PREPARED FOR CUSTOMERS OF THE

Outperforming ALL Federal Standards for Safe Drinking Water

• Whereyourwatercomesfrom

• Howyourwaterismadesafetodrink,andhowit’sprotectedfromcontaminantsincludingthenovelcoronavirus

• ResultsofEPA-requiredsamplingandtesting

• Understandingwaterqualityregulations

• Wheretofindmoreinformation

2020 WATER QUALITY REPORT

WHERE IT COMES FROMWaterAuthoritycustomersrelyonlocallypumpedgroundwaterplussurfacewaterimportedfromtheColoradoRiverbasinviatheSanJuan-ChamaProject.TheutilityworkswiththeNewMexicoEnvironmentDepartment(NMED)andotheragenciestoconductperiodicsourcewaterassessmentstodeterminethesusceptibilityoflocaldrinkingwatertocontamination.Thelatestassessment,calledtheRiversandAquifersProtectionPlan(RAPP)isavailableonlineatwww.abcwua.org/your-drinking-water/

YOUR DRINKING WATER

NEW MEXICO

COLORADO

COCHITI RESERVOIR

WATER TREATMENT

PLANT

AZOTEA TUNNEL

ABIQUIURESERVOIR

EL VADORESERVOIR

HERONRESERVOIR

San Juan Rive r

Navajo River

Wil low C

reek

Rio Blanco

Little Navajo

Rio Grande

Rio Chama

Rio

Grande

NORTH

ALBUQUERQUE / BERNALILLO

COUNTY

Surface water and groundwater

combined for distribution

Excess surface water

stored in aquifer

AQUIFER

LEGEND

Tunnel/Channel

Diversion FacilitySurface Water

Groundwater

Makingsurethattreatmentprocessesareworkingcorrectlyrequirescarefulmonitoringbyafull-timestaffoftrainedwaterqualityengineers,scientists,andtechnicians.In2020theWaterAuthoritycollectedandtestedmorethan5,500watersamplesfromwells,storagetanks,customertaps,andthesurface-watertreatmentplant.SomeofthetestingisrequiredbytheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)andsomeofitisvoluntary,butit’salldonetoensurethatAlbuquerqueandBernalilloCountyhaveamunicipalwatersupplythat’ssecondtononeintermsofquality.

HOW IT’S MONITORED

& TESTED

Groundwaterrequireslittletreatmentotherthandisinfectionviachlorination,andinsomecasesundergoesadditionalfilteringforarsenicremoval.Surfacewater,however,requiresextensivepurificationbeforedistribution,usingaseriesofmechanicalandchemicalprocesses,asshownbelow.Treatment,includingchemicalstabilizationforcorrosionprevention,occursattheSanJuan-ChamaDrinkingWaterProjectsurface-watertreatmentplant.Treatment processes destroy bacteria and viruses.

HOW IT’S MADE SAFE

TO DRINK

SEE THE 2020 TEST RESULTS

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SUBSTANCE Source Sample Year Detection Limit Range of Results** Maximum LRAA

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) Disinfection by-products are regulated based on the LRAA

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG)

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) By-productofchlorination 2020 0.48-0.50PPB Zero-19PPB 19PPB 60PPB NotApplicable

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) By-productofchlorination 2020 0.5PPB 3.4-62PPB 48PPB 80PPB NotApplicable

SUBSTANCE Source Sample Year Detection Limit 90th Percentile

Number of Samples that Exceed Action Level

Maximum Detected

Action Level (Compared to the concentration detected in the 90th percentile sample.)

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG)

Lead See Common Concerns on page 4 Corrosionofhouseholdplumbing

2018 1PPB 1PPB Zero 3PPB 15PPB ZeroPPB

Copper Corrosionofhouseholdplumbing

2018 0.01PPM 0.25PPM Zero 0.36PPM 1.3PPM ZeroPPM

SUBSTANCE OR CONDITION Source

Sample Year(s)

Detection LimitLowest amount that can be detected with available technology

Minimum Detected

Average Detected System-wide

Average Detected at San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Plant Maximum Detected

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG)

Arsenic See Common Concerns on page 4

Erosionofnaturalvolcanicdeposits

2020 1PPB ZeroPPB 3PPB ZeroPPB 8PPB 10PPB ZeroPPB

Barium Erosionofnaturaldeposits 2020 0.01PPM 0.03PPM 0.072PPM 0.054PPM 0.17PPM 2PPM 2PPM

Chromium Erosionofnaturaldeposits 2020 1PPB ZeroPPB 0.8PPB ZeroPPB 7PPB 100PPB 100PPB

Fluoride* Erosionofnaturaldeposits 2020 0.10PPM 0.39PPM 0.66PPM 0.77PPM 1.2PPM 4PPM 4PPM

Gross Alpha Particle Activity

Erosionofnaturaldeposits 2020 0.7-1.0pCi/L ZeropCi/L 0.4pCi/L ZeropCi/L 0.9pCi/L 15pCi/L ZeropCi/L

Nitrate Runofffromfertilizeruse;leachingfromseptictanks,sewage;erosionofnaturaldeposits

2020 0.05PPM ZeroPPM 0.49PPM 0.15PPM 2.8PPM 10PPM 10PPM

Radium 226 + 228

Erosionofnaturaldeposits 2020 0.01-0.21pCi/L ZeropCi/L 0.07pCi/L 0.05pCi/L 0.19pCi/L 5pCi/L ZeropCi/L

Total Xylenes Dischargefrompetroleumorchemicalfactories

2020 0.0005PPM ZeroPPM 0.000062PPM ZeroPPM 0.00065PPM 10PPM 10PPM

Uranium Erosionofnaturaldeposits 2020 1PPB ZeroPPB 2.2PPB ZeroPPB 5PPB 30PPB ZeroPPB

Bromate By-productofdrinkingwaterdisinfection

2020 1PPB ZeroPPB NotApplicable 1.6PPB 5PPB 10PPB ZeroPPB

Chlorine Disinfectant 2020 0.1PPM(distributionsystem) 0.3PPM 1.0PPM NotApplicable 1.7PPM 4PPM(MRDL) 4PPM(MRDLG)

0.03PPM(surfacewater) 0.6PPM NotApplicable 1.6PPM 1.7PPM 4PPM(MRDL) 4PPM(MRDLG)

0.03PPM(groundwater) TTmetat100%ofsites(TT=Maintainrequiredchlorinelevelorrestorewithin4hours)

TT TT

Cryptosporidium Humanandanimalfecalwaste

2015-2017 1Oocyst/L ZeroOocysts/L

NotApplicable 0.004Oocysts/L 0.093Oocysts/L TT ZeroOocysts/L

Turbidity(cloudiness; indicates effectiveness of filtration and disinfection)

Soilrunoff 2020 0.002NTU 0.01NTU NotApplicable NotApplicable 0.2NTU 1NTUinallfinishedwatersamples,95%ofthefinishedwatersamplesmustbelessthan0.3NTU

ZeroNTU

Total Organic Carbon

Naturallypresentintheenvironment

2020 1PPM ZeroPPM NotApplicable 0.7PPM 1.4PPM TT NotApplicable

Total Coliform Coliformsarebacteriathatarenormallypresentintheenvironment

2020 NotApplicable NotApplicable

NotApplicable NotApplicable 1of245samplesor0.41%ofsamplestakeninamonthhaddetectabletotalcoliformbacteria.Nototalcoliformbacteriawasdetectedinanyrepeatsampleatanylocation.

Presenceofcoliformbacteriain5.0%ormoreofsamplesinanymonth

0%ofsampleswithdetectablecoliformbacteria

Cr

F-

NO3-

BrO3-

HAA5

TTHM

C8H10

Ba

As

U

Ra

C

Cl

Pb

Cu

SAFE TO DRINK PER EPA

2020 COMPLIANCE MONITORING RESULTS(AlbuquerqueWaterSystem,NM35-10701;seepage3fordefinitions)

(Seefootnotesonpage4) 2

STANDARDS OF QUALITYYOUR DRINKING WATERToprotectpublichealthandsafety,theEPAlimitstheamountofcertainsubstances,knownascontaminants,indrinkingwater.ThetableontheprecedingpageshowsthelatesttestresultsfortheseregulatedsubstancesindrinkingwaterdistributedbytheWaterAuthoritytoitscustomersinAlbuquerqueandBernalilloCounty.

YOUR WATER AUTHORITYTheWaterAuthorityhasbeennationallyrecognizednotonlyforitshighlysuccessfulconservationprogram,butforthequalityandaffordabilityofitsdrinkingwaterandforitseffortstopreserve

andmanagethecommunity’swaterresources.ItholdsaAAAbondratingfromStandard&Poor’s.

RECENT AWARDSExcellence in Management Platinum Award (2020) NationalAssociationofCleanWaterAgencies

Utility of the Future (2020) NationalAssociationofCleanWaterAgencies(forwatershedstewardship)

National Environmental Achievement Award, Watershed Collaboration (2020) NationalAssociationofCleanWaterAgencies

DRINKING WATER CONTAMINANTS: WHAT EPA SAYSDrinkingwater,includingbottledwater,mayreasonablybeexpectedtocontainatleastsmallamountsofsomecontaminants.Thepresenceofcontaminantsdoesnotnecessarilyindicatethatwaterposesahealthrisk.MoreinformationaboutcontaminantsandpotentialhealtheffectscanbeobtainedbycallingtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)SafeDrinkingWaterHotline(800-426-4791).

Contaminantscomeinmanyforms,bothnaturalandmanmade,andcanenterthesourcesofourdrinkingwaterinanumberofways,includingdissolutionofnaturallyoccurringminerals.Contaminantsindrinkingwatersourcesmayincludemicrobial contaminants(e.g.,virusesandbacteria);inorganic contaminants,suchassaltsandmetals;pesticides and herbicides;organic chemical contaminantsfromindustrialprocesses,gasstations,septicsystems,etc.;andradioactive contaminants,bothnaturallyoccurringandasaresultofhumanactivity.

Inordertoensuredrinkingwatersafety,EPAprescribesregulationslimitingtheamountofcertaincontaminantsinwaterprovidedbypublicwatersystems.TheU.S.FoodandDrugAdministration(FDA)establisheslimitsforcontaminantsinbottledwaterthatprovidethesameprotectionsforpublichealth.

DEFINITIONSAction Level: Theconcentrationofacontaminantwhich,ifexceeded,triggerstreatmentorotherrequirementswhichawatersystemmustfollow.

CryptosporidiumisamicrobialpathogenfoundinsurfacewaterthroughouttheU.S.WemonitortheriverforCryptosporidium.TheSanJuan-ChamaDrinkingWaterPlantwasdesignedtoprovideamulti-barrierapproach(pre-sedimentation,clarification,andfiltration)toremovingCryptosporidiuminordertomeettheEPArequirements.

Locational Running Annual Average (LRAA):Theaverageofanalyticalresultsforsamplestakenataparticularmonitoringlocationduringthepreviousfourcalendarquarters.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): Thehighestlevelofacontaminantthatisallowedindrinkingwater.MCLsaresetasclosetotheMCLGsasfeasibleusingthebestavailabletreatmenttechnology.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG):Thelevelofacontaminantindrinkingwaterbelowwhichthereisnoknownorexpectedrisktohealth.MCLGsallowforamarginofsafety.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL):Thehighestlevelofadisinfectantallowedindrinkingwater.Thereisconvincingevidencethatadditionofadisinfectantisnecessaryforcontrolofmicrobialcontaminants.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG):Thelevelofadrinkingwaterdisinfectantbelowwhichthereisnoknownorexpected

risktohealth.MRDLGsdonotreflectthebenefitsoftheuseofdisinfectantstocontrolmicrobialcontaminants.

Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU):Ameasureofcloudinessorhazinesscausedbysuspendedsolids.

Parts Per Billion (PPB): Partsperbillionormicrogramsperliter(ug/L).1PPB=0.001PPM.Example:onedropofwaterinanOlympic-sizeswimmingpool.

Parts Per Million (PPM): Partspermillionormilligramsperliter(mg/L).1PPM=1,000PPB.Example:fourdropsofwaterina55-gallonbarrel.

picoCuries per liter (pCi/L): Ameasureofradioactivity.

Treatment Technique (TT): Arequiredprocessintendedtoreducethelevelofacontaminantindrinkingwater.

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Should I be concerned about lead?TheWaterAuthorityhasremovedallknownleadcomponentsfromitswaterdistributionsystem.However,theutilityoffersfreeleadandcoppertestingforcustomersconcernedabouttheirhomeplumbingfixtures.Visitwww.abcwua.org/your-drinking-water-lead-sample-collection-request/orcall289-3653toscheduleatest.

RESULTS OF 2020 CUSTOMER- REQUESTED TESTING (33 SAMPLES)

Here’swhattheEPAhastosayaboutlead:Ifpresent,elevatedlevelsofleadcancauseserioushealthproblems,especiallyforpregnantwomenandyoungchildren.Leadindrinkingwaterisprimarilyfrommaterialsandcomponentsassociatedwithservicelinesandhomeplumbing.YourlocalWaterAuthorityisresponsibleforprovidinghighqualitydrinkingwater,butcannotcontrolthevarietyofmaterialsusedinhomeplumbingcomponents.Whenyourwaterhasbeensittingforseveralhours,youcanminimizethepotentialforleadexposurebyflushingyourtapfor30secondsto2minutesbeforeusingwaterfordrinkingorcooking.Ifyouareconcernedaboutleadinyourwater,youmaywishtohaveyourwatertested.Informationonleadindrinkingwater,testingmethods,andstepsyoucantaketominimizeexposureisavailablefromthefederalSafeDrinkingWaterHotline(800-426-4791)orathttp://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Is there arsenic in my drinking water?AllofAlbuquerque’sdrinkingwatermeetsEPAstandardsforarsenic.Allowablelevelsofarsenicarepresentinsomelocations,mainlyduetoerosionofnaturaldeposits.EPAcontinuestoresearchthehealtheffectsoflowlevelsofarsenic,whichisametalknowntocausecancerinhumansathighconcentrationsandislinkedtootherhealtheffectssuchasskindamageandcirculatoryproblems.

What if I am immuno-compromised?Somepeoplemaybemorevulnerabletocontaminantsindrinkingwaterthanthegeneralpopulation.Immuno-compromisedpersonssuchaspersonswithcancerundergoingchemotherapy,personswhohaveundergoneorgantransplants,peoplewithHIV/AIDSorotherimmunesystemdisorders,someelderly,andinfantscanbeparticularlyatriskfrominfections.Thesepeopleshouldseekadviceaboutdrinkingwaterfromtheirhealthcareproviders.EPA/CentersforDiseaseControlguidelinesonappropriatemeanstolessentheriskofinfectionbyCryptosporidiumandothermicrobialcontaminantsareavailablefromtheSafeDrinkingWaterHotline(800-426-4791).

What about sodium?SodiumlevelsintheWaterAuthority’sservicearearangefrom19to81PPM(average:33PPM).Formoreinformation,visitwww.abcwua.organdclickontheYourWatertab.

Information about PFASLocaldrinkingwaterremainsprotectedfrommanmadechemicalsknownasPer-andPolyfluoroalkylSubstances(PFAS).TheWaterAuthority’ssystemhasbeentestedaspartofEPAUnregulatedContaminantMonitoringrequirementswithnodetectionstodate.

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COMMON CONCERNS

SUBSTANCE Minimum Maximum 90th Percentile Action Level

Lead ZeroPPB 3PPB 2PPB 15PPB

UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS SomesubstancesfoundindrinkingwaterarenotregulatedbytheEPA,buttestingfortheminsomecasesisrequiredforresearchpurposesundertheUnregulatedContaminantMonitoringRule(UCMR).

SUBSTANCESample Year

Minimum Reporting Level

Range of Results

Average of Results

1-Butanol 2019 2PPB Zero-2.5PPB ZeroPPB

Germanium 2019 0.3PPB Zero-0.38PPB ZeroPPB

Manganese 2019-2020 0.4PPB Zero-65PPB 4.0PPB

O-Toluidine 2019 0.007PPB Zero-0.007PPB ZeroPPB

Total HAA5 2018 0.2PPB 1.6-17PPB 7.8PPB

Total HAA6Br 2018 0.2PPB 2.4-17PPB 9.1PPB

Total HAA9 2018 0.2PPB 3.1-27PPB 14.8PPB

Source Water Total Organic Carbon

2018 0.2-0.3PPM

2.2-3.7PPM 2.9PPM

Source Water Bromide

2018 5PPB 26-45PPB 34.8PPB

2020 UNREGULATED CONTAMINANT MONITORING RESULTS

*TheWaterAuthoritycontinuesworkingtomeetatargetfluoriderangeof0.65to0.72mg/L.Moreinformationatwww.abcwua.org/your-drinking-water-fluoride-information/

**Therangerepresentstheminimumandmaximumofallquarterlyanalyticalresultsatall12monitoringlocations.

Pb

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CONTACT THE WATER AUTHORITY

Call 842-WATR (9287)to

Call289-3653(theWaterQualityInformationLine)withquestionsaboutyourwaterquality,oremailusatwaterquality@abcwua.org.

En Español: Estereportecontieneinformacionmuyimportanteacercadelacalidaddelagua.Pararecibirunacopiaenespañol,llamenal505-842-9287ovisitalapagina:www.abcwua.org/your-drinking-water-download-report-english-spanish/

OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION

WaterAuthority U.S.Environmental NewMexicoEnvironmentDepartmentwebsite ProtectionAgency DrinkingWaterBureauwww.abcwua.org www.epa.gov/safewater www.env.nm.gov/dwb

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INFORMATION ON CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19

Themunicipalwatersupplyisprotectedfromthenovelcoronavirus,andothervirusesandbiologicalcontaminants,viatheWaterAuthority’sexistingtreatmentanddisinfectionprocedures.Moreinformationisavailablefrom—

TheCentersfor TheNewMexico U.S.EnvironmentalDiseaseControl DepartmentofHealth ProtectionAgencywww.cdc.gov/coronavirus https://cv.nmhealth.org www.epa.gov/coronavirus/what-should-i-do-if-im-concerned-about-my-drinking-water

The Water Authority is the largest water and sewer utility in New Mexico and is governed by a board of elected officials. Board members for 2020: Steven Michael Quezada, Bernalillo County Commissioner, Chair; Klarissa J. Peña, Albuquerque City Councilor, Vice Chair; Walt Benson, Bernalillo County Commissioner; Pat Davis, Albuquerque City Councilor; Trudy E. Jones, Albuquerque City Councilor; Timothy M. Keller, Mayor of Albuquerque; Charlene E. Pyskoty, Bernalillo County Commissioner; Pablo Rael, Trustee, Village of Los Ranchos (non-voting). Executive Director: Mark S. Sanchez.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

GET INVOLVED!Wanttodomoretohelpprotectlocaldrinkingwatersupplies?Youcanstartbystayinginformed!Linkstoup-to-dateinformationaboutwatershedandsource-waterprotectioncanbefoundatwww.NMSourceWaterProtection.com.

Otheropportunitiesforinvolvementincludeattendanceatoneofourmonthlyboardmeetings,whereissuesconcerningwaterqualityarediscussed.MeetingsareopentothepublicandheldvirtuallyorincouncilchambersinthebasementoftheCity/CountyGovernmentCenteratOneCivicPlaza.Meetingschedulesandagendasareavailableatwww.abcwua.org. You’llalsofindmeetingschedulesforthecommunity’sWaterProtectionAdvisoryBoard.

• Reportawaterorseweremergency• Payabilloverthephone• Makebillinginquires

• Reportwaterwaste• Reportunusualactivityatwaterfacilities

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