Cleveland Water

2 0 2 0 W A T E R Q U A L I T Y R E P O R T

Cleveland Water has a current, unconditional license to operate our public water system, the 10th largest in the United States.

OUR SERVICE AREA

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Cleveland

Master Meter

Cleveland Water is the 10th largest public water system in the United States, largest system in Ohio and largest system sourcing Lake Erie. Every day, we treat and deliver up to 300 million gallons of water to more than 1.45 million people and thousands of businesses, schools, churches and recreation centers through more than 442,000 customer accounts. We provide water to our 640-square mile service area through nearly 5,400 miles of mains in 80 communities in Cuyahoga County and parts of four surrounding counties – Geauga, Medina, Portage and Summit. In 2020, our average demand was 201 million gallons per day, which is 73.6 billion gallons of water for the year.

2020 – A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER

Cleveland Water’s commitment to providing economical, high quality drinking water is reflected in this 2020 Water Quality Report, which we’ve prepared to provide information to our consumers. Cleveland Water is in compliance with all Maximum Contaminant Levels and Treatment Techniques for drinking water. Cleveland Water had a 2020 unconditioned license to operate our water system. The license is issued by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. Included within this report is general health information, water quality test results, how to participate in decisions concerning your drinking water and water system contacts.

LAKE ERIE – OUR SOURCE WATER

Cleveland draws source water from four intakes located far offshore in Lake Erie’s Central Basin. These intakes are spread out over 15 miles and are each 3 to 5 miles offshore where the water is cleaner and has been minimally impacted from tributary runoff and coastal activities. Lake Erie is considered to be a surface water source. Cleveland Water also has interconnections with other area water systems, but these are for emergency use only. These interconnections are designed for Cleveland Water to assist other water systems if needed. We received no emergency water in 2020.

Lake Erie

Water enters Lake Erie from precipitation over the lake and watershed. Precipitation on land runs off and flows down streams and rivers into our source water. About 90% of the water entering Lake Erie flows down the Detroit River from Lake St. Clair; another 4% drains from the Maumee River. Both rivers flow into the lake’s shallow Western Basin. The remaining runoff drains through dozens of rivers and streams into the lake or off the land along the shore directly into the water. The actions of people on land in Lake Erie’s 30,149 square mile watershed can impact the quality of water in Lake Erie. Protecting our drinking water source from contamination is the responsibility of all area residents.

The state of Ohio performed an assessment of our four source water intakes in the late 1990s. A Drinking Water Source Assessment Report was completed in 2003. For the purposes of source water assessments, all surface waters are considered to be susceptible to contamination. By their nature, surface waters are accessible and can be easily contaminated by chemicals and pathogens from an upstream spill. Because Cleveland Water’s intakes are located a considerable distance offshore, potential contamination from the Cuyahoga River and nearshore sources is minimized to a great degree. As a result, Ohio EPA considers Cleveland Water’s source water (Lake Erie) to have a low susceptibility to contamination due to the location of our intakes.

The Cleveland Water public water system treats the water to meet drinking water quality standards, but no single treatment technique can address all potential contaminants. To address this, Cleveland Water uses the multiple barrier approach for protecting and treating our source water. Protection of source water is one of the barriers we use. The potential for water quality impacts can be further decreased by implementing measures to protect Lake Erie. More detailed information is provide in the Cleveland Water Drinking Water Source Assessment Report which can be obtained by calling our Risk Management Section at 216-664-2444 x75838.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS IN THE UNITED STATES

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

1. Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife;
2. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally- occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming;
3. Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses;
4. Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems;
5. Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, USEPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infection. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

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HOW CLEVELAND WATER COMPARES NATIONALLY

Across the United States, approximately 150,000 public water systems provide water to 90% of Americans by following U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regula- tions that require testing and elimination of more than 90 potential water con- taminants. EPA sets limits for contaminants based on levels that protect human health and that water systems can achieve using the best available technology. EPA rules establish water-testing schedules and methods that water systems must follow. EPA updates rules and regulations regularly, as new technology becomes available.

Cleveland Water holds ourselves to a higher standard than what is set by the EPA. Each of our water treatment plants has achieved advanced levels of treatment

in the national Partnership for Safe Water. The partnership is a voluntary effort between six prestigious drinking water organizations and more than 300 water utilities. The partnership’s goal is to optimize treatment plant performance and distribution system operations beyond what regulations require. The result is the production and delivery of superior quality water to all users. Each of our plants go through annual re-certification based on performance. The Phase 3 Directors Award and Phase 4 Presidents Award are the highest levels that can be achieved.

Crown

• Phase 3 certification 2004 to present.

• Phase 4 certification 2014 to present.

• Plant online since 1958

• Averaging 41.4 million gallons of water made daily

Garrett Morgan

• Phase 3 certification 2004 to present.
• Plant online since 1918
• Averaging 41 million gallons of water made daily

Baldwin

• Phase 3 certification 2006 to present.
• Plant online since 1925
• Averaging 60.6 million gallons of water made daily

Nottingham

• Phase 3 certification 1997 to present.
• Plant online since 1951
• Averaging 58.4 million gallons of water made daily

ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

The EPA requires regular sampling to ensure drinking water safety. Cleveland Water conducted sampling for bacteria, and for inorganic, synthetic organic, and volatile organic contaminants during 2020. We were not required to monitor for radiological parameters in 2020.

To confirm the water is safe, we continuously monitor more than 20,000 parameters in the water treatment process to ensure each of our four plants is functioning properly. We also collect more than 350 samples each month from our distribution system and perform over 160,000 tests each year to ensure proper treatment and disinfection in order to keep our customers safe. Samples are analyzed for contaminants, most of which were not detected in the Cleveland Water supply. The Ohio EPA requires us to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of our data, though accurate, are more than one year old. Listed in the table (pages 10-11) is information on those contaminants that were found.

ONLY TAP WATER DELIVERS BENEFITS

Public Health Protection – A safe water supply is critical to protecting public health. In the United States, water utilities monitor for more than 100 contaminants–including UCMRs– and must meet close to 90 regulations for water supply and quality.

Fire Protection – A well-maintained water system is critical in protecting communities from the threat of fire. The same system of water mains, pumps and storage tanks transports water to homes and to fire hydrants.

Vital Economic Resource – Thousands of businesses use Cleveland Water as a core element in their products or manufacturing processes. Having a safe, reliable and virtually unlimited water supply gives business leaders confidence in locating, staying and investing in our community.

DEFINITIONS OF SOME TERMS CONTAINED WITHIN THIS REPORT

Infrastructure maintenance helps ensure the safe water that we make at the treatment plants comes out of your tap. In 2020, various water towers in our distribution system were drained, inspected and recoated including the towers at Blossom Hill in Brecksville, which were painted green to blend in with the tree line.

TABLE OF DETECTED CONTAMINANTS

How to read the Water Quality Data Table: EPA establishes the safe drinking water regulations that limit the amount of contaminants allowed in drinking water. The table shows the concentrations of detected substances in comparison to regulatory limits. Substances that were tested for, but not detected, are not included in this table. Listed below is information on those contaminants that were found in Cleveland Water’s drinking water at each of our four treatment plants. The results in the table were either collected during 2020 or were used for compliance in 2020. Typical sources are shown for each contaminant. TTHMs, HAA5s, and TOC also include 9 months of 2019 data as required for the compliance calculations.

*Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water and is an indication of the effectiveness of our filtration system. The turbidity limit set by the EPA is 0.3 NTU in 95% of the samples analyzed each month, and shall not exceed 1 NTU at any time for each of our water treatment plants.

#The value reported under “Level Found” for Total Organic Carbon (TOC) is the lowest running annual average ratio between the percent of TOC actually removed to the percent of TOC required to be removed. A value of greater than one indicates that the water system is in compliance with TOC removal requirements. A value of less than one indicates a violation of the TOC removal requirements. The value reported under the “Range” for TOC is the lowest monthly ratio to the highest monthly ratio.

** Cleveland Water has a combined distribution system. Data listed represents this and therefor is identical for each treatment plant.

KEEP YOUR HOME’S WATER HEALTHY

Clean, Flush and Consume Cold are the actions all customers should implement to help ensure the highest quality of water is coming out of your tap, especially if there is the possibility of lead in your plumbing system. In some situations, a water system repair/replacement may temporarily increase lead levels in water and/or cause discoloration. As a standard practice the USEPA recommends these actions (clean, flush, consume cold) which are important to take when water has been restored after a disruption of service.

CLEAN

Clean your faucet aerator screens regularly. Small particles of solder and other material can accumulate in faucet aerators and in some circumstances can release lead into the water. Aerators should be cleaned at least twice a year, and more frequently after work is done to your plumbing system.

FLUSH

Flush your cold water lines before consuming water when water has not been used for 6 or more hours. The goal is to have cold, fresh water from the main in the street come out of your tap before drinking the water. To flush the plumbing, run water until you feel a temperature change then run water for an additional 30 seconds to 3 minutes. The time depends on the length and diameter of your service line. The farther your home is from the street, the longer you need to flush. When in doubt, flush it out.

CONSUME COLD

Always use cold water for cooking, drinking and preparing baby formula. Hot water corrodes pipes faster and is more likely to contain lead. If you need hot water for food or drinks, get water from the cold water tap then heat the water.

HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE LEAD IN YOUR WATER SYSTEM

Cleveland Water is virtually lead free when it leaves our treatment plants. Our water mains are not made from lead. Lead can be present in service lines and in customers’ plumbing, faucets and fixtures. Not all customers have lead in their service line or plumbing system.

CHECK

Check the type of material of your city-owned service line online at clevelandwater.com/lead.

TEST

Test your service line material. Our video shows you how (http://youtube.com/watch?v=AiU7GHzD_Ck). If a magnet sticks to the service line where it enters your home, it is galvanized steel. If you scratch the pipe with a penny and the metal is shiny like a penny, it is copper. If the scratched metal is shiny silver and flakes off, it is lead. You can record your results online or call us at 216-664-2882 and we will record the results for you (see pictures on page 16).

DATE

The date plumbing components in your home were made/installed is important. Homes built after 1954 should not have a lead service line or lead plumbing. Before 1986, the level of lead in solder used to join copper pipes was usually 50%. In 1986, the allowable level of lead in solder was reduced to less than 0.2%

and the allowable level in brass components in potable water faucets was reduced to less than 8%. In 2014, the allowable level of lead

in brass alloy used for potable water faucets, fittings and meters was reduced to less than 0.25%.

ADDITIONAL ACTIONS TO ADDRESS LEAD IN SERVICE LINES AND PLUMBING

Cleveland Water is safe and we take additional steps to remove lead and educate customers on their responsibility for maintaining healthy water in their homes. We:

• Remove lead service lines when they are disturbed during water main repair and replacement projects.
• Replace the city-owned portion of a lead service line when a customer-owned service line is replaced. Call 216-664-6745 to obtain service line replacement permits.
• Seek homeowners who have a lead service line to volunteer their home for our Lead and Copper Compliance Monitoring Program. To find out if your home meets Tier 1 requirements and you are interested in sampling, please call 216-664-2639.
• Implement a Lead Awareness Campaign to meet a portion of the notification requirements in Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3745-83-02. Our education materials include brochures, flyers, videos, social media posts and graphics. They can be found online at clevelandwater.com/lead or obtained by calling our Lead Inquiry Line at 216-664-2882 to request printed copies and/or a group presentation.
• Provide 3-months of water filters certified to remove lead if a partial lead service line is left behind.
• Offer free water quality sampling for lead anytime a lead service line is removed.
• Launched a Childcare Lead Service Line Removal program in 2020 for all licensed childcare providers in Cuyahoga County in our director service area. The program, which will remove all service line lead material and replace it with copper, will be implemented in 2021 and 2022 at no cost to these providers. If you are the owner/operator of a licensed childcare and would like to participate in this program, please call our Water Quality Line at 216-664-2639.

If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. A list of laboratories certified in the state of Ohio to test for lead may be found at http://www.epa.ohio.gov/ddagw or by calling 614-644-2752. Information on lead

in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

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. Cleveland Water is 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 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Cleveland Water does not hold regular public meetings. However, the public may participate through attending the Public Utilities Committee meetings. Meetings are generally held every other Tuesday at 1:30 pm at Cleveland City Hall. During the Covid-19 pandemic, council is meeting virtually during the City of Cleveland’s emergency declaration and in accordance with Ohio’s Open Meetings Law under H.B. 404. Committee and council meetings are listed on the Cleveland City Council calendar at https://clevelandcitycouncil.org/calendar and can be watched live on TV20 and YouTube.

For more information on your drinking water

• To learn more about Cleveland Water visit clevelandwater.com
• Questions about information contained in this report should be directed to our Water Quality Line: 216-664-2639.
• Questions about lead in drinking water and our prevention and lead mapping efforts should be directed to our Lead Inquiry Line: 216-664-2882.
• Virtual speakers will continue to be available for your event or group with in-person appearances resuming when it is considered safe to do so. For more information contact our Public Education and Outreach Team: 216-664-3173.

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION

In 2020, Cleveland Water surpassed all federal and state standards for water quality, the data for which is presented in this report.

Please share this information with all other people who drink Cleveland Water, especially those who may not have received this Water Quality Report directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses). You can do this by posting the report in a public place or distributing copies by hand or in the mail. This report is also available online: clevelandwater.com/2020WQR

Cleveland Water

1201 Lakeside Avenue • Cleveland, Ohio 44114

216.664.2444 | clevelandwater.com

clevelandwater @clevelandwater