2020

City of Olathe ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT

City of Olathe Annual Water Quality Report 2018

As the new Environmental Services manager for Olathe I am proud to bring you the 2020 Consumer Confidence Report for drinking water quality that covers the 2019 calendar year!

In 2019, the City of Olathe treated 4.2 billion gallons of drinking water for an average daily demand of 11.7 million gallons per day. After production and treatment, our certified laboratory staff performs 90,000 tests to ensure quality before it is pumped out to Olathe homes and businesses for use.

Staff continues to deliver the same exceptional results, year after year, meeting or exceeding all Federal and State drinking water standards. The information shared in this report showcases our transparency as a utility and guarantees the quality and safety of the drinking water produced.

This year, I would like to encourage you to ditch bottled water and drink tap! Why drink tap? Most importantly because it’s better than bottled water! We test more parameters on Olathe tap water than bottling companies are required to test. If we were to find anything out of parameter, we notify our consumers in writing. If a bottled water company finds their water out of parameter, they issue a recall that you, the consumer, will have to determine whether it applies to you, if you even see it. When you buy bottled water at the store, you’re not paying for a better product, you’re paying for the packaging.

The reason that the City of Olathe has a higher level of accountability than bottled water companies is because as an Olathe citizen you are an owner of the water utility and a stakeholder in what we do. When you pay a monthly water utility bill to Olathe, you are part owner of a system that delivers high quality drinking water directly to your house or business. When you use the water system and drink tap, that money goes back into your utility to ensure that the quality of your tap water stays at the highest possible level. When you drink bottled water that money goes into the pockets of corporations.

The next time you’re at the store and thinking about getting a case of bottled water, leave it on the shelf. Consider buying a reusable water bottle instead. You can fill that bottle as many times as you want with water delivered straight to your house! Its better quality than what you left on the shelf at the store, better for the environment and you keep your hard-earned money right here in Olathe, so we can continue to provide you with excellent service!

John Gilroy P.E.Environmental Services Division Manager

Olathe vs BottledA 24-pack of bottled water will cost you $2.99 - $4.99 at the grocery store; the same amount of tap water from Olathe costs just over a penny.

Customer SatisfactionOlathe citizens are surveyed quarterly to assess the level of citizen satisfaction with City services. Our customers consistently rate their overall quality of water services including the taste of water and water pressure above the Kansas City Metro average as well as the national average.

2019Average

KC Region Average

National Average

Taste of Water 88% 75% 67%Water Pressure 88% 78% 72%Overall Quality of Water Service 84% 76% 69%

Safe Drinking Water Top PriorityThe City of Olathe produces safe, quality drinking water, meeting or exceeding all state and federal health. The City conducts more than 90,000 tests each year to ensure the health and safety of our water supply. During the 2019 calendar year, the City of Olathe had no drinking water regulation violations.

Sources of Drinking WaterOlathe’s untreated source water is obtained from wells located along the Kansas River near DeSoto. In 2019, the City of Olathe treated 4.2 billion gallons of water obtained from four large collector wells located along the Kansas River aquifer. As surface water filters through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals. As a result, environmental events such as flooding have less of an impact on Olathe water quality.

All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water possesses a heath risk. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminations in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health. For more information about these contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or EPA.Gov/SafeWater.

Contaminants that may be present in source water prior to treatment include:• Microbial contaminants – such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic

systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.• Inorganic contaminants – such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or results from urban

runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.• Pesticides and herbicides – which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff,

and residential uses.• Organic chemical contaminants – including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are bi-products of

industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, andseptic systems.

• Radioactive contaminants – which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and miningactivities.

Special Health RequirementsSome people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or those who have undergone organ transplants, or people living with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders, some elderly, and infants can be at particular risk for infections. If you fall in one of these categories, seek advice about drinking water from your health care provider.

Do I need a water softener?It’s a personal choice. Since the EPA requires a certain degree of what we consider “hardness,” you may notice some benefits of a softener, including using a lesser amount of soap and detergents and less spotting on hard surfaces. They can also leave your skin feeling softer, retaining more moisture.

The trade-off is that your home plumbing is more susceptible to corrosion, accelerating its wear and increasing the possibility that heavy metals will leach into your water. Never use warm or hot water in the preparation of foods or beverages for consumption.

A water softener can also increase your sodium intake. Softeners transform calcium and magnesium hardness into soft salts like sodium.

Are you installing a water softener and need to input a “Water Hardness Number?” To calculate this number, divide our most recent value for total hardness (ppm) by 17.1 to convert to grains per gallon (GPG). Olathe’s most recent total hardness average can be found in our annual water quality reports.

To read the latest water quality report, visit OlatheKS.org/WaterQuality.

Unregulated ParametersUnregulated parameters are monitored in the interest of the customer, and to assist regulators in developing future regulations.

Parameter Units Recommended Maximum Level

Olathe Result 1

Aluminum PPB 200 <10

Alkalinity PPM N/A 92Calcium PPM N/A 46

Chloride PPM 250 58

Iron PPM 0.3 <0.01

Manganese PPM 0.05 0.006

Magnesium PPM N/A 9.6

pH SU 6.5 – 8.5 8.5

Potassium PPM N/A 7.9

Phosphorus PPM N/A 0.071

Nickel PPM NA <0.001

Silver PPM 0.1 <0.001

Silica PPM 50 12

Sodium PPM 100 51

Conductivity µmhos/cm 1500 590

Radon PCi/L 300 <50

Sulfate PPM 250 96

Total Dissolved PPM 500 340

Total Hardness PPM 400 160

Zinc PPM 5.0 <0.005

1 Measured at Olathe Water Treatment Plant.

Abbreviations and Definitions

AL = Action LevelThe concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

CFU = Colony forming units/100ml.

D.S. = Distribution System

LF = Linear Feet.

M.F./L - Million Fibers/liter.

MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

MCLG = Maximum Contaminant Level Goal The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG allows for a margin of safety.

NA = Not applicable.

NTU = Nephelometric Turbidity Units It is a measure of cloudiness of the water.

ND = Not detected.

PCi/l = Picocuries per liter.

PPM = parts per million.

PPB = parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (ug/l)

SU = Standard Unit.

TT = Treatment TechniqueRequired process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

TOC - Total organic carbon.

µMHO/ cm = Micromhos per centimeter

WTP = Water Treatment Plant.

Water Quality SummaryThe EPA requires monitoring of over 100 drinking water contaminants. Listed below are only certain contaminants. Many are undetected in Olathe’s drinking water. The summary shows monitoring results from January 1 to December 31, 2018.

Regulated ParametersI N O R G A N I C C O M P O U N D S

Parameter Units MCL MCLGOlathe Result Met

StandardWTP D.S. Range

Antimony PPB 6 6 <1 N/A <1 √

Arsenic PPB 10 0 1.7 N/A 1.7 √

Barium PPM 2 2 0.078 N/A 0.078 √

Beryllium PPB 4 4 <1 N/A <1 √

Cadmium PPB 5 5 <1 N/A <1 √

Chromium PPB 100 100 1.7 N/A 1.7 √

Copper PPM AL= 1.3 1.3 0.0004 0.052 N/A √

Fluoride PPM 4 4 0.73 N/A 0.63 -0.94 √

Lead PPB AL=15 0 <1 2.5 N/A √

Mercury PPB 2 2 <0.5 N/A <0.5 √

Nitrate PPM 10 10 0.52 N/A 0.52 √

Selenium PPB 50 50 2.2 N/A 2.2 √

Thallium PPB 0.5 2 <1 N/A <1 √

S Y N T H E T I C O R G A N I C C O M P O U N D S

Parameter Units MCL MCLGOlathe Result

Met StandardWTP D.S. Range

Atrazine PPB 3 3 0.58 N/A 0.58 √

Metolachlor PPB 2 0 0.31 N/A 0.31 √

D I S I N F E C T I O N B Y P R O D U C T S

Parameter Units MCL MCLGOlathe Result

Met StandardWTP D.S. Range

Chlorine PPM 4 N/A N/A 2.5 2.3-2.6 √

TOC Removal Ratio1 N/A >1.0 TT 2.44 NA 2.34-2.54 √

Total Trihalomethanes PPB 80 N/A N/A 48 41-55 √

Haloacetic Acids PPB 60 N/A N/A 13.6 1-17 √1 Total organic carbon (TOC) has no health effects. However, total organic carbon provides a medium for the formation of disinfection byproducts. These byproducts include trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Drinking water containing these byproducts in excess of the MCL may lead to adverse health effects, liver or kidney problems, or nervous system effects, and may lead to an increased cancer risk.

Regulated Parameters ContinuedM I C R O B I O L O G I C A L C O N T A M I N A N T S

Parameters Units MCL MCLGOlathe Result

Met StandardWTP D.S. Range

Turbidity NTU TT N/A <0.10 N/A 99.7% - 99.9% √

Total Coliform % <0.05/mo. 0 N/A 0.035 0 – 0.035 √

R A D I O A C T I V E C O N T A M I N A N T S

Parameter Units MCL MCLGOlathe Result

Met StandardWTP D.S. Range

Alpha Emitters PCi/L 15 0 <3 N/A N/A √

Radium – 226 PCi/L 5 N/A <0.5 N/A <0.5 √

Radium - 228 PCi/L 5 N/A <0.5 N/A <0.5 √

Combined Radium PCi/L 5 N/A <0.5 N/A <0.5 √

Lead and Copper Rule SamplingUnder the Lead and Copper Rule, the City of Olathe tests for lead and copper concentrations in drinking water at 50 residences across the water system every three years. Volunteer residents take a water sample from a kitchen or bathroom tap after the water has been left undisturbed in the pipes overnight. The City’s Environmental Lab then runs tests on the sample to determine the concentrations of lead and copper in the water and provides the results to the resident.

The City of Olathe is seeking volunteers to participate in this testing in July 2020. Your residence is a candidate for this sampling if you meet the following criteria:• Your home was constructed before 1988; homes constructed before 1960 are preferred.• You do not use a whole-house water softener or filter. Samples also cannot be taken from an interior faucet that has a point-of-use

filter device.

If you would like to participate in this testing, please visit OlatheKS.org/WaterSamplingSurvey.

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious heath 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. Your water system is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used your 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 two 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. Please contact the City of Olathe at 913-971-9311 or through OlatheKS.org/OlatheConnect for testing information. Additional 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 EPA.gov/SafeWater/Lead.

Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) Every five years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implements the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR). The purpose of UCMR is to collect data from across the country on contaminants that may be present in drinking water. EPA uses this data to decide if the contaminants occur at frequencies and concentrations high enough to be regulated in the future.

The fourth round of UCMR, UCMR 4, requires monitoring for 30 contaminants between 2018 and 2020. The contaminants include 2 metals, 9 pesticides, 3 alcohols, 3 semi-volatiles, 3 brominated haloacetic-acid groups, 2 disinfection by-product indicators, and, for surface water systems, 10 cyanotoxins. These contaminants are not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

More information is available at epa.gov/dwucmr/fourth-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule

The city of Olathe is currently fulfilling their responsibility to comply to this rule and will conclude sampling the end of 2020.

Completed Rehab Projects In 2019:• Replacement of over 4,400 LF of neighborhood

distribution watermains as part of the WaterlineRehabilitation Program.

• Construction of the new Lime Feed Building at WT2• Construction of the new Chlorine Dioxide feed system

and process at WTP2• Rehabilitation and replacement of equipment

associated with the treatment basins at WTP2• Construction of a new storage clearwell at WTP2• nstallation of over 3,600 LF of 12-inch and 8-inch

distribution watermains associated with the Sunset andRidgeview Watermain Project.

• Installation of over 3,400 LF of 16-inch watertransmission mains along Old 56 Hwy

Planned for in 2020:• Anticipated replacement of over 7,800 LF of

neighborhood distribution watermains as part of theWaterline Rehabilitation Program.

• Installation of over 3,500 LF of 12-inch and 8-inchdistribution watermains associated with the Sunset andRidgeview Watermain Project.

• Installation of over 10,200 LF of 16-inch watertransmission mains along Old 56 Hwy

• Installation of over 3,700 LF of 12-inch water distributionmains along the Mahaffie Road Extension

• Installation of over 1,300 LF of 12-inch water distributionmains along Sheridan as part of the Lakeside AcresProject

Olathe WaterTreatment Process

Water Quality Report – Olathe Water Treatment Plant Construction Summary

In December 2018, the City of Olathe Public Works Department started construction of exciting upgrades at the Olathe Water Treatment Plant (WTP). Originally built in 1964 and last expanded in 2006, the Olathe WTP provides drinking water to approximately 136,000 residents in Olathe and surrounding areas.

The City has partnered with Crossland Heavy Contractors, Black & Veatch, and HDR to design and construct approximately $17 million of upgrades at the Olathe WTP. These upgrades will rehabilitate critical treatment plant infrastructure, improve the taste and quality of the drinking water, and ensure reliable operation into the future for delivering delicious drinking water to all customers. The project consists of four components, further described below.

Chlorine Dioxide Disinfection. Disinfection is an important treatment step for safe drinking water; it removes microbial pathogens that may be present in untreated water from the Kansas River. A new chlorine dioxide disinfection process will replace the current chlorine disinfection process. The new facilities will ensure that disinfection complies with Federal and State drinking water regulations while also improving the taste and quality of the drinking water. The new facility was completed in April 2020 and staff are in the process of switching to the new disinfection process.

Basin Modifications. The plant has three treatment basins that, with lime addition, soften and remove particles in the untreated water. Various improvements are being made to the basins which will result in improved treatment efficiency and will ensure the integrity of the softening process into the future.

• Basin 3’s rehabilitation consisted of repairs to the steel equipment, a new paint coating for protection of the steel equipment, and a partial equipment replacement. It was completed in May 2019.

• Basin 2 saw a complete equipment replacement and structural modifications to accommodate the new equipment. It was completed in March 2020.

• Basin 4 will also receive a complete equipment replacement in the Fall of 2020.

Lime Feed Building Improvements. Lime is added to the treatment basins to soften the water. New lime storage silos and a building to house associated equipment will replace the existing silos and equipment. The new facilities will provide improved safety for staff who operate and maintain the system and will ensure reliable operation of the treatment process. The new facility was completed in April 2020.

Water Storage Tank Replacement. The existing steel water storage tank was demolished and a new concrete storage tank was built in its place. The new concrete tank, which was completed in July 2019, has an extended service life for storing treated water until it is pumped to town.

For more information,please visit OlatheKS.org/WaterTreatment.

Photo credit to CrosslandHeavy Contractors, LLC