2023 Report, published June 2024
Public Water System ID # 851207
We are proud to report that Sumner’s water is clean and safe. Our water is in full compliance with the standards of both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Dept of Health.
Where Our Water Begins
Your primary water supply comes from springs on the east hill. There are three spring fields: Sumner Springs, Crystal/County Springs and Elhi Springs. To meet peak demand in the summer, the City also uses our wells: West Well, South Well, Central Well and Dieringer Well.
EPA’s Hotline
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 EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).
Organic Chemicals
We test for organic chemicals to ensure our water meets stringent water quality standards. Tests for volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) as well as for herbicides or pesticides all showed no detection. For a full copy of the report, call 253-299-5740.
Unregulated Contaminants
In addition, we follow the EPA’s regulations for monitoring unregulated contaminants. This helps the EPA Administrator decide whether or not to regulate these contaminants in the future.
Water Use Efficiency Performance
Total water produced – 641,378,600 gallons
Authorized Consumption – 544,040,763 gallons
Distribution System Leakage (DSL) – 97,377,837 gal, 13.50% of total; 3 yr average DSL percent – 13.4%
About Lead
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, especially older faucets. The City of Sumner is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, and there are no known lead pipes in service lines. However, we cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting 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. You may also 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 or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. The Tacoma-Pierce County Dept of Health has also warned that residents are much more likely to be exposed to lead in old paint than through water.
Chlorine
Sumner takes chlorine residual samples every business day from County and Sumner Springs in order to measure proper dosage rates. Every month, we take ten water samples from various points in our water system. We send these to an independently certified lab to test for bacteria.
Sampling Results
This table shows water quality from the most recent round of testing done in accordance with the regulations. Washington State Dept of Health reduced Sumner’s monitoring requirements for organics and inorganics because our source is not at risk of contamination.
Regulated Substances
| Substance (unit of measure) | Year Sampled | MCL* | Range Detected | Violation | Typical Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic (ppb) | 2022 | 0.01 | 0.0024 | No | Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards or glass/electronics production wastes |
| Asbestos (mf/l) | 2019 | 7 | 0.117 | No | Decay of asbestos cement water mains and erosion of natural deposits |
| Nitrates | 2023 | 10 | <0.2-2.24 | No | Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks; sewage; erosion of natural deposits |
| Total Trihalomethanes (ppm) | 2023 | 0.08 | 0.00201 – 0.00609 | No | By-product of drinking water chlorination |
| Haloacidic Acids (ppm) | 2023 | 0.06 | ND | No | Occurs when naturally produced organic and inorganic materials react with disinfectants, chlorine and chloramine |
| Copper (ppm) | 2022 | 1.3 | 0.042 – 0.781 | No | Corrosion of household plumbing and natural deposits |
| Lead (ppm) | 2022 | 0.015 | <0.0010 – 0.0214 | No | Corrosion of household plumbing including lead pipes, solder, faucets, valves and brass components; lead-based paint, contaminated dust |
| Gross Alpha (pCi) | 2022 | 15 | <3.00 +- 0.656 <3.00 +- 0.545 | No | Occurs naturally in certain rocks |
| Radium (pCi) | 2022 | 5 | <0.180 +-0.276 0.447 +- 0.276 | No | Occurs naturally in certain rock types |
*Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water.
Secondary Substances
If above MCL, these may cause unpleasant effects such as color, taste, odor, rather than adverse health effects.
| Substance (unit of measure) | Year Sampled | MCL* | Range Detected | Typical Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chloride (ppm) | 2016 | 250 | 3 | Runoff/leaching of natural deposits |
| Iron (ppm) | 2022 | 0.3 | <0.10 | Leaching from natural deposits; industrial wastes |
| Manganese (ppm) | 2016 | 0.05 | 0.02 | Leaching from natural deposits |
| Sulfate (ppm) | 2016 | 250 | 4 | Runoff/leaching from natural deposits; industrial wastes |
More Information
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 (1-800-426-4791).
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, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
- Microbial contaminants, such as viruses, parasites, and bacteria that may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, or wildlife.
- Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can occur naturally or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, and farming.
- Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from various sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
- Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production. They can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
- Radioactive contaminants, which can occur naturally or result from oil and gas production and mining activities.
To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Department of Health and EPA prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Washington Department of Agriculture regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health. Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) data is available at http://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/DrinkingWater/SourceWater/Assessment.aspx
Contact Us & Get Involved
To report a problem
Public Works Dept., 253-299-5740
or report online with the Report a Problem option
For more information
NSF International: 1-877-8NSF-HELP, www.nsf.org
To get involved, attend City Council meetings: schedules and agendas are posted online. You can watch meetings on Pierce County TV, online or Comcast On Demand.
Conserve Our Water
Clean water is a precious resource. The City of Sumner is proud to be an EPA WaterSense partner. We can all do small things to use our water well:
- Leaks can account for more than 11,000 gallons per year for an average household–enough to fill a backyard swimming pool!
- A bathroom faucet can use 2 gallons of water per minute. By turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, you can save up to 240 gallons of water per month.
- Don’t use your toilet as a waste basket to flush tissues. Eliminating just one flush per day can save nearly 1,300 gallons per year– enough to wash about 32 loads of laundry.
- A family of four could save about 2,300 gallons of water per year by shortening every shower by just 1 minute–enough water to run a dishwasher more than 250 times!
- Call Public Works when you need to shut off your water at the meter. It’s easy to break the meter and cause major damage that wastes gallons of water.
Keep Our Water Clean
- Pick up after your pets or their waste washes right into the river.
- Wash your car on lawn to filter grease and suds.
- Don’t overfertilize or it just runs right into the river.
- Fix your car’s oil leaks.
To Report a Problem
During business hours: City of Sumner Public Works Dept. 253-299-5740
After business hours: City of Sumner Police Department 253-863-6384
For more information: NSF International 1-877-8NSF-HELP www.nsf.org