moe annual report 2014 - documents.ottawa.ca · britannia water purification plant (ww#220003154)...

2014 Annual Report on Drinking Water Quality

February 2015

Britannia Water Purification Plant (WW#220003154)

The following Report was prepared as required by Section 11 of O.Reg.170/03 under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA, 2002) for Large Municipal drinking water systems. It summarizes water quality results, adverse water quality notifications, and other operating information related to the Britannia Water Purification Plant and distribution system for the period January 1 to December 31 2014.

The Annual Report for each municipal water system operated by the City of Ottawa is posted on the web site www.ottawa.ca Copies of the Annual Report as well as the Summary Report

A copy of this report is also provided to the Township of Russell (W260092014) which receives its drinking water from the City of Ottawa.

prepared in accordance with Schedule 22 of O.Reg.170/03 under the SDWA (2002), are available to the public at 951 Clyde Avenue (telephone 3-1-1), the Britannia Water Purification Plant (2731 Cassels Street), and the Lemieux Island Water Purification Plant (1 River Street).

Description of Drinking Water System

The City of Ottawa operates two treatment plants to supply drinking water – Lemieux Island Water Purification Plant (capacity: 400 ML/d; constructed 1931) and Britannia Water Purification Plant (capacity: 360 ML/d; constructed 1961). The source water for both plants is the Ottawa River. Both plants use identical water treatment processes and have undergone significant expansion and modernization over the years.

Raw water enters the treatment plants through large intake pipes that extend into the main flow of the river. The treatment process makes use of the “multiple barrier” principle. A series of treatment steps successively remove undesirable substances such as colour, suspended particles, algae, bacteria, and viruses from the water. The purification process in Ottawa consists of the following steps:

• coagulation (alum and sulphuric acid) • flocculation (activated silica as a coagulant aid)

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February 2015

• sedimentation • filtration (sand/anthracite) • primary disinfection (sodium hypochlorite) • pH correction (sodium hydroxide) • secondary disinfection (chloramine) • fluoridation

During the final treatment step, fluoride is added for prevention of dental cavities, and chloramine (mixture of chlorine and ammonia) is added to preserve water quality as it travels through the vast water distribution system. Finally, the pH level is adjusted to 9.2 in order to minimize corrosion effects in the distribution system.

After the treatment process, water is pumped through the distribution network of watermains (over 3000 km of watermain piping) to reach water customers over an area roughly 25 km by 50 km. Treated water from both the Britannia and Lemieux Island water plants is blended as it travels through a common distribution system. Pressure and storage requirements are met through the operation of 25 pumping stations and reservoirs located throughout the system. The total volume of water stored in reservoirs is 275 Million Litres, which is roughly equivalent to the daily amount of water produced. All treatment, pumping, and storage systems are controlled by a dedicated computer control system and monitored by Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) certified Water Treatment Operators 24 hours per day.

The water treatment chemicals used over this reporting period are listed below:

• Aluminum Sulphate (liquid – 48.8%) • Sulphuric Acid (liquid – 93%) • Sodium Silicate (liquid – 29%) • Sodium Hypochlorite (liquid – 12%) • Hydrofluorosilicic Acid (liquid – 24%) • Sodium Hydroxide (liquid – 50%) • Aqueous Ammonia (liquid – 25%)


February 2015

Monetary expenses incurred during the reporting period

In order to maintain the safe and efficient operation of the waterworks, maintenance and capital projects are undertaken from time to time. All major repairs or upgrade projects that took place during the reporting period are described below.

Filter Rebuild Project ($22 million): This 3 year project was started at Britannia in 2013. The project includes renewal and improvements to the water treatment process and operational flexibility at the Plant. Key elements of the project include rebuilding the original 12 filters with new under-drains, valves and filter media as well as implementing air scour backwashing for improved filter performance. As a water quality improvement initiative, individual filter ripening piping for all 18 filters is incorporated into the project.

SCADA System Upgrade Project ($12 million):

Adverse Water Quality Incidents (AWQI) Requiring Notification

This project involved upgrades to the process control computer system and was completed in 2014. The project involves upgrades at both the Britannia and Lemieux Island Water Purification Plants as well as communication upgrades for the remote pumping stations and reservoirs.

The drinking water regulations identify several “Indicators of Adverse Water Quality” for which the waterworks must immediately notify health officials and the Ministry. These refer to any test result from treated or distributed drinking water that does not meet a provincial water quality standard or a situation where disinfection of the water may be compromised. For each Adverse Water Quality Incident (AWQI), City of Ottawa staff immediately notified Ottawa Public Health Department and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) as required by regulations. Corrective actions, re-sampling, and reporting are required in each case. It is important to note that none of the adverse water quality events reported during 2014 represented a health risk for consumers. During 2014 there were (0) AWQI events for Britannia WPP treated water and (20) AWQI events reported for the central water distribution system.


February 2015

The table below summarizes the 2014 adverse notifications from the Britannia Water Purification Plant and the distribution system.

Table 1 Adverse Water Quality events for the Britannia Water Purification Plant and central distribution system

Incident Date

Test Parameter and Location

Result Unit of Measure

Corrective Action

Date of Resolution

04-Mar-14 AWQI# 116288

Total Coliform bacteria >0 Greenboro Community Centre

Positive Presence/Absence

Flush and resample

05-Mar-14

12-Mar-14 AWQI# 116383

Chloramine < 0.25 mg/L Customer inquiry at 176 Southbridge

0.05 mg/L Flush and resample

13-Mar-14

04-Jun-14 AWQI# 117818

Total Coliform bacteria >0 Stittsville Tank


Flush and resample

05-Jun-14

13-Jun-14 AWQI# 117993

Total Coliform bacteria >0 March Rd Esso


Flush and resample

16-Jun-14

03-Jul-14 AWQI# 118498

Total Coliform bacteria >0 Preston Fire Hall


Flush and resample

04-Jul-14

03-Jul-14 AWQI# 118498

Total Coliform bacteria >0 Beechwood Fire Hall


Flush and resample

04-Jul-14

08-Aug-14 AWQI# 119477



Flush and resample

11-Aug-14

18-Aug-14 AWQI# 119660



Flush and resample

19-Aug-14

11-Sep-14 AWQI# 120285

Chloramine < 0.25 mg/L Watermain construction at 452 Princeton Ave


11-Sep-14


February 2015

Incident Date



Corrective Action

Date of Resolution

07-Oct-14 AWQI# 120814

Chloramine < 0.25 mg/L Closed valve at 138 Hunt Club and Airport Parkway


07-Oct-14

16-Oct-14 AWQI# 121049

Total Coliform bacteria >0 Temporary Service at 350 Fernhill


Flush and resample

20-Oct-14

16-Oct-14 AWQI# 121049

Total Coliform bacteria >0 Temporary service Glen Park: 57 & 97

Positive (2 samples)

Presence/Absence

Flush and resample

23-Oct-14

17-Oct-14 AWQI# 121086


TC=11, TC=5

MPN/100 mL

Replace sample ports and resample

23-Oct-14

18-Oct-14 AWQI# 121120

Total Coliform bacteria >0 Temporary service Glen Park: 57, 97 &151

TC=10, TC=9, TC=41

MPN/100 mL

Precautionary Boil water advisory (PBWA) issued, Flush and resample

23-Oct-14

19-Oct-14 AWQI# 121130


TC=40, TC=25

MPN/100 mL

PBWA, lines disinfected, Flush and resample

23-Oct-14

20-Oct-14 AWQI# 121131

Total Coliform bacteria >0 Temporary service Glen Park: 29, 57, 68, 151, and 159

TC=6, TC=2, TC=1, TC=7, TC=10

MPN/100 mL

PBWA, flush and resample

23-Oct-14

21-Oct-14 AWQI# 121131

Total Coliform bacteria >0 Temporary service at 57 Glen Park

TC=2 MPN/100 mL

PBWA, Flush and resample

23-Oct-14

05-Nov-14 AWQI#

Chloramine < 0.25 mg/L New watermain for


05-Nov-14


February 2015

Incident Date



Corrective Action

Date of Resolution

121427 Cardinal Creek development

05-Nov-14 AWQI# 121428

Chloramine < 0.25 mg/L New watermain for Cardinal Creek development


05-Nov-14

26-Nov-14 AWQI# 121784

NDMA >9.0 ng/L Hillside Gardens station

22.3

ng/L resample 02-Dec-14

Water Quality test results

The Ontario Drinking Water System Regulation O.Reg.170/03 defines water quality sampling and testing requirements based on the nature of the analysis performed: microbiological, operational, inorganic, and organic test parameters. The sections below describe the annual water quality results for each set of test parameters.

Microbiological

Total Coliform and E.coli bacteria tests are performed on raw, treated and distributed drinking water. These types of bacteria are considered to be “indicator” organisms since they themselves don’t cause disease, but their presence indicates the potential for other pathogenic organisms to be present. The raw water gives an indication of what level of bacteria is coming into the plant. During 2014, there were no samples of Britannia treated water that indicated the presence of Total Coliform or E. Coli bacteria. In the distribution system, there were 7 out of 2869 routine samples of distributed water that indicated the presence of Total Coliform bacteria. All samples were negative for E. Coli bacteria. In all cases, re-sampled test results were clear from the presence of Total Coliform and E. Coli bacteria.

HPC (heterotrophic plate count) bacteria represent a broad spectrum of environmental aerobic bacteria that indicate biological growth. They are not harmful to humans, but can be useful operational measurements since they indicate the presence of biological growth on the inside surface of a pipe or watermain.


February 2015

“Raw” water refers to the untreated water that is drawn into the plant from the Ottawa River. During 2014 the concentration of total coliform bacteria in the raw water ranged from 8 - 2420 (cfu/100mL) and the E.coli bacteria ranged from 0 - 614 (cfu/100mL).

The treated and distribution water microbiological results are summarized in the table below. The treated water results refer to water leaving the plant and entering the distribution system. The distribution column refers to results from routine samples to verify water quality throughout the supply network.

Table 2a Summary of the Total Coliform and E.coli testing done for Britannia WPP treated water and the distribution system during 2014

Parameter Number of treated water samples

Number of treated water samples that tested positive

Number of routine distribution samples taken

Number of routine distribution samples that tested positive

Total coliform bacteria (cfu/100mL)

1370 0 2869 7

E. coli bacteria (cfu/100mL)

1370 0 2869 0

cfu=colony forming units


February 2015

Table 2b Summary of the heterotrophic plate count (HPC) bacteria testing done for Britannia WPP treated and distributed water during 2014

Parameter Number of treated water samples

Range of treated water test results

Number of routine distribution samples

Range of routine distribution test results

HPC bacteria (cfu/mL)

192 <10 - 40 2857 <10 - 690

cfu=colony forming units

Operational: Operational tests are conducted by plant operators to evaluate process conditions and to make adjustments to the treatment process. During every 12-hour shift, Process Operators conduct over 75 laboratory tests to verify water quality at each stage of the treatment process. During 2014, all operational tests of treated water complied with safe drinking water standards. In the table below, turbidity refers to the amount of fine particles of cloudiness in the water sample. Total chlorine refers to the concentration of chloramine as it leaves the treatment plant.

Table 3 Summary of operational testing performed for Britannia treated water during 2014

Parameter Range of treated water test results

(min - max)

Total number of samples

Turbidity 0.03– 0.06 NTU 718 + continuous

Total Chlorine 1.49 – 2.59 mg/L 718 + continuous

Fluoride 0 – 0.77 mg/L 578 + continuous


February 2015

Inorganics: Inorganic test parameters include heavy metals and dissolved minerals that are analyzed in the treated drinking water. All inorganic test results for 2014 were well within safe drinking water standards. These parameters are tested monthly with the exception of fluoride which is tested daily. Below are a summary of the results which represent annual average concentrations. The determination of exceedances (far right column) is based on all results in the data set.

Table 4 Summary of the inorganic parameters tested in the treated water during 2014.

Parameter Sample Date Result Value Unit of Measure

Exceedance

Antimony Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Arsenic Jan – Dec 2014 0.0003 mg/L No

Barium Jan – Dec 2014 0.0142 mg/L No

Boron Jan – Dec 2014 0.0066 mg/L No

Cadmium Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Chromium Jan – Dec 2014 0.0002 mg/L No

Lead Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Mercury Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Selenium Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Sodium Jan – Dec 2014 16.7 mg/L No

Uranium Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Fluoride Jan – Dec 2014 0.67 mg/L No

Nitrate Jan – Dec 2014 0.15 mg/L No

Nitrite Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No


February 2015

0 denotes non-detectable results

Organics: Trace organic test parameters include: volatile organic substances, pesticides, solvents, dioxins, PCB’s, and disinfection by-products. Trace organic substances are tested on a quarterly basis. The table below summarizes the trace organic tests results representing the annual average concentration in the treated water. The determination of exceedances are based on all results in the data set. During 2014 all trace organic tests were non-detectable with the exception of trihalomethanes (THM), which are a family of compounds that form during the treatment process when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter present in the source water. The THM concentration for 2014 was well below the Maximum Acceptable Concentration for drinking water of 0.10 mg/L.

Table 5 Summary of 2014 trace organic test results for Britannia treated water

Parameter Sample Date Result Value

Unit of Measure

Exceedance

Alachlor Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Aldicarb Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Aldrin + Dieldrin Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Atrazine + N-dealkylated metobolites

Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Azinphos-methyl Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Bendiocarb Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Benzene Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Benzo(a)pyrene Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Bromoxynil Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Carbaryl Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No


February 2015


Unit of Measure

Exceedance

Carbofuran Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Carbon Tetrachloride Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Chlordane (Total) Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Chlorpyrifos Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Cyanazine Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Diazinon Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Dicamba Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

1,2-Dichlorobenzene Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

1,4-Dichlorobenzene Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) + metabolites


1,2-Dichloroethane Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

1,1-Dichloroethylene Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Dichloromethane Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

2-4 Dichlorophenol Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D)


Diclofop-methyl Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Dimethoate Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Dinoseb Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No


February 2015


Unit of Measure

Exceedance

Diquat Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Diuron Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Glyphosate Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Heptachlor + Heptachlor Epoxide


Lindane (Total) Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Malathion Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Methoxychlor Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Metolachlor Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Metribuzin Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Monochlorobenzene Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Paraquat Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Parathion Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Pentachlorophenol Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Phorate Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Picloram Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Polychlorinated Biphenyls(PCB)


Prometryne Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Simazine Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No


February 2015


Unit of Measure

Exceedance

Trihalomethanes* Jan – Dec 2014 0.046 mg/L No

Temephos Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Terbufos Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Tetrachloroethylene Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Triallate Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Trichloroethylene Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4,5-T)


Trifluralin Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

Vinyl Chloride Jan – Dec 2014 0 mg/L No

0 denotes non-detectable results

NOTE*: The reported THM result is an annual average of the maximum

Community Lead Testing Program

value observed in each quarter in the distribution system.

The treated water produced by the Britannia Water Purification Plant is lead-free. However, trace amounts of lead can potentially be dissolved in the water as the water travels through a lead service line or as it comes in contact with household plumbing components such as lead solder and brass fittings. The standard for lead in drinking water has been established at 10.0 µg/L (ppb – parts per billion) or below as a safe level for human consumption.


February 2015

In 2007, a new provincial regulation (amendment to O.Reg.170/03) was initiated in response to concerns about potential lead levels in provincial water supplies. The Community Lead Testing Program requires each water system to conduct extensive lead testing in homes with lead service lines. The testing is conducted during winter and summer periods to represent any seasonal changes in water quality.

Ottawa’s water quality has consistently met the MOECC Community Lead Testing criteria for drinking water. In order to meet compliance standards, 90% of the tap water samples must have a lead concentration below 10.0 μg/L (ppb - parts per billion), following a 30-minute period of stagnation in the plumbing system. Combining results for all fourteen rounds of testing for 2007 - 2014, the average lead concentrations from homes with lead service pipes are 2.2 (μg/L) in Litre-1 and 2.4 (μg/L) in Litre-2. The 90th percentile concentrations are 4.4 (μg/L) in Litre-1 and 5.5 (μg/L) in Litre-2. During all sessions including 2014, the City of Ottawa results are well within the provincial and federal standard of 10.0 (μg/L). The excellent results observed in Ottawa are due to the corrosion and pH control practices being applied at both water purification plants. The table below summarizes the lead testing results for 2014.

Table 7 Summary of the in-home lead testing results for winter and summer sampling sessions during 2014

Location Type

Range of lead concentrations at customer taps

(µg/L) or (ppb)

Number of samples with lead concentration above 10 ppb

Total number of samples

Plumbing <0.05 – 15.2 2 226

Distribution <0.05 – 0.8 0 20

Summary

The results demonstrate that the quality of drinking water treated and distributed from the Britannia Water Purification Plant remained high during 2014 and met federal and provincial drinking water quality standards.


February 2015

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the quality of your drinking water please contact the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1 or email at [email protected].

For more information on the City of Ottawa drinking water please visit us at www.ottawa.ca.

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http://www.ottawa.ca/�

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