Safe Drinking Water - Performance Measure 1.13

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.  

Measure

Achieve or exceed Safe Drinking Water Act standards for water quality.

Why this Measure Matters

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the federal law that ensures drinking water safety and protects public drinking water supplies throughout the nation. The SDWA was passed by the United States Congress in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation’s public drinking water supply. The law was amended in 1986 and 1996 and requires many actions to protect drinking water and its sources—rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and ground water wells. SDWA authorizes the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) to set national health-based standards for drinking water to protect against both naturally-occurring and man-made contaminants that may be found in drinking water. US EPA, states, and water systems then work together to make sure that these standards are met. In Arizona, much of the SDWA oversite has been delegated to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department. 

The City of Tempe developed this performance measure to show regulated substances that are required to be tested and that are detected in Tempe drinking water and compliance with standards. Tempe monitors for many more substances which are not detected. The information provided in this measure contains the name of each substance detected, the highest level allowed by regulation, the ideal goals for public health, the amount detected, and the usual sources of such contamination. Current and former water quality reports can be found here.

Regular and continuous testing occurs at the water treatment plants and throughout the water distribution system to ensure compliance with water quality standards with provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Environmental Quality Specialist will compile the data collected for reporting to outside agencies in a format for public use. The Performance Measure will be calculated using the same metrics used to determine compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act for health-based criteria.  

Baseline

Meeting Standards (CY 2018)

Target

Meet standards annually, by calendar year

Strategies

1. Water Treatment

• Monitor treatment processes at water plants and ground water wells, as applicable, to ensure compliance with regulatory standards

• Invest in water treatment plant and well upgrades to ensure compliance with current and future regulations

2. Sampling and Laboratory Analysis

• Conduct sampling and laboratory analysis at Water Treatment Plants and wells daily, monthly and quarterly
  

• Conduct bacteriological and chlorine residual sampling and laboratory analysis at 120 distribution system locations monthly and disinfection byproducts sampling and analysis at eight locations quarterly
  

• Conduct all compliance laboratory analysis per regulatory methods

3. Reporting and Regulatory Analysis

• Review of laboratory data to assess compliance monthly
  

• Compile and submit Safe Drinking Water Act reports to regulatory agencies monthly

• Perform ongoing review of data emerging regulations and regulatory changes to determine future treatment responses for continued compliance
  

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