Annual report: Drinking water safe
Boulder City’s drinking water has been deemed safe to use in an annual water quality report.
The report comes out each July and analyzes potential health risks, amount of contaminants in the water, and breaks down the percentage of where the city receives its water.
According to the report that analyzed data and samples from 2013, 97 percent of Boulder City’s water comes from the Colorado River. The Virgin River, Muddy River and Las Vegas Wash account for the other 3 percent.
As the water arrives through an intake pipe at the Alfred Merritt Smith Water Treatment Facility, it is treated with ozone and chlorine to kill potentially harmful bacteria and microscopic organisms. The water is disinfected and filtered again before leaving the facility.
Salts, metals, wildlife and a few other sources can leave contaminants in the water before it goes through the treatment process, but the report said Boulder City’s water quality is well below all maximum contaminant levels for drinking water except microbiological contaminants, which are naturally found in all surface waters.
Boulder City’s tap water, according to the yearly report, contains naturally occurring calcium and magnesium, which may contribute to the taste. Both minerals are harmless, it said. The Environmental Protection Agency has regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.
According to the Southern Nevada Water Authority, where Boulder City gets it water from, the water it delivers has always met all state and Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
