Water Quality at the Anschutz Medical Campus
Concerns expressed about water quality within the University of Colorado Hospital and the Anschutz Medical Campus led to extensive water quality testing. Results of testing through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) laboratory, confirmed that water supplied to campus buildings meets Federal and State drinking water standards as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A complete overview of the City of Aurora water quality can be obtained through their consumer confidence report produced by the Aurora Water Department.
Some buildings, including Building 500 and the 400 series buildings, have plumbing that can leach lead and copper into the water. Disturbance of water lines, such as during construction activities, can exacerbate this problem. For these buildings, bottled water will continue to be supplied until plumbing upgrades can be completed.
The sampling program implemented by the University of Colorado Denver (UCD) involves regular sampling of suspect buildings and includes the sampling of new buildings. New plumbing also has the potential to leach metals into the water. The water impact typically experienced as a result of newer plumbing is the contribution of small amounts of copper . This is not unique to our campus and is experienced by any newer construction involving the use of standard construction materials such as copper piping, brass fittings and related solder. As buildings are occupied and with time and continued use, a reduction in these levels is usually experienced given certain water conditions.
As part of the building commissioning process, before any new building is occupied, water lines are super chlorinated and then flushed. Samples are collected after flushing to ensure lines are adequately sanitized (as assessed through analysis for total coli forms ). Following this activity, UCD Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) tests water from selected taps in new buildings for lead and copper following guidelines established within the EPA Lead and Copper Rule (samples are analyzed by the CDPHE laboratory). Testing results are available below. For additional information you may contact EH&S directly at 303-724-0242.
Lead and Copper Rule
Sampling by UCD personnel was guided by protocol established for the Lead and Copper Rule - regulations developed by the EPA for public water utilities (water suppliers/water treatment plants). The emphasis for the public water utility is to assess residential taps because that is where the majority of the water is consumed – in the home, rather than at work. Many drinking water standards are based on the smallest amounts that may present a chronic health risk through repeated or lifetime consumption (such as in the home). UCD has no regulatory requirement to sample building water or employ this rule. However, since concerns were expressed by the UCD community about our water quality and because the City of Aurora is required (based on conditions established by the Rule) to sample residents and not our campus buildings, UCD sampled building water independently. The City of Aurora and CDPHE assisted and guided the process to help us achieve sampling representative of actual water conditions within our buildings. Though not directly applicable, we used the limits established within the Lead and Copper rule as an action level. If concentrations of lead exceeded the limit established by the rule, bottled water was provided.
Basic Requirements of Lead and Copper Rule for Water Suppliers:
- require water suppliers to optimize their treatment system to control corrosion in customer's plumbing;*
- determine tap water levels of lead and copper for customers who have lead service lines or lead-based solder in their plumbing system;
- rule out the source water as a source of significant lead levels; and,
- if lead action levels are exceeded, require the suppliers to educate their customers about lead and suggest actions they can take to reduce their exposure to lead through public notices and public education programs.
*Corrosion of lines and plumbing contributes to lead and copper levels in water.
The rule states that the public water utility (water supplier) sample an established number of consumers based on certain criteria. If more than 10% of the sample sites exceed the action levels (1.3 parts per million [ppm] of copper or 15 parts per billion [ppb] of lead), then the public water utility must employ certain actions (including public education when the lead action level is exceeded). Read more at:
· EPA Lead and Copper Rule
· Recent changes to lead and copper rule
· Basic Information
· National Review of Rule
· Safe Drinking Water Act
· EPA Region 8 Lead & Copper Rule history .
Sample Results
 See a Map of Anschutz Medical Campus for assistance assessing locations of sampled buildings.
· May 2008 Sample Results for RC2
2007 Sample Results
· 2007-2006 Sample Comparisons
· 2006 Test Results for Anschutz Medical Campus Buildings:
· Pictures of typical inlet valve
Water Quality Health Concerns
Lead
With few exceptions, lead enters tap water from plumbing sources (pipes, fittings, faucets, solder and flux). Requirements for new construction specify “lead free”-only fittings, solder and flux for use in the construction of UCD buildings. However, even “lead free” fittings can still contain up to eight percent lead and meet the legal requirements to be called “lead free”.
Too much lead in the human body can cause damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cells. At highest risk are young children and pregnant woman. Health effects are most severe for infants and children because exposure to high levels can cause delays physical and/or mental development. In adults, it can result in kidney problems or high blood pressure. The EPA estimates that 10 to 20 percent of human exposure to lead may be the result of drinking water.
For those buildings at the Anschutz Medical Campus where lead was suspected, or found to be a problem, bottled water is provided for use.
Additional Information:
· EPA Lead in Drinking Water
· EPA Basic Information
· EPA actions for residents to reduce lead
Like lead, copper is found in tap water generally as a result of corrosion of plumbing. Originally, limits on copper in drinking water were the result of taste complaints. The taste threshold for copper is 1 to 5 milligrams per liter (mg/L). [1] Concerns over the potential health effects of excess copper are now considered in EPA established limits for copper in drinking water. Both too much and too little copper can create health problems. According to the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine , the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for copper is generally 700 micrograms per day (ug/day). [2] Most of the copper the body needs is obtained through food intake. Studies indicate that dietary intake is not typically associated with toxicity, while ingestion of water with high levels of copper can result in toxicity and the margin appears to be fairly narrow.
Not all copper taken in is absorbed by the body and the amount absorbed depends on various physiological factors. Acute toxicity related to copper is rare and occurs when intake is very high. Acute effects result in gastrointestinal irritation (vomiting, nausea and diarrhea). Less studied is toxicity to chronic doses. Evidence of chronic risks is derived principally from patients with Wilson disease (a genetic defect in copper excretion) or liver damage. [3] Children can absorb metals at higher rates than the average adult, particularly children younger than six. Exposure to higher levels of copper can cause stomach and intestinal distress, liver or kidney damage and complications of Wilson's disease for genetically predisposed individuals. [4]
Additional Information:
· EPA Consumer Fact Sheet on Copper
Coliform bacteria are common in the environment and are generally not harmful. However, the presence of these bacteria in drinking water is usually a result of a problem with the treatment system or the pipes which distribute water. Fecal coliforms are bacteria that are associated with human or animal wastes. They usually live in human or animal intestinal tracts.
Fecal Coliform and E coli are bacteria whose presence in drinking water indicates possible contamination with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms.
· Other microorganisms affecting water
Additional Information on Water Safety
· World Health Organization guidelines for drinking water
· EPA what contaminants are found in drinking water
· EPA Drinking Water topics
· EPA Drinking Water and Health
· Drinking Water Contaminants Regulated by EPA
City of Aurora Water Department Web Site
Additional Information:
History Since 2006
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