Monitoring Water Safety and Quality

WSSC Water uses a variety of methods to monitor our water for safety and quality.

We test water quality at the reservoir, in the rivers near the point where water is taken into the system, and throughout the water distribution system. We conduct 500,000 laboratory tests on our water every year, collecting samples from both of our water filtration plants and from 90 locations throughout the distribution system.

Water is tested for a range of synthetic organic compounds, including numerous pesticides. In the summer and through the fall, raw water and treated water at both of our filtration plans is tested for harmful algae (also known as cyanobacteria).

Our routine monitoring includes:

• Regularly monitor throughout our distribution system for key water quality parameters ( level of chlorine disinfectant, presence of bacteria, disinfection byproduct, etc.).
• This monitoring confirms the health and safety of the water as it reaches our customers.
• In addition, filtered water from both filtration plants is monitored on a daily basis to ensure it meets State and Federal standards.
• Results from our distribution and filtration plant monitoring can be found in our annual Water Quality Report and annual Tap Water Analysis Report