ASHFORD WATER DISTRICT

Annual Water Quality Report for 2025

We are pleased to report that the Ashford Water District drinking water meets federal and state safety requirements. We are committed to ensuring the quality of your water. The Ashford Water District (AWD) water sources are two 150-foot ground-water wells located in the National area. The AWD public ID is: 03200 E.

If you have any questions about this report, questions concerning your water utility, or would like to be involved in what we do, please contact us at 360-569-8811. The AWD staff members are: Commissioners James Rogers, Steve Miller, and Jim Frey; Water Distribution Manager Jay Iverson; and Recording Clerk Leslie Stewart.

It is important that our water district customers are informed about their water utility. Our meetings are held the 2^nd Tuesday of every month from 6 to 7pm at the district office located at 30415 SR 706 E. Please feel free to call the office at that time with any questions you may have. If you need specific accessibility accommodations, please call at least a week in advance so we can prepare. If you have specific topics to discuss, feel free to let us know in advance so we might do some research in order to better address your question or concern.

The Ashford Water District monitors your drinking water for contaminants monthly according to Federal and State laws. The following page shows the results of our monitoring for the period from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. It is important to remember that the presence of these contaminants does not necessarily pose a health risk.

On the next page you will find table informing you of test results. You will find many terms and abbreviations you may not be familiar with. To help you here are some meanings for the terms and abbreviations used:

N/a: Not applicable

PPM: one part per million = 1mg/L (one milligram per liter), or a single penny in $10,000.

PPB: parts per billion (ppb)

P/CL/L: Picocuries per liter is a measure of the radioactivity in water.

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. It is our goal to keep all contaminant levels below the MCL.

Action Level or AL: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

V?: Short for “Violation?” as in “is the contaminant level above the MCL or AL?”

Treatment Technique or TT: A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

MOST RECENT TESTS

Microbiological Contaminants (2025)	Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory?	Number of samples positive for coliform bacteria
Total Coliform Bacteria	16 of 16 Satisfactory	zero

Contaminant (units)	V?	Level Detected	MCL	Likely Source of Contamination	Potential Health Effects
Inorganic Contaminants (from source, 2021)	N	(see specific contaminants below)
Antimony (mg/L)	N	<0.0030	0.006	Discharge from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder	Some people who drink water containing antimony well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience increases in blood cholesterol and decreases in blood sugar.
Arsenic (mg/L)	N	<0.0010	0.01	Erosion of natural deposits; Runoff from orchards; Runoff from glass and electronics production wastes	Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years could experience skin damage or problems with their circulatory system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Barium (mg/L)	N	<0.10	2	Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits	Some people who drink water containing barium in excess of the MCL over many years could experience an increase in their blood pressure.
Beryllium (mg/L)	N	<0.00030	0.004	Discharge from metal refineries and coal-burning factories; Discharge from electrical, aerospace, and defense industries	Some people who drink water containing beryllium well in excess of the MCL over many years could develop intestinal lesions.
Cadmium (mg/L)	N	<0.0010	0.005	Corrosion of galvanized pipes; Erosion of natural deposits; Discharge from metal refineries; Runoff from waste batteries and paints	Some people who drink water containing cadmium in excess of the MCL over many years could experience kidney damage.
Chloride (mg/L)	N	3.1	250
Chromium (mg/L)	N	<0.0070	0.1	Discharge from steel and pulp mills; Erosion of natural deposits	Some people who use water containing chromium well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience allergic dermatitis.
Copper (mg/L)	N/A	<0.020	N/A	Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits	Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level (how much our bodies use) over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson's Disease should consult their personal doctor.
Cyanide (mg/L)	N	<0.05	0.2	Discharge from steel/metal factories; Discharge from plastic and fertilizer factories	Some people who drink water containing cyanide well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience nerve damage or problems with their thyroid.
Fluoride (mg/L)	N	<0.20	4	Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive which promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories	Some people who drink water containing fluoride in excess of the MCL over many years could get bone disease, including pain and tenderness of the bones. Fluoride in drinking water at half the MCL or more may cause mottling of children's teeth, usually in children less than nine years old. Mottling, also known as dental fluorosis, may include brown staining and/or pitting of the teeth, and occurs only in developing teeth before they erupt from the gums.
Iron (mg/L)	N	<0.10	0.3
Lead (mg/L)	N/A	<0.0010	N/A	Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits	Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.
Manganese (mg/L)	N	<0.010	0.05
Mercury [inorganic] (mg/L)	N	<0.00020	0.002	Erosion of natural deposits; Discharge from refineries and factories; Runoff from landfills; Runoff from cropland	Some people who drink water containing inorganic mercury well in excess of the MCL over many years could experience kidney damage.
Nickel (mg/L)	N	<0.0050	N/A
Nitrate (mg/L) (Most recent test 2025)	N	<0.38	10	Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits	Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome.
Nitrite (mg/L)	N	<0.10	1	Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits	Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrite in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome.
Nitrate/Nitrite total – N (mg/L)	N	<0.40	10	(see above)	(see above)
Selenium (mg/L)	N	<0.0020	0.05	Discharge from petroleum and metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits; Discharge from mines	Selenium is an essential nutrient. However, some people who drink water containing selenium in excess of the MCL over many years could experience hair or fingernail losses, numbness in fingers or toes, or problems with their crculation.
Silver (mg/L)	N	<0.01	0.1
Sodium (mg/L)	N	5.5	N/A
Sulfate (mg/L)	N	2.2	250
Thallium (mg/L)	N	<0.0010	0.002	Leaching from ore- processing sites; Discharge from electronics, glass, and drug factories	Some people who drink water containing thallium in excess of the MCL over many years could experience hair loss, changes in their blood, or problems with their kidneys, intestines, or liver.
Zinc (mg/L)	N	<0.20	5
Nitrate (mg/L) from source, 2023	N	0.41	10	(same as prior nitrate entry)	(same as prior nitrate entry)

Inorganic Compounds (from distribution, 2023)	At each of the ten residential sites sampled, lead and copper concentrations tested below the respective regulatory action level (RAL). 90th percentile: Out of every 10 homes sampled, 9 were at or below this level. If the measured amount at more than one residence exceeds the RAL, action must be taken to reduce the amount.
Copper (mg/L)	N	90th percentile: 0.185 mg/L (1.3 mg/L is the regulatory action level)
Lead (mg/L)	N	90th percentile: 0.0032 mg/L (0.015 mg/L is the regulatory action level)

Volatile Organic Compounds (μg/L) from source, 2022	N	All 59 ND (non-detected; needn’t be listed. If you’re curious about the specifics, see www.ashford-water.com for the link to the DOH Consumer Confidence Report guide)
Herbicides (μg/L) from source, 2021	N	All 14 ND (non-detected; needn’t be listed. If you’re curious about the specifics, see www.ashford-water.com for the link to the DOH Consumer Confidence Report guide)
Pesticides (μg/L) from source, 2015	N	All 50 ND (non-detected; needn’t be listed. If you’re curious about the specifics, see www.ashford-water.com for the link to the DOH Consumer Confidence Report guide)

PFAS (forver chemicals)
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (2025)	Tested for 25 different PFAS; all were non-detected

Contaminant (units)	V?	Level Detected	MCL	Likely Source of Contamination	Potential Health Effects
Gross 𝛂 (alpha) emitters (pCi/L) from source, 2023	N	<3.00 ± 0.699	15	Erosion of natural deposits	Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha radiation. Some people who drink water containing alpha emitters in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Radium 228 (pCi/L) from source, 2023	N	<0.184 ± 0.4	5	Erosion of natural deposits	Some people who drink water containing radium 226 or 228 in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Water Properties:	Color (color units)	Conductivity (μmhos/cm)	Hardness (mg/L)	Turbidity (NTU)
Violation:	N	N	N	N
Measured:	<5.0	120.7	50	<0.10
MCL:	15	700	n/a	n/a

Total Coliform: The Revised Total Coliform Rule requires waters systems to meet a stricter limit for coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria are usually harmless, but their presence in water can be an indication of disease-causing bacteria. When coliform bacteria are found, special follow-up tests are done to determine if harmful bacteria are present in the water supply. If this limit is exceeded, the water supplier must notify the public by flyer, newspaper, television, or radio.

Nitrates: As a precaution, we always notify physicians and health care providers in this area if the MCL for nitrates is exceeded.

Mandatory statements, from Preparing User-Friendly Consumer Confidence Reports ( June 2018) (Preparing User-Friendly Consumer Confidence Reports – 331-296.pdf):

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 EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

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 (1-800-426-4791).

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, 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, parasites, and bacteria that may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, or wildlife. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can occur naturally or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, and farming.

Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from various sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.

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

Radioactive contaminants, which can occur naturally or result from oil and gas production and mining activities.

Lead: In Washington State, lead in drinking water comes primarily from materials and components used in household plumbing. The more time water has been sitting in pipes, the more dissolved metals, such as lead, it may contain. Elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially in pregnant women and young children.

To help reduce potential exposure to lead: for any drinking water tap that has not been used for 6 hours or more, flush water through the tap until the water is noticeably colder before using for drinking or cooking. You can use the flushed water for watering plants, washing dishes, or general cleaning. Only use water from the cold-water tap for drinking, cooking, and especially for making baby formula. Hot water is likely to contain higher levels of lead. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water is available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or online at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Department of Health and EPA prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Washington Department of Agriculture regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health.

/end mandatory statements

Thank you for your attention,

Ashford Water District Commissioners