General Water Quality Parameters
The table below shows some general water quality parameters. These averages are for the water leaving the plant in 2024.
| Testing Done | Average | Definition of Substance |
| pH | 7.6 | A measure of acidity and alkalinity. |
| Hardness (as CaCO3) | 102 mg/L | A measure of the total concentration of calcium and magnesium ions. |
| Calcium (as Ca) | 28 mg/L |
Inorganic substances often found in water. |
| Magnesium (as Mg) | 7.9 mg/L | |
| Sulfate | 11.1 mg/L | |
| Chloride | 11.3 mg/L | |
| Sodium | 5.6 mg/L | |
| Alkalinity (as CaCO3) | 78.8 mg/L | A measure of the capacity of water to neutralize an acid. |
| Conductivity | 238.5 uS/cm | A measure of the ability to carry an electrical current |
Treatment Chemicals Added to the Water
Chlorine is added to the water in the form of sodium hypochlorite for disinfection. The free chlorine residual leaving the plant in 2024 was between 1.0-1.4 mg/L and averaged 1.1 mg/L. The maximum amount allowed by the EPA is 4.0 mg/L. Chlorine levels tend to drop as water ages and moves through our system. A detectable residual is required throughout our system.
Orthophosphate forms a coating on lead and copper surfaces which helps reduce the dissolving of the metals into the water. Our water system is required to add it to the water to provide corrosion control. Our system has a designated optimization ranges between 3.0 to 4.0 mg/L. The average dose leaving the plant in 2024 was 3.38 mg/L.
Fluoride is added to the water to prevent tooth decay. The recommended concentration by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is 0.7 mg/L. Fluoride is naturally present in our source water and average 0.09 mg/L in 2024. After treatment, concentrations in our finished water ranged between 0.65 to 0.81 mg/L in 2024, and averaged 0.71 mg/L. While the EPA has established primary standards that limit fluoride levels to a maximum of 4.0 mg/L, there is also a secondary standard that require public notification should levels ever exceed 2 mg/L.
Lead and Copper
To learn about lead and copper, or to see testing results, click here (link to lead and copper info).
PFAS Chemicals
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, are contaminants of emerging concern. PFAS are a large group of human-made chemicals that are fire resistant and repel oil, stains, grease, and water. They have been widely used in fire-fighting foams, stain repellants, nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing and shoes, fast food wrappers, personal care products, and many other consumer goods. PFAS chemicals are very persistent, meaning that they do not easily break down in the environment. They have also been found to have negative effects on humans when ingested.
Our system’s water was tested for PFAS twice in 2024. Samples were gathered from Bay City in January and from the water leaving the plant in February. The tests looked for 29 different PFAS compounds. Test results showed that all 29 different PFAS compounds were not detected. PFAS compounds were also not detected in samples between 2018-2023. PFAS has always been below detected levels in our tap water.
If you’d like more information about PFAS testing or would like to review the results, please email us at BAWTP@baycountydwsmi.gov.
Radioactive Contaminants
Through consistent testing, our source water has shown that it doesn’t contain radioactive contaminants. The historical data and lack of potential sources of contamination reduces our need to test for these contaminates on an annual basis. The testing cycle is currently set for every 9 years and in 2024, the Bay Area Water System completed this testing. Testing in 2024 looked for Gross Alpha, Radium-226, Radium-228, and Uranium. We are happy to report that all four contaminates came back as non-detectable. Even though testing has shown that the radioactive contaminates aren’t in our water, it is worth highlighting their health concerns. Some people who drink water containing radioactive contaminates in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer and kidney toxicity.
Water Quality Reports
For more information about water quality please see the current water quality report (Consumer Confidence Report).