Your water contains low levels of naturally occurring arsenic, but is in full compliance with current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. The EPA has set a new standard for arsenic at 10 parts per billion (ppb) to better protect consumers against the effects of long-term, chronic exposure to arsenic in drinking water.
The new standard applies to all 54,000 community water systems. A community water system is a system that serves 15 locations or 25 residents year-round, including most cities and towns, apartments, and mobile home parks with their own water supplies. Mesa is evaluating several technologies for reducing arsenic concentrations.
Arsenic occurs naturally in rocks, soil, water, air, plants, and animals. It can be further released into the environment through natural activities such as volcanic action, erosion of rocks, forest fires, or through human actions. Approximately 90 percent of industrial arsenic in the U.S. is currently used as a wood preservative, but arsenic is also used in paints, dyes, metals, drugs, soaps, and semi-conductors. Agricultural applications, mining, and smelting also contribute to arsenic releases in the environment.
Higher levels of arsenic tend to be found more in ground water sources (well water) than in surface water sources (i.e., lakes and rivers). Compared to the rest of the United States, western states, including Arizona, have more systems with arsenic levels greater than 10 ppb. Arsenic levels in Mesa's 38 wells range from 4 - 33 ppb.
We take pride in delivering safe drinking water to our customers. Chlorination, the process of adding chlorine to the water, is an important part of ensuring drinking water safety.
Chlorine is added to the water supply for the purpose of disinfection. Disinfection kills or inactivates harmful microorganisms and germs which can cause illnesses such as typhoid, cholera, hepatitis and giardiasis. Other bacteria, like the ones that cause Legionnaires' disease, are destroyed in the disinfection process. Since chlorine has been added to public water supplies the threats of water-borne illness and recreational water illness have been virtually eliminated.
Chlorine is also added for its "residual" properties. Chlorine remaining in the water supply is available to fight against potential contamination in water distribution and storage systems that might enter through leaks and pipe breakages. Chlorination helps to stop nuisance growths in wells, water pipes, storage facilities and pipes. This is called "secondary disinfection."
Chlorine is a naturally-occurring chemical element found primarily as the chloride ion, a component of the salt that is deposited in the earth or dissolved in the oceans. Chlorine is an essential nutrient for plants and animals.
Chlorine kills pathogens such as bacteria and viruses by bonding with and destroying their outer surfaces and breaking the chemical bonds in their molecules. When enzymes in the bacteria and viruses come in contact with chlorine, one or more of the hydrogen atoms in the molecule are replaced by chlorine. This causes the entire molecule to change shape or fall apart. When enzymes do not function properly, a cell or bacterium will die.
We use chlorine dioxide gas as a disinfectant at the water treatment plant. Chlorine dioxide is used instead of chlorine to reduce the formation of cancer causing compounds such as trihalomethanes. It is an excellent disinfectant but can cause short-term odor problems for customers.
When a water tap is opened, small amounts of chlorine dioxide diffuse into the air and combine with existing household odors. All homes have volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the ambient air produced by scented products (soaps, candles, air fresheners, incense, potpourri), cleaning agents or solvents, paint, carpet, furnishings, fresh flowers or wreaths, and many other common household items. The VOC/chlorine dioxide combination odors have been described as smelling like fuel oil, kerosene, chemicals or cat urine, to name the most common. Studies have not identified any health concerns associated with this combined odor.
The strongest odors are associated with installing new carpet, upholstered furniture or draperies and interior painting. The odor will continue until the level of VOCs decreases (new smell goes away). This can take from a few weeks up to several months to dissipate depending on the situation, type of materials, amount of ventilation, etc. In enclosed areas with little ventilation, such as laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms and closets, these compounds will accumulate, so the odor will tend to be stronger or last longer than in well-ventilated areas. Increasing ventilation by opening windows and turning on fans will help to eliminate the odors more quickly.
Alternatively, you can remove chlorine dioxide and other chlorine compounds from the water by using an activated carbon filter. This will prevent the formation of compounds causing unpleasant odors.
Occasionally you may notice subtle changes in your tap water, such as cloudiness or varying tastes and odors. This is typically the result of pumping well water to meet customer demand, like when the water treatment plants are shut down for annual maintenance. You can be assured that, despite the changes, Mesa's water is safe to drink and continues to exceed stringent state and federal water-quality standards.
Water in our distribution system is under pressure, causing any air present to be dissolved in the water until the pressure is released at the tap. Dissolved air in the water is not harmful to people and will not damage plumbing or appliances. It can, however, have an unpleasant appearance to some people.
Cloudy water typically is caused by millions of tiny air bubbles. They are harmless and not a health concern. If the amount of dissolved air is low, the water may appear to sparkle or have small bubbles. If there is a greater amount of dissolved air in the water, millions of very tiny bubbles will appear when the pressure is released, giving the water a cloudy or white, milky appearance. It may take several minutes for the air to escape. As it does, the water will clear from the bottom of the glass, upward.
Dissolved air is present in many of the Mesa's groundwater production wells. There are several factors that can influence the amount of dissolved or "entrained" air from deep wells, including: Locations of the perforations in the well casing, depth of the well, static water levels (depth of water) in the well. and quantity of water pumped. Air also may enter the distribution system during the pumping process.
How To Clear Cloudy Water
An easy solution to cloudy water is to fill a pitcher with tap water and place it in the refrigerator. The air bubbles will dissipate and the water will be crystal clear and cold when the next glass of water is poured from the pitcher.
Drain odors are a common problem in many homes and are typically noticed when running the water in a sink, shower or bathtub. Initially it seems that the water stinks, but a little detective work and proper knowledge will help you discover and eliminate the source of the odor.
To determine where the smell is coming from, plug the drain before running the water, so your nose is not already filled with the odor. Now turn the water on. If you don't detect the smell, then the culprit is probably a combination of rotting, mildewing dirt and hair debris lodged in the P-shaped trap under the fixture and a buildup of a bacteria-filled slime layer (biofilm) on the sides of the vertical drain pipe. As water rushes past the slime and debris, odor-causing molecules dislodge and drift up out of the drain into your nose.
To eliminate the odor's source, remove the strainer cover from the shower drain or the stopper mechanism from the sink drain so you can see into the drainpipe. Use soap and water and a larger-diameter bottlebrush to thoroughly clean the underside of the strainer, the stopper mechanism, the drain assembly and the sides of the vertical drainpipe, then rinse thoroughly with hot water. In addition, pour a solution of one or two parts household bleach to 10 parts water into the drain and let sit overnight to kill the odor-causing bacteria. The bleach solution is also helpful if the drain cover or stopper mechanism cannot be removed.
If you don't like using chemicals, have a septic system, or are cleaning a garbage disposal drain that can be damaged by bleach, consider this natural drain cleaner. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain followed by 1/2 cup of white vinegar. The baking soda is basic and the vinegar is acidic, so they will react with a churning action that will help clean the drain.
Also, if a sink or shower is used infrequently, the water in the P-trap below the drain can evaporate allowing sewer gasses to come up through the drain into your home. To prevent this from happening, make sure the trap never dries out by periodically running water in the sink or shower.
Does your hot water smell?
Even though we chlorinate every water source before it enters the distribution system, sulfur or "rotten-egg" odors can develop in water heaters. Incidences of these odors in hot water are primarily due to the presence of sulfates and their reaction with sulfate-reducing bacteria that can thrive in the conditions provided by a water heater. The odors may occur due to one or a combination of the following factors: setting the water heater temperature too low and/or inactivity during vacations when the water sits for days, weeks or months.
Despite the offensive odor, the presence of sulfates at levels detected in Mesa's drinking water and the sulfate-reducing bacteria living in the water heater are not harmful to your health. This simple test will help you determine whether the odor is coming from the hot or cold water:
Cover the drain (odors commonly occur in the drain pipe) and run the hot water. Note if you detect the rotten-egg odor. Next, move to another faucet in the house, cover the drain and run the cold water. If the cold water has an odor, please contact us for further assistance. If you determine that the odor is only in the hot water, then it is most likely originating in the water heater.
The remedy may be as simple as killing the bacteria with increased heat. Sulfate-reducing bacteria die at about 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Water heaters are factory set at 140 degrees, which is the medium setting on the temperature control dial. Increasing the temperature to the high setting - 160 degrees Fahrenheit - for several hours should kill the sulfate-reducing bacteria. It is just as important to then flush the water heater to remove the dead bacteria. The fastest way to do this is by turning on the hot water in the bathtub for 10 to 15 minutes. CAUTION: The hot water tank must have an operable pressure relief valve; otherwise this method of treatment may be dangerous. The temperature setting must be reduced following treatment to prevent scalding hot water and to avoid high energy costs.
Fluoridation has been used as a dental health measure in cities across the U.S. since the late 1940s. More than half the nation's population now drinks water treated with fluoride. In September 1999, Mesa joined 40 of the nation's largest cities in adding fluoride to its public drinking water as directed by a 1998 vote of the City Council and confirmed by Mesa voters.
Fluoride occurs naturally in our drinking water at an average rate of 0.4 parts per million. Additional fluoride is added during the water treatment process to reach the optimal 0.7 parts per million level recommended by health professionals to attain dental benefits.
A proven cavity fighter, fluoride helps make the enamel surface of the teeth more resistant to acid and kills some of the bacteria that promote tooth decay. The National Institutes of Health encourages fluoridation, and the City of Mesa complies with the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulations regarding fluoride.
Two common minerals in the Arizona soil - calcium and magnesium - create one of the most notable changes in your tap water - water hardness. These tasteless, harmless minerals dissolve in the water, and create what is known as hard water.
Hard water makes up about 85 percent of the nation's drinking water, according to the U.S. Geologic Survey. Water hardness in Mesa ranges from 12 gpg (grains per gallon) to 22 gpg, depending on the water source that serves your area. The white, chalky film that you may find on the faucets or shower doors in your home is evidence of hard water.
Although hard water poses no health risk, it can create numerous challenges for the consumer. The primary method of reducing water hardness available to the consumer is the installation of an ion exchange water softener. An ion exchange water softener removes calcium and magnesium ions by replacing them with sodium, or in some instances potassium. Sodium levels in softened water increase approximately 8 milligrams per liter (mg/L) for each grain of hardness removed. For example, if your water has 12 gpg total hardness, sodium levels will increase 96 mg/L when the water is softened. If you are on a sodium-restricted diet, you may need to discuss with your physician the additional sodium in your softened water.
Because there are so many different types of treatment systems in the marketplace to choose from, we encourage you to thoroughly investigate the performance capabilities of the product before making a purchase. Once a system is installed, it is extremely important that you follow the manufacturer's recommendations, and service the unit regularly.
While you may appreciate the characteristics of softened water, it can harmful to your landscaping. The high sodium content in the water can have adverse effects on plant growth, and may even be toxic to some plants, causing the tips and edges of the leaves to die. Your drip irrigation or landscape watering system should be connected upstream of any water-softening unit.
New EPA lead and copper rule compliance
There are no lead pipes used in Mesa's water distribution system. We invest millions of dollars in water infrastructure every year to keep our system performing at optimum levels. Mesa also monitors for lead in drinking water and is in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency's Lead and Copper Rule.
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. We are responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but 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 15 to 30 seconds or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature 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 1-800-426-4791 or at epa.gov/safewater/lead.
Lead Health Effects
Lead is a common metal that has been in many consumer products but is now known to be harmful to human health if ingested or inhaled. It can be found in lead-based paint, air, soil, household dust, food, some types of pottery, and drinking water. Lead is rarely found in natural sources of water such as rivers and lakes or underground aquifers.
When people come in contact with lead, it may enter their bodies and accumulate over time, resulting in damage to the brain, nervous system, red blood cells, and kidneys. Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities.
Lead in water can be a special problem for infants whose diets may be mostly liquids, such as baby formulas or concentrated juices mixed with water. Smaller bodies can absorb lead more rapidly than bigger ones, so amounts of lead that won't hurt an adult can be very harmful to a child. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.
Copper Health Effects
Copper is a reddish metal that occurs naturally in rock, soil, water, sediment, and air. It has many practical uses in our society and is commonly found in coins, electrical wiring, and pipes. It is an essential element for living organisms, including humans, and - in small amounts - necessary in our diet to ensure good health. However, some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience adverse health effects, including vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage.
The human body has a natural mechanism for maintaining the proper level of copper in it. However, children under one year old have not yet developed this mechanism and, as a result, are more vulnerable to the toxic effects of copper. People with Wilson's disease also have a problem with maintaining the proper balance and should also exercise particular care in limiting exposure to copper. People with Wilson's Disease should consult their physician.
Sources of Lead/Copper in drinking water
Lead usually gets into your water after it leaves the treatment plant. This usually happens through the corrosion of materials containing lead in household plumbing. The most likely sources of lead in your household water are lead pipes, lead solder on copper pipes, brass faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as "lead-free," or lead service lines connecting the water main to the inside plumbing. Lead pipes are no longer installed for service lines or in household plumbing and lead solder has been outlawed in Arizona since 1987.
The amount of lead allowed in brass fixtures has also been limited, but can still contribute some lead to drinking water (note that many faucets are made of brass even if they do not have a "brass" color). Even with these restrictions in place, some homes, especially older homes, may still have significant amounts of lead in their plumbing systems.
Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures and solder. However, new homes are also at risk: even legally "lead-free" plumbing may contain up to 8 percent lead. The most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures which can leach significant amounts of lead into the water, especially hot water.
Copper works its way into the water by dissolving from copper pipes in the household plumbing. The longer the water has stood idle in the pipes, the more copper it is likely to have absorbed. Newer homes with copper pipes may be more likely to have a problem. Over time, a coating forms on the inside of the pipes and can insulate the water from the copper in the pipes. In newer homes, this coating has not yet had a chance to develop.
How to Reduce Your Exposure
Run your water to flush out lead
Anytime the water has not been used for more than 6 hours - overnight, for example, or during the day when people are gone to work or school - it should be cleared from the pipes before being used for drinking or cooking. Let the cold water faucet run until you can feel the water getting colder or reach a steady temperature, usually 30 to 60 seconds. The amount of time it takes will depend on your home and how its plumbing is arranged. If your home has a lead service line (which you can determine by asking your local water utility), you should flush water for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to make sure you are getting fresh water from the water main. This must be done before taking drinking water from any faucet in the house.
Other household water uses will also help clear standing water from your home's plumbing. For example, you may want to establish a routine of doing household tasks that use water - such as showering, flushing the toilet, or running the dishwasher - first thing in the morning before using water for drinking or cooking. Keep in mind that you'll still need to flush individual faucets for a short time before using them for drinking water. The water you run from drinking water taps does not have to be wasted. You can use this water for cleaning purposes or for watering plants. You may want to keep a container of drinking water in your refrigerator, so you don't have to run water every time you need it.
Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula
Hot water dissolves lead/copper more quickly than cold water so don't use water from your hot-water faucet for cooking or drinking. If you need hot water for cooking or drinking, take water from the cold water tap and heat it. It is especially important not to use the hot water for making baby formula. Also, boiling the water does not reduce lead levels and may actually increase them.
Look for alternative sources or treatment of water
Some treatment can reduce the amount of lead in your drinking water. Reverse-osmosis and distillation units can be used for that purpose. A few types of water filters also remove lead. Check the product literature to be sure it has been certified for lead removal by NSF International (nsf.org). Also, you must follow the manufacturer's recommendations for operation and maintenance to ensure that the treatment equipment works correctly.
Test your water for lead
If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water, EPA recommends testing your water by a certified laboratory. For assistance in locating a certified commercial laboratory, contact the Arizona Department of Health Services at 602-542-1023 or visit azdhs.gov/lab/license/env. Many laboratories can test your water to see if there is a lead problem. Fees will vary between labs.
Identify if your plumbing fixtures contain lead
New brass faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as "lead-free", may contribute lead to drinking water. The law currently allows end-use brass fixtures, such as faucets, with up to .25 percent lead to be labeled as "lead free". Visit the National Sanitation Foundation website to learn more about lead-containing plumbing fixtures.
We have advanced technology to detect more substances and at lower levels than ever before.
Although these compounds are detected at very low levels in source waters, people expose themselves to these same compounds on a regular basis and in much higher concentrations through medicines, food and beverages, and other personal care products. Their impact on human health at these low levels has not been demonstrated. To protect the environment and your health, please keep these tips in mind:
- NEVER flush unneeded or expired medications down a toilet or drain, especially if you use a septic system.
- The Police Department has several MedReturn drop-off locations for unwanted prescription drugs, vitamins, over-the-counter medications, pet medications, etc.
- If you must place unused medications in the trash, alter the medications in some way. Opinions on altering medications vary – some believe the medications should be simply made unpalatable or undesirable to prevent accidental ingestion, while others believe they should be made totally unusable.
- If the medications will be placed in a landfill, they should be left in their original containers to reduce seepage, making sure all identifying information has been removed. Add something to the medication to make it unusable (kitty litter to liquid medications, glue to pills, or a small amount of disinfectant to any medication) or unpalatable (a small amount of water to pills or salt, flour, or a powdered spice like mustard or turmeric to liquid medications). Package in an obscure container such as an empty margarine tub or non-transparent bag and place it in the trash.
- Use products sparingly, completely, and according to label recommendations.
- Unneeded products are best disposed of by placing in a landfill. Leave products in their original containers.
- When purchasing new products, avoid unnecessary ingredients, such as scents or those labeled antimicrobial.
- Consider using products with ingredients that are more likely to biodegrade harmlessly in the environment, such as those with ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, or baking soda.
At times, Mesa may experience seasonal taste and odor problems associated with the drinking water. The safety of the water is not at risk; however, you may perceive that the water is unsafe to drink because it has an unpleasant smell or taste. Customers often describe the taste and smell as "musty", "dusty", or "earthy." The primary causes are Geosmin and Methylisoborneol (MIB), which are non-harmful, naturally-occurring compounds associated with algae growth in lakes and canals.
To help eliminate taste and odor problems, powdered activated carbon (PAC) is added during the water treatment process. Regular analysis of water samples helps determine how much PAC to use and identifies necessary adjustments to the treatment process.
Our goal is to eliminate taste and odor problems associated with the drinking water. We continue to use new technologies and improve existing processes to meet this goal.
Emergency Water Supply
During times of serious emergency, the normal water supply to your home may be cut off or become so polluted that it is undrinkable. You and your family may be on your own to secure a safe and adequate water supply, which may just be your most precious survival item.
Required Amounts of Drinking Water Per Person
Rule of thumb: One gallon of water is needed per person per day. A minimum of 14 gallons potable (drinkable) water per person would be needed for a two-week survival supply. With careful rationing, this amount would be sufficient for drinking, food preparation, brushing teeth, etc. An additional 1/2 to 1 gallon per person per day will allow for hygiene care. Individual needs vary, so the following must also be taken into account:
- Age, physical condition, activity, diet, and climate (hot Arizona summers may double the amount of water required per person)
- Children, pregnant and nursing mothers, and ill people require more water
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Medical emergencies
Water Containers and Proper Storage
- Commercially available bottled water
- Long-term storage (5+ years or observe expiration date)
- Sport bottles 1/2 to 11/2 liter sizes if kept in a cool, dark place 2 to 5 gallon polycarbonate water bottles
- Short-term storage (6 months)
- One-gallon water containers similar to milk jugs will begin to disintegrate. They should be used and replaced every six months.
- 5 to 55 gallon barrels are best for long-term storage of water for non-potable uses. This water can be made safe to drink by boiling or chlorine addition before using.
- Mylar bags or pouches can store water indefinitely if properly stored in a cool, dark place.
Preparing and Storing Bottles for Drinking Water
Keep the drinking water safe from contamination by carefully storing in clean, non-corrosive, tightly covered containers. Use cleaned and sanitized 2-liter soda bottles or one-gallon containers, preferably made of heavy opaque plastic with screw-on caps. Sport water bottles prepared commercially work well for long term storage. Plastic milk or fruit juice bottles are not recommended due to proteins and sugars that cannot be adequately removed providing an environment for bacterial growth.
- Wash bottles with soapy water, then rinse thoroughly.
- Sanitize bottles by adding a solution of 1 teaspoon of non-scented liquid chlorine bleach to a quart of water.
- Shake well; turning upside down a time or two so all surfaces of the container are touched.
- Let the mixture stand for 2 to 3 minutes, then pour it into the next container. You can use the same chlorinated water for several containers.
- Fill the empty sanitized bottle with tap water, and seal it tightly with cap or stopper.
- Label with "Drinking Water-Purified" and the date of preparation.
- Water purification tablets may also be used, and are available in drug stores and sporting goods stores. They are recommended for your First Aid Kit. Four tablets will purify one quart of water.
Some stored water may develop a disagreeable appearance, taste, or odor. These properties are not necessarily harmful. Inspect your water supply every few months to see whether the containers have leaked, or other undesirable conditions have developed. Replace every six months, or sooner if the water becomes contaminated.
Methods of Emergency Disinfection
Strain any sediment or particles from the water by pouring through several layers of cheesecloth, paper towels, or coffee filters. Then use one of the following purification methods:
- Boiling - Vigorous boiling (rolling boil) for ONE FULL minute will kill any disease-causing bacteria present in water. The flat taste of boiled water can be improved by pouring it back and forth from one container into another, by allowing it to stand for a few hours, or by adding a small pinch of salt for each quart of water boiled
- Chemical Treatment - When boiling is not practical, chemical disinfection should be used. The best commonly available chemical is chlorine.
- Chlorine Bleach - Common unscented household bleach will disinfect water, and the procedure is usually written on the label. If it is not, find the percentage of available chlorine (usually 5.25%) on the label and use the following information as a guide:
| Water Amount |
Cloudy Water |
Clear Water |
| 1 quart |
4 drops |
2 drops |
| 1 gallon |
16 drops |
8 drops |
| 5 gallons |
1 teaspoon |
1/2 teaspoon |
| 55 gallons |
4 tablespoons |
2 tablespoons |
The treated water should be mixed thoroughly and allowed to stand for 30 minutes. The water should have a slight chlorine odor, if not, repeat the dosage and allow the water to stand for an additional 15 minutes. If the treated water has too strong a chlorine taste, it can be made more palatable by allowing the water to stand exposed to the air for a few hours or by pouring it from one clean container to another several times.