Safe Drinking Water What’s New? Spring, 2008 Drinking Water Program Office of Environmental Public Health Public Health Division Oregon Department of Human Services

Topics Drinking water and public health Drinking water and public health Public water systems Public water systems State/county drinking water program State/county drinking water program EPA drinking water standards EPA drinking water standards How safe is our drinking water? How safe is our drinking water? Emerging contaminants Emerging contaminants

Drinking Water Matters! Fundamental for health Fundamental for health Fundamental for quality of life Fundamental for quality of life Fundamental for the economy Fundamental for the economy Fundamental for fire protection Fundamental for fire protection

Where Do Drinking Water Contaminants Come From? Pollution of the source of supply - natural and people-caused Pollution of the source of supply - natural and people-caused Water treatment failure Water treatment failure Water treatment chemicals Water treatment chemicals By-products of water treatment By-products of water treatment Water system materials, coatings Water system materials, coatings Pipe breaks, leaks in storage tanks Pipe breaks, leaks in storage tanks Cross connections Cross connections Plumbing materials Plumbing materials

Protecting Drinking Water from “Source to Tap” Source water selection/protection Source water selection/protection Water treatment Water treatment Distribution system protection Distribution system protection Management and operations competence Management and operations competence

Drinking Water – Who’s Involved? Public Water Systems Public Water Systems –PROVIDE safe water State/County Public Health/Partner Agencies State/County Public Health/Partner Agencies –ASSURE health standards are met US EPA US EPA –SET standards to protect health

Public Water System - Ground Water Source

Public Water System - Surface Water Source

Oregon Public Water Systems

Oregon Public Water Systems by Size

Oregon Population Served by Public Water Systems

Basic Health Responsibilities of Public Water Systems Take water samples Take water samples Report test results and treatment data Report test results and treatment data Take action when standards not met Take action when standards not met Notify public when standards not met Notify public when standards not met Notify public when tests not done/reported Notify public when tests not done/reported Keep records Keep records Maintain minimum 20 psi pressure Maintain minimum 20 psi pressure Prepare/submit plans Prepare/submit plans Conduct cross connection program Conduct cross connection program Supervision by a certified operator Supervision by a certified operator Respond to user complaints Respond to user complaints

State Drinking Water Authorities and Rules ORS 448 – Water Systems ORS 448 – Water Systems OAR – Public Water Systems OAR – Public Water Systems Primacy Agreement with USEPA Primacy Agreement with USEPA

State/County Drinking Water Program Mission - Assure Oregonians safe drinking water Mission - Assure Oregonians safe drinking water Goals Goals –Contamination of public water systems is prevented or reduced, by protecting drinking water sources and adequately treating water –Water system personnel have knowledge, skills, and abilities to produce safe drinking water

Drinking Water Goals (continued) Goals (continued) –Public water system facilities are adequate to reliably and continuously produce safe drinking water –Water users are knowledgeable about safe drinking water and support their local water supplier –All safe drinking water standards are fully implemented and met by water suppliers

Drinking Water Advisory Committee Members Large water systems Large water systems Pacific NW water assoc. Pacific NW water assoc. OR Assoc. of Water Utilities OR Assoc. of Water Utilities Special districts Special districts Cities Cities Private-owned systems Private-owned systems Certified labs Certified labs Engineering firms Engineering firms Local health officials Local health officials OR Environmental Health Assoc. OR Environmental Health Assoc. League of Women Voters League of Women Voters Environmental groups Environmental groups Plumbers/backflow testers Plumbers/backflow testers Water consumers Water consumers Watershed councils Watershed councils

Federal Drinking Water Authorities and Rules US Environmental Protection Agency US Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Act Safe Drinking Water Act –1974 –1986 amendments –1996 amendments Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR parts 141, 142, 143, 149) Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR parts 141, 142, 143, 149)

USEPA Functions Establish national drinking water standards Establish national drinking water standards Oversee and assist state Primacy programs Oversee and assist state Primacy programs Administer grants and work plans of states Administer grants and work plans of states Directly oversee tribal water systems Directly oversee tribal water systems Directly implement federal drinking water rules until state applies for and receives Primacy Directly implement federal drinking water rules until state applies for and receives Primacy

Which Contaminants Does EPA Regulate? May have adverse effect on the health of persons, and May have adverse effect on the health of persons, and Known or likely to occur in public drinking water systems with frequencies and levels of health concern, and Known or likely to occur in public drinking water systems with frequencies and levels of health concern, and Regulation presents meaningful opportunity for health risk reduction for persons served by public water systems Regulation presents meaningful opportunity for health risk reduction for persons served by public water systems

Setting Standards - Health Effects Matter Acute effects – occur within hours or days of the time that a person consumes a contaminant at high levels. Example: acute gastrointestinal illness. Acute effects – occur within hours or days of the time that a person consumes a contaminant at high levels. Example: acute gastrointestinal illness. Chronic effects – occur after people consume a contaminant at low levels over many years. Examples: cancers, organ damage Chronic effects – occur after people consume a contaminant at low levels over many years. Examples: cancers, organ damage

Setting Standards - Exposure Matters Long-term exposure – same people daily (communities, schools, workplaces): Long-term exposure – same people daily (communities, schools, workplaces): –Acute contaminants, and –Chronic contaminants Short-term exposure – different people daily (campgrounds, parks, motels, restaurants): Short-term exposure – different people daily (campgrounds, parks, motels, restaurants): –Acute contaminants EPA bases drinking water exposure on 2 liters per day EPA bases drinking water exposure on 2 liters per day

Forms of EPA Drinking Water Standards Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) – no known or anticipated adverse health effects, with margin of safety Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) – no known or anticipated adverse health effects, with margin of safety Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) – enforceable standard set as close as feasible to MCLG considering technology, treatment, cost, field conditions Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) – enforceable standard set as close as feasible to MCLG considering technology, treatment, cost, field conditions Treatment Technique (TT) – in lieu of MCL when levels can’t be measured Treatment Technique (TT) – in lieu of MCL when levels can’t be measured Action Level (AL) – triggers action by water supplier Action Level (AL) – triggers action by water supplier

EPA Regulations, Trends 1976: 22 regulated contaminants, 20 pages of federal rules 1976: 22 regulated contaminants, 20 pages of federal rules 2005: 91 regulated contaminants, 280 pages of federal rules 2005: 91 regulated contaminants, 280 pages of federal rules 2008: ___ pages of federal rules 2008: ___ pages of federal rules Newer rules are highly complex, “targeted risk” Newer rules are highly complex, “targeted risk”

91 Regulated Drinking Water Contaminants 7 Microbials (bacteria, viruses, parasites) 7 Microbials (bacteria, viruses, parasites) 7 Disinfection by-products (trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids) 7 Disinfection by-products (trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids) 16 Inorganic chemicals (arsenic, nitrate, lead) 16 Inorganic chemicals (arsenic, nitrate, lead) 56 Organic chemicals (solvents, pesticides) 56 Organic chemicals (solvents, pesticides) 5 Radiologic contaminants (uranium) 5 Radiologic contaminants (uranium)

Newest EPA Standards ( ) Parasitic microorganisms (Cryptosporidium in source waters) Parasitic microorganisms (Cryptosporidium in source waters) Disinfection by-products (distribution “hot spots”) Disinfection by-products (distribution “hot spots”) Arsenic (increased protection) Arsenic (increased protection) Groundwater (viruses) Groundwater (viruses) Lead and Copper revisions (improve education) Lead and Copper revisions (improve education)

Setting Future EPA Standards Contaminant Candidate List Contaminant Candidate List Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring National Contaminant Occurrence Database National Contaminant Occurrence Database Consider five contaminants every five years, regulate or not Consider five contaminants every five years, regulate or not

Contaminant Candidate List contaminants evaluated 7500 contaminants evaluated 104 candidate contaminants listed: 104 candidate contaminants listed: –11 microbials – waterborne pathogens –93 chemicals Commercial chemicals Commercial chemicals Biological toxins Biological toxins Pesticides Pesticides Disinfection by-products Disinfection by-products

How Safe Is Oregon’s Drinking Water? Safer than it was! Not as safe as it should be

Oregon Waterborne Disease Outbreaks (bacteria, viruses, parasites )

What’s Accomplished in Oregon? Getting surface water sources filtered and disinfected Getting surface water sources filtered and disinfected Reducing Lead and copper at the tap Reducing Lead and copper at the tap Identifying and reducing inorganics Identifying and reducing inorganics Identifying and reducing organics Identifying and reducing organics

Unfiltered Water Systems ( )

Lead at the Tap ( )

Top 3 Inorganics Contaminant (MCL, mg/l) No. of detections No. of water systems Low-High Concentration mg/l Nitrate (10) Arsenic (0.010) Fluoride (4)

Top 3 Volatile Organics (75 water systems with detections) Contaminant (MCL, mg/l) No. of detections No. of water systems Low-High Concentration mg/l Tetrachloroethylene (0.005) 9921> Xylenes (10) 4022> Toluene (1) 2625>

Top 3 Synthetic Organics (53 water systems with detections) Contaminant (MCL, mg/l) No. of detections No. of water systems Low-High Concentration mg/l Phthlalate (0.006) 3933> Ethylene Dibromide ( ) 82> Pentachlorophenol (0.001) 77>

Oregon Drinking Water Benchmark (#69) Establish goals for safe drinking water and track/report progress annually to Oregon Progress Board, legislature, public Establish goals for safe drinking water and track/report progress annually to Oregon Progress Board, legislature, public Two-part benchmark: Two-part benchmark: –Population –Water systems Ties directly to EPA national measures and goals, and allows state-by-state comparisons Ties directly to EPA national measures and goals, and allows state-by-state comparisons

Benchmark - Population

Benchmark – Water Systems

What Threats Remain? Chronic diseases Chronic diseases –from long-term exposure to chemicals –increased potential as population grows? Smaller systems Smaller systems –don’t reliably meet all health standards all the time –increased potential as population grows? Very small systems Very small systems –no assistance from state or local programs for years –increased potential as population grows?

What Threats Remain? Current standards Current standards –Not yet fully implemented Future standards Future standards –Need to implement Emerging contaminants Emerging contaminants –Occurrence? –Significance?

Adding State/County Public Health Capacity (2007) Approved current fees raised in 2006 Approved current fees raised in 2006 Increased general funding, Increased general funding, Authorized sanitary survey inspection fee, and Authorized sanitary survey inspection fee, and Established statutory Drinking Water Advisory Committee Established statutory Drinking Water Advisory Committee

The Fully Capable Program Adopts and implements all EPA rules Adopts and implements all EPA rules Conducts effective and timely oversight of all public water systems: Conducts effective and timely oversight of all public water systems: –Large and small –EPA and non-EPA Addresses and prevents significant noncompliance Addresses and prevents significant noncompliance Performs timely sanitary surveys and assures deficiencies are corrected Performs timely sanitary surveys and assures deficiencies are corrected Assures timely, accurate, and complete water system data Assures timely, accurate, and complete water system data

Capacity Building Completed – Setting Up legislatively approved budget legislatively approved budget Amended county/ag intergovernmental agreements for drinking water Amended county/ag intergovernmental agreements for drinking water Adopted sanitary survey inspection fee Adopted sanitary survey inspection fee Revised Oregon Drinking Water Benchmark Revised Oregon Drinking Water Benchmark Received 2-year Primacy extension from EPA for new rules Received 2-year Primacy extension from EPA for new rules

Capacity Building Underway - Workforce Organization revision Organization revision Unit manager developmental assignments Unit manager developmental assignments Lead worker assignments Lead worker assignments Recruitment – 11 new FTE Recruitment – 11 new FTE Initial state/county staff training (April and beyond) Initial state/county staff training (April and beyond)

Capacity Building Remaining - By July 09 Adopt EPA rules and apply for Primacy: Adopt EPA rules and apply for Primacy: –Long-term 2 surface water treatment rule –Stage 2 disinfection by-products rule –Ground water rule HB 3469 (2007) – Treatment technique variance rule HB 3469 (2007) – Treatment technique variance rule

Remaining Drinking Water Concerns and Issues (2009) Private wells (arsenic) Private wells (arsenic) Monitoring Oregon’s surface and ground waters for potential contaminants identified in drinking water source assessments (pilot with DEQ) Monitoring Oregon’s surface and ground waters for potential contaminants identified in drinking water source assessments (pilot with DEQ) –Pesticides –Pharmaceuticals Flooding and landslides (2007 winter storm) Flooding and landslides (2007 winter storm) Growth and development outside urban areas Growth and development outside urban areas

Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water! AP survey of 62 large water providers and independent researchers AP survey of 62 large water providers and independent researchers –Pharmaceuticals in 24 systems, serving ~41 million people –Antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones –Detections at very low levels (ppb-ppt) Most detections occur, or are at higher levels, downstream from wastewater treatment plants Most detections occur, or are at higher levels, downstream from wastewater treatment plants

Portland Drinking Water Sources

Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) Thousands of diverse chemical compounds: used by people, pets, and livestock Thousands of diverse chemical compounds: used by people, pets, and livestock Virtually constant loading into the environment Virtually constant loading into the environment Prescription drug use has increased by ~12% since 2003 Prescription drug use has increased by ~12% since 2003

Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) Includes prescription and over-the-counter substances Includes prescription and over-the-counter substances –Antibiotics, steroids, synthetic hormones –Therapeutic drugs, herbal remedies –Cosmetics, fragrances, shampoos, sun screen additives –Veterinary drugs –Feed additives

Source of PPCPs Agriculture: Animal waste, feed supplements Agriculture: Animal waste, feed supplements Veterinary drug use, especially antibiotics and steroids Veterinary drug use, especially antibiotics and steroids Wastewater Treatment Facilities Wastewater Treatment Facilities Land application of sludge Land application of sludge

PPCPs Not Fully Metabolized by the Body Discarding unused drugs and personal care products down the toilet is a common but poor disposal method. This drawing shows the pathway between homes and septic or municipal sewage facilities.

Disposal of Drugs - Federal Guidelines Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers and throw them in the trash. Mixing prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter, and putting them in impermeable, non-descript containers, such as empty cans or sealable bags, will further ensure the drugs are not diverted. Drug take-back programs!!!!

USGS Reconnaissance Study : 139 Streams

PPCPs in Reconnaissance Study Surface Water (139) Groundwater (47) Drinking Water Drinking Water (74) (74) Non-Drugs81%15%64% Antibiotics48%26%26% Pharmaceuticals32%6%23% Metabolites69%43%19% DEET74%35%19% Caffeine71%11%54%

Treatment Effectiveness Major source is from wastewater treatment plant effluent discharged to surface water Major source is from wastewater treatment plant effluent discharged to surface water Surface water treatment, study evaluated Surface water treatment, study evaluated –Conventional/Direct filtration –Slow sand –Variety of coagulants/conditioners Limited ability to remove these chemicals Limited ability to remove these chemicals

Ranking of Treatment Methods Removal of PPCPs 1. Reverse Osmosis (RO) 2. Nanofiltration 3. Advanced Oxidation (AOP) 4. Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) 5. Ozone 6. Chlorine 7. Micro/Ultrafiltration 8. UV

Pesticides and PPCPs in Drinking Water Concentrations of many of these chemicals are very low, in the ng to ug range Concentrations of many of these chemicals are very low, in the ng to ug range Generally more than one contaminant in any given water source Generally more than one contaminant in any given water source Human health impacts at these low concentrations unknown but probably low Human health impacts at these low concentrations unknown but probably low Studies lacking however, and possible health impacts of additive or synergistic effects uncertain Studies lacking however, and possible health impacts of additive or synergistic effects uncertain

Pesticides and PPCPs in Drinking Water Regulation of these chemicals via the SDWA in the near future? Regulation of these chemicals via the SDWA in the near future? Impact on aquatic organisms higher because of constant exposure Impact on aquatic organisms higher because of constant exposure Conventional treatment is not an effective barrier for these compounds Conventional treatment is not an effective barrier for these compounds

For More Information! oregon.gov/dhs/ph/dwp