Domes at the K.I. Sawyer Water Treatment Plant are seen. According to the 2017 consumer confidence report, Sawyer’s water is safe to drink and all substances tested for were within acceptable ranges, with the exception of two residences tested in 2016 that had lead levels above Environmental Protection Agency action levels. (Journal photo by Cecilia Brown)

MARQUETTE — The K.I. Sawyer Water Department recently released the 2017 water quality report for the former Air Force base, providing details about where the water comes from, what it contains and how it compares to standards set by the state and the Environmental Protection Agency.

With the exception of water samples from two residences that tested above EPA action levels for lead in 2016, all examined substances were found to be within acceptable limits, according to the report.

The samples tested for lead and copper included in the 2017 report were taken in 2016, per the the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality requirement to take them every three years — the next samples will be taken in 2019.

According to the report, 90 percent of the water customers who participated in the sampling had levels equal to or less than 2 parts per billion lead. This amount is below the action level for lead, at 15 parts per billion, or ppb.

“If this (90th percentile) number was 15 ppb or higher, there are actions which the water utility would have to perform to help reduce lead levels and to educate the customers on safe drinking water practices,” K.I. Sawyer Water Department Supervisor Nicholas Hautamaki wrote in an email.

Two residences out of the 20 in 2016 had lead levels higher than 15 ppb; however, officials noted the sampling is performed by water customers, not water department employees.

“They receive instructions which require a sample which is taken from their most commonly used faucet used for drinking after it is not used for a minimum of 6 hours,” Hautamaki wrote. “Unfortunately we do not know how well the customers follow the instructions. Once these samples are received at the laboratory, the results count and are not allowed to get re-sampled for our reporting.”

Letters were sent to the two residences where elevated lead levels were found to inform residents of the situation and give instructions to reduce lead exposure, Hautamaki said.

In most cases, lead and copper enters drinking water at the customer’s residence, not at the water source, officials said.

“As is the case in most public drinking water supplies, levels of lead and copper are very low or not detected at the (water) source. Our 2012 results at the wells were non-detect for lead,” Hautamaki wrote, noting that the DEQ requires well testing every nine years, with the next sampling and testing slated for 2021.

Copper was not detected in amounts above the action level at any residence, according to the report.

When lead and copper are found in the water of a residence, it is typically from the plumbing, Hautamaki said.

“The plumbing in most residences built before 1987 consists of copper pipe with lead solder. The longer water sits in these pipes, the higher the amount of lead and copper will be in the water,” he wrote.

In older homes, the water department recommends running the tap water for 30 seconds to two minutes or until water gets cold before drinking or cooking, and never use water from the hot water heater for drinking or cooking.

Testing results for perfluoroalkyl, or PFOA, and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFOS, was also included in the 2017 report, though nothing exceeding EPA limits were found at tested residences or detected at the K.I. Sawyer wells, officials noted.

However, a type of PFAS, perflurohexanesulfonic acid — or PFHxS — was detected at well No. 5 at 7.8 parts per trillion, but the EPA does not currently have a lifetime health advisory limit for PFHxS, Hautamaki wrote.

“We believe this is because the EPA has ranked PFHxS as less of a health concern,” Hautamaki wrote.

The water report also details the results of testing for fluoride, nitrate, chlorine, radiological contaminants, haloacetic acids and trihalomethanes, which were all within acceptable levels or not detected.

Overall, Hautamaki says the water at K.I. Sawyer is of high quality.

“Our most common complaint is usually found to be from customers using hot water from their hot water heater to cook foods in an effort to get water boiling quicker. To reduce metals contaminating your food, always start with cold water for cooking and drinking,” Hautamaki wrote. “Also, we have seen posts online about water complaints that never get to the water department. Please call the water department with any water concerns, we make our best efforts to investigate all complaints.”

The department can be reached at 906-346-3137.

Cecilia Brown can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. Her email address is cbrown@miningjournal.net.