DDW-2024-009401

Consumer Confidence Report
Sandy City Department of Public Utilities
PWS ID: UTAH18028
Water
Quality
Report
2024
About This
Report
This is your annual report on the quality of your drinking water, generally
referred to as a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Sandy City is
dedicated to ensuring that you have access to clean, safe, and consistent
water. The purpose of this report is to provide peace of mind and trust in
your drinking water.
All water agencies are required by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and State of Utah Division of Drinking Water
(DDW) to create an annual document informing customers about the
quality of their drinking water for the previous year. The report explains
where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to
health standards. We are proud to report that the water we provide to you
has met all federal and state requirements in 2023.
If upon reading this report, you have questions or concerns please reach
out. You may contact us at 801-568-7280 and [e-mail].
Sandy's Tap Water Supply Meets All State and
Federal Health Standards in 2023
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En español
Este informe incluye información importante sobre el agua potable. Si
tiene preguntas o comentarios sobre éste informe en español,
contáctenos por correo electrónico a [e-mail] o por
teléfono al 801-568-7280.
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 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 runoff, 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, 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.
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
prescribes regulations which limit the amount 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.
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small
amounts of some 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, or www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water.
Drinking Water
Contaminants
Look Out for Special 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 microbial contaminants are available
from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

What's in your water before it's treated
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Our source waters include mountain streams, surface water reservoirs,
and a network of groundwater wells. Sandy Public Utilities purchases
water from the Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake and Sandy
(MWDSLS). All of Sandy City’s water supplies are delivered by MWDSLS,
except its groundwater supplies. Our distribution system blends water
from these multiple sources. Depending on supply and demand, the ratio
of water from each source may change throughout the year.
About Your
Water
Sandy City receives water from several surface water sources including Little Cottonwood
Creek, Bell Canyon Creek, and the Ontario Drain Tunnel. Additionally, we have invested in
and receive water stored in Deer Creek Reservoir and Jordanelle Reservoir. These surface
water sources are treated with a multi-step process that includes coagulation, flocculation,
sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection. After the water leaves the treatment plants, Sandy
Public Utilities and MWDSLS routinely collect samples throughout the distribution system to
monitor the quality of water as it travels from the source to your tap.
Little Cottonwood Creek - Sandy City owns water rights in Little Cottonwood Creek.
This is one of Sandy's larger sources and the water is treated at Little Cottonwood
Water Treatment Plant (LCWTP) before it is distributed.
Bell Canyon Creek - Sandy City owns water rights in Bell Canyon Creek. An aqueduct
between Bell Canyon Creek and Little Cottonwood Creek allows this water to be
treated at the LCWTP.
Ontario Drain Tunnel - On behalf of Sandy City, MWDSLS acquired water from the
Ontario Drain Tunnel (ODT). The ODT is in the Provo River Watershed and can be
delivered to the LCWTP or the Point of the Mountain Water Treatment Plant (POMWTP)
via the Provo River System.
The City currently has 16 wells that pump groundwater from underground aquifers.
Typically, these wells only operate in the summer months to meet high demand and
maintain pressures in the system. However, they can also be utilized during dry years to
supplement the yields obtained from the surface and storage water sources. What happens
on the ground above has an impact on the quality of our groundwater. Chemicals and
hazardous materials should never be disposed of on the ground since they can move
through the soils and contaminate groundwater. As groundwater flows through subsurface
geology, it is continually filtered by a natural process and does not require special
treatment. Sandy City Public Utilities tests the quality of the groundwater on a regular basis
to ensure its safety.
Surface Water
Groundwater
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Where does our water come from?
Coagulation
Sedimentation
Protecting the watersheds prevents contamination of our
water supply and is the most cost-effective process in
water treatment. Extensive measures are taken to prevent
contamination of our water.
Coagulated water is slowly mixed causing the neutral
particles to collide. When the collisions occur, the particles
clump together forming heavier particles called floc. As the
floc is formed, particles in the water are trapped within it.
The floc now looks like snowflakes suspended in the water.
This is the chemical process of rapidly mixing chemicals with a
positive charge into the water entering the treatment plant.
Many of the particles in the source water have negative
charges, causing them to repel each other. Coagulation
changes these negative charges to neutral. The particles then
bind with the chemicals to form larger particles.
The floc particles are heavier than water. Mixing is stopped and
the water slowly flows through the sedimentation basins, during
which the floc settles to the bottom and is removed. The clear
water is collected from the top of the sedimentation basins.
Watershed Protection01
Flocculation03
02
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Water
Treatment
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Water is treated using several processes, with
each process providing additional water quality
improvements. Using a multiple step treatment
process provides additional barriers for added
levels of safety.
The Treatment Process
Disinfection
Water is passed through deep filtration beds to produce
water that is crystal clear. Extremely small particles are
removed during this process.
Drinking water is further treated to remove or inactivate viruses,
bacteria, and other pathogenic organisms. Disinfection is
accomplished in a variety of methods. The LCWTP uses ozone
and chlorine to disinfectant. The POMWTP uses disinfection
processes such as ozone, ultra violet light, and conventional
filters. These are advanced disinfection processes and have the
advantage of providing higher quality water with better taste.
After disinfection, water pH is adjusted if necessary and fluoride
is added to meet Health Department requirements. Adjusting
the pH improves taste, reduces corrosion of pipes, and ensures
disinfectants continue killing germs as the water travels through
pipes.
Filtration05 06
The goal of Sandy ONE Water Way is to preserve the quality of our water. To achieve this goal, we must protect watersheds that
provide us with drinking water, ensure groundwater source protection, make improvements to stream water quality, and conserve
water.
The purpose of ONE Water Way is to educate the public on good stewardship of our waterways. There are many different aspects
of water. Whether it's about reducing consumption, learning water conservation principles and practices, ensuring drinking water
quality, or preventing water pollution. The key is understanding that all these different aspects of water impact each other. Think of
every way you might impact water quality and take preventative and positive actions to protect our water.
One Water Way
Water is an essential resource and vital
for the functioning of our lives. Our water
supply is impacted by population growth,
climate change, and short-term weather
fluctuations. The need to use water
efficiently is imperative to meeting future
water needs. Conservation measures are
feasible means to extending our water
supply and are easier to implement than
reservoirs, pumping stations, and other
infrastructure. Regardless of supply
levels, we are in an arid climate and
conservation is always the best practice.
Slow the Flow
Pollution can be carried into our local
waterways by storm water runoff. Please
help us ensure our stormwater is as
clean as possible before discharging to
our creeks and rivers by keeping trash,
leaves, grass, sediment, and other
pollutants out of storm drains. Most storm
water runoff flows untreated into the
waters we use for swimming, fishing, and
other recreational activities. If you
observe a clogged storm drain or illegal
discharge, please report the incident.
Remember, we all live downstream.
Protect Storm Water
Various canyons along the Wasatch Front
are an important source of our drinking water
and are designated "Protected Watershed
Areas". The cleaner our water is at its source,
the easier and less costly to treat. Our
activities and actions, both on the hillsides
and around the water source, impact the
quality of our drinking water. Regulations
govern our activity in these areas so this vital
source of drinking water will be kept clean.
You can make a positive contribution to our
water quality by following the simple
watershed regulations posted.
Keep It Pure
ONE Goal
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It all starts with our watersheds. Sandy’s drinking water comes from protected watersheds in the Wasatch Mountains. Protecting our
source waters is the first stage of treatment and means higher quality water from your tap. Please help us maintain healthy water
quality by safeguarding the watershed where you get your culinary drinking water.
Water Protection Starts at the Source
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A cross connection is a connection between the public drinking water supply and
another source which may affect the quality of the drinking water. If the connection is
not properly protected it can lead to the contamination of the drinking water system
through a backflow event. Examples of cross connections can range from a boiler in an
office building, a chemical process in an industrial plant, to something as common as a
landscape sprinkling system or threaded hose connections at your home.
All facilities, commercial or residential, have at least one potential or actual cross
connection. Cross connections are allowed, provided they have proper protection
against backflow. The customer's responsibility is to protect cross connections against
backflow by installing and maintaining backflow prevention devices and assemblies.
These devices and assemblies ensure that the water flows in one direction and doesn't
allow for pollutants or contaminants to flow back into the drinking water supply.
For more information please visit https://deq.utah.gov/drinking-water/cross-connection-
control-backflow-prevention or https://sandy.utah.gov/200/BackflowCross-Connection.
Your Role in
Water Quality
We are dedicated to providing safe water. Once the water we provide passes through the meter on your
property however, it is exposed to a whole new environment in your home that we have no control over.
But you do. The water quality on your property can be affected by your plumbing and pipe material, how
long you go without running the water, and whether or how you connect outdoor hoses to your home’s
water supply.
Cross Connection, Backflow, and Water Quality
Check Your Plumbing for Lead and Copper
Flush the Pipes
Another factor that influences water quality in your home is how "stale" the water is.
When you leave your home or business for an extended period, such as when going on
vacation, the water in the pipes and plumbing does not move. Bacteria can grow in
water that has been sitting in the pipes for days, and if you have lead or copper
plumbing, those metals can seep into the water. The best thing to do when you get
back from being away for a while is to run the water on full blast for 30 seconds to two
minutes before using it for drinking or cooking.
Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily
from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Sandy City is responsible for providing high
quality drinking water but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components in your home. You share the
responsibility for protecting yourself and your family from the lead in your home plumbing. You can take responsibility by
identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family's risk. Before drinking
tap water, flush your pipes for several minutes by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes. You can
also use a filter certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead in drinking water. If you are
concerned about lead in your water, please contact us for information on how you can have your water tested. Information on lead
in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
Sandy City’s aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) project aims to
both enhance the beauty of the park and expand Sandy City’s
backup water supply. Sandy Public Utilities is currently working
with Bell Canyon Irrigation Company and potentially other water
right owners on win-win scenarios that would help achieve the
goal of year-round water flow in Dimple Dell. As additional water
supplies become available, the flow in Dimple Dell will increase,
the times the creek is dry will decrease, and the groundwater
aquifer under Sandy will begin filling up.
In 2020, Sandy City began channeling its portion of Bell Canyon
Irrigation water down Dry Creek into Dimple Dell. A flow
measurement device and groundwater monitoring well were
installed a year later to track the progress of the aquifer storage
efforts.
Be Water Smart
Sandy City has a free customer water portal! WaterSmart
provides detailed information about your household water use.
You can reach the portal on your mobile device or web browser
at sandy.utah.gov/watersmart.
To register for this service, just enter your billing account
number and email address. You can then access all of your
utility data as soon as it becomes available each billing period,
see how your water use compares to similar sized homes in your
neighborhood, and get access to customized recommendations
on how you can save water and money. We hope you take
advantage of this exciting new service, and look forward to
working closely with our residents to make our city more
resilient, healthy, and happy!
WaterSmart Customer Portal
Aquifer Storage
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Protecting our drinking water is critical and this responsibility
falls on each of us to do our part. Here are some ways that you
can help protect your community's drinking water:
Use and dispose of harmful materials properly. Don't pour
hazardous waste materials down the drain, on the ground, or
into storm drains. This could contaminate the soil,
groundwater, or nearby surface water.
Limit the use of pesticides or fertilizers, and always follow
the label directions. These chemicals can travel through the
soil and contaminate groundwater or runoff into storm water
to rivers, streams, and lakes.
Clean up after your pets. Dogs and other domestic animals
can transmit human disease when their waste gets into our
water ways and these illnesses can be deadly to humans
and wild animals.
Source Water Protection Tips
We have tons of information on our website to help you learn
about water. Check out these pages:
https://sandy.utah.gov/298/Our-Watershed
https://sandy.utah.gov/1333/Conservation
https://sandy.utah.gov/282/Conservation-Tips
https://sandy.utah.gov/290/Incentives-Rebates
https://sandy.utah.gov/227/Storm-Water-in-Sandy-City
https://sandy.utah.gov/217/Flood-Information
https://sandy.utah.gov/1922/Landscape-Education
https://sandy.utah.gov/1814/Water-Education
https://sandy.utah.gov/269/Water-Rates
Education
It's impressive to see how Sandy City is taking significant steps
toward conserving water. Thank you for playing your part in
preserving this valuable resource. Every effort counts! In 2023,
Sandy's water usage reduced 16% from the 10-year average. This
is a fantastic achievement. However, we must continue to make
water conservation a top priority regardless of snowfall, spring
runoff, or supply levels, as we live in an arid climate that is
susceptible to drought. Conservation is always the best practice.
Conservation Sandbags are your property and you are responsible for
disposing of them properly. Here are a few tips to help you do
so:
Do not dump sandbags in rivers, creeks, streams, canals,
ditches, gutters, or storm drains as this is a water quality
violation.
Do not dispose of sandbags in curbside residential
trashcans.
Clean sandbags can also be stored and reused. Make sure
they are completely dried out before storing.
You can repurpose unused or uncontaminated sand on your
property in planters and gardens.
Sandbag Disposal
"Flushable" wipes are not actually flushable and can cause
serious damage to sewer systems. Follow the 3P rule to
prevent clogged pipes (poo, pee, paper).
Don't pour fats, oils, and greases (FOG) down the drain.
Dispose of them and other food in the trash or compost to
prevent blockages in pipes. Let's keep our sewers flowing
smoothly.
Wastewater
A service line is the pipe that connects the City water main to your interior plumbing. In Sandy, the City is responsible for
the service line from the main in the street to the meter, typically near the property line. The property owner is responsible
for the service line from the meter to inside the home.
Sandy City Public Utilities is doing an inventory of the water service lines in our community. The inventory will identify the
material of your service line, including if your service line is made of lead. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
finalized the first major update to the Lead & Copper Rule (LCR) on December 22, 2020. The new rule requires
community water systems to prepare and submit an initial service line inventory to the Utah Department of Environmental
Quality, Drinking Water Division by October 16, 2024.
The 1986 Safe Drinking Water Act Lead Ban requires all pipes, solder, and flux to be lead-free in public water systems and
residential and non-residential plumbing. The State of Utah enacted this ban in 1989. The EPA's goal is to get the lead out
of drinking water and replace lead pipes with much safer materials. Service lines built before 1990 are required to be
identified by material type.
The drinking water from the treatment plant that travels through the water mains to your house is lead-free. Sandy City
Public Utilities tests the water in the system following state and federal requirements. Our drinking water test results are
below the EPA lead or copper action levels.
Service lines composed of lead have been determined to have a significant impact on lead in drinking water. Homes built
prior to 1951 are more likely to have lead service lines. Homes built before 1989 may have lead service lines or lead solder
connecting copper pipes in their plumbing.
If your house was built before 1989, please help us by telling us what your service line is made of. To help you identify
and report your service line material, please scan the QR code below and complete our survey. For more information, visit
https://www.sandy.utah.gov/2127/Lead-and-Copper.
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Service Line
Inventory
Water Quality
Data Table
Definitions of acronyms used in the table are found on page 13. Only samples collected for the purpose of compliance are
reported. The EPA requires monitoring of over 80 drinking water contaminants. The following table lists only detectable results for
drinking water monitoring completed by Sandy City Public Utilities during 2023 (unless otherwise noted). For certain parameters,
the EPA and/or the state require monitoring less than once per year because concentration levels are most likely to change slowly.
The presence of compounds in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. If you have questions
about this information, call 801-352-4400 or email [e-mail].
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Unregulated
Contaminants
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Per UCMR5, our surface water was tested for 29 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and lithium that are not controlled by
regulations in drinking water. Sampling at the MWDSLS Plant produced the following results.
UCMR
The EPA uses a set of rules known as the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) to test for substances in drinking water
that are not covered by existing regulations. The EPA conducts this testing every five years, focusing on substances that may impact
public health. In the fifth round, called UCMR5, the EPA is testing for 30 chemicals in samples collected between 2023 and 2025,
with a focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and lithium and how they affect drinking water. Since there are currently
no regulations for PFAS and lithium, UCMR5 examines their frequency and levels in water samples. This data will help create future
regulations under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Collecting this data will aid scientists in understanding and addressing issues
related to contaminants in drinking water that may affect communities. For more information on UCMR5, visit
https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/fifth-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule#a1.
PFAS
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals utilized in a variety of everyday products and industrial
processes. They have been in use since the mid-1900s and are recognized for their water and grease-resistant properties. PFAS can
be present in items such as non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and firefighting foams. However, continuous exposure to high
levels of PFAS may present health risks, affecting the immune system, development, and other areas. It is crucial to be mindful of
these chemicals and take measures to minimize exposure.
LITHIUM
Lithium is a natural metal. It has been used in medicines for a long time to help with certain health issues. Although we have a good
understanding of using lithium in medicine, there is limited information about the health risks for people who receive small amounts
of lithium from drinking water, which is significantly less than the amount used in medicine. Currently, the EPA is unsure about the
risks for people with low levels of lithium in their drinking water. Scientists are still studying how lithium affects our health and at
what levels it might be a concern.
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Definitions for
Abbreviations
AL – Action Level – The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements
which a water system must follow.
MCL – Maximum Contaminant Level – The highest level of contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as
close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
MCLG – Maximum Contaminant Level Goal – The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is not known
or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
mg/L – Milligrams per liter or parts per million (ppm) – one part per million corresponds to one minute in two (2) years, or a
single penny in $10,000.
NE – Not established.
ND – Non-detects- Laboratory analysis indicates that the constituent is not present.
NTU – Nephelometric Turbidity Unit – Nephelometric Turbidity Unit is a measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess
of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person.
ppb – Parts per billion
ppt – Parts per trillion or nanograms per liter (nanograms/l) – one part per trillion corresponds to one minute in 2,000,000
years, or a single penny in $10,000,000,000.
pCi/L – picocuries per liter – picocuries per liter is a measure of the radioactivity in water.
Range – Range of measurements based on testing of Sandy City sources. (a) The MCL for beta particles is 4 mrem
(millirems) per year. EPA considers 50 pCi/L to be the level of concern for beta particles.
TT – Treatment Technique – A treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in
drinking water.
ug/L - Micrograms per liter or parts per billion (ppb) – one part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a
single penny in $10,000,000.
UR – Unregulated.
Resources
Telephone
801-568-7280
Email
[e-mail]
Website
sandy.utah.gov/1172/Public-Utilities
Utah Division of Drinking Water:
801-536-4200
Salt Lake County Health Department:
385-468-4100
EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline:
800-426-4791
Additional Contacts
For more information regarding your drinking water visit the Utah Division of
Drinking Water (DDW) at deq.utah.gov/division-drinking-water.
For more information regarding lead in your drinking water visit the EPA website at
www.epa.gov/your-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water.
For more information on fluoride in drinking water, please visit Salt Lake County
Health Department at https://slco.org/health/water-quality/drinking-water/
If you want to learn more about how to lower your exposure to PFAS, you can visit
the State of Utah’s website at www.pfas.utah.gov.
Visit sandy.utah.gov/stormwater for more information and ways that you can help
protect our waterways.
Sandy Public Utilities Contact Information
Sandy City will be testing for lead and
copper in your drinking water for
homes built before 1970. The testing
will commence on July 17, 2024.
If you would like to volunteer, please
email [e-mail] or
call 801-352-4400.
Free Lead & Copper Testing
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