Since the news broke about the water crisis in Flint, Mich., concerns have been raised about the safety and quality of our local drinking water. Here are some facts to help you understand a little bit more about the situation in Flint, Mich., and how our water system at Chandler Utilities differs. We are also providing several links to additional information you might find useful, if you want to dig into some of these topics a little further.

1. The Flint River is the source for the city’s water in Flint, Mich.; this is a surface water source. Chandler Utilities has a groundwater source (it does not come from the Ohio River). You can find all kinds of information about groundwater here: http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/

2. Surface water is generally naturally softer in nature than groundwater. Chandler Utilities water is classified as “hard” water. Here is some additional information about hard water:  http://water.usgs.gov/edu/hardness.html

3. Because of pollution in the Flint River, the process to treat the contaminated water source was much more involved and required higher chlorine levels; this caused the water to become more acidic in nature. Chandler Utilities has a cleaner water source in groundwater, and less treatment is required.

4. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Lead can enter drinking water when service pipes that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures. The most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures with lead solder, from which significant amounts of lead can enter into the water, especially hot water.

“Corrosion is a dissolving or wearing away of metal caused by a chemical reaction between water and your plumbing. A number of factors are involved in the extent to which lead enters the water, including:

• the chemistry of the water (acidity and alkalinity) and the types and amounts of minerals in the water,
• the amount of lead it comes into contact with,
• the temperature of the water,
• the amount of wear in the pipes,
• how long the water stays in pipes, and
• the presence of protective scales or coatings inside the plumbing materials.”

Find more about lead in drinking water here: http://www.epa.gov/your-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water

With this information in mind, Chandler Utilities uses groundwater, which is high in mineral content and provides a protective scale inside plumbing materials; uses treatment methods that use the minimal amount of chlorine while maintaining drinking water safety regulations, thereby keeping the acidity level to a minimum; and has no lead pipes, joints or goosenecks in our treatment/distribution system from which leaching can occur. We follow state guidelines for lead testing in our system, and have never had any actionable results from such testing. Please note that the EPA states lead is rarely found in source water, but enters tap water through corrosion of plumbing materials – which means internal plumbing in your home could contribute to lead levels in your water, particularly if you are using household water filtration or softening systems that change the chemistry of the water.

For additional information regarding water quality at Chandler Utilities, please see our current Consumer Confidence Report, or visit one of the above-referenced websites.