Lacey Drinking Water The Long Journey to Your Tap Tim Wilson & Carolyn Johnson City of Lacey Water Resources Introduction of Carolyn and myself-what we do at the City-what we would like to talk to them about today Show of hands-how many people have used water today? How many of you have thought about where your water comes from while you are using or drinking it? Water doesn’t magically appear at your house-The process that is involved with producing good quality drinking water is difficult and expensive Can anyone tell me where communities might find the water they need?

Two Main Sources of Drinking Water Surface Water Streams Lakes Reservoirs Groundwater The majority of people on earth get their water from one of these two sources. In some areas, where water is scarce, people have to use expensive options such as reverse osmosis. Background on water availability. 75% of earth’s surface is covered with water so we would think it would be plentiful, but, most of it is not available (Salty water of oceans or frozen in glaciers and icecaps) Only about 1% of water is available for human use. Does anyone know where the majority of Lacey’s water comes from?

Lacey Hydrogeological Cross Section Cross section of the aquifers. It shows existing wells and the aquifers which include the Qva, Qc and TQu. Qva – Shallowest Aquifer, Most exempt wells are in this aquifer, very susceptible to changing weather conditions. Usually a direct feed to nearby lakes and streams. Qc – Great water quality. Many of Lacey’s wells are in this aquifer. Explanation of water rights issues Depth of Wells Static Levels Minerals found in aquifers Stream/Groundwater interrelationship

How much water do we need? Lacey Residents and Businesses Use About 10,600 Acre/Feet Per Year Acre foot = 43,560 square feet stacked 1foot high If we were able to “stack” the amount of water Lacey uses yearly on a football field, it would be over three miles high Explain Acre Feet

So How Do We Get Water To You? Water is Pumped Out of the Ground and Stored at an Above Ground Reservoir Water then flows into distribution pipes which carry water into neighborhoods and in front of your house Water then passes through a meter that records the amount of water passing through, and finally, water is delivered to your tap There are currently 19 wells located throughout the city that provide our water Reservoir north of Komachin holds 2 million gallons There are over 300 miles of water distribution line in the City of Lacey. If stretched out, this would reach nearly to Canada and back

Inside a Wellhouse

Water Reservoir

Is Your Water Safe? City has employees that are dedicated only to ensuring water quality and safety by performing these activities: Water quality sampling Chlorination ( Disinfecting Water Supply ) Backflow Protection Wellhead Protection

Water Quality Sampling What are we looking for? Inorganic and organic contaminants Unregulated contaminants Lead, Copper and Asbestos Coliform bacteria Water quality technician for the City of Portland, OR

Chlorination Why do we chlorinate? Unintended consequences Monitoring for disinfection byproducts

Backflow Prevention What is backflow? Why is it a human health concern? What is COL doing to prevent backflow? Cartoon from the North Wales Water Authority

Well Head Protection Early warning system Potential sources of contamination Hazardous materials Septic Systems Underground storage Tanks Storm water Dry, unused, and improperly constructed wells Agriculture, golf courses, and cemeteries Transportation Spills Agriculture Highest risk for wells LeMeilleur Horizons Golf Resort

Wellhead Protection Zones

The Need for Water Conservation The water that we humans depend on is also needed by animals and fish The water we use, whether from surface or groundwater, can affect the amount of water available in our streams (in-stream flow) As more and more people move into our region, our available water supply will continue to be stressed In stream flow-refer back to cross section Explain the need for conservation during the summer-time of highest water use during time of greatest need by critters

Actions we can take to conserve water Check for and have your parents fix leaks and drips Use low-flow faucet aerators and showerheads Wash full loads of clothes and dishes Take short showers (5 minutes or less), instead of baths Turn off the water while brushing your teeth 8% of residential water use is wasted through leaks Explain how to check water use at the meter Leaking toilets and food dye A faucet that drips one drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons/year Taking a shower instead of a bath will save on average 40 gallons per person/day and reducing your shower by 1 minute can save you up to 1,800 gallons per year

Question #1 On average, about how much water does each resident of Lacey use each day? A) 8 gallons B) 45 gallons C) 90 gallons D) 1 acre foot

Question #2 About how much water do the citizens of Lacey use on an average winter day? A) 55,000 gallons B) 912,000 gallons C) 2,400,000 gallons D) 6,000,000 gallons D) 6 million gallons

Question #3 About how much water do the citizens of Lacey use on an average summer day? A) 6,000,000 gallons B) 8,000,000 gallons C) 17,000,000 gallons D) 22,000,000 gallons

Question #4 Which of the following regions have the lowest average annual rainfall? A) Baltimore B) Seattle C) Houston D) Miami

Question #5 What weighs more? A) A pound of feathers B) A pound of water

Question #6 If one cubic foot of water = 7.48 gallons, and one acre foot = 43,560 cubic feet, and the residents of Lacey consume 10,600 acre/feet per year, how many gallons of water are used yearly? A) 224.7 million B) 3.45 billion C) More than I can fit in my swimming pool