Mrs. Shirley Mann, librarian, will be checking in her Columbia City library books for good. She has been transferred to McBride Elementary as a full time kindergarten teacher and will no longer be able to serve as the community librarian. Over the past three and a half years Mrs. Mann has passionately given her time and talents to the community library. She has been key to its success and will be missed.

We are creating a special children’s book collection, "Mrs. Mann’s Top 100," in her honor. Her list will be made available if you wish to contribute a book.

The Friends of the Library will be hosting an open-house reception for Mrs. Mann Wednesday, July 9^th from 6 pm to 7 pm. Please stop by the library to express your gratitude and well wishes.

Friends of the Library

Used Books & Community Garage Sale

Saturday, July 19^{th -} 9 am to 4 pm

Community Hall

The Friends of the Library are hosting a sale to raise money for shelving in the new location. Sell your crafts or wares, too. Call the Library, (503) 366-7588, to reserve a table for $10.

• The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
• The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
• The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
• The Nanny Diaries by Nicola Kraus

• Stupid White Men: And other Sorry Excuses for the

• State of the Nation! by Michael Moore

We'd like to extend a very special thank you to:

• The St. Helens Garden Club for donating a beautiful flower arrangement in honor of National Garden Week

• Bob Kunders and Sally Ann Marson, who both donated gorgeous flower arrangements

• Helen Sandstrom, Phyllis Rowley, Phyllis Moss and Bernie Albertine for helping with the June water bills

• Bob Hendrickson donated rope for fencing in Datis Park, and Stan Hopkins and John Burdett helped him with the installation

• Marian Calnon and Nell Harrison painted the sign for Jim Bundy Memorial Park, and Jim Shinkle built the framework

• Richard Ziglinski picked up trash along Highway 30 near the bike path, and continues to help us with a multitude of tasks

The anticipated schedule for waterline construction within City street right-of-ways is as follows:

July 14 - 26: Fifth Street between "E" and "H" and "H" Street between Fifth and Sixth.

July 28 - August 6: Sixth Street between "H" and "I" Streets and "I" Street between Sixth and Ninth Streets

August 6 - 28: Ninth Steet between "I" and "K" Streets.

WATER QUALITY

In compliance with federal reporting requirements, Columbia City now provides you with an annual report of the outcome of our many water quality tests. Our constant goal is to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. The cities of St. Helens and Columbia City test water frequently, and we meet or exceed all quality standards required by federal and state requirements. We are required by the Oregon State Health Division to take two routine water samples monthly to test for contaminants.

We have been upgrading our distribution and storage systems by replacing old water mains, repairing leaks, cleaning our storage reservoirs and updating system maps. We are also currently constructing a new reservoir to meet current and future storage demands. Our cross-connection program is designed to help prevent any potentially contaminated water from re-entering the City water supply. Columbia City requires a backflow assembly where that potential exists in our system to ensure quality drinking water. This report presents water quality data and explains what it means.

WHERE DOES OUR WATER COME FROM?

The City of Columbia City purchases water from the City of St. Helens. St. Helens draws water from three Collector Wells located in Columbia City and one Ground Water Well located near Scappoose Bay Marina, St. Helens. Collector Well #3 is located at the end of "K" Street near the bank of the Columbia River, Well #2 is located at the corner of "E" Street and The Strand on the bank of the River, and Well #1 is located 1/2 mile to the north. Well #2 has not been operated since Well #3 came on line in 2001. Well #2 and #3 were determined to be under direct influence of surface water. For this reason the City of St. Helens is building a water treatment plant to treat and disinfect the water.

WATER SERVICE INFORMATION

For information and/or participation in decisions about your drinking water, please contact Leahnette Rivers at City Hall (503) 397-4010. We want our valued customers to be informed about their water utility. In case of emergencies, our Public Works personnel are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling (503) 397-1521. Our regularly scheduled City Council meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 7:30 p.m.

Public Works personnel are certified by the Oregon State Health Division and are trained in all aspects of water distribution and cross-connection. They are required to complete continuing education classes in order to maintain their certification and to keep up-to-date on the latest information and technology in their field.

LEAD AND COPPER TESTING

The 90th percentile shown in the previous table is the highest result found in 90% of the samples when they are listed in order from the lowest to the highest results. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires testing for lead and copper at customer's taps most likely to contain these substances based on when the house was built. The EPA determined that the sample results exceeded the Action Level, the City must take action in reducing the risk of leaching of lead and/or copper. The City of St. Helens did so by adding phosphate to the water to reduce lead and copper levels.

Copper. Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People should consult their personal doctor.

MORE INFORMATION

The City of Columbia City works around the clock to provide top quality water to every tap. Should you experience any problems with your water or, just want to ask a question, please contact us. We ask that all of our customers help us protect our water sources, which are the heart of our community, our way of life and our children's future. THANK YOU!

City Hall is open: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Monday through Friday

Phone: (503) 397-4010

Fax: (503) 366-2870

Email: columbiacity@columbia-center.org

Website: www.columbia-center.org/colcity

City Shop is open: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Monday through Friday

Phone: (503) 366-0454

Fax: (503) 366-0724

Email: cccshop@crpud.net

After hours emergency phone: (503) 397-1521

City of St. Helens Water Department

2002 Water Quality Report

WATER QUALITY

The City of St. Helens Water Department is providing this summary of the quality of the water provided to you during the past year. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires that utilities issue an annual "Consumer Confidence" report to customers in addition to other notices that may be required by law. This report details where our water comes from, what it contains, and the risks our water testing and treatment are designed to prevent.

City of St. Helens Water Department is committed to providing you with the safest and most reliable water supply. Informed customers are our best allies in maintaining safe drinking water.

We are required by the Oregon State Health Division to take 10 routine water samples monthly from designated areas throughout the city, testing for contaminants in the drinking water.

In 2002 the City of St. Helens Water Department's Drinking Water met or surpassed all federal and state drinking water standards.

We have been continuing to upgrade and improve our water quality and service by installing new water mains and having a leak detection survey done to help reduce water loss.

WATER SOURCE

The St. Helens Water Department supplies the city with water from three Collector Wells located in Columbia City and one Ground Well located near Scappoose Bay Marina. Well #3 is located at the end of "K" Street near the bank of the Columbia River in Columbia City. Well #2 is located at the corner of "E" Street and Strand Street on the bank of the Columbia River. Well #1 is located 1/2 mile to the north. These locations are monitored and inspected daily. Well #2 has not been operated since Well #3 came on line in 2001.

In 2002, it was determined that Well #3 is under direct influence of surface water, so the City is working on plans to construct a water treatment facility that will use a new technology called membrane filtration process to disinfect and treat the water. The plant is scheduled to be completed in December 2004.

During the summer months when usage is higher, the City produces over 4 million gallons of water per day. This serves over 10,500 residents through 3,800 service connections. During the fall and winter months, this usage falls to just over 2 million gallons per day.

You can contact St. Helens City Hall at 503-397-6272 for information about the next opportunity for public participation in decisions about your drinking water.

MANDATORY TESTING

The contaminants we monitor for are listed below. Only the five listed in the table above had detectable levels.

Microbiological Contaminants

Total Coliform Bacteria

Fecal Coliform

Turbidity

Radioactive Contaminants

Beta/photon emitters

Alpha emitters

Combined Radium

Inorganic Contaminants

Antimony

Arsenic

Barium

Beryllium

Cadmium

Chromium

Copper

Cyanide

Fluoride

Lead

Mercury (inorganic)

Nickel

Nitrate (as Nitrogen)

Nitrite (as Nitrogen)

Selenium

Sodium

Sulfate

Thallium

Synthetic Organic Contaminants

2,4D

2,4,5-TP (Silvex)

Alachlor

Atrazine

Benzo(a)pyrene (PAH)

Carbofuran

Chlordane

Dalapon

Di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate

Dibromochloropropane

Dinoseb

Diquat

Endothall

Endrin

Ethylene dibromide

Glyphosate

Heptachlor

Heptachlor epoxide

Hexachlorobenzene

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene

Lindane

Methoxychlor

Oxamyl (Vydate)

PCBs (Polychlorinated)

Pentachlorophenol

Picloram

Simazene

Toxaphene

Volatile Organic Contaminants

Benzene

Carbon Tetrachloride

Chlorobenzene

o-Dichlorobenzene

p-Dichlorobenzene

1,2 – Dichloroethane

1,1 – Dichloroethylene

cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene

trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene

Dichloromethane

1,2, - Dichloropropane

Ethylbenzene

Styrene

Tetrachloroethylene

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene

1,1,1 – Trichloroethane

1,1,2 – Trichloroethane

Thrichloroethylene

Toluene

Vinyl Chloride

Xylenes

HOW TO READ THIS TABLE

This report is based upon the most recent tests conducted in 2002 by the City of St. Helens Water Department. These tests are done every three years. Terms used in the Water Quality Table and in other parts of this report are defined here.

• Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
• Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
• Treatment Technique or TT: A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

The data presented in this report is from the most recent testing done in accordance with regulations.

Key to Table

MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level 

MCLG = Maximum Contaminant Level Goal

ppm = parts per million or milligrams per liter (mg/l)

ppb = parts per billion or micrograms per liter (ug/l)

Water Quality Table Footnotes

All contaminants tested were below the Maximum Contaminant Level and none were in violation. We did have violations for late reporting of nitrates and inorganics. None of these violations created a health risk.

LEAD AND COPPER TESTING

The 90th percentile is the highest result found in 90% of the sames when they are listed in order from the lowest to the highest results. EPA requires testing for lead and copper at customers’ taps most likely to contain these substances based on when the house was built. The EPA determined that the sample results exceeded the Action Level (AL), the City must take action in reducing the risk of leaching of lead and/or copper. The City did so by adding phosphate to the water to reduce lead & copper levels. Due to the population increase to 10,500, we are now required to take 60 lead and copper samples instead of 40.

ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes limits on the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. 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.

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 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 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, stormwater runoff and residential uses.

• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organics, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems.

• Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than is 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 are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800)426-4791.

MORE INFORMATION

CITY HALL – Hours 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Mon. – Fri. Phone 503-397-6272 Website www.ci.st-helens.or.us

WATER DEPARTMENT – Hours 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Mon. – Fri. Phone 503-397-3532

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY PHONE – 503-397-1521

REMEMBER - Water meters are City property and should not be tampered with. If you have a water or sewer emergency (such as a broken pipe or leak), call the Water Department or the After Hours Emergency number. Someone is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

WATER SERVICE INFORMATION – A deposit of $30.00 will be required of consumers within the City limits and a deposit of $40.00 will be required of customers outside the City limits of St. Helens before water service will be furnished. All users of City water inside or outside the City of St. Helens shall pay $2.76 per month service charge for each water service meter in addition to the rate paid for water use.

SENIOR CITIZEN SUBSIDY – The monthly water service subsidy shall be up to a maximum of $18.80 (1362 cu. ft.) per 2 month billing cycle for a home within the City limits that is occupied and either owned or rented by an individual over 65 years of age. An applicant for such a subsidy shall apply to the City Hall office and provide proof of age.

DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS – Upon failure to pay water charges due within the first ten days of a month, by the 15th day of the month, the account shall be delinquent and a late charge of $5.00 shall be added and by the 25th day of the month, the account shall be assessed a $20.00 delinquent fee and water service to the customer may be turned off.

RESTORATION CHARGE – A customer shall pay for restoration of water service when service has been disconnected because of non-payment. The customer shall then pay the sum of $20.00 for re-connection fee.

Our backflow program helps prevent any potentially contaminated water from entering the City's water supply by having industrial, commercial or residential buildings install an approved backflow assembly. If you are considering installing a lawn sprinkler system, you are required to install an approved backflow assembly to help protect your drinking water and our water system. Contact our Building Department to find out more information.

If you have questions or need more information contact the City of St. Helens Water Department at 503-397-3532.

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