Report to: General Committee                                                    Report Date: January 23, 2008

 

 

SUBJECT:                          Annual Water Quality Report (January – December, 2007)

                                           

PREPARED BY:               Karen Dennison, M. Eng., P. Eng., Ext. 2519

                                            Waterworks, Manager of System Engineering

                                            Helena Dutaud, Ext 2449

                                            Waterworks, Water Quality Coordinator

 

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the 2007 Annual Summary Report to Council as required by Schedule 22 of Ontario Regulation 170/03 enclosed herein be received.

 

THAT the Annual 2007 Detailed Regulatory Water Quality Report (Attachment “A”), comprised of Parts I, II & III-Form 2, III-Form 6 for the Ministry of the Environment on water supply and quality as required by Section 11 of Ontario Regulation 170/03, be received.

 

THAT Council directs staff to post the Annual 2007 Detailed Regulatory Water Quality Report on the Town’s website and that it be made available and provided to residents upon request in hard copy version on or before February 28, 2008.

 

AND FURTHER THAT Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The annual report informs Council of the quality of water delivered through the drinking water system to the residents of Markham during the past year (2007).

 

Any issues regarding drinking water quality in Markham during the period from January 1 to December 31, 2007) are detailed as required under Ontario Regulation 170/03.

 

The report to Council is a summary of the detailed technical annual report (enclosed as Attachment ‘A’). The detailed report (Attachment ‘A’) will be posted on Markham’s web site and made available to the public on or before February 28, 2008.

 

Markham purchased 36,321,828 m3 of water over 365 days from the Region of York and distributed it to customers. Representative water quality sampling was undertaken throughout the distribution system and analyzed according to O. Reg 170/03. In total sixteen (16) adverse water quality incidents were reported to the MOE during 2007 (out of 9,435 tests, 0.17%). Twelve (12) were for the presence of bacteria (total coliform); two (2) for deficient chlorine; and two (2) were observation incidents due to severe watermain break conditions.

 

Throughout 2007, the Markham drinking water system was well maintained, proactively managed and delivered high quality of water to the residents.

 

 

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

 

 

PURPOSE:

To inform Council, as owner of the drinking water system, on the quality of drinking water provided in 2007 to the residents in Markham through the water distribution system and in doing so meet the requirements of Ontario Regulation 170/03 Schedule 22.

To inform Council on the more detailed technical annual water quality report (included as Attachment”A”) prepared and intended to be made available to the public on or before February 28, 2008. This annual report details the drinking water system, sampling activity, corrective action and any major expenses undertaken in 2007.

 

BACKGROUND:

In order to meet Regulatory requirements and to strengthen customer confidence in the Town’s drinking water quality supply, waterworks has prepared annual update reports on the status of drinking water quality in Markham as described below.

 

The 2007 Annual Summary Report to Council, enclosed herein, is intended to inform Council on the performance of the Water Distribution System over the past year and to provide information which meets Ontario Regulation 170/03 concerning Markham’s Drinking Water Distribution System.

 

Enclosed as Attachment “A”, the Annual 2007 Detailed Regulatory Water Quality Report which is intended to be a stand alone detailed technical and statistical report summarizing the 2007 existing water distribution system, results of tests, corrective actions and any major expenses. The Regulation also requires that this report be made available to the public free of charge in hard copy and be posted on the Town of Markham’s website on or before February 28, 2008. 

 

2007 Drinking Water System Information:

The Town of Markham system is strictly a distribution system. We do not operate any treatment plants and therefore the rated capacity of our system as requested by the MOE is not applicable. The Region of York receives treated water from the City of Toronto and the Region of Peel, stores and supplies it to various municipalities including Markham through trunk watermains. The Town of Markham purchases its water entirely from the Region of York. The Town of Markham distributes this water to its residents through metered connections.

 

Water Supplied During 2007:

The Town of Markham purchased 36,321,828 m3 of water over 365 days from the Region of York through 15 metered connections. This amounts to a monthly average of 3,026,819 m3/month. The per capita usage in 2007 was 349 l/capita/day (0.349 m3/capita/day).  

 

Water Purchase from Region of York over last 6 Years
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Markham Water Usage (l/capita/day)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drinking Water Quality Sampling Results:

 

Ontario’s Drinking Water Systems Regulation (O.Reg.170/03) requires all drinking water system owners to collect and test a minimum prescribed number of representative water quality samples. It further requires that drinking water system owners prepare an annual report (in MOE format) on the operation and the quality of drinking water within their jurisdictional boundaries. Markham Waterworks Department has complied with this requirement.

 

During the period January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007, the total number of water samples collected and tested by Waterworks operators and sent to the York-Durham Regional Environmental Laboratory (YDREL) for analysis was 9,435. These samples are tested for the presence of bacteria (Escheria Coli, Total Coliforms, and Heterotrophic Plate Count) and for chemical analysis (Trihalomethanes, Lead (Pb), Nitrate & Nitrite, organic chemical scan and inorganic chemical scan) as required. Sodium and Fluoride concentrations were not tested in 2007 as this test is required every 5 years and was tested last in 2005.

 

For the calendar year January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007; an annual regulatory report was prepared (MOE format) on January 23, 2008 on the Markham Water Distribution System and is attached as Attachment “A”. In this report, we are detailing the sixteen (16) adverse sampling results/incidents which are summarized below:

 

In 2007, there were 16 reports of adverse water quality incidents (out of 9,435 samples) which did not meet the Ontario’s Drinking Water Systems Regulation (O. Reg. 170/03) required parameters. Twelve (12) incidents were for the presence of bacteria; two (2) for deficient chlorine residual and two (2) were observation incidents as a result of severe watermain break conditions.

 

As part of our due diligence, Markham proactively reports severe watermain breaks to the Ministry of the Environment and the Public Health Department when water directed to the public may have adverse properties as a result of the watermain break. A severe watermain break is created by the collapse of the pipe wall resulting in entry of dirt in the watermain. Following every watermain repair, regardless of its severity, Waterworks initiates a procedure to test a water sample for microbial contamination.  These proactive steps have led to an increase in the number of reported adverse water quality incidents but they are necessary to enable faster response to potential adverse conditions, and to ensure that the Town maintains compliance with the requirement to report observation incidents, other than an adverse test result, that indicates that disinfection has not been maintained.

 

Adverse Water Quality – Presence of Bacteria

Of the twelve (12) samples with adverse results for bacteria testing; all twelve samples tested positive for total coliform. The detection of coliform in water samples is considered to be a general indicator of water quality. The Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) test is a method of measuring the aerobic bacterial content in water. Markham’s past experience has been that the bacterial presence in water samples was a result of sample handling or insufficient preparation of the sample at site. Upon being notified by YDREL that a given sample did not meet the water quality regulations for bacteria, Waterworks operators notified the York Region Medical Officer of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), flushed the affected parts of the water distribution system and re-sampled the water at the affected sites as well as at upstream and downstream locations until satisfactory chlorine residual results were achieved.

 

Four of the twelve samples that tested positive for bacteria (total coliform) were associated with an event that occurred on Friday October 5th, 2007 when a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) was issued by the York Region Community & Health Service Department for a selected area in the Angus Glen Subdivision.

 

The BWA was issued due to 3 consecutive failed samples from a watermain that was under construction. The adverse result was for presence of Total Coliforms (TC).  Sampling was undertaken as part of the Town’s standard practice following a system closure or interruption.  In this case, the existing drinking water system had been closed at valve 03L89 on Angus Glen Boulevard in order to allow a construction contractor working in the Angus Glen West Village (new development) to connect to the existing watermain. The water sample was taken on Tuesday October 2nd following the construction activity to determine if any contamination had occurred.  This sample failed (presence of  TC) and was reported as an Adverse Result. Corrective Action as required by O. Regulation 170/03 was immediately implemented. The corrective action included flushing the system at the place where the failed result occurred and re-sampling the system. However, both of these re-samples were found to be positive for the presence of TC and were reported as Adverse Results.

 

A third round of flushing and re-sampling was initiated on Thursday October 4th. The third round of sampling and testing continued to indicate the presence of coliforms within at the construction site.  This prompted the York Region Public Health Department to issue a Boil Water Advisory for the affected area.

 

Notification of the Boil Water Advisory (BWA) from the York Region Public Health Department was finalized at 6:38PM on Friday October 5, 2007.  Suitable notices and information materials were printed and delivered to the affected residents within two hours. Continuous flushing of the watermain was initiated at the same time to ensure that chlorine residuals remained sufficient in the affected area to provide secondary disinfection of the drinking water.

 

AWQI # 75929 – Notice of Issue Resolution
 

This section of watermain west of valve 03L89 has been isolated from service by closing the valve
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


On Saturday October 6th, the watermain west of valve 03L89 was put “Out of Service” by closing the valve, and samples were taken from the upstream side of the valve. This set of samples passed and no colifoms were detected. Further sampling on Sunday October 7th also passed, and the Boil Water Advisory was lifted on Tuesday October 10th.  There was no indication at any time between Tuesday October 2nd and Monday Oct 9th that the existing watermain was contaminated. Test results taken upstream of the point of contamination had no indication of the presence of colifoms, and chlorine residual concentrations were maintain at normal levels.  There were no reported cases of illness among the residents.

 

As of December 2007 the watermain west of valve 03L89 was put back into service after a new round of sampling passed. These results were forwarded to both the Ministry of the Environment and the Public Health Department.

 

Steps taken to prevent the occurrence of similar adverse water quality incidents include:

·        Identification of additional “dead-ends” in the existing system that require routine flushing to maintain the chlorine residual necessary for secondary disinfection.

·        Increased co-ordination between Development Engineering and Waterworks to identify sections of watermain that have been constructed but are not in use.  These sections of watermain are deemed out-of service and closed off.

·        Waterworks has initiated discussions with representatives of the Development Industry to implement a program of water quality maintenance within subdivisions from the point in time when the system is connected to the existing system until such time as the subdivision is fully occupied.

·        Increased training of Waterworks staff to recognize and communicate emerging water quality incidents so that staff can be forewarned and better prepared to handle these incidents.

·        Increased training and awareness of Engineering Inspectors to recognize construction practices and activities that might lead to contamination of the drinking water system.

 

Adverse Water Quality – Deficient Chlorine Residual

Of the two (2) samples with adverse results for deficient chlorine residual and for the two (2) observation incidents (during severe watermain break occurrence), notification was sent by Waterworks to both the MOE and York Region Public Health Department (Ministry of Health). The system was then flushed until acceptable chlorine residual was established and results were recorded.

 

For more detailed information on sampling results and water quality compliance, please refer to Attachment “A” – Annual 2007 Detailed Regulatory Water Quality Report.

 

Waterworks continues to undertake a program of dead-end flushing and maintenance of chlorine in the distribution system for secondary disinfection of drinking water.  Four (4) new automatic flushing stations were installed in 2007 at dead-ends. This brings the total number of auto-flushing stations to eight in the drinking water system.  These stations greatly reduce the amount of staff time required to maintain chlorine residual at system dead ends, and by being automated they can provide flushing on week-ends and off-hours when staff are not available. The optimized dead end flushing program has reduced both flushing time and frequency of flushing visits hence resulting in operational savings and a decreased number of adverse chorine residual test results in 2007.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                    

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusions:

The drinking water distributed to the Town of Markham residents in 2007 was of high quality. During the operation of the water distribution system during 2007, there were very few adverse reports (0.17% of all system tests undertaken) and these were immediately resolved. The drinking water system is maintained by Waterworks with continual improvements and programs in place to ensure water quality.

 

In 2007, the Town initiated implementing a Quality Management System (QMS) which complies with the MOE Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) as required under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

 

One of the DWQMS elements (element # 16) specifically asks for documentation of system sampling, monitoring and testing processes of the drinking water system. Compliance is required on order to achieve accreditation and operate the Drinking Water System. The QMS will enhance the effectiveness and performance of our current processes through standarization of procedures and documentation.

 

Attachment A: Annual 2007 Detailed Regulatory Water Quality Report

 

The format for the Annual Detailed Regulatory Water Quality Report intended to be made public on or before February 28, 2008 was established by the Ministry of the Environment.

This report is attached as Attachment “A” and was prepared on January 23, 2007. The contents include:

1.      A brief description of the drinking water system.

2.      A description of how the report has been distributed and where it will be located and made available to the public.

3.      A summary of water quality testing results for microbiological, inorganic chemical, and organic chemical parameters.

4.      A summary of adverse water quality reports.

5.      Identification of the laboratory that Markham is using for regulatory testing

            (York Region Environmental Laboratory).

 

The Town of Markham has met the Regulation 170/03 submission dates and requirements of reporting.

 

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)

Not Applicable

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not Applicable

 

 

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

Not Applicable

 

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

The 2007 Annual Water Quality Report on the drinking water system meets legislative requirements and is consistent with the Town’s corporate goals of Infrastructure Management and Quality Community.

 

The program enhances several key Waterworks service delivery components:

·        Proactive and preventative strategies to identify and manage risks to public health;

·        Continuous Improvement of Waterworks activities and service delivery;

 

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Not Applicable

 

 

RECOMMENDED BY:

 

                                     _________________________        

                                      Jerry Klaus,

                                      General Manager, Waterworks

 

 

                                      _________________________       

                                      Peter Loukes, P. Eng.

                                      Commission Lead, Operations and Asset Management

 

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

 

Attachment “A”— Annual 2007 Detailed Regulatory Water Quality Report

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q:\Commission Share\Operations and Asset Management\Reports\2008\Waterworks\2007 Annual Water Quality Report (Jan – Dec 2007).doc