Show All Answers

1. Is there lead in my drinking water?

Lead enters drinking water primarily through plumbing materials. EPA and state regulations require water systems to monitor for the presence of lead at household taps every three years. Everett conducted its latest round of monitoring in 2015. The EPA action level is a maximum of 15 parts per billion for 90% of the samples. The highest level found in the 108 homes tested was 8 parts per billion. The 90th percentile result—the highest result obtained in 90 percent of the samples—was 2 parts per billion.

Everett’s source water contains virtually no lead and Everett has eliminated lead lines and connections from its distribution system. Therefore, these results indicate that the lead level at household taps is most likely due to the corrosion of household plumbing systems. More information about lead monitoring requirements can be found at the Environmental Protection Agency's website.

Pregnant women and young children can be more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. If you have concerns about lead levels in your household water, there are several steps you can take:

• If you live in older housing built before the mid-1940s, run your tap at least two minutes after water has sat in the pipes for six hours or more. This will help flush out any lead that may have accumulated in your pipes.
  
• If you live in newer housing and are concerned about lead, you can flush your pipes by running your tap until the water is noticeably cooler.
  
• Use only cold water for drinking, cooking and making baby formula. Hot water may contain higher levels of lead.
  
• Clean the screens and aerators in faucets frequently to remove captured lead particles.
  
• Use only “lead free” piping and materials for plumbing when building or remodeling.
  
• You can also have your water tested. Many certified labs in Washington perform these tests for $20 to $40 per test.
  

For more information on lead in drinking water, or to find a certified lab near you, go to the Washington State Department of Health. Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) or at the Environmental Protection Agency.

2. Who do I call if I have an emergency?

Everett Public Works maintains a 24-hour hotline for your convenience. If you have a water-related emergency, call 425-257-8821.

3. Why does the City add fluoride to my drinking water?

Some water supplies contain naturally-occurring fluoride. Everett’s does not. Therefore, after a vote of the people in 1992, Everett began adding fluoride to the water supply for dental health purposes. In January 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposed reducing the water fluoride concentration target to 0.7 ppm based on recent research. Based on this recommendation, Everett reduced the target fluoride residual in its drinking water to 0.8 ppm, which was the lowest level currently allowed by state regulations at that time. The Washington State Board of Health is adopted 0.7 ppm as the new standard on March 16, 2016. Everett subsequently reduced the target fluoride residual to 0.7 ppm. Information on fluoride in drinking water is available from the Washington State Department of Health.

4. Is bottled drinking water safer than tap water?

Not necessarily. Like tap water, the safety of bottled water depends on where it comes from and how it is treated. Tap water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and subject to stringent standards. Bottled water is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and held to different standards. If you are using bottled water for health purposes, you should research the product to make sure that it is providing the benefits you are looking for.

5. Why does my water taste or smell like chlorine?

Chlorine is used to disinfect your drinking water and eliminate disease-causing microorganisms. For this reason, there may be an odor or taste of chlorine when you first turn on your faucet in the morning. This should dissipate after you run the water for a few minutes. However, if your water has a persistent taste or odor, call Everett Public Works at 425-257-8821.

6. Do I need a water treatment or water filtration device?

Because your water comes from a high quality source and is treated effectively, the Washington State Department of Health advises that water treatment devices are not required. However, treatment devices, such as activated carbon filters, can be used to improve that taste of your water by removing chlorine and other substances that can cause poor taste or odors.

7. What is the normal water pressure in the City?

Water pressure in Everett ranges from 30 to 145 pounds per square inch (PSI), depending on the location. If the water main that serves you has a pressure greater than 80 PSI, you should install a pressure-reducing valve set at 80 PSI or less to protect your plumbing. If you are concerned about your water pressure or faucet flow rates, check to see if you have galvanized iron plumbing or if the pipe that connects you to the City’s water line is galvanized iron. Over time, galvanized iron pipe corrodes on the inside and the rust can cause blockages that restrict the flow of water. If you have pressure or flow problems and your plumbing and service line are copper or plastic, call Everett Public Works at 425-257-8821.

Show All Answers

1. Is Everett’s water safe to drink?

Yes, Everett’s water—and the water Everett Water System provides to other local water utilities—is safe to drink.

2. I heard on the news that Everett has a chemical in its drinking water that causes cancer. Is this true?

There was a report released on September 21, 2016 by The Environmental Working Group that said the chemical compound chromium-6 has been detected in water supplies for most U.S. cities, including Everett.

The results from monitoring conducted by the City of Everett for hexavalent chromium Everett water averaged 0.25 parts per billion (ppb). In California, one of the few places chromium-6 is regulated (it’s not regulated in Washington state), the regulatory level is 10 ppb—40 times the amount detected in Everett’s water.

3. What is chromium-6?

Chromium-6 is an unregulated compound under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules, and in most U.S. states, including Washington. The compound occurs naturally in the environment from the erosion of natural chromium deposits. It can also be produced by industrial processes.

4. How does Everett protect against chromium-6 and other chemicals from entering our drinking water?

The City of Everett’s water supply comes from a protected watershed. There are no industrial or agricultural activities and limited recreation allowed on and around the site.

5. Where can I go to get more information about what’s in Everett’s drinking water?

Everett’s 2015 Water Quality Report contains details and results about all of the contaminants, regulated and unregulated, that the City of Everett looks for in our drinking water.

6. Where else can I go for more information?

Visit the following U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sites:
• Chromium in Drinking Water
• Hexavalent Chromium: Questions and Answers