murray and the Columbia Canal as they conducted PFAS sampling at 44 water systems across the state of South Carolina. In an effort to develop reliable information about PFAS in Columbia’s drinking water, Columbia Water is continuing to perform testing for these compounds twice per year. The second set of these additional bi-annual samples was collected in April of 2021. The results of all PFAS testing can be found on our website at www.columbiascwater.net/PFAS.
Columbia Water and FEMA Come to Agreement on Scope of Canal Work The City of Columbia/Columbia Water announced in September 2020 that they have come to a fundamental agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance program on the scope of damage to the Columbia Canal from the historic flooding that took place in the Midlands in 2015. This is the culmination of years of negotiations with the federal agency and signals the beginning of the repair process for the canal and hydroelectric plant. FEMA PA is coordinated by the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD). Both the City and FEMA have identified approximately $42 million in damages as a result of the 2015 historic floods. The scope of work includes repairing the breach in the canal embankment, fixing other damaged sections of the canal embankment and repairing the hydroelectric plant at the south end of the canal to return green power to the City of Columbia. The length of the remainder of the project has yet to be determined. Additional necessary work that does not fall under FEMA’s scope is replacing the headgates at the north end of the canal. However, a separate federal funding source is being sought for those repairs. “We are excited to finally be moving forward,” said Clint Shealy, Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water. “We appreciate everyone’s patience as we begin this phase of making Columbia whole again from the devastating flood of 2015.” Updates to the project can be followed at www.columbiascwater.net/columbiacanalproject.
For additional information:
City of Columbia Water Quality Complaints, Billing, & Customer Care Center 803-545-3300 customercare@columbiasc.gov columbiascwater.net/customer-care SC DHEC - Bureau of Water 803-898-4300 National Lead Information Clearinghouse 800-424-LEAD Consumer Product Safety Commission 800-638-2772
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CITY OF COLUMBIA 2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT What is in Columbia’s Drinking Water? The City of Columbia’s drinking water met all state and federal requirements during 2020 and is considered safe to drink. The City’s SC DHEC-certified laboratory performs more than 200,000 analyses each year to ensure that the water the City supplies to its customers meets all US EPA and SC DHEC standards. Additional analyses are performed by SC DHEC, the state agency that regulates and oversees public water systems. Samples are tested at every stage of the treatment process and at hundreds of points throughout more than 2,400 miles of pipeline that make up the City’s distribution system. The City also conducts additional testing in response to customer complaints. The sources of Columbia’s drinking water are two surface waters, the Broad River (via the Columbia Canal) and Lake Murray The regulated substances listed below were detected in the City’s water supply during 2020. Substance
Highest Level Allowed (MCL)
Detected Level
Range of Detection
Goal (MCLG)
Violations
Year Sampled
Source of Contaminant
0-56 ppb
0
None
2020
Corrosion of household plumbing systems & naturally occurring in the environment (1)
0-0.423 ppm
1.3 ppm
None
2020
Corrosion of household plumbing systems & naturally occurring in the environment
INORGANIC COMPOUNDS Lead
15 ppb (90th%)
7 ppb (90th%)
Copper
1.3 ppm (90th%)
0.11 ppm (90th%)
(Three of 50 sites sampled exceeded the action level)
(Action Level)
(Action Level)
(Zero of 50 sites sampled exceeded the action level)
Fluoride
4 ppm
0.53 ppm
0.00-0.53 ppm
4 ppm
None
2020
Naturally occurring in the environment by erosion of natural deposits and added at the treatment plants as an aid in preventing tooth decay
Nitrate/Nitrite
10 ppm
0.39 ppm
0.00-0.39 ppm
10 ppm
None
2020
Runoff from fertilizer use, leaching from septic tanks, sewage, erosion of natural deposits
Chlorite
1 ppm
0.408 ppm
0.000-0.408 ppm
0.8 ppm
None
2020
By-product of drinking water disinfection
Chlorite
1 ppm
0.701 ppm
0.469-0.701 ppm
0.8 ppm
None
2020
By-product of drinking water disinfection
80 ppb
30 ppb
0-47 ppb
0
None
2020
By-product of drinking water chlorination; formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter
0-39 ppb
0
None
2020
By-product of drinking water chlorination; formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter
The TT requirement for TOC requires the running annual average of the TOC removal percentage achieved to be at least as great as the TOC removal percentage required. Compliance is judged quarterly, and the City met the requirement for all four quarters in 2020.
N/A
None
2020
Naturally present in the environment
(as Nitrogen)
(Lake Plant)
(Canal Plant)
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
(LRAA - Locational Running Annual Average)
60 ppb (LRAA)
TT (35% or 45% removal, depending on source water TOC)
(LRAA)
29 ppb (LRAA)
MICROORGANISMS Turbidity
<0.3 NTU TT
0.11 NTU - Highest single measurement
N/A
None
2020
Naturally occurring in the environment
Turbidity
<0.3 NTU TT
0.12 NTU - Highest single measurement
N/A
None
2020
Naturally occurring in the environment
(Lake Plant)
(Canal Plant)
Total Coliform Bacteria
100%-Lowest monthly percentage meeting standard
100%-Lowest monthly percentage meeting standard
2.3%
0.0-2.3
0
None
2020
Naturally occurring in the environment
2.5 ppm
2.2-2.8 ppm
4 ppm
None
2020
Water additive to control microbial growth
800 ppb
552 ppb
0-552 ppb
None
2020
Water additive to control microbial growth
800 ppb
618 ppb
0-618 ppb
None
2020
Water additive to control microbial growth
Presence of coliform bacteria in <5% of monthly samples
(Highest monthly percentage positive)
DISINFECTANTS Chloramines Chlorine Dioxide (Lake Plant)
Chlorine Dioxide (Canal Plant)
4 ppm
(Highest quarterly average)
(MRDLG)
800 ppb (MRDLG)
800 ppb (MRDLG)
(1) If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Columbia is responsible for providing high quality drinking water but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting in your pipes for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or online at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. City of Columbia water customers can call (803) 545-3300 to find out about free lead testing.
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS IN TABLE Action Level — The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system shall follow. Detected Level — The concentration of a substance detected in a water sample. The detected levels specified in the table are the highest levels detected. LRAA (Locational Running Annual Average) — An average at each sample point for four quarters. MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) — The highest level of a contaminant allowed in drinking water. MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal) — The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no
known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level) – The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. MRDLG (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal) – The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. N/A (Not Applicable) — Does not apply.
ppm (parts per million) — One part in a million parts (equivalent to one penny in $10,000). TT (Treatment Technique) — A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. 90th% (90th Percentile) — The value for which 90% of the results are lower. < Less than > Greater than
NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit) — Units of measure to indicate water clarity. ppb (parts per billion) — One part in a billion parts (equivalent to one penny in $10,000,000).
INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the US EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.
SC DHEC has completed a comprehensive water assessment report on the Broad River Diversion Canal (also referred to as the Columbia Canal) and Lake Murray. These Source Water Assessment reports are available and can be viewed at 1136 Washington Street or by contacting 803-545-3300.
Columbia Water regularly flushes fire hydrants to keep water moving through the system and to improve water quality. Want to receive boil water alerts and advisories from Columbia Water? Residents can sign up to receive notices for their area at: www.ColumbiaSC.net/911/ Citizens-Alerts.
Contaminants that may be present in source water include: n Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.
n Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons, such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants, can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 800-426-4791. Testing since 1994 has revealed no signs of Cryptosporidium in Columbia’s treated water.
n Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, stormwater runoff, and residential uses. n Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organics, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems. n Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the US EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants
City of Columbia water customers can call 803-545-3300 for more information about water testing or to have your home water tested by our laboratory staff.
CITY OF COLUMBIA 2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT Secondary Drinking Water Standards
US EPA REGULATED SECONDARY DRINKING WATER PARAMETERS
Some attributes of water, listed in the table to
Parameter Units SMCL Range Average
the right, affect the taste, odor, and hardness of
Chloride
our drinking water. Because these attributes of
Color
water do not impact a person’s health, the US EPA has established secondary standards that are non-enforceable, recommended guidelines. The City meets these guidelines in addition to the regulations set forth by the US EPA.
Additional Unregulated Parameters The City also collects information about additional parameters that are not regulated by the US EPA. While these parameters do not impact a person’s health, they may be useful for those using water for specialized purposes like brewing, or maintaining equipment like chillers and boilers. See the table
Noticeable effects above the MCL
ppm 250 8.2-13.5
10.4
salty taste
0.0-0.0
0.0
visible tint
Color units*
15
Iron (Total) ppb 300 0-240.0 15.7 rusty color; sediment; metallic taste; reddish or orange staining Manganese ppb 50 0.0-35.0 5.5 black to brown color; black staining; bitter metallic taste pH Standard TT 7.7-8.1 7.9 low pH: bitter Units** metallic taste; corrosion (SU) high pH: slippery feel; soda taste; deposits Sulfate
ppm 250 15.0-25.0
18.9
salty taste
Total Dissolved ppm 500 27-119 68 hardness; deposits; Solids (TDS) colored water; staining; salty taste * A standard unit for measuring color intensity **pH is measured on a logarithmic scale from 0 to 14 SU, with 7 SU being neutral pH
below for details.
For More Information
2020 ADDITIONAL UNREGULATED PARAMETERS Parameter
Customers who need additional
Units Range Average
water quality information can
Sodium ppm 4.4-11.0 6.7
contact Ketki Sheth, Water Works
Calcium ppm 9.7-13.0 11.4 Magnesium
Laboratory Manager, at
ppm 1.5-2.1 1.8
Total Hardness (CaCO3) ppm
31-37
34
Total Alkalinity ppm 19-26
23
Total Phosphate ppm 0.8-1.2
0.9
Ketki.Sheth@columbiasc.gov or 803-733-8211.
PROBLEMS with your water or sewer lines? Contact the City at 803-545-3300, and we will address it.
2020 UCMR 4 Unregulated Contaminants UCMR4 parameters are unregulated parameters that were sampled in 2020 as part of EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 4. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires EPA to select a list of unregulated parameters every five years, and to establish a rule for water systems to sample those parameters as part of the process of determining whether those parameters need to be regulated. Of the thirty parameters sampled in the City of Columbia’s drinking water and analyzed as part of UCMR4, five parameters were detected, and are shown in the table below. TOC and bromide were sampled in the City’s source waters (Columbia Canal and Lake Murray) as part of the rule, and were also detected. Even though TOC and bromide were not sampled in the drinking water, they are also included in the table. If you have questions about these results, or would like the full list of parameters that were monitored, please contact Ketki Sheth at Ketki.Sheth@columbiasc.gov or 803-733-8211.
2020 UCMR4 UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS Substance
Units Range Average
2-methoxyethanol
ppb
0.0-0.58 0.07
Manganese* ppb 1.4-19.3 7.8 HAA5**
ppb 13-65
17
HAA6Br
ppb
6.5
3.6-10.6
HAA9 ppb 19-72 35 Total Organic Carbon*** ppm Bromide***
2.2-4.9
3.4
ppb 0.0-55 17
* Regulated secondary parameter (see Regulated Secondary Parameter table), but considered unregulated for purposes of UCMR4 ** Regulated parameter (see Regulated Parameter table), but considered unregulated for purposes of UCMR4 *** Sampled in the City’s source waters (Columbia Canal and Lake Murray), not the drinking water