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Is Detroit Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:47 pm, July 28, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Detroit?

Yes, Detroit's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Detroit has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page, the city's water provider website, or Detroit's local Twitter account.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Detroit's water utility, City of Detroit, had 1 non-health-based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. This assessment is based on the City of Detroit water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.

While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.

The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.

Water Quality Report for Detroit Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Detroit tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.

Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.

EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.

There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.

We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Detroit's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Detroit Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named City of Detroit for Detroit in Michigan. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

For the compliance period beginning July 1, 2020, Detroit had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Other Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Consumer Confidence Report Complete Failure to Report which falls into the Other rule code group, and the Consumer Confidence Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Is there Lead in Detroit Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Detroit water system, City of Detroit, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.01233 mg/L of lead in Detroit water. This is 82.2% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Detroit contained more lead.

While Detroit water testing may have found 0.01233 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.

No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.

Are there PFAS in Detroit Tap Water?

Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Detroit Arsenal - near Detroit with suspected leaks.

With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Detroit has been evaluated for yet.

Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.

Detroit SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years

Compliance Period Status Health-Based? Category Code Code Rule Code Contaminant Code Rule Group Code Rule Family Code
07/01/2020 - Resolved No Other Violation (Other) Consumer Confidence Report Complete Failure to Report (71) Consumer Confidence Rule (420) Consumer Confidence Rule (7000) Other (400) Consumer Confidence Rule (420)

What do these Violations Mean?

Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.

Health Based Violations

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
  2. Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
  3. Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.

SDWA Table Key

Field Description
Compliance Period Dates of the compliance period.
Status Current status of the violation.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
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Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
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Code A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table.
Contaminant Code A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation.
Rule Code Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
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Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
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Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Detroit Water - Frequently Asked Questions

DID YOU KNOW?
The water main that brings treated drinking water to your neighborhood is either under the street or located under the right-of-way (berm) between the sidewalk and the street. Homes and businesses are connected to the water main by a service line. DWSD is responsible for the portion from the water main to the stop box (turn-on/off valve) in the front of the house or business. Property owners are responsible for the service line from the stop box to the water meter. DWSD is in the process of replacing lead service lines while on the street replacing the water main. Go to www.detroitmi.gov/dwsd and click on “Lead Service Line Verification” to verify if you have a lead service line. This report is available on the City of Detroit website at detroitmi.gov/2020waterqualityreport
DID YOU KNOW THE WATER SERVICE LINE CONNECTS YOUR HOUSE TO THE WATER MAIN?
The water main that brings treated drinking water to your neighborhood is either under the street or located under the right-of-way (berm) between the sidewalk and the street. Homes and businesses are connected to the water main by a service line. DWSD is responsible for the portion from the water main to the stop box (turn-on/off valve) in the front of the house or business. Property owners are responsible for the service line from the stop box to the water meter. DWSD is in the process of replacing lead service lines while on the street replacing the water main. Go to www.detroitmi.gov/dwsd and click on “Lead Service Line Verification” to verify if you have a lead service line. This report is available on the City of Detroit website at detroitmi.gov/2020waterqualityreport
HOW DO I CONTACT DETROIT CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Detroit water provider, City of Detroit, please use the information below.
By Mail: 735 Randolph, Suite 503
DETROIT, MI, 48226
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR CITY OF DETROIT
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their City of Detroit account to pay their Detroit water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your City of Detroit bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Detroit water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Detroit water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.

HOW TO START & STOP DETROIT WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Detroit means you will often need to put the water in your name with City of Detroit. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Detroit means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with City of Detroit. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.

Stop Service Form

Is Detroit Tap Water Safe to Drink? Tap water & safety quality

The estimated price of bottled water

$1.82 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Detroit tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 27% Low
  • Water Pollution 45% Moderate
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 73% High
  • Water Quality 55% Moderate

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Detroit, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Detroit Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Detroit's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

2020

RESULTS

Detroit Water

Quality Report

Table Of Contents

 

Letter From The Director "

3

How We Provide Services "

4

Health Concerns

5

Customer Affordability Programs

6

Lead & Copper Rule

8

Lead Service Line Replacement Program

10

Stormwater Management

12

Upgrading Detroit’s Water & Sewer Systems

13

Key to the Detected Contaminants

15

Regulated Contaminants

16

Unregulated Contaminants

18

Tap Water Mineral Analysis

19

Did you know?

20

NOTICE: The 2020 Water Quality Report contains important information about your drinking water. Please have someone translate this document for you if you are unable to read the report.

AVISO: Este Informe de calidad del agua de 2020 contiene información importante sobre su agua potable. Haga que alguien le traduzca este documento si no puede leer el informe.

CITY OF DETROIT

Mike Duggan, Mayor

DETROIT CITY COUNCIL

Brenda Jones, President (citywide)

Mary Sheffield, President Pro-Tem (District 5)

Janeé Ayers (citywide)

James Tate (District 1)

Roy McCalister, Jr. (District 2)

Scott Benson (District 3)

André Spivey (District 4)

Raquel Castañeda-López (District 6)

Gabe Leland (District 7)

BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS

Michael Einheuser, Chair

Mary E. Blackmon, Vice Chair

Lane Coleman

John Henry Davis, Jr.

Linda D. Forte

Jane C. Garcia

Jonathan C. Kinloch

DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT

Gary A Brown, Director

Palencia Mobley, P.E., Deputy Director and Chief Engineer

The Detroit Water & Sewerage Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in any of our services, programs or activities.

HOW TO REPORT AN EMERGENCY

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

To report emergencies, such as water main breaks, flooded streets, missing manhole covers, leaking or broken fire hydrants and water in basement, call DWSD at 313-267-8000. Mobile users may download the Improve Detroit app (SeeClickFix) for Apple and Android devices to take a photo and report an issue, or report it online at detroitmi.gov/DWSD.

The Board of Water Commissioners meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. for committees and the third Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m. for the regular meeting at the Water Board Building, located at 735 Randolph Street, unless otherwise noticed. All meetings are open to the public, which at the time of printing this report continue to be virtual due to the COVID-19 Pandemic health orders and guidelines. For more information, please contact the DWSD board secretary at 313-224-4704 or visit detroitmi.gov/DWSD for meeting dates, times, locations and agendas.

2 DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT / 2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT

Gary A Brown, Director

Detroit Water and Sewerage Department

Dear Valued Customers,

Detroit has some of the cleanest, best drinking water in the nation. As we continue to replace lead service lines for our customers, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) is making improvements and adding value to customers’ homes, as well as addressing the aging infrastructure throughout our city.

In this Water Quality Report, you will see the required lead in drinking water testing results were

9 parts per billion (ppb) measured in the 51 homes at the 90th percentile, well below the action level of 15 ppb set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). The action level will decrease to 12 ppb in 2025 under Michigan’s revised Lead and Copper Rule. Per the 2018 revised rule, all water utilities are to test a sampling of homes and share the results annually.

If you have a lead service line and/or lead-based plumbing components, there are everyday steps you can take to help reduce the lead in your home. Read the tips on page 11.

The DWSD Lead Service Line Replacement Program, launched in 2018 as part of our Asset Management Program, has 100 percent compliance in homeowners/occupants, allowing our crews to replace the private portion when we are already on the street replacing the water main. Read about this program on page 10.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, nearly 1,300 households had water restored after previously being interrupted for nonpayment and we have utilized nearly $20 million of federal funding through the CARES Act to provide low-income Detroit households with water bill assistance – to help pay down their balances – and fix minor and major private plumbing issues. And, we are committed to not interrupt water service at residential households through 2022 while we work with our local, state and federal partners on a long-term affordability solution.

Together, let’s be the difference.

A MESSAGE TO OUR CUSTOMERS

Drinking water quality is important to our community and the region. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) and the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) are committed to meeting state and federal water quality standards including the Lead and Copper Rule. This 2020 Water Quality Report highlights the performance of GLWA and DWSD water professionals in delivering some of the nation’s best drinking water.

Together, we are committed to protecting public

health and maintaining open communication with the community about our drinking water. To stay informed, we encourage you to register for water alerts via email at detroitmi.gov/DWSD. Our water quality standards are mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

Correction to the 2019 Detroit Water Quality Report: Required language was omitted from the 2019 Detroit Water Quality

Report on page 11, which is as follows. “Infants and children who drink water containing lead could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.”

2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT / DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT 3

How We Provide Water Services to You

The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) treats drinking water and transports it to the City of Detroit’s distribution system through transmission lines. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) delivers the treated water to the community through more than 2,700 miles of water mains within the city to the service line of your home or business.

The system uses source water drawn from three intakes. Two source water intakes are located in the

Detroit River: one to the north, near the inlet of Lake St. Clair, and one to the south, near Lake Erie. The third intake is located in Lake Huron.

Four of the plants treat source water drawn from the Detroit River intakes. The fifth water treatment plant, located in St. Clair County, uses source water drawn from Lake Huron. Detroit customers are provided service from four plants that treat source water drawn from the Detroit River.

4 DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT / 2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT

Health Concerns

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno- compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, and people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders. Some elderly and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. 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 at 1-800-426-4791.

GLWA voluntarily monitored our source water for the presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia. In 2020, the presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia were detected in the source (untreated) water at the Belle Isle Detroit River Intake serving Water Works Park, Springwells and the Northeast water treatment plants. Cryptosporidium was detected once in March and Giardia once in April. All other samples monitored in 2020 were absent the presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Current test methods do not enable us to determine if these organisms are dead or if they can cause disease. Symptoms of infection include nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Most healthy individuals can overcome the disease within a few weeks. However, immuno-compromised people have more difficulty and are at greater risk of developing severe, life-threatening illness. Immuno-compromised individuals are encouraged to consult their doctor regarding appropriate precautions to take to prevent infection. Cryptosporidium must be ingested for it to cause disease and may be passed through means other than drinking water. Surface water treatment systems must provide treatment so that 99.9% Giardia is removed or inactivated.

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. DWSD 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. If you have a service line that is lead, galvanized previously connected to lead, or unknown but likely to be lead, it is recommended that you run your water for at least 5 minutes to flush water from both your home plumbing and the lead service line. 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 at 1-800-426-4791 or at http://water.epa.gov/drink/info/lead.

2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT / DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT 5

Customer Affordability Programs

Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP)

The Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP) is a two-year program that provides funding to eligible, low-income homeowners and renters to assist with water bills, water conservation, and self-sufficiency initiatives through the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency. WRAP offers many benefits including up to $1,000 annually in bill assistance and minor plumbing repairs averaging $1,500 for eligible households. You must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level ($52,400 maximum annual income for a family of four). Since WRAP was launched in 2016, more than 20,000 households have been assisted in Detroit.

10/30/50 Plan

The 10/30/50 Plan is developed for Detroit water customers who experience difficulty in paying their past-due bills. There are no income restrictions to qualify. Customers must make a down payment of either 10%, 30% or 50% of the past due balance, dependent on the account status. The balance of the past due amount is equally spread over 6-24 months, which the customer pays in addition to the normal monthly bill. All payments must be made in full and on time to stay enrolled.

CARES Act Funding

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), provided more than $14 million in direct bill assistance to more than 40,000 qualifying DWSD residential accounts in October 2020. The relief went toward accounts that accrued past due balances during the pandemic.

DWSD assisted in Wayne Metro Community Action Agency’s Emergency Plumbing Repair Program, which resulted in more than $6 million toward lead service line replacement, sewer service replacement and other major plumbing repairs for 600 Detroit households.

To find additional affordability programs through

DWSD’s community partners, visit www.detroitmi.gov/water.

6 DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT / 2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT

DWSD offers safe, convenient ways to pay

We’re working hard to deliver clean water to nearly 700,000 residents just like you. It’s what we do in the community, every day! Here are easy ways to access your account and pay your water bill, including using convenient, self-service options.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, all three DWSD Customer Care Centers remain closed to protect the safety of our employees and customers. All transactions are now contactless. Customers with water or sewer bill inquires can email Customer Care at mydwsd@detroitmi.gov or call 313-267-8000.

Access your account and pay online at www. detroitmi.gov/PayMyWaterBill and set up auto-pay, enroll in a payment arrangement, if needed, and track your real-time usage.

Visit one of the more than 60 no-fee kiosks in and around Detroit and use cash, check or debit/credit card to pay your bill. Find your nearby kiosk at www.detroitmi.gov/DWSDkiosk.

Call our automated pay-by-phone system at 313-267-8000 and ask for current balance and due date.

Send your payment by mail with check or money order payable to the “Board of Water Commissioners.”

Mail to:

Board of Water Commissioners

Detroit Water and Sewerage Department

PO Box 554899

Detroit, MI 48255-4899

WORKING HARD FOR YOU

Your water and sewer bill payments make it possible for us to keep the work going. Your continued payments make all the difference. Thanks to you, we can keep making critical improvements to upgrade our 100-year-old systems for all of us.

All across Detroit, DWSD employees — most of whom are Detroit residents — are working hard for you and your neighbors, even during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT / DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT 7

In 2018, DWSD began replacing lead service lines with copper, with owner/occupant permission, while on the same street replacing the water main.

Michigan’s Revised Lead & Copper Rule

and Detroit’s Test Results

Under Michigan’s revised Lead and Copper Rule, DWSD lead and drinking water testing results have been 10 parts per billion (ppb) in 2019 and 9 ppb in 2020, which are both under the state action level for lead remediation.

Detroit has an estimated 77,197 lead service lines based on a total of 311,000 water service lines. There are 28,922 service lines with unknown pipe material. Since 2018, DWSD has replaced 1,155 lead service lines while on the same street replacing the water main.

All communities with lead service lines must sample tap water in homes with lead service lines as required by EGLE and the EPA. In the summer of 2020, DWSD collected water samples from 51 homes with lead service lines. The 90th percentile of samples was 9 ppb, which is under the action level of 15 ppb. DWSD’s last report of 10 ppb in 2019 was with the same sampling methodology that was required by EGLE beginning in 2019. A water supply exceeds the action level if more than 10 percent of all samples is over the action level.

“We want to reassure Detroiters, especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the water supplied by DWSD is safe for drinking,” said Gary Brown, DWSD director. “The water leaving Detroit’s water treatment plants, operated by the Great Lakes Water Authority, does not contain

lead. The primary sources of lead in water are lead service lines, lead solder, and/or fixtures containing lead in the home. Even before the State of Michigan enacted the most stringent Lead and Copper Rule in the nation, DWSD began replacing lead service lines at DWSD’s cost with owner/occupant permission during water main replacement projects and providing pitcher filters to those residents and businesses as a precautionary measure. We have replaced more than 1,000 lead service lines since 2018, have 100% resident response rate for replacement when on the street replacing the water main, and our program was recently cited as a model for other communities in the Journal of the American Water Works Association.”

The Chief Public Health Officer for the City of Detroit Denise Fair said, “I am pleased with the results of the lead and copper testing, which have followed stricter guidelines from the state. We know that the presence of lead in decaying paint and dust is the number one source of lead poisoning in children living in homes that were built before 1978. Therefore, we recommend that if you have any concerns regarding lead exposure inside your home – to request a lead test from your child’s primary health care provider or contact the Detroit Health Department.”

8 DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT / 2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT

The new Michigan Lead and Copper Rule

Testing Method

The revised Michigan Lead and Copper Rule enacted in June 2018 – the most stringent in the nation – changed the way lead samples are collected at Detroit homes and all Michigan communities. In the past, DWSD collected only the first liter of water out of the tap. Under the new rule – used in testing in the past two years – both the first and fifth liter are collected. The first liter represents water from household plumbing and fixtures, and the fifth liter is more likely to represent water from the lead service line. The service line is the pipe which brings water from the water main in the street to inside the home or business. In Detroit, most service lines are either lead, copper or galvanized steel. Lead service lines are under two inches in diameter and are mostly at single family or duplex homes and some small businesses. The new sampling technique more accurately represents the range of lead in the drinking water in Detroit homes.

Lead in Drinking Water

The water leaving Detroit water treatment plants, operated by GLWA, does not contain lead, but lead can be released into drinking water from lead service lines and home plumbing as the water moves from the water mains to your tap. Beginning in 1945, Detroit stopped allowing the installation of lead piping for water service lines. Homes before 1945 are most likely to have a lead pipe that connects the home to the water main, known as a lead service line. The lead in lead service lines, household plumbing and fixtures can dissolve or break off into water and end up in tap water. The water provided to DWSD customers contains a corrosion inhibitor to reduce leaching from lead service lines and other lead components, but lead can still be present in water at the tap.

Health Effects of Lead

Lead can cause serious health and development problems. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women. Older homes can have many sources of lead exposure including paint, dust and soil. If you have questions about other sources of lead exposure, please contact the Detroit Health Department at 313-876-0133.

2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT / DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT 9

Sources of Lead

Drinking water is only one source of lead exposure. Some of the most significant sources, especially for children six years old and under, include lead-based paint and lead contaminated dust and soil. Because lead can be carried on hands, clothing, and shoes, sources of exposure to lead can include the workplace and certain hobbies. Wash your children’s hands and toys often as they can come in contact with dirt and dust containing lead. In addition, lead can be found in certain types of pottery, pewter, food and cosmetics. If you have questions about other sources

of lead exposure, please contact the health department.

Most plumbing products such as service lines, pipes, fixtures, and plumbing materials manufactured before 2014 contain up to 8% lead. The infographic (see graphic) demonstrates where sources of lead in drinking water could be in your home. Older homes may have more lead unless the service line and/or plumbing has been replaced. Lead-based solder and lead-based fittings and fixtures are still available in stores to use for non-drinking water applications. Be careful to select the appropriate products for repairing or replacing drinking water plumbing in your home. Even materials currently marked “lead free” have up to 0.25% lead by weight.

Galvanized plumbing can be a potential source of lead. Galvanized plumbing can absorb lead from upstream sources like a lead service line. Even after the lead service line has been removed, galvanized plumbing can continue to release lead into drinking water over time. Homes that are served by a lead service line should consider replacing galvanized plumbing inside the home.

Lead Service Line Replacement Program

In 2018, prior to the revised Michigan Lead and Copper Rule, DWSD began replacing lead service lines as part of its asset management program when on the same street replacing the water main. Extensive outreach, including neighborhood meetings and information packets, to the owner/occupant is done prior to construction. The City owns the portion of the service line from the water main to the stop box (turn- on/off valve typically in the front yard). The property owner is responsible for the service line from the stop box to inside the house (see page 5). Therefore, DWSD gets owner/occupant permission to replace lead service lines when its crews encounter them after visually verifying service line material at each house by excavating around the stop box during scheduled water main replacement. With owner/occupant permission, the lead service line is replaced with copper at DWSD’s expense through its Capital Improvement Program.

A white paper on DWSD’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program was in the October 2020 issue of the Journal of the American Water Works Association, titled “Detroit’s Robust Full Lead Service Line Replacement Program,” as a best practice for other water utilities in America.

DWSD Deputy Director and Chief Engineer Palencia Mobley, P.E., said, “The most effective and cost efficient method for replacing lead service lines is when we already have crews on the street replacing a water main. Our program uses mapping technology to track service line material and indicate the date of replacement if

in fact we confirmed the service line is lead through the exploratory digging. Due to DWSD’s extensive community outreach on this program, done in advance of the project, we have a 100% resident response rate when we offer to replace their portion of a lead service line while replacing the water main on their block.”

Source: EPA

Additional information regarding lead, including “Frequently Asked Questions about Lead in Drinking Water,” can be found on the City of Detroit’s website at www.detroitmi.gov/leadsafe, or visit EGLE’s website at www.michigan.gov/MILeadSafe.

10 DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT / 2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Exposure to Lead in Your Water

Run your water to flush out lead. The more

time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. Therefore,

if your water has not been used for several hours, run the water before using it for drinking or cooking. This flushes lead-containing water from the pipes. If you do not have a lead service line, run the water for 30 seconds to two minutes, or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature. If you do have a lead service line, run the water for at least five minutes to flush water from both the interior building plumbing and the lead service line.

Consider using a filterto reduce lead in

drinking water. The Detroit Health Department recommends that any household with a child or pregnant woman use a certified lead filter to reduce lead

from their drinking water. Look for filters that are tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction. Some filter options include a pour-through pitcher or faucet-mount systems. If the label does not specifically mention lead reduction, check the Performance Data Sheet included with the device. Be sure to maintain and replace the filter device in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to protect water quality.

Clean your aerators. The aerator is the screen at the end of your faucet. It catches debris. This debris could include particulate lead. The aerator

should be removed monthly to rinse out any debris.

Identify older plumbing fixtures that likely

contain lead. Older faucets, fittings, and valves sold before 2014 may contain higher levels of

lead, even if marked “lead-free.” Faucets, fittings, and valves sold after January 2014 are required to meet a more restrictive “lead-free” definition but may still contain up to 0.25 percent lead. When purchasing new plumbing materials, it is important to look for materials that are certified to meet NSF standard 61.

Use only cold water for drinking and

cooking. Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead dissolves

more easily into hot water.

Use only filtered wateror bottled water for preparing baby formula.

Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling

water will not reduce lead levels. In the event

DWSD issues a boil water advisory due to low water pressure (such as caused by a large water main break), water users in the designated advisory area will be advised to boil water before using for cooking, drinking and brushing your teeth. Residents with lead service lines should only boil filtered water —

not water directly from the tap.

Get your child tested. Contact the Detroit Health Department at 313-876-0133 or your healthcare provider to find out how you can

get your child tested for lead if you are concerned about exposure.

Verify your lead service line. If you know you have a lead service line let us know by following the online instructions and

submitting the form at www.detroitmi.gov/dwsd. This information helps DWSD plan for future lead service line replacements.

Test your water for lead. To request for your water to be tested, please visit www.

detroitmi.gov/leadsafe and search “lead and copper sample request form.” If you do not have Internet access, please call the Detroit Lead Safe Resource Line at 313-964-9300.

Additional information regarding lead, including “Frequently Asked Questions about Lead in Drinking Water,” can be found on the City of Detroit’s website at www.detroitmi.gov/leadsafe or visit EGLE’s website at www.michigan.gov/MILeadSafe.

Infants and children who drink water containing lead could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.

2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT / DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT 11

Improving Stormwater Management

DWSD is now managing 61 million gallons of stormwater annually through 16 GSI projects.

Community Input Led to Beautiful Medians that Manage Stormwater on Oakman Boulevard

Back in 2017, DWSD began hosting meetings with the Aviation Sub, sharing design options for the Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) in the medians along Oakman Boulevard between Joy Road and Tireman Avenue. Residents in the community provided feedback on trees, plantings, and other features during these meetings. They also considered passive versus active, park like settings. The final design included their input of a passive setting. A final pre-construction meeting was held in 2020 before the COVID-19 Pandemic at Rippling Hope to share the project plans and timeline with the community, and it included the primary construction contractor, Detroit-based and minority-owned Blaze Contracting.

During the official project announcement in 2020, Mayor Mike Duggan praised the DWSD Oakman Boulevard project as an example of, “Detroiters rebuilding Detroit,” with the announcement of Detroit- based Blaze Contracting as the primary contractor for the project.

Oakman Boulevard GSI Overview

The $8.6 million Oakman Boulevard construction project is the city’s largest investment to date in GSI.

The most common method to improve stormwater management is through GSI practices. It replicates natural systems to reduce runoff volume, filter pollutants, and cut down on flooding by slowing the movement of water into the combined sewer system and channeling it into the ground.

During construction, DWSD’s contractor converted

10 medians into bioretention gardens, including the median shown above on Oakman Boulevard south of Mackenzie. Those gardens will manage an estimated

37 million gallons of stormwater annually, and reduce the flow into our combined sewer system.

“Even after the delayed start due to COVID-19 stay- at-home orders, Blaze and its subcontractors were able to complete major construction by the end of 2020. And, they did so with 48 Detroit residents working on the project. This historic Detroit neighborhood will see the beauty these gardens bring while benefiting mostly from reduced street flooding,” said Palencia Mobley, P.E., DWSD Deputy Director & Chief Engineer.

Visit www.detroitstormwater.org to see both the public and private GSI projects in Detroit.

12 DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT / 2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT

DWSD’s Goals

DWSD’s goal is to improve service delivery and quality of life by:

  • Reducing water main breaks;
  • Reducing street flooding and sewer system failures;
  • Reducing future investment in new CSO facilities (wet weather treatment);
  • Increasing acres managed by green stormwater infrastructure;
  • Coordinating with other public and private agencies to maximize dollars invested and minimize disruption from construction activity;
  • Increasing job opportunities for Detroiters; and
  • Upgrading and maintaining facilities, equipment and systems for effective operations.

Upgrading Detroit’s Water and Sewer Systems

DWSD is in its second year of its $500 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to begin to upgrade the city’s aging water infrastructure by replacing water mains, lead service lines and fire hydrants, relining sewer pipes, and installing green stormwater infrastructure. In 2018, DWSD began assessing water and sewer systems by neighborhood using condition assessments, rather than by the number of water main breaks and basement backups to avoid taking a scattered approach.

Since 2019 through the CIP, DWSD has replaced

66 miles of water main, upgraded 50 miles of sewer piping, replace more than 1,155 lead service lines and installed 11 bioretention gardens.

Despite the pause in construction due to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s COVID-19 Stay Home, Stay Safe Order, DWSD CIP projects have stayed on schedule. The Oakman Boulevard Stormwater and Water

System Upgrade Project was mostly completed in November 2020. This $8.6 million project transformed 10 medians into bioretention to manage 37 million gallons of stormwater annually (see Stormwater article on page 12).

The $44.3 million invested into Cornerstone Village and North Rosedale Park, the first two neighborhoods under the new approach, is on track to finish in December 2022.

Since 2019, DWSD has assessed the water and sewer systems in more than 20 neighborhoods, resulting

in water and sewer upgrades in neighborhoods such as the North End. In 2021, DWSD will complete an additional 225 miles of water main condition assessment work across 39 neighborhoods to test hydrant flow, leak detection and more to identify neighborhoods in need of water main upgrades.

These photographs were taken prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.

2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT / DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT 13

SUBSTANCES FOUND IN SOURCE WATER

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 materials and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animal or human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

  • Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife;
  • 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;
  • Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff and residential uses;
  • Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organics, which are by- products of industrial processes and petroleum production, which also can come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems; and
  • Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

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

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain 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 EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

SOURCE WATER PROTECTION

Your source water comes from the Detroit River, situated within the Lake St. Clair, Clinton River, Detroit River, Rouge River, Ecorse River, watersheds in the U.S. and parts of the Thames River, Little River, Turkey Creek and Sydenham watersheds in Canada. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, and the Michigan Public Health Institute performed a source water assessment in

2004 to determine the susceptibility of GLWA’s Detroit River source water for potential contamination. The susceptibility rating is based on a seven-tiered scale and ranges from very low to very high determined primarily using geologic sensitivity, water chemistry, and potential contaminant sources. The report described GLWA’s Detroit river intakes as highly susceptible to potential contamination. However, all four GLWA water treatment plants that service the city of Detroit and draw water from the Detroit River have historically provided satisfactory treatment and meet drinking water standards.

GLWA has initiated source-water protection

activities that include chemical containment, spill response, and a mercury reduction program. GLWA participates in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit discharge program and has an emergency response management plan. In 2016, the Michigan Department of Environmental, Great Lakes and Energy approved the GLWA’s Surface Water Intake Protection plan for the Belle Isle intake and Fighting island intakes. The plan has seven elements that include: roles and duties of government units and water supply agencies, delineation of

a source water protection areas, identification of potential sources of contamination, management approaches for protection, contingency plans, siting of new water sources, public participation, and public education activities. GLWA is in the process of updating the plans which should be completed by September 2021. If you would like to know more information about the Source Water Assessment report please, contact GLWA at 313-926-8102.

14 DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT / 2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT

Key to the Detected Contaminants

>

Greater Than

µmhos

Micromhos

 

Measure of electrical conductance of water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

Not Applicable

NTU

Nephelometric Turbidity Units

 

Measure of cloudiness of water.

 

 

 

ND

Not Detected

pCi/L

Picocuries Per Liter

 

Measure of radioactivity.

 

 

 

ppm

Parts Per Million (one in a million)

ppb

Parts Per Billion (one in a billion)

The ppm is equivalent to milligrams per liter.

The ppb is equivalent to micrograms per liter.

 

A milligram = 1/1000 gram.

 

A microgram = 1/1000 gram.

 

 

 

 

AL

Action Level

°C

Celsius

The concentration of a contaminant, which, if exceeded,

A scale of temperature in which water freezes at 0° and

 

triggers treatment or other requirements which a water

 

boils at 100° under standard conditions.

 

system must follow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAA5

Haloacetic Acids

RAA

Running Annual Average

HAA5 is the total of bromoacetic, chloroacetic, dibromoacetic,

The average of all analytical results for all samples

 

dichloroacetic, and trichloroacetic acids. Compliance is based

 

during the previous four quarters.

 

on the total.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LRAA

Locational Running Annual Average

TT

Treatment Technique

The average of analytical results for samples at a particular

A required process intended to reduce the level

 

monitoring location during the previous four quarters.

 

of a contaminant in drinking water.

 

 

 

 

MCL

Maximum Contaminant Level

MRDL

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level

The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking

The highest level of disinfectant allowed in drinking

 

water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the

 

water. There is convincing evidence that additional

 

best available treatment technology.

 

of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial

 

 

 

contaminants.

 

 

 

 

SMCL

Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level

MRDLG

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal

An MCL which involves a biological, chemical or physical

The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which

 

characteristic of water that may adversely affect the taste,

 

there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLG’s

 

odor, color or appearance (aesthetics), which may therby affect

 

do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to

 

public confidence or acceptance of the drinking water.

 

control microbial contaminants.

 

 

 

 

MCLG

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal

Level 1

Level 1 Assessment

The level of contaminant in drinking water below which

A Level 1 assessment is a study of the water system to

 

there is no known or expected risk to health.

 

identify potential problems and determine (if possible)

 

 

 

why total coliform bacteria have been found in the water

 

 

 

system.

 

 

 

 

TTHM

Total Trihalomethanes

Level 2

Level 2 Assessment

Total Trihalomethanes is the sum of chloroform,

A Level 2 assessment is a very detailed study of the water

 

dibromochloromethane, bromodichloromethane and

 

system to identify potential problems and determine (if

 

bromoform. Compliance is based on the total.

 

necessary) why an E. coli MCL violation occured and/or

 

 

 

why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water

 

 

 

system on multiple occasions.

 

 

 

 

2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT / DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT 15

Regulated Contaminants

Inorganic Chemicals

Monitoring at Plant Finished Tap

Regulated

Test

 

Health

Allowed

Highest

Range of

 

 

Unit

Goal

Level

Level

Violation

Major Sources in Drinking Water

Contaminant

Date

Detection

 

MCLG

MCL

Detected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural deposit; Water

Fluoride

3/10/20

ppm

4

4

0.80

0.63-0.80

no

additive, which promotes strong

teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

aluminum factories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching

Nitrate

3/10/20

ppm

10

10

0.61

0.36-0.61

no

from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discharge of drilling wastes;

Barium

5/16/17

ppm

2

2

0.01

0.01-0.01

no

Discharge from metal refineries;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural deposits

Disinfection Residual

Monitoring in the Detroit Distribution System

Regulated

Test

 

Health

Allowed

Highest

Range of

 

 

Unit

Goal

Level

Quarterly

Violation Major Sources in Drinking Water

Contaminant

Date

Level RAA

 

MRDLG

MRDL

Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Chlorine Residual

2020

ppm

4

4

0.77

0.49-0.87

no

Water additive used to control

microbes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disinfection By-Products

Stage 2 Disinfection By-Products Monitoring in the Distribution System

Regulated

Test

 

Health

Allowed

Highest

Range of

 

 

Unit

Goal

Level

Level

Quarterly

Violation Major Sources in Drinking Water

Contaminant

Date

 

MCLG

MCL

LRAA

Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(TTHM)

2020

ppb

n/a

80

29.0

12.0-39.0

no

By-product of drinking water

Total Trihalomethanes

chlorination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(HAA5)

2020

ppb

n/a

60

19.0

7.4-29.0

no

By-product of drinking water

Haloacetic Acids

chlorination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disinfectant By-Product

Monitoring at the Waterworks Park Plant Finished Tap

Regulated

Test

 

Health

Allowed

Highest

Range of

 

 

Unit

Goal

Level

Quarterly

Violation Major Sources in Drinking Water

Contaminant

Date

Level RAA

 

MCLG

MCL

Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bromate

2020

ppb

0

10

ND

ND-ND

no

By-product of drinking water

ozonation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16 DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT / 2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT

Turbidity

Monitored Every 4 Hrs at the Plant Finished Water Tap

Highest Single Measurement

Lowest Monthly % of Samples Meeting

Violation

Major Sources in Drinking Water

Cannot Exceed 1 NTU

Turbidity Limit of 0.3 NTU (minimum 95%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.21 NTU

100%

no

Soil runoff

 

 

 

 

Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches.

Special Monitoring

Contaminant

Test

Unit

MCLG

MCL

Highest Level Detected

Source of Contaminant

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sodium

3/10/20

ppm

n/a

n/a

6.81

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead and Copper Monitoring at the Consumer’s Tap in 2020

Data reported in this table is from 2019. For more information on the testing of Lead and Copper, please refer to page 8.

Regulated

Test

 

Health

Action

90th

Number of

Range of

 

 

Unit

Goal

Level

Percentile

Sites Over

Individual

Violation Major Sources in Drinking Water

Contaminant

Date

 

MCLG

AL

Value*

AL

Samples

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead services lines, corrosion of

Lead

2020

ppb

0

15

9

2

0-32

no

household plumbing including

fittings and fixtures; erosion of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corrosion of household

Copper

2020

ppm

1.3

1.3

0.1

0

0.0-0.2

no

plumbing system; Erosion of

natural deposits; leaching from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

wood preservatives

  • The 90th percentile value means 90 percent of the homes tested have lead and copper levels below the given 90th percentile value. If the 90th percentile value is above the AL additional requirements must be met.

Regulated

Treatment Technique

Typical Source of Contaminant

Contaminant

 

 

 

The Total Organic Carbon (TOC) removal ratio is calculated as the ratio

 

Total Organic Carbon

between the actual TOC removal and the TOC removal requirements.

Erosion of natural deposits

ppm

The TOC is measured each quarter and because the level is low, there is

 

 

no requirement for TOC removal.

 

Radionuclides

Monitored at the Plant Finished Tap in 2014

Regulated Contaminant

Test Date

Unit

MCLG

MCL

Level Detected

Violation

Major Sources in Drinking Water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined Radium

5/13/14

pCi/L

0

5

0.65 + 0.54

no

Erosion of natural deposits

Radium 226 and 228

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GLWA conducts tests throughout the year. Tests that show the presence of a substance or require special monitoring are presented in these tables. The State allows us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. All of the data is representative of the water quality, but some are more than one year old.

2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT / DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT 17

Unregulated Contaminants

Unregulated contaminants are those for which EPA has not established drinking water standards. The purpose of unregulated monitoring is to assist EPA in determining the occurrence of unregulated contaminants in drinking water and whether future regulation is warranted.

Before EPA regulates a contaminant, it considers adverse health effects, the occurrence of the contaminant in drinking water, and whether the regulation would reduce health risk.

2015 Unregulated Contaminants

Monitored at the Plant Finished Taps

Unregulated

Test

 

Average

Range of

Health

 

 

 

Unit

Level

MCLG

MCL

Source of Contaminant

Contaminant

Date

Detection

Advisory

 

Detected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strontium

2015

ppb

106

98.7-124

4000

n/a

n/a

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Chromium

2015

ppb

0.28

0.21-0.42

n/a

100

100

Discharge from steel and pulp mills;

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chromium +6

2015

ppb

0.13

0.082-0.24

n/a

n/a

n/a

Discharge from steel and pulp mills;

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanadium

2015

ppb

0.21

ND-0.66

n/a

n/a

n/a

Erosion of natural deposits

2015 Unregulated Contaminants

Monitored in the Distribution System

Unregulated

Test

 

Average

Range of

Health

 

 

 

Unit

Level

MCLG

MCL

Source of Contaminant

Contaminant

Date

Detection

Advisory

 

Detected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strontium

2015

ppb

109

102-124

4000

n/a

n/a

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Chromium

2015

ppb

0.21

ND-0.45

n/a

100

100

Discharge from steel and pulp mills;

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chromium +6

2015

ppb

0.11

0.086-0.18

n/a

n/a

n/a

Discharge from steel and pulp mills;

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanadium

2015

ppb

0.20

ND-0.53

n/a

n/a

n/a

Erosion of natural deposits

2019 Unregulated Contaminants

Monitored at the Plant Finished Taps

Unregulated

Test

 

Highest

 

Range of

Noticeable Effects Above

 

Unit

Level

SMCL

Source of Contaminant

Contaminant

Date

Detection

the SMCL

 

Detected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manganese

2019

ppb

0.48

50

0.0-0.48

black to brown color; black

Erosion of natural deposits

staining; bitter metallic taste

and corrosion of iron pipes

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019 Unregulated Contaminants

Monitored in the Distribution System Haloacetic Acids

Unregulated

Test

 

Allowed

Highest

Range of

 

 

Unit

Level

Violation

Major Sources in Drinking Water

Contaminant

Date

Level MCL

Detection

 

Detected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haloacetic Acid 9

2019

ppb

n/a

31.41

6.72-31.41

n/a

By-product of drinking water chlorination

(HAA9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haloacetic Acid 5

2019

ppb

60

22.5

4.5-22.5

no

By-product of drinking water chlorination

(HAA5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haloacetic Acid

 

 

n/a

 

 

 

 

Brominated 6

2019

ppb

11.34

2.22-11.34

n/a

By-product of drinking water chlorination

(HAA6BR)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18 DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT / 2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT

2020 City of Detroit

Tap Water Mineral Analysis

Parameter

Units

Max.

Min.

Avg.

Turbidity

NTU

0.70

0.03

0.11

 

 

 

 

 

Total Solids

ppm

177

46

137

 

 

 

 

 

Total Dissolved

ppm

162

77

123

Solids

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aluminum

ppm

0.197

0.014

0.071

 

 

 

 

 

Iron

ppm

0.183

ND

0.112

 

 

 

 

 

Copper

ppm

0.012

ND

0.000

 

 

 

 

 

Magnesium

ppm

8.36

5.93

7.40

 

 

 

 

 

Calcium

ppm

34.8

23.5

27.6

 

 

 

 

 

Sodium

ppm

7.78

4.43

5.14

 

 

 

 

 

Potassium

ppm

1.31

0.89

1.00

 

 

 

 

 

Manganese

ppm

ND

ND

ND

 

 

 

 

 

Lead

ppm

ND

ND

ND

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc

ppm

ND

ND

ND

 

 

 

 

 

Silica

ppm

19.5

ND

2.3

 

 

 

 

 

Sulfate

ppm

43.0

14.5

25.1

Parameter

Units

Max.

Min.

Avg.

Phosphorus

ppm

1.40

0.11

0.51

 

 

 

 

 

Free Carbon Dioxide

ppm

16.7

5.7

8.0

 

 

 

 

 

Total Hardness

ppm

118

95

103

 

 

 

 

 

Total Alkalinity

ppm

80

66

72

 

 

 

 

 

Carbonate Alkalinity

ppm

ND

ND

ND

 

 

 

 

 

Bi-Carbonate Alkalinity

ppm

80

66

72

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Carbonate Hardness

ppm

40

22

30

 

 

 

 

 

Chemical Oxygen Demand

ppm

13.5

ND

2.4

 

 

 

 

 

Dissolved Oxygen

ppm

17.0

7.8

11.1

 

 

 

 

 

Chloride

ppm

13.9

8.1

9.6

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrate Nitrogen

ppm

ND

ND

ND

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoride

ppm

0.81

0.49

0.65

 

 

 

 

 

pH

 

7.41

6.97

7.26

 

 

 

 

 

Specific Conductance @

µmhos

274

195

224

25 °C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temperature

°C

25.8

1.8

13.7

These tables are based on tests conducted by GLWA in the year 2019 or the most recent testing done within the last five calendar years. GLWA conducts tests throughout the year only tests that show the presence of a substance or require special monitoring are presented in these tables.

2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT / DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT 19

Did You Know?

Did you know the water service line connects your house to the water main?

The water main that brings treated drinking water to your neighborhood is either under the street or located under the right-of-way (berm) between the sidewalk and the street. Homes and businesses are connected to the water main by a service line. DWSD is responsible for the portion from the water main to the stop box (turn-on/off valve) in the front of the house or business. Property owners are responsible for the service line from the stop box to the water meter. DWSD is in the process of replacing lead service lines while on the street replacing the water main. Go to www.detroitmi.gov/dwsd and click on “Lead Service Line Verification” to verify if you have a lead service line.

This report is available on the City of Detroit website at detroitmi.gov/2020waterqualityreport

Did you know property owners are responsible for the sewer service pipe from the point at which it leaves the house (beneath the basement)

and connects to the City sewer?

Most of the City’s sewer pipes are located in the rear of the property; a few are located in the street. Sewers are typically in the alley or the easement in your backyard. The property owner is responsible for the sewer pipe from the drain inside the house or structure to the connection at the City’s sewer collection pipe, even if it’s past the property line. DWSD is responsible for the collection pipe that runs in the alley or street, serving each customer. DWSD recommends residents, especially those with trees in the backyard, hire a licensed plumber every spring to have the sewer line snaked all the way to the connection of the City sewer. Roots and other debris can clog the sewer line and cause basement backups.

We welcome your comments and opinions about this report. Please direct your comments or questions to the DWSD Public Affairs Group.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS GROUP

313.964.9576

Published in June 2021

dwsd-publicaffairs@detroitmi.gov

Contaminants


City of Detroit

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility details

  • Serves: 713777
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Purchased surface water
  • Total: 10

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Nitrate
  • Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Other Detected Contaminants

  • Barium
  • Chromium (total)
  • Fluoride
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Strontium
  • Vanadiu

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

Detroit tap water is safe to drink right? Well, not exactly. If you have a particularly hard time making up your own mind when it comes to what to drink, perhaps you should consider the long list of contaminants that are routinely found in tap water across Michigan. Your odds of developing certain types of cancer may increase significantly if you use tap water to drink, especially if you live in an area with a particularly high population of inhabitants who drink heavily.

It’s really disturbing to think about all the people in the world who are dying because they put their faith in bottled water. In fact, many people have been known to literally get drunk on bottled water, believing that they are drinking a “pure” form of water that has been bottled away at a faraway location. Unfortunately, this is often no different than tap water. You can easily drink tap water and gain intoxication by just taking minor sips. However, the same cannot be said for bottled water.

There is a very real need to find out what the government has been doing regarding this issue. Until recently, there was no such thing as a clean water filtering system that could be relied upon to remove these contaminants. Even if you purchased such a system, you would likely still be subjecting yourself to all kinds of added, unwanted ingredients that go into the water that you are drinking. For example, the water used for drinking in many urban areas contains a high level of prescription drugs. In addition, many bottled water companies include chlorine in their products, something that also has proven to be harmful.

Detroit drinking water

Have you ever wondered what is in your drinking water from Detroit, Michigan? It appears that it is anything but pure since the city is one of the most polluted places in America. The drinking water stations in Detroit are treated with chlorine, which is very dangerous for our health, and they use a variety of chemicals, which can be toxic to your body if you are not careful.

There are so many different chemicals that are present in the tap water of Detroit that it is almost a wonder that anyone drinks the water, let alone goes to the stores to buy it. Just recently, studies were done at the University of Michigan, and the conclusion of the study was quite alarming. The scientists who did the study concluded that there could be over 100 different chemical agents in your drinking water, and this does not include the use of antibiotics or other harmful drugs that are routinely added to the tap water of Detroit. You have to ask yourself, what is in my drinking water from Detroit?

There are several water purification systems available to you in the market, which will purify the water coming into your home. The systems that are available in the markets vary in quality and in price. If you are really serious about protecting your health, then I would suggest that you get a filtration system that will take out all the harmful chemicals from your drinking water stations in Detroit. It is important that you are extra careful when you are choosing a water purification system because there are several companies, which will offer you a good deal, but in the end, you will be left with nothing more than polluted water.

Detroit water and sewerage

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, also referred to as the DWSD, is an agency of the Michigan State of Michigan created by a constitutional amendment. The DWSD was created to deliver public water services in and around the city of Detroit while ensuring the safety and reliability of the local water systems. The department was established with the purpose of guaranteeing the protection and improvement of public water services. Today, it serves residents of Detroit in more than thirteen hundred of water delivery routes. In addition, the department provides sewer services that provide for direct sewage disposal and regulated wastewater treatment in over two hundred different locations in the city of Detroit.

The DWSD is responsible for protecting the general welfare of the people of Detroit. It provides free water services to all of the city’s registered residents, while also guaranteeing low-cost municipal sewer services to all of its non-registered residents. Today, it provides services to eighteen million people within the service area. All of these services are provided through the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. Its services are offered to both residential and commercial customers. Through its sewer lines, it disposes of industrial and domestic wastewater, and through its water system, it delivers clean and fresh water to every home in the city.

Detroit is serviced by two sewer lines and two water treatment plant systems. Both of these water supply systems, providing for over thirteen thousand residents, are separated by more than a hundred miles of pipes and hundreds of miles of storm drain. Each sewer line has three branches, namely the east side sewer line that connects to Park Avenue and the west side sewer line that connects to Detroit’s Central Business District. Each of these lines has a number that identifies the house that it belongs to. To find your house, just look up the number and that will tell you where your house is located.

Flint water crisis

The Flint water crisis has been a national health crisis when the local water system for the city of Flint was found to be contaminated with lead, a toxic substance. The immediate result of this was obvious; over time thousands of children became severely ill because they drank the water that had been piped into their homes. These children were later diagnosed with life-threatening diseases such as lead poisoning, as well as other serious medical conditions. This disaster has since galvanized the issue of clean drinking water, and the need for municipal management of water resources.

Those families that have lost loved ones to this catastrophe are demanding that the State invest in preventing another such disaster from happening in Flint. At first glance, it would seem that the problem is simply one of environmental pollution, or the destruction of eco-friendly fish farming methods, but the reality is that it is much more than that. The fact is that the corrosive nature of the water that flows through the pipes in many US cities has resulted in a situation where the water table has dropped, and this has caused an increase in the frequency of heavy rains and flash floods, which in turn has resulted in even more contamination in the water. As a result, it is extremely important that every municipality take the necessary precautions in order to ensure that its residents have clean, safe water to drink.

If you live in or near any of the cities which are currently experiencing a water supply crisis, the best thing that you can do is to call your local water treatment facility and see if there are any additional measures which they may be able to implement to clean up the contaminated water supply. In many cases, these facilities will already have several solutions for this problem, and in many cases, it is merely a matter of installing new filtration devices in the water pipes. However, it should also be noted that this does not mean that every single home in the area will be able to use these methods due to economic factors. It is highly important that you, as a concerned citizen, contact your city government and make sure that you voice your opinions about the importance of improving the Flint River to make sure that everyone has access to clean, healthy drinking water.

Detroit water testing

Detroit water testing is vital, not only to protect the health of the residents of the Detroit area but to ensure that the water coming through your taps is clean. The water we use to live in most times isn’t clean enough to drink or for cooking and drinking, especially in the case of children and the elderly. Because of the importance of this service, there are numerous testing locations throughout the city and county of Detroit. Detroit water testing also ensures that your water is free of bacteria, sediment and other harmful contaminants that can harm you, your family, your pets and the environment.

The testing results are tested every month and samples are sent out for analysis at the Detroit Water Treatment and Prevention Plant (DWTP). Once the samples have been analyzed, they are sent on to a lab for testing. There, the technicians are able to identify and find the problem areas in the water and help make necessary adjustments to improve the quality of the water. Testing is done by both public and private companies and the results are mailed to the homeowner or business where the water supply is being used. In Detroit, water testing can be done through the Department of Health, City of Detroit, East Lake Water and Sewer Department, the Wayne County Clerk, and the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Detroit water testing not only helps to keep the water clean for the people of the City, but it helps to save money in the long run by eliminating expensive repairs and replacement of needed fixtures. If you are having a problem with the water in your home or are concerned about what might be causing a problem, contact your local water treatment facility or a water testing company immediately. They will provide you with accurate and up-to-date information on what can be done to improve water quality and how to prevent future problems from arising. With so many resources available, it is important to maintain the cleanliness of the water we use daily.

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