HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-08 WSB AGENDAWATER & SEWER BOARD
AGENDA
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE ROOM
1. MINUTES OF THE APRIL 10, 2007 MEETING. (ATT. 1)
2. MEMO FROM JOHN BOCK DATED FEBRUARY 26, 2007 REGARDING
CONVERSION OF FLAT RATE CUSTOMERS TO METERS. (ATT. 2)
3. WATER RIGHTS UPDATE FROM DAVID HILL DATED APRIL 16, 2007.
(ATT. 3)
4. REPORT DATED APRIL 12, 2007 FROM BROWN AND CALDWELL, "WHY
AREN'T WE EVER FINISHED WITH OUR CLEAN WATER PROJECTS?"
(ATT. 4)
5. OTHER.
WATER AND SEWER BOARD
MEETING
April 10 , 2007
AT7. I
The meeting was called to order at 5:03 p.m .
Members present:
Members absent:
Also present:
A quorum was present.
Clark, Moore, Higday, Cassidy, Wiggins ,
Wolosyn , Oakley
Bums, Habenicht
Stewart Fonda, Director of Utilities
1. MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 13 , 2007 MEETING.
The Englewood Water and Sewer Board approved the minutes of the meeting of February
13 , 2007 with corrections.
Mr. Wiggins moved;
Mr. Gray seconded:
Ayes:
Nays :
Members absent:
Motion carried.
To approve the minutes from the January 23 ,
2007 meeting as corrected.
Clark, Moore, Higday, Cassidy, Wiggins,
Wolosyn, Oakley
None
Bums, Habenicht
2. LETTER FROM ADAMS COUNTY REGARDING WATER TREATMENT
PLANT RESIDUALS .
Stu discussed the letter dated March 5, 2007 from Adams County stating that Adams
County will not grant approval for the acceptance and disposal of alum sludge or any
material emitting radioactivity at any facilities in the county until they have the
opportunity to review the state's recent disposal policy and the Clean Harbors litigation
has been resolved.
Stu also noted that the Allen Plant currently has 800 cubic yards ready for disposal and
this is becoming a matter of importance for future alum sludge disposal.
3. ENGINEERING REPORT TO SUPPORT THE CITY OF ENGLEWOOD
SUBSTITUTE WATER SUPPLY PLAN RENEW AL APPLICATION FROM
MARTIN & WOOD.
The Board received a copy of the request for approval of the 2007-2008 Renewal
Substitute Water Supply Plan for the City of Englewood's use of four tributary wells from
Martin & Wood Water Consultants to the State Engineer.
Englewood relies on the four tributary wells to irrigate Cushing Park, Jason Park, Miller
Fields and Centennial Park. A two-day trial is set for April 16-17, 2007.
4. CHARGES FOR GOLF COURSE IRRIGATION.
The issue of charging the Parks Department for water used from the Utilities' Golf
Course well was discussed. Stu noted that the four parks use approximately 38 acre feet
per year, with the Rockies Field using approximately 12 acre feet per year. The
Englewood Golf Course used over 185 acre feet in the 2006 season. After Board
discussion, it was the consensus of the Board not to charge the golf course for water from
the wells at this time. John Moore noted that the issue could be reviewed again in 2 to 3
years.
5. 2006 ANNUAL REPORT ON WATER LAW ACTIVITIES
The Board discussed a water rights review from David Hill, Englewood's Water Attorney
regarding water rights issues.
6. BIG DRY CREEK INTERCEPTOR.
The Big Dry Creek Basin Interceptor is a major trunk line serving Southgate, South
Arapahoe and South Englewood Sanitation Districts and part of City of Englewood for
sanitary sewer transport. The interceptor begins at Clarkson and Orchard, runs
northwesterly along Big Dry Creek to Santa Fe Drive, and then north to the
Littleton/Englewood Wastewater Treatment Plant.
In 1990 the City of Englewood entered into the Interceptor Basin Agreement (IBA) with
Southgate Sanitation District, along with other connecting sanitation districts . At the
time of the agreement, eight capital construction projects were anticipated. Line and
advanced tap fees for capital construction, along with a small charge for repair and
maintenance, were established. After completion of three capital projects, Southgate
Sanitation District reassessed the condition of the interceptor and determined that it has
capacity adequate to meet the existing and future demands and that no further capital
projects are needed. Under the 1990 Agreement, funding must now be provided to
proceed with a repair, maintenance and rehabilitation program.
In accordance with the 1990 Agreement, Southgate has proposed terminating the
Advanced Tap Fee collection, disbursement of unused tap fee/capital revenues to the
participating districts and establishing a repair, maintenance and rehabilitation schedule.
The per thousand gallon charge will increase from $0.005434 to $0.108406. The typical,
residential customer will see their bill go from $0.45 per year to approximately $9.00 per
year.
A motion and vote on this item was made at the March 13, 2007 meeting . This is an
informational item.
7. 2007 ENGLEWOOD CITIZEN SURVEY.
Mayor Wolosyn discussed the recently released 2007 Citizen Survey. Results showed a
low score for water and sewer service. It was reported by staff that complaints came in
clusters around the Zone 1 and Zone 2 boundaries. Stu discussed soft water pros and
cons and the rate increases that would be required for the next level of water quality. A
main replacement program is being implemented as funds are available.
John Moore noted that Denver has individual accounts that can be accessed on the
internet and has portal usage available.
The next Water and Sewer Board meeting will be May 8, 2007 in the Community
Development Conference Room at 5 :00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted ,
Lori Faires
Recording Secretary
ATT. %
MEMORANDUM
To: Stu Fonda
From: John Bock, Utilities Manager of Administration
Date: February 26 , 2007
Subject: Conversion of Flat Rate Customers to Meters
We still have upwards of 3000 flat rate customers . Many of these are older folks on fixed
incomes. Here is a plan for getting them on to meters.
1. This plan assumes a higher flat rate bill than a metered bill. If, within 12 months,
the meter reading and billing patterns demonstrates no difference, or the metered
charges are higher than the flat rate, the program costs will be added to the
account and collected with the normal, quarterly billing.
2. The resident would have the meter installed without paying anything up front.
3. The resident would continue to see their normal , Flat Rate bill. It wouldn 't
change.
4. Each quarter, we would read the meter, and compare the flat rate charge against
what the water bill would be if the meter was being used to calculate the bill. Any
flat rate money above what the meter bill would be is used to pay for the meter.
5. If the metered bill is higher than the flat rate bill , the customer pays that. They
will be warned of such in the agreement.
6. This program will cover the cost of the meter and , if need be, the cost of
installation.
7. If the property changes hands while under this program, all remaining costs
immediately become due and payable.
8. The account will have a "Forced Read" notifying everyone that it is participating
in the program.
9 . The application of flat rate money to the cost of the meter will only happen when
the normal , quarterly bill is paid in full. No transfer of money will happen on
delinquent accounts .
10. The cost of the meter and/or installation must be paid off in 24 months. At that
time, any unpaid balance will be added to the water bill.
The City of Englewood Utilities Department reserves the right to refuse access to this
program for customers whose circumstances will not permit the financial aspects to work
as envisioned.
Daniel L. Brotzman
April 16 , 2007
Page 2
AT'T. 3
Introduction. Please understand that this letter is a confidential attorney-client
communication. Please keep it confidential.
The largest expense for March was again the park wells augmentation effort . Unless we want
to irrigate these parks using the treated water supply (which would be terribly expensive) we have
to get a decree for an augmentation plan. As I noted before , the law was changed so that we could
no longer operate under a "perpetual'' substitute supply plan, which we had done for many years.
We settled with all the objectors except FRI CO, which put us through a lot of unnecessary hoops in
the period leading up to the scheduled trial date. The March bill includes a good deal of discovery
work and some negotiations with the FRICO engineer and FRICO counsel, as well as some trial
preparation. Trial was set for April 16 and 17. We finally achieved verbal settlement with FRICO
on Friday April 13. The settlement is not yet fully reduced to writing. The decree we will obtain
will be quite satisfactory . It is unfortunate that our diligent efforts to settle this matter at an early
date did not bear fruit. We were forced to fully prepare for trial, and that effort will show up on next
month's bill.
The next largest effort was expended on the ongoing FRI CO/United/East Cherry Creek cases.
We have had several meetings of our counsel, Aurora's counsel, and the respective engineers , to
outline the issues which will come up at trial and to assign various tasks to the engineers and
lawyers.
In the area between 1-270 and Platteville there are numerous agricultural ditches with
priorities senior to key senior ditch rights owned by Englewood. Every one of those ditches now has
a non-agricultural shareholder which intends to change the use of the water right. The first of these
cases to be ready for trial is Brighton's change of Fulton Ditch shares. The Fulton rights are among
those which are senior to Englewood rights, and it is important that Brighton not be allowed to take
more water than the farmers did. Brighton's case is rendered more complex because some of the
Brighton rights are diverted through the FRI CO system, thus intertwining the Brighton decree with
the FRICO/United/East Cherry Creek cases. Fortunately, Brighton's counsel and Brighton 's
engineers have taken reasonable positions and have been receptive to our suggestions. The case is
set for trial next August, but we are very close to a settlement.
There will be a number of these changes of old ditch rights to manage , and I hope they all
go as well as it appears the Brighton case will.
The remainder of the cases are described below.
1. General (#001 ): This matter is our general file for work not attributable to specific
cases. In some instances, the work is not specific to a particular matter. In other instances, the time
WHY AREN'T WE EVER
FINISHED WITH OUR CLEAN
WATER PROJECTS?
April 12 , 2007
ATT. '+
Why Aren't We Ever Finished With Our Clean Water Projects?
Mary]. Gearhart, PE, Brown and Caldwell
April 12, 2007
Background
Wastewater treatment facilities are regulated b y the federal and state Clean Water Acts (CWA). Prior
to 1970, wastewater facilities were regulated by public health laws, not environmental laws. When
the federal CWA was passed by Congress in 19 70, the goal was to make all waters of the United
States fishable and swimmable. Now, 37 yea rs later, we can discuss how those two goals have
been defined and redefined and what that means to the Littleton/Englewood Wastewater Treatment
Plant (WWTP).
In 1970, the streams, rivers, estuaries, and water bodies all across the United States had been used
for waste disposal of all kinds: domestic wastewater, industrial wastewater, garbage, raw sewage, and
non-point sources such as stormwater flow and mine discharges. There are some very famous
stories told about the Cuyahoga River in Ohio having so much garbage and so many chemicals in it
that the river would literally erupt in fires from time to time. Rachel Carson wrote a book titled
Silent Spring, which illustrated the then-apparent effect of pollution on the environment. All of the
major federal environmental laws were passed in the early 1970s and have been with us ever since.
The initial objectives of the CW A were to eliminate physical and some chemical discharges to the
water bodies. The CWA included a narrative prohibition that simply stated one could not put any
garbage or debris in the rivers, and anything which was put into the rivers had to protect the uses:
fishing and swimming. That requirement led to primary treatment of wastewater, which is achieved
by removing "solids." That methods of removal include mechanical processes like grit chambers,
bar screens, and primary clarifiers.
During the 1970s, Congress allocated and funded billions of dollars worth of wastewater treatment
plant construction to get to secondary treatment. Secondary treatment includes the further
reduction of organic material by using biological and advanced mechanical processes. These
processes include trickling filters, aeration basins , secondary clarifiers, and solid stream processes
such as dissolved air flotation thickeners (DAFTs) and digesters.
Also during the 1970s, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) became the agency whose job it
was to define fishable and swimmable in scientific terms, and further, to determine how to measure
achievement of tho se goals. At this time , fi shable and swimmable became inextricably linked to
human health and the environment. First, the fi sh had to be encouraged to reproduce and grow.
The environment that is necessary for that to happen was defined in terms of habitat, physical
parameters such as temperature and oxygen, and chemical composition (ammonia, pH, organics,
sy nthetic organics, oil and grease). In addition, the fi sh had to be edible and could not pose a
human health risk when inges ted. That meant standards were necessary n ot only to define a healthy
environment for the fish, but for humans when eating fi sh .
Likewise, swimmable was defined as a habitat o f sorts : n o man-made phys ical hazards were allowed
and contact with the water could not cause adverse effects on skin. Inges tin g water while swimming
or recreating was only an incidental activity in thi s program.
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EPA developed four parallel processes to further define fishable and swimmable. Those processes
are: assessment, classifications, standards, and permitting. The assessment program defines
the effect of various pollutants on human health and the environment in and near the streams. The
classification system identifies the beneficial uses of the streams in terms of human health and the
environment. The standards program combines the work of assessment and classification by
describing how much pollution in the water results in an adverse affect on human health and the
environment (i.e., results in fish mortality, lack of fish reproduction, or mutated aquatic species).
Finally, the permit system provides limits for that pollution, requires monitoring and reporting to
prove compliance, and describes consequences for not achieving compliance.
Assessment
EPA has published hundreds of documents that form the scientific basis for establishing the effect
of certain contaminants on human health and the environment. These documents follow a rigorous
scientific process to test the effect of a specific chemical on various species of aquatic life (not just
fish, but small feeder organisms such as mayflies , fathead minnows, and ceriodaphnia). Once the
documents are published, the information is used nationwide to develop standards for each stream
segment and water body. EPA and scientists in other agencies or working for dischargers are
constantly reviewing the information, conducting experiments and working to assess what kinds of
effects various chemicals have on aquatic life or human health through toxicity studies. As the
science changes, the assessments look at smaller and smaller micro-effects.
In some instances, such as temperature, an evaluation of the effects on human health and the
environment had been deferred for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the reasons are that the
scientific methods to measure the effects are not accurate or complete and sometimes, there is
simply no reason to believe that there is a substantial risk posed by the parameter at a particular
time .
Classifications
It was recognized during the development of this program that not all waters were used for
swimming and/ or fishing, so EPA developed a system for classifying bodies of water based on their
actual or expected uses. In Colorado, the basic beneficial uses are recreation, aquatic life,
agricultural, and water supply. Every segment of stream in Colorado has been evaluated to
determine what the appropriate beneficial uses are or could be and the streams have been clearly
defined by that system. Where the data on uses are absent or unknown, the state has applied a
default beneficial use. The beneficial uses for the segment of the South Platte into which the
Littleton/Englewood WWTP discharges are recreation, aquatic life, agriculture, and water supply
use.
Standards
For each beneficial use described above, there is now a number set, above which there is expected to
be damage to human health and / or the environment. That number forms the basis for an effluent
limit in a discharge permit. The standards are constantly being evaluated and revised as the science
and technology improves . The revisions are based on changes in or enhancements to laboratory
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analytical methods, or sampling techniques and technologies. As the science improves or changes,
the regulatory system has to catch up to the current level of knowledge by changing the standards
that apply to the water bodies.
In Colorado, there are a variety of approaches used to adopt standards. First, there is a statewide
"Basic Standard" which applies unless and until a segment or site-specific standard becomes
applicable. These standards are changed infrequently, and typically once a decade have a significant
overhaul. However, when a Basic Standard is adopted or changed, the changes then trickle down to
the next level of standards which are the basin standards. The state schedules basin-wide hearings
every 3 -5 years on a rotating basis to evaluate the applicable standards for each segment on each
stream in a basin. Additionally, when a new federal standard is promulgated and published in the
Code of Federal Regulations, the state has to incorporate those changes in some fashion.
Permits
After the basin-wide standards are adopted, the discharge permits are written to implement those
standards and protect a very specific segment of the stream. The permits take into account all of the
information available about the stream segment and the discharge, resulting in a site-specific set of
effluent limitations. When a discharger has reason to believe that the effluent limits set in the permit
cannot be attained for some reason, the permit will include a compliance schedule that often
requires a study, an alternatives analysis, and a corrective action, if warranted. Of course, those
corrective actions might and often do include capital expenditures.
Things That Cause the Standards to Change
There are a variety of reasons why a standard might change. As noted previously, the sensitivity of
laboratory techniques for measuring adverse effects could be improved, which might lead to a
lowering of the standard. There is some influence by organizations and agencies that are devoted to
specific issues, like Trout Unlimited, watershed alliances, neighborhood groups, Environmental
Defense Fund, and the Wildlife agencies in this cycle as well. For example, if a drought occurs and a
fish kill results as it did in 2002, there is pressure brought to bear to correct the conditions that
caused the fish kill. Soon after an event like that, the stakeholders and regulatory agencies begin to
ask for studies related to the cause of the fish kill and look to see if a change in standard is warranted
to eliminate the chance of a reoccurrence.
Colorado's Process for Reviewing Standards and Procedures
Colorado has authority to adopt rules and regulations to implement the state's version of the CW A.
The Governor appoints a Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC), which consists of nine
members of the public. The Commission is the rulemaking body for the CWA. The job of the
WQCC is to gather information about issues, hold public hearings, and ultimately, make decisions
based on that information about what will protect Colorado's resources. The WQCC has a long-
range calendar1 and explanatory notes2 that identifies the issues and where each issue is in the various
stages of the process from issue identification through public hearings to final adoption of a
regulation or change to a regulation. This is an ongoing process and requires the dischargers to stay
1 http://www .cdphe.state.eo .us /op /wqcc/MeetingsandHearing s/LRSANDNotes/Febsch2007.pdf
2 http ://www.cdphe .state.eo .us /op/wqcc/MeetingsandHearings/LRSANDNotes/07noteFeb.pdf
3
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engaged and to participate in the process to ensure that the system is enhanced with solid technical
information and policy deliberations.
Is There an End in Sight?
In a word, no. There will be continuous change in the programs. The science will continue to be
refined and the tools to measure the effects of various pollutants will improve. The technology to
measure the pollutants in the streams and discharges will continue to improve and the stakeholders
will continue to discuss and debate the appropriate level of protection for each and every water body
in the state. Littleton/Englewood WWTP has representatives who closely follow the WQCC
calendar of issues and who participate regularly in study sessions, work groups, and public hearings.
There is no end to the process, but a continual public discussion of what constitutes fishable and
swimmable waters.
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City of
Littleton
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) ) Cityoj
( ( Englewood
" ...............
BACKGRO U ND
New Ammonia Regulations and
Their Impact on Littleton/Englewood
April 13, 2 00 7
The Littleton/Englewood Waste Water Treatment Plant (L/E WWTP or L/E) currently discharges
to Segment 14 of the South Platte River under a Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS) permit.
To support the designated beneficial uses of stream segments the Water Quality Control
Commission classifies each water body as Outstanding, Use Protected, or Reviewable. Segment 14
has been classified as a Reviewable water body and is subject to an antidegradation review with any
new or increased water quality impacts, such as the L/E WWTP expansion. In Reviewable waters, if
there are no reasonable alternatives available, degradation is all owed only if it is necessary to
accommodate important economic or social development.
AMMONIA STANDARDS
Un-ionized ammonia is regulated in receiving waters, such as Segment 14, for the protection of
aquatic species. Phase 1A improvements at the L/E WWTP were implemented to meet the first
numeric ammonia criteria of 1984, which were carried over into the following permit, issued in
2001. In 1999 EPA published the Update of Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia. EPA's
revised 1999 ammonia criteria prompted the L/E WWTP to begin preparations to meet the new
effluent limits. The new ammonia criteria were adopted by the Water Quality Control Commission
in March 2007, which provides for a temporary modification until December 2011. The temporary
modification maintains the current standard until 2011, allowing time for facilities to plan for
meeting the new standard after 2011.
AMMONIA EFFLUENT LIMITS
The application of the new ammonia criteria incorporates a different methodology for modeling and
calculating effluent limits. Current ammonia effluent limits were calculated using the Colorado
Ammonia Model (CAM), and application of the new criteria will be based on the AMMTOX model.
The change in methodology for applying the new ammonia criteria results in more stringent effluent
limits for the L/E WWTP.
Current Chronic Ammonia Limits Potential Chronic Ammonia Limits
(30-day average) Based on New Criteria
3.3 -8.7 mg/L 4.5 -11.1 mg/L
FACILITY D E SIGN IMPLI CAT IONS
After completion of the Phase 2 improvements the design capacity will be increased from 36.3 mgd
to 50.0 mgd. With the combination of new, more restrictive ammonia effluent limits and a greater
City of
Littleton
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New Ammonia Regulations and
Their Impact on Littleton/Englewood
April 13, 2007
plant capacity the rate of ammonia removal will need to increase to maintain compliance with the
new ammonia criteria. To meet the new effluent limits L /E WWTP must modify current processes.
Ammonia is already removed from the plant through nitrification; therefore, no additional
nitrification facilities will need to be built. Another method to obtain lower concentrations of
ammonia is through the use of an alternative form of disinfection. Currently the plant uses chlorine
as a disinfectant. Before discharging to the stream the effluent is de-chlorinated to remove residual
chlorine to a level that complies with the total residual chlorine effluent limits. During critical
months, when the lowest ammonia limits must be achieved, chlorine disinfection is problematic due
to breakpoint chlorination and unstable control operations.
To maintain an adequate level of disinfection using chlorine, a rrurumum level of ammonia is
required as part of the chemical treatment proceess. At the low ammonia concentrations that will
need to me achieved with the new ammonia limits, treatment control becomes highly erratic and
ineffective. To mitigate problems associated with the disinfection process at the lowest ammonia
concentrations, the L/E WWTP would require an alternative form of disinfection that would not
rely on chlorine and would maintain adequate and controllable disinfection. The most suited
disinfection alternative to meet current fecal coliform effluent limits is ultra violet (UV) disinfection.
The total estimated capital cost for a UV system is approximately $9.0 million.
,,-
GUEST:
SHIRLEY SIDELDS
4748 S. LINCOLN ST.
ENGLEWOOD, CO 80113
MRS. SHIELDS IS APPEARING TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT
FOR FOUR (4) KOi FISH THAT DIED AFTER SHE ADDED
APPROXIMATELY 25 GALLONS TO HER KOi POND.
THE ESTIMATED COST OF THESE FOUR FISH IS $1,000.
nm-uti-£:'.UUf TUI: 10:29 AM ENGLEWOOD_UTILITIES FAX NO. 3037836952
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P. 01
ENGLEWOOD HAS CHANGED ITS DRINKING WATER
DISINFECTANT.
In order to maintain high quality standards and improve taste , the City of
Englewood Water Department switched from using chlorine to chloramines as its water
disinfectant. The changeo ver is occurred in mid-April , 2002 . Chloramines are a
combination of chlorine and a small amount of ammonia . Here are answers to some commonly asked
questions about chloramines and why the City is making the change.
Are chloramines new?
Not at all . Many cities in the U . S . and Canada have used chloramines for decades . Denver, for
instance , has used chloramine s since 1917 . Other local water providers using chloramines include
Aurora and Westminster.
Why is Englewood making the change to chloramines?
The City of Englewood Water Department has decided to use chloramines because the y last longer in
the distribution system, for their lack of taste and odor and for their safety. It has also been shown that
chloramines help deliver water with the lowest possible levels of disinfection by-products.
What are disinfection by-products?
Disinfection by-products are chemical compounds that are formed when chlorine mixes with naturally
occurring organic compounds in water.
Are chloramines safe?
Yes . Chloramines ha ve been used safely in the U .S . and Canada for many years . EPA
accepts chloramines as a disinfectant and as a way to avoid the formation of disinfection by-
products . Chloraminated water is safe for all the every day uses we have for water such as
bathing , drinking , and cooking .
Are there any individuals who may be harmed by the use of chloramines?
There are two groups of people who need to take special precautions with chloraminated water : kidney
dialysis patients and fish owners .
Why do kidney dialysis patients have to take special precautions?
Chloramines are harmful when they go directly into the bloodstream, as happens in kidney dial ysis .
In the dial ysis process , water comes in contact with the blood across a permeable membrane .
Chloramines easily pass through this membrane . Just as chlorine is toxic in that water, chloramines
would be toxic and must be removed from water used in kidney dialysis machines.
Do medical centers, hospitals, and clinics that perform kidney dialysis know about the change to
chloramines?
Yes. All medical facilities have been notified of the change.
How can people with home dialysis machines remove chloramines?
There are two ways to do that -either by adding ascorbic acid or using granular activated carbon
treatment. You should first check with your physician who will probably recommend the appropriate
type of water treatment. Often, home dialysis service companies can make the needed modifications ,
but you should check with your physician to be certain .
If chloramines are toxic, won't they harm people and pets?
No . To be harmful , chloramines have to go directly into the blood stream , as happens in kidney
dialysis . Fish, through their gills , take chloramines directly into their blood streams. That 's why
chloramines must be removed from water used for either of these purposes .
If chloramines shouldn't mix with blood, is it safe to drink water containing them?
Yes . Because the digestive process neutralizes the chloramines before they reach the blood stream,
everyone can drink water that's chloraminated. Even kidney dialysis patients can drink, cook and
bathe in chloraminated water. It 's only when water interacts directly with the bloodstream -as in
dialysis or in a fish's gill structure -that chloramines must be removed.
What about washing an open wound, such as a cut, with chloraminated water?
This is perfectly safe . Even large amounts of water used in cleaning a cut would have no effect because
virtually no water actually enters the bloodstream that way .
Can people with kidney ailments, on low-sodium diets, or with diabetes use chloraminated water?
Yes . People with those medical problems can use chloraminated water for all purposes .
If chlorambtes are harmful to fish, how can people safely drink the water?
The digestive process neutralizes the chloramines before they reach the blood stream. Chloraminated
water is no different than chlorinated water for all of the normal uses we have for water. Water that
contains chloramines is totally safe to drink . Even kidney patients can drink and bathe in
chloraminated water.
Can pregnant women and children drink chloraminated water?
Yes . Everyone can drink water that contains chloramines.
What will water taste like with chloramines?
You may notice the water has less of a chlorine odor or taste .
Do home water softeners remove chloramines?
Most water softeners are not designed to remove chloramines .
How do chloramines affect fish?
Because fish absorb chloramines directly from the water into their blood streams, chloramines are
toxic and must be removed from water, just as chlorine was toxic and had to be removed. You may not
have had to remove chlorine from your aquarium water, however, because it disappears rapidly on its
own. This will not happen with chloramines and steps should be taken to remove chloramines. Most
pet stores have sold dechlorinating agents for years and, generally, have recommended using them.
The chemicals used to remove chlorine should work just as well for chloramines. Several
manufacturers have been adding chloramine information on labels on their products for years .
Won't letting water sit for a few days remove chlorambtes from tank or pond water?
No. Chlorine dissipates when water is left to sit for a few days. Chloramines may take weeks to
disappear. If you don 't want to use a dechloraminating chemical, the next best solution is to install a
granular activated filter and allow sufficient contact time .
Are both salt and fresh water fish affected by chloramines?
Chloramines affect salt water fish just as they effect fresh water fish . Chloramines will have to be
removed if the water used to make salt water solution comes from a chloraminated supply.
Will a carbon filter remove chloramines?
Yes . However, it must contain high quality granular activated carbon and you must permit sufficient
contact time.
Will reverse osmosis remove chloramines?
No. The permeable membranes can catch salts but chloramines pass through easily.
Will chloramines be removed by boiling the water?
No. Boiling is not an effective method of removing chloramines from water. The only practical
methods for removing chloramines from water are using a water conditioner that contains a
dechlorination chemical or by using granular activated carbon.
LOCAL WATER SYSTEMS SWITCH TO CHLORAMINATION
imp ov 0 r
In a cooperative effort, the City of Durham, Chatham County, the Town of Hillsborough and
the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (Chapel Hill/Carrboro) will all change their di sinfection
process for drinking water from "chlorination" to "chloramination ." Many cities throughout
the region and the United States use chloramines instead of chlorin e to disinfect drinking
water. Chloraminated drinking water is perfectly safe for drinking, bathing, cooking and other
daily water uses. However, there are two groups of people who need to take special care
with chloraminated water: kidney dialysis patients and fish owners. Following are ques-
tions and answers that address the most common questions that customers may have.
What is the current drinking water disinfection method?
The current m ethod of disinfection used by all four water suppliers
is chlorination . In this process, chlorine is added to drinking water
at a controlled level. Chlorination is an etfectrve way to kill many
kin d s of bacteria and other germs that may be harmful to ones
health. Our communities are proud to state that our drinking
wa ter systems ha ve met State and Federal standard s for bacterial
control and other regulated substances for many years .
What Is chloramination?
Chloramination is the use of both ammonia and chlorine to disin-
fect water. Amm onia is added to water at a ca refully controlled
level. The chlorine and ammonia react chemically to produce
combined chlorine or ch loramines. Chloramination is as effective
as chlorine in killing many kinds of bacteria and other germs
that may be harmful to personal health . Chl oraminated
water is perfectly safe to drink.
In the U.S., many water systems have used chlorami-
nation for several decades. In the Triangle area, the
City of Raleigh and Town of Cary already use
chlorami na tion as a disinfection method.
Why the change to chloramlnes?
The City of Durham, Chatham County. the Town of
Hillsborough and Orange Water and Sewer Authority are making the
change to chloramination to reduce the level of certain byproducts
of chlorination. These disinfection byproducts, called tri-
halomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), result from
reactions of chlorin e with the small amounts of na turally occur-
ring organic substances in filtered drinking water. Both THMs and
HAA.s are suspected carcinogens (cancer-causing substances)
when present at elevated levels and consumed over long periods
of time. By using chloramination as a disinfection method, area
suppliers will all be ab le to:
• reduce the levels of THM s and HAAs in drinking water
• remain in compliance wi th the Federal Safe Drin ki ng Wate r Act
continue to supply water cust omers with safe and aesthetically
pleasing water.
How will chloramination affect our water customers?
Fo r most customers, the only noticeable change will be an
improvement in the taste and odor of the drinking water.
With chloramination, the chlorine smell and taste in our
water will be less apparent. Two groups of water customers-
kid ney dialysis patients and fish owners-must take
People wi th weakened immune systems, including
infants, elderly people and persons wi th HIV/AJDs
or who are undergoing chemothe rapy, etc. should
consult a health professional about whether to use
specially treated water instead of water fr o m normal
public sources using either chlorinated or chloraminated
drinking wat e r.
Why will kidney dialysis patients and fish
owners be affected by chloramines?
Customers who use drinki ng water for dialysis treatment, in fish
tanks, in aquaculture and for certain other special uses w ill need
to make some changes . Chloramines are harmful when they go
directly into the bloodstream. In the dialysis process, water
comes into contact with bl ood across a permeable membrane.
Chloramines in dialysis water would be toxic, just as chlorin e in
dialysis would be toxic, and therefore must be removed from
water used in kidney dialysis machines. Fi sh a lso take chlo-
ramines directly into thei r bloodstrea m s, so chloramines must be
removed from aquariums and fish bowls.
What precautions should kidney dialysis patients take?
Both chlorine and chloramine must be removed from the water
used in kidney dialysis machines. Medical centers that pe rform
dialysis and dialysis centers are responsible for purifying water
that enters the dialysis machines. Each of the suppliers has
already notified physicians, clinics and medical facilities in the
community about the need to remove chloramines from water
used in dialysis machines. Customers with home dialysis equiP"
ment should contact their physicians regarding chloramination
and how it will affect them. They should also check with the
equipment manufacturer for information .
What precautions should fish owners take?
Chloramines should be removed from water that is used in fish
tanks, ponds, and aquariums. Tropical fish shops and other busi-
nesses that keep fish or other animals in aquariums or ponds are
encouraged to contact a pet supply company about how to
treat their water to remove chloramines before using drinking
water in an aquarium.
Similarly, customers who use drinking water for aquaculture
(growing plants in a water tank or pond) are encouraged to get
expert advice regarding whether and how to neutralize or
remove chloramines . Also, restaurants and grocery stores with
lobster tanks must take special precautions to treat the water.
Will chloramination affect routine business water uses?
Bu~nesses and other establishments that use municipal drinking
water for commercial laundering operations, laboratory procedures
and other processes in which water characteristics must be carefully
controlled should gt!! advice from equipment manufacturers or
other suppliers regarding work changes that may be needed.
Will chloraminatlon affect routine household water uses?
Chloramination will not affect routine water wes such as food
preparation, household laundering and dishwashing, watering
plants, etc. Ch loramines will not have any effect on plants of any
type, and will usually be removed by the high chlorine demand
in the soil.
Will changing to chloramlnes Increase my water blll?
The cost of using chloramines for disinfection is about the same
aS: the costs tor ch lorine. No rate increases are expected as a
resull of the disinfection process change.
Do home water softeners remove chloramines?
Most water softeners are not designed to remove chloramines.
Will using chloramines affect swimming pools?
No. Swimming pool managers and owners will still need a free-
chlorine res idual to retard algae and bacterial growths . Contact
local pool supply stores for specifics .
Does bottled water have chloramines?
Possibly-<Jepending on the source of the water. II the bottled
water company uses water supplied by a municipal water source
that uses chloramines, the bottled water will have chloramines
unless the company takes special steps to remove it.
How can I get more information?
Information and updates will be posted on each water supplier's
website. FeeJ free to contact your water system at the number
listed whenever you have a question or comment
local water systems
Oty of Dumam Oan. 2002)
Environmental Resources
Department
101 City Hall Plaza
Dumam, NC 27701
(919) 560-4 381
www.ci.durham.nc.us
Orange Water and Sewer
Authority (OWASA) Oan . 2002)
Post Office Box 366
400 !ones Ferry Road
Carrboro, NC 27510
(919) 968-4421
www.owasa .org
Chatham County Qan. 2002) Town of Hillsborough Ouly 2002)
Public Works Department
Post Office Box 1550
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 542-8270
www.co.chatham .nc.us
Town Engineer/Utilities Director
Post Office Sox 429
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-1270
www.cLhillsborough.nc.us
Note: P1ren~ indkate f)foposed start-Op date for disinfection process
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Chloramination
Clrforatnination
Following are some answers by Abbey
Spring to frequently asked questions about
chloramination.
What is Chloramination?
Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) has historically
chlorinated drinking water to disinfect against bacteria. As
of April 1995 , they will use a method called
chloramination in the distribution sys tem , in addition to
chlorinating the water at the plant. Chloramination is the
use of chlorine mixed with ammonia, to disinfect our
drinking water. When chlorine and ammonia are
combined, they form a new chemical complex called
'chloramines.' Chloramines are four times more stable than
chlorine, and are valued for their residual effect in
disinfecting drinking water. Although both are liquid
gasses , chlorine evaporates out at a faster rate then
chloramines. Although chloramines are not as potent as
chlorine at killing bacteria, it wm be enough to keep
bacterial from growing in the pipes/distribution system,
and will eliminate the need to add additional chlorine at
the booster sites along the distribution pipes .
Why Chloramination?
Local municipalities have been mandated by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to eliminate or
reduce Trihalomethanes (THMs) from public water
supplies to .1 part per million (ppm), or 100 parts per
billion. Although MMWD's THM content of .062-.08
parts per million does not exceed the current MCL
(maximum contaminant level) for THMs , the EPA is
expected to come out with a new MCL of .05 ppm.
Chloramination will reduce the possibility of future
occurrences of Trihalomethanes . It will also reduce the
amount of chlorine used.
What are Trihalomethanes?
Trihalomethanes (THMs) are volatile organic chemicals
(VOC) which are produced when chlorine interacts with
organic material in the water (dead leaves , sediment, etc.)
Various THMs have been classified by the EPA as either
probable or possible human carcinogens, and have been
associated with bladder and rectal cancer according to
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"'/Q/')()()'7
Chloramination
studies registered with the EPA and research performed by
Dr. Robert Morris of the Medical College of Wisconsin,
and others.
How Does Chlorine and Chloramines Kill Bacteria?
Chlorine does its job of killing bacteria by bonding with
and oxidizing organic compounds in the water in a free
radical process. Oxidation can occur with the proteins and
organic matter inside and outside our bodies as well, and
has been associated with cell damage and reduced cell
vitality by many nutritionists. Chlorarnination will actually
reduce the amount of chlorine needed, however little is
known about the long term health effects of chloramines.
Chloramines are less potent than chlorine, but do their job
of killing bacteria by breaking down or rupturing cell
walls.
Because chlorarnines in high doses have been found to
cause blood damage and liver damage in laboratory
animals, the EPA has capped the allowable usage of
chloramines at 4 ppm. MMWD will stay below that,
adding about 1-2 ppm with a maximum of 2 ppm.
Chloramine content will diminish slightly as it travels
further from the source.
What side effects should I be concerned about?
Chloraminated water may cause fish to die, because fish
take water directly into their bloodstream. Dialysis
patients need to use treated water because water comes
into direct contact with the bloodstream, and chloramines
(like chlorine) are damaging to blood. Chloramination can
also impact breweries and bakeries as yeast and enzymes
may not survive.
How can I remove chloramines from my drinking water?
The combination of reverse osmosis and carbon filtration
will be effective in removing chloramines. Chloramines
are a little bit more stubborn that chlorine, and require a
longer contact time (the time that water is in contact with
the carbon media). Generally, a contact time provided by a
flow rate of less than one gallon per minute will allow for
thorough removal of chloramines. On a reverse osmosis
system, because the rate of flow is slowed down to less
than .05 gallons per minute (gpm), there is plenty of
contact time for thorough removal.
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"/Q /') ()()'7
I
Chloramination
Carbon filtration and granular activated carbon filtration
alone can also be effective at removing chloramines if the
flow rate is under 1 gpm. This would be the case in almost
all circumstances for customers using the Abbey Spring's
dual and single filter assemblies. Under rare
circumstances , the staff at Abbey Spring may recommend
that you change your filters more frequently or add an
additional carbon filter.
Will chloramination affect my present drinking water
system?
No . Chloramines can foul thin film composite (TFC)
membranes , just as chlorine can . However, if you have a
TFC membrane, and you are on a municipal supply, you
should currently hav e a pre-carbon filter (water goes
through this filter before going across the membrane), to
eliminate or reduce chlorine and chloramines . This will
protect your membrane from corrosion or fouling. The
longevity of membranes will not be affected nor will
production rates.
Will my shower filter remove chloramines?
KDF , the media used in the shower filters sold by Abbey
Spring will remove free chlorine. Because shower water is
hot, most of the chloramines will break down into chlorine
and ammonia, and be removed. The chlorine that remains
bonded with ammonia ( chloramine) is not vaporous , and
cannot be absorbed by the skin or breathed into the lungs .
.A.Top
Asbestos I Aluminum -Why a Concern in Drinking Water?
Chloramination and Chloramines
Chlorine -A Special Problem for Drinking Water I Chlorine in Your
Shower
Lead in Drinking Water -The Problem and Solutions I Should I Treat
My Water?
Back to Main Section
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'/Q /"') (\(\'7