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Annual Water Quality Report (CCR)

The 2011 report can also be viewed in PDF format by clicking here.

	Annual Quality Water Report
J   U   N   E     2   0   1   2   Bloomfield Township 4200 Telegraph Rd. Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 Tel: 248.594-2800 Fax: 248.594.2810 water@bloomfieldtwp.org	Bloomfield Township is pleased to inform you that in 2011, as in past years, we have surpassed the water quality standards required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of Michigan's Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The 2011 Annual Water Quality Report describes the source of our water, lists our test results, and contains important information about water and health. This report is intended to provide consumer understanding of drinking water and to heighten awareness of the need to protect our precious water resources. For more information on the specific testing results please see the water quality table and definitions as provided. We hope this report addresses any drinking water quality concerns you might have. Additional information can be found on the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department web site www.dwsd.org and on the EPA’s web site, Water on Tap: A Consumer’s Guide to the Nation’s Drinking Water at www.epa.gov/safewater. What You Can Do to Help Protect Our Water Resources Household hazardous waste: Never dump items such as used motor oil, fuel products, cleaners, paints, and/or pesticides on the ground or down the drain. They can contaminate groundwater and surface water. Instead, bring these types of items to the Bloomfield Township household hazardous waste collection events held the first Saturday in May and October. Septic systems: If you have a septic system, have it checked every two to three years to ensure it is working properly. Abandoned wells: Properly close any abandoned wells on your property. They can carry contaminants directly to groundwater. Landscape with nature: Try landscaping with plants native to Michigan. They are well suited to our climate and are resistant to pests. They can reduce the need for irrigation and fertilizer application resulting in less runoff and more water conservation. Irrigation: Water every other day. Adjust sprinkling systems so that you will be watering between the hours of 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM. Remember to turn off your system when it's raining. Pet waste: Because pet waste can be high in bacteria and nutrients, it should be disposed of in a toilet or trashcan.
	Significant portions of this report contain mandatory language as required by the 1996 Federal Safe Drinking Water Act amendments. These sections are shown in italics.

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 at (800-426-4791). 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:

• 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 storm water 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 storm water runoff, and residential uses.
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organics, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff and septic systems.
• 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, EPA prescribes regulations, which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.

Additional Information for 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. Bloomfield Township 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 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 or at 1-800-426-4791 or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

How is My Water Treated?

The treatment process begins with disinfecting the source water with chlorine to kill harmful microorganisms that can cause illness. Next, a chemical called Alum is mixed with the water to remove the fine particles that make the water cloudy or turbid. Alum causes the particles to clump together and settle to the bottom. Fluoride is also added to protect our teeth from cavities and decay. The water then flows through fine sand filters called beds. These beds remove even more particles and certain microorganisms that are resistant to chlorine. Finally, small amounts of phosphoric acid and chlorine are added to the treated water just before it leaves the treatment plant. The phosphoric acid helps control the lead that may dissolve in water from household plumbing systems. The chlorine keeps the water disinfected as it travels through water pipes to reach your faucet.

Do I Need to Take Special Precautions?

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than is the general population. Immuno-compromised 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 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 (800-426-4791).

Where Does My Water Come From?

In July of 2011, the Township began purchasing water from Southeast Oakland County Water Authority (SOCWA) instead of directly from Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD). It was projected that DWSD’s rates would be increasing by over 10% that year and that increase would have been passed on to Township customers. By purchasing water through SOCWA we were able to avoid that rate increase and hold the water rate steady in 2011. While the water still comes from the DWSD, as a customer of SOCWA we hope to be better able to stabilize our costs for water and keep our rates from increasing excessively in the future. In 2011, the Township purchased over 2 billion gallons of water that was distributed locally through the Township’s water supply system to our customers.

Your source water comes from the lower Lake Huron watershed. The watershed includes numerous short, seasonal streams that drain to Lake Huron. 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 potential contamination. The susceptibility rating is a seven-tiered scale ranging from “very low” to “very high” based primarily on geologic sensitivity, water chemistry, and contaminant sources. The Lake Huron source water intake is categorized as having a moderately low susceptibility to potential contaminant sources. The Lake Huron water treatment plant has historically provided satisfactory treatment of this source water to meet drinking water standards. If you would like to know more information about this report or a complete copy of this report please, contact Tom Trice, DPW Director, at 248-594-2800 or visit our website at www.bloomfieldtwp.org.

Check for Leaks and Stop Money from Going Down the Drain!

A leaky faucet or toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water every day. If your faucet drips, even a little, replace the rubber washer in the faucet head – a few cents and a few moments will save you money every day. If you suspect a leaky toilet, put a little food coloring in the tank (not the bowl). Don’t flush for fifteen minutes. If the color begins to appear in the bowl (without flushing), you have a leak that needs to be fixed right away.

If your faucets and toilets pass the leak test, but you still suspect a leak somewhere, it’s time to check your water meter. Water meters are typically located in the basement, laundry room or utility closet. The easiest method to check for leaks is to use the red diamond or triangle-shaped low-flow indicator (shown in image to the right) equipped on most meters. Make sure all the water is turned off in and outside of the house, then if the low–flow indicator is moving or spinning at all, there is water flowing through the meter which would indicate a leak somewhere in the home.

Having a leak repaired will be less costly in the long run than the amount you will pay for wasted water. Please remember, Bloomfield Township cannot adjust your bill for water wasted through leaks!

Any questions regarding this report, please contact the Bloomfield Township Water & Sewer Division at 248-594-2800. We will continue to update this report annually and will keep you informed of any problems that may occur throughout the year, as they happen. Customers, as well as the general public, have the opportunity to participate on decisions concerning the water supply system by attending regular Township Board meetings on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 7:00 PM.

Voluntary Water Restrictions

The even/odd system is used widely in communities throughout the U.S as well as here in Bloomfield Township during the hot and dry summer months of June, July and August. Under the voluntary program, homeowners with even numbered addresses would use water for irrigating lawns, washing cars and filling swimming pools only on even numbered days of the week. Likewise, those having addresses that end in an odd number would limit their outdoor water usage to odd days only.

Water customers are also requested to limit or avoid outdoor water use during the hours of 5:00 AM and 11:00 PM (EST). Usage during this time is a measure of the Max Day and Peak Hour criteria used by Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) to set water rates. All Township controlled irrigation systems including all Fire Stations, Town Hall, right of way medians, are limited to the off-peak irrigation hours of 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM (EST).

Water Facts

• 5.5 million gallons of drinking water are delivered per day to Township customers.
• Approximately 300 miles of Township-owned piping deliver your drinking water.
• 65% of all drinking water used in the summer is for outdoor purposes
• The average person in the United States uses 80 to 100 gallons of water each day.
• One leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons or more per day.
• A leak as little as 1/16th of an inch can waste over 800 gallons of water per day.

For More Information

A leaky faucet or toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water every day. If your faucet drips, even a little, replace the rubber washer in the faucet head – a few cents and a few moments will save you money every day. If you suspect a leaky toilet, put a little food coloring in the tank (not the bowl). Don’t flush for fifteen minutes. If the color begins to appear in the bowl (without flushing), you have a leak that needs to be fixed right away.

If your faucets and toilets pass the leak test, but you still suspect a leak somewhere, it’s time to check your water meter. Water meters are typically located in the basement, laundry room or utility closet. The easiest method to check for leaks is to use the red diamond or triangle-shaped low-flow indicator (shown in image to the right) equipped on most meters. Make sure all the water is turned off in and outside of the house, then if the low–flow indicator is moving or spinning at all, there is water flowing through the meter which would indicate a leak somewhere in the home.

Having a leak repaired will be less costly in the long run than the amount you will pay for wasted water. Please remember, Bloomfield Township cannot adjust your bill for water wasted through leaks!

Any questions regarding this report, please contact the Bloomfield Township Water & Sewer Division at 248-594-2800. We will continue to update this report annually and will keep you informed of any problems that may occur throughout the year, as they happen. Customers, as well as the general public, have the opportunity to participate on decisions concerning the water supply system by attending regular Township Board meetings on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 7:00 PM.

Reduce Your Summer Sewer Charges with a Secondary Meter

If your summer water usage is higher due to an irrigation system, you might benefit from installing a secondary water meter. The Township, at the option and expense of the property owner, allows for the installation of a secondary water meter. A second water meter measures the volume of water that is used exclusively outside and does not bill the sewer rate on any of that usage. The cost for the water meter depends on its size ranging from $265-$520 for residential homes. The installation will require plumbing changes in the home and these costs will vary depending on the complexity of the existing plumbing in each home. A licensed plumber should do this work. Also, in accordance with the State Plumbing Code, a plumbing permit would be required and all work must be inspected and approved by the Plumbing Inspector before use of the secondary meter. For more information or for help determining if a secondary meter could save you money, please call the DPW offices at 248-594-2800 or visit the Township website at www.bloomfieldtwp.org.

New Rates Effective April 1, 2012

Water (per 1,000 gallons)…………………………………………$4.66
Sewer (per 1,000 gallons)…………………………………………$6.50
Water Debt (per quarter)………………………………………….$8.00
Sewer Debt (per quarter)………………………………………….$8.00
Ready to Serve (per quarter)…………………………………….$11.50

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Charter Township of Bloomfield
4200 Telegraph Road
P.O. Box 489
Bloomfield Township, MI 48303-0489
248.433.7700
All information © 2013 Bloomfield Township, Michigan 

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