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June 2026 - WQR No. 28 ATTENTION: THIS IS A REPORT ON WATER QUALITY AND SAFETY AND CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER. HAVE SOMEONE TRANSLATE IT FOR YOU, OR SPEAK WITH SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS IT. The City of Gibraltar is proud of the water it supplies and is honored to provide this report to you. The Great Lakes Water Authority and the City of Gibraltar Water and Sewer Department want you to know your tap water is safe to drink and that it meets or surpasses all federal and state standards for quality and safety. Drinking water quality is important to our community and the region. The City of Gibraltar and the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) are committed to meeting state and federal water quality standards including the Lead and Copper Rule. With the Great Lakes as our water source and proven treatment technologies, the GLWA consistently delivers safe drinking water to our community. The City of Gibraltar operates the system of water mains that carry this water to your home’s service line. This year’s Water Quality Report highlights the performance of GLWA and the City of Gibraltar water professionals in delivering some of the nation’s best drinking water. Together, we remain committed to protecting public health and maintaining open communication with the public about our drinking water. We will update this report annually and will keep you informed of any problems that may occur throughout the year, as they happen. Copies are available at Gibraltar City Hall (29450 Munro Ave.) and at the Gil Talbert Community Center (29340 S. Gibraltar Rd.). This report will not be sent to you. About Our System The Great Lakes Water Authority provides drinking water to approximately 4.2 million people in 126 southeastern Michigan communities, including the City of Gibraltar. The system uses water drawn from two intakes in the Detroit River; one to the north near the mouth of Lake St. Clair; and one to the south near Lake Erie. The water is directed to four (4) large water treatment plants for processing. A fifth water treatment plant located in St. Clair County uses surface water from Lake Huron. The City of Gibraltar receives water from the Southwest Treatment Plant. Detroit River Intakes Your source water comes from the Detroit River, situated within the Lake St. Clair, Clinton River, Detroit River, Rouge River, Ecorse River watersheds in the U.S. and parts of the Thames River, Little River, Turkey Creek and Sydenham watersheds in Canada. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, and the Michigan Public Health Institute performed a source water assessment in 2004 to determine the susceptibility of GLWA’s Detroit River source water for potential contamination. The susceptibility rating is on a seven-tiered scale from “very low” to “very high” based primarily on geologic sensitivity, water chemistry, and contamination sources. The susceptibility of our Detroit River source water intakes was determined to be highly susceptible to potential contamination. GLWA’s Southwest water treatment plants that draw water from the Detroit River has historically provided satisfactory treatment and meets drinking water standards. GLWA initiated source-water protection activities that include chemical containment, spill response, and a mercury reduction program. GLWA participates in a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit discharge program and has an emergency response management plan. GLWA has an updated surface water intake protection plan for the Fighting Island Intake. The plan has seven elements that include the following: roles and duties of government units and water supply agencies, delineation of source water protection areas, identification of potential sources of contamination, management approaches for protection, contingency plans, siting of new water sources, public participation and public education activities. If you would like to know more information about the Source Water Assessment report, please contact GLWA at (313-926-8127). How Do We Know Water Is Safe to Drink? GLWA’s treatment facilities operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The treatment process begins with disinfecting the source water with chlorine to kill harmful microorganisms that can cause illness. Next, a chemical called Alum is mixed with water to remove the fine particles that make the water cloudy or turbid. Alum causes the particles to clump together and settle to the bottom. Fluoride is also added to protect our teeth from cavities and decay. The water then flows through fine sand filters called beds. These filters remove even more particles and certain microorganisms that are resistant to chlorine. Finally, a small amount of phosphoric acid and chlorine are added to the treated water just before it leaves the treatment plant. Phosphoric acid helps control the lead that may dissolve in water from household plumbing systems. The chlorine keeps the water disinfected as it travels through water mains to reach your home. In addition to a carefully controlled and monitored treatment process, the water is tested for a variety of substances before treatment, during various stages of treatment, and throughout the distribution system. Highly qualified, trained staff test hundreds of samples each week in GLWA’s certified laboratories. Detroit water not only meets safety and health standards but also ranks among the top 10 in the country for quality and value. Additional Information Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least some small amounts of contaminants. The presence of 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 Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791. The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from 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 naturally occur 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 runoff, and residential uses. Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organics, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff and septic systems. Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. Cryptosporidium, which is a microbial parasite which is found in surface water throughout the U.S. Although Cryptosporidium can be removed by filtration, the most used filtration methods cannot guarantee 100 percent removal. Monitoring of our source water and/or finished water indicates the presence of these organisms. Current test methods do not enable us to determine if these organisms are dead or if they can cause disease. Symptoms of infection include nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Most healthy individuals can overcome the disease within a few weeks. However, immune-compromised people have more difficulty and are at greater risk of developing severe, life-threatening illnesses. Immuno-compromised individuals are encouraged to consult their doctor regarding appropriate precautions to take to prevent infection. Cryptosporidium must be ingested for it to cause disease and may be passed through other means than drinking water. To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the number of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health. People with Special Health Concerns Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised people such as people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, people 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 microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-(800-426-4791). National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Compliance Monitoring and Reporting to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Requirements: The State of Michigan and the U.S. EPA require us to test our water on a regular basis to ensure its safety. We met all the monitoring and reporting requirements for 2025. Other Monitoring The City of Gibraltar participated in the U.S. EPA’s Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule program. The EPA uses the UCMR program to collect nationally representative data for the 30 chemical contaminants (29 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS] and lithium). These contaminants may be present in drinking water but are not currently subject to regulatory standards set under Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). This monitoring is used by the agency to understand the frequency and level of occurrence of unregulated contaminants. Gibraltar took quarterly samples throughout the year, and the results were less than the minimum reporting level (MRL) according to the EPA analysis. In addition to testing we are required to perform; our water system voluntarily tests hundreds of additional substances and microscopic organisms to make certain our water is safe and of the highest quality. If you are interested in a more detailed report, contact the City of Gibraltar Water and Sewer Department at (734) 676-3952. Educational Information about Lead & Copper Safe drinking water is a shared responsibility. The water that GLWA delivers to our community does not contain lead. Lead can leach into drinking water through home plumbing fixtures, and in some cases, customer service lines. Corrosion control reduces the risk of lead and copper leaching into your water. Orthophosphates are added during the treatment process as a corrosion control method to create a protective coating in service pipes throughout the system, including in your home or business. The City of Gibraltar performs required lead and copper sampling and testing in our community. If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women, infants and young children. Infants and children who drink water containing lead could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight defects in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Gibraltar is responsible for providing high quality drinking water but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you have a service line that is lead, galvanized previously connected to lead, or unknown but likely to be lead, it is recommended that you run your water 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, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-(800-426-4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper more than the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson’s Disease should consult their personal doctor. Replacing Lead Service Lines The City of Gibraltar is actively identifying and replacing service lines that contain lead and galvanized previously connected to lead. All portions of the service line that contain lead and galvanized previously connected to lead that the water system owns, as well as the homeowner’s portion, must be replaced at the water supply’s expense. Contact the City of Gibraltar to learn about our service line replacement plan and timeline. Partial replacement of service lines, where there is still lead or galvanized previously connected to lead materials remaining when service is restored, are banned due to increased lead exposure and potential health risks, except in the case of emergencies like a leak or loss of pressure. If you have an issue with your side of the service line (generally, from the curb stop to the inside of your home), contact the City first to coordinate efforts and fully replace the service line. If an emergency repair is necessary, take additional precautionary measures to reduce potential exposure to lead during replacement or construction. Current City of Gibraltar Service Line Material Inventory Lead 16 Galvanized/Galvanized Previously Connected to Lead 2 Lead Status Unknown 66 Non-Lead (Copper, Plastic) 1314 Total Number of Service Lines 1398 Cost Comparison In Gibraltar, the tap water costs $8.68 per 1000 gallons. Bottled water ranges anywhere from $1 to $4 per gallon. * Sewage disposal fees are in addition to water usage. Opportunities for Public Participation The City of Gibraltar and the Great Lakes Water Authority are committed to safeguarding our water supply and delivering the highest quality drinking water to protect public health. We invite public participation in decisions that affect drinking water quality. The City of Gibraltar’s Council Meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the City of Gibraltar Municipal Complex, 29450 Munro, Gibraltar, MI. For more information about your water, or the contents of this report, contact Chelsea Bradd at 734-676-3900 ext. 218. For more information about safe drinking water, visit the U.S. EPA at http://www.epa.gov/safewater.