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CITY OF RICHMOND 2025 Annual Water Quality Report 36725 Division Rd • P.O. Box 457 • Richmond, MI 48062 • 586.727.7571 “RIGHT TO KNOW” RULE PASSED In 1998, a Federal rule was passed to ensure that consumers of community water supplies receive annual documentation of drinking water quality. The City of Richmond provides your drinking water and is pleased to present you with this annual water quality report. Our goal is to provide you with a safe and dependable water supply. This report will illustrate that we are achieving this goal. WATER QUALITY RESULTS The City of Richmond routinely monitors your drinking water according to Federal and State laws. The table on page 3 of this report shows the results of monitoring for the period of January 1st to December 31st, 2025, unless otherwise noted. The test results show that your drinking water meets or surpasses all Federal and State requirements. IMPROVING WATER AESTHETICS Every year your water distribution system is flushed in April and September to remove iron deposits. This improves the taste of the water and helps prevent water from appearing rusty in color. WHERE DOES YOUR WATER COME FROM? Your drinking water is drawn from underground through seven different wells. The raw well water drawn from underground benefits from natural filtration as it travels through sand and gravel. In addition, each well has its own treatment equipment to inject the water with chlorine (to inactivate potentially harmful bacteria in the water) and polyphosphate (to control iron and corrosion). Finished water is distributed directly to customers or stored in a 400,000 gallon elevated storage tank for use during peak demands. HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION Drinking water, including bottled water, may be reasonably expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of these contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). The sources of both tap and bottled drinking water include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials, and can also pick up substances resulting from animal or human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include: Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife; Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring, or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming; Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water run off and residential uses; Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, septic systems, and urban or agricultural runoff (i.e., pesticides and herbicides); or Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. All of these contaminants were below the level of concern in the City of Richmond’s drinking water. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health. INFORMATION FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS: Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 800-426-4791. DEFINITIONS Parts per million (one in one million) (ppm): The ppm is equivalent to milligrams per liter. A milligram = 1/1000 gram. One ppm can be equated to a single dollar in $1,000,000. Parts per billion (one in one billion) (ppb): The ppb is equivalent to micrograms per liter. A microgram = 1/1000 milligram. One ppb is a single dollar in $1,000,000,000. Parts per trillion (one in one trillion) (ppt): One ppt is a single dollar in $1,000,000,000,000. Picocuries per liter (pCi/L): One pCi/L can be equated to a single dollar in $1,000,000,000,000. Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The MCLG is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected health risk. MCLGs allows for a margin of safety. Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The MCL is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible, using the best available treatment technology. Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow. Treatment Technique (TT): A treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): Highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. Na: not applicable. Here are the contaminants that were detected in our water. ALL ARE BELOW ALLOWED LEVELS. Not listed are the hundreds of contaminants tested for, but not detected in our water. Some tests are not required on an annual basis. For these, the most recent test result is listed. TEST RESULTS FOR 2025 contaminant test date unit low high MCLG MCL likely sources Regulated Inorganic Parameters (sampled at the treatment system tap) Fluoride 2025 ppm 0.66 1.80 4.0 4.0 Erosion of natural deposits Regulated Metals Parameters (sampled at treatment system tap) Arsenic1&2 Barium Selenium Chromium 2021 2021 2021 2021 ppb ppm ppb ppb 0 0.00 0 0 4 0.19 1 0 0 2 50 100 10 2 50 100 Erosion of natural deposits Erosion of natural deposits Erosion of natural deposits Erosion of natural deposits Unregulated Parameters (sampled at the treatment system tap) Sodium3 PFAS 2025 2025 ppm ppt 50 0 160 0 Na Na Na Na Erosion of natural deposits Manufacturing & Industrial Copper and Lead Testing (sampled in the distribution system at individual taps) Lead4 2023 ppb 90th Percentile 0 0 AL = 12 Lead service lines, corrosion of household plumbing including fittings and fixtures; erosion of natural deposits Copper 2023 ppb 230 1300 AL = 1300 Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits # of Known Lead Service Lines: 0 # of Unknown Service Lines: 166 Total # of Service Lines: 2,608 Regulated Contaminants (sampled from distribution system taps) Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 2025 ppb 2.7 8.5 Na 80 By-product of drinking water chlorination Haloacetic Acids 2025 ppb 10 13 Na 60 By-product of drinking water chlorination Chlorine Residual 2025 ppm 0.03 0.89 MRDGL 4 MRDL 4 By-product of drinking water chlorination Radiological Contaminants Gross Alpha 2025 pCi/L 0.00 4.05 0 15 Erosion of natural deposits Radium 226 2025 pCi/L 0.00 0.00 0 5 Erosion of natural deposits Radium 228 2025 pCi/L 0.00 1.73 0 5 Erosion of natural deposits Source Water Assessment6(2016) Susceptibility to Contamination Very Low Low Mod. Low Mod. Mod. High High Very High Your water comes from seven (7) underground wells, each over 139’ deep. The State performed an assessment of our source water to determine the susceptibility or the relative potential of contamination. The susceptibility rating is on a seven-tiered scale from “very-low” to “very-high” based on geologic sensitivity, well construction, water chemistry, and contamination sources. Well 3 Well 4 Well 8 Well 9 Well 10 Well 11 Well 14 X X X X X X X 1. While your drinking water meets EPA’s standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. EPA’s standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s possible health effects against the costs of removing levels of arsenic from the drinking water. EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems. The City of Richmond has constructed arsenic removal plants at the affected well sites. 2. Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years could experience skin damage or problems with their circulatory system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. 3. Unregulated contaminants are those for which EPA has not established drinking water standards. Monitoring helps EPA to determine where certain contaminants occur and whether it needs to regulate those contaminants. 4. Lead can cause serious health effects in people of all ages, especially pregnant people, infants (both formula-fed and breastfed), and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and parts used in service lines and in home plumbing. The City of Richmond is responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes but cannot control the variety of materials used in the plumbing in your home. Because lead levels may vary over time, lead exposure is possible even when your tap sampling results do not detect lead at one point in time. You can help protect yourself and your family by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family’s risk. Using a filter, certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead, is effective in reducing lead exposures. Follow the instructions provided with the filter to ensure the filter is used properly. Use only cold water for drinking, cooing, and making baby formula. Boiling water does not remove lead from water. Before using tap water for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula, flush your pipes for several minutes. You can do this by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes. If you have a lead service line or galvanized requiring replacement service line, you may need to flush your pipes for at least 5 minutes to flush water from both your home plumbing and the lead service line. If you are concerned about lead in your water and with to have your water tested, contact the City of Richmond Department of Public Works at 586.727.7575 for available resources. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at https://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. 5. There is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of persons who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increase risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney, or nervous system problems. 6. If you would like to obtain a copy of the DEQ, Source Water Assessment Report visit http//www.cityofrichmond.net. PUBLIC INFORMATION Interested citizens are welcome to attend City Council meetings to participate in the decisions affecting the City of Richmond’s water system. Meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, located at 36725 Division Road. QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? Water system operations staff work year-round to provide quality water to residents. If you have any questions or comments, or would like to receive more specific information about the City of Richmond’s water system, please feel free to contact Jim Goetzinger, Public Service Director at 586.727.7575. PUBLICATION and COPIES Because the number of water customers is less than 10,000, the City of Richmond is allowed to publish the Water Quality Report in the newspaper. As such, copies of the Report will not be mailed to each water customer. Copies of this report are available at the Richmond City Hall, telephone number 586.727.7571. The Report can also be accessed on the City's Home Page at http//www.cityofrichmond.net WELLHEAD PROTECTION PLAN (WHPP) The WHPP reflects the City of Richmond’s commitment to protection of its community resources, the public health of its citizens, and the natural environment. This WHPP was prepared in accordance with guidance documents available from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)-Drinking Water and Radiological Protection Division (DWRPD). The City of Richmond is a groundwater-based public water supply. The City relies entirely on groundwater for its residential, commercial, and industrial water supply needs. The City’s water system provides water to the City and portions of Lenox, Casco, and Richmond Townships. The City currently maintains approximately 35 miles of various-sized water distribution piping and has one elevated storage tank. The WHPP provides background information about the City’s water supply system, a summary of each of seven elements of the City’s WHPP, recommended procedures for maintaining the WHPP, an implementation schedule, and a guide to resources that can be used as this plan is implemented. Supporting information is provided in associated tables and appendices. The WHPP can also be accessed on the City's Home Page at http//www.cityofrichmond.net