Random Fact: Seattle has the best water in the nation

Seattle Water Surpasses National Health Standards, Tastes Great
Report on High-quality Water Will Reach More Than 320,000 Utilities’ Customers This Week

SEATTLE— Seattle’s drinking water continues to be among the best in the nation, according to a federally mandated report mailed to thousands of residences and businesses this week by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU).

The utilities’ annual Drinking Water Quality Report, based in part on an assessment by the Washington State Department of Health, finds that Seattle’s drinking water quality meets, or is better than, all state and federal requirements including the Safe Drinking Water Act.

“ Seattle’s drinking water is some of the cleanest water found anywhere in the world,” Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels wrote in a preface to the report. “In fact, we have lower levels of contaminants than the new, stricter federal guidelines require,” Nickels wrote.

As required by the Safe Drinking Water Act and as a service to SPU customers, the City of Seattle provides important information about drinking water and the efforts made to supply drinking water that protects public health, meets regulations and tastes good.

The Drinking Water Quality Report, summarizing water quality testing results for the year 2005, is being mailed to more than 320,000 commercial and residential customers in Seattle’s direct service area.

SPU attributes its high quality water to the utilities’ protected water sources and exceptional source water treatment. The Cedar and South Fork Tolt River watersheds are closed to public access. The focus on source protection minimizes the opportunity for contaminants to enter the water. This high-quality source is then treated to a very high standard prior to delivery to customers.

To ensure water quality, SPU’s laboratory regularly monitors more than 170 compounds and analyzes more than 20,000 microbial samples each year. The tests include turbidity, fluoride, coliform, chlorine, lead, copper, and disinfection by-products. All water quality these levels are well below the limits set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, making Seattle’s water among the best in the nation.

View the Drinking Water Quality Report.

The report will also be available at Department of Neighborhoods Service Centers, Seattle Public Library branches, and at the SPU Payment Center, located at 700 5th Avenue, Suite 2777. Utility customers and interested persons may receive additional information by calling the water quality information line at (206) 615-0827.

SPU provides more than 1.3 million customers in the metropolitan area with a reliable water supply and provides essential sewer, drainage and engineering services that safeguard public health, maintain the City’s infrastructure and protect, conserve and enhance the region's environmental resources.