2023 Water Quality Report

The City of Southlake’s goal is to provide you with safe and reliable drinking water. We are happy to report that our water meets the safe drinking water quality standards as set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). This report is a summary of the quality of the water we provided to you in 2022.

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This report is a summary of the quality of water we provided to our customers in 2022. Data found in the following pages was obtained from sampling protocols, as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency

A GUIDE TO YOUR WATER QUALITY! DEFINITIONS & ABBREVIATIONS

AL: Action level; The concentration of a contaminant, which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow per EPA and TCEQ mandates.

AVG: Average; Regulatory compliance with some maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) are based on running annual average of monthly samples.

LEVEL 1 ASSESSMENT: A Level 1 assessment is a study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria were found.

LEVEL 2 ASSESSMENT: A Level 2 assessment is a very detailed study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why an Escherichia coli (E. coli) maximum contaminant level (MCL) violation has occurred and/or why total coliform bacteria were found on multiple occasi ons.

MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level; The highest level of a contaminant allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal; The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected health risks. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

MFL: Million fibers per liter; A measure of asbestos.

MRDL: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level; The highest level of disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

MRDLG: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal; The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there are no known or expected health risks. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

mrem: Millirems per year; A measure of radiation absorbed by the body.

A GUIDE TO YOUR WATER QUALITY! DEFINITIONS & ABBREVIATIONS

MRL: Minimum Reporting Level; The lowest concentration of a constituent or a contaminant that can be measured by a laboratory.

N/A: Data field not applicable to the particular constituent we are reporting information about.

NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Units; A measure of water turbidity or clarity.

pCi/L: Picocuries per liter; A measure of radioactivity.

ppb : Parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (µg/L).

ppm : Parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/L).

ppq : Parts per quadrillion, or picograms per liter (pg/L).

ppt : Parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter (ng/L).

TT: Treatment Technique; A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

HOW TO READ YOUR WATER QUALITY REPORT?

This Consumer Confidence Report is a summary of the constituents that are in your drinking water and how these constituents may affect your health, if found in excess of safe drinking water quality standards. This quick reference may help you to better understand the information provided in the rest of this report.

(See next page)

Parts per million is equal to one teaspoon in 1,302 gallons.

The amount, from lowest to highest, of this contaminant detected in our drinking water last year.

The highest amount of a contaminant EPA allows in drinking water. Below this level, a contaminant has no known or expected health risks.

Parts per billion is equal to one teaspoon in 1,302,000 gallons.

The average amount of this contaminant detected in our drinking water last year.

VIEW REPORT HERE:

This describes some of the ways contaminants enter drinking water; wording is provided by EPA and may or may not apply to the City of Southlake.

DRINKING WATER SOURCES

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.

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 EPAs Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

1

Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.

2

Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses.

3

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.

4

Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.

5

Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

SOUTHLAKE’S WATER SOURCE

The City of Southlake gets all its water from the City of Fort Worth’s Water Department. Fort Worth obtains water from surface water sources: Lake Worth, Eagle Mountain Lake, Lake Bridgeport, Richland Chambers Reservoir, Cedar Creek Reservoir, and the Clear Fork Trinity River (from Lake Benbrook).

Fort Worth owns Lake Worth. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for Lake Benbrook. The other four lakes are owned and operated by Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD).

TCEQ ASSESSES RAW WATER SUPPLIES

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) completed an assessment of Fort Worth’s, and subsequently, Southlake’s source waters.

TCEQ classified the risk to our source waters as high for most contaminants. High susceptibility means there are activities near the source water or watershed that make it very likely that chemical constituents may come into contact with the source water. It does not mean that there are any health risks present. The sampling requirements for our water system is based on this susceptibility and previous sample data. Any detections of these contaminants will be found in this Consumer Confidence Report.

WATER LOSS, AS REPORTED TO THE TEXAS

WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Every year the City of Southlake is required to report water loss to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB).This is non-metered water used in fire hydrant protection, water line flushing for health and safety, and other activities.

Water loss also includes water lost to leaks, line breaks, and other uncontrollable flow. We reported a loss of approximately 30 gallons per water account in 2022. One of the most important tools in accurately measuring water loss and ensuring accurate utility billing is the water meters throughout the City. The large production meters that measure the incoming water purchased from the City of Fort Worth are tested and calibrated at least once per year. The Southlake Water Utilities’ goal is to conform to the American Water Works Association (AWWA) meter accuracy standard of 98.5% to 101.5%.

TRINITY RIVER AUTHORITY OF TEXAS TARRANT WATER SUPPLY PROJECT

In accordance with the requirements of §290.272. Content of the Report. (g) (6) “Systems that use an interconnect or emergency source to augment the drinking water supply during the calendar year of the report must provide the source of the water, the length of time used, an explanation of why it was used, and whom to call for the water quality information.” The City of Fort Worth did not utilize an emergency interconnection in 2022.

MICROORGANISM TESTING SHOWS LOW DETECTIONS IN RAW WATER

Tarrant Regional Water District monitors the raw water at all intake sites for Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia and viruses. The source is human and animal fecal waste in the watershed. The 2022 sampling showed occasional low level detections of Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia and viruses in some but not all of the water supply sources. These are either deactivated or removed through disinfection and/or filtration.

Viruses are treated through disinfection processes. Cryptosporidium and Giardia Lamblia are removed through disinfection and/or filtration.

You may be more vulnerable than the general population to certain microbial

contaminants, such as Cryptosporidium, in drinking water. Infants, some elderly, or immuno-compromised persons, such as those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, those who have undergone organ transplants, those who are undergoing treatment with steroids, and people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders can be particularly at risk from infections.

You should seek advice about drinking water from your physician or health care provider. Additional guidelines on appropriate ways to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791.

LEAD AND COPPER TESTING

The City of Southlake is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. If you haven’t turned on any faucets in several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using

the water for drinking or cooking. Never use hot water from the tap for cooking or preparing infant formula. If present, elevated levels of lead can lead to 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 private plumbing.

For more information on source water assessments and protection efforts at our system, contact Southlake Water Utilities at (817) 748-8082.

Further details about the source water assessments are available at www.tceq.texas.gov/ gis/swaview. Further details about sources and source water assessments are available through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality at www.tceq.texas.gov/drinkingwater.

LEAD AND COPPER TESTING

If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may request to have your water tested through the City of Southlake Public Works Department. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1 (800) 426-4791 or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

CORROSION CONTROL

To meet the requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule, Fort Worth achieves corrosion control through pH adjustment.

REGULATED CONTAMINANTS TESTED IN 2022

REGULATED CONTAMINANTS TESTED IN 2022

Coliforms are naturally present in the environment as well as feces; fecal coliforms and E. coli only come from human and animal fecal waste

REGULATED CONTAMINANTS TESTED IN 2022

FUNNY TASTE OR SMELL?

Occasionally, water suppliers experience unpleasant odors and tastes in the water, often characterized as “earthy” or “musty.” These taste and odor variations are caused by naturally occurring algae growth in one source of your drinking water, such as Eagle Mountain Lake.

The compounds that cause this particular taste and smell are called secondary constituents and are often found in drinking water, causing changes in taste, color, and odor. These secondary constituents do not pose a public health risk. We report information about these compounds to keep you informed about your drinking water.

HALOACETIC ACID GROUPS

REPORTING UCMR 5 RESULTS

Water utilities in the United States monitor for more than 100 contaminants and must meet 91 regulations for water safety and quality.

Should other contaminants be regulated? The 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act amendments require that once every five years the EPA issues a new list of up to 30 unregulated contaminants to be monitored by public water systems. Unregulated contaminants are those for which EPA has not established drinking water standards.

The purpose of unregulated contaminant monitoring is to assist EPA in determining the occurrence of unregulated contaminants in drinking water and whether future regulation is warranted. The fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) includes assessment

for 29 PFAs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and lithium. The rule requires testing for these substances in four consecutive months. Fort Worth began their sampling in January 2023 at the distribution entry points for each treatment plant, except North Holly. North Holly was down at the time so it’s fourth quarter of sampling will occur in January 2024.

Southlake’s testing period is from November 2023 through August 2024. According to federal regulations, water systems must notify their customers of the results within 12 months of receiving the results and in the annual water quality reports. The 12-month time frame applies to the individual quarterly results. Southlake will include UCMR 5 sample results in the 2024 and 2025 annual water quality reports.

For additional information, please visit: www.epa.gov/dwucmr.

This table includes all of the compounds that comprise each of the haloacetic acid groups. Compounds that are not detected are usually not listed in the charts in this report; however, those undetected are listed below to provide complete information on the compounds that comprise each of the three groups in the table above.

UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS

ARE YOU IN THE KNOW?

The City of Southlake Public Works Department updated every water meter in Southlake with cellular technology that allows you to view your daily water use right on your phone, tablet, or computer.

You can even set leak alerts so you can address any problems immediately and not be surprised by a large bill at the end of the month.

Sign up for your EyeOnWater account!

https://southlaketx. eyeonwater.com

ASK THE WASTEWATER SUPERVISOR

Jason Arellano, City of Southlake Wastewater Supervisor, has worked for the City of Southlake for 12 years and has been the Wastewater Supervisor for three years. Overall, Jason has 22 years of Public Works experience total. He’s here to answer some common questions we received from the Southlake community.

WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD TO WORK IN THE WASTEWATER INDUSTRY?

Helping customers get through situations that can be stressful and unpleasant at times; along with teaching and passing on knowledge that I have learned through the years to co-workers.

HOW CAN I LOWER MY WASTEWATER BILL?

Your wastewater bill is included on your water bill and is derived from the water usage that is collected from your water meter each month. So, being mindful of unnecessary water usage is critical in lowering your wastewater bill.

WHERE DOES THE CITY’S RESPONSIBILITY BEGIN AND END WITH RESPECT TO WASTEWATER UTILITIES?

The City’s responsibility is to manage, repair, and clean the sewer mains and lift stations within the City. The customer has the responsibility to repair and clean their services from the house to the tap. If in the case a plumber notifies the customer a break is under the street, the City wastewater crew will come out and televise the sewer and verify if the break is under the road; if it is, the City will make the repair to help ensure the road is properly restored.

WHY SHOULDN’T CUSTOMERS FLUSH WIPES? AREN’T THEY FLUSHABLE?

While wipes are labeled flushable, this term is used loosely as the wipes easily flush from toilets not causing many issues for homeowners or business owners. However, these items do not break down like normal toilet paper, causing lift station pumps and equipment at the treatment plant to clog, causing unnecessary backups or costly repairs to the equipment.

ASK THE WASTEWATER SUPERVISOR

Jason Arellano | City of Southlake Wastewater Supervisor

WHERE DOES THE WASTEWATER COME FROM AND FLOW TO?

Wastewater is the by-product that is collected in the sewer system from residential and commercial water usage. After wastewater hits the collection system, its flows by gravity to either a lift station or directly to the Trinity River Authority (TRA), where it is collected and treated.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I NOTICE SEWAGE IS OVERFLOWING FROM THE SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE ONTO THE GROUND?

As soon as possible, contact the Public Works Wastewater department at (817) 748-8082 during normal working hours (M-F, 7:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.) or if after-hours call (817) 743-4524.

FIRE HYDRANT FLUSHING

Water is a vital and important commodity to a community and requires the utmost preservation efforts to keep it safe and clean for drinking. In any public water system, there are processes in place to preserve the quality, reliability, and drinkability of water. Water tends to get stale and develop unwanted materials after some time, because of the duration it spends in pipelines from the water treatment plant to your faucet. One of the solutions to combat this issue is fire hydrant flushing.

Fire hydrant flushing occurs when water in public fire hydrants gets rapidly expelled to remove sediment, deposits, and biofilm buildup. By using unidirectional flushing, we’re ensuring fresh drinking water is coming through with sufficient oxygen and disinfectant levels at a high enough velocity to properly scour the pipe walls. During this process, water that comes out may be

noticeably brown or murky but that’s normal! That’s all the bad stuff being pushed out. But why does this bad stuff form in the first place? What is biofilm and is it harmful?

Biofilm is a formation of microorganisms that adhere to the walls of water mains and can potentially cause adverse effects on public health if not dealt with. Biofilm can even cause corrosion to the pipes themselves. Luckily, with flushing, biofilm is forcibly removed from the pipe walls and pushed out, thus eliminating the risk of microbial contamination. Other materials, such as sediment, are naturally occurring and therefore have no health hazard, but nonetheless gets flushed out and removed as well.

Perhaps the most important aspect of fire hydrant flushing is the ability to maintain adequate residual levels of monochloramine and total chlorine.

Chlorine-based disinfectants are vital to ensure that water is safe for public consumption across the entire City of Southlake. Water that’s been stagnant has lower levels of chlorine residual which means it’s no longer acting as a strong disinfecting agent. Without proper disinfection, water can become susceptible to waterborne diseases such as cholera.These chlorine residuals also help to reduce that biofilm that develops on the water main walls.

To the untrained eye, fire hydrant flushing may seem like hundreds of gallons of water are going to waste on the street but assuredly, this water (which is dechlorinated) will eventually reach our creeks and lakes again. Additionally, in the long run, fire hydrant flushing is a necessary step in maintaining our public water system. If fire hydrant flushing was not performed for long periods of time, the stagnant water would cause a domino effect on our water system and create unfavorable issues for both public health and public infrastructure.

Many residents may witness water being flushed out at high speed and wonder if the water pressure in their homes may be affected. The good news is, it’s not! Residents will only experience a very slight drop in their water pressure. However, if discoloration is noticed after fire hydrant flushing has been performed nearby, it is generally recommended that residents run their tap for a couple minutes until the water runs clear. The discoloration in water is normal and does not pose any health hazard.

Fire hydrant flushing is a necessary step in maintaining our public water systems and maintaining an excellent standard in the City of Southlake and keep our drinking water safe and clean. Without flushing, water would remain stagnant, and buildup would run rampant. Although it might seem like water is being wasted, ultimately the pros of flushing outweigh the consequences of what might happen if the City of Southlake didn’t flush periodically or at all.

Save up to $200 on your water bill!

Wonder if your sprinkler system could be more efficient to save you both water and money? Most sprinkler systems need some special attention to make sure they are working the way they are supposed to. Did you know that one broken sprinkler head on your property could waste 25,000 gallons in just six months?! Your free W.I.S.E. Guys evaluation will provide great recommendations on the condition of your sprinkler system. Don’t wait until a high summer water bill to get it fixed! Check out www.cityofsouthlake.com/wiseguys to learn how to sign up!

OUTDOOR WATERING SCHEDULE

As the summer heat hits Southlake, remember to follow your watering schedule! Residents, businesses, and Homeowner Associations must only water on their designated days and between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Not sure how much to water based on recent weather? Sign up for weekly watering advice tailored to your location. This alert tells you how much you should be watering due to rainfall and temperature. Visit www. waterisawesome.com/ weekly-watering-advice/ for more information.

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT

The information in this report represents a high-level review of our City’s water. For additional information please contact the City of Southlake Public Works Department at (817) 748-8082. Additional copies of the Water Quality Report are available in the Public Works Department offices at Town Hall, located at 1400 Main Street or at Public Works Operations, located at 1950 E. Continental Blvd.

To participate in decisions concerning water, you may attend City of Southlake Council meetings. Please call (817) 748-8183 or visit www.cityofsouthlake.com for more information regarding meeting times

and dates. If you have any questions concerning the CCR, please call the Drinking Water Quality Team at (512) 239-4691 or email PWSCCR@tceq. texas.gov. When you contact the TCEQ please make sure that you reference the City of Southlake, ID #2200075.

EN ESPAÑOL

Este informe incluye información importante sobre la agua potable en la cuidad. Si tiene preguntas o comentarios sobre éste informe en español, por favor llama al tel. (817) 748-8082 para hablar con una persona bilingüe en español.