1. 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?

2. 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?

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Inside a Wellhouse

7. Water Reservoir

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Wellhead Protection Zones

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

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

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

21. 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) million B) 3.45 billion
C) More than I can fit in my swimming pool