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CITY OF SHAWNEE
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| Water Treatment Frequently Asked Questions | |
| Show All Answers Just Show Questions | |
| Q: | Can pregnant women drink chloraminated water? |
| Yes. Everyone can drink water that contains chloramines. | |
| Dated:10/30/2007 3:42:35 PM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | Can you safely wash an open wound with chloraminated water? |
| Yes. It is safe to use chloraminated water in cleaning an open wound because virtually no water actually enters the bloodstream that way. | |
| Dated:10/30/2007 3:43:02 PM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | Can you safely water plants, vegetables or fruit and nut trees with chloraminated water? |
| Yes. The small amount of chloramines in the water should have no effect on plants of any type. | |
| Dated:10/30/2007 4:00:33 PM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | Chloramine Public Notice March 7, 2007 |
| For many years, public water systems have added Chloramines to drinking water as a primary or secondary disinfectant. This is because of concerns of formation of disinfection by-product as the result of using free chlorine. The City of Shawnee is conducting a pilot study to evaluate the viability of using Chloramines as post oxidant... | |
| ChloraminePublicNotice.asp | |
| Dated:4/6/2007 5:52:06 PM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | Do I need to buy a water softener? |
| Some companies sell ''water softeners'' to reduce the hardness of the water. The softener's purpose is to improve the aesthetics or ''feel'' of the water. Hard water contains high concentration of calcium compounds. The calcium in the water can deposit on faucets and shower curtains as a heavy white residue (which is most easily cleaned with a rag soaked in vinegar). Shawnee's drinking water hardness fluctuates throughout the year between 75 to 100 parts per million or 4.3 to 6.0 grains per gallon (one grain per gallon equals 17.24 parts per million). Water is considered ''hard water'' above 250 parts per million. Therefore, residents on Shawnee's water supply have soft water, and do not need a softener. By the way, even hard water is fine to use and drink without a softener. | |
| Dated:5/6/2004 9:49:55 AM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | How do I know that my water is safe to drink? |
| Shawnee Water Treatment Plant has trained laboratory technicians and uses the service of the ODEQ Environmental Services Laboratory to analyze the quality of the water. Personnel from the lab monitor water quality at the water plant and at homes and businesses around the city to make sure that the water is safe to drink. Sampling and analysis is done continually throughout the year to make certain that the water meets or exceeds all E.P.A. and ODEQ quality standards | |
| Dated:5/6/2004 9:49:15 AM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | How much fluoride is added to the water? |
| Currently we do not add flouride to the water. | |
| Dated:8/19/2009 3:37:02 PM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | If chloramines are harmful to fish, how can people safely drink the water? |
| Chloraminated water is no different than chlorinated water for all of the normal uses we have for water. Water that contains chloramines is totally safe to drink. The digestive process neutralizes the chloramines before they reach the bloodstream. Even kidney patients can drink and bathe in chloraminated water. | |
| Dated:10/30/2007 3:42:16 PM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | What about water rationing? |
| Water conservation and rationing falls under the ordinance passed on April 17th, 2006. The ordinance provides the City Manager with authorization and direction to declare the emergency and authorize rationing as needed. The water conservation plan as outlined in this ordinance can be viewed on the WATER CONSERVATION PLAN PAGE. | |
| Dated:4/25/2006 10:25:33 AM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | What are Chloramines? |
| Chloramines, also known as combined chlorine, are a combination of chlorine and ammonia compounds which are used to kill potentially harmful bacteria in water. | |
| Dated:10/30/2007 3:40:06 PM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | What are the major benefits associated with chloramination? |
| Better disinfection in the remote areas of the water system, therefore making the water safer to drink. Chloramines greatly reduce objectionable taste and odor in the water. Chloramines have been found to be very effective at reducing levels of by-products that are normally formed with free chlorine. | |
| Dated:10/30/2007 3:44:12 PM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | What do I do if my water does not flow? |
| If your water unexpectedly stops, there may be a break in the underground line near your house. Crews can he reached 24 hours a day to fix broken water lines. During business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. contact Line Maintenance at 273-1960. After hours contact the Water Treatment Plant at 273-0890. Crews will be sent to repair the line. | |
| Dated:5/6/2004 9:49:22 AM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | What is the metal content of the water? |
| Shawnee water is surprisingly low in dissolved metals. The lake water contains negligible amounts (much less than 100 parts per billion) of Silver, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Mercury, Nickel, Lead, Thallium, Selenium, and Antimony. Small amounts (less than 5 parts per million) of naturally occurring Aluminum, Iron, Manganese Sodium, and Zinc are also present in the lake water. The treatment process removes nearly all of these metals from the drinking water. The metals content in the drinking water is always in compliance with E.P.A. guidelines. | |
| Dated:5/6/2004 9:50:01 AM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | What special precautions should fish owners take with chloraminated water? |
| Chloramines are toxic to fish, reptiles, turtles and amphibians, just as chlorine is toxic and must be removed. Chloramines can be removed from the water by using a water conditioner containing a dechlorinator or by using granular activated carbon. | |
| Dated:10/30/2007 4:01:53 PM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | What special precautions should kidney dialysis patients take with chloraminated water? |
| Chlorine and chloramines must be removed from the water used in kidney dialysis machines. There are two methods to accomplish this, by adding ascorbic acid or by using granular activated carbon treatment. Medical centers that perform dialysis are responsible for purifying the water that enters the dialysis machines. Dialysis systems already pre-treat their source water to remove chlorine. However some modifications may be necessary to remove the chloramines. | |
| Dated:10/30/2007 4:02:21 PM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | Where do I find the Consumer Confidence Reports for each year? |
| The Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) are published as provided from the Utility division on the Publications and Presentations page of the Water/Wastewater system. Follow the link to view past and present reports. | |
| http://www.shawneeok.org/PublicWorks/Water/Presentations | |
| Dated:5/17/2006 11:37:02 AM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | Where does my water come from? |
| All of Shawnee’s water comes from the Shawnee Twin Lakes and Wes Watkins Reservoir. It flows by gravity from the lakes to the water treatment plant where it undergoes aggressive treatment to remove all particulates and is chlorinated to destroy any pathogens. The water is then pumped to water towers around the city and it flows by gravity to your home. The water treatment plant can treat 8.7 million gallons per day to replenish water as it is used by residents, businesses and industries. | |
| Dated:5/6/2004 9:49:04 AM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | Why are chloramines a problem for kidney dialysis patients and aquarium owners? |
| Chloramines are harmful when they go directly into the bloodstream. In the dialysis process, water comes in contact with the blood across a permeable membrane. Chloramines in dialysis water would be toxic, just as chlorine in dialysis water would be toxic. Fish also take chloramines directly into their bloodstreams. | |
| Dated:10/30/2007 3:40:29 PM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | Why does my water sometime taste or smell like swimming pool water |
| Chlorine is added to the drinking water as a disinfectant (required by Federal Law). The amount added is only enough to ensure that the water at your house is free of bacteria and parasites. Usually, this amount is about 1 milligram of chlorine for each liter of water (1 part chlorine per million parts of water). A slight chlorine odor or no odor indicates that the chlorine is working properly as a disinfectant. Some customers buy sink filters to remove the chlorine for taste reasons. This is fine, but do not let the filtered water set too long since it no longer has its disinfecting abilities. | |
| Dated:8/19/2009 3:39:55 PM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | Why does my water sometimes look brown? |
| Brown water occurs when normal sediments in the water lines become agitated. Agitation can occur when the lines are turned off for repairs or when a line breaks. The brown color is from iron (rust) particles that come off the pipes with age. Although it is undesirable, the water is safe to drink. The color can stain white clothes in the washing machine. Try to eliminate the brown color by running your cold water for 15 to 20 minutes (run from an outside faucet). If the color does not go away, contact line maintenance and they will send a worker out to flush the brown water out of the lines at a nearby fire hydrant. | |
| Dated:5/6/2004 9:49:30 AM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | Why does my water sometimes look ''milky'' or ''cloudy''? |
| Cloudy water is usually the result of dissolved air in the water lines. Air may be introduced into the lines as a result of line repairs or fire hydrant operations. This condition is usually temporary, although it may take several hours for the air to dissipate in the lines. To check if the cloudy water is due to dissolved air, fill a glass with water and leave it on a counter for a few minutes. The water should become clear again. Cloudy water of this type is safe to use. | |
| Dated:5/6/2004 9:49:42 AM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | Will chloramines be removed by boiling the water? |
| No. Boiling is not an effective method of removing chloramines from water. | |
| Dated:10/30/2007 3:43:53 PM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | Will chloramines dissipate, or dissolve, out of the water? |
| No. Unlike chlorine, which dissipates when water sits for a few days, chloramines may take weeks to dissipate. | |
| Dated:10/30/2007 3:43:39 PM Back to Top--^ | |
| Q: | Will there be any noticeable changes with chloraminated water? |
| When the chloraminated water first flushes out the chlorinated water there may be a slight taste and odor, and possibly discoloration for a short period of time. This will not compromise the safety of the water. Try running your water taps for a few minutes to flush it out. | |
| Dated:10/30/2007 4:03:10 PM Back to Top--^ | |
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You probably use more water each day that
you suspect. |
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| Action | Gallons |
| Flushing the toilet | 1-5 gallons |
| Running the faucet | 1-5 gallons / minute |
| Taking a Shower | 2-10 gallons / minute |
| Filling a bathtub half full | 20-50 gallons |
| Running the dishwasher | At least 15 gallons |
| Running the washing machine (clothes) | Up to 50 gallons |
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Real Time Lake Level Data |
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The gauges at the right displays the most recent Shawnee Lake No.1 and Wes Watkins level based on real time USGS data. You can view more data and information on the Shawnee Lake No 1 levels as well as view recent historical level information by visiting the USGS Shawnee lake site. Note this is an external site not managed by the City of Shawnee. Another useful online site is the US Drought Monitor that tracks current drought conditions across the United States and can be used to visualize the current issues.
Most people are not aware that there is a USGS Shawnee Lake Weather Station set up at the Twin Lakes to record weather data for the area. Visit it to get temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, and barametric pressure of the lake area.
  Every Drop Counts! Did you know that the average American uses 100 gallons of water every day? But we can all reduce that amount by as much as 30 gallons by taking a few simple steps, such as installing WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures and using water efficiently in our yards. City of Shawnee/Shawnee Municipal Authority is committed to protecting the future of our national and local water supply through water-efficient practices, products, and services. That is why we are partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to bring to you WaterSense, a national program that offers people a simple way to make product choices that use less water—and perform as well or better than your existing products. Why Should You Care? Using water efficiently will conserve supplies for future generations. Protecting and preserving the nation’s water supply is critical to our economic future and human health.
WaterSense Labeled Products Stay tuned as WaterSense labeled products become available at a store near you! EPA maintains an online directory of labeled products Water Sense Product Index Learn More Why water efficiency? Learn about the benefits of water-efficiency and find links to related resources and state programs. Water Sense Tips
It is our goal to provide sufficient and safe water at the lowest possible cost to the citizens of Shawnee. The City of Shawnee utilizes the Shawnee Twin Lakes and Wes Watkins Reservoir as its raw water source. They have an estimated combined storage of 34,000 acre feet with a surface area of 2,436 acres and dependable yield of 4.3 MGD. The Wes Watkins reservoir has increased the raw water available to the community. Wes Watkins estimated storage is 11,581 acre feet of water at Normal (municipal) Pool elevations; at its flood pool elevation, the reservoir volume will be 21,869 acre feet and the surface area will be 1,640 acres. The Pottawatomie County Development Authority is the owner and developer of this project in partnership with the City of Shawnee. The dependable yield of the Wes Watkins reservoir is 4.5 MGD. Water from the three lakes will be used on a rotating basis to protect the water rights and provide for the needs of the City, PCDA and other users.
The Water Treatment Plant produces an average 4.4 million gallons of potable water each day. The water treatment facility is located on south Kickapoo near the North Canadian River. The first plant was originally built in 1895.
The Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant increased to 3.0 million gallons per day by a $3,500,000 project completed in June, 1997. The plant currently treats an average of 1.59 MGD of wastewater each day, much of which comes from the industrial area located in the northern area of Shawnee. As a part of the Northside Plant expansion a new interceptor line was installed from Wolverine Road and Harrison to the plant. That project eliminated a lift station and provided increased capacity to the industrial areas north of the plant. Improvements at the plant included two new clarifiers, increased sludge digestor capacity, a new chlorine basin and chemical building.
The Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant currently treats an average of 2.27 million gallons of wastewater each day. It has a capacity of 3.0 MGD. The Southside Treatment Plant serves the area south of the ridge line that divides the city. This includes the central business district and the major residential areas of the City. Both plants have excess capacity. The population equivalent of the treatment plants is 46,000. The Industrial Pretreatment Program was approved by EPA in 1983 and revised in 1993. Objectives of the program include the following:
Other Water / Wastewater Information
External Links and Information |