• Whereyourwatercomesfrom

• Howyourwaterismadesafetodrink

• ResultsofEPA-requiredsamplingandtesting

• Understandingwaterqualityregulations

• Wheretofindmoreinformation

2018 WATER QUALITY REPORT

PREPARED FOR CUSTOMERS OF THE

Outperforming ALL Federal Standards for Safe Drinking Water

WHERE IT COMES FROMWaterAuthoritycustomersrelyonlocallypumpedgroundwaterplussurfacewaterimportedfromtheColoradoRiverbasinviatheSanJuan-ChamaProject.Surfacewatercomprisesabout70percentofthelocalsupply.TheutilityworkswiththeNewMexicoEnvironmentDepartment(NMED)andotheragenciestoconductperiodicsourcewaterassessmentstodeterminethesusceptibilityoflocaldrinkingwatertocontamination.Thelatestassessmentisavailableonlineatwww.abcwua.org/source-water-protection-program.aspx

YOUR DRINKING WATER

NEW MEXICO

COLORADO

COCHITI RESERVOIR

WATER TREATMENT

PLANT

AZOTEA TUNNEL

ABIQUIURESERVOIR

EL VADORESERVOIR

HERONRESERVOIR

San Juan Rive r

Navajo River

Wil low C

reek

Rio Blanco

Little Navajo

Rio Grande

Rio Chama

Rio

Grande

NORTH

ALBUQUERQUE / BERNALILLO

COUNTY

Surface water and groundwater

combined for distribution

Excess surface water

stored in aquifer

AQUIFER

LEGEND

Tunnel/Channel

Diversion FacilitySurface Water

Groundwater

Makingsurethattreatmentprocessesareworkingcorrectlyrequirescarefulmonitoringbyafull-timestaffoftrainedwaterqualityengineers,scientists,andtechnicians.In2018theWaterAuthoritycollectedandtestedmorethan5,500watersamplesfromwells,storagetanks,customertaps,andthesurface-watertreatmentplant.SomeofthetestingisrequiredbytheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)andsomeofitisvoluntary,butit’salldonetoensurethatAlbuquerqueandBernalilloCountyhaveamunicipalwatersupplythat’ssecondtononeintermsofquality.

HOW IT’S MONITORED

& TESTED

Groundwaterrequireslittletreatmentotherthandisinfectionviachlorination,andinsomecasesundergoesadditionalfilteringforarsenicremoval.Surfacewater,however,requiresextensivepurificationbeforedistribution,usingaseriesofmechanicalandchemicalprocesses,asshownbelow.TreatmentoccursattheSanJuan-ChamaDrinkingWaterProjectsurface-watertreatmentplantnearAlbuquerque’sRenaissanceCenter.

HOW IT’S MADE SAFE

TO DRINK

SEE THE 2018 TEST RESULTS

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SUBSTANCE Source Sample Year Detection Limit Range of Results*** Maximum LRAA

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) Disinfection by-products are regulated based on the LRAA

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG)

Total Trihalomethanes By-productofchlorination 2018 0.50PPB 11-62PPB 50PPB 80PPB NotApplicable

Haloacetic Acids By-productofchlorination 2018 0.50PPB 3.4-21.0PPB 14.3PPB 60PPB NotApplicable

SUBSTANCE Source Sample Year Detection Limit 90th Percentile

Number of Samples that Exceed Action Level

Maximum Detected

Action Level (Compared to the concentration detected in the 90th percentile sample.)

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG)

Lead See Common Concerns on page 4 Corrosionofhouseholdplumbing

2018 1.0PPB 1PPB Zero 3PPB 15PPB ZeroPPB

Copper Corrosionofhouseholdplumbing

2018 0.01PPM 0.25PPM Zero 0.36PPM 1.3PPM ZeroPPM

SUBSTANCE OR CONDITION Source

Sample Year(s)

Detection LimitLowest amount that can be detected with available technology

Minimum Detected

Average Detected System-wide

Average Detected at San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Plant Maximum Detected

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG)

Arsenic See Common Concerns on page 4

Erosionofnaturalvolcanicdeposits

2017-2018

1PPB ZeroPPB 2PPB ZeroPPB 9PPB 10PPB ZeroPPB

Barium Erosionofnaturaldeposits 2017-2018 0.1PPM ZeroPPM 0.017PPM ZeroPPM 0.2PPM 2PPM 2PPM

Chromium Erosionofnaturaldeposits 2017-2018 1PPB ZeroPPB 1PPB ZeroPPB 7PPB 100PPB 100PPB

Fluoride* Erosionofnaturaldeposits 2017-2018 0.10PPM 0.25PPM 0.48PPM 0.35PPM 1.18PPM 4PPM 4PPM

Nitrate Erosionofnaturaldeposits 2018 0.05-0.10PPM ZeroPPM 0.38PPM 0.17PPM 3.04PPM 10PPM 10PPM

Total Xylenes Dischargefrompetroleumorchemicalfactories

2018 0.0005PPM ZeroPPM ZeroPPM ZeroPPM 0.00059PPM 10PPM 10PPM

Gross Alpha Particle Activity

Erosionofnaturaldeposits 2014-2018 0.7-0.9pCi/L ZeropCi/L 0.8pCi/L ZeropCi/L 2.5pCi/L 15pCi/L ZeropCi/L

Radium 226 + 228

Erosionofnaturaldeposits 2014-2018 0.01-0.21pCi/L 0.02pCi/L 0.17pCi/L 0.05pCi/L 0.41pCi/L 5pCi/L ZeropCi/L

Uranium Erosionofnaturaldeposits 2014-2018 1.0PPB ZeroPPB 2PPB ZeroPPB 9PPB 30PPB ZeroPPB

Bromate By-productofdrinkingwaterdisinfection

2018 1.0PPB ZeroPPB NotApplicable 1.3PPB 2.6PPB 10PPB ZeroPPB

Chlorine Disinfectant(sodiumhypochlorite)

2018 0.1PPM(distributionsystem) 0.3PPM 0.9PPM NotApplicable 1.5PPM 4PPM(MRDL) 4PPM(MRDLG)

0.03PPM(surfacewater) 0.6PPM NotApplicable 1.4PPM 1.9PPM 4PPM(MRDL) 4PPM(MRDLG)

0.03PPM(groundwater) TTmetat100%ofsites TT=Maintainrequiredchlorinelevelorrestorewithin4hours

NotApplicable

Cryptosporidium (in untreated water)

Humanandanimalfecalwaste

2015-2017 1Oocyst ZeroOocysts/L

NotApplicable 0.004Oocysts/L 0.093Oocysts/L TT ZeroOocysts/L

Turbidity(cloudiness; indicates effectiveness of filtration and disinfection)

Soilrunoff 2018 0.002NTU 0.02NTU NotApplicable NotApplicable 0.16NTU 1NTUinallfinishedwatersamples,95%ofthefinishedwatersamplesmustbelessthan0.3NTU

ZeroNTU

100%ofsamplestakenineachmonthwerelessthan0.3NTU

Total Organic Carbon

Naturallypresentintheenvironment

2018 1.0PPM ZeroPPM NotApplicable 0.6PPM 1.3PPM TT NotApplicable

Total Coliform Coliformsarebacteriathatarenormallypresentintheenvironment

2018 NotApplicable NotApplicable

NotApplicable NotApplicable 1of245samplesor0.41%ofsamplestakeninamonthhaddetectabletotalcoliformbacteria.Nototalcoliformbacteriawasdetectedinanyrepeatsampleatanylocation.

Presenceofcoliformbacteriain5.0%ormoreofsamplesinanymonth

0%ofsampleswithdetectablecoliformbacteria

Cr

F-

NO3-

BrO3-

HAA5

TTHM

C8H10

Ba

As

U

Ra

C

Cl

Pb

Cu

SAFE TO DRINK PER EPA

2018 COMPLIANCE MONITORING RESULTS(AlbuquerqueWaterSystem,NM35-10701;seepage3fordefinitions)

(Seefootnotesonpage4) 2

STANDARDS OF QUALITYYOUR DRINKING WATERToprotectpublichealthandsafety,theEPAlimitstheamountofcertainsubstances,knownascontaminants,indrinkingwater.ThetableontheprecedingpageshowsthelatesttestresultsfortheseregulatedsubstancesindrinkingwaterdistributedbytheWaterAuthoritytoitscustomersinAlbuquerqueandBernalilloCounty.

YOUR WATER AUTHORITYTheWaterAuthorityhasbeennationallyrecognizednotonlyforitshighlysuccessfulconservationprogram,butforthequalityandaffordabilityofitsdrinkingwaterandforitseffortstopreserveandmanagethecommunity’spreciouswaterresources.In2018itearnedaAAAbondratingfromS&P.

RECENT AWARDSPlatinum Award for Utility Excellence (2018)AssociationofMetropolitanWaterAgencies

Exemplary Source Water Protection Award (2018) AmericanWaterWorksAssociation

Renewable Energy Project of the Year (2017, drinking water treatment plant solar array) N.M.AssociationofEnergyEngineers

Utility of the Future Today (2016)NationalAssociationofCleanWaterAgencies&theWaterEnvironmentFederation

Third Place, National Drinking Water Taste Test (2015) AmericanWaterWorksAssociation

DRINKING WATER CONTAMINANTS: WHAT EPA SAYSDrinkingwater,includingbottledwater,mayreasonablybeexpectedtocontainatleastsmallamountsofsomecontaminants.Thepresenceofcontaminantsdoesnotnecessarilyindicatethatwaterposesahealthrisk.MoreinformationaboutcontaminantsandpotentialhealtheffectscanbeobtainedbycallingtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)SafeDrinkingWaterHotline(800-426-4791).

Contaminantscomeinmanyforms,bothnaturalandmanmade,andcanenterthesourcesofourdrinkingwaterinanumberofways,includingdissolutionofnaturallyoccurringminerals.Contaminantsindrinkingwatersourcesmayincludemicrobial contaminants(e.g.,virusesandbacteria);inorganic contaminants,suchassaltsandmetals;pesticides and herbicides;organic chemical contaminantsfromindustrialprocesses,gasstations,septicsystems,etc.;andradioactive contaminants,bothnaturallyoccurringandasaresultofhumanactivity.

Inordertoensuredrinkingwatersafety,EPAprescribesregulationslimitingtheamountofcertaincontaminantsinwaterprovidedbypublicwatersystems.TheU.S.FoodandDrugAdministration(FDA)establisheslimitsforcontaminantsinbottledwaterthatprovidethesameprotectionsforpublichealth.

DEFINITIONSAction Level: Theconcentrationofacontaminantwhich,ifexceeded,triggerstreatmentorotherrequirementswhichawatersystemmustfollow.

CryptosporidiumisamicrobialpathogenfoundinsurfacewaterthroughouttheU.S.WemonitortheriverforCryptosporidium.TheSanJuan-ChamaDrinkingWaterPlantwasdesignedtoprovideamulti-barrierapproach(pre-sedimentation,clarification,andfiltration)toremovingCryptosporidiuminordertomeettheEPArequirements.

Locational Running Annual Average (LRAA):Theaverageofanalyticalresultsforsamplestakenataparticularmonitoringlocationduringthepreviousfourcalendarquarters.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): Thehighestlevelofacontaminantthatisallowedindrinkingwater.MCLsaresetasclosetotheMCLGsasfeasibleusingthebestavailabletreatmenttechnology.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG):Thelevelofacontaminantindrinkingwaterbelowwhichthereisnoknownorexpectedrisktohealth.MCLGsallowforamarginofsafety.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL):Thehighestlevelofadisinfectantallowedindrinkingwater.Thereisconvincingevidencethatadditionofadisinfectantisnecessaryforcontrolofmicrobialcontaminants.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG):Thelevelofadrinkingwaterdisinfectantbelowwhichthereisnoknownorexpected

risktohealth.MRDLGsdonotreflectthebenefitsoftheuseofdisinfectantstocontrolmicrobialcontaminants.

Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU):Ameasureofcloudinessorhazinesscausedbysuspendedsolids.

Parts Per Billion (PPB): Partsperbillionormicrogramsperliter(ug/L).1PPB=0.001PPM.Example:onedropofwaterinanOlympic-sizeswimmingpool.

Parts Per Million (PPM): Partspermillionormilligramsperliter(mg/L).1PPM=1,000PPB.Example:fourdropsofwaterina55-gallonbarrel.

picoCuries per liter (pCi/L): Ameasureofradioactivity.

Treatment Technique (TT): Arequiredprocessintendedtoreducethelevelofacontaminantindrinkingwater.

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Should I be concerned about lead?AlthoughtheWaterAuthorityhasremovedallknownleadcomponentsfromitswaterdistributionsystem,leadmaystillbepresentinhomeplumbing–especiallyinolderhomes.TheWaterAuthorityoffersfreeleadandcoppertestingforconcernedcustomers.Justvisitourwebsiteandfilloutarequestform(www.abcwua.org/lead-survey.aspx)orcall289-3653toscheduleasamplecollection.

RESULTS OF 2018 CUSTOMER- REQUESTED TESTING (41 SAMPLES)

Here’swhattheEPAhastosayaboutlead:Ifpresent,elevatedlevelsofleadcancauseserioushealthproblems,especiallyforpregnantwomenandyoungchildren.Leadindrinkingwaterisprimarilyfrommaterialsandcomponentsassociatedwithservicelinesandhomeplumbing.YourlocalWaterAuthorityisresponsibleforprovidinghighqualitydrinkingwater,butcannotcontrolthevarietyofmaterialsusedinhomeplumbingcomponents.Whenyourwaterhasbeensittingforseveralhours,youcanminimizethepotentialforleadexposurebyflushingyourtapfor30secondsto2minutesbeforeusingwaterfordrinkingorcooking.Ifyouareconcernedaboutleadinyourwater,youmaywishtohaveyourwatertested.Informationonleadindrinkingwater,testingmethods,andstepsyoucantaketominimizeexposureisavailablefromthefederalSafeDrinkingWaterHotline(800-426-4791)orathttp://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Is there arsenic in my drinking water?AllofAlbuquerque’sdrinkingwatermeetsEPAstandardsforarsenic,whichhavebecomemuchmorestringentsince2006.Allowablelevelsofarsenicarepresentinsomelocations,however,mainlyduetotheerosionofnaturalgeologicdeposits.EPAcontinuestoresearchthehealtheffectsoflowlevelsofarsenic,whichisametalknowntocausecancerinhumansathighconcentrationsandislinkedtootherhealtheffectssuchasskindamageandcirculatoryproblems.

What if I am immuno-compromised?Somepeoplemaybemorevulnerabletocontaminantsindrinkingwaterthanthegeneralpopulation.Immuno-compromisedpersonssuchaspersonswithcancerundergoingchemotherapy,personswhohaveundergoneorgantransplants,peoplewithHIV/AIDSorotherimmunesystemdisorders,someelderly,andinfantscanbeparticularlyatriskfrominfections.Thesepeopleshouldseekadviceaboutdrinkingwaterfromtheirhealthcareproviders.EPA/CentersforDiseaseControlguidelinesonappropriatemeanstolessentheriskofinfectionbyCryptosporidiumandothermicrobialcontaminantsareavailablefromtheSafeDrinkingWaterHotline(800-426-4791).

What about sodium?SodiumlevelsforallWaterAuthoritydistributionzonesrangefrom20to99PPM.Thesystem-wideaverageis37PPM.Formoreinformation,pleasevisittheWaterAuthoritywebsiteatabcwua.organdclickontheYourDrinkingWatertabonthehomepage.

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COMMON CONCERNS

SUBSTANCE Minimum Maximum 90th Percentile Action Level

Lead ZeroPPB 12.3PPB 0.8PPB 15PPB

Copper ZeroPPM 0.4PPM 0.2PPM 1.3PPM

WHAT ABOUT UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS? SomesubstancescommonlyfoundindrinkingwaterarenotregulatedbytheEPA.UndertheUnregulatedContaminantMonitoringRule(UCMR),theagencyseekstolearnmoreaboutsuchcontaminantsbyrequiringwatersystemstotestforthem.Itusesthedatageneratedtodevelopbetterunderstandingandnewregulationsovertime.

SUBSTANCESample Year

Minimum Reporting Level

Range of Results

Average of Results

Total HAA5 2018 0.2ug/L 1.6-17.0ug/L 7.8ug/L

Total HAA6Br 2018 0.2ug/L 2.4-17.0ug/L 9.1ug/L

Total HAA9 2018 0.2ug/L 3.1-27.0ug/L 14.9ug/L

Source Water TOC

2018 0.2-0.3mg/L 2.2-3.7mg/L 2.9mg/L

Source Water Bromide

2018 5ug/L 26.0-45.5ug/L 35.0ug/L

2018 UNREGULATED CONTAMINANT MONITORING RESULTS**

*Samplescollectedthroughoutthedistributionsystemshowedanaveragefluorideconcentrationof0.63mg/Laftersupplementalfluoridation.TheWaterAuthoritycontinuesworkingtomeetatargetfluoriderangeof0.65to0.72mg/L.MoreinformationonsupplementalfluoridationcanbefoundontheWaterAuthoritywebsiteatwww.abcwua.org.

**SamplingforallotherUCMR4substancesisscheduledtobecompletedin2019.ResultsfortheUCMR3samplingeventareavailableonlineatwww.abcwua.org.LocaldrinkingwaterremainsprotectedfromcontaminantsincludingthemanmadechemicalsknownasPer-andPolyfluoroalkylSubstances(PFASs).AllwatersystemsourcesweretestedaspartofUCMR3withnodetectionsofPFASs.

***Therangerepresentstheminimumandmaximumofallquarterlyanalyticalresultsatall12locations.

Pb

Cu

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The Water Authority is the largest water and sewer utility in the state of New Mexico and is governed by a board of elected officials. Board members for 2019: Debbie O’Malley, Bernalillo County Commissioner, Chair; Klarissa Peña, Albuquerque City Councilor, Vice Chair; Maggie Hart Stebbins, Bernalillo County Commissioner; Trudy E. Jones, Albuquerque City Councilor; Timothy M. Keller, Mayor of Albuquerque; Steven Michael Quezada, Bernalillo County Commissioner; Ken Sanchez, Albuquerque City Councilor. Pablo Rael serves as a non-voting member from the Village of Los Ranchos. Executive Director: Mark S. Sanchez.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

GET INVOLVED!Wanttodomoretohelpprotectlocaldrinkingwatersupplies?Youcanstartbystayinginformed!Linkstoup-to-dateinformationaboutwatershedandsource-waterprotectioncanbefoundatwww.NMSourceWaterProtection.com.

Otheropportunitiesforinvolvementincludeattendanceatoneofourmonthlyboardmeetings,whereissuesconcerningwaterqualityarediscussed.MeetingsareopentothepublicandheldintheVincentE.GriegoCouncilChambersinthebasementoftheCity/CountyGovernmentCenteratOneCivicPlaza.Meetingschedulesandagendasareavailableatwww.abcwua.org. You’llalsofindmeetingschedulesforthecommunity’sWaterProtectionAdvisoryBoard.

Thisreporthasbeenre-designedforeasierreadabilitywithinputfromcustomerslikeyou!TheWaterAuthoritywishestothankeveryonewhogotinvolvedandcontributedsuggestionsviatheCustomerConversationsprocess.

En Español: Estereportecontieneinformacionmuyimportanteacercadelacalidaddelagua.Pararecibirunacopiaenespañol,llamenal505-842-9287ovisitalapagina:www.abcwua.org/Download_Report.aspx

• Reportawaterorseweremergency

• Payabilloverthephone

• Makebillinginquires

• Reportwaterwaste

• Reportunusualactivityatwaterfacilities

CONTACT THE WATER AUTHORITY

Call 842-WATR (9287)to

Call289-3653(theWaterQualityInformationLine)withquestionsaboutyourwaterquality,oremailusatwaterquality@abcwua.org.

OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION

WaterAuthoritywebsite:www.abcwua.org

U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency:www.epa.gov/safewater

NewMexicoEnvironmentDepartmentDrinkingWaterBureau:www.env.nm.gov/dwb

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